Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own (ESV)
The first thing standing out to me in this verse is this; “not that I have already obtained this.” And I stop there and ask, obtained what? Without the context of this verse we miss the heart behind Paul’s address. He’s referring to being found in Christ, “not having a righteousness of” his “own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that which depends on faith-that” he “may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in death, that by any means possible” he “may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:9-11). There is much that is coming to mind as I meditate upon this address “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” The first thing is this, one thing remains, that is righteousness. Whether under the law or in Christ, the absence of righteousness is non-existent. The difference is this, one is established upon righteousness of the flesh, while the other is found through faith in Christ. I want to camp out on this thought for a while. I will go as far to say what Paul has said, “faith without works is dead” (James 1:20). If our righteousness in Christ depends upon the faith, then that faith must produce something in our life. It must produce the works, otherwise it is a dead faith. In order to better understand this we look at the definition of faith. A belief or trust: belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof.
Although we must understand this one thing, our faith in Christ Jesus is not a blind-faith. We are not required to commit intellectual suicide by believing in Christ Jesus as Lord. Think about these three verses; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). So here is the thing, we have been given the truth, the word of God, and we have been given the mind, or intellectual capacity, so that through the empowerment of the Spirit, we have the ability to know God. For me it works something like this. I fill my mind with the truth, the truth then sparks my spirit, and my heart generates an energy and desire to continue filling my mind with the truth. My heart, soul and mind are working in perfect harmony and without a proper balance, or one of the three to an extreme it could be dangerous. This proverb comes to mind, “Desire without knowledge is not good, whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way” (Proverbs 19:2). Or heart without mind. When we are given a desire we need to weigh it against the truth, to see if it is in Gods will. Gods will is not a lighting bolt that hits us in the fiery feeling of warm fuzzy tingling, its 66 books full of truth and commandments, the designed and intended way of living. God, omniscient and omnipotent and all wise has poured out through loving channels (I.e. Christ) all his creation would need for an eternity through the power of his word. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).
Braking this verse down problematically there are two more things to note. I cant help but love the person of Paul, maybe its Christ within him that I am attracted to, but regardless his words are inspired by the Spirit and profound none the less. He says, “I press on to make it my own.” Clearly through scripture we have been informed that we have the ability to make it our own. If eternal life comes through knowing God (John 17:3), then you had better believe that he has created us with the ability to know him. If we truly believe in Christ, we should see an outward manifestation of righteous action due to an inward transformation of the heart and mind through the power of the Holy Spirit. In John 3:16, one of the most commonly memorized and quoted scriptures of the Christian faith, says that we find eternal life through believing in Christ. It does not say who ever believed, but whoever believes. This word believes, in the Greek, is in the present tense, an on going continuous action.
Believing is an ongoing condition of the heart, not just a one time act. If you believe in an ongoing way then you don’t perish. “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). This verse sums up the purpose of the gospel. The first word believe, in the Greek is a tense that describes coming to believe. The event of starting to believe. The second word believe is the present tense of ongoing action. In paraphrased form, this gospel was written, and the events of Jesus are recorded, and preserved, so that at a point in time you might come to believe, and by believing for the rest of your life get and experience eternal life. In other words, don’t think back to the encounter you had with God 10 years ago, at the point of you Christian life, when you were saved. What saves is not a point in time, but do you believe right now? This very moment. Ill put it like this, “You believe, that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!” (James 2:19). If the demons believe, yet have not received eternal life, we should note there must be more to the belief of a Christian. It should be a belief that is so true, a belief that Jesus Christ is enough, that the desires of this world would be no more. If you truly believe Jesus is enough, your actions will reflect that belief, when tempted with the lusts of this world, you will without struggle pick the love of God.
This is where it becomes personal, this is where we should strive to make it our own. The faith of my neighbor is not going to earn me the righteousness of Christ. It’s personal, Christ died for all, but that means he died for you and me both. So as he made me his own, we should make our faith our own. We are in danger unless we understand this one truth, we will receive empowerment to be holy as he was holy. Paul was trying to attain something, we have failed to mention up to this point, but this is the climax, this is the punch line, this is the resurrection from the dead. Now we need to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. Without the resurrection there is no power in the cross. But because Christ resurrected, he conquered death, and through the cross, through the resurrection, through Christ do we find eternal life. But within the eternal life we have obtained the ability to share in that power. We are to die in a spiritual sense, upon the death to self (the flesh), we receive a rebirth of the Spirit. We are not longer dying but we enter into eternal life, death has lost its power through the resurrection of Christ. This is what we are to make our own, we are to share in his sufferings, share his death, that we might know him and share in the power of his resurrection. The power of the cross, the heal and bind the broken hearted, the power to liberate, to power to restore, the power to set the captives free this is the power of the cross. So daily wake up, pick up that power and make it personal.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Kenya Missions Update 2
June 21, 2012:
I can’t believe its been a little over two months now that I have been in Kenya. Times is going very fast, although looking back on my time spent here I feel as though much has been done. We are busy daily, laboring in the word of God, learning, teaching and living out the great commission to “make disciples of all nations.” Personally I am honored and humbled at the ministry that is taking place. Its hard for me to accept that God has entrusted all that he has to me. But instead of wallowing in self pity it has challenged me to seek God that much more. I am compelled to press deep into his word, seeking him in prayer, looking to Him for direction and guidance. God has been faithful to empower me with His Spirit, as I take the next step he is right in front of me leading the way. I have seen God work in such a tangible way I can not deny his presence and hand in the work being done here in Kenya. The proverbs say, “The King’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
When I knew I was coming to Africa I started to seek God. I didn’t really know how to pray for coming here because I did not know what to expect upon coming. But God was faithful to give me his heart, to give me the desires of the work that he has prepared for me to walk in. I know he was laying upon my heart and equipping me to engage in discipleship. I love teaching with the masses, but He has made it so clear to me its about discipleship. As I go from school to school to teach, from church to church, class to class, outreach to outreach, I take everything we do very seriously. God has given me such a passion for those he has entrusted to me. I daily try and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called.” Knowing that I have been equipped, taken in as a disciple of God, and it is my responsibility to do the same. I have seriously taken the prayer of Jesus in John 17 to God the father as my own prayer for ministry in this season. “And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:19). Some days I grow weary of doing good, I want to give up and gratify the flesh, but then I am reminded of the honor to go before thousands of Kenyans each week and that fact allows me to press on in holiness. That I might not be a hypocrite as I teach my kids one thing, then walk out and do the opposite. Now don’t get me wrong, daily I fall short, but I genuinely try to be holy as Christ is holy.
Now I want to give you a glimpse into a normal week, that you might get a better understanding of what God has entrusted unto this ministry.
- Monday - Is day off from ministry, to rest and prepare for the week.
- Tuesday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 9:00-3:00pm Serving at Pastor Moses’ church in Otawala (physical labor and ministering at the K-3 grade school), 5:30-6:30pm Home fellowship in Rongai.
- Wednesday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 10:30-11:00am Teaching at Oloo Sirkon Primary School (K-8), back to Oloo Sirkon from 3:10-4:10pm for tutoring and more small group/personal time. 5:30-6:30pm We run a bible study teaching the Inductive Bible Study method to the church in Rongai.
- Thursday - 7:30-8:30am Devotions at Manna Bible College, 8:30-10:30am Grounds Keeping at Manna, 12:00-12:45pm teaching at Ongatta Rongai Primary (1-3), 1:00-1:30pm teaching at Nakeel Primary grades (K-8), 4:30-6:30pm Chapel at Nakeel Boys Secondary School, grades (9-12).
- Friday - Day off from ministry to prepare for the busy weekend.
- Saturday - Kids Club in Rongai 10:00-2:30pm, 2:30-3:30pm I have a kid Simon I meet with and have taken him in as my disciple, 4:00-5:30pm Nakeel Boys Secondary Discipleship with the Bible club leaders.
- Sunday - Church 10:00-1:00pm, Kids club in Otawala from 1:30-4:00pm
To give a deeper description of the specific groups I am working with and teachings I am doing, I will generalize the week. I work mainly with the teenagers, with the exception of one or two classes with younger ones when necessary. I am seriously seeking God as to how I can best equip the kids in the now four remaining months I have with them. My strategy is to give them a biblical worldview, knowing behavior stems from worldview. To give them a foundation in the word of God, helping them know that what they believe is true and where they can find that truth for themselves in the bible. I am telling them to be Bereans, “receive the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Not to believe what someone has said because they are a teacher, preacher, or a mzungu (white person), but because God has personally spoken to them through his word. Also that they have the ability to be empowered with the Holy Spirit, to interpret and understand the thoughts of God as they accept and allow his Spirit to empower them.
I am teaching them practical ways to form a vision, to endure through focus, as Christ endured with one focus, the Cross. The principles of stewardship and responsible Christian living. Most importantly I want to show them that I am human, I am learning and growing with them. That I am here to make friendships, I tell them they are my disciples, and they have just as much to teach me as I learn from them. Whoever said ministry was a job hasn’t experienced real ministry. Although I do it all for the Glory of God, he still allows me to share in that blessing. It has come down to this. I recognize my role is simply to plant seeds, and be an example of Christ, living the Christian life together with them. Knowing that I am simply imparting seeds, I am convinced a foundation in the Word and a proper understanding of the Spirit will benefit them for a lifetime to come. Knowing God does the growth, I aim to get them to a proper understanding, so growth can take place.
I thank God for who he is and love because he first loved us! If you are keeping me in my prayers I am grateful, your support is apparent. A few things to keep in mind would be a continual empowerment of the Holy Spirit, guidance and driection from the Lord and for the fruits of the Spirit to be apparent in my life. That I might be a leader by example and not by word.
God Bless,
Austin
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| Teaching at Nakeel Boys Secondary |
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| Worship at OlooSirkon |
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| Teaching at Otawala Kids Club. Look at those Bereans!! |
Rejoice Always... Not Much More to Be Said!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always (ESV)
This verse is coming at a time when God is really questioning me about my Joy. Even now as I am writing this I am reminded of the message I shared with the my teens on Sunday. I asked them if Christ was burdened carrying the cross down Calvary road? If he was grumbling and complaining as his open flesh was rubbing against the wood of the cross. We know that he wasn’t, because we are told “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). When I read that I am definitely challenged but at the same time moved. Looking at what is truly being said, that he endured the cross, he lasted, continued in the same state without perishing, he remained; he abided in the perfect will of the Father. He bared with patience, he bared without opposition, he didn’t sink under the pressure, he “despised the shame”. This kind of endurance we see mentioned 26 times in Psalm 136, in reference to the steadfast love of the Lord which endures forever. Its one thing to do all of this, but to do it with joy, with passion. A passion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. The rational prospect of possessing what Christ loved or desired. Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. We are Jesus’ crown, we made the sacrifice of his blood worth it.
Christ had the focus of a marathon runner. He ran the race with endurance, and didn’t give up at the end. A marathon runner grows tired, they wear out, the wont to stop and give up. But an Olympic runner runs the hardest mile the last mile. They don’t drop their shoulders, slow down and give up. The proudly run, shoulders straight and head high through the finish line. I think of that last mile of a marathon kind of like Christ’s final moments before getting to the cross. He was beyond worn out, he was beyond tired, he was beaten to a pulp, and yet he carried that cross with his head held high. He carried it proudly, knowing his crown was in heaven, as he looked up and said “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). I want my life to get to that point, where I can look up and glory in the thought of my eternal dwelling. Holding my head high, walking in joy, for “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
We can truly learn so much from the life of Christ. We look at a man like Paul, who knew what it meant to live in the love of Christ, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No solider gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:3-6). Paul knew who enlisted him and the reason for his service. It was more then the civilian pursuits, it was about the will of his heavenly Father. He knew that, “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it was the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Just as Christ did, we are to walk daily in the will of the Father, leaving to glorify and please him, picking up our cross daily and the power within. When we pick up our cross we are picking up the power of the resurrection, the power to liberate heal and bind the broken hearted. We are picking up the joy set before us, enduring in pure joy through every trial that comes our way.
Application:
I know joy is a fruit of the spirit, something I cannot fake but can only receive through a genuine relationship and acceptance of the Spirit of God. I will pray this week for the fruits to be evident in my life, and endure in remaining in this prayer.
This verse is coming at a time when God is really questioning me about my Joy. Even now as I am writing this I am reminded of the message I shared with the my teens on Sunday. I asked them if Christ was burdened carrying the cross down Calvary road? If he was grumbling and complaining as his open flesh was rubbing against the wood of the cross. We know that he wasn’t, because we are told “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). When I read that I am definitely challenged but at the same time moved. Looking at what is truly being said, that he endured the cross, he lasted, continued in the same state without perishing, he remained; he abided in the perfect will of the Father. He bared with patience, he bared without opposition, he didn’t sink under the pressure, he “despised the shame”. This kind of endurance we see mentioned 26 times in Psalm 136, in reference to the steadfast love of the Lord which endures forever. Its one thing to do all of this, but to do it with joy, with passion. A passion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. The rational prospect of possessing what Christ loved or desired. Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. We are Jesus’ crown, we made the sacrifice of his blood worth it.
Christ had the focus of a marathon runner. He ran the race with endurance, and didn’t give up at the end. A marathon runner grows tired, they wear out, the wont to stop and give up. But an Olympic runner runs the hardest mile the last mile. They don’t drop their shoulders, slow down and give up. The proudly run, shoulders straight and head high through the finish line. I think of that last mile of a marathon kind of like Christ’s final moments before getting to the cross. He was beyond worn out, he was beyond tired, he was beaten to a pulp, and yet he carried that cross with his head held high. He carried it proudly, knowing his crown was in heaven, as he looked up and said “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). I want my life to get to that point, where I can look up and glory in the thought of my eternal dwelling. Holding my head high, walking in joy, for “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
We can truly learn so much from the life of Christ. We look at a man like Paul, who knew what it meant to live in the love of Christ, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No solider gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:3-6). Paul knew who enlisted him and the reason for his service. It was more then the civilian pursuits, it was about the will of his heavenly Father. He knew that, “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it was the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Just as Christ did, we are to walk daily in the will of the Father, leaving to glorify and please him, picking up our cross daily and the power within. When we pick up our cross we are picking up the power of the resurrection, the power to liberate heal and bind the broken hearted. We are picking up the joy set before us, enduring in pure joy through every trial that comes our way.
Application:
I know joy is a fruit of the spirit, something I cannot fake but can only receive through a genuine relationship and acceptance of the Spirit of God. I will pray this week for the fruits to be evident in my life, and endure in remaining in this prayer.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
What do you Have to Show for Your God!
Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (ESV)
If this verse could be more prevalent in any certain time I think it would be more so now then ever. Especially considering your status an American. A country founded on biblical principles, with a constitutional foundation centered around God. But God has been removed from the picture, and corruption has entered. The freedom of our governmental structure was meant to have a people with Godly morals and values in place. Authority that would seek Gods direction and guidance, there are many biblical ideas that lie within our constitutional documents. But because of the fact fallen man has been placed in authority, to rule and govern, corruption has made its way in. Taking all of this into consideration its no wander America has gotten to the point that its at today. Even though we have come to the point we have come to, we should not let it discourage us. Knowing that as an American we stand upon a foundation that was built around and centered upon the word of God, we need to be on the offense.
We have taken the defense and shied back in our faith. Today in America if you’re a Christian chances are your probably not living much different then the rest of society. Even if you are living different, there’s probably not much that your doing to let others know of your faith. We have slacked in our devotions, we are relaxed in our faith and mock the grace of God in our actions. I’m sad to call myself an American because of this reason. Although I recognize there are many God fearing Americans who love the Lord and glorify his name in all they do. But I fell into the category of one who would look no different then someone who wasn’t serving the Lord. It was even to the point that someone who clearly wasn’t saved was living more of a Godly life then I was. Now I am not going to get to into to it, for surely I do believe that we are saved by faith not by works. Although faith without works is dead, and it’s a balance that when missed is a ugly site. Frankly I was ashamed to call myself a Christian but yet not be living a life that showed I was.
So the point I am making is as Christians we need to get back on the offense. Start being bold about our faith, living it out for all to see. Knowing the rights we truly have, that are in accordance to the constitution of the United States. Being that we have this foundation to stand on, we also have the foundation of the bible. Where we find biblical truths to form a biblical worldview and perspective. Today I can truly say I have allowed the bible to shape and mold my worldview. I run my life through a filter, the inherent word of God. This has given me a confidence to believe what I believe. The more I learn about God, his character nature and creation, the more I am learning about myself. Being that man is made in the image of God. As I learn more about Gods meaning for creation, I find purpose for my life. I know that bringing glory to God is where I find true significance, purpose, meaning, and vision for my life. The more I learn about the foundation I stand upon the more confidence I gain. Along with an empowerment of the spirit, I gain boldness, power authority and clarity of the scriptures, Just as Peter in Acts 2 after he had received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is now and only now that I am beginning to understand the things are crucial to they way I live my life. Its when I grasp a better understanding, and begin to apply the word of God and the truth within that I have been able to become a light.
If this verse could be more prevalent in any certain time I think it would be more so now then ever. Especially considering your status an American. A country founded on biblical principles, with a constitutional foundation centered around God. But God has been removed from the picture, and corruption has entered. The freedom of our governmental structure was meant to have a people with Godly morals and values in place. Authority that would seek Gods direction and guidance, there are many biblical ideas that lie within our constitutional documents. But because of the fact fallen man has been placed in authority, to rule and govern, corruption has made its way in. Taking all of this into consideration its no wander America has gotten to the point that its at today. Even though we have come to the point we have come to, we should not let it discourage us. Knowing that as an American we stand upon a foundation that was built around and centered upon the word of God, we need to be on the offense.
We have taken the defense and shied back in our faith. Today in America if you’re a Christian chances are your probably not living much different then the rest of society. Even if you are living different, there’s probably not much that your doing to let others know of your faith. We have slacked in our devotions, we are relaxed in our faith and mock the grace of God in our actions. I’m sad to call myself an American because of this reason. Although I recognize there are many God fearing Americans who love the Lord and glorify his name in all they do. But I fell into the category of one who would look no different then someone who wasn’t serving the Lord. It was even to the point that someone who clearly wasn’t saved was living more of a Godly life then I was. Now I am not going to get to into to it, for surely I do believe that we are saved by faith not by works. Although faith without works is dead, and it’s a balance that when missed is a ugly site. Frankly I was ashamed to call myself a Christian but yet not be living a life that showed I was.
So the point I am making is as Christians we need to get back on the offense. Start being bold about our faith, living it out for all to see. Knowing the rights we truly have, that are in accordance to the constitution of the United States. Being that we have this foundation to stand on, we also have the foundation of the bible. Where we find biblical truths to form a biblical worldview and perspective. Today I can truly say I have allowed the bible to shape and mold my worldview. I run my life through a filter, the inherent word of God. This has given me a confidence to believe what I believe. The more I learn about God, his character nature and creation, the more I am learning about myself. Being that man is made in the image of God. As I learn more about Gods meaning for creation, I find purpose for my life. I know that bringing glory to God is where I find true significance, purpose, meaning, and vision for my life. The more I learn about the foundation I stand upon the more confidence I gain. Along with an empowerment of the spirit, I gain boldness, power authority and clarity of the scriptures, Just as Peter in Acts 2 after he had received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is now and only now that I am beginning to understand the things are crucial to they way I live my life. Its when I grasp a better understanding, and begin to apply the word of God and the truth within that I have been able to become a light.
Please Do...
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning (ESV)
I think this verse is pretty straightforward in what is being said. But with that being said, it also seems to be one of the hardest things to actually do. How convicting this verse is. I know for me its one thing that I know, but yet my heart is so hard to it. For some reason I seem to forget that fairness died in the garden. I seem to forget that as a follower of Christ I have surrendered my rights. Its funny, although I tend to grumble, I know the hardness of my heart and for a moment it feels satisfying to stay bitter. But at the end of the day it is a miserable, sad and lonely existence. Its not until I think back to an eternal perspective that I am able to laugh it off. When I am reminded how small one event is compared to the eternal scope we are born into, I cant help but laugh at the condition of my heart. That I would really allow something so small as piling into one van with eight people that I have spent the last half a year with. Well that's a long time right? Not really, not considering the length of my time on earth compared to eternity. If eternity were a one hour show, it would be as if my life was a millisecond of that hour show. Even then I don’t know if it would be possible to find a number small enough to calculate my time on earth compared to eternity.
But when I think of it like that, who am I to complain about such a minute thing. Like how come this person didn’t do there dish, or why did they not clean up their mess. Its not a matter of right and wrong, but its the fact that life isn't fair. And within that we have no right to complain because we are simply stewards of Gods creation. “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4). All that we are entrusted with comes from God, so we should treat it with the utmost respect. So when I see someone doing something wrong by all means, “let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). I am so quick to judge and be the one on the front line, ready to throw the first stone. But when it comes down to it who can be left standing without sin. Just as Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him, no one is worthy to throw the stone. So we forgive, we forget, we love and life goes on.
Application:
I need to apologize to certain house mates, although by my actions I have not done wrong, the condition of my heart is one that has put down and judged.
I think this verse is pretty straightforward in what is being said. But with that being said, it also seems to be one of the hardest things to actually do. How convicting this verse is. I know for me its one thing that I know, but yet my heart is so hard to it. For some reason I seem to forget that fairness died in the garden. I seem to forget that as a follower of Christ I have surrendered my rights. Its funny, although I tend to grumble, I know the hardness of my heart and for a moment it feels satisfying to stay bitter. But at the end of the day it is a miserable, sad and lonely existence. Its not until I think back to an eternal perspective that I am able to laugh it off. When I am reminded how small one event is compared to the eternal scope we are born into, I cant help but laugh at the condition of my heart. That I would really allow something so small as piling into one van with eight people that I have spent the last half a year with. Well that's a long time right? Not really, not considering the length of my time on earth compared to eternity. If eternity were a one hour show, it would be as if my life was a millisecond of that hour show. Even then I don’t know if it would be possible to find a number small enough to calculate my time on earth compared to eternity.
But when I think of it like that, who am I to complain about such a minute thing. Like how come this person didn’t do there dish, or why did they not clean up their mess. Its not a matter of right and wrong, but its the fact that life isn't fair. And within that we have no right to complain because we are simply stewards of Gods creation. “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4). All that we are entrusted with comes from God, so we should treat it with the utmost respect. So when I see someone doing something wrong by all means, “let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). I am so quick to judge and be the one on the front line, ready to throw the first stone. But when it comes down to it who can be left standing without sin. Just as Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him, no one is worthy to throw the stone. So we forgive, we forget, we love and life goes on.
Application:
I need to apologize to certain house mates, although by my actions I have not done wrong, the condition of my heart is one that has put down and judged.
Whos Joy is it Anyway?
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (ESV)
I see this verse as three different components, but all within one larger truth. The main thing we shouldn’t miss is that its God who works in us. The work we do is not our own but it’s the work of the Lord in our lives to carry out his will and fulfill the intended purpose of his creation. Which believe it or not this goes hand in hand. As Gods will is being done in our lives, his name is being glorified. Being that this is true God cannot be glorified in our grumbling and complaining. Which is why he has given us the choice to choose a life that glorifies his name. Being that God cannot be glorified in our grumbling, but only through our genuine choice to serve and proclaim his name. Then we find a direct correlation between glorifying God and our joy. Although Gods purpose for his creation was to bring him glory, we still find joy through doing this being that he can only be glorified through a joyful heart. We bring God joy, which is also where we find significance, purpose and meaning for our life. “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). We see that God rejoices over us with gladness and exults over us with loud singing. He finds joy in us, and this joy is found when we are in his will. This is something we share with God, as we rejoice in praising him, he rejoices in us.
This verse makes me think about the life of Christ. A prefect representation of God working through human flesh. Working for the will of God, that his name might be glorified and through that glorification pleasure would be found. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Where did Christ find joy in his life? In carrying out the will of the Father. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:1-5).
Christ had one focus and purpose in laying his deity aside, clothing himself in humility and being born in the likeness of men. He was focused on the cross, knowing that he was sent to die for the redemption of his creation. So Christ could not have grumbled at this task at hand, the cross was not an afterthought, but he daily walked in the shadow knowing that he was headed to Calvary road. And even then he found joy in walking in complete obedience to the father, we know he found joy for one because Hebrews 12:2 tells us it was a “joy set before him.” Secondly, for the Father to have been glorified in Christ’s death it has to be something that was done in pure joy. When people say pick up your cross, they often associate the cross with a trail or burden that is presently in your life. I don’t see how this could be so, as if when Christ was carrying his cross down the Calvary road he was burdened by it. It was not a trial in his life, it was pure joy. The cross is simply the cross. When we start to look at the cross as a trial in our we begin to diminish the work Christ did the day of his crucifixion. But when the cross is the cross you can focus on the power of it. The cross is liberating, delivering creation from slavery.
When your like Paul and you have experienced the goodness of Christ, the cross becomes a hope in your life. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Also Paul is able to look at the cross and find glory in it, “but far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). Everyday we look to the cross, and find mercy, power, grace and restoration. We are drawn to the cross for a daily surrender, a surrender that enables the power of the cross to reign true in our lives.
So being that we have a perfect example of a life poured out, even to the point of death. We know that before the world existed, God has prepared a work for us to walk in, this should encourage us and compel us to seek his will for our life all the more. Knowing that when we walk in that will we will be experiencing pure joy to the extent of its intended design and within that we will be fulfilling our intended purpose in this life, glorying God. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).
I see this verse as three different components, but all within one larger truth. The main thing we shouldn’t miss is that its God who works in us. The work we do is not our own but it’s the work of the Lord in our lives to carry out his will and fulfill the intended purpose of his creation. Which believe it or not this goes hand in hand. As Gods will is being done in our lives, his name is being glorified. Being that this is true God cannot be glorified in our grumbling and complaining. Which is why he has given us the choice to choose a life that glorifies his name. Being that God cannot be glorified in our grumbling, but only through our genuine choice to serve and proclaim his name. Then we find a direct correlation between glorifying God and our joy. Although Gods purpose for his creation was to bring him glory, we still find joy through doing this being that he can only be glorified through a joyful heart. We bring God joy, which is also where we find significance, purpose and meaning for our life. “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). We see that God rejoices over us with gladness and exults over us with loud singing. He finds joy in us, and this joy is found when we are in his will. This is something we share with God, as we rejoice in praising him, he rejoices in us.
This verse makes me think about the life of Christ. A prefect representation of God working through human flesh. Working for the will of God, that his name might be glorified and through that glorification pleasure would be found. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Where did Christ find joy in his life? In carrying out the will of the Father. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:1-5).
Christ had one focus and purpose in laying his deity aside, clothing himself in humility and being born in the likeness of men. He was focused on the cross, knowing that he was sent to die for the redemption of his creation. So Christ could not have grumbled at this task at hand, the cross was not an afterthought, but he daily walked in the shadow knowing that he was headed to Calvary road. And even then he found joy in walking in complete obedience to the father, we know he found joy for one because Hebrews 12:2 tells us it was a “joy set before him.” Secondly, for the Father to have been glorified in Christ’s death it has to be something that was done in pure joy. When people say pick up your cross, they often associate the cross with a trail or burden that is presently in your life. I don’t see how this could be so, as if when Christ was carrying his cross down the Calvary road he was burdened by it. It was not a trial in his life, it was pure joy. The cross is simply the cross. When we start to look at the cross as a trial in our we begin to diminish the work Christ did the day of his crucifixion. But when the cross is the cross you can focus on the power of it. The cross is liberating, delivering creation from slavery.
When your like Paul and you have experienced the goodness of Christ, the cross becomes a hope in your life. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Also Paul is able to look at the cross and find glory in it, “but far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). Everyday we look to the cross, and find mercy, power, grace and restoration. We are drawn to the cross for a daily surrender, a surrender that enables the power of the cross to reign true in our lives.
So being that we have a perfect example of a life poured out, even to the point of death. We know that before the world existed, God has prepared a work for us to walk in, this should encourage us and compel us to seek his will for our life all the more. Knowing that when we walk in that will we will be experiencing pure joy to the extent of its intended design and within that we will be fulfilling our intended purpose in this life, glorying God. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:7).
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Who Are You?
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (ESV)
In this verse Paul sums up the true meaning of character. To define this word in my words I would say character is who you are when no one is around. When no one is looking, how do you act? This is your real character. I think by the way Paul addresses the church of Philippi we see that Paul understood the importance of being genuine. Or being through and through. Who you see is who I am. Not playing a role to look good on the surface when your around others, and then throwing those morals and values out the window when there is no accountability. For you might be good at holding the appearance of someone who is holy, but God sees right through. He sees into the core of our being, into the true desires of our heart, our thoughts, our motivations and actions. Paul is saying how much more then should you obey in his absence, if what God is concerned with is our true character, who we are through and through.
I take the second part of the verse as an application to the exhortation in the first part. In the sense that our salvation, our work should be done on a personal level. If we are trying to earn our salvation by faking to be someone were not around our friends at church, then what is the point? Maybe its because you feel good when you feel bad, when your convicted and it bothers you, you start to feel warm. Like your close to God, but then what, you walk out of the building drive down the street, and out come the cigarettes, on comes the secular music, and look who’s calling, your buddy you used to drink with and you agree to just “hang out” with him. What is the point in living a life like this. God sees right through your fake smiles at church, he sees right through your self pity and sorrow. What God is looking for is a genuine heart, broken, at the end of himself and ready for a true change from the inside out. A true recognition of what’s deserved and a Godly repentance, leading to a change of heart, not change of appearance, not more cologne to hide the cigarettes, or to delete the messages from your phone, or to clean out your stash. Because those things will burn either way, whether your possessing them or not, and all that will be left is your soul and the true character within.
So my conviction is to start working on the things that I harbor deep within. The bitterness, the pride, the grumbling and the conceit. Its time to start working towards things that will remain on the day of salvation. Things that will withstand the fire testing. Doing this with respect and love through a proper knowledge of who God is, his wrath, justice and righteousness. With a fear and trembling, knowing that one day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and what will you have to offer for your salvation is absolutely nothing. Nothing but the blood of Christ, that washes us white as snow upon confession of sin and a belief and acceptance of the name Jesus Christ. So that means we stop trying then right? Once we have accepted Christ we go back to our old life and live in his grace. This would not be holding a proper knowledge of God. But we do as Peter said, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Application:
I know there are things about my character my heart is hardened to, like the proverb says, “the heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” I need to genuinely soften my heart before the heart before the Lord and ask those around me for forgiveness of my actions.
In this verse Paul sums up the true meaning of character. To define this word in my words I would say character is who you are when no one is around. When no one is looking, how do you act? This is your real character. I think by the way Paul addresses the church of Philippi we see that Paul understood the importance of being genuine. Or being through and through. Who you see is who I am. Not playing a role to look good on the surface when your around others, and then throwing those morals and values out the window when there is no accountability. For you might be good at holding the appearance of someone who is holy, but God sees right through. He sees into the core of our being, into the true desires of our heart, our thoughts, our motivations and actions. Paul is saying how much more then should you obey in his absence, if what God is concerned with is our true character, who we are through and through.
I take the second part of the verse as an application to the exhortation in the first part. In the sense that our salvation, our work should be done on a personal level. If we are trying to earn our salvation by faking to be someone were not around our friends at church, then what is the point? Maybe its because you feel good when you feel bad, when your convicted and it bothers you, you start to feel warm. Like your close to God, but then what, you walk out of the building drive down the street, and out come the cigarettes, on comes the secular music, and look who’s calling, your buddy you used to drink with and you agree to just “hang out” with him. What is the point in living a life like this. God sees right through your fake smiles at church, he sees right through your self pity and sorrow. What God is looking for is a genuine heart, broken, at the end of himself and ready for a true change from the inside out. A true recognition of what’s deserved and a Godly repentance, leading to a change of heart, not change of appearance, not more cologne to hide the cigarettes, or to delete the messages from your phone, or to clean out your stash. Because those things will burn either way, whether your possessing them or not, and all that will be left is your soul and the true character within.
So my conviction is to start working on the things that I harbor deep within. The bitterness, the pride, the grumbling and the conceit. Its time to start working towards things that will remain on the day of salvation. Things that will withstand the fire testing. Doing this with respect and love through a proper knowledge of who God is, his wrath, justice and righteousness. With a fear and trembling, knowing that one day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and what will you have to offer for your salvation is absolutely nothing. Nothing but the blood of Christ, that washes us white as snow upon confession of sin and a belief and acceptance of the name Jesus Christ. So that means we stop trying then right? Once we have accepted Christ we go back to our old life and live in his grace. This would not be holding a proper knowledge of God. But we do as Peter said, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Application:
I know there are things about my character my heart is hardened to, like the proverb says, “the heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” I need to genuinely soften my heart before the heart before the Lord and ask those around me for forgiveness of my actions.
Self-Made Religion
1 Corinthians 3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (ESV)
In this verse Paul is addressing the people of Corinth, simply trying to put things back into perspective. They had allowed divisions to occur, over their opinion, some had put their hope and trust in Paul and some Apollos. But in doing so they have forgotten what they were hoping and trusting in. I think Paul sums up his thoughts in chapter 2, “that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” They had taken God out of the picture, and human nature had set in. When we say I follow Calvary Chapel, or I follow Assemblies of God, we begin to identify in a denomination rather than in Jesus Christ. The reason the sect exists, is lost within the beliefs and opinions of the distinctive. Christ is taken out of the picture when we start to identify in the belief of another human being. For as Paul says, “when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?” We use biblical teaching as means to divide, dividing the very purpose of the bible along with our lofty speech and opinions.
Lets look and see what the bible says we have teachers for. “And he (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12). I don’t see anywhere in this verse where it says they were given for the reason of dividing the body of Christ. And actually you wont find this anywhere in the bible. We are warned to be aware of false teachers, and by all means we need to be on guard and alert to all words that are proclaimed in the name of Jesus. But, bible fearing evangelicals should not look for reason to divide over an opinion or matter of preference. Actually we are told, “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him” and “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).
Philosophy, means literally, the love of wisdom. In this case it would be a worldly wisdom, the same wisdom that Paul addresses those of Colossae, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Col 2:20-23). I think there is such an important truth revealed in these verses. What might seem to have the appearance of wisdom, is actually what is giving a foothold to the flesh, that there might be further indulgence through self-made religion.
As someone who is seriously called to a lifetime of ministry, I take this lesson very seriously. For I know my opinions and beliefs are very strong. Strong enough that in them I could easily remove Christ from the picture, add my own two sense and forget my reason for ministry in the first place. Instead of building up the body, I would be toiling to tear it apart, thinking as I built my way up I would be getting closer to God. As well as bringing others closer to God, only to realize once I made it to the top I had left God out of the picture, and had a whole crowd of people following my own self-made religion, creating a divide between them and their relationship with the Lord.
So how can one be sure to avoid self-made religion? “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corin 2:1-4). Keep the main thing the main thing, all else will trickle down from there.
In this verse Paul is addressing the people of Corinth, simply trying to put things back into perspective. They had allowed divisions to occur, over their opinion, some had put their hope and trust in Paul and some Apollos. But in doing so they have forgotten what they were hoping and trusting in. I think Paul sums up his thoughts in chapter 2, “that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” They had taken God out of the picture, and human nature had set in. When we say I follow Calvary Chapel, or I follow Assemblies of God, we begin to identify in a denomination rather than in Jesus Christ. The reason the sect exists, is lost within the beliefs and opinions of the distinctive. Christ is taken out of the picture when we start to identify in the belief of another human being. For as Paul says, “when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?” We use biblical teaching as means to divide, dividing the very purpose of the bible along with our lofty speech and opinions.
Lets look and see what the bible says we have teachers for. “And he (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12). I don’t see anywhere in this verse where it says they were given for the reason of dividing the body of Christ. And actually you wont find this anywhere in the bible. We are warned to be aware of false teachers, and by all means we need to be on guard and alert to all words that are proclaimed in the name of Jesus. But, bible fearing evangelicals should not look for reason to divide over an opinion or matter of preference. Actually we are told, “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him” and “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).
Philosophy, means literally, the love of wisdom. In this case it would be a worldly wisdom, the same wisdom that Paul addresses those of Colossae, “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Col 2:20-23). I think there is such an important truth revealed in these verses. What might seem to have the appearance of wisdom, is actually what is giving a foothold to the flesh, that there might be further indulgence through self-made religion.
As someone who is seriously called to a lifetime of ministry, I take this lesson very seriously. For I know my opinions and beliefs are very strong. Strong enough that in them I could easily remove Christ from the picture, add my own two sense and forget my reason for ministry in the first place. Instead of building up the body, I would be toiling to tear it apart, thinking as I built my way up I would be getting closer to God. As well as bringing others closer to God, only to realize once I made it to the top I had left God out of the picture, and had a whole crowd of people following my own self-made religion, creating a divide between them and their relationship with the Lord.
So how can one be sure to avoid self-made religion? “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corin 2:1-4). Keep the main thing the main thing, all else will trickle down from there.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Perfect Harmony Amongst Diversity
1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (ESV)
Paul is recognizing in this verse the role Apollos and himself played in building up the church in Corinth. But simply said that was all they did, was played a role, the true growth came from God. We are but vessels used to impart the truth of the gospel that one might come to trust and believe. I relate this verse back to my own time in ministry. I think I would say its rewarding to see someone come to believe in Jesus Christ through the preaching of the word, better then that is to see the continued growth in someone, especially one that you are mentoring. Although around this time its very easy to start to think that you are the reason this growth is taking place. If it wasn’t for me this growth would not be happening, these people would not be giving their lives to Christ. Or because of the growth that I am the Lords anointed, he needs me to accomplish his work. For some reason this verse comes to mind, in reference to qualifications of an overseer “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
In my personal walk I have become very opinionated, or conceited, in the sense that I feel like most people just don’t understand things like I do. Like the way I view the Bible and biblical principles/truths is how every believer should view them. Placing the same importance on them and teaching them the same way I am. If it is another way then I feel this person just doesn’t get it. Truth is, I am very deceived, Satan is using the truth to deceive me. Just as he tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness with Scriptures. Some are called to plant, and some are called to water. We are not all called to live by the same cookie cutter faith. There are foundational truths, doctrine and theology that should be the basis for all ministry, but as we build upon that foundation we will see much diversity. Just as our God is diverse, he has created each one of us in a unique way, with different passions and desires. As long as its biblical, it is growth from the Lord. I need to slow down and look at others in this way. Just because there ministry might be different then the vision I have, doesn’t mean their growth hasn’t come from the Lord. I realize I should be worried if everybody was the same, because that would be when we have shut out the leading of the Spirit, and followed the leading of man.
Think of it like this, if MacArthur’s commentary was our leading source then bible studies would be pretty dry. If we all showed up with the same interpretation of the same portion of Scriptures, then I would have to question whether it was spirit lead or not. Gods word is “spiritually discerned” (1 Corin 2:14), keeping this variable in mind along with the fact no two people are the same, then we should be surprised if we don’t see diversity. Every person brings a different set of past and present personal experiences, maybe similar but not the same. Gods word is living, never changing, always has been. But what is changing is the reader, lead by the Spirit, to receive the words of God as intended.
I think of the verse, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). In the time of King Solomon, who wrote this verse, the process of Iron sharpening Iron was a lengthy process. When it came to making a sword, it would require being pounded out by an iron hammer, then an iron file would be used to create a razor edge, and lastly they would use another piece of iron stone to rub and lift the edge. So let us assume this, each one of us brings one piece to the group that would further the process of creating a usable functioning sword. So if we show up to bible study and our duty is to create this iron sword, but yet we all bring the iron hammer, at the end of this process we are going to be left with an edgeless dull blade. When we all bring MacArthur’s view on the same verse, we are all bringing only one component, the iron hammer. We are then left with a verse that has just been shaped, but not yet sharp enough to pierce through the surface. We can come each week, and just skim the surface, or we can each bring the proper piece, the piece the Spirit wants to equip us with, to give to us, that we might play our part in building up the body of Christ.
I see the importance of diversity, the need for different ministries. Because to take things on a larger scale, from bible study to different ministries. Each ministry is going to come with one component needed to create that functioning sword. When the body is working in perfect harmony, we see complete and total diversity, yet perfect harmony. Just as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, operate in one accord, each with distinct differences in their functions.
Application:
I need to humble myself before the Lord. Today I will spend time praising God for who he is, putting things back into perspective.
Paul is recognizing in this verse the role Apollos and himself played in building up the church in Corinth. But simply said that was all they did, was played a role, the true growth came from God. We are but vessels used to impart the truth of the gospel that one might come to trust and believe. I relate this verse back to my own time in ministry. I think I would say its rewarding to see someone come to believe in Jesus Christ through the preaching of the word, better then that is to see the continued growth in someone, especially one that you are mentoring. Although around this time its very easy to start to think that you are the reason this growth is taking place. If it wasn’t for me this growth would not be happening, these people would not be giving their lives to Christ. Or because of the growth that I am the Lords anointed, he needs me to accomplish his work. For some reason this verse comes to mind, in reference to qualifications of an overseer “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
In my personal walk I have become very opinionated, or conceited, in the sense that I feel like most people just don’t understand things like I do. Like the way I view the Bible and biblical principles/truths is how every believer should view them. Placing the same importance on them and teaching them the same way I am. If it is another way then I feel this person just doesn’t get it. Truth is, I am very deceived, Satan is using the truth to deceive me. Just as he tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness with Scriptures. Some are called to plant, and some are called to water. We are not all called to live by the same cookie cutter faith. There are foundational truths, doctrine and theology that should be the basis for all ministry, but as we build upon that foundation we will see much diversity. Just as our God is diverse, he has created each one of us in a unique way, with different passions and desires. As long as its biblical, it is growth from the Lord. I need to slow down and look at others in this way. Just because there ministry might be different then the vision I have, doesn’t mean their growth hasn’t come from the Lord. I realize I should be worried if everybody was the same, because that would be when we have shut out the leading of the Spirit, and followed the leading of man.
Think of it like this, if MacArthur’s commentary was our leading source then bible studies would be pretty dry. If we all showed up with the same interpretation of the same portion of Scriptures, then I would have to question whether it was spirit lead or not. Gods word is “spiritually discerned” (1 Corin 2:14), keeping this variable in mind along with the fact no two people are the same, then we should be surprised if we don’t see diversity. Every person brings a different set of past and present personal experiences, maybe similar but not the same. Gods word is living, never changing, always has been. But what is changing is the reader, lead by the Spirit, to receive the words of God as intended.
I think of the verse, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). In the time of King Solomon, who wrote this verse, the process of Iron sharpening Iron was a lengthy process. When it came to making a sword, it would require being pounded out by an iron hammer, then an iron file would be used to create a razor edge, and lastly they would use another piece of iron stone to rub and lift the edge. So let us assume this, each one of us brings one piece to the group that would further the process of creating a usable functioning sword. So if we show up to bible study and our duty is to create this iron sword, but yet we all bring the iron hammer, at the end of this process we are going to be left with an edgeless dull blade. When we all bring MacArthur’s view on the same verse, we are all bringing only one component, the iron hammer. We are then left with a verse that has just been shaped, but not yet sharp enough to pierce through the surface. We can come each week, and just skim the surface, or we can each bring the proper piece, the piece the Spirit wants to equip us with, to give to us, that we might play our part in building up the body of Christ.
I see the importance of diversity, the need for different ministries. Because to take things on a larger scale, from bible study to different ministries. Each ministry is going to come with one component needed to create that functioning sword. When the body is working in perfect harmony, we see complete and total diversity, yet perfect harmony. Just as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, operate in one accord, each with distinct differences in their functions.
Application:
I need to humble myself before the Lord. Today I will spend time praising God for who he is, putting things back into perspective.
The Undivded Mind
1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollo’s? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. (ESV)
Who is Apollo’s? Apollo’s is introduced in the Scriptures in Acts 18, and we see in Acts 19 Apollo’s was in Corinth. “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”
Who is Paul? We get Paul’s testimony in Acts 26, although there is so much to know about the Apostle Paul, for sake of space we will keep it limited to these few Scriptures. “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
We see the Lords calling in both the life of Apollo’s and Paul’s. Both were called to be a witness for the Lord. Both were men who knew the scriptures and understood the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ, as their ministry and calling was to share of the grace we have in Christ Jesus through faith in his name. They stood up and spoke boldly in times of heavy persecution. We also know that Paul established the church in Corinth, and Apollo’s encouraged and greatly helped those who through grace had believed in Jesus.
But Paul himself recognized that he was a servant of the Lord. Simply empowered, lead and guided to bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ in all he did. The rest would be in vain, but Paul knew that humanity has caused a divide within the body of Christ. That men would separate over preference or opinion. I think this is such a key topic for the church today. Its only natural that there would be divisions, but Paul was writing to them in regards to the “name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” That we need to die to self, put off the fleshly thoughts, and put on the mind of Christ. He refers to this just back in chapter 2, “ ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” I like what Paul says in Philippians 2:5 in reference to selfless thinking, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Application:
I have allowed for thoughts to enter that have divided me from being in communion with my housemates, today I will pray for a denial of these thoughts and put on the mind I have in Christ Jesus.
Who is Apollo’s? Apollo’s is introduced in the Scriptures in Acts 18, and we see in Acts 19 Apollo’s was in Corinth. “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”
Who is Paul? We get Paul’s testimony in Acts 26, although there is so much to know about the Apostle Paul, for sake of space we will keep it limited to these few Scriptures. “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
We see the Lords calling in both the life of Apollo’s and Paul’s. Both were called to be a witness for the Lord. Both were men who knew the scriptures and understood the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ, as their ministry and calling was to share of the grace we have in Christ Jesus through faith in his name. They stood up and spoke boldly in times of heavy persecution. We also know that Paul established the church in Corinth, and Apollo’s encouraged and greatly helped those who through grace had believed in Jesus.
But Paul himself recognized that he was a servant of the Lord. Simply empowered, lead and guided to bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ in all he did. The rest would be in vain, but Paul knew that humanity has caused a divide within the body of Christ. That men would separate over preference or opinion. I think this is such a key topic for the church today. Its only natural that there would be divisions, but Paul was writing to them in regards to the “name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” That we need to die to self, put off the fleshly thoughts, and put on the mind of Christ. He refers to this just back in chapter 2, “ ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” I like what Paul says in Philippians 2:5 in reference to selfless thinking, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Application:
I have allowed for thoughts to enter that have divided me from being in communion with my housemates, today I will pray for a denial of these thoughts and put on the mind I have in Christ Jesus.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Where Are You Willing to Go For Spiritual Strengthing?
2 Corinthians 5:5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee (ESV)
God has not left his creation fallen. Although we suffer the consequences of our rebellion, God is still the same God, never changing in his character or attributes. God has provided us a way out, the only way, his Son Jesus Christ. And in that way out, he has assured us with the guarantee of his Holy Spirit. “In him (Christ) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:12-13).This word guarantee can also be translated down payment. Although at this time we cannot receive the full payment, or our heavenly dwelling, we have received the Holy Spirit as a down payment. A gesture that God has not left us, but has imparted to us a guarantee, that we might live in the faith that he is faithful to carry out all of his promises.
I think of a homeowner and the process within of purchasing a home. Usually there is a down payment given to the lender, who then entrusts you with the home under the agreement that the buyer is to then faithfully pay off the remaining debt. I don’t know if this is backwards, but we can think of God in this situation as the buyer. Who has given us a down payment of his indwelling Spirit, as a sign of commitment, faithfulness and a hope to the lender that one day he will pour out the fullness of our eternal dwelling. I think of the time we accept Christ as our down payment from God, when we are sealed with the indwelling Spirit. But from there we receive installments, or payments until the final payment is received. This time in-between is what would call walking out your faith. As a believer one day we will receive the final reward, but our time spent until then is in our hands. God has given us responsibility in his sovereignty, and we must act in a manner worthy to calling which he has placed before us.
So lets talk about the payments, you might choose monthly, some may prefer weekly payments or maybe you want to live “according to the riches of his glory”, and choose to receive daily payments, the choice is yours. The amount we receive in-between the down payment and the final purchase is unlimited. God is eternal, he is one buyer who is not limited by the confines of man, for he is our Creator and owner of all within. God is waiting to give, “if you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13). We are told to “ask and it will be given” (Luke 11:9), what will be given? The Holy Spirit will be given. Then you might wonder, we were already given the Holy Spirit, right? That is right we are given the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of Christ. But we see there is a continual empowerment, or as Eph 5:18 says to be “filled”, in the progressive tense, thus a continual filling [Please refer to my chain reference of the Holy Spirit].
We are to daily ask for an empowerment of the Holy Spirit, although he is always dwelling within, we can fall back into our fleshly nature. Just as the disciples in (John 21:1-3), went back to what they knew and they were fruitless, yet they had the indwelling Spirit. Jesus had not yet presented the idea of the baptism of the Spirit, (Acts 1:4-5). Which shortly after the baptism we see the fruits of this empowerment (Acts 2:14-41) compared to the fruits of the indwelling Spirit.
So it comes down to this, we can choose to live the comfortable life, asking God for his empowerment every Sunday at church, or maybe its once a month, or maybe its on Easter and Christmas. God is simply waiting for his children to ask. But this requires a death to self, it can be uncomfortable at times, we may suffer, we may receive persecution, but consider it blessed. Don’t settle for the down payment, when there is an unlimited source willing to pay you daily until the final purchase. Pay me how you ask?
“For this reason I bow my knees before the father, from whom every family in heaven an on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19). Paul understood through the Spirit of God we have the ability to understand the fullness of God. So Paul prayed for this spiritual strengthening, he did not stop upon receiving the Spirit. He daily asked, knocked and sought to be filled with all understanding. The Lord did not withhold in the life of Paul, he daily saw the fullness of God at work in his life. I take this as great insight into the spiritual life of Paul. In my opinion, prayer is one of the hardest aspects of the Christian faith, and is commonly non existent in some walks. But Paul, the author of most of the New Testament, impacted the Christian faith greatly, in his time and for all time to come. He was a man who would fall to his knees for a spiritual strengthening, one that he knew could only be obtained through prayer.
Application:
Today I will pray for spiritual strengthening as I go throughout my day.
God has not left his creation fallen. Although we suffer the consequences of our rebellion, God is still the same God, never changing in his character or attributes. God has provided us a way out, the only way, his Son Jesus Christ. And in that way out, he has assured us with the guarantee of his Holy Spirit. “In him (Christ) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:12-13).This word guarantee can also be translated down payment. Although at this time we cannot receive the full payment, or our heavenly dwelling, we have received the Holy Spirit as a down payment. A gesture that God has not left us, but has imparted to us a guarantee, that we might live in the faith that he is faithful to carry out all of his promises.
I think of a homeowner and the process within of purchasing a home. Usually there is a down payment given to the lender, who then entrusts you with the home under the agreement that the buyer is to then faithfully pay off the remaining debt. I don’t know if this is backwards, but we can think of God in this situation as the buyer. Who has given us a down payment of his indwelling Spirit, as a sign of commitment, faithfulness and a hope to the lender that one day he will pour out the fullness of our eternal dwelling. I think of the time we accept Christ as our down payment from God, when we are sealed with the indwelling Spirit. But from there we receive installments, or payments until the final payment is received. This time in-between is what would call walking out your faith. As a believer one day we will receive the final reward, but our time spent until then is in our hands. God has given us responsibility in his sovereignty, and we must act in a manner worthy to calling which he has placed before us.
So lets talk about the payments, you might choose monthly, some may prefer weekly payments or maybe you want to live “according to the riches of his glory”, and choose to receive daily payments, the choice is yours. The amount we receive in-between the down payment and the final purchase is unlimited. God is eternal, he is one buyer who is not limited by the confines of man, for he is our Creator and owner of all within. God is waiting to give, “if you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13). We are told to “ask and it will be given” (Luke 11:9), what will be given? The Holy Spirit will be given. Then you might wonder, we were already given the Holy Spirit, right? That is right we are given the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of Christ. But we see there is a continual empowerment, or as Eph 5:18 says to be “filled”, in the progressive tense, thus a continual filling [Please refer to my chain reference of the Holy Spirit].
We are to daily ask for an empowerment of the Holy Spirit, although he is always dwelling within, we can fall back into our fleshly nature. Just as the disciples in (John 21:1-3), went back to what they knew and they were fruitless, yet they had the indwelling Spirit. Jesus had not yet presented the idea of the baptism of the Spirit, (Acts 1:4-5). Which shortly after the baptism we see the fruits of this empowerment (Acts 2:14-41) compared to the fruits of the indwelling Spirit.
So it comes down to this, we can choose to live the comfortable life, asking God for his empowerment every Sunday at church, or maybe its once a month, or maybe its on Easter and Christmas. God is simply waiting for his children to ask. But this requires a death to self, it can be uncomfortable at times, we may suffer, we may receive persecution, but consider it blessed. Don’t settle for the down payment, when there is an unlimited source willing to pay you daily until the final purchase. Pay me how you ask?
“For this reason I bow my knees before the father, from whom every family in heaven an on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19). Paul understood through the Spirit of God we have the ability to understand the fullness of God. So Paul prayed for this spiritual strengthening, he did not stop upon receiving the Spirit. He daily asked, knocked and sought to be filled with all understanding. The Lord did not withhold in the life of Paul, he daily saw the fullness of God at work in his life. I take this as great insight into the spiritual life of Paul. In my opinion, prayer is one of the hardest aspects of the Christian faith, and is commonly non existent in some walks. But Paul, the author of most of the New Testament, impacted the Christian faith greatly, in his time and for all time to come. He was a man who would fall to his knees for a spiritual strengthening, one that he knew could only be obtained through prayer.
Application:
Today I will pray for spiritual strengthening as I go throughout my day.
Do Something About It
2 Corinthians 5:4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life (ESV)
This verse in a sense builds upon verse three, being that it is in direct relation to our natural desire to be unclothed. We have tried to fill this desire by revealing our bodies for the world to see, and yet somehow we are more empty in this state of nakedness. Corruption has defiled the natural beauty of Gods creation, so now we seek to cover up what is mortal. We cover what is mortal with the things the world has to offer. Thinking that maybe the next thing we clothe ourselves with will be what allows us to escape the reality of our decaying flesh. Yet one thing remains, although our clothing may change, although we may enhance our fleshly bodies, beneath it all is still a rotting flesh doomed to return to dust. “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).
We try and escape the reality of the mortality of man through an emotional high. But no man has the power to overcome death, for only one has this power. Christ will destroy “every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:24-26). The only way to escape this reality is through Jesus Christ and His resurrection. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22). Even then we choose we toil for the impossible. All is in vain out side of Jesus Christ. For even if you are currently living, your living for death. If your living your best life now, I pray for you, because let me tell you, we live in a lost world. To live everyday like its your last only has meaning if your living it for Christ. To make an impact for the kingdom of God, clothe yourself with eternal life and then you will be like the Apostle Paul, who “learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Paul’s contentment though did not mean that he was not still groaning for immortality. For he says, “My desire is to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far better off” (Philippians 1:23). Although Paul groaned because he knew where he was going, he knew that once he left this earthly body he would be in heavenly dwelling. We also see though, he understood that because of where he long to go, that meant he had a reason to spend his God given time on earth. “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:24-25). Paul has clothed himself in the interest of others. The only true meaning of an eternal joy. What can be more eternal then a soul spent in the presence of Christ. So we groan for a life outside of our mortal bodies, but we grow content through the hope a heavenly dwelling.
Application:
I know my flesh is reigning in my life. Today I will spend 30 minutes devoted to talking with God in prayer.
This verse in a sense builds upon verse three, being that it is in direct relation to our natural desire to be unclothed. We have tried to fill this desire by revealing our bodies for the world to see, and yet somehow we are more empty in this state of nakedness. Corruption has defiled the natural beauty of Gods creation, so now we seek to cover up what is mortal. We cover what is mortal with the things the world has to offer. Thinking that maybe the next thing we clothe ourselves with will be what allows us to escape the reality of our decaying flesh. Yet one thing remains, although our clothing may change, although we may enhance our fleshly bodies, beneath it all is still a rotting flesh doomed to return to dust. “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).
We try and escape the reality of the mortality of man through an emotional high. But no man has the power to overcome death, for only one has this power. Christ will destroy “every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:24-26). The only way to escape this reality is through Jesus Christ and His resurrection. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22). Even then we choose we toil for the impossible. All is in vain out side of Jesus Christ. For even if you are currently living, your living for death. If your living your best life now, I pray for you, because let me tell you, we live in a lost world. To live everyday like its your last only has meaning if your living it for Christ. To make an impact for the kingdom of God, clothe yourself with eternal life and then you will be like the Apostle Paul, who “learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Paul’s contentment though did not mean that he was not still groaning for immortality. For he says, “My desire is to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far better off” (Philippians 1:23). Although Paul groaned because he knew where he was going, he knew that once he left this earthly body he would be in heavenly dwelling. We also see though, he understood that because of where he long to go, that meant he had a reason to spend his God given time on earth. “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:24-25). Paul has clothed himself in the interest of others. The only true meaning of an eternal joy. What can be more eternal then a soul spent in the presence of Christ. So we groan for a life outside of our mortal bodies, but we grow content through the hope a heavenly dwelling.
Application:
I know my flesh is reigning in my life. Today I will spend 30 minutes devoted to talking with God in prayer.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
2 Corinthians 5:3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked (ESV)
We know that at one point in time man was naked yet did not realize his nakedness. Sin had not yet corrupted the view of Gods creation. Once Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed, “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Gen 2:25). But once sin entered into the earth, “the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Gen 3:7). I do believe being that we were created naked, and it was a natural thing, of our nature, that our souls remember what it was like to be naked. Unashamed of the way God has created us. But when sin entered into the earth, I believe nakedness was to holy and pure of a thing to be in the presence of sin.
Being that we long for that nakedness, for our intended way of living, we search to fill that void. The nakedness of the human body is something that was intended to be pure, but now it has become corrupted. We want that nakedness, but yet we don’t know how to handle it. The purity of it has no place amongst the corrupt flesh that we now live in. We were created to be eternal, but the flesh is now rotting. We are ashamed of our rotting flesh, confused, thinking that revealing our bodies for others to see will bring us satisfaction. But nakedness was not meant for self-glorification, for what place would self glorification have among a creation that was intended to bring God glory. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isa 43:7).
We have taken the nature, the beauty of God and his creation, and turned a pure and beautiful sight into a snare that binds many to the brokenness of the flesh. We idol the nakedness of one another, but this is not what God intended for us to do. “For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). We have began to possess our nakedness, taking what was intended to be about the Creator and made it about the creation. When we think that we possess the ability to freely do with our body as we please, this is not a right that we have been given. We have been given the freedom but that does not mean that it is right. “ ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (1 Cor. 10:23-24). Being that we are scared by sin, the fall and the corruption within, we can not handle the nakedness of one another while yet being sanctified.
So we should take into consideration the natural desire we have for the nakedness of another, mixed with our current corrupt state, and the lusts of the flesh within. Our nature tells us its ok but yet our flesh can not handle it rightly, so we are at war within. A daily battle we must face to keep the flesh starved and still live with the natural desire. So we know the best thing to do is to clothe our flesh in a modest way. That might not cause another to stumble. When you share this nakedness for the rest of the world to see, it’s a disgrace. Our nakedness on this earth at this point has only one intended place, and that is to be in our marriage, shared with our God given wife or husband. Where we can then control our natural desires in a way that brings glory to God, even amongst a sinful generation. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin” (Prov 5:15-22).
And for the one who exercises nakedness outside of marriage shall share in the humiliation of Babylon, “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, o daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one” (Isa 47:1-3).
We know that at one point in time man was naked yet did not realize his nakedness. Sin had not yet corrupted the view of Gods creation. Once Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed, “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Gen 2:25). But once sin entered into the earth, “the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Gen 3:7). I do believe being that we were created naked, and it was a natural thing, of our nature, that our souls remember what it was like to be naked. Unashamed of the way God has created us. But when sin entered into the earth, I believe nakedness was to holy and pure of a thing to be in the presence of sin.
Being that we long for that nakedness, for our intended way of living, we search to fill that void. The nakedness of the human body is something that was intended to be pure, but now it has become corrupted. We want that nakedness, but yet we don’t know how to handle it. The purity of it has no place amongst the corrupt flesh that we now live in. We were created to be eternal, but the flesh is now rotting. We are ashamed of our rotting flesh, confused, thinking that revealing our bodies for others to see will bring us satisfaction. But nakedness was not meant for self-glorification, for what place would self glorification have among a creation that was intended to bring God glory. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isa 43:7).
We have taken the nature, the beauty of God and his creation, and turned a pure and beautiful sight into a snare that binds many to the brokenness of the flesh. We idol the nakedness of one another, but this is not what God intended for us to do. “For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). We have began to possess our nakedness, taking what was intended to be about the Creator and made it about the creation. When we think that we possess the ability to freely do with our body as we please, this is not a right that we have been given. We have been given the freedom but that does not mean that it is right. “ ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (1 Cor. 10:23-24). Being that we are scared by sin, the fall and the corruption within, we can not handle the nakedness of one another while yet being sanctified.
So we should take into consideration the natural desire we have for the nakedness of another, mixed with our current corrupt state, and the lusts of the flesh within. Our nature tells us its ok but yet our flesh can not handle it rightly, so we are at war within. A daily battle we must face to keep the flesh starved and still live with the natural desire. So we know the best thing to do is to clothe our flesh in a modest way. That might not cause another to stumble. When you share this nakedness for the rest of the world to see, it’s a disgrace. Our nakedness on this earth at this point has only one intended place, and that is to be in our marriage, shared with our God given wife or husband. Where we can then control our natural desires in a way that brings glory to God, even amongst a sinful generation. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin” (Prov 5:15-22).
And for the one who exercises nakedness outside of marriage shall share in the humiliation of Babylon, “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, o daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one” (Isa 47:1-3).
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Is There Any Hope?
2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling (ESV)
There is something in the way we are created that longs to be in the presence of God. Our nature remembers and longs for the time when man once was in His presence, as was our intended function the beginning of time. Since the fall we have been in a constant longing for that presence. We try to fill this longing with pleasure and lustful desires. And yet we have failed to fill it, the very things we already posses aren’t doing it. So what do we do? We think maybe if we had more of what we already have then we would be happy. So we toil for more. More wealth, more materials, more relationships, more sex, more drugs, more status and more fame. This vicious cycle is best described in the proverb, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.” The more we have the more we want. There is nothing this world has to offer that will satisfy our want.
Jesus Christ is the only one who can satisfy for an eternity. But yet even when we have Christ in our life we are still groaning for his presence. This is because, even at our closet moment to Christ, in our earthly flesh, we are still not completely filled. Today we are given more then enough peace in God through his word and comfort through his spirit to be at rest in our relationship with Christ. But, once we realize that here on earth, we will always be groaning, because it isn’t until we are in heaven, in our eternal dwelling place, we will not know the full satisfaction of being in the presence of God. We will not get this in the flesh, but we struggle and groan today because we long for this.
Once we realize the fact that Christ in our life today is enough, and that we will never fully make sense of eternal satisfaction until we stand in the presence of God, we can press on. This will free you from a lifetime of confusion, frustration, toil, fear and anxieties. If your hope is in the world to take this groaning away, you’re a long ways from finding satisfaction. So what will take the groaning away, well I would have to say until heaven nothing. But God has not left us until then, he will empower us, fill us with his wisdom, knowledge and understanding, comfort us and guide us. Or as Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” God provides for all our needs, who assures us and has replaced our spirit of fear with his Spirit of love, that we might trust him and follow his voice. He leads us into a place of peace and rest. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. For God is in the business of restoring souls, fixing the broken hearted. And he leads us in the right way, a path that will bring Glory to his name and in turn will give meaning and purpose to our life. Because if we are glorifying the Lord, we are in his will, thus we are operating as he created us to, thus this is where we find the most meaning, purpose and satisfaction for this life now.
Application:
I know there are things that are holding me back from serving God. Instead of struggling through these things I will seek God for his proper balance, knowing that daily I am dependent on his Spirit.
There is something in the way we are created that longs to be in the presence of God. Our nature remembers and longs for the time when man once was in His presence, as was our intended function the beginning of time. Since the fall we have been in a constant longing for that presence. We try to fill this longing with pleasure and lustful desires. And yet we have failed to fill it, the very things we already posses aren’t doing it. So what do we do? We think maybe if we had more of what we already have then we would be happy. So we toil for more. More wealth, more materials, more relationships, more sex, more drugs, more status and more fame. This vicious cycle is best described in the proverb, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.” The more we have the more we want. There is nothing this world has to offer that will satisfy our want.
Jesus Christ is the only one who can satisfy for an eternity. But yet even when we have Christ in our life we are still groaning for his presence. This is because, even at our closet moment to Christ, in our earthly flesh, we are still not completely filled. Today we are given more then enough peace in God through his word and comfort through his spirit to be at rest in our relationship with Christ. But, once we realize that here on earth, we will always be groaning, because it isn’t until we are in heaven, in our eternal dwelling place, we will not know the full satisfaction of being in the presence of God. We will not get this in the flesh, but we struggle and groan today because we long for this.
Once we realize the fact that Christ in our life today is enough, and that we will never fully make sense of eternal satisfaction until we stand in the presence of God, we can press on. This will free you from a lifetime of confusion, frustration, toil, fear and anxieties. If your hope is in the world to take this groaning away, you’re a long ways from finding satisfaction. So what will take the groaning away, well I would have to say until heaven nothing. But God has not left us until then, he will empower us, fill us with his wisdom, knowledge and understanding, comfort us and guide us. Or as Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” God provides for all our needs, who assures us and has replaced our spirit of fear with his Spirit of love, that we might trust him and follow his voice. He leads us into a place of peace and rest. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. For God is in the business of restoring souls, fixing the broken hearted. And he leads us in the right way, a path that will bring Glory to his name and in turn will give meaning and purpose to our life. Because if we are glorifying the Lord, we are in his will, thus we are operating as he created us to, thus this is where we find the most meaning, purpose and satisfaction for this life now.
Application:
I know there are things that are holding me back from serving God. Instead of struggling through these things I will seek God for his proper balance, knowing that daily I am dependent on his Spirit.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Home Owners Insurance?
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (ESV)
I think first thing to note in this section is that the author Paul, was a tentmaker. Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” If anyone knew a thing or two about tents, it was the apostle Paul. I love how he uses such a personal illustration to explain our heavenly dwelling. Every time I take a closer look at the life of Paul there is a reoccurring theme. This is his eternal perspective, he’s always reminding me that our toil here on this earth is not for our personal gain. That truly what we do on earth is for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God. For our hope of an eternity spent with the Father. Paul puts things in a perspective that calls for the earthly value of possessions to diminish.
I think about Paul, and his profession as a tentmaker. I know God has fashioned this into his life that it might become a key role in his ministry. Being a tentmaker he could easily travel and continue his work no matter where he went. This was a trade that he could travel with and still be effective in producing work. Not only that but what an opportunity to witness. We know his view on a tent from this section of scripture right here. That it was simply a shelter built by man, to last for a season. If anyone knew the vanity of a tent for a home it was Paul. Who must have built several tents to live in for a short time, and then left them behind or possibly brought them along to be reused at another location. Paul knew that man could not build an eternal home to dwell in. As a master builder, he knew it was not possible. And with an eternal perspective, and a pertinent relationship with Jesus Christ, he knew the Father was the only one who could set up an eternal dwelling place.
It gives me chills to think about the ministry that took place as Paul built tents for people to dwell in. I wonder if he sold them homeowners insurance. I bet if there was such a thing back then, he would have said along with this tent comes an eternal dwelling. At this point, I’m sure he would have been laughed at. But what an opportunity, to bring life into perspective. Because now is where he explains, if you accept the home owners insurance (the Gospel), that I am about to give you, oh and by the I forgot to mention its free, then you will have a place to dwell for an eternity. What a perfect time to introduce someone to the idea of eternal life spent with God the Father. “A house not made with hands,” but “eternal in the heavens.” As a person seeking home insurance, they are also seeking some sense of security. A peace about the purchase, knowing that whatever comes there way, be it natural disaster, or you name it, they are guaranteed this home. This comes with an agreement to the policy.
It’s a direct illustration to the Gospel. You see we must agree to the good news presented to us. That we are sinners, in need of a savior, doomed for death. That Jesus Christ is God, has come to die for our sins and whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. If we accept this, what I like to call life insurance policy, it comes with free home owners insurance as well. When we agree to this policy, we have just purchased our dwelling place for eternity, in the presence and glory of God the Father. Upon acceptance we begin to sense security and peace about our decision. The spirit imparts to us assurance, a copy of the agreement, that what was stated is final, it will not change regardless of circumstances. Gods word is kind of like the agreement copy, what is written has been and always will be. Never changing, an everlasting covenant to its reader and purchaser. That might be called upon in time of trouble and put things back into perspective. The peace from an eternal security is then remembered, that we have no reason to fear. For we have purchased a safeguard, to deliver us in the time of need.
Application:
I am convicted of doing the Lords work yet I am not presenting salvation or witnessing to those I come in contact with. I will take time today to be more aware of my surroundings, or as Paul says in Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”
I think first thing to note in this section is that the author Paul, was a tentmaker. Acts 18:3, “and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” If anyone knew a thing or two about tents, it was the apostle Paul. I love how he uses such a personal illustration to explain our heavenly dwelling. Every time I take a closer look at the life of Paul there is a reoccurring theme. This is his eternal perspective, he’s always reminding me that our toil here on this earth is not for our personal gain. That truly what we do on earth is for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God. For our hope of an eternity spent with the Father. Paul puts things in a perspective that calls for the earthly value of possessions to diminish.
I think about Paul, and his profession as a tentmaker. I know God has fashioned this into his life that it might become a key role in his ministry. Being a tentmaker he could easily travel and continue his work no matter where he went. This was a trade that he could travel with and still be effective in producing work. Not only that but what an opportunity to witness. We know his view on a tent from this section of scripture right here. That it was simply a shelter built by man, to last for a season. If anyone knew the vanity of a tent for a home it was Paul. Who must have built several tents to live in for a short time, and then left them behind or possibly brought them along to be reused at another location. Paul knew that man could not build an eternal home to dwell in. As a master builder, he knew it was not possible. And with an eternal perspective, and a pertinent relationship with Jesus Christ, he knew the Father was the only one who could set up an eternal dwelling place.
It gives me chills to think about the ministry that took place as Paul built tents for people to dwell in. I wonder if he sold them homeowners insurance. I bet if there was such a thing back then, he would have said along with this tent comes an eternal dwelling. At this point, I’m sure he would have been laughed at. But what an opportunity, to bring life into perspective. Because now is where he explains, if you accept the home owners insurance (the Gospel), that I am about to give you, oh and by the I forgot to mention its free, then you will have a place to dwell for an eternity. What a perfect time to introduce someone to the idea of eternal life spent with God the Father. “A house not made with hands,” but “eternal in the heavens.” As a person seeking home insurance, they are also seeking some sense of security. A peace about the purchase, knowing that whatever comes there way, be it natural disaster, or you name it, they are guaranteed this home. This comes with an agreement to the policy.
It’s a direct illustration to the Gospel. You see we must agree to the good news presented to us. That we are sinners, in need of a savior, doomed for death. That Jesus Christ is God, has come to die for our sins and whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. If we accept this, what I like to call life insurance policy, it comes with free home owners insurance as well. When we agree to this policy, we have just purchased our dwelling place for eternity, in the presence and glory of God the Father. Upon acceptance we begin to sense security and peace about our decision. The spirit imparts to us assurance, a copy of the agreement, that what was stated is final, it will not change regardless of circumstances. Gods word is kind of like the agreement copy, what is written has been and always will be. Never changing, an everlasting covenant to its reader and purchaser. That might be called upon in time of trouble and put things back into perspective. The peace from an eternal security is then remembered, that we have no reason to fear. For we have purchased a safeguard, to deliver us in the time of need.
Application:
I am convicted of doing the Lords work yet I am not presenting salvation or witnessing to those I come in contact with. I will take time today to be more aware of my surroundings, or as Paul says in Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”
Monday, May 21, 2012
It Just got Personal!
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (ESV)
We know that Jesus is eluding to the fact one must die to self and accept Christ as their personal savior. Unless we are born again in such a way then we will not see the things of God the way they were intended to be seen. Jesus by the response knew that Nicodemus in all his knowledge had missed the most important element to the Christian faith. Without this second birth, we are but rotting flesh doomed to an eternal damnation. Although Nicodemus was sure he knew the things of God he did not have God within his heart. Knowledge and relationship are a balance that must be present, because without the relationship the knowledge will be to our determent. The love of the Law that the Pharisees had held them back from accepting the blood of Christ in their lives. For to them Christ broke the law, they accused him of blaspheming the name of God. They were driven so by the law in a way that they were blind to the words of God. The law was instituted for the purpose of drawing man back to Christ. For apart from the law, we are free from sin, free from death. But under the law, we are bound by sin, and doomed for death. But “now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” The Pharisees could not make sense of what Paul realized, “the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.”
We know that Jesus is eluding to the fact one must die to self and accept Christ as their personal savior. Unless we are born again in such a way then we will not see the things of God the way they were intended to be seen. Jesus by the response knew that Nicodemus in all his knowledge had missed the most important element to the Christian faith. Without this second birth, we are but rotting flesh doomed to an eternal damnation. Although Nicodemus was sure he knew the things of God he did not have God within his heart. Knowledge and relationship are a balance that must be present, because without the relationship the knowledge will be to our determent. The love of the Law that the Pharisees had held them back from accepting the blood of Christ in their lives. For to them Christ broke the law, they accused him of blaspheming the name of God. They were driven so by the law in a way that they were blind to the words of God. The law was instituted for the purpose of drawing man back to Christ. For apart from the law, we are free from sin, free from death. But under the law, we are bound by sin, and doomed for death. But “now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” The Pharisees could not make sense of what Paul realized, “the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.”
To See is to Believe?
John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (ESV)
I think the key word in this verse is know. If this word said believe instead I think the meaning of this verse would change completely. How often can we know something to be the truth, yet we don’t actually believe it. By believe it I mean acting it out in a way that would show your belief of the matter. I once knew of God, knowing the truth that he was the creator of the earth. But I did not believe it enough to act on it, or to allow it to change my life. To be my worldview, my perspective my world belief. I think we see a stark difference in simply knowing the truth and in believing the truth to the point of applying it to your life.
Once I allowed the belief to become a reality is when it became personal. When what I knew, became what I believed, which became the way I lived my life. But the knowledge of God was not enough. There was a missing element, the element that can only be found through a personal relationship. Some say to see is to believe. But I think to believe is to see. This is why; what’s going on around is always the same. For our God is never changing, constant in his character, attributes, and master physician. But my belief will change the way I see what takes place. For a room full of people could see the same thing. Yet when asked what they just saw you would get several different takes on the situation. This diversity comes from worldview that has been engrained into the very logic and thinking of that person. When the bible is our worldview, when we put on the lenses of Gods word, then what we know, is what we believe, which in turn creates what we see. Or should I say how we see, for regardless we all see the same thing, but the response is where we find a difference.
We can look at the Pharisees for example, or Nicodemus, whose source for view was the scriptures. Although this was a source of knowledge, not of application. The personal aspect of a God centered relationship was missing. The law was his motivation, not the spirit within. His worldview was one that hindered him from being able to accept the truth. For he knew Jesus was from God, only he did not equate the signs of Jesus to the Messiah, for his worldview was one of conquering Messiah. Not one of a suffering Messiah. So my point here is knowledge is in vain without a proper perspective and worldview inspired by application of the bible.
I think the key word in this verse is know. If this word said believe instead I think the meaning of this verse would change completely. How often can we know something to be the truth, yet we don’t actually believe it. By believe it I mean acting it out in a way that would show your belief of the matter. I once knew of God, knowing the truth that he was the creator of the earth. But I did not believe it enough to act on it, or to allow it to change my life. To be my worldview, my perspective my world belief. I think we see a stark difference in simply knowing the truth and in believing the truth to the point of applying it to your life.
Once I allowed the belief to become a reality is when it became personal. When what I knew, became what I believed, which became the way I lived my life. But the knowledge of God was not enough. There was a missing element, the element that can only be found through a personal relationship. Some say to see is to believe. But I think to believe is to see. This is why; what’s going on around is always the same. For our God is never changing, constant in his character, attributes, and master physician. But my belief will change the way I see what takes place. For a room full of people could see the same thing. Yet when asked what they just saw you would get several different takes on the situation. This diversity comes from worldview that has been engrained into the very logic and thinking of that person. When the bible is our worldview, when we put on the lenses of Gods word, then what we know, is what we believe, which in turn creates what we see. Or should I say how we see, for regardless we all see the same thing, but the response is where we find a difference.
We can look at the Pharisees for example, or Nicodemus, whose source for view was the scriptures. Although this was a source of knowledge, not of application. The personal aspect of a God centered relationship was missing. The law was his motivation, not the spirit within. His worldview was one that hindered him from being able to accept the truth. For he knew Jesus was from God, only he did not equate the signs of Jesus to the Messiah, for his worldview was one of conquering Messiah. Not one of a suffering Messiah. So my point here is knowledge is in vain without a proper perspective and worldview inspired by application of the bible.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Whose Wise?
John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (ESV)
Nicodemus was not just a Pharisee, but a ruler of the Jews. This religious sect held great power in this time and ruled amongst the other Jews. Pharisee means: “One of a sect among the Jews, whose religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews.” Pharisee in the Hebrew actually means to separate. I think we can learn this from the Pharisees. When one gains to much knowledge for their own good it can be dangerous. It can cause us to separate from others. We become bitter of heart, disgusted by the world and the unrighteousness of others. This state is not how the word has called us to live. This is not the wisdom we are called to walk in.
For “the lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.” The knowledge the Pharisees spread was not this, for they separated from the common class, thinking that the knowledge they had was to holy to be in the presence of the commonplace. We know this, “they tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on peoples shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” The knowledge that the Pharisees imparted was burdensome. It was to keep the gap of separation, to make the average Jew feel worthless and set apart for failure. They preached condemnation, not conviction. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
I have been convicted to examine what kind of knowledge I am imparting to those around me. Often times I find myself using the bible to tear apart what others say. To separate myself from them by the harsh things I lay on them. My belief, my worldview and perspective have been used to my determent. Instead of allowing these truths to give me compassion for others, I have hardened my heart and become annoyed at those around me. Also I feel my pride has grieved my Spirit and separated me from the still small voice of the Lord. I need to humble myself before the Lord, but remain confident in what God has called me to do, so that I might not hinder the Lord using my life to his glory
Application:
Today I will prayerfully read my bible for an hour.
Nicodemus was not just a Pharisee, but a ruler of the Jews. This religious sect held great power in this time and ruled amongst the other Jews. Pharisee means: “One of a sect among the Jews, whose religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews.” Pharisee in the Hebrew actually means to separate. I think we can learn this from the Pharisees. When one gains to much knowledge for their own good it can be dangerous. It can cause us to separate from others. We become bitter of heart, disgusted by the world and the unrighteousness of others. This state is not how the word has called us to live. This is not the wisdom we are called to walk in.
For “the lips of the wise spread knowledge, not so the hearts of fools.” The knowledge the Pharisees spread was not this, for they separated from the common class, thinking that the knowledge they had was to holy to be in the presence of the commonplace. We know this, “they tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on peoples shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” The knowledge that the Pharisees imparted was burdensome. It was to keep the gap of separation, to make the average Jew feel worthless and set apart for failure. They preached condemnation, not conviction. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
I have been convicted to examine what kind of knowledge I am imparting to those around me. Often times I find myself using the bible to tear apart what others say. To separate myself from them by the harsh things I lay on them. My belief, my worldview and perspective have been used to my determent. Instead of allowing these truths to give me compassion for others, I have hardened my heart and become annoyed at those around me. Also I feel my pride has grieved my Spirit and separated me from the still small voice of the Lord. I need to humble myself before the Lord, but remain confident in what God has called me to do, so that I might not hinder the Lord using my life to his glory
Application:
Today I will prayerfully read my bible for an hour.
What's in Your Home?
Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. (ESV)
What will you receive back from the Lord. I think of this verse and I am reminded back to a proverb I read this morning. “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death”. So one sure thing we will receive is deliverance from death. Now works are not what earn our salvation, but that does not mean we now stop doing a good work. On the flip side we know that riches will not uphold in the day of wrath. So what are you striving towards, are you storing up Gods wrath in your home, or are you storing up deliverance through the righteousness of your actions.
Now as far as day by day is concerned. Everyday spent in the Lords will, serving the Lord is a blessing. When we here blessing we think it means we are going to get riches, goods, or something to work in our favor. But often times before blessing comes persecution. I view this also as a blessing though. Knowing that God works all things together for the good of those who love him, trails and tribulations are to be counted as a blessing. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” So what is the Lord blessing you with today? Cause he is in the business of shaping his children into the image of his Son. This happens one way, through brokenness, trials, tribulations, persecutions, affliction, sorrow, temptation and so on. So which one is it, praise God for these blessings.
Application:
Today I will praise the Lord for whatever trials come my way.
What will you receive back from the Lord. I think of this verse and I am reminded back to a proverb I read this morning. “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death”. So one sure thing we will receive is deliverance from death. Now works are not what earn our salvation, but that does not mean we now stop doing a good work. On the flip side we know that riches will not uphold in the day of wrath. So what are you striving towards, are you storing up Gods wrath in your home, or are you storing up deliverance through the righteousness of your actions.
Now as far as day by day is concerned. Everyday spent in the Lords will, serving the Lord is a blessing. When we here blessing we think it means we are going to get riches, goods, or something to work in our favor. But often times before blessing comes persecution. I view this also as a blessing though. Knowing that God works all things together for the good of those who love him, trails and tribulations are to be counted as a blessing. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” So what is the Lord blessing you with today? Cause he is in the business of shaping his children into the image of his Son. This happens one way, through brokenness, trials, tribulations, persecutions, affliction, sorrow, temptation and so on. So which one is it, praise God for these blessings.
Application:
Today I will praise the Lord for whatever trials come my way.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
What are you Building With?
Ephesians 6:7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man (ESV)
This verse brings me to the contrast of Lord and man. In this case there is a stark contrast, I am reminded back to what God said in 1 Samuel: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” When we are doing a work for man we can expect that we will be judged on the final appearance of that work. But there is always more then the eye sees. Man looks at the job, and says yeah all looks well, good job. But the Lord looks on the inside and says my son, didn’t you mean to replace that. This is the way I see it.
When you remodel a house, bringing it to the original frame, you might find that the framework is rotten. Instead of replacing the rotted frame, you decide to take the shortcut. Knowing that the finished product will look the same regardless, and that this is the cheaper route. You see man might be ok with this, because he does not know what lays on the insides of the new walls. Or look at it this way. Maybe you are putting a new roof on your house. Again you remove the old shingles to find that the existing plywood is rotted out. Instead of replacing it, you take the shortcut, putting the new shingles on over the bad plywood. To the eye all is well. Job well done right? Only to find that one month later your new roof is already leaking. Or to find the sheet rock cracking cause the wood is warping beneath.
Now man might have accepted a work like this, until he found out what laid beneath. This is where man and God are similar. Neither one would want an inside that is rotten and unstable. You can live your life taking the shortcut. Doing a work halfway, just good enough to get the paycheck. Or you can live your life for the Lord. Tearing out the rotten insides, and building a new foundation. One that will stand strong. One that when the rains come, will not leak. One that when the Lord tests, it will stand strong. We should build as we are building upon the Lords foundation. As we see in 1 Corinthians 3: “Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” All our work is being built upon the foundation of Christ, what we choose to build with is in our hands. The bible says to be careful what we choose to build upon that foundation, for: “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”
We can build on that foundation with things that look good to man or things that please the Lord. The things that are of the world, will burn. The things that are of God will survive, and will receive a reward. So are you taking the shortcut? Is your spiritual life built around things that look good to man. Like going to church, going to bible study, attending every conference and motivational seminar that sweeps through your town. If this is the case, these things will burn. One day they will be no more. But what will last, is your character. A life that is consecrated before the Lord, a heart that is filled with joy and love, not with selfish ambition.
It might be time to do so demolition. To go back to the lumber yard and get the necessary items to do the job right. To confess your sins, to reveal the deep, dark things that are hidden within your heart, separating you from the presence of God. To put down the self help book and pick up your bible. From their we stand upon a firm foundation, Jesus Christ. That regardless the mistakes we have made while building upon it can always be torn back down to an everlasting source. A foundation that will never fail, that will never change. That’s is faithful even when we are faithless. All that is necessary is brokenness. This time we rebuild, taking no shortcuts. Removing every rotten thing and replacing it with the fruits of a new creation. For “anyone who is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Application:
Today I will seek God for anything in my life that needs to be torn down. I will ask him to show me the truth that besets my current state.
This verse brings me to the contrast of Lord and man. In this case there is a stark contrast, I am reminded back to what God said in 1 Samuel: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” When we are doing a work for man we can expect that we will be judged on the final appearance of that work. But there is always more then the eye sees. Man looks at the job, and says yeah all looks well, good job. But the Lord looks on the inside and says my son, didn’t you mean to replace that. This is the way I see it.
When you remodel a house, bringing it to the original frame, you might find that the framework is rotten. Instead of replacing the rotted frame, you decide to take the shortcut. Knowing that the finished product will look the same regardless, and that this is the cheaper route. You see man might be ok with this, because he does not know what lays on the insides of the new walls. Or look at it this way. Maybe you are putting a new roof on your house. Again you remove the old shingles to find that the existing plywood is rotted out. Instead of replacing it, you take the shortcut, putting the new shingles on over the bad plywood. To the eye all is well. Job well done right? Only to find that one month later your new roof is already leaking. Or to find the sheet rock cracking cause the wood is warping beneath.
Now man might have accepted a work like this, until he found out what laid beneath. This is where man and God are similar. Neither one would want an inside that is rotten and unstable. You can live your life taking the shortcut. Doing a work halfway, just good enough to get the paycheck. Or you can live your life for the Lord. Tearing out the rotten insides, and building a new foundation. One that will stand strong. One that when the rains come, will not leak. One that when the Lord tests, it will stand strong. We should build as we are building upon the Lords foundation. As we see in 1 Corinthians 3: “Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” All our work is being built upon the foundation of Christ, what we choose to build with is in our hands. The bible says to be careful what we choose to build upon that foundation, for: “each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”
We can build on that foundation with things that look good to man or things that please the Lord. The things that are of the world, will burn. The things that are of God will survive, and will receive a reward. So are you taking the shortcut? Is your spiritual life built around things that look good to man. Like going to church, going to bible study, attending every conference and motivational seminar that sweeps through your town. If this is the case, these things will burn. One day they will be no more. But what will last, is your character. A life that is consecrated before the Lord, a heart that is filled with joy and love, not with selfish ambition.
It might be time to do so demolition. To go back to the lumber yard and get the necessary items to do the job right. To confess your sins, to reveal the deep, dark things that are hidden within your heart, separating you from the presence of God. To put down the self help book and pick up your bible. From their we stand upon a firm foundation, Jesus Christ. That regardless the mistakes we have made while building upon it can always be torn back down to an everlasting source. A foundation that will never fail, that will never change. That’s is faithful even when we are faithless. All that is necessary is brokenness. This time we rebuild, taking no shortcuts. Removing every rotten thing and replacing it with the fruits of a new creation. For “anyone who is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Application:
Today I will seek God for anything in my life that needs to be torn down. I will ask him to show me the truth that besets my current state.
Don't Take It!
Ephesians 6:6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart (ESV)
Now we see Paul specifically address the reader to be a bondservant of Christ. Thus another piece of evidence to back my hypothesis that the term slave in verse five is not condoning the slavery this world misconstrues. Rather Paul is giving us a biblical worldview of the master-servant relationship. This verse has been one that has convicted me since the day I received Christ. Considering everything I did before I knew Christ, was to hold an appearance that would be accepted by those around me. I find myself in the ministry struggling with this same problem. Am I worried about the thoughts of those around me? Do I do what I do to seek praise from those around me? These are questions I have to constantly ask myself of. What are my motives for doing the things I do.
The more I live out this life of faith and the more begin to understand the love God has for his people, I begin to realize how empty and shallow the praise of man truly is. Working to please man, is a laborious task that reaps little reward. Usually at best you might receive a shallow praise. At any rate, what benefit is this? Congratulations, you have been noticed. Then what, off to the next task, to toil long and hard. And for what? Another shallow praise. Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a vicious cycle. Not to mention that fact that we were not created to be praised. You see, we were created to praise. To praise God and only him. When man receives the worship that was intended for God it’s a nasty thing. Look at the lives of so many celebrities. Miserable, addicted and for what? To die of an overdose or be buried and forgotten in a hundred years. Don’t allow yourself to receive the praise that was meant for God. You were not created to handle this kind of worship and in turn will see a life of self destruction play out.
“Doing the will of God from the heart.” There it is. Its one thing to know Gods will, its another thing to do it out of the right motive. I don’t really know if its possible to be in his will and to be doing it out of selfish ambition. I would have to say probably not. So although the work your doing may be were God has lead you, the condition of the heart is what makes or breaks it. God cannot be glorified in our grumbling or in our complaining. For what kind of servant loves his master yet despises the work he has placed before him. So praise the Lord from a joyful heart, and may his name be glorified and worshiped through your actions.
Application:
Today if I receive any praise I will point it God, giving him all the glory.
Now we see Paul specifically address the reader to be a bondservant of Christ. Thus another piece of evidence to back my hypothesis that the term slave in verse five is not condoning the slavery this world misconstrues. Rather Paul is giving us a biblical worldview of the master-servant relationship. This verse has been one that has convicted me since the day I received Christ. Considering everything I did before I knew Christ, was to hold an appearance that would be accepted by those around me. I find myself in the ministry struggling with this same problem. Am I worried about the thoughts of those around me? Do I do what I do to seek praise from those around me? These are questions I have to constantly ask myself of. What are my motives for doing the things I do.
The more I live out this life of faith and the more begin to understand the love God has for his people, I begin to realize how empty and shallow the praise of man truly is. Working to please man, is a laborious task that reaps little reward. Usually at best you might receive a shallow praise. At any rate, what benefit is this? Congratulations, you have been noticed. Then what, off to the next task, to toil long and hard. And for what? Another shallow praise. Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a vicious cycle. Not to mention that fact that we were not created to be praised. You see, we were created to praise. To praise God and only him. When man receives the worship that was intended for God it’s a nasty thing. Look at the lives of so many celebrities. Miserable, addicted and for what? To die of an overdose or be buried and forgotten in a hundred years. Don’t allow yourself to receive the praise that was meant for God. You were not created to handle this kind of worship and in turn will see a life of self destruction play out.
“Doing the will of God from the heart.” There it is. Its one thing to know Gods will, its another thing to do it out of the right motive. I don’t really know if its possible to be in his will and to be doing it out of selfish ambition. I would have to say probably not. So although the work your doing may be were God has lead you, the condition of the heart is what makes or breaks it. God cannot be glorified in our grumbling or in our complaining. For what kind of servant loves his master yet despises the work he has placed before him. So praise the Lord from a joyful heart, and may his name be glorified and worshiped through your actions.
Application:
Today if I receive any praise I will point it God, giving him all the glory.
Who's the Slave?
Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ (ESV)
This term slaves is translated bondservant in the Greek. This verse is addressing the master-servant relationship. Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians, the same Paul that refers to himself as a bondservant of Christ Jesus in the book of Philippians. I know this verse can be controversial, being used to say that the bible condones slavery. The way I interpret this verse is very different. We are given much insight into the life of the author, Paul. A man who’s identity was one of a servant of Christ Jesus. He had an eternal perspective and was indebted to the service of Christ. I think this term slaves, is simply addressing the servants of Christ Jesus, me and you.
Taking that mind set this section of scripture applies to every believer, indebted to an earthly master or not, we all serve a heavenly master, Christ Jesus. And what is being said is that we should take that same mindset with our earthly masters, knowing that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” So how are we to obey our earthly masters? We are told with fear and trembling. “In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear.” We are not motivated by the fear of punishment. Knowing that we were created to bring glory to God, his name can not be glorified if we serve him out of a fear of punishment. But on the contrast Gods name is glorified when we serve him in love, out of a joyful heart. It is in this love that we find a Godly fear.
So how do we apply this to our earthly masters. Well I couldn’t have said it any better then this verse, “as you would Christ.” I am a firm believer that if you are doing your part to keep the vertical in check (the relationship between you and Christ), then the horizontal (your relationship with the things of this world) will be in alignment with a biblical worldview.
Secondly we do this with a sincere heart. “Being in reality what it appears to be; not feigned; not simulated; not assumed or said for the sake of appearance; real; not hypocritical or pretended.” This is crucial, without sincerity we might as well not even bother. In my life this is something that has taken a long time to get from my mind to my heart. It is only through Christ that I have been able to do so, and even then I have a long ways to go. Before I knew Christ the sincerity of what I did was next to none. In turn my pursuits were in vain, they were meaningless and quite honestly not rewarding. Today I have found meaning to what I do. Its all for the glory of God. Outside of this there is no meaning. From dust we came and to dust we shall return. Its been said you “gotta serve somebody”, if its not Christ your out of his will.
Application:
Today I will remember it is Christ I am serving as I got about to chores at Manna.
This term slaves is translated bondservant in the Greek. This verse is addressing the master-servant relationship. Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians, the same Paul that refers to himself as a bondservant of Christ Jesus in the book of Philippians. I know this verse can be controversial, being used to say that the bible condones slavery. The way I interpret this verse is very different. We are given much insight into the life of the author, Paul. A man who’s identity was one of a servant of Christ Jesus. He had an eternal perspective and was indebted to the service of Christ. I think this term slaves, is simply addressing the servants of Christ Jesus, me and you.
Taking that mind set this section of scripture applies to every believer, indebted to an earthly master or not, we all serve a heavenly master, Christ Jesus. And what is being said is that we should take that same mindset with our earthly masters, knowing that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” So how are we to obey our earthly masters? We are told with fear and trembling. “In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear.” We are not motivated by the fear of punishment. Knowing that we were created to bring glory to God, his name can not be glorified if we serve him out of a fear of punishment. But on the contrast Gods name is glorified when we serve him in love, out of a joyful heart. It is in this love that we find a Godly fear.
So how do we apply this to our earthly masters. Well I couldn’t have said it any better then this verse, “as you would Christ.” I am a firm believer that if you are doing your part to keep the vertical in check (the relationship between you and Christ), then the horizontal (your relationship with the things of this world) will be in alignment with a biblical worldview.
Secondly we do this with a sincere heart. “Being in reality what it appears to be; not feigned; not simulated; not assumed or said for the sake of appearance; real; not hypocritical or pretended.” This is crucial, without sincerity we might as well not even bother. In my life this is something that has taken a long time to get from my mind to my heart. It is only through Christ that I have been able to do so, and even then I have a long ways to go. Before I knew Christ the sincerity of what I did was next to none. In turn my pursuits were in vain, they were meaningless and quite honestly not rewarding. Today I have found meaning to what I do. Its all for the glory of God. Outside of this there is no meaning. From dust we came and to dust we shall return. Its been said you “gotta serve somebody”, if its not Christ your out of his will.
Application:
Today I will remember it is Christ I am serving as I got about to chores at Manna.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Kenya Missions Update
Hey All,
I wanted to send out a quick update to those who are following my stay here in Kenya. I appreciate all the support and prayers of my followers. It has been a busy couple weeks since my arrival. We jumped right into it when we got here and it doesn't look like its going to slow down. I thank God for the group I am with as I know the Lord has prepared us for his ministry. Today I have a day off to rest. Here is an overview of what a normal week should look like (which by the way there wont be a normal week, the saying around here is TIA - This Is Africa.): Monday - free day, Tuesday - morning devotion at Manna Bible College and Home Fellowship in the night, Wednesday is bible study at the church, and Thursday will be a day for ministry in the slum most likely. Friday is another day of rest to prepare for Saturday kids club and worship practice at night, Sunday is church and possible youth events in the evening. With another kids program to launch in the coming months, lots of ministry opportunities and work to be done, this schedule is highly subject to change. Although its coming together nicely, as I have mentioned in the past we are setting up the Potters Field Ignite base here in Kenya so there was not much structure before arriving.
A little more detail about what we are doing. We are attending a church in Rongai, headed by Pastor George. The fellowship is very welcoming and has been a huge blessing and encouragement already. The Saturday kids program has around 120-150 kids that come on any given week. Personally i have committed to working with the teens 13 and up. There was about a group of 25 this last Saturday. I am very excited about this as I will be working with them on Sundays as well, building a relationship with them and growing together as we study the Word of God. We also help with teachings at the home fellowships, and bible studies. The home fellowship was a very African experience and was a blessing to see ministry take place in that setting, as I got to share the word.
We spent a day going through Kibera (the largest slum in Africa) and checked out a couple of the medical clinics. They were busy as you could imagine with over a million living in this slum. There are ministries that could use much assistance and volunteer work within the slum, as well as other local slums that we will be working in. My experience in Kibera was so fast paced its almost surreal, but I saw enough to know we have a blessed life. They sure were entertained as it started to rain and three "muzungos" (white people), were walking through the mud soaking wet. We had a real Kenyan experience is how Pastor George put it. The Kenyans are always apologizing that we are here in the country this time of the year, "its so cold they say", we just laugh and tell them how warm we are.
I am so blessed to be here, its humbling, encouraging, exciting and different all at the same time. I appreciate your prayers as I would not be able to do this without them. I could use prayer in the specific area of the teens ministry, that the Lord would equip me to reach into their world and connect with them. As a team, we need vision to make wise ministry decisions and that we may each listen to the voice of the Lord as he guides and directs.
Mungu Akubariki (God Bless You)
Austin Hiatt
I wanted to send out a quick update to those who are following my stay here in Kenya. I appreciate all the support and prayers of my followers. It has been a busy couple weeks since my arrival. We jumped right into it when we got here and it doesn't look like its going to slow down. I thank God for the group I am with as I know the Lord has prepared us for his ministry. Today I have a day off to rest. Here is an overview of what a normal week should look like (which by the way there wont be a normal week, the saying around here is TIA - This Is Africa.): Monday - free day, Tuesday - morning devotion at Manna Bible College and Home Fellowship in the night, Wednesday is bible study at the church, and Thursday will be a day for ministry in the slum most likely. Friday is another day of rest to prepare for Saturday kids club and worship practice at night, Sunday is church and possible youth events in the evening. With another kids program to launch in the coming months, lots of ministry opportunities and work to be done, this schedule is highly subject to change. Although its coming together nicely, as I have mentioned in the past we are setting up the Potters Field Ignite base here in Kenya so there was not much structure before arriving.
A little more detail about what we are doing. We are attending a church in Rongai, headed by Pastor George. The fellowship is very welcoming and has been a huge blessing and encouragement already. The Saturday kids program has around 120-150 kids that come on any given week. Personally i have committed to working with the teens 13 and up. There was about a group of 25 this last Saturday. I am very excited about this as I will be working with them on Sundays as well, building a relationship with them and growing together as we study the Word of God. We also help with teachings at the home fellowships, and bible studies. The home fellowship was a very African experience and was a blessing to see ministry take place in that setting, as I got to share the word.
We spent a day going through Kibera (the largest slum in Africa) and checked out a couple of the medical clinics. They were busy as you could imagine with over a million living in this slum. There are ministries that could use much assistance and volunteer work within the slum, as well as other local slums that we will be working in. My experience in Kibera was so fast paced its almost surreal, but I saw enough to know we have a blessed life. They sure were entertained as it started to rain and three "muzungos" (white people), were walking through the mud soaking wet. We had a real Kenyan experience is how Pastor George put it. The Kenyans are always apologizing that we are here in the country this time of the year, "its so cold they say", we just laugh and tell them how warm we are.
I am so blessed to be here, its humbling, encouraging, exciting and different all at the same time. I appreciate your prayers as I would not be able to do this without them. I could use prayer in the specific area of the teens ministry, that the Lord would equip me to reach into their world and connect with them. As a team, we need vision to make wise ministry decisions and that we may each listen to the voice of the Lord as he guides and directs.
Mungu Akubariki (God Bless You)
Austin Hiatt
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| Teaching at Saturday Kids Club |
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| Too Cute |
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| Head bone connected to the Neck bone... |
Where is the Justice?
Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (ESV)
This is a very graphic illustration. Although being words from Jesus, I know this is an area God does not take lightly. We all know a sin is a sin is a sin in Gods eyes, but I think often times we drown out the justice and righteousness of God with his mercy and grace. The old testament is full of Gods justice and wrath being poured out upon the disobedient. We see the cycle of fallen man, sin, repent and fall back into sin again and the cycle continues on, even to this day. But one things does remain throughout, is Gods justice. The Lords commandments are just and he is only looking out for our good. Often we think he is trying to take away from us, but really the creator of the universe knows what will keep us safe, what will keep us pure and what will rob us of our joy in him. So I take the commandments of God seriously, don’t get me wrong, daily I fall short. But his word is powerful to me. Every word of it has meaning and was given to us for a purpose. That through it we might find eternal life, we might know the answers to the big questions we hear so often in life.
Coming to the end of this section in Matthew 18, I know God has expressed his heart for the children in these scriptures. To sum it up with this verse I think only drives the point home. We see his wrath expressed, I would call it a righteous anger towards one who might cause a child to stumble. This is not rage, this is justice. And I believe if when we read a verse like this and let Gods grace overpower his justice then we have missed the point. We have grace because we are fallen, its in our nature to stray away, but we do not have grace so we can continue on in sin. When God speaks to us, through his word, warning us of sin, we should allow the verse to make us uncomfortable. Remember the bible is to be looked at in context of Genesis to Revelation. Often when this is stated its brought up that, yeah we have grace in Christ. Which amen to that because its true. But so often we forget the justice and wrath as well. It’s a balance that cant be overlooked any longer. Without it we are lacking in our image of the character of God.
We have become weak in our faith, relaxed in our devotions and mock the grace of God by our day to day actions. Its time to put things back into context. Let the weight of Gods wrath sink in for a moment before you let his grace take it away. Because once you experience a taste of what we truly deserve, his grace will take on a whole new meaning. This is when are changed from the inside out. When we recognize what we deserve, and because we are freed from it, we are then filled with a joy to serve God. To be sanctified, to be pure and to be holy, as he was holy.
Application:
I write this just as guilty as the next person who may be reading it. I am not saying that I have not fallen into this mindset myself. Today I will take sometime to meditate on Gods righteousness, justice and wrath through the old testament scriptures
This is a very graphic illustration. Although being words from Jesus, I know this is an area God does not take lightly. We all know a sin is a sin is a sin in Gods eyes, but I think often times we drown out the justice and righteousness of God with his mercy and grace. The old testament is full of Gods justice and wrath being poured out upon the disobedient. We see the cycle of fallen man, sin, repent and fall back into sin again and the cycle continues on, even to this day. But one things does remain throughout, is Gods justice. The Lords commandments are just and he is only looking out for our good. Often we think he is trying to take away from us, but really the creator of the universe knows what will keep us safe, what will keep us pure and what will rob us of our joy in him. So I take the commandments of God seriously, don’t get me wrong, daily I fall short. But his word is powerful to me. Every word of it has meaning and was given to us for a purpose. That through it we might find eternal life, we might know the answers to the big questions we hear so often in life.
Coming to the end of this section in Matthew 18, I know God has expressed his heart for the children in these scriptures. To sum it up with this verse I think only drives the point home. We see his wrath expressed, I would call it a righteous anger towards one who might cause a child to stumble. This is not rage, this is justice. And I believe if when we read a verse like this and let Gods grace overpower his justice then we have missed the point. We have grace because we are fallen, its in our nature to stray away, but we do not have grace so we can continue on in sin. When God speaks to us, through his word, warning us of sin, we should allow the verse to make us uncomfortable. Remember the bible is to be looked at in context of Genesis to Revelation. Often when this is stated its brought up that, yeah we have grace in Christ. Which amen to that because its true. But so often we forget the justice and wrath as well. It’s a balance that cant be overlooked any longer. Without it we are lacking in our image of the character of God.
We have become weak in our faith, relaxed in our devotions and mock the grace of God by our day to day actions. Its time to put things back into context. Let the weight of Gods wrath sink in for a moment before you let his grace take it away. Because once you experience a taste of what we truly deserve, his grace will take on a whole new meaning. This is when are changed from the inside out. When we recognize what we deserve, and because we are freed from it, we are then filled with a joy to serve God. To be sanctified, to be pure and to be holy, as he was holy.
Application:
I write this just as guilty as the next person who may be reading it. I am not saying that I have not fallen into this mindset myself. Today I will take sometime to meditate on Gods righteousness, justice and wrath through the old testament scriptures
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