In yesterday's post, you read that we are not called to base our knowledge and belief in God's Word on our feelings. Instead, we are called to renew our minds to the truth of who God is and who we are in His love.
How is our mind renewed? By the Word of God:
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2: 2)
and
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The "Spirit of the Lord" is also in accord with the Word of God:
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)
James also explains the power of the Word of God, as identified also as the perfect law of liberty:
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1: 25)
Through God's Word, we learn no longer to rely on the world that we see, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7), and most importanly:
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)
Regarding God's love, we are high on believing first, then the thoughts and feelings follow. We do not have to strive for a sense of God's love, but rather continue in His word, which makes us His disciples indeed! (John 8: 31)
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
More Than a Feeling: A Thought and a Belief
I'm hooked on a feeling,
I'm high on believing,
That you're in love with me.
"Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede
For many believers, they have become hooked on the "feeling" that God loves them.
Yet the Bible is to be our standard of truth, not our thoughts or feelings.
I used to struggle with this problem. In a very dark and difficult time in my life, I felt that God was a million miles away. When I explained to a friend of mine how I felt, he explained to me:
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
But I still "felt" bad, and because those feelings still lingered as long as they did, I became very despondent and irrational, making poor choices informed by erratic feelings, instead of the stable and eternal word of God.
Paul chastised the Corinthians for living in their feelings instead of the truth:
"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? " (1 Corinthians 3: 2-3)
To be carnal, or course is to live by the flesh, including your mind and feelings. Strife, divisions, envying, are all works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19)
The writer of Hebrews provides a clearer diagnosis of what plagues a believer who is still drinking milk instead of real meat:
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." (Hebrews 5: 12-13)
If we want to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we must increase in our understanding of our righteousness in Christ. In fact, we are fully identified with Christ through His righteousness:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
This righteousness is a gift which we are called to receive daily:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." (Romans 5: 17-18)
We do not gain or lose our right standing in Christ based on anything we do, think, or feeling. Rather than trying to line up our lives with our thoughts and feelings, we must needs line them up with the Word of God:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 2)
I'm high on believing,
That you're in love with me.
"Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede
For many believers, they have become hooked on the "feeling" that God loves them.
Yet the Bible is to be our standard of truth, not our thoughts or feelings.
I used to struggle with this problem. In a very dark and difficult time in my life, I felt that God was a million miles away. When I explained to a friend of mine how I felt, he explained to me:
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13: 5)
But I still "felt" bad, and because those feelings still lingered as long as they did, I became very despondent and irrational, making poor choices informed by erratic feelings, instead of the stable and eternal word of God.
Paul chastised the Corinthians for living in their feelings instead of the truth:
"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? " (1 Corinthians 3: 2-3)
To be carnal, or course is to live by the flesh, including your mind and feelings. Strife, divisions, envying, are all works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19)
The writer of Hebrews provides a clearer diagnosis of what plagues a believer who is still drinking milk instead of real meat:
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." (Hebrews 5: 12-13)
If we want to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we must increase in our understanding of our righteousness in Christ. In fact, we are fully identified with Christ through His righteousness:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
This righteousness is a gift which we are called to receive daily:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." (Romans 5: 17-18)
We do not gain or lose our right standing in Christ based on anything we do, think, or feeling. Rather than trying to line up our lives with our thoughts and feelings, we must needs line them up with the Word of God:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 2)
Thursday, June 28, 2012
To Prosper, Meditate on His Word, Pray in the Spirit
Before we see our lives prosper on the outside, we must allow the Holy Spirit to prosper us on the inside:
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
Here, "prosper" renders the Greek word " εὐοδόω, euodoó, which means "to prosper, to have a happy journey."
Another scripture
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1 Timothy 4: 15)
The Greek word for "meditate" is μελετάω meletaó, which means"to devise, plan; practice, exercise myself in, study, ponder", specifically to ponder and care for, in intense study.
"Profiting" is προκοπή prokopé, which means progress or advancement by overcoming all obstacles.
The same word is used to describe Jesus in his youth:
"And Jesus increased [προκοπή prokopé] in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2: 52)
What does meditating have to do with prospering? The connection is presented to us in Joshua 1: 8:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Although the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, a Greek version called the Septuagint renders the word "meditate" as "μελετάω meletaó" and "prosper" as "προκοπή prokopé".
As we meditate on God's Word, we renew our minds (Romans 12; 2), which influences our will and emotions toward godliness, for the soul of man, as referenced in 3 John 2, is made up of mind, will, and emotions.
But believers today have something that Joshua, Abraham, and all the other Old Testament saints did not have: speaking in tongues:
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (1 Corinthians 14: 4)
By speaking in tongues, no matter what our situation, we enable God to transform our mind, will, and emotions, and thus He can reveal to us His wisdom and His ways, the path which He wants us to take that leads to "good success."
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
Here, "prosper" renders the Greek word " εὐοδόω, euodoó, which means "to prosper, to have a happy journey."
Another scripture
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1 Timothy 4: 15)
The Greek word for "meditate" is μελετάω meletaó, which means"to devise, plan; practice, exercise myself in, study, ponder", specifically to ponder and care for, in intense study.
"Profiting" is προκοπή prokopé, which means progress or advancement by overcoming all obstacles.
The same word is used to describe Jesus in his youth:
"And Jesus increased [προκοπή prokopé] in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2: 52)
| " |
What does meditating have to do with prospering? The connection is presented to us in Joshua 1: 8:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Although the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, a Greek version called the Septuagint renders the word "meditate" as "μελετάω meletaó" and "prosper" as "προκοπή prokopé".
As we meditate on God's Word, we renew our minds (Romans 12; 2), which influences our will and emotions toward godliness, for the soul of man, as referenced in 3 John 2, is made up of mind, will, and emotions.
But believers today have something that Joshua, Abraham, and all the other Old Testament saints did not have: speaking in tongues:
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (1 Corinthians 14: 4)
By speaking in tongues, no matter what our situation, we enable God to transform our mind, will, and emotions, and thus He can reveal to us His wisdom and His ways, the path which He wants us to take that leads to "good success."
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Who Are the Enemies in Your Life?
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8: 31)
Right on! Because we are clothed in Christ, who is our armor, that we may stand in the day of adversity against the Adversary (Ephesians 6), we know that we have nothing to fear.
Now, many teachers and preachers will outline specifically that we believers have three distinct sources of opposition in our lives: the world, the flesh, and the Enemy, Satan.
Let us break down how these three opposing forces attempt to menace us, and how in Christ we are more than conquerors:
Jesus has more than taken care of the world for us:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. " "(John 16: 33)
We will face troubles, but we have already overcome them in Christ (Romans 8: 37).
John elaborates on our victory in Christ in his First epistle:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4: 4)
and
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5: 4-5)
As for our flesh, Christ has also taken care of that:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
and
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5: 24)
and
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6: 14)
And as for Satan? He is judged -- not us!:
"And when he is come, he [The Holy Spirit] will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
"Of sin, because they believe not on me;
"Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
"Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Later, Paul explains how Jesus' death disarmed Satan:
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 15)
Jesus sits above all powers and principalities, including the lead enemy, Satan:
"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:" (Ephesians 1: 21)
Of course, we are seated with Christ above all demonic opposition (Ephesians 2: 6)
and
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus has overcome sin, death, hell, the grave, the world, our flesh , and Satan. We are as Christ, therefore these enemies are all wasted. Who, then are the enemies in our life, for what can they do?:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
Right on! Because we are clothed in Christ, who is our armor, that we may stand in the day of adversity against the Adversary (Ephesians 6), we know that we have nothing to fear.
Now, many teachers and preachers will outline specifically that we believers have three distinct sources of opposition in our lives: the world, the flesh, and the Enemy, Satan.
Let us break down how these three opposing forces attempt to menace us, and how in Christ we are more than conquerors:
Jesus has more than taken care of the world for us:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. " "(John 16: 33)
We will face troubles, but we have already overcome them in Christ (Romans 8: 37).
John elaborates on our victory in Christ in his First epistle:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4: 4)
and
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5: 4-5)
As for our flesh, Christ has also taken care of that:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
and
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5: 24)
and
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6: 14)
And as for Satan? He is judged -- not us!:
"And when he is come, he [The Holy Spirit] will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
"Of sin, because they believe not on me;
"Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
"Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Later, Paul explains how Jesus' death disarmed Satan:
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 15)
Jesus sits above all powers and principalities, including the lead enemy, Satan:
"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:" (Ephesians 1: 21)
Of course, we are seated with Christ above all demonic opposition (Ephesians 2: 6)
and
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Jesus has overcome sin, death, hell, the grave, the world, our flesh , and Satan. We are as Christ, therefore these enemies are all wasted. Who, then are the enemies in our life, for what can they do?:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Faith is in a Person, not a Possibility
"Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith means nothing unless it is faith in something, or Someone:
"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4: 12-13)
We cannot access our awareness of God through our senses, or our flesh, for God is Spirit (John 4: 24), and the flesh cannot access the Spirit:
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5: 17)
I used to think of faith as believing that something would happen. Yet the definition provided for us in Scripture mentions nothing about time or any other separation. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5), and He has blessed with all spiritual blessing:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
Whatever we are moved to believe, we are believing in something which already exists, but not in the three dimensions in which we currently reside.
Since we have all His blessings within us, the matter for believers now is to work out this salvation with joyful humility (Philippians 2:12; Romans 12: 2)
We do this through the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 18), in His Word, which is Spirit and life for us (John 6: 63), and though which we are transformed by our diligence attention to His Word (1 Timothy 4: 15; James 1: 25)
God has already begun moving in our lives. What are you believing for? What are you mediating on? What are you working out in your life, for the faith needed to access this power is already within you. Faith is in a Person, Jesus Christ, who is in us (Galatians 2: 20), much more than a mere possibility.
Faith means nothing unless it is faith in something, or Someone:
"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4: 12-13)
We cannot access our awareness of God through our senses, or our flesh, for God is Spirit (John 4: 24), and the flesh cannot access the Spirit:
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5: 17)
I used to think of faith as believing that something would happen. Yet the definition provided for us in Scripture mentions nothing about time or any other separation. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5), and He has blessed with all spiritual blessing:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
Whatever we are moved to believe, we are believing in something which already exists, but not in the three dimensions in which we currently reside.
Since we have all His blessings within us, the matter for believers now is to work out this salvation with joyful humility (Philippians 2:12; Romans 12: 2)
We do this through the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 18), in His Word, which is Spirit and life for us (John 6: 63), and though which we are transformed by our diligence attention to His Word (1 Timothy 4: 15; James 1: 25)
God has already begun moving in our lives. What are you believing for? What are you mediating on? What are you working out in your life, for the faith needed to access this power is already within you. Faith is in a Person, Jesus Christ, who is in us (Galatians 2: 20), much more than a mere possibility.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Let Go, Let God, and Let Him Be and Do all That Needs to Be Done
I used to struggle with "Let Go and Let God."
I did not know or believe that God is an active, extravagant, lavishly loving agent in and through and for me! The Bible makes this truth plain:
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)
We can know that we dwell in God because He has given us His Spirit ( 1 John 4: 13), which we received when we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (1 Corinthians 12: 3).
For many people, then, "letting go" is a hard thing to do, unless we know and believe in God as He is, based on His revelation in His Word:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46: 10)
In this verse,"Be still" is better translated as "relax" or "let go". We are exhorted, however, not just to let go, but to "know that He is God -- Elohim, the mighty Creator of all things, and that this Creator cares about you and me:
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
He cares for you and me. He gave His Son for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5: 8), and because God is now for us, we have no reason to fear anyone who may be against us, or that He will withhold anything else that we may need (Romans 8: 31-32)
Faith means nothing if we do not put our faith in the right Person, or we do not have a right and righteous understanding of the Person whom we are called to trust.
He is our life (John 14: 6)
He is given us all things through His Son:
"Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
"And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 22-23)
We can have boldness to come before God because of the sacrifice He made for us through His Son:
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10: 9)
And of course:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Because God sees us as He sees His own Son, we can trust by faith that our needs, our standing, and anything else that needs to be taken care of will be taken care of in Him!
I did not know or believe that God is an active, extravagant, lavishly loving agent in and through and for me! The Bible makes this truth plain:
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)
We can know that we dwell in God because He has given us His Spirit ( 1 John 4: 13), which we received when we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (1 Corinthians 12: 3).
For many people, then, "letting go" is a hard thing to do, unless we know and believe in God as He is, based on His revelation in His Word:
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46: 10)
In this verse,"Be still" is better translated as "relax" or "let go". We are exhorted, however, not just to let go, but to "know that He is God -- Elohim, the mighty Creator of all things, and that this Creator cares about you and me:
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
He cares for you and me. He gave His Son for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5: 8), and because God is now for us, we have no reason to fear anyone who may be against us, or that He will withhold anything else that we may need (Romans 8: 31-32)
Faith means nothing if we do not put our faith in the right Person, or we do not have a right and righteous understanding of the Person whom we are called to trust.
He is our life (John 14: 6)
He is given us all things through His Son:
"Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
"And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 22-23)
We can have boldness to come before God because of the sacrifice He made for us through His Son:
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10: 9)
And of course:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Because God sees us as He sees His own Son, we can trust by faith that our needs, our standing, and anything else that needs to be taken care of will be taken care of in Him!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Are You OK? In Christ, I am Fine All the Time
If there was one question that used to set me off, it was:
"Are you OK?"
Such questions cause us to look at ourselves. That's what happened to Adam and Eve when they partook of the forbidden tree:
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3: 7)
That's what they law. or the knowledge of good and evil, will do to us. It causes us to look at ourselves.
But Scripture tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." (Colossians 3: 1)
This is what Paul is referring to when he counsels believers to bring all thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians10: 5)
.
Why can we do this? Because the righteousness which we cannot attain from the law according to our own efforts has been given to us:
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8: 4)
and
"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3: 9)
Whether we feel OK or not, whether someone questions how we are doing, we must not resort to looking at ourselves, but remember who we are in Christ:
We are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1: 6)
We are seated in high places with Christ (Ephesians 2: 6), which is part of the reason why we must keep our eyes fixed above, on Christ Jesus, because we are in Him, up there!
And if there is any other doubt that may spring forth in our minds, let us look to the Book of Hebrews:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)
and then
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
We have no need to be deceived like Adam and Eve, who heeded the serpent and then looked at themselves. Ignore the doubts in your mind and the disputes of others. In Christ, you are not only OK, you are fine all the time, infused with His righteous standing!
"Are you OK?"
Such questions cause us to look at ourselves. That's what happened to Adam and Eve when they partook of the forbidden tree:
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3: 7)
That's what they law. or the knowledge of good and evil, will do to us. It causes us to look at ourselves.
But Scripture tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." (Colossians 3: 1)
This is what Paul is referring to when he counsels believers to bring all thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians10: 5)
.
Why can we do this? Because the righteousness which we cannot attain from the law according to our own efforts has been given to us:
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8: 4)
and
"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3: 9)
Whether we feel OK or not, whether someone questions how we are doing, we must not resort to looking at ourselves, but remember who we are in Christ:
We are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1: 6)
We are seated in high places with Christ (Ephesians 2: 6), which is part of the reason why we must keep our eyes fixed above, on Christ Jesus, because we are in Him, up there!
And if there is any other doubt that may spring forth in our minds, let us look to the Book of Hebrews:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)
and then
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
We have no need to be deceived like Adam and Eve, who heeded the serpent and then looked at themselves. Ignore the doubts in your mind and the disputes of others. In Christ, you are not only OK, you are fine all the time, infused with His righteous standing!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
To Know God is to Know and Believe that He Knows You
"And we have known and
believed the love that God hath to us." (1 John 4: 16)
We know His Love through His Word, and we believe on Him by faith.
Yet more specifically, to know God, we must ponder that He knows us:
"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4: 9)
Paul made a telling and necessary adjustment, reflecting the renewal of our minds which takes place as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.
God knows us intimately:
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12: 7)
and
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6: 8)
Psalm 139 outlines how perfectly God knows us, no matter where we are or where we go:
"O LORD, thou hast searched
me, and known me." (v.1)
He already knows everything about you! Before you and I ever thought about it, He has us figured out.
"Thou compassest my
path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."
(v. 3)
He knows the words which we may utter, He will meet us wherever we end up, whether in heaven, in hell, or even in the utermost parts of the sea. Not only is he there with us. but He is still leading us!
To love God, we must ponder that He loves us, and that He loves us eternally, infinitely, and incessantly:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
and
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
In fact, everything we do is not so much our doing, but our believing on Him and receiving Himself within us:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
and
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
He lives this life in us. His grace labors in us. This is a life not of doing but of believing, which then quickens us to do!
We know His Love through His Word, and we believe on Him by faith.
Yet more specifically, to know God, we must ponder that He knows us:
"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4: 9)
Paul made a telling and necessary adjustment, reflecting the renewal of our minds which takes place as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.
God knows us intimately:
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12: 7)
and
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6: 8)
Psalm 139 outlines how perfectly God knows us, no matter where we are or where we go:
"
(v. 3)
To love God, we must ponder that He loves us, and that He loves us eternally, infinitely, and incessantly:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
and
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
In fact, everything we do is not so much our doing, but our believing on Him and receiving Himself within us:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
and
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
He lives this life in us. His grace labors in us. This is a life not of doing but of believing, which then quickens us to do!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Judge God's Love Based on the Cross
How do you know that God loves you? Do you base His love on how you feel? Or what you think? Such proof is weak tea at best:
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2: 14)
and
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5: 17)
Since our flesh cannot understand things of the spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit who quickens and grants us Christ in us, we must receive this through the Spirit.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. " (Romans 8: 16-17)
Now, how do we access the Spirit within us?:
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)
We receive the Truth through His Word! And what does God say about His love for us?
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
Jesus is -- right now -- our propitiation, our mercy seat, whose blood continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7) Jesus now sits in highest honor at the right of the Father, still serving us:
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)
Yet we must accept these truths by faith, the evidence of thus unseen verities, based on His Word, not our thoughts, which must be renewed and brought into captivity to obedience of Christ. We certainly do not trust our feelings, which are changing and unreliable, and ultimately respond to what we think.
We judge God's love for us based on the Cross:
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 15-17)
Our identity is in Christ, as we access this grace through faith in Him as revealed in His Word.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2: 14)
and
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5: 17)
Since our flesh cannot understand things of the spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit who quickens and grants us Christ in us, we must receive this through the Spirit.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. " (Romans 8: 16-17)
Now, how do we access the Spirit within us?:
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63)
We receive the Truth through His Word! And what does God say about His love for us?
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)
Jesus is -- right now -- our propitiation, our mercy seat, whose blood continues to cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7) Jesus now sits in highest honor at the right of the Father, still serving us:
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)
Yet we must accept these truths by faith, the evidence of thus unseen verities, based on His Word, not our thoughts, which must be renewed and brought into captivity to obedience of Christ. We certainly do not trust our feelings, which are changing and unreliable, and ultimately respond to what we think.
We judge God's love for us based on the Cross:
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 15-17)
Our identity is in Christ, as we access this grace through faith in Him as revealed in His Word.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
We are in God's Will, and God's Will is Working in Us
One devotional declared that we can become so intimate with God, that we can therefore claim:
"I am the will of God."
No, we are not the will of God personified, in the sense that we create what God wants us to do. Jesus was one with the Father (John 10: 30), yet he made it very clear that during His ministry on earth, he was doing a distinct will on behalf of Him who sent Him:
"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
(John 4: 34)
This work, of course, was dying on the Cross for our sins and reconciling us with the Father through the Holy Spirit.
When I first read the offering that "I am the will of God," rather than granting me a sense of relief, I became even more frightened. If I can do whatever I think is best, I do not feel free at all. The idea that whatever I do is an arbitrary matter is actually a very cold and fearful thing.
Jesus declared that we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free (John 8: 32)
Who is the Truth? Jesus Christ, and for every believer He is also the way -- He guides us on the path which we must take, and He is our Life -- He is the one who lives the Christian life in us and through us!
Let us refer once again to the mission verse of this ministry:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
God is Love, and we know and believe that God loves us actively, passionately, infinitely, then we receive by faith the purpose, the strength, and the certainty to live out the life which He lives in us:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We are called to live out the reign of God's infinite Kingdom, which is imparted to us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). We do not create our world. we do not create our purpose, we do not seek out the life and strength live this life with strength.
We receive knowledge, power, and grace all in one through Christ living in us. We do not create the will of God, for God purposes within us through the peace of Christ in us. His laws are written on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
It would be better to say that God has taken over us entirely, the Kingdom of God ruling in and through and for us. Then as we submit our bodies as a living sacrifice, our minds renewed to the eternal truth of God's Word (Romans 12: 1-2), then the Spirit of God is able to live and reign in us fully, leading us in the Way of righteousness, which is Christ Himself!
We abide in Him, and He unfolds His majesty through us!
"I am the will of God."
No, we are not the will of God personified, in the sense that we create what God wants us to do. Jesus was one with the Father (John 10: 30), yet he made it very clear that during His ministry on earth, he was doing a distinct will on behalf of Him who sent Him:
"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
(John 4: 34)
This work, of course, was dying on the Cross for our sins and reconciling us with the Father through the Holy Spirit.
When I first read the offering that "I am the will of God," rather than granting me a sense of relief, I became even more frightened. If I can do whatever I think is best, I do not feel free at all. The idea that whatever I do is an arbitrary matter is actually a very cold and fearful thing.
Jesus declared that we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free (John 8: 32)
Who is the Truth? Jesus Christ, and for every believer He is also the way -- He guides us on the path which we must take, and He is our Life -- He is the one who lives the Christian life in us and through us!
Let us refer once again to the mission verse of this ministry:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
God is Love, and we know and believe that God loves us actively, passionately, infinitely, then we receive by faith the purpose, the strength, and the certainty to live out the life which He lives in us:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We are called to live out the reign of God's infinite Kingdom, which is imparted to us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). We do not create our world. we do not create our purpose, we do not seek out the life and strength live this life with strength.
We receive knowledge, power, and grace all in one through Christ living in us. We do not create the will of God, for God purposes within us through the peace of Christ in us. His laws are written on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
It would be better to say that God has taken over us entirely, the Kingdom of God ruling in and through and for us. Then as we submit our bodies as a living sacrifice, our minds renewed to the eternal truth of God's Word (Romans 12: 1-2), then the Spirit of God is able to live and reign in us fully, leading us in the Way of righteousness, which is Christ Himself!
We abide in Him, and He unfolds His majesty through us!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Blessed by the Blessor, not the Blessings
We want to know where to go -- God wants us to know Him, who is the Way.
We want energy and power -- God wants us to receive Himself, the Life.
We want to know the answers -- He wants us to rely on Him, the Truth.
Believers have for too long divorced what God has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist made this very clear:
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (John 3:27)
Who was given to us from Heaven?
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
"Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:33-35)
Jesus is the very One whom God has given us, and through Him, in Hi, with Him, we receive all things:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)
And then:
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
Christ is our wisdom; He is our righteousness (for we have been made the righteousness of God in Him! (cf 2 Corinthians 5:21)
He is our sanctification! We are transformed from glory to glory by the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost through faith, not through exertion of self-effort!
He is our redemption! We never need worry about condemnation of any kind!
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
Why, then do we trouble ourselves seeking individual blessings? Receive Christ in all His fullness, and through Him we receive all blessings!
Even Father Abraham learned this early in His walk:
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Genesis 15:1)
God Himself, the great I AM is our protection and our "exceeding great reward"! We cannot go any higher or better than that!
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-12)
We want energy and power -- God wants us to receive Himself, the Life.
We want to know the answers -- He wants us to rely on Him, the Truth.
Believers have for too long divorced what God has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist made this very clear:
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (John 3:27)
Who was given to us from Heaven?
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
"Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:33-35)
Jesus is the very One whom God has given us, and through Him, in Hi, with Him, we receive all things:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)
And then:
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
Christ is our wisdom; He is our righteousness (for we have been made the righteousness of God in Him! (cf 2 Corinthians 5:21)
He is our sanctification! We are transformed from glory to glory by the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost through faith, not through exertion of self-effort!
He is our redemption! We never need worry about condemnation of any kind!
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
Why, then do we trouble ourselves seeking individual blessings? Receive Christ in all His fullness, and through Him we receive all blessings!
Even Father Abraham learned this early in His walk:
"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Genesis 15:1)
God Himself, the great I AM is our protection and our "exceeding great reward"! We cannot go any higher or better than that!
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-12)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The Promises of God are Yea and Amen in Christ, and in You
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of
God by us." (2 Corinthians 1: 20)
In Christ, they are "Yes" and :Surely". We can know and believe in these promises, every promise made by God, fulfilled through His Son.
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)
Paul explains this wonderful truth further in Romans:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8: 17)
Since, we are in Him, and He is in us, and we are in this world as Christ, Paul gloriously declared:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " (Romans 8: 31-32)
He took our diseases:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53: 4-5)
He took our poverty:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8: 9)
He took the curse of the law from us, becoming sin in our place:
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" (Galatians 3: 13)
and
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Therein begins the great exchange: in righteousness. The righteousness of the law has now been imputed to us:
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8: 4)
He know lives in us, and we live in Him, having the same favor and glory:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Let us claim the promises by faith which God has offered to us through His Son, for every promise is affirmed and assured for us!
In Christ, they are "Yes" and :Surely". We can know and believe in these promises, every promise made by God, fulfilled through His Son.
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)
Paul explains this wonderful truth further in Romans:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8: 17)
Since, we are in Him, and He is in us, and we are in this world as Christ, Paul gloriously declared:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " (Romans 8: 31-32)
He took our diseases:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53: 4-5)
He took our poverty:
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8: 9)
He took the curse of the law from us, becoming sin in our place:
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" (Galatians 3: 13)
and
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
Therein begins the great exchange: in righteousness. The righteousness of the law has now been imputed to us:
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8: 4)
He know lives in us, and we live in Him, having the same favor and glory:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Let us claim the promises by faith which God has offered to us through His Son, for every promise is affirmed and assured for us!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Love Is So Easy -- But in Case You Still Think Otherwise . . .
What's wrong with trying to love, anyway? If we try in our own might, then we are in the flesh. Paul outlined the unwholesome consequences of those attempts:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
"Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
"Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21)
Here, "flesh" speaks of any effort through the body and the mind. If we do anything through our own power instead of relying on the grace of God in us, it will only produce all manner of evil. Even if we will to do the good or the right thing, it will still only produce weak and beggarly elements, dead works which profit nothing:
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7: 21-25)
In the last verse, Paul speaks to the mind of Christ, which is formed in every believer:
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
However, we still possess a fleshly intellect, one which wars with the Spirit of God within us. Our body, our members are still fallen, not regenerated when we are born again.
So, every believer faces the temptation not so much expressly to sin, but to live from one's flesh, to try in one's own might to be obedient.
We love because He first loved us. He works in us to receive His love and release His love to others. However, because we still inhabit broken bodies, a reprobate mind, and live in a fallen world, the temptation remains to try and love, to try and forgive, and thus activate the flesh within ourselves and fall short of God's gracious and glorious ideal.
So, beloved, do not try to love. Magnify God and His love by faith and faithful meditation on the Word of God, and watch Him work wonders in your life.
Love is easy -- Because God is, God is for you, God is in you, and God does all things through us by faith -- So stop working so hard!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Love Is So Easy -- Trying Makes it Hard
How exactly does "trying to love" fit in with the law, and thus our attempt to keep this law leads to a fall from grace?
"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
"This is the first and great commandment.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22: 34-40)
All the Law, all the Prophets, hang on "Love thy neighbor" (literally, the one nearest you, not just the one who lives next to you), and "Love the Lord thy God" with everything you have.
Can anyone of us love God with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"? No! Absolutely not! Jesus Christ magnified the Law and the Prophets to their proper standard, an impossible one for mankind.
Yet by the atoning death of Jesus Christ, wiping away once and for all the stain of sin, forever reconciling us to His Father, we are then empowered to love, by the power of the Holy Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love" (Galatians 5:22)
and
"Te love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)
So, love is a fruit of the Spirit, which He bears in us, which we receive and release by faith.
"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
"This is the first and great commandment.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22: 34-40)
All the Law, all the Prophets, hang on "Love thy neighbor" (literally, the one nearest you, not just the one who lives next to you), and "Love the Lord thy God" with everything you have.
Can anyone of us love God with "all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"? No! Absolutely not! Jesus Christ magnified the Law and the Prophets to their proper standard, an impossible one for mankind.
Yet by the atoning death of Jesus Christ, wiping away once and for all the stain of sin, forever reconciling us to His Father, we are then empowered to love, by the power of the Holy Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love" (Galatians 5:22)
and
"Te love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5)
So, love is a fruit of the Spirit, which He bears in us, which we receive and release by faith.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Love Is Easy -- How is This So?
Refer back to the apostle John's first epistle:
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:15-16)
"God is love" He is not an impersonal force, but a Person infinitely interested in us, working through us, doing great things that we release by faith:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Therefore, this Love working is us emboldens to anything that He calls us to do:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
"As He is, so are we" -- He is love! Therefore, as you walk in faith, you radiate His love!
Again, what prompts this love to flow through us?
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) The original text does not contain the word "him". In truth, we love -- PERIOD -- because He first loved us!
So, do not try to love. Trying in your own might only precipitates a fall from grace, the very power by which we can do all things.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:4)
Our hearts are established by grace ( Hebrews 13: 9), we do not do anything more in order to supplement the Finished Work of Jesus Christ in our lives!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Love is Easy -- Stop Working So Hard
Love is easy -- if we are not trying to do it ourselves!
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
What seems to be the problem for most people, then?
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)
Do you know that God loves you? Do you believe that God loves you? Many people do not know the love of God, or they do not trust that God loves them.
What is the basis for so bold an assertion?
Reread verse 10, and the verse that follows:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:10-11)
God sent His Son to die for us, and through Him giving us all things:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)
God paid the ultimate price for us. He moved toward us, risked and released all for us, even though we were not looking for Him, nor even respected the magnitude of His sacrifice:
" I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name." (Isaiah 65:1)
This prophecy is fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Love is easy, then, because it was done of us infinitely and eternally.
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
What seems to be the problem for most people, then?
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)
Do you know that God loves you? Do you believe that God loves you? Many people do not know the love of God, or they do not trust that God loves them.
What is the basis for so bold an assertion?
Reread verse 10, and the verse that follows:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:10-11)
God sent His Son to die for us, and through Him giving us all things:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)
God paid the ultimate price for us. He moved toward us, risked and released all for us, even though we were not looking for Him, nor even respected the magnitude of His sacrifice:
" I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name." (Isaiah 65:1)
This prophecy is fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Love is easy, then, because it was done of us infinitely and eternally.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
He is Leading You -- Even When you Stray (More Scripture)
Perhaps you are still unsure of so great a certainty of our standing in Christ. . .
Check out Psalm 139!:
"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."
Even in your worst moments, when it seems hell itself is about to swallow you up, God is there with you.
I was never full satisfied with that, though. I need a God who leads me, not just lets me fail, and watched me fall.
Psalm 139 speaks to this concern!
"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."
Just when we think that we could even outrun God, behold -- He has been leading us the whole time!
Let's return to Psalm 23 for another example of where our errancy can still leave us led in His perfect will for us:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
His rod beats away the bad elements. His staff keeps us righteously in line with Him!
Beloved, we cannot be lost! We cannot get away from Him. His grip is firmly on you forever!
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (Isaiah 49:16)
This wonderful, eternal embrace Jesus emphasizes for us in the gospels:
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:29)
This sentiment must have stirred Jesus' listeners mightily, for they had heard this promise before, from the prophets of old:
"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?" (Isaiah 43:13)
Believe on Him, receive from Him, let Him take you where He wishes by the peaceful power of the Holy Spirit. You cannot lose! You can never be lost, for you are forever in Christ!
"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."
Even in your worst moments, when it seems hell itself is about to swallow you up, God is there with you.
I was never full satisfied with that, though. I need a God who leads me, not just lets me fail, and watched me fall.
Psalm 139 speaks to this concern!
"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."
Just when we think that we could even outrun God, behold -- He has been leading us the whole time!
Let's return to Psalm 23 for another example of where our errancy can still leave us led in His perfect will for us:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
His rod beats away the bad elements. His staff keeps us righteously in line with Him!
Beloved, we cannot be lost! We cannot get away from Him. His grip is firmly on you forever!
"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (Isaiah 49:16)
This wonderful, eternal embrace Jesus emphasizes for us in the gospels:
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:29)
This sentiment must have stirred Jesus' listeners mightily, for they had heard this promise before, from the prophets of old:
"Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?" (Isaiah 43:13)
Believe on Him, receive from Him, let Him take you where He wishes by the peaceful power of the Holy Spirit. You cannot lose! You can never be lost, for you are forever in Christ!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
He is Leading You -- Even When you Stray
In my walk with Christ, I trusted that I was saved, that I would go to heaven.
Still, I always assumed that I had to keep at least one eye open over myself, to catch myself in case I ever sinned.
I did not understand the full import of Romans 8:1:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." (New American Standard Version)
It has nothing, nothing at all to do with us! Our right, nay our righteous standing Christ has nothing to do with us at all - not our right thinking, speaking, or doing!
What role do we play, then, in our salvation?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
"Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
We believe, and from God the Father, by the death of His Son, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we receive all things (cf Romans 8:32)
So, it is not our doing, but our believing, which is the only way we can get anything, that He accomplishes all things through us!
Yet even if that were not enough for us, David in the Psalms speaks of the Lord's forever faithfulness:
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)
God restores our soul -- our mind, will, and emotions, a perfect example of Biblical "metanoia" mind-altering repentance. We then are led by His Spirit in the paths of righteousness.
In fact, the certainty of His leading is made all the more unshakable for us in Christ:
"For he [God the Father] hath made him [Christ Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [Christ!]." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
As the Spirit leads us, we have no desire to practice licentiousness, for we are under God's grace, and sin therefore has no dominion over us!
Still, I always assumed that I had to keep at least one eye open over myself, to catch myself in case I ever sinned.
I did not understand the full import of Romans 8:1:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." (New American Standard Version)
It has nothing, nothing at all to do with us! Our right, nay our righteous standing Christ has nothing to do with us at all - not our right thinking, speaking, or doing!
What role do we play, then, in our salvation?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
"Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
We believe, and from God the Father, by the death of His Son, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we receive all things (cf Romans 8:32)
So, it is not our doing, but our believing, which is the only way we can get anything, that He accomplishes all things through us!
Yet even if that were not enough for us, David in the Psalms speaks of the Lord's forever faithfulness:
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)
God restores our soul -- our mind, will, and emotions, a perfect example of Biblical "metanoia" mind-altering repentance. We then are led by His Spirit in the paths of righteousness.
In fact, the certainty of His leading is made all the more unshakable for us in Christ:
"For he [God the Father] hath made him [Christ Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [Christ!]." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
As the Spirit leads us, we have no desire to practice licentiousness, for we are under God's grace, and sin therefore has no dominion over us!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
If You are Bored, ask Him to Open Your Eyes
Most of us are bored with life or get run down because we are trying to get for ourselves.
The Preacher diagnosed this problem in Ecclesiastes:
"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 1:17)
"For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 2:22)
"For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
When we stop working for what we already have, then we will stop enduring vanity and vexation of Spirit.
Paul prayed for this revelation to come upon the believers of Ephesus:
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:17-18)
When we realize that everything is ours (cf 1 Corinthians 3:21) through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, there is therefore no reason for us to strive, but rather to believe on Him and all that He has for us, and therefore thrive accordingly!
If you feel empty, listless, out of sorts, do not heed your feelings or your thoughts, or even the facts in front of you. Instead, pray that God will open the eyes of your understanding (lit. "full intellect") to see that you already have all the fullness of God in You, and that:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
and
"He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6)
The Preacher diagnosed this problem in Ecclesiastes:
"And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 1:17)
"For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 2:22)
"For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
When we stop working for what we already have, then we will stop enduring vanity and vexation of Spirit.
Paul prayed for this revelation to come upon the believers of Ephesus:
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:17-18)
When we realize that everything is ours (cf 1 Corinthians 3:21) through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, there is therefore no reason for us to strive, but rather to believe on Him and all that He has for us, and therefore thrive accordingly!
If you feel empty, listless, out of sorts, do not heed your feelings or your thoughts, or even the facts in front of you. Instead, pray that God will open the eyes of your understanding (lit. "full intellect") to see that you already have all the fullness of God in You, and that:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
and
"He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Let the Word Take Root in Your Heart
In the Old Testament, the Lord instructed the Israelites to bind His word on themselves and surround themselves with His precepts (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Solomon instructed the same:
"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
"Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
"Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." (Proverbs 7: 1-3)
He had to instruct them to do this because before the Cross man had hard a heart, hearts of stone bent on law-keeping.
Jesus confronted the Pharisees about the state of their hearts:
" Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." (Matthew 19:8)
Today, because we have received a new heart, a soft heart, built on the gospel (Ezekiel 11: 19), we have received His law, and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, we are led to live a life of obedience!
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." (2 Corinthians 3:3)
As long as we let the Word of God take root in our hearts, made soft through God's saving grace, then we can do all things!
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Our hearts must be ready soil, tilled with the grace of God:
James discussed this when he wrote the twelve tribes of Israel:
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)
In this verse, "engrafted" means "implanted", like a seed.
Connect this powerful truth with the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4: 14-20), through which all the other Parables are explained, "The sower soweth the word," then Jesus declares afterwards. . .
"And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (v. 20)
When we appreciate the fullness of what Jesus has taught his disciples (that includes you and me!), we see that indeed, God's word literally bears fruit in our lives. We allow our hearts to be softened with the gospel of grace, which in turn allows the Word to penetrate deep within us, and bear fruit:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4)
Let the Word of God take root in your heart, and watch what Jesus does, behold what the Spirit of God bears in your life!
Solomon instructed the same:
"My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
"Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
"Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart." (Proverbs 7: 1-3)
He had to instruct them to do this because before the Cross man had hard a heart, hearts of stone bent on law-keeping.
Jesus confronted the Pharisees about the state of their hearts:
" Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." (Matthew 19:8)
Today, because we have received a new heart, a soft heart, built on the gospel (Ezekiel 11: 19), we have received His law, and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, we are led to live a life of obedience!
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." (2 Corinthians 3:3)
As long as we let the Word of God take root in our hearts, made soft through God's saving grace, then we can do all things!
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Our hearts must be ready soil, tilled with the grace of God:
James discussed this when he wrote the twelve tribes of Israel:
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21)
In this verse, "engrafted" means "implanted", like a seed.
Connect this powerful truth with the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4: 14-20), through which all the other Parables are explained, "The sower soweth the word," then Jesus declares afterwards. . .
"And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (v. 20)
When we appreciate the fullness of what Jesus has taught his disciples (that includes you and me!), we see that indeed, God's word literally bears fruit in our lives. We allow our hearts to be softened with the gospel of grace, which in turn allows the Word to penetrate deep within us, and bear fruit:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4)
Let the Word of God take root in your heart, and watch what Jesus does, behold what the Spirit of God bears in your life!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Ecclesiastes' Rest and Joy in Christ
Towards the end of his shortened life, Solomon the Wise king wrote:
"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
"Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
"Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9: 7-9)
These words seem distant to the believer at first, until we read this Scripture, along with all over Old Testament writings, through the Finished Work of the Cross:
God accepts our works because He has accepted us:
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)
The works which we work out, He has already worked into us:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
It is not we who are pressured to work up and work through everything. On the contrary, we are called to work out, or rather work down, what has already been prepared and placed within us:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
and
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Everything about us has been formed and fashioned to the likeness and essence of Christ Jesus, who lives within us (Colossians 1: 27). We are called to draw out by faith what is already within us.
Therefore, we can go our way, for our way is Jesus Christ (John 14: 6), who has made us righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and thus we are led by His Spirit (Galatians 5: 16-8) in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23: 3) for His name's sake (John 1: 12; 1 John 5: 14-15)
We can eat bread and drink wine with a merry heart for the bread and wine signify that our sins are forgiven (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26) and because He has given us a new heart (Ezekiel 11: 19; Hebrews 8: 10-12)
Our garments are always white, for we are clothed in righteousness (Isaiah 61: 10, Romans 13: 14) and we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2: 20, 27)
Most importantly, we are married to Christ (2 Corinthians 11: 3) a help meet who will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5-6). Unlike the dark cynicism of Solomon, every believer in the Body of Christ has ceased from his own labors (Hebrews 4: 10).
"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
"Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
"Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9: 7-9)
These words seem distant to the believer at first, until we read this Scripture, along with all over Old Testament writings, through the Finished Work of the Cross:
God accepts our works because He has accepted us:
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)
The works which we work out, He has already worked into us:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
It is not we who are pressured to work up and work through everything. On the contrary, we are called to work out, or rather work down, what has already been prepared and placed within us:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
and
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Everything about us has been formed and fashioned to the likeness and essence of Christ Jesus, who lives within us (Colossians 1: 27). We are called to draw out by faith what is already within us.
Therefore, we can go our way, for our way is Jesus Christ (John 14: 6), who has made us righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5: 21), and thus we are led by His Spirit (Galatians 5: 16-8) in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23: 3) for His name's sake (John 1: 12; 1 John 5: 14-15)
We can eat bread and drink wine with a merry heart for the bread and wine signify that our sins are forgiven (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26) and because He has given us a new heart (Ezekiel 11: 19; Hebrews 8: 10-12)
Our garments are always white, for we are clothed in righteousness (Isaiah 61: 10, Romans 13: 14) and we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2: 20, 27)
Most importantly, we are married to Christ (2 Corinthians 11: 3) a help meet who will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 5-6). Unlike the dark cynicism of Solomon, every believer in the Body of Christ has ceased from his own labors (Hebrews 4: 10).
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Our Love Is His Love
"We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4: 19)
Many teachers, preachers, and reachers in the Body of Christ see Jesus as example. Yet his example is one who lived by God, not just for God:
"As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
"This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6: 57-58)
The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5: 5) This is an active imputation of the first fruit of the Holy Spirit.
God's love is not just example, but inspiration, both literally and figuratively. He is our moving example. I am more than willing to love others, because God is love, and by His lavish love for me, all my sins were forgiven.
But God is love, and His love lives in us, moves us and powers us. He is the Prime Mover in the life of every believer. In fact, God is the life of every believer (John 10: 10; 14: 6).
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 16-17)
We are one with Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and God the Father loves us as much as He loves His Son (John 17: 21, 23). In this love, therefore, we walk in Him:
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5: 2)
and
"Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5: 8)
We are one with Love, dwelling in Him as He dwells us in us. Our love is His love, which we receive and release by faith.
Many teachers, preachers, and reachers in the Body of Christ see Jesus as example. Yet his example is one who lived by God, not just for God:
"As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
"This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." (John 6: 57-58)
The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5: 5) This is an active imputation of the first fruit of the Holy Spirit.
God's love is not just example, but inspiration, both literally and figuratively. He is our moving example. I am more than willing to love others, because God is love, and by His lavish love for me, all my sins were forgiven.
But God is love, and His love lives in us, moves us and powers us. He is the Prime Mover in the life of every believer. In fact, God is the life of every believer (John 10: 10; 14: 6).
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 16-17)
We are one with Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and God the Father loves us as much as He loves His Son (John 17: 21, 23). In this love, therefore, we walk in Him:
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5: 2)
and
"Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5: 8)
We are one with Love, dwelling in Him as He dwells us in us. Our love is His love, which we receive and release by faith.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Perfect Love Keeps Casting Out All Fear
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4: 18)
"Casts out" is in the present tense. Right now, God's love is casting out fear in every believer, just as love as a fruit of the Spirit is being borne out in the believer over and over (Galatians 5: 22-23).
More importantly, God is love (1 John 4: 16), and His greatest act of love, sending His Son to do for our sins, is a gift which has never ceased being given to men.
The promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 33), is a lavish, luscious, running over gift. When Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit on all flesh (Joel 2: 25), no one should think of the Holy Spirit as a one time out-pouring, but a never-ending supply, for God supplies all of our need according to His riches, not our thinking (Philippians 4: 19).
Moreover, we limit God's power to the extent that we interpreted "He loved me" about God has if His love happened once, and then stopped.
Paul signaled that God's love was not just a one-time act, but an ongoing supply:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
God has given Himself to us through His Son, who dwells in us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4: 19)
We are talking about God, the infinite unending Creator of the Universe, He who will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 6), the one who knows every hair on our heads, the one who knows the thoughts that He has for us.
God is in us, even when we stray into dark places (Psalm 23: 4). Before and after we falter or miss the mark, He is leading us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23: 3)
His love is borne out in our lives through His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22) Only when we try to stop fear in our lives by our own efforts do we fall from grace, do we frustrate God's grace and love from working in our lives.
His love is casting out all fear in your lives, just as His blood still cleanses you, even now, from all unrighteousness. Rest in this truth, and witness all your fears and worries whither away.
"Casts out" is in the present tense. Right now, God's love is casting out fear in every believer, just as love as a fruit of the Spirit is being borne out in the believer over and over (Galatians 5: 22-23).
More importantly, God is love (1 John 4: 16), and His greatest act of love, sending His Son to do for our sins, is a gift which has never ceased being given to men.
The promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 33), is a lavish, luscious, running over gift. When Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit on all flesh (Joel 2: 25), no one should think of the Holy Spirit as a one time out-pouring, but a never-ending supply, for God supplies all of our need according to His riches, not our thinking (Philippians 4: 19).
Moreover, we limit God's power to the extent that we interpreted "He loved me" about God has if His love happened once, and then stopped.
Paul signaled that God's love was not just a one-time act, but an ongoing supply:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)
God has given Himself to us through His Son, who dwells in us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4: 19)
We are talking about God, the infinite unending Creator of the Universe, He who will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13: 6), the one who knows every hair on our heads, the one who knows the thoughts that He has for us.
God is in us, even when we stray into dark places (Psalm 23: 4). Before and after we falter or miss the mark, He is leading us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23: 3)
His love is borne out in our lives through His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22) Only when we try to stop fear in our lives by our own efforts do we fall from grace, do we frustrate God's grace and love from working in our lives.
His love is casting out all fear in your lives, just as His blood still cleanses you, even now, from all unrighteousness. Rest in this truth, and witness all your fears and worries whither away.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Not Working up By Effort, but Working out By Faith
The Christian life is not about working up to a standard. In fact, if we are trying to work up goodness through our own efforts, the results are disappointing and devastating:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5: 4)
and
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. . . and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21)
The great irony for the believer is that in attempting to do good according to the law, he ends up bringing up the worst elements in himself, for the strength of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15: 56)
We are not called to work up to a standard, but rather to work out the Finished Work of Christ Jesus that is in our lives:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. " (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Instead of trying to be good, let us receive by faith the goodness which is brought forth in us by the power of the Holy Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22-23)
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." (Ephesians 5: 9)
These are fruits of the Spirit, which we bear forth not by effort, by by abiding in Christ:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
We rest in Him by faith, He works through us, and we bear the fruit of obedience in our lives. It cannot be put more succinctly, the simplicity of Christ (2 Corinthians 11: 3).
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5: 4)
and
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. . . and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21)
The great irony for the believer is that in attempting to do good according to the law, he ends up bringing up the worst elements in himself, for the strength of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15: 56)
We are not called to work up to a standard, but rather to work out the Finished Work of Christ Jesus that is in our lives:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. " (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Instead of trying to be good, let us receive by faith the goodness which is brought forth in us by the power of the Holy Spirit:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5: 22-23)
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." (Ephesians 5: 9)
These are fruits of the Spirit, which we bear forth not by effort, by by abiding in Christ:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
We rest in Him by faith, He works through us, and we bear the fruit of obedience in our lives. It cannot be put more succinctly, the simplicity of Christ (2 Corinthians 11: 3).
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Forever Perfected in Christ
One of the subtlest ironies, yet most critical doctrines for believers is that before God, they are perfect and complete:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
and
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2: 10)
We are perfect in Him! What are the promises accorded to us because we are perfected in Him? Read on:
"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master." (Luke 6: 40)
This has been fulfilled in every believer by the power of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father released upon the world on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 33):
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4: 19)
Also:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
This perfection we receive as a matter of faith, not works:
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3: 2-3)
Many believers may worry about such revelation, convinced that men and women in the Body of Christ will just sit around and do nothing. Yet such an outrageous finding is repudiated thus:
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." (Romans 3: 31)
and
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5: 16)
and
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 10)
and
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5: 14)
How do we love? In fact, it is God's love that works within us:
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5: 6)
And this love, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22), has been perfected in us. God sent His Son to die for us (1 John 4: 10). His love is the standard, the motivation, the source:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
We are perfected and complete in Christ, and by faith we receive His love, which in turn animates us to love, to fulfill the law, and bear much fruit.
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
and
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2: 10)
We are perfect in Him! What are the promises accorded to us because we are perfected in Him? Read on:
"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master." (Luke 6: 40)
This has been fulfilled in every believer by the power of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the Father released upon the world on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 33):
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4: 19)
Also:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
This perfection we receive as a matter of faith, not works:
"This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3: 2-3)
Many believers may worry about such revelation, convinced that men and women in the Body of Christ will just sit around and do nothing. Yet such an outrageous finding is repudiated thus:
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." (Romans 3: 31)
and
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5: 16)
and
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 10)
and
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5: 14)
How do we love? In fact, it is God's love that works within us:
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." (Galatians 5: 6)
And this love, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22), has been perfected in us. God sent His Son to die for us (1 John 4: 10). His love is the standard, the motivation, the source:
"We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4: 19)
We are perfected and complete in Christ, and by faith we receive His love, which in turn animates us to love, to fulfill the law, and bear much fruit.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Throw off the Yoke: Rest in Christ in You
Jesus invites us to rest in Him:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
This passage can be confusing if improperly construed.
First of all, Jesus actually says "I will rest you." He offers Himself to us. He does not just give us rest, He gives us Himself.
This rest, this satisfaction, Jesus illustrates in a different manner. John writes:
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
"But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not." (John 6: 35-36)
When Jesus speaks of a yoke, He is speaking of the demands of the law. Let us use Bible to interpret Bible in order to establish this truth. For the first mention of yoke, we find:
"And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck." (Genesis 27: 40)
Esau will be play the lesser, though he was the elder brother. Esau as a type of law, of flesh, of old covenant, will break free of the yoke.
In Leviticus, the Lord spoke:
"I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright." (Leviticus 26: 13)
Egypt also represents the world, the law, the flesh, for the Israelites had to work for everything, and yet received nothing for all that they did.
In Nahum (which means "Comfort" or "Rest"), the prophet foretells of the Israelites breaking free of the yoke of their oppressors (1: 13), then two verses later He prophesies the preaching of the Gospel (1: 15)
Paul especially points out that the yoke represents the law, which none of us can keep:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1)
After reading Matthew 11: 28, whenever I felt upset or uncomfortable, I would seek Jesus, think really hard about finding Him, or say to myself: "OK, Jesus, give me rest. Give me rest."
However, Jesus made this statement before His crucifixion, before His Holy Spirit was given, for it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that breaks the yoke of bondage of law-keeping for every person (Isaiah 10: 17). Christ lives in me now (Colossians 1: 27, Galatians 4: 9). I do not have to find Him anymore; instead, I accept by faith in His Word that He lives in me, that He has granted me the righteousness of the law (Romans 8: 4), having fulfilled the law ( Matthew 5: 17) and therefore cancelled its ordinances against me (Colossians 2: 14)
No longer do I labor, therefore, to "do something" when I panic or am troubled. I affirm to myself who I am in Christ. I labor to enter and to abide in His rest (Hebrews 4: 11)) that He lives in me, and that nothing can separate me from Him (Romans 8: 38-39; Hebrews 13: 6)
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
This passage can be confusing if improperly construed.
First of all, Jesus actually says "I will rest you." He offers Himself to us. He does not just give us rest, He gives us Himself.
This rest, this satisfaction, Jesus illustrates in a different manner. John writes:
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
"But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not." (John 6: 35-36)
When Jesus speaks of a yoke, He is speaking of the demands of the law. Let us use Bible to interpret Bible in order to establish this truth. For the first mention of yoke, we find:
"And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck." (Genesis 27: 40)
Esau will be play the lesser, though he was the elder brother. Esau as a type of law, of flesh, of old covenant, will break free of the yoke.
In Leviticus, the Lord spoke:
"I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright." (Leviticus 26: 13)
Egypt also represents the world, the law, the flesh, for the Israelites had to work for everything, and yet received nothing for all that they did.
In Nahum (which means "Comfort" or "Rest"), the prophet foretells of the Israelites breaking free of the yoke of their oppressors (1: 13), then two verses later He prophesies the preaching of the Gospel (1: 15)
Paul especially points out that the yoke represents the law, which none of us can keep:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1)
After reading Matthew 11: 28, whenever I felt upset or uncomfortable, I would seek Jesus, think really hard about finding Him, or say to myself: "OK, Jesus, give me rest. Give me rest."
However, Jesus made this statement before His crucifixion, before His Holy Spirit was given, for it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that breaks the yoke of bondage of law-keeping for every person (Isaiah 10: 17). Christ lives in me now (Colossians 1: 27, Galatians 4: 9). I do not have to find Him anymore; instead, I accept by faith in His Word that He lives in me, that He has granted me the righteousness of the law (Romans 8: 4), having fulfilled the law ( Matthew 5: 17) and therefore cancelled its ordinances against me (Colossians 2: 14)
No longer do I labor, therefore, to "do something" when I panic or am troubled. I affirm to myself who I am in Christ. I labor to enter and to abide in His rest (Hebrews 4: 11)) that He lives in me, and that nothing can separate me from Him (Romans 8: 38-39; Hebrews 13: 6)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Practice the Presence of God? -- You are Present in Him!
Yet regarding our blessed standing in Christ, we
find:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
"As He is, so are we in this world." And how "is" Christ? On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter declared where He is:
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2: 32-33)
And we are there with Him:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: " (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Rather than maintaining for myself God's presence in my life, I affirm to myself that I am with Him through Jesus Christ, in the Beloved, sitting in the place of utmost favor at the right hand of the Father.
Practice the Presence of God? He is already there, or rather here, in you! Meditate on the infinitely phenomenal truth that we are hid in Christ, never to be separated, that we could not sever ourselves from Him even if we wanted to. He is actively working in us, through us, and for us on behalf of His Father and for our eternally blessed benefit!
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
"As He is, so are we in this world." And how "is" Christ? On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter declared where He is:
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2: 32-33)
And we are there with Him:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: " (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Rather than maintaining for myself God's presence in my life, I affirm to myself that I am with Him through Jesus Christ, in the Beloved, sitting in the place of utmost favor at the right hand of the Father.
Practice the Presence of God? He is already there, or rather here, in you! Meditate on the infinitely phenomenal truth that we are hid in Christ, never to be separated, that we could not sever ourselves from Him even if we wanted to. He is actively working in us, through us, and for us on behalf of His Father and for our eternally blessed benefit!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Practice the Presence of God? -- Practice His Love For You
We have another active basis for the assurance, recorded for us in the apostle
John's first epistle:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
The "if" in this verse is not subject to debate for the believer, for we are all "children of light" in God (cf 1 Thessalonians 5:5). Therefore, the blood of Jesus cleanses us NOW from all sin, every sin that you are thinking now, or may commit in the future, as well as all past sins. What a glorious promise, to know that we are forever righteous, never to be lost!
Right away, our Lord and Savior, who lives in us (cf Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:27) is actively working in us and for us! He is more than present, He is active and accountable within us!
And He loves us! For ever promise and glorious legacy of the Son is also ours:
"God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4: 12-13)
A little further down, John writes:
"God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)
This active love is ever working in us and around us. The problem for believers is that when we do not feel, or we begin to doubt whether God is with us or not, we then start to panic and start doing things to coax back a sense of His presence in our lives.
Jesus calms us not to live in doubt:
"And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." (Luke 12: 29)
Paul tells us what it is really all about for the believer:
" For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14: 17)
The indwelling, overpower element of the Holy Spirit is all important. All our other needs will be added unto us (Matthew 6: 33). For every believer, we must stop identifying with our feelings and start identifying with the truth of God's love in us:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
and
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)
Speak forth, praise, and declare with thanksgiving the love that God is and has for you!
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
The "if" in this verse is not subject to debate for the believer, for we are all "children of light" in God (cf 1 Thessalonians 5:5). Therefore, the blood of Jesus cleanses us NOW from all sin, every sin that you are thinking now, or may commit in the future, as well as all past sins. What a glorious promise, to know that we are forever righteous, never to be lost!
Right away, our Lord and Savior, who lives in us (cf Galatians 4:19; Colossians 1:27) is actively working in us and for us! He is more than present, He is active and accountable within us!
And He loves us! For ever promise and glorious legacy of the Son is also ours:
"God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4: 12-13)
A little further down, John writes:
"God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)
This active love is ever working in us and around us. The problem for believers is that when we do not feel, or we begin to doubt whether God is with us or not, we then start to panic and start doing things to coax back a sense of His presence in our lives.
Jesus calms us not to live in doubt:
"And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." (Luke 12: 29)
Paul tells us what it is really all about for the believer:
" For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14: 17)
The indwelling, overpower element of the Holy Spirit is all important. All our other needs will be added unto us (Matthew 6: 33). For every believer, we must stop identifying with our feelings and start identifying with the truth of God's love in us:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
and
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4: 16)
Speak forth, praise, and declare with thanksgiving the love that God is and has for you!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Practice the Presence of God? -- He is Already For You!
For a long time, I had a
hard time accepting the truth revealed in Hebrews:
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)
Yes, I know that God is with me, that God is for me, but still I always felt that I was on my own when it came to moving and shaking things up in the world.
Yet God the Father is actively involved in our lives, and the scriptures demonstrate this time and again:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
"God worketh" is present tense affirmative! God is NOW working in every believer both "to will and to do" for His good pleasure. Right away, I do not have to stress about finding out God's will for me, or even wonder if I will have the power and desire to do it!
Jesus Christ resurrected and gloried is also still working on my behalf, even now!
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)
Christ is ever making intercession for the believer, declaring his eternal righteousness before the Father!
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)
Yes, I know that God is with me, that God is for me, but still I always felt that I was on my own when it came to moving and shaking things up in the world.
Yet God the Father is actively involved in our lives, and the scriptures demonstrate this time and again:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
"God worketh" is present tense affirmative! God is NOW working in every believer both "to will and to do" for His good pleasure. Right away, I do not have to stress about finding out God's will for me, or even wonder if I will have the power and desire to do it!
Jesus Christ resurrected and gloried is also still working on my behalf, even now!
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)
Christ is ever making intercession for the believer, declaring his eternal righteousness before the Father!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Feeling Dirty? In Christ, You Are Always Being Cleansed
If you feel dirty, bad, guilty, condemned, even if you have thought, said, or done something wrong, do not live in those negative feelings.
First of all, remember what you are freed from and what you have become in Christ:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, New American Standard Bible)
and
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
In this verse, pay close attention to the past tense "he hath made" -- for the believer, it is a done deal. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. If you meditate on it only in the present tense, perhaps you may still believe that you have to speak it thoroughly to your mind. Of course, that is not the case at all.
Meditate on the following truths, and let the Word of God wash you clean (John 15:3):
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. " (Hebrews 8: 12)
Whether you were afraid, unhappy, lost your temper, or had a bad memory of something that you did or someone else did to you, it has all been paid for at the Cross. You do not have to do anything about it!
Now, regarding the purity, the cleansing which we have received through Christ, are you aware that His blood still cleanses you?
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
Every believer is a son of light (1 Thessalonians 5: 5), a child of light (Ephesians), and we are in Christ, who is our light (John 8: 12).
This light is in every believer, too, our hope -- confident expectation of good -- of glory (Colossians 1: 27).
We are in Christ, our Light and our Propitiation from all sins: past, present, future. In His Light, His blood cleanses -- now, presently, and forever -- from all unrighteousness! If we feel down and out, guilty and deserving punishment, just let the Word of God remind you that you are already made righteous and cleansed forevermore from all sin.
First of all, remember what you are freed from and what you have become in Christ:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, New American Standard Bible)
and
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
In this verse, pay close attention to the past tense "he hath made" -- for the believer, it is a done deal. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. If you meditate on it only in the present tense, perhaps you may still believe that you have to speak it thoroughly to your mind. Of course, that is not the case at all.
Meditate on the following truths, and let the Word of God wash you clean (John 15:3):
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. " (Hebrews 8: 12)
Whether you were afraid, unhappy, lost your temper, or had a bad memory of something that you did or someone else did to you, it has all been paid for at the Cross. You do not have to do anything about it!
Now, regarding the purity, the cleansing which we have received through Christ, are you aware that His blood still cleanses you?
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
Every believer is a son of light (1 Thessalonians 5: 5), a child of light (Ephesians), and we are in Christ, who is our light (John 8: 12).
This light is in every believer, too, our hope -- confident expectation of good -- of glory (Colossians 1: 27).
We are in Christ, our Light and our Propitiation from all sins: past, present, future. In His Light, His blood cleanses -- now, presently, and forever -- from all unrighteousness! If we feel down and out, guilty and deserving punishment, just let the Word of God remind you that you are already made righteous and cleansed forevermore from all sin.
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