Some Christians have been taught that it is alright to participate in worldly activities if we simply dedicate them to God. This is dead wrong. Worldly activities always lead us away from God. This is one reason there is so much apathy in many Christians today. The Scripture tells us that we have been crucified with Jesus. A Christian is not part of this world.
Read what Paul said about a Christian life, For we who are alive (born again) are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Cor 4:11) This death in Jesus really upsets some believers who would like to serve God better but they cannot understand why death is important. However, the scripture does explain the two biggest reasons that we should die, our sin and the law.
We must first accept that our old self must die to make room for the new life brought into us by the Spirit. To explain the first part of our death we look at Romans chapter six. We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized in his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ as raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Rom 6:2-4) To put our sins in the proper place we must become involved with the new life that is available to a Christian. When we are active with the things of God we have not time for sin or our old lifestyle. Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom 6:11) This works until we begin to run our new life in Jesus with a set of rules that we feel will make us righteous. This will cause us to become self-righteous.
When a believer realizes they have become self-righteous it is time for the second part of our death. Romans chapter seven goes into great detail about how we must now die to the Law. Most people easily understand the need to die from sin but it is harder to recognize the need to die from the Law, because it is righteous. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead. (Rom 7:4) Note that this verse says "also died" meaning that this is in addition to our death to sin. When we live by an Law we become self-righteous because we feel that we are strong. Our strength is not good enough so the answer is to live in Jesus who must be Lord of our life.
The wonder of our total freedom is a problem for humans. Of course, many people abuse this freedom by thinking their freedom is to be used any way they see fit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our freedom is what we offer to God to be used as HE SEES FIT.
Now we understand Romans chapter eight, which spells out the final answer for us. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus is the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.(Rom 8:1-2) Here is our new Law that is brought in to our life when we yield to the Spirit of God. In other words, a servant of Christ must come out from under the Law of Sin (by death) and from under the Law (by death) in order to live under the Law of the Spirit.
It takes humility to live this new life directed by the Spirit of Love. Humility for a Christian is yielding to the ways of God. It is offensive to God when we live our new life with our own power. Learning to trust the Spirit to guide our lives is a full time job. However, this is the only way to reach God because He is great and we are so small.
Yield to the Spirit of Christ today and begin your life in His victory.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Four - Prayer - Part 2
Our prayers are directed to God every day and His spirit is talking to us continually yet Jesus gave us the concept of fasting. One way to think of this time without food is as if you were supercharging your prayers. When we don't eat we can be come humble and our reliance on God is much greater. This time of leaning on God will bring the response from Him that we need. It is easier to hear Him because we have temporarily set aside the things of the world. The fast also causes our soul to become more sensitive and we will receive God's guidance without our normal resistance. This self-control is sure to please God by showing our sincerity.
The subject of confession also has its place here in the pillar of prayer. One type of confession is for us to declare who we serve by giving Him praise and thanksgiving. This done in an outward expression so that other people will hear about the glory of our God.
Another type of confession happens when a sinner is repenting and seeking salvation. He will make his confession to other people by telling of his new revelation and faith in Jesus. There must be confession of wrong doings after conversion in order to receive forgiveness and this is ordinarily done in private prayer. John wrote, If we confess our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Any hindrance of our prayers is a matter of concern and must not be allowed to stay an obstacle in communication with our heavenly father.
There are concepts the Bible teaches us about prayer that seem exceptional about our relationship God. In one parable that Jesus gave us, a woman went to an unjust judge repeatedly in order get what she wanted. The lesson being taught here is to have tenacity in our prayers. We usually have the idea that the Lord will do what He wants and we have no say at all. God has the ability to grant our urgent requests and at the same time He will accomplish His purpose.
Jesus introduced another interesting principle when the fig tree died after he cursed it. At the end of the story, Jesus said that a mountain will throw itself into the sea if we have real faith when we give our directions. Apparently it is possible to live a life of abandonment unto God, that our words will contain enough power to cause the things we say to come about. Jesus knew that each request he made would be granted by God and he tell us when we pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
Our need for faith is understandable but also said that we must forgive people who have wronged us. God will only heed our prayers after we have forgiven those who have wronged us, therefore forgiveness is equally important as our faith. When we forgive others a peace comes into our lives and Jesus came to earth as our example of forgiveness.
Jesus taught in the story of the publican and the Pharisee that even our attitude is important. If we are not humble and repentant, God will not listen to our prayers and we should not expect any answer. The Almighty has planned everything to work perfectly and we must strive to stay in step with Him. The Spirit will reveal anything to us as we do not understand, to show us the way of God.
The subject of confession also has its place here in the pillar of prayer. One type of confession is for us to declare who we serve by giving Him praise and thanksgiving. This done in an outward expression so that other people will hear about the glory of our God.
Another type of confession happens when a sinner is repenting and seeking salvation. He will make his confession to other people by telling of his new revelation and faith in Jesus. There must be confession of wrong doings after conversion in order to receive forgiveness and this is ordinarily done in private prayer. John wrote, If we confess our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Any hindrance of our prayers is a matter of concern and must not be allowed to stay an obstacle in communication with our heavenly father.
There are concepts the Bible teaches us about prayer that seem exceptional about our relationship God. In one parable that Jesus gave us, a woman went to an unjust judge repeatedly in order get what she wanted. The lesson being taught here is to have tenacity in our prayers. We usually have the idea that the Lord will do what He wants and we have no say at all. God has the ability to grant our urgent requests and at the same time He will accomplish His purpose.
Jesus introduced another interesting principle when the fig tree died after he cursed it. At the end of the story, Jesus said that a mountain will throw itself into the sea if we have real faith when we give our directions. Apparently it is possible to live a life of abandonment unto God, that our words will contain enough power to cause the things we say to come about. Jesus knew that each request he made would be granted by God and he tell us when we pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
Our need for faith is understandable but also said that we must forgive people who have wronged us. God will only heed our prayers after we have forgiven those who have wronged us, therefore forgiveness is equally important as our faith. When we forgive others a peace comes into our lives and Jesus came to earth as our example of forgiveness.
Jesus taught in the story of the publican and the Pharisee that even our attitude is important. If we are not humble and repentant, God will not listen to our prayers and we should not expect any answer. The Almighty has planned everything to work perfectly and we must strive to stay in step with Him. The Spirit will reveal anything to us as we do not understand, to show us the way of God.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Know Ye Not
Men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Cor. 4:1,2) It is difficult to write about the fact of our responsibilities in this day and age. The American church has proclaimed God’s grace so loudly that no one can hear the quiet call of our duty. None of us wants to take anything away from grace but we do have responsibilities in our “contract” with God. Hard as it is to believe, God has faith in us. When Paul wrote to us in the book of Corinthians, he used the phrase “know ye not” to tell us something was a basic fact. Unfortunately, people have a predisposition to be cavalier with the truth of God. We must not allow our life in this world to outrank any instruction God has given us. Be faithful to Jesus.
A temple is usually a beautiful place where the worshipper is uplifted. Regardless of our appearance, we are to live as a beautiful person where the Spirit is without shame. Our clean life is the place where we are uplifted as God’s Spirit meets our needs. The Scripture says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19,20) It is imperative that our physical life be kept clean because we have connected with God. Verse 17 says it, this way, But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Jesus became a human for the purpose of our connection with God Almighty.
In the clean temple of God there should be as little worldly talk as possible. It is a Holy place. When Christians get together, we should be rejoicing in what Jesus has done and is doing for us. Your boasting (about worldly things) is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor 5:6-8) The truth of a real Christian life is that we are no longer a part of this world. In our clean and uncluttered temple, let us eat of Jesus Christ and him only.
Because we are not living the correct way, Paul says to each of us, “know ye not.” This simple message deserves some response by every Christian. These are the last days of the “age of grace.” Please don’t be left without oil in your lamp.
A temple is usually a beautiful place where the worshipper is uplifted. Regardless of our appearance, we are to live as a beautiful person where the Spirit is without shame. Our clean life is the place where we are uplifted as God’s Spirit meets our needs. The Scripture says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19,20) It is imperative that our physical life be kept clean because we have connected with God. Verse 17 says it, this way, But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Jesus became a human for the purpose of our connection with God Almighty.
In the clean temple of God there should be as little worldly talk as possible. It is a Holy place. When Christians get together, we should be rejoicing in what Jesus has done and is doing for us. Your boasting (about worldly things) is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor 5:6-8) The truth of a real Christian life is that we are no longer a part of this world. In our clean and uncluttered temple, let us eat of Jesus Christ and him only.
Because we are not living the correct way, Paul says to each of us, “know ye not.” This simple message deserves some response by every Christian. These are the last days of the “age of grace.” Please don’t be left without oil in your lamp.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Never Surrender
Life is a wonderful series of choices and decisions. Some of them are easy but most are difficult. The wonderful part is that we are allowed to make them all ourselves. Many people feel that something is choosing for them but these people are not accepting responsibility for their eternal life. It takes courage to make correct decisions. As believers, we must “not” let our choices be made under any influence of the Devil (the father of sin and death). If we do not make our own decisions, the Devil has already made them for us. In effect, the evil ruler of this earth is asking us every day if we are ready to surrender. The Devil even came to the Savior and asked him to surrender during his days of temptation. The scripture tells us to be like Jesus. He did not give-in to the Devil one single time. This means we can never surrender to our antagonist.
Surrendering is the voluntary act of giving up or walking away. There were Old Testament believers that wanted to give-up but sometimes it can be hard to surrender. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jer 20:8,9) Poor old Jeremiah was tired of unpopularity and wanted to quit working for God. Later, God disclosed to Jeremiah that someday Israel would receive this unrelenting power of the Spirit in their life. I will make an everlasting covenant with them… and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. (Jer 32:40) The Lord tells us that when the Spirit is allowed to direct our life that we will never turn away.
Our battle is on more than one front. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (Jude 3) It is unpopular but our job is to teach about the blood of Jesus and a Holy life for all believers. Another struggle is apathy, a terrible plague that has spread among the churches of America. Materialism grips the church so tightly that our drive to fight has been anesthetized. Apathy must not win the war. It is time for us to wake-up and fight for the truth. Jesus said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. (Luke 13:24) Apathy is sending millions to Hell. We must learn that it does take effort to enter Heaven.
Hang on to the boat of salvation and do not surrender to the storm. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. (I John 2:24,25) The Scriptures encourages Christians to persist in their faith by returning to the fundamental Gospel message. Intelligence can work against our belief at times so we must resolve to live totally by faith. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13) Do not surrender to the world. Those of us that refuse to give-up will have peace when we live with the Lord. The completion of our salvation will be the fulfillment of our dreams. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57).
Surrendering is the voluntary act of giving up or walking away. There were Old Testament believers that wanted to give-up but sometimes it can be hard to surrender. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jer 20:8,9) Poor old Jeremiah was tired of unpopularity and wanted to quit working for God. Later, God disclosed to Jeremiah that someday Israel would receive this unrelenting power of the Spirit in their life. I will make an everlasting covenant with them… and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. (Jer 32:40) The Lord tells us that when the Spirit is allowed to direct our life that we will never turn away.
Our battle is on more than one front. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (Jude 3) It is unpopular but our job is to teach about the blood of Jesus and a Holy life for all believers. Another struggle is apathy, a terrible plague that has spread among the churches of America. Materialism grips the church so tightly that our drive to fight has been anesthetized. Apathy must not win the war. It is time for us to wake-up and fight for the truth. Jesus said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. (Luke 13:24) Apathy is sending millions to Hell. We must learn that it does take effort to enter Heaven.
Hang on to the boat of salvation and do not surrender to the storm. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. (I John 2:24,25) The Scriptures encourages Christians to persist in their faith by returning to the fundamental Gospel message. Intelligence can work against our belief at times so we must resolve to live totally by faith. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:13) Do not surrender to the world. Those of us that refuse to give-up will have peace when we live with the Lord. The completion of our salvation will be the fulfillment of our dreams. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57).
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Four - Prayer - Part 1
Prayer is central to everything in our Christian life and we find the pillar of prayer located in the middle of the seven columns. If we persevere in prayer many things in our life will change and this is evidence that God is living in us. Paul commanded the people of "The Way" to continually pray, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph 6:18)
Our instructions are to make continual prayers and we are told of our responsibility to pray for others. Many times the word intercession is used when we pray on behalf of others. We should feel compassion when we seek God for others because both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding on our behalf. In Romans chapter eight we read that the Spirit is praying for us and then it says, Christ...who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Ro 8:34) God has granted us the privilege of prayer and we should enjoy talking to Him about the people He lays on our heart.
One powerful effect of praying for others is that our love for the people around us will continue to grow as we present their problems to the Lord. Seeing changes in the lives of others will strengthen our own faith.
Worship is a part of prayer and many people in the Scriptures demonstrate how to exalt our Lord. The scholars tell us that the roots of the word "worship" are found in the master/servant relationship. In America we have a difficult time understanding the feelings a person will have in the presence of the king. Some people will lose the strength in their legs and fall to the floor. The greatness of a good master will bring a response of awe, reverence and adoring. Humble servants feel a need to express their gratitude and love. Worship is about praise for who God is and thanksgiving for what He has done.
As God's servants we can expect to feel worship in our souls and sometimes it will flow out into the physical. May we learn to worship our God for He is worthy.
Our instructions are to make continual prayers and we are told of our responsibility to pray for others. Many times the word intercession is used when we pray on behalf of others. We should feel compassion when we seek God for others because both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding on our behalf. In Romans chapter eight we read that the Spirit is praying for us and then it says, Christ...who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Ro 8:34) God has granted us the privilege of prayer and we should enjoy talking to Him about the people He lays on our heart.
One powerful effect of praying for others is that our love for the people around us will continue to grow as we present their problems to the Lord. Seeing changes in the lives of others will strengthen our own faith.
Worship is a part of prayer and many people in the Scriptures demonstrate how to exalt our Lord. The scholars tell us that the roots of the word "worship" are found in the master/servant relationship. In America we have a difficult time understanding the feelings a person will have in the presence of the king. Some people will lose the strength in their legs and fall to the floor. The greatness of a good master will bring a response of awe, reverence and adoring. Humble servants feel a need to express their gratitude and love. Worship is about praise for who God is and thanksgiving for what He has done.
As God's servants we can expect to feel worship in our souls and sometimes it will flow out into the physical. May we learn to worship our God for He is worthy.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Three-Holy Living-Part 3
Obedience to God will always lead to a strong desire for his righteousness. The light and peace that is brought into our lives will stay with us into eternity. When we obey God there is a consecration that effects our whole way of living and we will be occupied with an unbelievable purpose. Until a person walks with God they have no idea about the purpose of life. People of this world fill their lives with things that will all be burned up someday and they shall spend eternity possessing nothing.
We know that our job is to imitate Jesus so that our life will please God. Paul's statement about living in the Spirit has manifest meaning, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such things there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh. (Gal 5:24) Notice that the flesh must be crucified if we are going to produce good fruit.
It is possible to live a beautiful life of holiness and enjoy that life because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. There is sometimes a negative response from the people around you when this change in your life is observed. Jesus addressed this problem when He prayed for his disciples, these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them they word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. (John 17:14) When the world does not like us, it is still feasible to have the joy of the Lord in our life every day. Believers must not say that living a holy life is too difficult because Jesus promised to help us, blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) Our faith will give us access to the things God has for us. The new life we live is totally different from a life in this world. Paul said it this way, they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5) We must trust our Lord to give us a holy life just as we trust Him for our salvation.
People in the world talk about obtaining a new lifestyle in order to revitalize themselves. That is certainly possible when a person accepts the holy life of Jesus, they not only enjoy a new life here but gain life forever. It is not possible to inform a new Christian what their life will look like because each person has an individual path to follow. There are some things Christians all have in common and we should attempt to comfort one another any way possible.
When we reach Heaven some day, there is a place of honor waiting for us. Most of us don't have any idea what a place of honor feels like but because we reflect God's glory here on earth, honor will be ours in eternity. We know that every good thing God has for us will last forever and this makes our holy life more valuable than we can imagine. The peace we receive as we walk with God is another part of this new life that has great worth. This gift of peace enables us to enjoy life here on earth under all conditions and it will carry over into eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home town with streets of gold and this attests to the beauty we will enjoy. In addition to peace, beauty and honor we will have millions of friends who will never cause us any pain, but will always have our best interest at heart.
Our set apart life is the beginning of something beautiful that will take us into the next world and we will be prepared to dwell with God in eternity.
We know that our job is to imitate Jesus so that our life will please God. Paul's statement about living in the Spirit has manifest meaning, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such things there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh. (Gal 5:24) Notice that the flesh must be crucified if we are going to produce good fruit.
It is possible to live a beautiful life of holiness and enjoy that life because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. There is sometimes a negative response from the people around you when this change in your life is observed. Jesus addressed this problem when He prayed for his disciples, these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them they word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. (John 17:14) When the world does not like us, it is still feasible to have the joy of the Lord in our life every day. Believers must not say that living a holy life is too difficult because Jesus promised to help us, blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) Our faith will give us access to the things God has for us. The new life we live is totally different from a life in this world. Paul said it this way, they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5) We must trust our Lord to give us a holy life just as we trust Him for our salvation.
People in the world talk about obtaining a new lifestyle in order to revitalize themselves. That is certainly possible when a person accepts the holy life of Jesus, they not only enjoy a new life here but gain life forever. It is not possible to inform a new Christian what their life will look like because each person has an individual path to follow. There are some things Christians all have in common and we should attempt to comfort one another any way possible.
When we reach Heaven some day, there is a place of honor waiting for us. Most of us don't have any idea what a place of honor feels like but because we reflect God's glory here on earth, honor will be ours in eternity. We know that every good thing God has for us will last forever and this makes our holy life more valuable than we can imagine. The peace we receive as we walk with God is another part of this new life that has great worth. This gift of peace enables us to enjoy life here on earth under all conditions and it will carry over into eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home town with streets of gold and this attests to the beauty we will enjoy. In addition to peace, beauty and honor we will have millions of friends who will never cause us any pain, but will always have our best interest at heart.
Our set apart life is the beginning of something beautiful that will take us into the next world and we will be prepared to dwell with God in eternity.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Selected By God
There are humans that will someday leave this universe to live in a majestic new home. They are the privileged few that have been accepted for a life of beauty and love in a massive city called Heaven. The ruler of this grand metropolis is God the Father. His plans for this city were made long before the creation of our own world. God knew what kind of people would eventually become His family. Have you ever wondered what kind of a family you would have picked? Anyway, God knew exactly who he needed because only Holy beings can exist in His home. The English word “predestinate” does not exist in the original Bible. A translation of this Greek word is “I have set boundaries ahead of time”. We must understand that the main reason for our selection is to meet a standard.
Our language is creating some misunderstanding. Some folks like to say that God chooses his children. What is not being said, in this statement, is what kind of children. They are not little babies. Babies cannot live within boundaries. God is adopting people with cognitive powers who are willing to live a Holy life. The question now becomes, how can we accomplish this Holy life. The Scripture says, Those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many (Holy) brothers. (Ro 8:28,29) This verse plainly states that people who love God will be conformed to the likeness of God’s son. This is the boundary that was set for us.
A long time ago, God gave us Jesus Christ who gave his blood to redeem people from there sin. Our Savior is the tremendous act of grace that allowed the salvation process to proceed. Remember that we are not talking about walking to the front of a Church. What we need for Heaven is walking with God in a Holy life. This actually takes another act of incredible grace. After Jesus returned to heaven, God sent his Holy Spirit to live inside of us. This enables the children of God to conform to the likeness of Jesus. There is no other way to have the will God revealed to us. In order to live a godly life we must have this information available through the Spirit.
Many people misunderstand this plan of God and it is sad that the good news has been distorted. God’s will is to complete the creation age by receiving his family to Himself and judging all others that do not receive the truth. Out of all the creations of God, we are the Holy ones selected to be his family. We are selected to be a Glory to the Almighty forever. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Ro (8:30) The people that God knows will live within the set boundaries, God calls, and He makes them clean so they enter into the Glory of His Son. The Holy people who are the body of Christ are the inheritance of God. They are guaranteed a glorious eternity.
If this truth is difficult to understand it is because only a spirit filled person is given the meaning of it. Paul said it this way, We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. (1 Cor 2:9-9)
The Lord will bless those who trust in His truth.
Our language is creating some misunderstanding. Some folks like to say that God chooses his children. What is not being said, in this statement, is what kind of children. They are not little babies. Babies cannot live within boundaries. God is adopting people with cognitive powers who are willing to live a Holy life. The question now becomes, how can we accomplish this Holy life. The Scripture says, Those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many (Holy) brothers. (Ro 8:28,29) This verse plainly states that people who love God will be conformed to the likeness of God’s son. This is the boundary that was set for us.
A long time ago, God gave us Jesus Christ who gave his blood to redeem people from there sin. Our Savior is the tremendous act of grace that allowed the salvation process to proceed. Remember that we are not talking about walking to the front of a Church. What we need for Heaven is walking with God in a Holy life. This actually takes another act of incredible grace. After Jesus returned to heaven, God sent his Holy Spirit to live inside of us. This enables the children of God to conform to the likeness of Jesus. There is no other way to have the will God revealed to us. In order to live a godly life we must have this information available through the Spirit.
Many people misunderstand this plan of God and it is sad that the good news has been distorted. God’s will is to complete the creation age by receiving his family to Himself and judging all others that do not receive the truth. Out of all the creations of God, we are the Holy ones selected to be his family. We are selected to be a Glory to the Almighty forever. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Ro (8:30) The people that God knows will live within the set boundaries, God calls, and He makes them clean so they enter into the Glory of His Son. The Holy people who are the body of Christ are the inheritance of God. They are guaranteed a glorious eternity.
If this truth is difficult to understand it is because only a spirit filled person is given the meaning of it. Paul said it this way, We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. (1 Cor 2:9-9)
The Lord will bless those who trust in His truth.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Intellect and Faith
A mistake that religious people are making today is substituting their intellect and reason for the anointing of God. The fall of humans at the beginning of our age came with this promise You will be like God, knowing good and evil. This allows people to consider everything in their own conscience before acting on it. This may be good for our independence but we must make an effort not to be independent of God. When humans found out about the gospel plan, they began to believe that their comprehension of religion was what it takes to please with God. Nothing could be more wrong.
People are saved by faith, which means that intellect will only lead them in the opposite direction. Do you believe that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom? Christians must live and experience God's truth in order to know it. A very long time ago, Augustine said, "I believe in order that I may understand." We must not believe that the Spirit will teach us spiritual truths by revealing the mysteries first to our intellect and then in our experience. God's way is contrary to this thinking. Following Jesus and His truth in simple faith always means we experience Him first. Our correct understanding will usually come later.
Faith in the truth of God is following Jesus Christ. Many people today are not following the truth of God but believe they are following Jesus. This is naturally a failure to reach God because obedience is required by the Creator of our life. We must realize that success is Jesus Christ living through our experiences of faith. Look at what has been said about the Christian life:
Receive what you do no comprehend.
Submit to what you do not understand.
Expect what is a mystery to your reason.
Believe what appears impossible.
Living in a way that most do not.
After we have shown our faith to God and others, the Spirit will begin to retrain our conscience in the ways of God and then we will understand the things of God. What a wonderful peace comes into our life when we yield to the Spirit in this way.
Staying in Christ for the rest of our life should be the cry of each prayer. Believe it or not, the secret is ceasing from our efforts. When we quit trying to live by our own reason and efforts, it leaves room for the Spirit to show us the way to live. This takes trust, which is exactly what the Savior is looking for in His family. the Holy Spirit is working toward this new life in Christ. The Spirit is silently but surely guiding us into communion with God. The faith we use in our experiences is rewarded by the Spirit's light, revealing what the Lord has done in our life. This is the power of God in our life.
If we want the Spirit to teach us about Jesus we should consider the following:
Believe that the Spirit can work in us continually.
Believe that the Spirit has the power we need to stay in Christ.
Believe that it is impossible to live without the Spirit's help.
Believe that the filling of the Spirit is our daily portion.
Believe that the Holy Spirit is the bond of fellowship.
Believe that your faith can deliver you into the water of the river of life.
It should be plain that unbelief is what displeases God the most.
Living this new life makes it easy to feel the hop of His return. John says that continuing in Jesus is how we will be confident and unashamed before Him at his coming. 1 John 2:28 A Christian easily gives up loving the world and the things of the world because we know that this world and everything in it will pass away someday. God has promised eternal life to those who overcome this world in the name of Jesus Christ.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! and that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
People are saved by faith, which means that intellect will only lead them in the opposite direction. Do you believe that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom? Christians must live and experience God's truth in order to know it. A very long time ago, Augustine said, "I believe in order that I may understand." We must not believe that the Spirit will teach us spiritual truths by revealing the mysteries first to our intellect and then in our experience. God's way is contrary to this thinking. Following Jesus and His truth in simple faith always means we experience Him first. Our correct understanding will usually come later.
Faith in the truth of God is following Jesus Christ. Many people today are not following the truth of God but believe they are following Jesus. This is naturally a failure to reach God because obedience is required by the Creator of our life. We must realize that success is Jesus Christ living through our experiences of faith. Look at what has been said about the Christian life:
Receive what you do no comprehend.
Submit to what you do not understand.
Expect what is a mystery to your reason.
Believe what appears impossible.
Living in a way that most do not.
After we have shown our faith to God and others, the Spirit will begin to retrain our conscience in the ways of God and then we will understand the things of God. What a wonderful peace comes into our life when we yield to the Spirit in this way.
Staying in Christ for the rest of our life should be the cry of each prayer. Believe it or not, the secret is ceasing from our efforts. When we quit trying to live by our own reason and efforts, it leaves room for the Spirit to show us the way to live. This takes trust, which is exactly what the Savior is looking for in His family. the Holy Spirit is working toward this new life in Christ. The Spirit is silently but surely guiding us into communion with God. The faith we use in our experiences is rewarded by the Spirit's light, revealing what the Lord has done in our life. This is the power of God in our life.
If we want the Spirit to teach us about Jesus we should consider the following:
Believe that the Spirit can work in us continually.
Believe that the Spirit has the power we need to stay in Christ.
Believe that it is impossible to live without the Spirit's help.
Believe that the filling of the Spirit is our daily portion.
Believe that the Holy Spirit is the bond of fellowship.
Believe that your faith can deliver you into the water of the river of life.
It should be plain that unbelief is what displeases God the most.
Living this new life makes it easy to feel the hop of His return. John says that continuing in Jesus is how we will be confident and unashamed before Him at his coming. 1 John 2:28 A Christian easily gives up loving the world and the things of the world because we know that this world and everything in it will pass away someday. God has promised eternal life to those who overcome this world in the name of Jesus Christ.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! and that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Seven Pillars of Christianity-Pillar Three-Holy Living-Part 2
The wonder of God's spirit living in us is beyond our understanding but there is no other way to know Him personally. King David wrote about God's intimate knowledge of our innermost being. We are to understand that every detail of our lives was known before God made the earth. The Spirit works within us having full knowledge of our needs in each situation. With His knowledge we are protected from the Devil and a temple for our God is maintained. Jesus in us, makes our life fit for service in God's army. Our Lord has asked us to help bring in the harvest and there is no time to waste.
We must be serious about living for our Creator and never abandon the truth which the Lord has revealed to us. Christians must use the discipline they find in their love of Jesus to train themselves in a life of Godliness. Each of us should be devoted to love, faith and purity. Paul asked Timothy to take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for doing this thous shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.(1 Tim 4:16)
Although the Spirit lives in us and urges us into holiness, it is also necessary for us to have a working knowledge of the Scriptures. The problems of our daily life give us the opportunity to trust the Lord for a spiritual solution. The understanding of Biblical principles which we have assimilated during our Christian walk, is the foundation the Spirit builds upon. Looking back on a problem's solution usually gives a better understanding of the power contained in the scriptures.
The process of setting a person apart from the world to be a child of God is called "sanctification". Perfect sanctification is to care only about the desires of God and abandoning all our own natural ways. Peter refers to this process and mentions the Trinities involvement, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:2) This verse tells us that sanctification is brought to us by the Spirit just as everything else is our spiritual life is through Him.
You will observe in this address of Peter's that obedience is the one word of instruction that is directed to us. This word is always our part in a relationship with God, and it reveals how necessary it is to have the Holy Spirit in us to help us understand what God wants us to do. Holiness does not come to us naturally, therefore it is essential that we obey God and learn to walk with His help. The Old Testament speaks of the beauty of holiness and we should desire to have this beauty in our lives.
Some church people find that they do not really desire the holiness of God in their life. If we do not long for the Holiness of God; why do we believe He is our Father? The world today has a strong pull into its downward spiral and the children of the world enjoy drifting into its pleasures. It is different with Christians because we have spiritual bread to eat which gives us strength to go against the current each day. This bread is Jesus and he was broken to provide the food we need for spiritual victories.
We must be serious about living for our Creator and never abandon the truth which the Lord has revealed to us. Christians must use the discipline they find in their love of Jesus to train themselves in a life of Godliness. Each of us should be devoted to love, faith and purity. Paul asked Timothy to take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for doing this thous shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.(1 Tim 4:16)
Although the Spirit lives in us and urges us into holiness, it is also necessary for us to have a working knowledge of the Scriptures. The problems of our daily life give us the opportunity to trust the Lord for a spiritual solution. The understanding of Biblical principles which we have assimilated during our Christian walk, is the foundation the Spirit builds upon. Looking back on a problem's solution usually gives a better understanding of the power contained in the scriptures.
The process of setting a person apart from the world to be a child of God is called "sanctification". Perfect sanctification is to care only about the desires of God and abandoning all our own natural ways. Peter refers to this process and mentions the Trinities involvement, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:2) This verse tells us that sanctification is brought to us by the Spirit just as everything else is our spiritual life is through Him.
You will observe in this address of Peter's that obedience is the one word of instruction that is directed to us. This word is always our part in a relationship with God, and it reveals how necessary it is to have the Holy Spirit in us to help us understand what God wants us to do. Holiness does not come to us naturally, therefore it is essential that we obey God and learn to walk with His help. The Old Testament speaks of the beauty of holiness and we should desire to have this beauty in our lives.
Some church people find that they do not really desire the holiness of God in their life. If we do not long for the Holiness of God; why do we believe He is our Father? The world today has a strong pull into its downward spiral and the children of the world enjoy drifting into its pleasures. It is different with Christians because we have spiritual bread to eat which gives us strength to go against the current each day. This bread is Jesus and he was broken to provide the food we need for spiritual victories.
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