Sunday, September 30, 2012

A God Who Forgives!

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.  Luke 15:11-24

God is under no obligation to mankind. As Creator, Lord, and sovereign Judge, He can make any decision He desires which conforms to His holy character. Thus, when man sinned and incurred His judgement, God could have closed down planet Earth and annihilated man. But He did not, and that is what makes forgiveness so amazing.

He is a God of unconditional love. His love for man cannot be cancelled by our rejection, unbelief, or disdain. He loves us with an everlasting love, and He has demonstrated that love through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

Our Lord is a God of amazing grace which means He bestows His goodness upon us despite our unworthiness. Grace means God gives and gives and gives without ceasing. Salvation is the noblest gift of that grace.

He is a God of infinite mercy.
While His grace gives us what we do not deserve, His mercy withholds what we do deserve. Because of the cross, God is merciful to man, refusing to treat us according to our sins.

Forgiveness flows from the heart of a loving, merciful, and gracious Father Who patiently seeks to bring the lost into His waiting arms.

“...Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting...”
Psalm 138:8

Friday, September 28, 2012

A Life or Death Issue

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Life and death struggles were commonplace in our country’s formative years. A child with an infection usually died for lack of antibiotics. A drought or crop disease meant that some would die of malnourishment. Today such problems are solved without much difficulty. An infection can be treated with any of dozens of medicines, and a bad crop year is managed with increased exports or the release of stored reserves. Forgiveness of our sin, however, remains the ultimate life and death issue.

God decreed the penalty for our sin as eternal death which means everlasting separation from the presence of a holy, loving God. The punishment is not a temporary assignment in some unknown world or a permanent unconsciousness or destruction of mind, soul, and body.

Made in the image of God, our soul is immortal - to dwell either in God’s presence (heaven) or away from His presence (hell). God wants us to choose life which He gives through faith in His Son Who paid sin’s price on our behalf. He has done all He can to keep us from the place of torment (2 Pet. 3:9).

What decision have you made? Life or death hangs in the balance.

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Need of the Whole World

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’” Acts 2:37-39

What would you say is mankind’s greatest need? There are many living in war-torn countries who would reply: “world peace.” There are others who inhabit famine-stricken regions who would respond: “An adequate food and water supply.” There are others who live in substandard housing or rural poverty who would answer: “Improved economic conditions.”

Perhaps you have your own answer in mind. It may be “family harmony” or “racial equality” or “a stable work environment.” Suppose each of the problems listed here were somehow eliminated - peace came to the nations, the hungry were fed, the poor were elevated. What then would be mankind’s greatest need? The Bible declares the timeless answer. Mankind’s greatest problem - for every age, for every culture, for every man and woman - is the forgiveness of sin.

Poverty, hunger, war, injustice, discord, and every conceivable burden are the result of sin, beginning with Adam and Eve’s transgression and polluting each succeeding generation with its poison. Worse yet, each member of the human race is a sinner - guilty before a just, holy God with the terrible judgement of eternal death.

“...through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Acts 13:38

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Ministry of Intercession

“Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.” Colossians 4:12-13

It might be said that we need role models in life. For a child growing up, it should be dad or a godly person. Our problem today is - role models who don’t fit the role. When we think of a role model for intercessors, the clear choice is Epaphras, Paul’s dedicated coworker who prayed with great fervor for the Colossian people. His strategy is a proven model that will work in any age. Epaphras always prayed for the Colossian church.

An intercessor must persevere as he or she allows the Lord to pray through them His concerns for others. Prayers may not be answered within our urgent framework but according to God’s timing. When you intercede for someone, keep on praying until you see the need met.

Epaphras labored in his intercession. Prayer for others is hard work; it does not come naturally; it can seem toilsome. But wouldn’t you want someone else to labor in prayer on your behalf? His purpose in intercession was that the Colossians “may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12). The intercessor must make the will of God for others his chief pursuit.

Do you want to be used by God? Then pray for one another and watch God work.

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers...” Philippians 1:19

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Requirement of an Intercessor

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:26-34

Sadly, the church often reflects the unbiblical world view of her surrounding culture. Perhaps the worst encroachment of cultural values that infiltrates the church is preoccupation with self. Self-gratification, self-assertiveness, and self-advancement wrongly influence many committed believers who unwittingly adopt secular mores. Nowhere is this self-indulgence more intrusive than in our prayer lives.

Our prayers are often litanies of self-oriented requests - punctuated occasionally with the needs of others. Certainly God wants us to bring our problems and desires before Him, but prayer was never meant to be an exclusive domain for self. One of the great joys of prayer is seeing God answer our petitions on behalf of others. It is exhilarating to see God bless our brethren in Christ and to see unbelievers come to know Him.

This kind of transformation in our prayer lives comes when we learn that sufficiency of God meets our needs. Our Lord will take care of our food, our clothing, our necessities. Knowing that fact, we can move on to intercession for others. The more we allow Christ Jesus to pray through us for others, the more our focus on self is diminished.

"For even Christ did not please Himself..." Romans 15:3

Monday, September 24, 2012

Internal Peace

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

Peace initiatives by various parties and factions capture the attention of the news media almost daily. The terminology of these endeavors has so occupied our front pages, TV screens, and political agendas that we have defined peace as "the absence of conflict." Even those of us who toil in the office, farm, or home tend to describe peace in the same manner. Peace is the removal of tension between husband and wife, parents and children, employers and employees.

We know, however, that peace can be elusive - even when such ideal conditions exist. This kind of harmony does not remove the ache, anger, and turmoil that boil within because of frustrated dreams, unreached potential, and disillusioning circumstances. True peace is not external, not dependent upon the environment. It is internal, springing from our innermost beings. This peace comes only through the inner presence of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. He can settle your spirit and mind - regardless of external disarray.

If you have been restless and anxious, look to Christ for stability. His initiative at Calvary has brought you peace with God and the peace of God. This peace can never be disturbed. 

"And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Growing Through Failing, Part 2

“‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.’ But he said to Him, ‘Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!’ And He said, ‘I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.’” Luke 22:31-34

If you had taken a poll of Christ’s apostles before His arrest and crucifixion, no doubt Peter would have been voted, “most loyal.” Of all Jesus’ followers, Peter seemingly possessed all of the right qualities for unquestioned leadership. He was honest, unafraid of challenge, and eager to learn. When Jesus took His inner circle along on special occasions, Peter was always included.

But when the darkness of Gethsemane and Calvary drew near, Peter failed, denying his Lord and retreating into the sorrow of regret. Peter, like most of us, had relied on his superior talents and commanding personality during his apprenticeship with Christ. When the crisis of Calvary appeared, however, the fault line of human frailty appeared and shattered Peter’s confidence.
                   
It is still so with all of us who draw near to the cross. We must come to the place were reliance upon our own resources - education, appearance, personality, abilities - is ended. Then we can move into the life and power that our indwelling Christ longs to impart.

Christ is the Victor over sin and death. He is our victory over dominating traits and particular affections. When we fail in our strength, we are ready to trust in the One Who will never fail us.

“...Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Friday, September 21, 2012

Growing Through Failing

“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:15-25


“If at first you don’t succeed, try again.” That Puritan work ethic is solidly ingrained in the minds of many Americans. When a person becomes a Christian, he naturally tends to integrate this attitude into his walk with Christ. If we fail to conquer certain habits, we keep trying. If we fall short in obeying key Scripture verses, we buckle down and try again.

While perseverance is necessary for the Christian, mere grit and determination alone will not cure our problems. Without a proper understanding of spiritual growth, pursuit of this “work ethic” can lead us into the proverbial “brick wall.”

Admission of failure in the spiritual realm is the first step toward a truly abundant life. Repeated failure from our own efforts is often the prerequisite for coming to the end of ourselves, acknowledging that we can do nothing apart from Christ. “...for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
       
Failure can be the catalyst that leads us from mere trying to trusting. The difference is startling, and understanding the spiritual dynamic can be the key to a consistently satisfying Christian walk.

“...He who began a good work in you will perfect it...” Philippians 1:6

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Pathway to Peace

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

If Mike Tyson were your bodyguard, would you worry about being mugged? If Bill Bright were the head of your evangelism team, would you worry about sharing the Gospel accurately? Your fears would be eliminated by the proven abilities of those involved.

Similarly, when Paul tells us to “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6), he makes such a seemingly impossible command feasible by telling us we can bring our worries to God. When we come to understand and believe in the greatness of our God, then and only then can our anxieties be held in check.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jer. 32:27) “...with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). “...Is the Lord’s power limited?...” (Num. 11:23). “...You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” (Jer. 32:17).

Our fretfulness and fears dissipate when we realize that our requests have been placed in the omnipotent, omniscient, loving hands of God. Although we may be in stressful circumstances, our confidence in God’s ability to handle our problems gives us “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7).

“...is anything too difficult for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Possessing our Possessions

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:7-12

The Christian’s inheritance is given to him:
a. later in heaven.
b. now on earth.
c. later and now.

The correct answer is “c.” While the Scriptures reveal that we indeed have a spectacular “inheritance...reserved in heaven” for us (1 Pet. 1:4), they also enlighten us to the wonderful truth that God already “has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Col. 1:12) here on earth. The moment we receive Christ as Savior, we become children of God and joint-heirs with Christ to all that God has to bestow. But what is our inheritance on earth? It is all that the Word of God contains. “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able...to give you the inheritance...” (Acts 20:32).
               
The promises of God - His peace, protection, comfort, strength, love, wisdom, power, direction - are ours. How do we claim them? By faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must believe God will do what He says He will do in His Word (faith) and then expect His power (the Holy Spirit) to activate it in our lives. The riches of our inheritance are meant to be drawn upon. How much ave you taken from your account? Communicating

“Also we have obtained an inheritance...” Ephesians 1:11

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Gospel

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-4


An editor’s job on a newspaper or magazine is to distill a reporter’s information into a concise article. In 1 Cor. 15:1-4, the Apostle Paul crystallizes the Gospel, or good news in this pronouncement:  “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day...” From Genesis to Revelation the Gospel’s continuing refrain is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He “died for our sins.”
Since God Himself had established death as the penalty for sin and since the offering had to be “unblemished” (1 Pet. 1:19), Christ became the divine substitute and representative. He died our death and bore our sins which separated us from God.

Jesus was “buried.” Christ came to the same grave to which we all come. His execution on the cross was complete - no vital signs.

He was “raised on the third day.” Death could not keep Him captive; sin could not conquer Him. Victory over sin and death was announced. Deliverance from both is offered freely now to all who trust in Christ’s mighty redemptive work, providing abundant and eternal life.

This good news is for everyone everywhere, at all times. Its message never changes; its power never wanes.

“I love to tell the story, the great redemption story.”
-A. Katherine Hankey

Monday, September 17, 2012

Where the Spirit of the Lord is...

“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Just as there is only one cause for spiritual blindness, so there is only one cure. Paul prescribes it in his letter to the Corinthians: “but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil (of unbelief) is taken away” (2 Cor 3:16). Only a personal encounter with the risen Christ can bring life and light. The apostle John proclaimed that Christ is “...the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9). Unbelievers abide in the dominion of darkness and Satan. It is God the Father Who “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”
(Col. 1:13).

As the Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ) is preached, the Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of men to guide them into the truth that sets them free. We understand our alienation from God is the result of our sins. We realize our inability to win His favor. We also clearly see that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God the Father only through Christ’s sin-bearing work on Calvary.

We call on Jesus’ name, asking Him to save us from our sins, placing our faith in Him alone - and in that moment our blindness is lifted and we can see the kingdom of God. The love of God triumphs.

“I once...was blind, but now I see.” -John Newton

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Spiritual Blindness

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:3-6


Physical blindness (the inability to see the material world) has several origins: disease, injury, malformity, age, etc. Spiritual blindness (the inability to understand spiritual truth) has only one cause: Satan, “the god of this world” who “has blinded the minds of the unbelieving...” (2 Cor. 4:3).

Although, the devil is involved in accusing and harassing followers of Christ, he also is intensely active in obscuring the truth of salvation. Those who have received Christ have triumphed over the devil through the blood of Christ. But those who continue to be deceived through his lies are victims of his cruel and deadly tyranny. Satan’s objective is to bring along with him as many people as possible in his rebellion against God.

How does he blind? Primarily by undermining the inerrancy and integrity of the whole of Scripture. In this way he removes the convicting tool of the Holy Spirit for repentance and faith. He also blinds by exalting self and diminishing the effect of sin. “I'm okay, you’re okay,” his script reads. “Why do I need a Savior? I’m not lost. Sure, I’m not perfect, but who is?” Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving by making “the word of the cross...foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:18).

“...the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
1 John 5:19

Friday, September 14, 2012

The Practice of Prayer

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’” Luke 11:1-4


Jesus not only gives us our scriptural pattern for petition in the Sermon on the Mount - He is our pattern. It was as disciples beheld Jesus praying that they beseeched Him to teach them also how to pray.

Before Christ Jesus fed the five thousand, He prayed (Matt. 14:19). Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed as He prepared to be baptized by John (Luke 3:21-22). Christ prayed as He healed the multitude and preached (Mark 1:35). Why would the Son of God need to pray? “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing...” John 5:19

Prayer was the means by which Jesus expressed His dependence upon and devotion to the Father. Even as God’s only begotten Son, He could do nothing except as the Father willed. His example is ours. Prayer is the means by which we too declare our dependence upon and devotion to Christ.

By God’s design we can do nothing apart from Christ’s enabling - nothing that will stand in the day of judgment. We were created to lean on Him. If Jesus did not preach, heal, minister, and work miracles apart from prayer, can we expect to carry on His work apart from a life of prayer?

“God does nothing except as His people pray.” -E.M. Bounds

Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Priority of Prayer

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

When Daniel was in the lion’s den, he (fill in the blank).
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they (fill in the blank).

The answer is “prayed.” Though all were mighty men of God, they knew that prayer was the avenue by which God’s supernatural power flowed into their circumstances. So it is today. Whether it is finances, relationships, sickness, loneliness, drugs, or any other facet of life, prayer is God’s method of accomplishing His heavenly will on earth.

Nothing is more awesome. Kings nations, bombs, armies, technology - all are dwarfs compared to the power available to the Christian who communes with God in personal prayer. The blood of the cross reconciled sinful man and holy God. It also gave us access to our Creator/Father God so that we can have His wisdom, will, and participation in all we do and need.

How often do we take advantage of this amazing privilege? How frequently do we seek His counsel and aid? Is it just for emergencies, or have we integrated prayer into our most mundane activities? God hungers to fellowship with us and provide our needs. The meeting ground for this astounding transaction is the mighty closet of prayer.

Prayer puts the supernatural resources of God on our side.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Our Victory Over Sin

“Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts.” Romans 6:6-12

Believers wrestle with besetting sins. We pray, confess, believe, and more often than not - relapse. Is there any remedy? Or are we sentenced, by our natures, to endure until we are with the Lord? Praise God, there is a profound hope for believers’ victory - regardless of the nature of our struggles.

First, we must come to the point of a biblical confession which means that we “agree” with God about the vile nature of our sins, understanding how they grieve His holy character. We ask Him to show us our sin from His perspective, seeing its consequences. Such genuine confession leads to being “made sorrowful to the point of repentance” (a definite change of direction) (2 Cor. 7:9).

If we have done so and still cannot escape, there is still hope. Our sinful acts as believers are the result of the principle of sin that still seeks to enslave us. But Paul says in Galatians 2:20 that he has been “crucified with Christ.” At the cross Jesus not only took care of our sins but also our sin natures. Victory over our besetting sins is through faith - confessing (agreeing) that our old sin natures are crucified and that we have been freed and liberated by Christ to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Christ, your life, can overcome any sin habit. Your victory is in Christ.

“For he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Erosion of Our Life, Part 2

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Alarmed at the rapid rate of erosion in the early twentieth century, southern conservationists took an innovative step. They imported a vine from Japan and planted it on thousands of hillsides. Kudzu, as it is called, did the job - and more - until now the prolific plant can be seen along nearly every southern highway and byway.

Spiritual erosion in our lives as believers also is preventable by continually cultivating our thought life. This process is referred to in the Scriptures as the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). As new creatures in Christ, we have received an entirely new nature which is energized by the very life of Christ.

But we still must battle old fleshly patterns (jealousy, bitterness, envy, anger, lust) which were a part of our old nature and which ever seek to ensnare us. Thus, it is essential that we be consistently renewed in the spirit of our minds (Eph. 4:23).

As we become rooted and grounded in God’s ways and Word through the instructions of the Holy Spirit, we guard ourselves against the evil works of the flesh (our old ways and habits of getting our needs met). If sin has carved a deep channel in your life, ask God to cleanse you and begin to plant His Word in your heart.

“...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” Romans 12:2

Monday, September 10, 2012

The Erosion of Our Life

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” James 1:13-16

It was your favorite summer vacation spot as a child. Today that familiar scene is altered. The beach finally has surrendered to years of pounding waves, leaving only scattered patches of sand, and the crabs have left for a better habitat. Erosion is a slow, steady, silent, but sure destroyer. In the spiritual realm it is just as deadly.

While we anticipate that our adversary will deliver a smashing blow, Satan carefully plots his strategy through seemingly insignificant tactics. Little by little, day by day, he deceives us into thinking and following his subtle lies until before long he establishes not just a beachhead but a stronghold in our lives.

Satan’s schemes usually are carried out over an extended period of time. He works methodically, ploddingly - realizing that we would be sure to recognize and reject his assault if it came suddenly and viciously. Rather, he plants a seed in our thoughts: “Who would notice if I took this book from the office?” Then we entertain the thought for awhile, eventually enjoying it and ultimately experiencing its bitter fruit.

“Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow and action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a lifestyle. Sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny.” A harvest of sorrow comes from a grain of temptation.

We reap what we sow, more than we sow, later than we sow.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

He is Able!

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25

No matter what our needs, how pressing our circumstances, how dire our straits, our God is able to supply the answer. He created the universe without end, speaking it into existence. He dried up seas, parted rivers, routed armies, tumbled walls, sent His Son in the likeness of flesh, and raised Him from the dead so that He lives forever.

As we come into the presence of God today, praise Him that He is more than able to deal with any difficulty we are experiencing. Focus on His awesome “...glory, majesty, dominion and authority...” (Jude 1:25).

If our burdens are long-standing, remember that God’s power and ability are inseparably linked to His purpose which is that we “...become conformed to the image of His Son...” (Rom. 8:29). Our sicknesses may remain; our divorces may not be reconciled. But “...God is able to make all grace abound to you...” (2 Cor. 9:8) so that you will be conformed to the likeness of Christ.

God is “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think...” (Eph. 3:20). God is willing; God is able. Look to Him, and you won’t be disappointed.

“Now to Him who is able...” Jude 24

Friday, September 7, 2012

Reinforce Your Faith

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 1:20-23

False teachers have existed and will exist in every generation. Jesus said the “wheat” (believers) and the “tares” (unbelievers) would grow together “until the harvest” (Christ’s return) (Matt. 13:29-30). Rather than direct our attention to the subtle presence of the tares, Jude outlines the proper orientation for the church.

First, we are to build ourselves up on our “most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).

Second, we are to keep ourselves “in the love of God...” (Jude 1:21). Though we are called to good works in Christ’s name and power, our priority is to keep Him zealously as our “first love” (Rev. 2:4).

Third, we are to wait, “anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life”
(Jude 1:21). Our ultimate hope is to see Christ face to face. We really are only pilgrims and aliens on earth; Heaven is our final destination.

Fourth, we are to “save others, snatching them out of the fire...” (Jude 1:23). We are to be busy rescuing those who dwell in dankness, sharing the light and truth that comes only through Christ.

As we reinforce our faith in these ways, we can stand firm and sure against any tide of false doctrine.

The best defense is a good offense.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Beware of False Teachers

“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.” Jude 1:17-19

The Bible clearly portrays a constant companion of false teachers whenever erroneous, ungodly leaders are mentioned. “Many will follow their sensuality...” (2 Peter 2:2). “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 1:18).

False teachers invariably construct a theology that permits, not restricts, their uncontrolled physical and emotional appetites. Their standards of conduct and truth have no biblical absolutes and flex to fit their sensual patterns of living. They are “worldly-minded” (conformed to the changes values of this world) and “devoid of the Spirit” (unregenerated by the Holy Spirit) (Jude 1:19).

On the contrary the Gospel urges us “to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). The believer’s conduct is to be molded by the divine standard of God’s Word which teaches us to yield to the reign of the Spirit and deny our carnal passions.
       
To those who distort the Gospel to fit their lifestyles, Paul writes: “...if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that what you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9).

“...live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.” Titus 2:12

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Watch the Fruit

“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.” Jude 1:3-8


Jude writes that false teachers had “crept in (the church) unnoticed” (vs. 4). The original letter, written in Greek, carries a literal rendering of “settled in alongside.” Satan, as “the father of lies” (John 8:44), persistently seeks to mislead and destroy the human race. What better strategy that to place deceitful teachers within the church - teachers who distort biblical truth.
                               
However, such perpetrators are difficult to identify. They “settle in alongside” - “disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:13). Christ says that the “wheat” (believers) and the “tares” (unbelievers) will mingle together (Matt. 13:24-30). How do we unmask such false brethren? The Scriptures reveal that deceitful teachers will “deny” the Master (Jude 1:4; 2 Pet. 2:1). That denial is their visible lifestyle and witness.

“They (false teaches) profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him...” (Titus 1:16). They have “a form of godliness, although they have denied its power...” (2 Tim. 3:5). Cunning agents of Satan may disguise their preaching, but their deeds will expose them eventually.

“...you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:20

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Contending for the Faith

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:1-4

“If it feels good, do it.” Such deceitfully selfish reasoning is not only the prevailing motto of our generation, but it also was the sensuous lifestyle of many when the New Testament was written. Especially rampant was this carnal theology: “Since only the ‘spirit’ is good, one can live indulgently in the flesh.” Jude describes this twisted thinking as turning “the grace of our God into licentiousness” (Jude 1:4).

Those who have received Christ as Savior have discovered a glorious freedom from the slavery of sin. The truth has indeed set them free. The liberty of forgiveness and reconciliation, however, can be abused: “Oh, well, I know this act is sinful, but God will forgive me.” Paul recoiled at the thought of cheapening the grace of God. “...Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be!...” (Romans 6:1-2).

The grace of God liberates us to serve our new Master, Jesus Christ. The more we adore the riches of God’s grace and mercy, the more we want to serve, worship, and obey Him. Trivializing the grace that flows from the blood of the cross is to “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).

Grace is liberty, not license.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Influence by Example

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-22

Jesus called James and John “Boanerges, which means, ‘Sons of Thunder’” (Mark 3:17). Wherever they are mentioned in the Scriptures, it is always with the following addendum: “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother...” (Matt. 4:21). Zebedee’s repeated mention speaks of noteworthy parenting. James and John’s membership in the inner circle (along with Peter) of Jesus’ disciples suggests that their character and wisdom were cultivated carefully.

When Jesus called them to follow Him, they were “...in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets...” (Matt. 4:21). It’s obvious from this scene that Zebedee spent time with his children, teaching and demonstrating the skills of his trade. James and John still respected and honored their father. His influence wasn’t just professional though since at Jesus’ call, they quickly dropped their work. Zebedee had taught them clearly that devotion to God is more important than anything else.

What is our influence with our children? Do they see the qualities that are produced through a life submissive to Christ? Is our walk consistent with our talk? If we teach and lead in word only and not in deed, we will produce only hearers and not doers.

“Example is not only the main thing in influencing others; it is the only thing.” -Albert Schweitzer

Sunday, September 2, 2012

When I am Weak, Then...

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

The Bible is not only a book of principles to live by but on the surface also can appear to be a book of paradoxes. “The way to greatness is through humility; the way to life is through death; the way to receive is to give.”

Among the most perplexing to our contemporary minds is Paul’s puzzling admission that the way to strength is through weakness. Paul even said he would “boast” about his weakness (verse 9). Such a seeming contradiction is resolved, however, when we grasp this fact: “‘...My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).

Life’s loads - be they physical, emotional, or both - are not meant to crush and disable us but to lift us into the strong arms of the Savior. Usually, though, we must come to the end of our own abilities before we enter into His sufficiency. Paul wrestled with his “thorn” before casting himself upon God’s grace (2 Cor. 12:7-8).
                                   
God cannot give what we are unwilling to receive. As long as we depend upon our resources, God’s grace is untapped. But when our strength ebbs, His power can flow freely into the midst of our storms.

“...when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10