Galatians 4:8,9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Phantom pains are when one feels pain or sensation in a limb that is no longer there. When I read these verses, that is one of the first things that I thought about. We were once slaves. Not only was it to those around us, but more importantly, it was a slave to self and the sin that so easily traps us. However, we often feel the phantom pains of that rotting limb that has been cut off of us. Jesus Christ has removed us from that which would have killed us if not removed: SIN. So, let us let Him restore us with a new body that is not enslaved to "those weak and miserable principles".
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Pardon Me, But Can I Squeeze Through?
Luke 13:24
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
This is one of the more well-known verses in the Bible, along with the 'camel through the eye of the needle' vs 'the rich man through the gates of heaven'. However, it may seem quite elementary with a quick glance, but it proposes some difficult things for those of us who are believers. One of the hardest parts is "for many...will seek to enter and will not be able." That's tough!
When I think of a narrow gate, I picture people in an almost single file line walking through a very cramped opening in a wall. The metal grate, used to seal the gate at night, is push back and those entering this gate bring nothing, but themselves in. Why? The gate is too small to accommodate anything outside of self. With that picture established, I feel that what the verse is saying is that the burdens of sin need to be thrown off and the heavy luggage of desires and wants need to be left behind. Jesus Christ wants us and only us. He will not contend with anything else. The narrow gate is a hard one to enter, for we don't want to lay down the things that we so foolishly and haphazardly cling to. We are infinite creatures stuck on the finite moments. Our biggest sin is that we fail to see that He has everything we need on the other side!
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
This is one of the more well-known verses in the Bible, along with the 'camel through the eye of the needle' vs 'the rich man through the gates of heaven'. However, it may seem quite elementary with a quick glance, but it proposes some difficult things for those of us who are believers. One of the hardest parts is "for many...will seek to enter and will not be able." That's tough!
When I think of a narrow gate, I picture people in an almost single file line walking through a very cramped opening in a wall. The metal grate, used to seal the gate at night, is push back and those entering this gate bring nothing, but themselves in. Why? The gate is too small to accommodate anything outside of self. With that picture established, I feel that what the verse is saying is that the burdens of sin need to be thrown off and the heavy luggage of desires and wants need to be left behind. Jesus Christ wants us and only us. He will not contend with anything else. The narrow gate is a hard one to enter, for we don't want to lay down the things that we so foolishly and haphazardly cling to. We are infinite creatures stuck on the finite moments. Our biggest sin is that we fail to see that He has everything we need on the other side!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Temptation...I'd Rather Not
Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
I Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I Timothy 6:8-10
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Temptation. It is something that everyone of us have fallen for. Because of our sin nature, we have the desire to follow after the desires of the flesh. Even Jesus knew how weak our sinful flesh is. Like he said in Matthew 26, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need help if we are to overcome temptation. Paul, in I Corinthians, knew the battle each of us has with temptation. Notice, it is not God who tempts us, but He does keep us from being tempted "beyond what [we] can bear". The beautiful part is that there is a way out, always. Before I end today's topic, please note that I Timothy 6:8-10 is clear about not being content. The desire of riches leads people into "temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful desires that PLUNGE men into RUIN and DESTRUCTION." Contentment in Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
I Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I Timothy 6:8-10
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Temptation. It is something that everyone of us have fallen for. Because of our sin nature, we have the desire to follow after the desires of the flesh. Even Jesus knew how weak our sinful flesh is. Like he said in Matthew 26, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need help if we are to overcome temptation. Paul, in I Corinthians, knew the battle each of us has with temptation. Notice, it is not God who tempts us, but He does keep us from being tempted "beyond what [we] can bear". The beautiful part is that there is a way out, always. Before I end today's topic, please note that I Timothy 6:8-10 is clear about not being content. The desire of riches leads people into "temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful desires that PLUNGE men into RUIN and DESTRUCTION." Contentment in Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Antichrist
I John 2:21-23
I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
I John 4:2-4
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Matthew 7:14-16
I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
I John 4:2-4
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Matthew 7:14-16
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
This is the easiest set of verses I have read in a long time. Due to that, this is going to be an extremely short lesson. Clearly, anyone who does not proclaim Jesus as the Christ, or Messiah, is not of God. Yes, this can be difficult for some people to stomach. However, it's as clear as someone who does not stand for communism is not a communist. In the very words of Jesus in Matthew 12:30-31, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." Want to know where someone stands? Listen carefully. As Jesus said in the verses in Matthew 7, the false prophets "come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Monday, June 23, 2008
Becoming the Translation
Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Missions. It is our calling. Jesus said it to his disciples in the book of Acts. He wanted them to make disciples, not only where they were, but to continue to preach to all. For some, the Lord may have them to stay locally. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the different gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. For some, they have the gift of giving. Their mission could be where they are. If so, they may be blessed financially to help those around them and even those out in the field. Either way, each of us are called to be ambassadors of Christ and to preach the Gospel of him. Like Acts 13 says, God has made us a light to the Gentiles that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. We have a grand opportunity to do something that is our calling and, ultimately, has far more eternal value than we can comprehend. So what are we waiting for? Let's start where we are making "disciples of all nations". Our God is good. Our Christ is life. Why should we keep such a beautiful gift hidden and tucked away!
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Missions. It is our calling. Jesus said it to his disciples in the book of Acts. He wanted them to make disciples, not only where they were, but to continue to preach to all. For some, the Lord may have them to stay locally. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the different gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. For some, they have the gift of giving. Their mission could be where they are. If so, they may be blessed financially to help those around them and even those out in the field. Either way, each of us are called to be ambassadors of Christ and to preach the Gospel of him. Like Acts 13 says, God has made us a light to the Gentiles that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. We have a grand opportunity to do something that is our calling and, ultimately, has far more eternal value than we can comprehend. So what are we waiting for? Let's start where we are making "disciples of all nations". Our God is good. Our Christ is life. Why should we keep such a beautiful gift hidden and tucked away!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Nothing But The Blood
Romans 5:9-10
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Hebrews 9:11-12
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Before I begin, I will give a few definitions on some of the words.
Justification, in Christian theology, is when one has been acquitted or declared innocent.
Redemption, in Christian theology, is a ransom paid by the blood of Christ that delivers us from the bondage of sin.
We see in Romans that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we, meaning Christians, have been declared innocent in the eyes of God. Because of this, His wrath passes over us. I'm not going to post the verses, but in Exodus, the Feast of the Passover is established as a precursor to this very thing. Whereas, the children of Israel were to cover the doorposts with lamb's blood that would keep the Angel of Death from bringing God's wrath upon the firstborn male of their house. Back to the verses in Romans, it says that the blood of Christ has saved us from God's wrath, but how much greater is life in Christ if His death did so much! Wow!
Ephesians is another verse dealing with the blood of Jesus. We see that it was the only payment that would be accepted. It is the ransom that no one else could pay. Think back to the Old Testament, way before Christ. Up until the death of Christ, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins was to shed the blood of a spotless lamb. A sacrifice had to be made. Once Jesus laid down His life for us, the final sacrifice was made. Why did He do this? Ephesians says that it was because of God's grace. In other words, He gave us what we did not deserve (life in Christ) and did not give us what we did (death everlasting because of sin). The verses posted from Hebrews elaborates that Christ became the high priest. In the Old Testament, only the priest came before God to place the sacrifice for the many. However, we now have a great high priest in Christ, whom we can take our sins to. For eternal redemption has been established by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Hebrews 9:11-12
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Before I begin, I will give a few definitions on some of the words.
Justification, in Christian theology, is when one has been acquitted or declared innocent.
Redemption, in Christian theology, is a ransom paid by the blood of Christ that delivers us from the bondage of sin.
We see in Romans that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we, meaning Christians, have been declared innocent in the eyes of God. Because of this, His wrath passes over us. I'm not going to post the verses, but in Exodus, the Feast of the Passover is established as a precursor to this very thing. Whereas, the children of Israel were to cover the doorposts with lamb's blood that would keep the Angel of Death from bringing God's wrath upon the firstborn male of their house. Back to the verses in Romans, it says that the blood of Christ has saved us from God's wrath, but how much greater is life in Christ if His death did so much! Wow!
Ephesians is another verse dealing with the blood of Jesus. We see that it was the only payment that would be accepted. It is the ransom that no one else could pay. Think back to the Old Testament, way before Christ. Up until the death of Christ, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins was to shed the blood of a spotless lamb. A sacrifice had to be made. Once Jesus laid down His life for us, the final sacrifice was made. Why did He do this? Ephesians says that it was because of God's grace. In other words, He gave us what we did not deserve (life in Christ) and did not give us what we did (death everlasting because of sin). The verses posted from Hebrews elaborates that Christ became the high priest. In the Old Testament, only the priest came before God to place the sacrifice for the many. However, we now have a great high priest in Christ, whom we can take our sins to. For eternal redemption has been established by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Trusting The Right Person
Deuteronomy 1:31-33
and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
2 Samuel 7:28
O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
Psalm 37:2-4
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
I Peter 2:5-7
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
Trusting in God has eternal benefits. I could even point out the benefits that we have on this side of death. As we see in the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel had been protected and guided by God through the desert. Yet, after all that He did for them and the visible evidence of God, they still turned their backs on Him. This is a major statement. Think about the times you or someone else would say "If only God was visible then I would believe, or I would be a better Christian, etc." The fact is that no matter, we are sinful creatures that will run after the sin that we hold so dear to us. Take for instance, the verses above from the book of John. Jesus is trying to console His disciples. However, these are the same who have seen Him perform miracles, walk on water, etc. What do they do when He is taken away to be crucified? They deny Him out of fear. They were more afraid of what would happen to them. But wait! There's a beautiful side to all of this. The same people who opted to not trust in His deliverance were forgiven. Peter was forgiven by Jesus. Why? Jesus loved him and Peter was willing to repent of it. We see in Peter's own words in the book of I Peter, "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame". What are we waiting on?
and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
2 Samuel 7:28
O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
Psalm 37:2-4
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
I Peter 2:5-7
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
Trusting in God has eternal benefits. I could even point out the benefits that we have on this side of death. As we see in the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel had been protected and guided by God through the desert. Yet, after all that He did for them and the visible evidence of God, they still turned their backs on Him. This is a major statement. Think about the times you or someone else would say "If only God was visible then I would believe, or I would be a better Christian, etc." The fact is that no matter, we are sinful creatures that will run after the sin that we hold so dear to us. Take for instance, the verses above from the book of John. Jesus is trying to console His disciples. However, these are the same who have seen Him perform miracles, walk on water, etc. What do they do when He is taken away to be crucified? They deny Him out of fear. They were more afraid of what would happen to them. But wait! There's a beautiful side to all of this. The same people who opted to not trust in His deliverance were forgiven. Peter was forgiven by Jesus. Why? Jesus loved him and Peter was willing to repent of it. We see in Peter's own words in the book of I Peter, "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame". What are we waiting on?
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