"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not been given."
John 7:38&39
I have written much about the Holy Spirit and the fact that he resides within us. It is an amazing empowerment to have him. He leads, instructs, counsels, comforts, and encourages. I love the Holy Spirit. He is God within me. But if it stops there, little has been accomplished. My life may be changed, but how will that help others?
The Holy Spirit cannot be contained. If a person is truly filled with the Holy Spirit, there will be an overflow. In the book of Acts, it is specifically said that many of the great men were filled with the Holy Spirit. Stephen, Phillip, Peter, and Paul were among them. Acts 4:8 says this: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: 'Rulers and elders of the people!'" He went on to preach the truth of Christ to the religious leaders. Because Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was able to speak words that came directly from the Spirit within him. This is Living Water.
Within the church, this Living Water is the flow of the Holy Spirit. When individuals are in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of that relationship will flow out of their spirits to those around them. The church is edified because of these relationships. People who are filled with the Holy Spirit, naturally spread the river to others.
If we all recognize the fact that we have the Holy Spirit within us, let's cultivate that relationship. Learn from him, allow him to lead you to change your life, and do great things for God. You will be surprised at the effect this will have on those you come in contact with. The words that come out of your mouth will be blessings and encouragement. Others will benefit in ways that you cannot see. The flow of the Holy Spirit accomplishes things that may be unseen, but are life-changing to others. Be filled with him and allow him to flow from within.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New Clothes
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14
Sometimes, we Christians, become so enamored with "spiritual" things that we forget some of the heart of Jesus' message. Really, there is nothing more spiritual than following the directions given in this passage of scripture. It is not that we must practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, we are to clothe ourselves with these things, live out these things. It must become as natural as putting on our clothes in the morning.
We are to be people who forgive one another.Unforgiveness toward others is specifically listed by Jesus, as something that actually hinders our prayers. In other words, it will get in the way of our ability to effectively reach God. This is serious. The context in which this is written, deals with unforgiveness within the church. If we have things against our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must deal with them in order to eliminate any barriers in our relationships with God.
The single thing that allows us to practice these virtues, is love. A book has many pages. Think of each of these virtues; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and forgiveness, as being the pages in a book. The binding is love. Without the binding the pages may be misplaced, scattered, or forgotten. But the binding of love holds them all together in the perfect order with which God has intended. This is God's plan for our lives; to live in the fullness of love.
A lifestyle of love will enable every good virtue. Love is absolutely essential as the basis of our Christian faith. Today, as you come in contact with many different people, look at them through the eyes of Christ. Remember that he loved you while you were yet a sinner. He loves all people in the same way, without favoritism. If we are the body of Christ, called to be his hands and feet in the world, we must reflect his love. God's love is foundational to everything we are. God is love...and we are called to be lovers.
Colossians 3:12-14
Sometimes, we Christians, become so enamored with "spiritual" things that we forget some of the heart of Jesus' message. Really, there is nothing more spiritual than following the directions given in this passage of scripture. It is not that we must practice compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, we are to clothe ourselves with these things, live out these things. It must become as natural as putting on our clothes in the morning.
We are to be people who forgive one another.Unforgiveness toward others is specifically listed by Jesus, as something that actually hinders our prayers. In other words, it will get in the way of our ability to effectively reach God. This is serious. The context in which this is written, deals with unforgiveness within the church. If we have things against our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must deal with them in order to eliminate any barriers in our relationships with God.
The single thing that allows us to practice these virtues, is love. A book has many pages. Think of each of these virtues; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and forgiveness, as being the pages in a book. The binding is love. Without the binding the pages may be misplaced, scattered, or forgotten. But the binding of love holds them all together in the perfect order with which God has intended. This is God's plan for our lives; to live in the fullness of love.
A lifestyle of love will enable every good virtue. Love is absolutely essential as the basis of our Christian faith. Today, as you come in contact with many different people, look at them through the eyes of Christ. Remember that he loved you while you were yet a sinner. He loves all people in the same way, without favoritism. If we are the body of Christ, called to be his hands and feet in the world, we must reflect his love. God's love is foundational to everything we are. God is love...and we are called to be lovers.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
In One Accord
"For then I will restore to the people a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve him with one accord."
Zephaniah 3:9 (NKJV)
I believe God is about to bring this prophetic scripture alive in our days. I am not necessarily speaking of a 'one world language,' but rather the language of the church. The NIV translates the scripture this way: "Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord, and serve him shoulder to shoulder." I believe this is God's heart for the church today.
The key to this word from God is unity. The flavor of this verse clearly speaks to us that Christians are to become like-minded. All of us are to call on the name of the Lord. All of us are to speak the same Christian language with pure lips. We are to serve him in one accord, shoulder to shoulder. Unfortunately, this does not describe the Christian church today. Denominations have created their own 'brand' of Christianity. Each has taken a doctrine (or doctrines) and pushed them to the forefront of their religious 'brand.' People follow, and denominations flourish.
God is calling us to stop focusing on things that matter little and begin focusing on things that matter much. The crucified and risen Christ is preeminent. Through him sin and death were defeated, the lost were saved, the kingdom of heaven was restored, the Holy Spirit was sent, and the true church was born. Why have we separated such a unified cause? We live in the days of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is alive in every true Christian. If this is so, the seeds of unity in the faith are there, but it takes the cooperation of people. If there is true error in the theology of some, let's correct it and get on with the work to which we have all been called. Let's stop dividing and start unifying. Let's fill in the gaps on the wall and stand shoulder to shoulder, speaking the same language, and calling on the name of the Lord.
Whether we think about it or not, we are living in the last days. God's church is going to be used to change the world. We are going to be called on to rule and reign with Christ. I do not believe he will tolerate division among his rulers. The return of Christ is our hope, and the Holy Spirit is our deposit, guaranteeing the advent of God's kingdom on the earth. What if we stopped bickering and started celebrating? Imagine the possibilities!
Zephaniah 3:9 (NKJV)
I believe God is about to bring this prophetic scripture alive in our days. I am not necessarily speaking of a 'one world language,' but rather the language of the church. The NIV translates the scripture this way: "Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord, and serve him shoulder to shoulder." I believe this is God's heart for the church today.
The key to this word from God is unity. The flavor of this verse clearly speaks to us that Christians are to become like-minded. All of us are to call on the name of the Lord. All of us are to speak the same Christian language with pure lips. We are to serve him in one accord, shoulder to shoulder. Unfortunately, this does not describe the Christian church today. Denominations have created their own 'brand' of Christianity. Each has taken a doctrine (or doctrines) and pushed them to the forefront of their religious 'brand.' People follow, and denominations flourish.
God is calling us to stop focusing on things that matter little and begin focusing on things that matter much. The crucified and risen Christ is preeminent. Through him sin and death were defeated, the lost were saved, the kingdom of heaven was restored, the Holy Spirit was sent, and the true church was born. Why have we separated such a unified cause? We live in the days of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is alive in every true Christian. If this is so, the seeds of unity in the faith are there, but it takes the cooperation of people. If there is true error in the theology of some, let's correct it and get on with the work to which we have all been called. Let's stop dividing and start unifying. Let's fill in the gaps on the wall and stand shoulder to shoulder, speaking the same language, and calling on the name of the Lord.
Whether we think about it or not, we are living in the last days. God's church is going to be used to change the world. We are going to be called on to rule and reign with Christ. I do not believe he will tolerate division among his rulers. The return of Christ is our hope, and the Holy Spirit is our deposit, guaranteeing the advent of God's kingdom on the earth. What if we stopped bickering and started celebrating? Imagine the possibilities!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Manifold Wisdom
"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 3:10
We don't often use the word, 'manifold.' The use of the word is often limited to mechanics and plumbers. 'Manifold' means, "A whole composed of diverse elements."* In this scripture, it is speaking of the diverse elements of God's wisdom being made known through the church. We are all a part of the manifold wisdom of God. I have developed my own definition of this phrase; Manifold wisdom is wisdom upon wisdom, upon wisdom, upon wisdom. It is so multi-dimensional, that we cannot fathom the wisdom of God. Yet he has chosen to make his wisdom known through us. And this, not just to people, but to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. This means that every ruler in Satan's kingdom is being taught the manifold wisdom of God through you and me.
There is another incredible truth in which we can apply the word 'manifold.' The Old Testaments prophets wrote many prophesies that applied to future events that happened within their lifetimes or shortly beyond. Many of these had to do with the transition of kingdoms and nations. God would reveal the word, the prophet would announce it, and it would happen. But the prophesies don't end there. Those words continue to be alive, applying to generations that follow the days of the original words. Many Old Testament prophesies were quoted by the apostles and leaders of the early church. They recognized that these words were still alive and happening in their lifetimes and their circumstances.
The prophet Habakkuk prophesied this: "Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am about to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you." (Habakkuk 1:5). The apostle Paul quoted this same prophesy to Jewish religious leaders in Acts 13:41. He used the scripture to make his case that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
The prophetic words written in the Bible are not just for bible times. They are for today. We are not misinterpreting scripture when we read a word of prophecy from the Old Testament and then apply it to our personal lives or situations. This is because the prophesies reflect the manifold wisdom of God to touch many people in many different situations. His Word is alive! It applies now as much as it did thousands of years ago. The Holy Spirit takes the words written and presses them into our spirits. And we are changed by the power of the manifold wisdom of God. When we are changed, that manifold wisdom is made known to people and spiritual rulers.
We all express God's incredible wisdom through our lives. Hear the words of God, take them to heart, allow them to change you, and proclaim his manifold wisdom!
*The Free Dictionary by Farlex
Ephesians 3:10
We don't often use the word, 'manifold.' The use of the word is often limited to mechanics and plumbers. 'Manifold' means, "A whole composed of diverse elements."* In this scripture, it is speaking of the diverse elements of God's wisdom being made known through the church. We are all a part of the manifold wisdom of God. I have developed my own definition of this phrase; Manifold wisdom is wisdom upon wisdom, upon wisdom, upon wisdom. It is so multi-dimensional, that we cannot fathom the wisdom of God. Yet he has chosen to make his wisdom known through us. And this, not just to people, but to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. This means that every ruler in Satan's kingdom is being taught the manifold wisdom of God through you and me.
There is another incredible truth in which we can apply the word 'manifold.' The Old Testaments prophets wrote many prophesies that applied to future events that happened within their lifetimes or shortly beyond. Many of these had to do with the transition of kingdoms and nations. God would reveal the word, the prophet would announce it, and it would happen. But the prophesies don't end there. Those words continue to be alive, applying to generations that follow the days of the original words. Many Old Testament prophesies were quoted by the apostles and leaders of the early church. They recognized that these words were still alive and happening in their lifetimes and their circumstances.
The prophet Habakkuk prophesied this: "Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am about to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you." (Habakkuk 1:5). The apostle Paul quoted this same prophesy to Jewish religious leaders in Acts 13:41. He used the scripture to make his case that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
The prophetic words written in the Bible are not just for bible times. They are for today. We are not misinterpreting scripture when we read a word of prophecy from the Old Testament and then apply it to our personal lives or situations. This is because the prophesies reflect the manifold wisdom of God to touch many people in many different situations. His Word is alive! It applies now as much as it did thousands of years ago. The Holy Spirit takes the words written and presses them into our spirits. And we are changed by the power of the manifold wisdom of God. When we are changed, that manifold wisdom is made known to people and spiritual rulers.
We all express God's incredible wisdom through our lives. Hear the words of God, take them to heart, allow them to change you, and proclaim his manifold wisdom!
*The Free Dictionary by Farlex
Friday, June 24, 2011
Anointed
"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power."
1 Samuel 16:13
In Old Testament times, they anointed people with oil all the time. Generally, they did it to set someone apart for a particular service. In the case of this scripture, David was being anointed to become king of Israel. The man of God would literally pour the oil over the head of the one being anointed. We still do this in some churches today. We pray for the sick and anoint them with oil in accordance with the direction given in James 5:14. But the kind of anointing David received was one that gave him a position. It set forth God's purpose for his life.
I want Christians everywhere to understand that they have been anointed for God's service. This anointing has been done by God himself. In Old Testament times, God sent the prophets and priests to anoint people. Now, he anoints us through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Did you notice that when David was anointed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him? In those days, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, so God would anoint them and then send the Holy Spirit to be with them. Now, we have the Holy Spirit deposited within our inner beings. He IS the anointing. He does not just come upon us, he lives within us. This is for a purpose. We have been given great positions in the kingdom of heaven. This position gives us heavenly authority and spiritual weapons for the lives we live here on earth.
David was a great man of God. He remains one of the most beloved men in history. But the position he was given pales in comparison to the ones you and I have in Christ. We have been anointed to be Christ on the earth. We are not just people who believe in God, we are people who are empowered by him. He has anointed us to hold such great positions that even the angels marvel at the favor given us.
You are special to God. He hand picked you, anointed you, and has sent you to be his ambassador. You carry his kingdom with you wherever you go. The Spirit of the Lord is within you. You have been set apart to accomplish incredible things for God. Now, be strong in him, receive the anointing, and go represent him well!
1 Samuel 16:13
In Old Testament times, they anointed people with oil all the time. Generally, they did it to set someone apart for a particular service. In the case of this scripture, David was being anointed to become king of Israel. The man of God would literally pour the oil over the head of the one being anointed. We still do this in some churches today. We pray for the sick and anoint them with oil in accordance with the direction given in James 5:14. But the kind of anointing David received was one that gave him a position. It set forth God's purpose for his life.
I want Christians everywhere to understand that they have been anointed for God's service. This anointing has been done by God himself. In Old Testament times, God sent the prophets and priests to anoint people. Now, he anoints us through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Did you notice that when David was anointed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him? In those days, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, so God would anoint them and then send the Holy Spirit to be with them. Now, we have the Holy Spirit deposited within our inner beings. He IS the anointing. He does not just come upon us, he lives within us. This is for a purpose. We have been given great positions in the kingdom of heaven. This position gives us heavenly authority and spiritual weapons for the lives we live here on earth.
David was a great man of God. He remains one of the most beloved men in history. But the position he was given pales in comparison to the ones you and I have in Christ. We have been anointed to be Christ on the earth. We are not just people who believe in God, we are people who are empowered by him. He has anointed us to hold such great positions that even the angels marvel at the favor given us.
You are special to God. He hand picked you, anointed you, and has sent you to be his ambassador. You carry his kingdom with you wherever you go. The Spirit of the Lord is within you. You have been set apart to accomplish incredible things for God. Now, be strong in him, receive the anointing, and go represent him well!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Unbelievable Days
"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
Habakkuk 1:5&6
I firmly believe that we are living in days that are unprecedented in history. The world economy is in unparalleled turmoil. Natural disasters are occurring more frequently than ever. Nations are in upheaval. The world is changing. Yet, all these things were prophesied thousands of years ago. Jesus spoke about these days and the Old Testament prophets testified about them. We live in the most exciting time in human history.
Although the world condition seems perilous, God is at work. He is doing new things, and those things involve us. I have felt the Lord speaking of great things he intends to do in his church, in his people, and in the world. things that have been extraordinary will become more ordinary. I believe Christians are being raised up to do great and miraculous things for God. All this will be done through the hand of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. It will be incredible. In fact, so incredible that we would not believe it, even if we were told about it.
There are supernatural things happening. The things God is doing are not accomplished by the hands of men, they are accomplished by God in the supernatural realm and he will use us to do his will in the physical. This requires us to be open to him. We must listen and be attentive to the things he says. We must pay attention to what is happening around us, so we will be ready to go when called. In the Old Testament book of Judges, Gideon was given a great task to overtake nations. God gave him an army, and then proceeded to reduce the number of men. He told Gideon to tell all the men who were afraid to go home. The majority of the army left. Those who remained were taken to a water pool to drink. The men who laid down to drink directly from the water were sent home. Only those who lapped the water from their hands to their mouths were called to be part of the army. The once large army became a band of about 300. God only wanted those who were alert. He wanted those who were ready to answer the call. Though there were few, they defeated great armies because of God's supernatural intervention.
Are we ready? Are we alert and paying attention to the Holy Spirit? We are going to be utterly amazed at what God will do. We will be a part of it, but it won't be our strength that brings it about. God will win the victory. How exciting are these unbelievable days!
Habakkuk 1:5&6
I firmly believe that we are living in days that are unprecedented in history. The world economy is in unparalleled turmoil. Natural disasters are occurring more frequently than ever. Nations are in upheaval. The world is changing. Yet, all these things were prophesied thousands of years ago. Jesus spoke about these days and the Old Testament prophets testified about them. We live in the most exciting time in human history.
Although the world condition seems perilous, God is at work. He is doing new things, and those things involve us. I have felt the Lord speaking of great things he intends to do in his church, in his people, and in the world. things that have been extraordinary will become more ordinary. I believe Christians are being raised up to do great and miraculous things for God. All this will be done through the hand of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. It will be incredible. In fact, so incredible that we would not believe it, even if we were told about it.
There are supernatural things happening. The things God is doing are not accomplished by the hands of men, they are accomplished by God in the supernatural realm and he will use us to do his will in the physical. This requires us to be open to him. We must listen and be attentive to the things he says. We must pay attention to what is happening around us, so we will be ready to go when called. In the Old Testament book of Judges, Gideon was given a great task to overtake nations. God gave him an army, and then proceeded to reduce the number of men. He told Gideon to tell all the men who were afraid to go home. The majority of the army left. Those who remained were taken to a water pool to drink. The men who laid down to drink directly from the water were sent home. Only those who lapped the water from their hands to their mouths were called to be part of the army. The once large army became a band of about 300. God only wanted those who were alert. He wanted those who were ready to answer the call. Though there were few, they defeated great armies because of God's supernatural intervention.
Are we ready? Are we alert and paying attention to the Holy Spirit? We are going to be utterly amazed at what God will do. We will be a part of it, but it won't be our strength that brings it about. God will win the victory. How exciting are these unbelievable days!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Running
"The Spirit told Phillip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.' Then Phillip ran up to the chariot..."
Acts 8:29&30a
Phillip was one of the first deacons of the Jerusalem church. When persecution arose, he, along with many were scattered throughout the country. He did marvelous things. People were healed and many were delivered from demonic influence. Phillip listened to the Holy Spirit. On this occasion, God had a particular man in mind, who needed to know about Jesus. Phillip was the chosen messenger to deliver the message.
Notice that the Holy Spirit gave specific direction to Phillip. He had already been told to go down to this particular road, and when the chariot approached, the Spirit told him to go to it and stay near. I believe that the Holy Spirit gives us specific directions like that. We sometimes think that God is far off and not interested in the small things of our lives. But he truth is; he is always there to give us counsel and direction. God lives in us and wants to be part of every small decision. He always has something or someone in mind when he gives direction to us. In Phillip's case, the person was a government official from a neighboring country. That encounter would change the lives of many that Phillip may never have reached otherwise.
The most important part of the story is the fact that Phillip responded. In fact, he ran to the chariot. I love that response! He was not just willing to listen and follow, he was excited about it! He didn't want the opportunity to get away from him. He had no idea what might happen when he got there, but it didn't matter. He was obeying God and he knew it.
Today, make a point to listen to the Holy Spirit. I have found that he is always speaking to me. The problem usually is, I'm not listening well. If you will open up your spiritual senses to the awareness of the Holy Spirit in you, there will be many opportunities to further the kingdom of God. He uses us for that purpose. So listen, and respond with enthusiasm. Who knows the divine appointments that await!
Acts 8:29&30a
Phillip was one of the first deacons of the Jerusalem church. When persecution arose, he, along with many were scattered throughout the country. He did marvelous things. People were healed and many were delivered from demonic influence. Phillip listened to the Holy Spirit. On this occasion, God had a particular man in mind, who needed to know about Jesus. Phillip was the chosen messenger to deliver the message.
Notice that the Holy Spirit gave specific direction to Phillip. He had already been told to go down to this particular road, and when the chariot approached, the Spirit told him to go to it and stay near. I believe that the Holy Spirit gives us specific directions like that. We sometimes think that God is far off and not interested in the small things of our lives. But he truth is; he is always there to give us counsel and direction. God lives in us and wants to be part of every small decision. He always has something or someone in mind when he gives direction to us. In Phillip's case, the person was a government official from a neighboring country. That encounter would change the lives of many that Phillip may never have reached otherwise.
The most important part of the story is the fact that Phillip responded. In fact, he ran to the chariot. I love that response! He was not just willing to listen and follow, he was excited about it! He didn't want the opportunity to get away from him. He had no idea what might happen when he got there, but it didn't matter. He was obeying God and he knew it.
Today, make a point to listen to the Holy Spirit. I have found that he is always speaking to me. The problem usually is, I'm not listening well. If you will open up your spiritual senses to the awareness of the Holy Spirit in you, there will be many opportunities to further the kingdom of God. He uses us for that purpose. So listen, and respond with enthusiasm. Who knows the divine appointments that await!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bringing an Offering
"Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."
Acts 10:4
An angel of God came to Cornelius, a God-fearing man who lived in Caesarea. Although he feared God, he was not yet a Christian. The faith had not yet been presented to the gentile world. But God sent an angel to him because his intent was to bring the victory of Christ to the gentiles as well as the Jews. Cornelius and his household were chosen to receive the message first. The angel told him that his prayers were heard and that his gifts to the poor had been recognized by God. I think these two things have a special place in God's heart.
Of course, we all know that we are called to pray. I don't think God saw Cornelius because he prayed, I think it was because he "prayed to God regularly." (Acts 10:2). He was consistent. It was a part of his daily routine. His lifestyle included prayer as an important part of everything he did. We can learn a lesson from Cornelius. Before he even had the assurance of salvation, he prayed consistently. Do we pray regularly? Is a conversation with God, part of our lives throughout the day? We should learn to pray consistently and persistently.
Cornelius was generous. He gave to the poor. Jesus told us that we would always have the poor with us. Although this is a sad reality, it remains true today. A glorious part of the message of Christ is the clear call for us to reach out to the poor. There are spiritual blessings that flow through the simple gift of a lunch, or a warm blanket, or shelter. We must not forget to care for those who are in need of basic human necessities. We don't have to preach to them or give them a tract about the four spiritual laws. The act of kindness is God's hand extended to them, and they will know it. Thousands have come to Christ as a result of people like you and me, who selfishly gave to the poor.
Touching the poor is a central theme in the message of Christ. In Matthew 25, Jesus taught about a judgement in which he will separate 'the sheep and the goats.' This is a judgement of nations. In that time, he will not talk about how many had spiritual gifts or went to church regularly. He will simply say: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:35&36). Sobering, isn't it? What is really important? What touches the heart of God? I think Cornelius knew...Do we?
Acts 10:4
An angel of God came to Cornelius, a God-fearing man who lived in Caesarea. Although he feared God, he was not yet a Christian. The faith had not yet been presented to the gentile world. But God sent an angel to him because his intent was to bring the victory of Christ to the gentiles as well as the Jews. Cornelius and his household were chosen to receive the message first. The angel told him that his prayers were heard and that his gifts to the poor had been recognized by God. I think these two things have a special place in God's heart.
Of course, we all know that we are called to pray. I don't think God saw Cornelius because he prayed, I think it was because he "prayed to God regularly." (Acts 10:2). He was consistent. It was a part of his daily routine. His lifestyle included prayer as an important part of everything he did. We can learn a lesson from Cornelius. Before he even had the assurance of salvation, he prayed consistently. Do we pray regularly? Is a conversation with God, part of our lives throughout the day? We should learn to pray consistently and persistently.
Cornelius was generous. He gave to the poor. Jesus told us that we would always have the poor with us. Although this is a sad reality, it remains true today. A glorious part of the message of Christ is the clear call for us to reach out to the poor. There are spiritual blessings that flow through the simple gift of a lunch, or a warm blanket, or shelter. We must not forget to care for those who are in need of basic human necessities. We don't have to preach to them or give them a tract about the four spiritual laws. The act of kindness is God's hand extended to them, and they will know it. Thousands have come to Christ as a result of people like you and me, who selfishly gave to the poor.
Touching the poor is a central theme in the message of Christ. In Matthew 25, Jesus taught about a judgement in which he will separate 'the sheep and the goats.' This is a judgement of nations. In that time, he will not talk about how many had spiritual gifts or went to church regularly. He will simply say: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:35&36). Sobering, isn't it? What is really important? What touches the heart of God? I think Cornelius knew...Do we?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Wineskins
"Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
Matthew 9:17
Jesus taught the religious people of his day the truth above. It brings some interesting questions for us to answer. Jesus was telling the people that they could not box up the new teachings of the Messiah and package them with the old religious law. Although Jesus certainly respected the religious laws, he also came to bring a new era. Many of the things he taught were opposed vehemently by the religious leaders. The question I propose today is: What does this mean to us as modern day Christians?
I have honestly presented myself with the following scenario and attempted to answer the question associated with it: Let's say that I am living in the days when Jesus was actively ministering in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. I am a Jew, I follow the laws as best I can, I attend the temple services regularly, and have been raised in the traditions of the law. When confronted with Jesus and his teaching, I would be forced to make a decision to follow him or stay in the traditional religion I knew so well. And so, the question I would have to answer is; Would I follow Jesus? In the past, I struggled to honestly answer this. Now, I know that I would follow him.
New wine required new wineskins. In order to enter into the things God is doing in people, in the church, and in the world, we must be willing to submit to him and accept the new things the Holy Spirit is leading us in. This is not a license to enter into cult activity or create a new 'religion' of our own. It is a call for willingness and obedience. I believe it is worth examining ourselves to check our hearts for God. Are we believing God for greater things, but not accepting what he says because of religion? If so, we must be willing to submit to God.
I am not professing something that will lead us astray. I am presenting us with the truth of what Jesus taught. I don't want to miss the great things God has for me. It's time to check our lives, our commitment to God, and our willingness to follow him.
Matthew 9:17
Jesus taught the religious people of his day the truth above. It brings some interesting questions for us to answer. Jesus was telling the people that they could not box up the new teachings of the Messiah and package them with the old religious law. Although Jesus certainly respected the religious laws, he also came to bring a new era. Many of the things he taught were opposed vehemently by the religious leaders. The question I propose today is: What does this mean to us as modern day Christians?
I have honestly presented myself with the following scenario and attempted to answer the question associated with it: Let's say that I am living in the days when Jesus was actively ministering in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. I am a Jew, I follow the laws as best I can, I attend the temple services regularly, and have been raised in the traditions of the law. When confronted with Jesus and his teaching, I would be forced to make a decision to follow him or stay in the traditional religion I knew so well. And so, the question I would have to answer is; Would I follow Jesus? In the past, I struggled to honestly answer this. Now, I know that I would follow him.
New wine required new wineskins. In order to enter into the things God is doing in people, in the church, and in the world, we must be willing to submit to him and accept the new things the Holy Spirit is leading us in. This is not a license to enter into cult activity or create a new 'religion' of our own. It is a call for willingness and obedience. I believe it is worth examining ourselves to check our hearts for God. Are we believing God for greater things, but not accepting what he says because of religion? If so, we must be willing to submit to God.
I am not professing something that will lead us astray. I am presenting us with the truth of what Jesus taught. I don't want to miss the great things God has for me. It's time to check our lives, our commitment to God, and our willingness to follow him.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future."
Ecclesiastes 7:14
The honesty of God's Word is troubling sometimes, isn't it? We love to encourage one another with the great truths of the Word. There is so much written that gives us eternal hope, so many blessings spoken over us. But there are some things written that speak the real, untainted truth. This is one of those scriptures. It reminds us that no matter which condition we find ourselves in, it is the same God who is responsible.
Good times and bad times are temporary, God is eternal. We are so focused on the times, that we sometimes lose track of the Author of those times. Personally, I have gone through a very difficult time for over two years. But I made a decision that the times were not going to destroy my future. I decided to seek God with my whole being. Consequently, my life has been changed for eternity. I was a Christian before. I had been in ministry for many years. But God still changed me in dramatic ways. I would not trade my 'bad time' for anything. God used it to change my life and give me a blessed future.
If we could manipulate the best of times and the worst of times, we would, obviously, avoid the bad ones. Think for a moment what life would be like if we never faced difficult things. It seems to me, we would all end up like spoiled children who live their whole lives in want for nothing. We would be self-absorbed, annoying people. Thankfully, we do not get to make these decisions, God does. He knows our lives from beginning to end and he has already set the plans. What we call our future or destiny, has already been established by God.
Still, we can take great encouragement from this scripture. God knows our future, and he is in control of our present situation. If you are in good times now, be happy. If you are in bad times, keep your faith in God, look to him for strength, and never lose hope. There is a time coming when everything we are facing now, will be worth it all. When all else seems to fail, "Christ in you, (is) the hope of glory." Live in the assurance that God has made the best of times and the worst of times.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
The honesty of God's Word is troubling sometimes, isn't it? We love to encourage one another with the great truths of the Word. There is so much written that gives us eternal hope, so many blessings spoken over us. But there are some things written that speak the real, untainted truth. This is one of those scriptures. It reminds us that no matter which condition we find ourselves in, it is the same God who is responsible.
Good times and bad times are temporary, God is eternal. We are so focused on the times, that we sometimes lose track of the Author of those times. Personally, I have gone through a very difficult time for over two years. But I made a decision that the times were not going to destroy my future. I decided to seek God with my whole being. Consequently, my life has been changed for eternity. I was a Christian before. I had been in ministry for many years. But God still changed me in dramatic ways. I would not trade my 'bad time' for anything. God used it to change my life and give me a blessed future.
If we could manipulate the best of times and the worst of times, we would, obviously, avoid the bad ones. Think for a moment what life would be like if we never faced difficult things. It seems to me, we would all end up like spoiled children who live their whole lives in want for nothing. We would be self-absorbed, annoying people. Thankfully, we do not get to make these decisions, God does. He knows our lives from beginning to end and he has already set the plans. What we call our future or destiny, has already been established by God.
Still, we can take great encouragement from this scripture. God knows our future, and he is in control of our present situation. If you are in good times now, be happy. If you are in bad times, keep your faith in God, look to him for strength, and never lose hope. There is a time coming when everything we are facing now, will be worth it all. When all else seems to fail, "Christ in you, (is) the hope of glory." Live in the assurance that God has made the best of times and the worst of times.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Golden Calf
"They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. they have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'"
Exodus 31:8
As long as mankind has existed, we have created idols. The Israelites were only one nation of many who turned to idols. After this unfortunate episode, they went on to worship Baal, Astarte, and others. All this happened after God had given the commandments, proclaiming himself as the one, true God. They knew he was God, they had seen his hand of deliverance, help, provision, and miracles. Yet they still chose to turn away and follow other gods.
The making of the golden calf was a result of a basic desire within man. We want a god. Moses had been gone for many days and they quickly forgot the amazing experiences they had gone through with the true God. So they created one of their own. In fact, when Moses confronted his brother, Aaron, about it, Aaron said: "Then they gave me gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came the calf!" (Exodus 32:24b). This illustrates how ludicrous the following of idols is. Everything changes when we worship idols.
Of course, we have very few actual carved and crafted idols in our advanced western world, today. However, we continue to struggle with idols. We may not be able to see or touch them, but idols exist everywhere. Like the Israelites, we can make idols out of anything. The first commandment tells us that we are to have no other God besides our God. God said to Moses: "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14). It seems God does not tolerate idols. Since this is true, we must remove the idols from our lives.
I could name many things that are potential idols; money, recreation, sports, alcohol...and the list goes on and on. But the heart of the matter is this: We must examine our own lives and ask God to reveal idols. Anything that has become a god must go, because God is jealous. Nothing can fill his place. There is nothing and no one equal to our God. So examine your life today. Is there anything that you have made into a god? This doesn't mean that you must abandon the activity or thing, it means that you must return to God fully, and return the activity to its proper status. The words of the old hymn apply: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will brow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."
Exodus 31:8
As long as mankind has existed, we have created idols. The Israelites were only one nation of many who turned to idols. After this unfortunate episode, they went on to worship Baal, Astarte, and others. All this happened after God had given the commandments, proclaiming himself as the one, true God. They knew he was God, they had seen his hand of deliverance, help, provision, and miracles. Yet they still chose to turn away and follow other gods.
The making of the golden calf was a result of a basic desire within man. We want a god. Moses had been gone for many days and they quickly forgot the amazing experiences they had gone through with the true God. So they created one of their own. In fact, when Moses confronted his brother, Aaron, about it, Aaron said: "Then they gave me gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came the calf!" (Exodus 32:24b). This illustrates how ludicrous the following of idols is. Everything changes when we worship idols.
Of course, we have very few actual carved and crafted idols in our advanced western world, today. However, we continue to struggle with idols. We may not be able to see or touch them, but idols exist everywhere. Like the Israelites, we can make idols out of anything. The first commandment tells us that we are to have no other God besides our God. God said to Moses: "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14). It seems God does not tolerate idols. Since this is true, we must remove the idols from our lives.
I could name many things that are potential idols; money, recreation, sports, alcohol...and the list goes on and on. But the heart of the matter is this: We must examine our own lives and ask God to reveal idols. Anything that has become a god must go, because God is jealous. Nothing can fill his place. There is nothing and no one equal to our God. So examine your life today. Is there anything that you have made into a god? This doesn't mean that you must abandon the activity or thing, it means that you must return to God fully, and return the activity to its proper status. The words of the old hymn apply: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will brow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Open Heaven
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 'Look,' he said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'"
Acts 7:55&56
The phrase, 'Open Heaven,' has become a popular one of late. I write this, neither to validate or deny the things that are being proclaimed by others. I want to offer a Biblical perspective regarding the subject. Stephen had been seized by the religious leaders of the day. They trumped up charges against him and asked him to give his defense. He used that platform to tell them about Jesus. When he saw heaven open and spoke about it, they dragged him off and stoned him to death.
It was not just at that moment that Stephen saw heaven opened. I believe he lived it every moment of every day. He was chosen to be one of the first deacons of the church because he was known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. He went on to do, "Great wonders and miraculous signs among the people." (Acts 6:8). When called before the religious leaders, "They saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15). Stephen was obviously a man who experience an open heaven all the time.
So what does it mean to experience an open heaven? The answer is represented in the life of Stephen. He was full of the Holy Spirit. That is what experiencing an open heaven is all about. It is not necessarily about actually seeing it, as Stephen did in that moment. It is about living it every moment. Our connection to heaven, to the Father, and to Jesus, is the Holy Spirit. The closer we walk with him, the more we experience the reality of heaven. If God graciously allows us to see heaven with our spiritual or physical eyes, it is wonderful. But even more wonderful, is the process of being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. He will point us to the glories of heaven. He will reveal the secrets of the kingdom to us. When we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will not have to look for a 'spiritual moment' when we see heaven, we will experience it all the time. This is the joy of being a Christian.
We must know that God has not left us to ourselves. He does not look down from afar and just observe what happens on earth, as so many suppose. He has deposited heaven in our hearts. This is what will get us through times of difficulty. If we will live an 'open heaven' life as Stephen did, the time of trouble will be just another mile marker on our way to glory. Eternity is already in our hearts, God lives in us, and heaven is already accessible. Cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit, listen to him, act on what he says, and live in the glory he reveals.
Acts 7:55&56
The phrase, 'Open Heaven,' has become a popular one of late. I write this, neither to validate or deny the things that are being proclaimed by others. I want to offer a Biblical perspective regarding the subject. Stephen had been seized by the religious leaders of the day. They trumped up charges against him and asked him to give his defense. He used that platform to tell them about Jesus. When he saw heaven open and spoke about it, they dragged him off and stoned him to death.
It was not just at that moment that Stephen saw heaven opened. I believe he lived it every moment of every day. He was chosen to be one of the first deacons of the church because he was known to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. He went on to do, "Great wonders and miraculous signs among the people." (Acts 6:8). When called before the religious leaders, "They saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15). Stephen was obviously a man who experience an open heaven all the time.
So what does it mean to experience an open heaven? The answer is represented in the life of Stephen. He was full of the Holy Spirit. That is what experiencing an open heaven is all about. It is not necessarily about actually seeing it, as Stephen did in that moment. It is about living it every moment. Our connection to heaven, to the Father, and to Jesus, is the Holy Spirit. The closer we walk with him, the more we experience the reality of heaven. If God graciously allows us to see heaven with our spiritual or physical eyes, it is wonderful. But even more wonderful, is the process of being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. He will point us to the glories of heaven. He will reveal the secrets of the kingdom to us. When we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will not have to look for a 'spiritual moment' when we see heaven, we will experience it all the time. This is the joy of being a Christian.
We must know that God has not left us to ourselves. He does not look down from afar and just observe what happens on earth, as so many suppose. He has deposited heaven in our hearts. This is what will get us through times of difficulty. If we will live an 'open heaven' life as Stephen did, the time of trouble will be just another mile marker on our way to glory. Eternity is already in our hearts, God lives in us, and heaven is already accessible. Cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit, listen to him, act on what he says, and live in the glory he reveals.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Learning to Pray
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6:6
I have been studying the Bible lately, to find out what it teaches us about prayer. I know in my heart, that prayer is vital to God and to us. In my research, I have discovered that there is not a great deal of scripture devoted to instructing us how to pray. There is much said about the subject of prayer; our need to pray, the need for persistence, and the overall importance, but little is actually said abut what we say, how we speak, etc. Jesus taught us how to pray, as noted in Matthew 6. We call this, "The Lord's Prayer." This is one of the few times that he actually spoke about how we are to pray. So why is so little spoken about such an important thing?
I believe the answer is so simple that it may elude us. We are to just speak with God about what is on our hearts and minds. He created us with mouths and ears to be able to communicate with others. We speak what we want them to hear, and we listen to what they have to say. It is such a basic part of our lives that we don't think about it often. When we pray, God expects us to talk and listen, just as if we are speaking to another person. Prayer is having a conversation with God.
I appreciate the fact that God isn't impressed with someone who has a great vocabulary. It doesn't matter to him if we are loud or quiet, if we speak many words, or few. He just wants to talk to us. He longs for that relationship in the same way we long for it with him. You can stand, sit, lie down, kneel, or squat. It doesn't matter to him. He just wants to talk with us.
Why do we make prayer so difficult? You and I have intimate relationships with God. He lives in us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. When we pray, it must be as if we are confiding in our best friend. We can tell him things that we cannot tell anyone else, because there is no fear that he may break our confidence. There is no safer place to share the deep things of our hearts than in the presence of God. When we do this, he will respond with the perfect answer. If you can have a conversation with another person, you can have a conservation with God. It is as simple as that.
Matthew 6:6
I have been studying the Bible lately, to find out what it teaches us about prayer. I know in my heart, that prayer is vital to God and to us. In my research, I have discovered that there is not a great deal of scripture devoted to instructing us how to pray. There is much said about the subject of prayer; our need to pray, the need for persistence, and the overall importance, but little is actually said abut what we say, how we speak, etc. Jesus taught us how to pray, as noted in Matthew 6. We call this, "The Lord's Prayer." This is one of the few times that he actually spoke about how we are to pray. So why is so little spoken about such an important thing?
I believe the answer is so simple that it may elude us. We are to just speak with God about what is on our hearts and minds. He created us with mouths and ears to be able to communicate with others. We speak what we want them to hear, and we listen to what they have to say. It is such a basic part of our lives that we don't think about it often. When we pray, God expects us to talk and listen, just as if we are speaking to another person. Prayer is having a conversation with God.
I appreciate the fact that God isn't impressed with someone who has a great vocabulary. It doesn't matter to him if we are loud or quiet, if we speak many words, or few. He just wants to talk to us. He longs for that relationship in the same way we long for it with him. You can stand, sit, lie down, kneel, or squat. It doesn't matter to him. He just wants to talk with us.
Why do we make prayer so difficult? You and I have intimate relationships with God. He lives in us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. When we pray, it must be as if we are confiding in our best friend. We can tell him things that we cannot tell anyone else, because there is no fear that he may break our confidence. There is no safer place to share the deep things of our hearts than in the presence of God. When we do this, he will respond with the perfect answer. If you can have a conversation with another person, you can have a conservation with God. It is as simple as that.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Humble Prayer
"We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
Daniel 9:18b&19
I think we need to talk about prayer more. Virtually everyone, Christian or not, prays at one time or another. As Christians, we believe that God hears and answers prayer. We do not pray to make ourselves feel better, we pray because we are looking for help from our Mighty God.
There are many different views regarding our 'position' when we pray. I am not referring to our physical position, although this has also been debated. I am thinking of how we approach God. Daniel said that he was not asking from the position of righteousness. He was appealing to God's mercy. We are righteous before God, not because of what we do, but because of faith in regard to what Christ has done for us. I think Daniel was referring to self-righteousness. If we pray, believing that we have earned something, or that we deserve something, we are full of pride. Daniel's prayer came from the place of humility. He recognized God's authority and his own weakness.
When we pray, we are not begging. Notice how bold Daniel was when he prayed: "O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!" These are not the words of someone begging for anything, they are powerful, yet humble words, calling on God to respond. It was not for Daniel's sake that he prayed, it was for God's people. He understood prayer because he was a man of prayer. He knew how to speak to God because he did it often.
We need to be people who pray. We need to learn to be humble when we ask God, but bold in our approach. Prayer connects us with God. It is not simply launching words in the air or venting frustration. Prayer is powerful and God responds to them because of his great mercy and love. We have full assurance that our prayers are heard by God and that he will respond, A foundation of our faith is this: God answers prayer. Since we know this is true, we must pray and we must pray often. Make it a regular part of your day.
Daniel 9:18b&19
I think we need to talk about prayer more. Virtually everyone, Christian or not, prays at one time or another. As Christians, we believe that God hears and answers prayer. We do not pray to make ourselves feel better, we pray because we are looking for help from our Mighty God.
There are many different views regarding our 'position' when we pray. I am not referring to our physical position, although this has also been debated. I am thinking of how we approach God. Daniel said that he was not asking from the position of righteousness. He was appealing to God's mercy. We are righteous before God, not because of what we do, but because of faith in regard to what Christ has done for us. I think Daniel was referring to self-righteousness. If we pray, believing that we have earned something, or that we deserve something, we are full of pride. Daniel's prayer came from the place of humility. He recognized God's authority and his own weakness.
When we pray, we are not begging. Notice how bold Daniel was when he prayed: "O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!" These are not the words of someone begging for anything, they are powerful, yet humble words, calling on God to respond. It was not for Daniel's sake that he prayed, it was for God's people. He understood prayer because he was a man of prayer. He knew how to speak to God because he did it often.
We need to be people who pray. We need to learn to be humble when we ask God, but bold in our approach. Prayer connects us with God. It is not simply launching words in the air or venting frustration. Prayer is powerful and God responds to them because of his great mercy and love. We have full assurance that our prayers are heard by God and that he will respond, A foundation of our faith is this: God answers prayer. Since we know this is true, we must pray and we must pray often. Make it a regular part of your day.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Problem with Knowledge
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."
1 Corinthians 8:1b
The goal of the Christian life should always be to seek God, mature in Christ, and keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians devote their lives to this pursuit. Unfortunately, some do not. They are content to live in the same spiritual place. It is to those who are pursuing God that I write these words. It is a word of caution as you continue on your spiritual journey.
The longer we know God, the more we know about God. The more we read his Word, the more we know about his Word. This is important and will lead us into deeper things, but we cannot rely on knowledge. It must be accompanied, in fact it must always be secondary, to the primary call of the Christian life, love. There is a sobering reminder of this truth in James 2:19, "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." Knowledge by itself, will serve to puff us up. It appeals to the pride we may struggle with. So, we cannot depend on knowledge.
The true measure of the growth of a Christian is the manifestation of love. Our love for God and others must increase. Love cannot be shattered or deflated. It is solid, built on the foundation of Christ. Knowledge, by itself, can deflate like a slumping cake, when challenged by opposition. The foundation of our life must be love. To this, we should add knowledge of God and his Word.
All the knowledge in the world, all the spiritual gifts available, are not enough. These things flow through the foundation of love. So let's become greater lovers of God and people. When we do this, knowledge of God and his ways will follow. He is first and foremost, the Lover of our souls. When we learn to love, we learn his character, and this is a foundation that cannot be shaken.
1 Corinthians 8:1b
The goal of the Christian life should always be to seek God, mature in Christ, and keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians devote their lives to this pursuit. Unfortunately, some do not. They are content to live in the same spiritual place. It is to those who are pursuing God that I write these words. It is a word of caution as you continue on your spiritual journey.
The longer we know God, the more we know about God. The more we read his Word, the more we know about his Word. This is important and will lead us into deeper things, but we cannot rely on knowledge. It must be accompanied, in fact it must always be secondary, to the primary call of the Christian life, love. There is a sobering reminder of this truth in James 2:19, "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." Knowledge by itself, will serve to puff us up. It appeals to the pride we may struggle with. So, we cannot depend on knowledge.
The true measure of the growth of a Christian is the manifestation of love. Our love for God and others must increase. Love cannot be shattered or deflated. It is solid, built on the foundation of Christ. Knowledge, by itself, can deflate like a slumping cake, when challenged by opposition. The foundation of our life must be love. To this, we should add knowledge of God and his Word.
All the knowledge in the world, all the spiritual gifts available, are not enough. These things flow through the foundation of love. So let's become greater lovers of God and people. When we do this, knowledge of God and his ways will follow. He is first and foremost, the Lover of our souls. When we learn to love, we learn his character, and this is a foundation that cannot be shaken.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Humble Before God
"'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:5b-7
The Bible says that Moses was the most humble man in the world. I have often wondered exactly what that meant. He was not weak, he was a strong and passionate leader. He wasn't fearful, he led the children of Israel through incredibly difficult things and continued to trust God. So what exactly is humility before God?
Humility does not indicate weakness. It doesn't mean that we cry all the time or walk around with our eyes lowered to express our humility. The opposite of humility is pride. I think many things that start as outward expressions of humility often become pride. We can become proud of the fact that we pray a lot, or we serve the poor, or we minister at church. You see, humility is a matter of the heart, not outward expressions. In this case it is absolutely true that what is in our hearts will manifest itself outwardly. If we are truly humble people, we will express it through our actions..
Humility before God is simply recognizing our position. Some would say that they are: "Just a sinner, saved by grace." Although this is true, it does not reflect our position in Christ. We are more than conquerors. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. We have the same authority that God used when he raised Christ from the dead. All this has been given to us by God. So humility before him is taking a thankful stance before him. Without Christ, we would be destined for destruction, living a powerless life. But with him, we have been given incredible blessings, positions, and futures.
Humility then, is being thankful to God for what he has done for us, recognizing our position in Christ, and walking in the fear of the Lord. This is far beyond knowledge, it is nurtured by our relationships with God. I ask God everyday, to make me more humble. I do not want the things I do to become driven by pride. Search your own heart. If there is any pride there, offer it to God and allow him to cleanse you. It's a continuing process that will give way to eternal blessings. It is God who will honor us. We must remain humble before him.
1 Peter 5:5b-7
The Bible says that Moses was the most humble man in the world. I have often wondered exactly what that meant. He was not weak, he was a strong and passionate leader. He wasn't fearful, he led the children of Israel through incredibly difficult things and continued to trust God. So what exactly is humility before God?
Humility does not indicate weakness. It doesn't mean that we cry all the time or walk around with our eyes lowered to express our humility. The opposite of humility is pride. I think many things that start as outward expressions of humility often become pride. We can become proud of the fact that we pray a lot, or we serve the poor, or we minister at church. You see, humility is a matter of the heart, not outward expressions. In this case it is absolutely true that what is in our hearts will manifest itself outwardly. If we are truly humble people, we will express it through our actions..
Humility before God is simply recognizing our position. Some would say that they are: "Just a sinner, saved by grace." Although this is true, it does not reflect our position in Christ. We are more than conquerors. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. We have the same authority that God used when he raised Christ from the dead. All this has been given to us by God. So humility before him is taking a thankful stance before him. Without Christ, we would be destined for destruction, living a powerless life. But with him, we have been given incredible blessings, positions, and futures.
Humility then, is being thankful to God for what he has done for us, recognizing our position in Christ, and walking in the fear of the Lord. This is far beyond knowledge, it is nurtured by our relationships with God. I ask God everyday, to make me more humble. I do not want the things I do to become driven by pride. Search your own heart. If there is any pride there, offer it to God and allow him to cleanse you. It's a continuing process that will give way to eternal blessings. It is God who will honor us. We must remain humble before him.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Follow Me!
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Matthew 16:24
King Solomon has been described as the wisest man who ever lived. he was given great wisdom by God which he used to rule the people. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he describes his search for the true meaning of life. In this quest, he found many things to be meaningless. The pursuit of earthly possessions, wealth, and pleasures, he said, are meaningless. Solomon experimented with earthly pleasures to an extent that none of us ever will. He said that he did not deny himself any pleasure. But in the end, it proved meaningless. It did not satisfy his heart.
When Jesus uttered the words written above, he was addressing this very subject. He is saying that it is impossible to pursue pleasures and follow him at the same time. Fist, we must have the desire to go after him. If this is not the single most important thing in our lives, we certainly will not follow him well. When we deny ourselves, we are making a statement that the kingdom of God is far more important than the things that satisfy our flesh. And when we take up our cross, we are renouncing our self-centered life and ambitions in favor of his kingdom and his plans. When we have done these things, we are truly followers of Christ and we experience the fullness of his kingdom, even now.
What is important? Is it where we live, what we wear, how we look, or what job we have, that validates our lives? No, these things are temporary. When we die, they are handed to someone else. We have gained nothing. Following Christ in every area of our lives is an eternal blessing. No one can take it from us. It will not fail because of the economy, or disaster, or tragedy.
When the disciples chose to follow Christ, they left everything; jobs, careers, families, and homes. Even these would not interfere with the call to follow Jesus. I am not suggesting that we must do these things to please God. I am simply saying that our decision processes must involve God first. Where we go, what we do, and how we live, are secondary to the call to follow him with all our hearts.
I want to be in the center of God's will for my life. I don't want to stray from that at all. If it involves the loss of my stuff, I am good with that. I determined a long time ago that what God wants for me far exceeds what I want.
Are you willing to follow him? If so, consider the fact that it will involve denying yourself and taking up your cross. There is eternal reward for those who will truly be followers of Christ.
Matthew 16:24
King Solomon has been described as the wisest man who ever lived. he was given great wisdom by God which he used to rule the people. In the book of Ecclesiastes, he describes his search for the true meaning of life. In this quest, he found many things to be meaningless. The pursuit of earthly possessions, wealth, and pleasures, he said, are meaningless. Solomon experimented with earthly pleasures to an extent that none of us ever will. He said that he did not deny himself any pleasure. But in the end, it proved meaningless. It did not satisfy his heart.
When Jesus uttered the words written above, he was addressing this very subject. He is saying that it is impossible to pursue pleasures and follow him at the same time. Fist, we must have the desire to go after him. If this is not the single most important thing in our lives, we certainly will not follow him well. When we deny ourselves, we are making a statement that the kingdom of God is far more important than the things that satisfy our flesh. And when we take up our cross, we are renouncing our self-centered life and ambitions in favor of his kingdom and his plans. When we have done these things, we are truly followers of Christ and we experience the fullness of his kingdom, even now.
What is important? Is it where we live, what we wear, how we look, or what job we have, that validates our lives? No, these things are temporary. When we die, they are handed to someone else. We have gained nothing. Following Christ in every area of our lives is an eternal blessing. No one can take it from us. It will not fail because of the economy, or disaster, or tragedy.
When the disciples chose to follow Christ, they left everything; jobs, careers, families, and homes. Even these would not interfere with the call to follow Jesus. I am not suggesting that we must do these things to please God. I am simply saying that our decision processes must involve God first. Where we go, what we do, and how we live, are secondary to the call to follow him with all our hearts.
I want to be in the center of God's will for my life. I don't want to stray from that at all. If it involves the loss of my stuff, I am good with that. I determined a long time ago that what God wants for me far exceeds what I want.
Are you willing to follow him? If so, consider the fact that it will involve denying yourself and taking up your cross. There is eternal reward for those who will truly be followers of Christ.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Holiness or Legalism?
"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I go away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement."
John 16:7&8
I have written previously about the need for the church to become holy. Since you and I make up the church, it is obvious that we are the ones who must be moving toward holiness. So the question arises: How do we become holy without being legalistic? Since God gave the ten commandments, religious people have tried to obey all the laws that were implemented. From the days of Moses until the ministry of Christ, no one had been able to fully obey the law. It is not possible to fulfill the requirements of God's law apart from Christ. In short, legalism does not work. We cannot move toward holiness by attempting to obey laws. The Bible is clear that we are to be holy: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14).
The process of becoming holy happens as we commune with the Holy Spirit. We don't often talk about the ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. But this is exactly what he does within you and me. This is more than our conscience speaking, it is God himself. He uncovers things in our lives that separate us from him. Our responsibility is to partner with him by confessing the sin, being sorry for our indiscretions, and turning away from them. But even then, we are not left on our own. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. He will guide us through the process with a love that is deeper than we can imagine.
We express our love for God through this process. The love that God desires from us, is simply to obey him. The truth is: We cannot obey him or his laws without the blood of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We desire to be like Christ because we love him. This is the motivation. Any other way will fall short. Some labor under the need for perfection. But God does not expect this, in fact he knows that we will never be perfect. This is why Jesus came, died, and rose again. He desires our love, and he has made it clear that we can love him by allowing the Holy Spirit to help us become holy.
If you have not considered this important part of the Christian life, do so today. Give up trying on your own, and allow the Holy Spirit to touch you with conviction and counsel. This is one of the greatest joys of following Jesus.
John 16:7&8
I have written previously about the need for the church to become holy. Since you and I make up the church, it is obvious that we are the ones who must be moving toward holiness. So the question arises: How do we become holy without being legalistic? Since God gave the ten commandments, religious people have tried to obey all the laws that were implemented. From the days of Moses until the ministry of Christ, no one had been able to fully obey the law. It is not possible to fulfill the requirements of God's law apart from Christ. In short, legalism does not work. We cannot move toward holiness by attempting to obey laws. The Bible is clear that we are to be holy: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14).
The process of becoming holy happens as we commune with the Holy Spirit. We don't often talk about the ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. But this is exactly what he does within you and me. This is more than our conscience speaking, it is God himself. He uncovers things in our lives that separate us from him. Our responsibility is to partner with him by confessing the sin, being sorry for our indiscretions, and turning away from them. But even then, we are not left on our own. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor. He will guide us through the process with a love that is deeper than we can imagine.
We express our love for God through this process. The love that God desires from us, is simply to obey him. The truth is: We cannot obey him or his laws without the blood of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We desire to be like Christ because we love him. This is the motivation. Any other way will fall short. Some labor under the need for perfection. But God does not expect this, in fact he knows that we will never be perfect. This is why Jesus came, died, and rose again. He desires our love, and he has made it clear that we can love him by allowing the Holy Spirit to help us become holy.
If you have not considered this important part of the Christian life, do so today. Give up trying on your own, and allow the Holy Spirit to touch you with conviction and counsel. This is one of the greatest joys of following Jesus.
Monday, June 6, 2011
In the Palms of His Hands
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."
Isaiah 49:16
I love the book of Isaiah the prophet. God spoke some marvelous things through him, that have touched my life deeply over the years. This short word from God himself is so important to me that it is difficult to put into words. I am absolutely overwhelmed by God's amazing love for me.
One day, when I was about nine years old, a couple of my friends and I decided that we would make a pact with each other. We had heard of this before, and because we were close friends, we decided that we would become "blood brothers." This involved using a knife to cut the palm of each person's hand and rub them together with the other boys. It didn't really have that much meaning to us, we simply thought that it would be, you know...cool. So we did it. It left a mark on each of our palms for some time, but soon they faded and even the memory of the moment was gone.
But God has not forgotten. He has engraved me on the palms of his hands. In fact, his palms were pierced through with the nails that hung him on the cross. He became the ultimate "blood brother." He did this, not only for me, but for everyone. I'm not sure this is exactly what Isaiah the prophet was foreshadowing when he wrote these words, but it settles in my heart. Jesus has born my sin, simply because he loves me so much. He shed his blood, and his hands are forever engraved with my life and yours.
Dear ones, we cannot fathom how much God loves us. It is not for the things we do for him. It is not for our volunteer efforts in the church, or missions, or anything else. No, he loves us because he chooses to love us. I am convinced that he loves the hearts, personalities, identities, and passions within each of us, because he created us uniquely. And his creation is marvelous, even in his own eyes.
His love is immeasurable. It is so wondrous that generations have tried to express it through writings, music, stories, and sermons. Yet all of these are still inadequate to describe it. Today, know that you are loved by the God of the universe. He doesn't just think of you occasionally, you are always on his mind. And you are permanently engraved on his hands. Not just your name, but your whole life is written there. How great is the Father's love for us!
Isaiah 49:16
I love the book of Isaiah the prophet. God spoke some marvelous things through him, that have touched my life deeply over the years. This short word from God himself is so important to me that it is difficult to put into words. I am absolutely overwhelmed by God's amazing love for me.
One day, when I was about nine years old, a couple of my friends and I decided that we would make a pact with each other. We had heard of this before, and because we were close friends, we decided that we would become "blood brothers." This involved using a knife to cut the palm of each person's hand and rub them together with the other boys. It didn't really have that much meaning to us, we simply thought that it would be, you know...cool. So we did it. It left a mark on each of our palms for some time, but soon they faded and even the memory of the moment was gone.
But God has not forgotten. He has engraved me on the palms of his hands. In fact, his palms were pierced through with the nails that hung him on the cross. He became the ultimate "blood brother." He did this, not only for me, but for everyone. I'm not sure this is exactly what Isaiah the prophet was foreshadowing when he wrote these words, but it settles in my heart. Jesus has born my sin, simply because he loves me so much. He shed his blood, and his hands are forever engraved with my life and yours.
Dear ones, we cannot fathom how much God loves us. It is not for the things we do for him. It is not for our volunteer efforts in the church, or missions, or anything else. No, he loves us because he chooses to love us. I am convinced that he loves the hearts, personalities, identities, and passions within each of us, because he created us uniquely. And his creation is marvelous, even in his own eyes.
His love is immeasurable. It is so wondrous that generations have tried to express it through writings, music, stories, and sermons. Yet all of these are still inadequate to describe it. Today, know that you are loved by the God of the universe. He doesn't just think of you occasionally, you are always on his mind. And you are permanently engraved on his hands. Not just your name, but your whole life is written there. How great is the Father's love for us!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hardships
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."
Acts 14:22b
This is a subject we don't like to talk about, much less experience. I don't know why God chooses to have us suffer, but he does. There are those who proclaim their belief that Christians should not suffer, be sick, or struggle financially. On the other side, there are many who proclaim that we should suffer. We should have little possessions, little money, and we should expect to live that way. The truth, I think, is found somewhere in the middle.
Hebrews 12 tells us that God disciplines those he loves. He does this as a father would discipline his children. While it is difficult, he does this knowing that the result will be a new level of relationship with him and a more victorious life. I will never say that we will not suffer hardships. We will. God uses them to perfect our faith. Faith is challenged when we are in the midst of a hardship. It causes us to really examine our trust in God. It is for this very reason, I believe, that God allows us to enter struggles, trials, and hardship.
But I do not believe that God has called us to live lives of poverty, sickness, and hardship. Hardships come and go. God allows them, and then we pass through them and enter into the new things he has for us. It is a miserable outlook if we believe that our entire lives are destined for oppression. We are victorious in Christ. Even through the struggles, we are still victorious. It is in these times that men and women of great faith are produced. We may not enjoy the times of discipline, but we will truly enjoy the benefits of having gone through them. I know this, because I have been through many hardships.
Let me encourage those who are enduring hardships right now. God is producing something eternal in you. It will be worth it all. And you must know this: It will pass. You will not be in this place forever. God will move you into the next season of your life. Easier times will follow. For now, build your faith and walk through with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 14:22b
This is a subject we don't like to talk about, much less experience. I don't know why God chooses to have us suffer, but he does. There are those who proclaim their belief that Christians should not suffer, be sick, or struggle financially. On the other side, there are many who proclaim that we should suffer. We should have little possessions, little money, and we should expect to live that way. The truth, I think, is found somewhere in the middle.
Hebrews 12 tells us that God disciplines those he loves. He does this as a father would discipline his children. While it is difficult, he does this knowing that the result will be a new level of relationship with him and a more victorious life. I will never say that we will not suffer hardships. We will. God uses them to perfect our faith. Faith is challenged when we are in the midst of a hardship. It causes us to really examine our trust in God. It is for this very reason, I believe, that God allows us to enter struggles, trials, and hardship.
But I do not believe that God has called us to live lives of poverty, sickness, and hardship. Hardships come and go. God allows them, and then we pass through them and enter into the new things he has for us. It is a miserable outlook if we believe that our entire lives are destined for oppression. We are victorious in Christ. Even through the struggles, we are still victorious. It is in these times that men and women of great faith are produced. We may not enjoy the times of discipline, but we will truly enjoy the benefits of having gone through them. I know this, because I have been through many hardships.
Let me encourage those who are enduring hardships right now. God is producing something eternal in you. It will be worth it all. And you must know this: It will pass. You will not be in this place forever. God will move you into the next season of your life. Easier times will follow. For now, build your faith and walk through with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Dead to the World
"May I never boast except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Galatians 6:14
There is a difficult reality that faces every Christian: We have defeated the world and its influences through the cross of Christ, but we must live in the world at the same time. So how do we live victoriously? It occurs to me that the New Testament is full of scriptures that confront this issue head on. On one side, we have our glorious position in Christ, and on the other, we have our flesh which struggles with the offerings of the world.
The answer to our predicament is this: We must die to the world, just as Christ did. Let me illustrate this. If we took a dead man to a California beach on a hot summer day and propped him up under an umbrella, there would undoubtedly be many scantily clad women there. This worldly environment appeals to the flesh of men. But, would our dead man react or respond to the women? Would he lust after them? No! Why? Because he's dead!
The process of our Christian experience is one of life and death. We must continually die to sin. This is spoken of throughout the New Testament and is, in fact, a major component of water baptism.When we are baptized, we leave the old nature in the waters. The only way to defeat the world and the sin that flows from it, is to die to it, as Paul writes. This process of life and death continues throughout our whole lives until the final death to the world occurs.
If we are dead to the world, then we are alive to Christ and his kingdom. We don't have to wait for our physical death to experience God and his kingdom. We can do it now, because he has made the way for us. If we only die to the world and never live in Christ, we will be miserable people. When we finally die, we will experience Christ and his kingdom in fullness. But, if we are dying to the world right now, daily, we have the glorious opportunity to truly live each day in the kingdom of the Savior.
Choose to die today. Die to sin and the appeal of the world. When you do this, you will find that your life with Christ will blossom. You will no longer be encumbered by the things of the world. The draw to that life will be gone. The world promises freedom, but in reality, if you indulge, you are imprisoned. True freedom is found in Christ and the kingdom of God. Choose life!
Galatians 6:14
There is a difficult reality that faces every Christian: We have defeated the world and its influences through the cross of Christ, but we must live in the world at the same time. So how do we live victoriously? It occurs to me that the New Testament is full of scriptures that confront this issue head on. On one side, we have our glorious position in Christ, and on the other, we have our flesh which struggles with the offerings of the world.
The answer to our predicament is this: We must die to the world, just as Christ did. Let me illustrate this. If we took a dead man to a California beach on a hot summer day and propped him up under an umbrella, there would undoubtedly be many scantily clad women there. This worldly environment appeals to the flesh of men. But, would our dead man react or respond to the women? Would he lust after them? No! Why? Because he's dead!
The process of our Christian experience is one of life and death. We must continually die to sin. This is spoken of throughout the New Testament and is, in fact, a major component of water baptism.When we are baptized, we leave the old nature in the waters. The only way to defeat the world and the sin that flows from it, is to die to it, as Paul writes. This process of life and death continues throughout our whole lives until the final death to the world occurs.
If we are dead to the world, then we are alive to Christ and his kingdom. We don't have to wait for our physical death to experience God and his kingdom. We can do it now, because he has made the way for us. If we only die to the world and never live in Christ, we will be miserable people. When we finally die, we will experience Christ and his kingdom in fullness. But, if we are dying to the world right now, daily, we have the glorious opportunity to truly live each day in the kingdom of the Savior.
Choose to die today. Die to sin and the appeal of the world. When you do this, you will find that your life with Christ will blossom. You will no longer be encumbered by the things of the world. The draw to that life will be gone. The world promises freedom, but in reality, if you indulge, you are imprisoned. True freedom is found in Christ and the kingdom of God. Choose life!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A Radiant Church
"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church."
Ephesians 5:25-27&32
The truth is: Jesus is coming for a pure, holy, and blameless church. Revelation 19:7 says, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." This is a profound mystery, because it involves the work of Christ at the cross, and all of us working out our salvations with fear and trembling before God.
Jesus loved the church so much that he died for her, literally giving himself up. All of us have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). As we are faithful to confess our sin to him, he is always faithful to forgive. The result of this process is righteousness. You and I have it, and the church has it through the blood of Jesus.
Holiness is another matter. Do this little exercise to aid you in understanding: Hold your left hand above your head, as if you were measuring the height of a tall person. Then hold your right hand in the same position but at your waist level. Your left hand represents our position in Christ. This is who He says we are. We have right standing with God. This is the righteousness that he has freely given us. Your right hand represents where your daily life is. Maybe you continue to fail in certain areas. You continue to be involved in the same sin. This hand represents our testimony. Our life-long endeavor is to raise this right hand to the level of the left. In other words, we want our life to match the righteousness that Christ has given. We should be on a quest for holiness.
The church today, needs to become holy. It doesn't just happen, people must choose to become holy. We must defeat sin in our lives and set our sights squarely on holiness. We tolerate far too much sin. It has become easy to continue in sin, yet sit comfortably in the church on Sunday. You and I are the church, and we must be moving toward being spotless and pure. We cry out, "God, make us holy as you are holy!" In reality, it is incumbent on us to defeat sin and endeavor to live the same kind of life that Christ did. Revelation 19:7 says, "His bride has made herself ready." We sometimes, cry out to God, when we need to be forsaking sin and moving on in our testimonies.
I am not speaking of legalism. We can make rules...and then we will break them. Legalism simply binds us and imprisons us. We are shackled to a set of rules. True freedom in Christ is to confess sin, repent of it, conquer it, and move deeper into a holy lifestyle. In the times when we slip, his grace is sufficient. Jesus showed us how to live. Now, we must follow through and choose to live that way. We don't have to do this on our own. The Holy Spirit is in us, helping to move us toward holiness.
We are the church. We need to put away sin that entangles us and prepare ourselves for the greatest event that has or will ever take place. Church, become holy. We have a wedding to participate in, a glorious celebration to attend. And we are the radiant bride!
Ephesians 5:25-27&32
The truth is: Jesus is coming for a pure, holy, and blameless church. Revelation 19:7 says, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." This is a profound mystery, because it involves the work of Christ at the cross, and all of us working out our salvations with fear and trembling before God.
Jesus loved the church so much that he died for her, literally giving himself up. All of us have been made righteous by the blood of Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). As we are faithful to confess our sin to him, he is always faithful to forgive. The result of this process is righteousness. You and I have it, and the church has it through the blood of Jesus.
Holiness is another matter. Do this little exercise to aid you in understanding: Hold your left hand above your head, as if you were measuring the height of a tall person. Then hold your right hand in the same position but at your waist level. Your left hand represents our position in Christ. This is who He says we are. We have right standing with God. This is the righteousness that he has freely given us. Your right hand represents where your daily life is. Maybe you continue to fail in certain areas. You continue to be involved in the same sin. This hand represents our testimony. Our life-long endeavor is to raise this right hand to the level of the left. In other words, we want our life to match the righteousness that Christ has given. We should be on a quest for holiness.
The church today, needs to become holy. It doesn't just happen, people must choose to become holy. We must defeat sin in our lives and set our sights squarely on holiness. We tolerate far too much sin. It has become easy to continue in sin, yet sit comfortably in the church on Sunday. You and I are the church, and we must be moving toward being spotless and pure. We cry out, "God, make us holy as you are holy!" In reality, it is incumbent on us to defeat sin and endeavor to live the same kind of life that Christ did. Revelation 19:7 says, "His bride has made herself ready." We sometimes, cry out to God, when we need to be forsaking sin and moving on in our testimonies.
I am not speaking of legalism. We can make rules...and then we will break them. Legalism simply binds us and imprisons us. We are shackled to a set of rules. True freedom in Christ is to confess sin, repent of it, conquer it, and move deeper into a holy lifestyle. In the times when we slip, his grace is sufficient. Jesus showed us how to live. Now, we must follow through and choose to live that way. We don't have to do this on our own. The Holy Spirit is in us, helping to move us toward holiness.
We are the church. We need to put away sin that entangles us and prepare ourselves for the greatest event that has or will ever take place. Church, become holy. We have a wedding to participate in, a glorious celebration to attend. And we are the radiant bride!
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