What does it really mean to die to self, fight sin and fleshly desires? There is a battle that wages inside of us everyday...
Romans 8:12-14 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
Pastor John MacArthur's commentary explains putting to death the deeds of the body, how the apostle Paul destroys FALSE views of how believers are made holy:
1) that in a crisis-moment we are immediately made perfect;
2) that we must "let God" take over while we remain idle;
3) that some turning-point decision will propel us to a higher level of holiness
Rather, the apostle says the Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins, a process never completed in this life.
The means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture like Rom. 13:14 - "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make NO provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."
In addition, we are to be led by the Spirit (vs. 14) not through subjective, mental impressions or promptings or "signs" to provide direction in making life's decisions. Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads us sometimes through circumstances (Acts 16:7) but PRIMARILY through: 1) illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds, and 2) sanctification, divinely enables us to obey Scripture - Gal. 5:16,17 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."
So the takeaway I get from this is that we're commanded to WORK with the Spirit, to cooperate, and actively participate in this process of obedience and fighting the flesh.
Beloved, I know what it likes to feel the onslaught of Satan's attacks, the struggles we face everyday, the constant requirement to be aware and deliberate about seeking holiness.
We don't have to be taught how to be selfish. We don't have to be taught how to be disobedient. We don't have to be taught how to sin. All of this is natural...default. We cannot be ignorant, idle, or lukewarm about our relationship with Christ.
I'm a thinker. I'm analytical. I'm always interested in progress, perseverance, and living purposefully. Let's be wise with the choices laid before us. Read and meditate on Scripture! Let's press on towards love and good deeds, holiness, all with greater humility, self-control, and Spirit filled living...all for God's glory!
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Our just God
I've been reflecting on this passage in Romans, seeing again that God is just indeed.
And isn't that what we all try to impose on our own? We all demand some sense of "fairness" in this world. Good should be rewarded and evil punished. But we've all lived long enough to know that it doesn't always seem that way...people who choose unrighteousness and sin appear to be happy and prosper, people who are righteous and desire holiness struggle and suffer...
As children, we're always complaining and comparing, questioning why others aren't treated the same. As adults, not much changes, but perhaps the bitterness lingers longer when "justice" as we understand it doesn't occur on OUR TIMING, by OUR METHODS.
But it's not about us, or our limited understanding or our comfort. God is interested in the bigger picture, showing us how to grow greater faith and trust in Him. If we were in command, where would our need for a Savior fit in? And not only does He know best, He does it better than anyone could, and I believe God is always working toward our good, for His glory. (Rom. 8:28)
So here's the verse:
Romans 2:4-8 - "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immorality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."
I don't know about you, but I have a strong sense of justice in me...and it brings me great comfort that God is in control, sees all, knows all, and will reward and punish accordingly. That things are not being unnoticed...and we must give account for how we live our lives.
So, I pray that you'll ask yourself the hard questions today...what's getting in the way of your pursuit of Christlikeness? Are there any plans and hopes and dreams you are still holding on to that may not square with the will of God for your life? If you had to surrender any of these for the cause of Christ, how would you react? Will you not submit to your Heavenly Father's care?
Life is too short. We ought to examine our hearts daily, to fall to our knees again and again at the foot of the cross, taking in the full measure of God's grace and love for us in Jesus' sacrifice, and think Lord, I'm not worthy, but I'll serve You the best I can, I'll serve You until You return.
Grace and peace to you.
And isn't that what we all try to impose on our own? We all demand some sense of "fairness" in this world. Good should be rewarded and evil punished. But we've all lived long enough to know that it doesn't always seem that way...people who choose unrighteousness and sin appear to be happy and prosper, people who are righteous and desire holiness struggle and suffer...
As children, we're always complaining and comparing, questioning why others aren't treated the same. As adults, not much changes, but perhaps the bitterness lingers longer when "justice" as we understand it doesn't occur on OUR TIMING, by OUR METHODS.
But it's not about us, or our limited understanding or our comfort. God is interested in the bigger picture, showing us how to grow greater faith and trust in Him. If we were in command, where would our need for a Savior fit in? And not only does He know best, He does it better than anyone could, and I believe God is always working toward our good, for His glory. (Rom. 8:28)
So here's the verse:
Romans 2:4-8 - "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immorality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."
I don't know about you, but I have a strong sense of justice in me...and it brings me great comfort that God is in control, sees all, knows all, and will reward and punish accordingly. That things are not being unnoticed...and we must give account for how we live our lives.
So, I pray that you'll ask yourself the hard questions today...what's getting in the way of your pursuit of Christlikeness? Are there any plans and hopes and dreams you are still holding on to that may not square with the will of God for your life? If you had to surrender any of these for the cause of Christ, how would you react? Will you not submit to your Heavenly Father's care?
Life is too short. We ought to examine our hearts daily, to fall to our knees again and again at the foot of the cross, taking in the full measure of God's grace and love for us in Jesus' sacrifice, and think Lord, I'm not worthy, but I'll serve You the best I can, I'll serve You until You return.
Grace and peace to you.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
What's your zeal index?
Wow, it's been 2 weeks! I'm pretty disappointed in myself that I haven't had the opportunity to keep up with blogging. I really need to get back into the routine of setting time aside to post...but I hope you're encouraged by this one!
I'd like to focus this post on two passages - 2 Corinthians 13:5, 7:11.
13:5 - "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you faith the test?"
7:11 - "For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter."
I believe a life that has experienced true repentance and transformation will bear good fruits (John 15), that true believers love God, love His word, are devoted to God's glory, AND are eager to obey.
With that said, I wonder why it is then that people sometimes cannot distinguish "believers" from "non-believers". Are we not to be set apart? To be way different from the world and to live our lives in excellence, above reproach, for God's honor and glory?
And so I ran across a very interesting quote by Bishop J.C. Ryle about zeal in religion:
A zealous man sees only one thing, cares only for one thing, lives for one thing; he is swallowed up for one thing. He burns for one thing; that thing is to please God, and to advance God's glory.
And I thought hard about what I'm passionate about, if I could identify what I saw as "passion" and "zeal" in others around me, and if those lined up with what we profess as believers...and that has turned up mixed results.
I asked a friend of mine recently to present evidence of "fruit" in the life of her friend, and her response was "why should I do that?" I have reflected on that...and quite frankly, the lack of discernment is frightening.
The saddest thing is...we often spend time and money and resources thinking about, pursuing things that are NOT pleasing to God, not advancing God's glory. Makes you wonder even more about why these things aren't more "obvious" to us, that things that matter greatly to the heart of God, should matter to us. That God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) and he deserves our full devotion and attention!
So I pray that your witness, your example, your life is one of zeal (as defined above), that others could characterize you as a zealous man or zealous woman, someone who recklessly abandons and counts it all loss in order to pursue that "one thing".
May God grant us the ability and opportunity to cultivate hearts that are not "lukewarm", that no one has to ask whether you love Jesus, whether you serve God, whether you believe the Bible as truth and the food you long for.,.because it should be OBVIOUS.
Grace and peace to you.
I'd like to focus this post on two passages - 2 Corinthians 13:5, 7:11.
13:5 - "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you faith the test?"
7:11 - "For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter."
I believe a life that has experienced true repentance and transformation will bear good fruits (John 15), that true believers love God, love His word, are devoted to God's glory, AND are eager to obey.
With that said, I wonder why it is then that people sometimes cannot distinguish "believers" from "non-believers". Are we not to be set apart? To be way different from the world and to live our lives in excellence, above reproach, for God's honor and glory?
And so I ran across a very interesting quote by Bishop J.C. Ryle about zeal in religion:
A zealous man sees only one thing, cares only for one thing, lives for one thing; he is swallowed up for one thing. He burns for one thing; that thing is to please God, and to advance God's glory.
And I thought hard about what I'm passionate about, if I could identify what I saw as "passion" and "zeal" in others around me, and if those lined up with what we profess as believers...and that has turned up mixed results.
I asked a friend of mine recently to present evidence of "fruit" in the life of her friend, and her response was "why should I do that?" I have reflected on that...and quite frankly, the lack of discernment is frightening.
The saddest thing is...we often spend time and money and resources thinking about, pursuing things that are NOT pleasing to God, not advancing God's glory. Makes you wonder even more about why these things aren't more "obvious" to us, that things that matter greatly to the heart of God, should matter to us. That God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) and he deserves our full devotion and attention!
So I pray that your witness, your example, your life is one of zeal (as defined above), that others could characterize you as a zealous man or zealous woman, someone who recklessly abandons and counts it all loss in order to pursue that "one thing".
May God grant us the ability and opportunity to cultivate hearts that are not "lukewarm", that no one has to ask whether you love Jesus, whether you serve God, whether you believe the Bible as truth and the food you long for.,.because it should be OBVIOUS.
Grace and peace to you.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Resolve to be spent...
It's been a week since I last blogged but it feels like much longer. I actually haven't had much time to do too many of my normal routines - being sick meant not being able to go to the gym, having less time to spend during quiet times, and barely checking/responding to emails.
And life has been pretty interesting lately...but everyday is a learning experience, and I'm just enjoying the ride that God has taken me on, learning to go back to basics, trusting Him - that there's not much "faith" involved if we know what's to happen...only to believe that God is good, has our best in mind, is steadfast, loving, and faithful, and will provide.
So, I'm coming up on my last week at BarBri grading, and I'm relieved in many ways - because I desire to have more free time to blog, study, and read - also realizing how much I take for granted the energy I used to have during my younger years...trying to keep up with 310 and their social activities can be quite taxing.
And it's in my moments of physical weakness, that I'm again reminded of how much I need to rely on God for everything...that even though I trust Him to feed me, keep me warm and sheltered, that my every breath is a gift...
My encouragement to you on this Sunday evening is to keep pushing hard, to strain and continue that pursuit of holiness and Christlikeness, to be spent for Him, to love and serve others in a sacrificial and obvious way...that even when you're exhausted, the words that roll off your tongue (flowing out of a joyful heart) are praises to the Father above for all that He gives us: "good" and "bad" times, "good" and "bad" news, that I've been granted another day...
that He's perserved me for a unique and special purpose and that my goal should be to honor and glorify Him despite my shortcomings and own expectations...
that I can rest deeply knowing that I'm doing better than I deserve...
that I'm to be prepared in and out of season, to obey and serve Him with every ounce of strength I have in me...until Jesus returns!
Grace and peace to you.
And life has been pretty interesting lately...but everyday is a learning experience, and I'm just enjoying the ride that God has taken me on, learning to go back to basics, trusting Him - that there's not much "faith" involved if we know what's to happen...only to believe that God is good, has our best in mind, is steadfast, loving, and faithful, and will provide.
So, I'm coming up on my last week at BarBri grading, and I'm relieved in many ways - because I desire to have more free time to blog, study, and read - also realizing how much I take for granted the energy I used to have during my younger years...trying to keep up with 310 and their social activities can be quite taxing.
And it's in my moments of physical weakness, that I'm again reminded of how much I need to rely on God for everything...that even though I trust Him to feed me, keep me warm and sheltered, that my every breath is a gift...
My encouragement to you on this Sunday evening is to keep pushing hard, to strain and continue that pursuit of holiness and Christlikeness, to be spent for Him, to love and serve others in a sacrificial and obvious way...that even when you're exhausted, the words that roll off your tongue (flowing out of a joyful heart) are praises to the Father above for all that He gives us: "good" and "bad" times, "good" and "bad" news, that I've been granted another day...
that He's perserved me for a unique and special purpose and that my goal should be to honor and glorify Him despite my shortcomings and own expectations...
that I can rest deeply knowing that I'm doing better than I deserve...
that I'm to be prepared in and out of season, to obey and serve Him with every ounce of strength I have in me...until Jesus returns!
Grace and peace to you.
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