The first thing that stuck out to me while reading through these verses is something we talked about a little bit this past Sunday in our group. What the Bible teaches is contrary to what people perceive as how the world works. As people (especially Americans), we believe we are born in a democracy and are free to do or become whatever it is that we desire. The Bible tells us spiritually the complete opposite. It says we are born in slavery to sin and death. I know for a fact that this is true. For a long time I sought to be perfect in my thoughts, words, and deeds, but it was impossible. It is true that no one is perfect, because we are slaves to sin. We are also slaves to death. We are all going to die. And what I have realized recently is that all the issues in the world are based on trying to fight those two things that we are enslaved to. Thank God that He saw our condition and came to us as Jesus. All sin and death was placed upon him and he was punished in our place. Then he resurrected from death, and conquered sin and death. We no longer have to be enslaved to those things. By God’s grace through Jesus we are freed. Now we don’t have to die. Now we can live forever with God, and don’t have to be enslaved to our sin. We can love God and walk away from it.
As I dig a little deeper, I also see that it is not about morality. It’s about Jesus. The closer I draw to him, the more spiritual and moral I become, but even then the goal is not to improve me. It is to honor him. The focus goes off of me and goes toward loving Jesus, who loved me first. That is the mark of Christian freedom. It’s no longer about me, it’s about Jesus. It’s not about me being good; it’s about him being good. It’s not about me pleasing God; it’s about him pleasing God. It’s not about what I can do, but what I can do through his power in me. And then all of the glory and all of the joy goes to Jesus.
The next thing that stuck out to me (because I have believed this way in the past) is that being offensive is always wrong. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for someone is be offensive. I think sometimes we get it backwards. God is love, but love is not God. We think that if we offend someone we aren’t being loving to them. But God is love. So whatever God does, that is loving. And sometimes God rebukes people and has stern words for people who are in error or have gone astray. And we think, “Well, that’s not very loving,” but it’s what God does, so it is loving. Love is not God. God is not judged by some standard called love. We should judge what is loving by what God says and what He does. God surpasses all and what He does is right. So we have to base our morality on God. So the question is not “Are we being loving?” The question is, “Are we being like God?” We are supposed to be imitators of Christ.
For example, if I’m in error, sinning, doing something I shouldn’t be doing, wandering away from Jesus, really messing up, etc., it would be loving to come to me and speak honestly and say, “Greg, this is wrong. You’ve wandered away from Jesus. You’re off track. This is serious. I’m concerned.” And you would be saying this because you love me. That is what Paul is doing for the Galatians.
The truth is that, as Christians, we live by the Holy Spirit, by Jesus’ grace, and by the Father’s glory. That is real freedom. It’s worship, not morality or tradition. Worship includes those things, but it goes far beyond that. If someone is a Christian, all their sins have been forgiven. We do still have an internal problem…a seed of rebellion that is in us from Adam that naturally wants to disobey…but if we love Jesus, we are made holy. If I love Jesus, I will obey his commands. The only way to truly be transformed is by God’s love and loving Him back. If I have a sin problem, I have a Jesus problem. I must understand his love for me and I must live in it so much that it transforms me so that I’m more like him. And as I am more like him, the sin problems start to fall away because Jesus and sin do not coexist.
One other thing I’ve learned throughout this study is that worship is what I get to do because God has made me free. Worship is that I’m free and I get to love God. I don’t have to like a duty; I get to like a privilege. This love is not something that I have to do; it’s something that I get to do. Love begins with God. He exists as one God…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…the Trinity. It is a great mystery. What I do know is that the Father, Son, and Spirit love each other and there is perfect intimacy and affection within God. Jesus loves God the Father. The Holy Spirit loves Jesus. The Father loves them both. It is perfect love. And this love was brought to us through Jesus. In addition to that, we get the Spirit within us, and through the Spirit we get God’s love poured out into our hearts. Now I’m able to love. I can love God. I can love others. That love transforms me. God’s love does things. It changes us. And we are hoses through which God’s love is shared. And it’s amazing that we even get to participate in that. Not only do we receive the grace and love of God, but we are channels by which it is to be extended to others. This is the one thing that cannot be faked. We can fake all the other rituals and traditions, but love that is empowered by the Spirit is something only God can do. We can’t fake that. That is the power of God.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Don shared this scripture and his thoughts about it this morning in an email to our Green Team: Galatians 5:16: "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh". . .
Admittedly, I have been struggling since last week with NOT walking in the Spirit in reference to our approaching move in date. I find myself stressing over loose ends. I dont know how they'll get tied. It is even effecting my attitude at work which effects my ability to generate commissions which determines how much money I get to take home which is directly related to my stress of loose ends!...you can see the looping effect here right? But I am trying real hard to let it go, get my eyes off of ME and stay focused on the things related to advancing my Father's Kingdom and walk in the faith that provided the house in the first place.
Admittedly, I have been struggling since last week with NOT walking in the Spirit in reference to our approaching move in date. I find myself stressing over loose ends. I dont know how they'll get tied. It is even effecting my attitude at work which effects my ability to generate commissions which determines how much money I get to take home which is directly related to my stress of loose ends!...you can see the looping effect here right? But I am trying real hard to let it go, get my eyes off of ME and stay focused on the things related to advancing my Father's Kingdom and walk in the faith that provided the house in the first place.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus
Galatians 3:26 states: "For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus".
Paul goes on to talk about this subject in more detail and even states in chapter 4:7 "..but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ".
There has been a number of times in my life I had wished that I was born into a more wealthy family so that I could enjoy the priviledges that the family name and wealth would afford me.
And yet, according to God's word, I have been born into the wealthest family on planet Earth, well actually, the whole Universe. I know that I really don't act like I am part of His family at times (like most of the time). Any yet, when I do stop and meditate on what God has said (and therefore is true) it really causes me to consider how I think and how I behave.
How I think in that I really have nothing to worry about. My family has all the resources I will ever need to live this life. The wealth is boundless and given to me abundantly whenever I ask or need it. My issue lies not my family, but in my perspective and my perspective drives my reality. I need to ask God daily to keep my perspective true to His word and reality.
How I behave in that once I truely have the right perspective as to my new family, I will always strive to do things to make my family proud. I will seek to do the family's business and do it well.
I want my world to notice a difference in me and when they ask what it is, I can say "I am a son in God's family through Christ and you can be too."
Thoughts??
Paul goes on to talk about this subject in more detail and even states in chapter 4:7 "..but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ".
There has been a number of times in my life I had wished that I was born into a more wealthy family so that I could enjoy the priviledges that the family name and wealth would afford me.
And yet, according to God's word, I have been born into the wealthest family on planet Earth, well actually, the whole Universe. I know that I really don't act like I am part of His family at times (like most of the time). Any yet, when I do stop and meditate on what God has said (and therefore is true) it really causes me to consider how I think and how I behave.
How I think in that I really have nothing to worry about. My family has all the resources I will ever need to live this life. The wealth is boundless and given to me abundantly whenever I ask or need it. My issue lies not my family, but in my perspective and my perspective drives my reality. I need to ask God daily to keep my perspective true to His word and reality.
How I behave in that once I truely have the right perspective as to my new family, I will always strive to do things to make my family proud. I will seek to do the family's business and do it well.
I want my world to notice a difference in me and when they ask what it is, I can say "I am a son in God's family through Christ and you can be too."
Thoughts??
Friday, July 9, 2010
My Thoughts On Galatians 3:1-25/Faith and Works
I am not able to post on here at work, so it was suggested to me that I write down my thoughts while I’m at work and then post the thoughts when I get home. I agreed with this suggestion and decided to do that. Also, F.Y.I. (Cindy), I have been writing down these thoughts for the past three days, so please do not think that I wrote all this in one sitting. :-)
Throughout my life I have thought and said, and have heard other people say, things like, “God healed me because I prayed; God answered my prayer because I had faith; God provided for me because I have been reading my Bible every day, etc.” And it’s not that those statements are wrong, but does God do these things because I am obeying His laws or does God do these things because He loves me and only by the Holy Spirit will I be able to obey His laws? Does my obedience bring God’s blessing or does God’s kindness bring obedience? The answer is found in John 14:15, where Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” A loving relationship with God will produce the obedience, not the other way around. The Galatians had it backwards and I have had it backwards many times in my life as well.
I definitely have struggled with trying to do life on my own. In fact, I would say the majority of my Christian life has been mostly going through the motions and trying to do it under my own strength. But the Christian life begins with the Holy Spirit. It is made powerful by the Holy Spirit. It ends with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is about God’s power through me to His glory, and that is where I will receive my joy. I know that my tendency is to take matters back into my own hands and try to control them, but that is crazy of me to do that. All I need to do is continue to trust the Holy Spirit. Every good thing that’s happened in my life, all the things I’ve learned, all the sins that I’ve overcome, all the things that I’ve been forgiven of, all the kindness I’ve experienced isn’t from anything I’ve done. It’s been the Holy Spirit.
So, why does God do wonderful things? Why does He heal people, answer prayer, save people, give people loving spouses, give people children who are a joy, give people jobs, give people health? Why does He show up in wonderful, mysterious, miraculous, and supernatural ways? It’s because we have a great God. It’s not “God bless me because I’m good.” He is good, and I can’t take credit for anything. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. It’s His kindness that changes us. Yet my flesh has the propensity to get arrogant and prideful, and have the Holy Spirit be my co-pilot instead of the pilot.
I love the book of Galatians. It’s just the simple Gospel each time I read it. Who’s Jesus? What has he done? Do I trust him?
I really need to be more like Abraham. He was saved by his faith not his works, nationality, etc. It’s not that works or nationality are bad, but those extra issues are not what it’s about. It’s about faith in the promises of God. So, I should be like Abraham and trust the promises of God (see Hebrews 11). In the past, I’ve always gotten so caught up in the rules, checklists, and moral laws. And again, it’s not that those things are bad or anything is wrong with them. I should take pleasure in the laws of God (Psalm 119). His laws are perfect. The problem, though, is that none of us are perfect, so we don’t always obey the laws. So then what ends up happening is I try to modify the law and change it. God is perfect, though, and to be acceptable in His sight I need to stand before Him as a perfect person. This means perfection in all my actions, motives, thoughts, and intentions...in everything I do and fail to do...continually, in every moment of every day. And I can’t compare myself to another person as the standard and think, “Well, I’m better than that guy.” That’s not the standard. The standard is God.
The more I study God’s Word, the more I know that there is something deeply flawed within me. I see what good really is and I'm unable to do it. I see what bad is and don’t want to do it, but I still do. Thankfully, something was done to take care of this flaw. All I need is God. God came to us as Jesus. Paul points out the flaws in thinking about the law and trying to be legalistic, and talks about the inability of just knowing what is good and trying to do “good” as being enough for holiness. Then he tells us about Jesus and how desperately we need him. The way Paul writes this is so refreshing. “Christ redeemed us.” I love that.
My prayer is that I continue to live in the finished work of Christ. There is nothing else I can or need to do. It’s just Jesus. Trusting in him. There’s nothing left to be done other than trusting Jesus, which is a gift of God in and of itself. It’s not about me. I’m not lovely, I’m loved. I’m not forgivable, I’m forgiven. I’m not righteous, but I’m given the righteousness of Christ. I’m sinful, Jesus is perfect. I deserve to die, but I won’t because Jesus did. I deserve to be forsaken, but I won’t be because Jesus was. I was an enemy of God, but Jesus has made me a friend. It’s not about me, it’s only about Jesus. I entered into my relationship with God by confessing and repenting of my sins, asking for His forgiveness, and thanking Him for taking them on himself on the cross and dying for them, and he forgave me. I need to trust him and not myself. This is how a relationship is maintained with God.
Thank you Jesus for forgiving me and cleansing me. It’s not about what I will do; it’s about what Jesus has done. It is hard to comprehend and understand most of this. It is overwhelming, but I believe.
Throughout my life I have thought and said, and have heard other people say, things like, “God healed me because I prayed; God answered my prayer because I had faith; God provided for me because I have been reading my Bible every day, etc.” And it’s not that those statements are wrong, but does God do these things because I am obeying His laws or does God do these things because He loves me and only by the Holy Spirit will I be able to obey His laws? Does my obedience bring God’s blessing or does God’s kindness bring obedience? The answer is found in John 14:15, where Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” A loving relationship with God will produce the obedience, not the other way around. The Galatians had it backwards and I have had it backwards many times in my life as well.
I definitely have struggled with trying to do life on my own. In fact, I would say the majority of my Christian life has been mostly going through the motions and trying to do it under my own strength. But the Christian life begins with the Holy Spirit. It is made powerful by the Holy Spirit. It ends with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is about God’s power through me to His glory, and that is where I will receive my joy. I know that my tendency is to take matters back into my own hands and try to control them, but that is crazy of me to do that. All I need to do is continue to trust the Holy Spirit. Every good thing that’s happened in my life, all the things I’ve learned, all the sins that I’ve overcome, all the things that I’ve been forgiven of, all the kindness I’ve experienced isn’t from anything I’ve done. It’s been the Holy Spirit.
So, why does God do wonderful things? Why does He heal people, answer prayer, save people, give people loving spouses, give people children who are a joy, give people jobs, give people health? Why does He show up in wonderful, mysterious, miraculous, and supernatural ways? It’s because we have a great God. It’s not “God bless me because I’m good.” He is good, and I can’t take credit for anything. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. It’s His kindness that changes us. Yet my flesh has the propensity to get arrogant and prideful, and have the Holy Spirit be my co-pilot instead of the pilot.
I love the book of Galatians. It’s just the simple Gospel each time I read it. Who’s Jesus? What has he done? Do I trust him?
I really need to be more like Abraham. He was saved by his faith not his works, nationality, etc. It’s not that works or nationality are bad, but those extra issues are not what it’s about. It’s about faith in the promises of God. So, I should be like Abraham and trust the promises of God (see Hebrews 11). In the past, I’ve always gotten so caught up in the rules, checklists, and moral laws. And again, it’s not that those things are bad or anything is wrong with them. I should take pleasure in the laws of God (Psalm 119). His laws are perfect. The problem, though, is that none of us are perfect, so we don’t always obey the laws. So then what ends up happening is I try to modify the law and change it. God is perfect, though, and to be acceptable in His sight I need to stand before Him as a perfect person. This means perfection in all my actions, motives, thoughts, and intentions...in everything I do and fail to do...continually, in every moment of every day. And I can’t compare myself to another person as the standard and think, “Well, I’m better than that guy.” That’s not the standard. The standard is God.
The more I study God’s Word, the more I know that there is something deeply flawed within me. I see what good really is and I'm unable to do it. I see what bad is and don’t want to do it, but I still do. Thankfully, something was done to take care of this flaw. All I need is God. God came to us as Jesus. Paul points out the flaws in thinking about the law and trying to be legalistic, and talks about the inability of just knowing what is good and trying to do “good” as being enough for holiness. Then he tells us about Jesus and how desperately we need him. The way Paul writes this is so refreshing. “Christ redeemed us.” I love that.
My prayer is that I continue to live in the finished work of Christ. There is nothing else I can or need to do. It’s just Jesus. Trusting in him. There’s nothing left to be done other than trusting Jesus, which is a gift of God in and of itself. It’s not about me. I’m not lovely, I’m loved. I’m not forgivable, I’m forgiven. I’m not righteous, but I’m given the righteousness of Christ. I’m sinful, Jesus is perfect. I deserve to die, but I won’t because Jesus did. I deserve to be forsaken, but I won’t be because Jesus was. I was an enemy of God, but Jesus has made me a friend. It’s not about me, it’s only about Jesus. I entered into my relationship with God by confessing and repenting of my sins, asking for His forgiveness, and thanking Him for taking them on himself on the cross and dying for them, and he forgave me. I need to trust him and not myself. This is how a relationship is maintained with God.
Thank you Jesus for forgiving me and cleansing me. It’s not about what I will do; it’s about what Jesus has done. It is hard to comprehend and understand most of this. It is overwhelming, but I believe.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Holy Spirit
This whole sermon is great, but specifically go to 54:25 and watch from there. Goes along with what we discussed yesterday.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke/john-the-baptizer-part-2
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/luke/john-the-baptizer-part-2
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Read Gal. 2:11-21 and give your thoughts on these questions.
Two new questions:
1) If Paul hadn't spoken out against Peter's inconsistent behavior, what might have happened?
2) What would you tell a friend who inquired, "If salvation is a free gift, and it is based on what Christ has already done for me, why does it matter how I live?
Two new questions:
1) If Paul hadn't spoken out against Peter's inconsistent behavior, what might have happened?
2) What would you tell a friend who inquired, "If salvation is a free gift, and it is based on what Christ has already done for me, why does it matter how I live?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Finding Time for Reflection in the Midst of Our Busy Lives
As I thought more about the question Joe Bob asked on Sunday about finding the time for reflection given the busy lives we all have, I have to admit, it has really struck a cord with my spirit.
First off, I really have to admit, that I don't give this a top priority in my daily routine. As much as I know I should, it is not there.
Secondly, it really does need to be there. I did start this morning off with some scripture reading and about 3 minutes of prayer. However, I really need this to be an intregal part of my daily routine and habit. I really need to be intentional about this.
Has anyone any thoughts or experience on how best to do this? What has worked for you?
First off, I really have to admit, that I don't give this a top priority in my daily routine. As much as I know I should, it is not there.
Secondly, it really does need to be there. I did start this morning off with some scripture reading and about 3 minutes of prayer. However, I really need this to be an intregal part of my daily routine and habit. I really need to be intentional about this.
Has anyone any thoughts or experience on how best to do this? What has worked for you?
Faith Alone
Gal. 3:6-96The Scriptures say the same thing about Abraham: "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God". 7So you should know that the true children of Abraham are those who have faith. 8The Scriptures, telling what would happen in the future, said that God would make the non-Jewish people right through their faith. This Good News was told to Abraham beforehand, as the Scripture says" "All nations will be blessed through you." 9 So all who believe as Abraham believed are blessed just as Abraham was.
The Image here paints a vivid....picture... in the mind does it not? Looking at it invokes my imagination to role play the scene with my only son and myself as the characters and it begs the question: Would I do it? Would I even put my son on the altar and consider it, much less raise my arm with dagger in hand? How strong is my faith? My mental responce is usually "I don't think so Tim."
Question:
How can a Christian tell when he or she has stopped living by faith and started relying on "the flesh"
Saturday, June 26, 2010
How To Focus On God When Times Are Tough
I really enjoyed all 44 minutes of this video, but specifically I wanted to share with you all what really stuck out to me and applied to me the most. Please go to the 30 minute point in the video and watch until about 35 minutes. I think you'll have to copy the link and paste it in your address bar.
http://theresurgence.com/rc-sproul-full-interview
I really liked when he talked about praying and how it helps him quit worrying about his personal problems and helps him focus on God and what He gives us.
http://theresurgence.com/rc-sproul-full-interview
I really liked when he talked about praying and how it helps him quit worrying about his personal problems and helps him focus on God and what He gives us.
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