As my act of obedience I have decided to restart this blog. I desperately need the accountability! I want to make sure that not only am I reading my Bible everyday, but that I'm learning from it and that it is slowly changing my life. I do not want to look back on my life a year from now and see the same person that I see today.
Sometimes I feel so stale as if nothing has ever changed. I see the sin in my life and I know that I have carried it with my forever, but every once in a while when I really glance back into my past I see tremendous amounts of change. Praise the Lord. There was a time when I starting to serve the Lord (again) that I was frustrated because of the shortness of time. "I can't believe its only been two years!!!" It seemed so insignificant in comparison to my whole life that had been such a rollercoaster of a relationship with my God. Although my times of living in my faith greatly outweighed the time I spent in utter rebellion, those times were always present in my mind - huge failures destroying the life that God had prepared for me.
It has now been 5 years since I have been on a continual upward journey. In 2005 I got married and I consider that to be the starting point of my obedience. Not that I don't repeatedly fail, but I have not stepped back into the utter rebellion that my flesh has always called me to in the past. Together my husband and I have faced the challenges of walking with the Lord and year by year we have moved forward, never looking back. Praise God for His grace and His mercy. Praise Him for giving us everything we need to live a life of godliness! One thing I know for sure, is that I will forever carry the capability to return to a life characterized by sin, but by the grace of God I do not HAVE to. He has given me a choice to follow Him, so I will be obedient to that call. I have learned that being at peace with God is worth anything He asks of me and anywhere He leads me!
I've felt distant from Jesus for a short while now - I feel the conviction to spend more time with Him, but when it comes down to that time, I make other choices. I've decided to start reading again through Matthew. What better way to connect myself to my Lord than to study the course of His life here on earth, to see how he faced the issues I face and understand His love for people? I pray that it will rub on me - sooner than later.
One of the themes running through the first 3 chapters of Matthew is obedience. I don't think I've ever really noticed before because I was distracted by the Christmas story itself. Jesus, in the ultimate act of obedience chose to give up His home, separate Himself from His Father, and reduce Himself to the confines of a human life - out of obedience to God. Mary, chose to give up a normal life and a good reputation to give birth to the Son of God. Joseph gave up his good standing in the community along with his reputation to marry a woman who was having a child that was not his own. The magi from the east defied a King in order to save this baby's life, ultimately putting themselves in jeopardy. Obedience to God comes at a great cost - but it is always worth it. In Matthew 3, Jesus has grown into a man and sets out to be baptized by his cousin, John. They have a discussion over who should baptize who, and again, Jesus is obedient to His Father, allows a mere sinful man to baptize Him, the Son of God so that He can be the example to us. Jesus wasn't the only one who came out - hundreds of people came to see John baptizing people. Among them, were a group of Pharisees. John it almost seems goes out of his way to insult them by referring to them as a brood of vipers! His intent however, was to warn them of living a life of disobedience. He told them to go and live a life characterized by repentance - in other words, obedience.
Its funny, I think about obedience for two days and the morning of the third I am tested in this very area. I guess that's where the growing comes in. Lord help me to be obedient - at home, at work, at church, to my husband and ultimately to You in ALL things!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Benefits
Romans 6:21 asks the questions, "what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?"
First, are there things that you look back on in your life and feel shame as a result? No matter what your background is, or how BIG or little your sins were, if Jesus has saved you, then I am sure that there are things in your past that are shameful - whether other people know about them or not. For me - its an awful lot!
I can remember feeling really excited once I realized how shameful my past was to me because it showed me how much I had already changed. I am hoping to look at my life one year from now and see things that I am ashamed of - the idea is that Jesus is constantly weeding out the sin in our lives - bringing it to the surface and removing it altogether. Sanctification - the process of being made holy.
All of chapter 6 in Romans is Paul making both sides of the carnal argument whether it is better to sin or not. 'are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?' Of course the answer is no - but Paul continues with this argument and after laying it out, he ends it with the verse above - "Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death."
The 'therefore' referring to the argument he has made all chapter - and the answer to his own question - no wonder these things bring shame - in the end they only lead you to death.
In a recent Bible study, we were challenged to think of the benefits we used to reap from what we would do that now we regard with such shame - Mine is still a struggle - but the Lord has brought me very far. I think the heart of it was I had the desire to be admired by people - Fitting in, is a part of that, but really its a desire to stand out and be spoken well of. I received a lot of attention for certain things that I was able to do well (attention that as I look back, I see was much undeserved). Usually the sin fell to my mouth - what could I say to separate myself from the people who were like me - what was funny - what made me 'one of the guys'. My mouth still gets me into trouble, but not nearly as much, and certainly not in the same ways.
The underlying struggle is still here in my heart as well, but the people I associate with are different, so their expectations are different, resulting in my actions being different. I have surrounded myself with people within the church. This, of course has caused huge failure in my life as well, and step by step God is weeding it out of my heart - teaching me to only look to Him for approval. Every single thing I do, I know people who do it better - and that is a great place for me to be in - even when I'm complemented I know that I am not on top of anything - and that is a good place for me to be. God has been so good and so gracious to me - He has set me up in a spot where I can grow, where I can give glory to Him, and where I can look to Him and Him alone for fulfillment.
Romans 6:22 says, "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life." Praise the Lord! He carries us step by step, showing us our sin, and slowly working it out of us - sanctifying us - making us holy.
The choice is ours - He does not force it on us - we are to present God our lives, consider ourselves dead to sin. He tells us not to let sin reign in our bodies - all of these phrases and words portray actions that we are to do - which means we have the power to do - we are not hopelessly lost to these bodies of sin that have brought so much pain throughout our lives - God has set us free. He is sanctifying us - making us holy - fit for eternal life with Him!
First, are there things that you look back on in your life and feel shame as a result? No matter what your background is, or how BIG or little your sins were, if Jesus has saved you, then I am sure that there are things in your past that are shameful - whether other people know about them or not. For me - its an awful lot!
I can remember feeling really excited once I realized how shameful my past was to me because it showed me how much I had already changed. I am hoping to look at my life one year from now and see things that I am ashamed of - the idea is that Jesus is constantly weeding out the sin in our lives - bringing it to the surface and removing it altogether. Sanctification - the process of being made holy.
All of chapter 6 in Romans is Paul making both sides of the carnal argument whether it is better to sin or not. 'are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?' Of course the answer is no - but Paul continues with this argument and after laying it out, he ends it with the verse above - "Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death."
The 'therefore' referring to the argument he has made all chapter - and the answer to his own question - no wonder these things bring shame - in the end they only lead you to death.
In a recent Bible study, we were challenged to think of the benefits we used to reap from what we would do that now we regard with such shame - Mine is still a struggle - but the Lord has brought me very far. I think the heart of it was I had the desire to be admired by people - Fitting in, is a part of that, but really its a desire to stand out and be spoken well of. I received a lot of attention for certain things that I was able to do well (attention that as I look back, I see was much undeserved). Usually the sin fell to my mouth - what could I say to separate myself from the people who were like me - what was funny - what made me 'one of the guys'. My mouth still gets me into trouble, but not nearly as much, and certainly not in the same ways.
The underlying struggle is still here in my heart as well, but the people I associate with are different, so their expectations are different, resulting in my actions being different. I have surrounded myself with people within the church. This, of course has caused huge failure in my life as well, and step by step God is weeding it out of my heart - teaching me to only look to Him for approval. Every single thing I do, I know people who do it better - and that is a great place for me to be in - even when I'm complemented I know that I am not on top of anything - and that is a good place for me to be. God has been so good and so gracious to me - He has set me up in a spot where I can grow, where I can give glory to Him, and where I can look to Him and Him alone for fulfillment.
Romans 6:22 says, "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life." Praise the Lord! He carries us step by step, showing us our sin, and slowly working it out of us - sanctifying us - making us holy.
The choice is ours - He does not force it on us - we are to present God our lives, consider ourselves dead to sin. He tells us not to let sin reign in our bodies - all of these phrases and words portray actions that we are to do - which means we have the power to do - we are not hopelessly lost to these bodies of sin that have brought so much pain throughout our lives - God has set us free. He is sanctifying us - making us holy - fit for eternal life with Him!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
At Peace With God
Romans 4 ends with us being credited righteousness based on our faith (not works) in Jesus Christ. Romans 5 picks up right from there - "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Observation #1 - We have PEACE with God! In spite of everything we've done, and everything we will do in the future, we have PEACE with God! It doesn't mean, of course, that I don't need to continually come to the Lord and repent and be cleaned up. And it doesn't mean that I've arrived or that I'm fine the way I am. It just means that in this moment, I am not condemned by my sins - past, present, or future. I am at peace with God which frees me up to follow after Him with all of my heart, mind, and life and that I do not have to walk on eggshells, wondering if I'm still saved, or if He's mad at me. We are at peace - perfect - lasting - unexplainable peace.
Observation #2 - We have stepped into His grace (state of God's favor). We stand firm in this grace and are now able to experience and enjoy the glory of God. Which means, that before we had placed our faith in Jesus, we were not and would not ever be able to truly experience or enjoy the glory of God (because of sin - but now we are at peace with God). This is another step in forming a relationship with God - learning to enjoy Him - not just fear, reverence and sit in awe of Him (although these are good and important also).
Observation #3 - Being at peace with God and standing in His grace draws us forward into life with Him where we learn to exult and triumph in our tribulations (troubles and sufferings) BECAUSE we know that tribulation brings about perseverance which brings character which brings hope - and that hope will not disappoint us because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.
God has made us at peace with Him and brought us into His grace. Now, through His grace we walk through times of suffering, filled with difficulties that will bring about perseverance, which leads to character and ultimately ends with filling us with hope that will never disappoint because of the love of God that is poured into our hearts. I could never do this justice by trying to explain what I think, but I'll try anyways - its almost written as though grace is the gateway to tribulations and sufferings. At least its the natural progression and yet we look at it like its the most unnatural thing in the world. As soon as life gets hard, we question what we've done wrong - instead of what we're doing right. We look at it as punishment instead of looking to see what God is refining in us. We're not perfect to start out - that's why He saved us in the first place. Now, He is making us His very own - and our very best. I don't want to fight against what He is trying to do in me. I want to persevere. I want proven character. I want to be filled with hope no matter what the circumstance and I want to have the love of God poured out in my life so that it overflows onto every person that I come in contact with. Praise the Lord because this is the exact path that He has each of us on. We are not brought into right standing with God to go about our lives and know we have a safety net in place. We are brought into right standing with God so that we can approach Him boldly, so that we can know Him on a deep and intimate level and so that we can be changed to be the very best that we could ever possibly be and so much better than we could ever possibly imagine!
Observation #1 - We have PEACE with God! In spite of everything we've done, and everything we will do in the future, we have PEACE with God! It doesn't mean, of course, that I don't need to continually come to the Lord and repent and be cleaned up. And it doesn't mean that I've arrived or that I'm fine the way I am. It just means that in this moment, I am not condemned by my sins - past, present, or future. I am at peace with God which frees me up to follow after Him with all of my heart, mind, and life and that I do not have to walk on eggshells, wondering if I'm still saved, or if He's mad at me. We are at peace - perfect - lasting - unexplainable peace.
Observation #2 - We have stepped into His grace (state of God's favor). We stand firm in this grace and are now able to experience and enjoy the glory of God. Which means, that before we had placed our faith in Jesus, we were not and would not ever be able to truly experience or enjoy the glory of God (because of sin - but now we are at peace with God). This is another step in forming a relationship with God - learning to enjoy Him - not just fear, reverence and sit in awe of Him (although these are good and important also).
Observation #3 - Being at peace with God and standing in His grace draws us forward into life with Him where we learn to exult and triumph in our tribulations (troubles and sufferings) BECAUSE we know that tribulation brings about perseverance which brings character which brings hope - and that hope will not disappoint us because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.
God has made us at peace with Him and brought us into His grace. Now, through His grace we walk through times of suffering, filled with difficulties that will bring about perseverance, which leads to character and ultimately ends with filling us with hope that will never disappoint because of the love of God that is poured into our hearts. I could never do this justice by trying to explain what I think, but I'll try anyways - its almost written as though grace is the gateway to tribulations and sufferings. At least its the natural progression and yet we look at it like its the most unnatural thing in the world. As soon as life gets hard, we question what we've done wrong - instead of what we're doing right. We look at it as punishment instead of looking to see what God is refining in us. We're not perfect to start out - that's why He saved us in the first place. Now, He is making us His very own - and our very best. I don't want to fight against what He is trying to do in me. I want to persevere. I want proven character. I want to be filled with hope no matter what the circumstance and I want to have the love of God poured out in my life so that it overflows onto every person that I come in contact with. Praise the Lord because this is the exact path that He has each of us on. We are not brought into right standing with God to go about our lives and know we have a safety net in place. We are brought into right standing with God so that we can approach Him boldly, so that we can know Him on a deep and intimate level and so that we can be changed to be the very best that we could ever possibly be and so much better than we could ever possibly imagine!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
complain complain complain.....
I heard a message recently on complaining - Numbers 11. A lot of the points were really good, but I had a couple of thoughts to add.
The message in a nutshell was this: Complaining displeases God. Not only does it displease God, but it spreads (quickly) from person to person and infects you like a disease. Its true. In this story in particular, a couple of people complained, it spread to the rest of the camp so that everyone complained, and ended with even the leadership turning to God and complaining. God's anger was kindled against the complaining in the camp - but not against Moses' complaining. I found that interesting. As I thought about the difference between the people's complaining, and Moses' complaining, what I saw was that Moses took his complaints straight to God. He didn't mull it over with the people around him, he didn't go and vent, or ask for prayer. He just took his complaint straight to God. It doesn't mean that it was good for him to complain - ultimately it should be our goal to trust the Lord so much in any situation that nothing will move us to ever complain because we know that God is in control - however, we are human and shouldn't be ridiculous to think that that is some easy task that we can just pick up and follow through on. The point is that Moses had the type of relationship with God where he could pour out anything to the Lord (this is, by the way, the same type of relationship that we should put into practice). Dump it out on God - He can take it. Not only can He take it, but only He can remove it. When we complain to others we infect them with our sin - we literally pass it along. When we complain to God, He is able to show us the true state of ourselves, siphon it out, and replace the void with His Holy Spirit, giving us the power to move forward in Him.
My prayer for myself is that I will form better habits to 'make everything a prayer request.' There is no reason to hide any part of yourself from God. Bring it all to Him - Let him weed out the crap - and restore the broken parts - ultimately to bring you that much closer to Him. Praise God!!! For He is indeed so good!!!
The message in a nutshell was this: Complaining displeases God. Not only does it displease God, but it spreads (quickly) from person to person and infects you like a disease. Its true. In this story in particular, a couple of people complained, it spread to the rest of the camp so that everyone complained, and ended with even the leadership turning to God and complaining. God's anger was kindled against the complaining in the camp - but not against Moses' complaining. I found that interesting. As I thought about the difference between the people's complaining, and Moses' complaining, what I saw was that Moses took his complaints straight to God. He didn't mull it over with the people around him, he didn't go and vent, or ask for prayer. He just took his complaint straight to God. It doesn't mean that it was good for him to complain - ultimately it should be our goal to trust the Lord so much in any situation that nothing will move us to ever complain because we know that God is in control - however, we are human and shouldn't be ridiculous to think that that is some easy task that we can just pick up and follow through on. The point is that Moses had the type of relationship with God where he could pour out anything to the Lord (this is, by the way, the same type of relationship that we should put into practice). Dump it out on God - He can take it. Not only can He take it, but only He can remove it. When we complain to others we infect them with our sin - we literally pass it along. When we complain to God, He is able to show us the true state of ourselves, siphon it out, and replace the void with His Holy Spirit, giving us the power to move forward in Him.
My prayer for myself is that I will form better habits to 'make everything a prayer request.' There is no reason to hide any part of yourself from God. Bring it all to Him - Let him weed out the crap - and restore the broken parts - ultimately to bring you that much closer to Him. Praise God!!! For He is indeed so good!!!
Romans 4 - Faith
Romans 4 focuses on the difference between the ideas of being justified by works and justified by faith. Paul gives a pretty simple explanation to begin with - "Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." Just to make sure you understand..... When you go to work, you are a paid a certain amount of money. Your employer owes it to you once you have completed the work. Paul is saying that it is the same with our salvation - we have not (can not) work so that our salvation is owed to us - we must believe, because God is giving it to us as a gift (this is why we cannot be prideful - we haven't done anything for it).
Citing the example of Abraham, Paul points out that righteousness was extended to Abraham through faith before he had any 'works' to claim. The specific example used is circumcision. Abraham was credited righteousness before he was circumcised - not after or as a result of his circumcision. Quick side-note here.... every translation that I have states that righteousness was credited to Abraham. It makes me think of a credit card and how it works - A company extends you credit - they essentially give you money to spend and because they have given this money to you, you now work to pay it back. So, the idea is that God has given us His righteousness - ultimately we owe Him our lives (not that He is expecting repayment because He isn't). The point is that our 'works' should be motivated because of the righteousness He has given us - not to receive righteousness from Him. So often I get it backwards. I work because I should - because its expected, not because God loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. The change in perspective opens me up to be merciful and gracious toward everyone I come across.
Moving on....
Here is what really got my attention in this chapter. Still using the example of Abraham, Paul says, "In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken. "So shall your descendants be." Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. YET with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith giving glory to God and being fully assured that what God had promised He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness." The way I would have read the story in Genesis would be to say that Abraham didn't trust God to fulfill His promise, but this clearly states that isn't true. What I think is beautiful is that we have the ability to question God - so say, "I do not have any idea at all how You are going to pull this out" and that that does not negate your faith. We don't need to understand. We just need to believe that God is able to do what He has promised - And He Always Is!!!! This is what makes my relationship with God so real and tangible - I don't need to put on act and come to Him on my best behavior, flattering Him with foolish words. I need to come exactly as I am - angry, thankful, in awe, frustrated, hurt, excited, etc. etc. etc. Talk it out - give it to Him - if I feel ungrateful, give that up too. He is the only one that can draw these thoughts and feelings out and replace them with the filling of His Holy Spirit.
So that's it - Trust God - Believe in Him - not to obtain righteousness, but because He has already given it to You - And know, always know that He is able to perform what He has promised!!!!
Citing the example of Abraham, Paul points out that righteousness was extended to Abraham through faith before he had any 'works' to claim. The specific example used is circumcision. Abraham was credited righteousness before he was circumcised - not after or as a result of his circumcision. Quick side-note here.... every translation that I have states that righteousness was credited to Abraham. It makes me think of a credit card and how it works - A company extends you credit - they essentially give you money to spend and because they have given this money to you, you now work to pay it back. So, the idea is that God has given us His righteousness - ultimately we owe Him our lives (not that He is expecting repayment because He isn't). The point is that our 'works' should be motivated because of the righteousness He has given us - not to receive righteousness from Him. So often I get it backwards. I work because I should - because its expected, not because God loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. The change in perspective opens me up to be merciful and gracious toward everyone I come across.
Moving on....
Here is what really got my attention in this chapter. Still using the example of Abraham, Paul says, "In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken. "So shall your descendants be." Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. YET with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith giving glory to God and being fully assured that what God had promised He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness." The way I would have read the story in Genesis would be to say that Abraham didn't trust God to fulfill His promise, but this clearly states that isn't true. What I think is beautiful is that we have the ability to question God - so say, "I do not have any idea at all how You are going to pull this out" and that that does not negate your faith. We don't need to understand. We just need to believe that God is able to do what He has promised - And He Always Is!!!! This is what makes my relationship with God so real and tangible - I don't need to put on act and come to Him on my best behavior, flattering Him with foolish words. I need to come exactly as I am - angry, thankful, in awe, frustrated, hurt, excited, etc. etc. etc. Talk it out - give it to Him - if I feel ungrateful, give that up too. He is the only one that can draw these thoughts and feelings out and replace them with the filling of His Holy Spirit.
So that's it - Trust God - Believe in Him - not to obtain righteousness, but because He has already given it to You - And know, always know that He is able to perform what He has promised!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Righteouness vs. Unrighteousness
Paul, in Romans 1:16 - 19 says,
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them."
There are two groups of people described here - the RIGHTEOUS, who live by faith and the UNRIGHTEOUS, who suppress the truth of God. Ultimately, Paul is referring to the difference between believers and those who have rejected the gospel, but really it can be broken down in our own lives as Christians. How much of my life is lived by faith and how much of my life is lived by suppressing the truth that God has made available to me?
Once you give your life to Jesus, you are made a new person - born again - but the old sinful man still resides inside you. Now there is a battle - until you die and the sinful man is finally stripped from you once and for all (praise the Lord; I cannot wait to be done with this body of sin). So, the new man lives by faith - as we follow the "righteousness of God that is revealed from faith to faith." The amplified Bible says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith..." That's where we want to live - in the midst of faith. Our 'righteousness' began with faith when we accepted Jesus' sacrifice for our sin and as we walk in that righteousness (through faith) we are lead into a life that brings more faith (as we draw near to God and He reveals Himself to us one step at a time).
The opposite of walking in this faith is to suppress the truth that God has revealed to us and pushing forward in our flesh. Romans 1 goes on to describe what happens to the person that suppresses the truth of God. Verse 23 says, "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." The result is that God gave the people over to a depraved mind, "to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful, and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
In the context of Romans 1, these verses are (I believe) distinguishing between people who accept the truth of God that He has revealed to them and give their lives to Him and people who have rejected the truth of God that He has made available to them and turned their backs on him. However, I also believe that there are lessons here for the Christian - for me anyway - Am I seeking out truth from God or am I looking to suppress His truth and create my own? The result is either living from faith to faith, continually growing and drawing closer to God as you begin to know Him better, or going the other way and bringing carnal behaviors into your life (and often the church) like strife, gossip, deceit, malice, arrogance and being unmerciful.
The encouragement is then to seek out the truth of God - even when its hard, even when its uncomfortable. The price you pay for suppressing the truth of God is never worth it.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them."
There are two groups of people described here - the RIGHTEOUS, who live by faith and the UNRIGHTEOUS, who suppress the truth of God. Ultimately, Paul is referring to the difference between believers and those who have rejected the gospel, but really it can be broken down in our own lives as Christians. How much of my life is lived by faith and how much of my life is lived by suppressing the truth that God has made available to me?
Once you give your life to Jesus, you are made a new person - born again - but the old sinful man still resides inside you. Now there is a battle - until you die and the sinful man is finally stripped from you once and for all (praise the Lord; I cannot wait to be done with this body of sin). So, the new man lives by faith - as we follow the "righteousness of God that is revealed from faith to faith." The amplified Bible says, "For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith..." That's where we want to live - in the midst of faith. Our 'righteousness' began with faith when we accepted Jesus' sacrifice for our sin and as we walk in that righteousness (through faith) we are lead into a life that brings more faith (as we draw near to God and He reveals Himself to us one step at a time).
The opposite of walking in this faith is to suppress the truth that God has revealed to us and pushing forward in our flesh. Romans 1 goes on to describe what happens to the person that suppresses the truth of God. Verse 23 says, "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." The result is that God gave the people over to a depraved mind, "to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful, and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
In the context of Romans 1, these verses are (I believe) distinguishing between people who accept the truth of God that He has revealed to them and give their lives to Him and people who have rejected the truth of God that He has made available to them and turned their backs on him. However, I also believe that there are lessons here for the Christian - for me anyway - Am I seeking out truth from God or am I looking to suppress His truth and create my own? The result is either living from faith to faith, continually growing and drawing closer to God as you begin to know Him better, or going the other way and bringing carnal behaviors into your life (and often the church) like strife, gossip, deceit, malice, arrogance and being unmerciful.
The encouragement is then to seek out the truth of God - even when its hard, even when its uncomfortable. The price you pay for suppressing the truth of God is never worth it.
Monday, January 12, 2009
As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another
Romans 1:11-12
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine."
Here, Paul shares his heart with the believers in Rome - He longs to see them, and this is why - to impart some spiritual gift to them so that they can stand firm in their faith and be well established. He clarifies what he really means by saying that I may be encouraged together with you, each by the other's faith. That is how our faith should operate - to encourage each other. How encouraging are you to be around? What is your conversation when surrounded by other believers? Do you talk about what God has done? What He is doing? How He is teaching you? Or is your conversation no different from that in the world?
I recently spent a couple of hours talking to a friend of mine and upon leaving her home, all I could think about was how much more I wanted to know Jesus. What an impact to have on people!! This is the effect that I would like to have on people. I want my relationship with Jesus to be so full that it overflows into the lives of everyone I come in contact with, so that when they walk away from me their desire has grown to know Him more.
At the end of 2009 my hope is to look back over the year and see that I have become a completely different person - can you imagine the changes if you run towards the Lord with ALL your heart, with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength for an entire year? Its like training vigorously for anything athletic - a year of solid training would make such vast improvements that you wouldn't even recognize yourself! That is what I long for spiritually. One of the first steps then, is to re-examine my faith, and observe how it functions. What do I use it for? Do I use it to comfort other people? To encourage and be encouraged in turn? Do I do what I can to cause it to grow? Exercise it?
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I have had friends that sharpen me and friends that cause me to be dull and I know that I have had friends that I sharpen and friends that I have caused to become dull - Lord forgive me.
So from this point, right now, I pray Jesus, that You would cause me to be a sharpening tool. Make me mindful of every word before spoken and every thought before action taken. Make me a tool that sharpens the people around me and help me to have the wisdom to surround myself with people that will sharpen me.
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine."
Here, Paul shares his heart with the believers in Rome - He longs to see them, and this is why - to impart some spiritual gift to them so that they can stand firm in their faith and be well established. He clarifies what he really means by saying that I may be encouraged together with you, each by the other's faith. That is how our faith should operate - to encourage each other. How encouraging are you to be around? What is your conversation when surrounded by other believers? Do you talk about what God has done? What He is doing? How He is teaching you? Or is your conversation no different from that in the world?
I recently spent a couple of hours talking to a friend of mine and upon leaving her home, all I could think about was how much more I wanted to know Jesus. What an impact to have on people!! This is the effect that I would like to have on people. I want my relationship with Jesus to be so full that it overflows into the lives of everyone I come in contact with, so that when they walk away from me their desire has grown to know Him more.
At the end of 2009 my hope is to look back over the year and see that I have become a completely different person - can you imagine the changes if you run towards the Lord with ALL your heart, with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength for an entire year? Its like training vigorously for anything athletic - a year of solid training would make such vast improvements that you wouldn't even recognize yourself! That is what I long for spiritually. One of the first steps then, is to re-examine my faith, and observe how it functions. What do I use it for? Do I use it to comfort other people? To encourage and be encouraged in turn? Do I do what I can to cause it to grow? Exercise it?
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I have had friends that sharpen me and friends that cause me to be dull and I know that I have had friends that I sharpen and friends that I have caused to become dull - Lord forgive me.
So from this point, right now, I pray Jesus, that You would cause me to be a sharpening tool. Make me mindful of every word before spoken and every thought before action taken. Make me a tool that sharpens the people around me and help me to have the wisdom to surround myself with people that will sharpen me.
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