Romans 1:6-7 "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus Christ does not ask us if we would like to be saints. He calls us to be saints, and waits patiently for us to answer that call. It is an invitation, a divine selection that we must not ignore.
Contrary to popular thought, being a saint does not mean perfection. Rather the word means: "sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated), holy." This is what Jesus Christ calls us to. However, we know quite plainly that this calling is unattainable in and of ourselves. And that's the whole point.
Being a saint is a work Jesus Christ accomplishes in me through sanctification after salvation. Everyday, I surrender a little more. Everyday, He chips off a little more of the "old me". It is a process where we grow in grace, becoming more and more like Him by His grace.
How is the process of sanctification going in my life? Do I view myself as a saint today?
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Servant, Called and Separated
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"
A servant, called and separated. Each Christian's call may look a little different in substance, however in form I believe they are all very similar. We are all servants of Christ. We must surrender our own will and surrender to His will. This is very clear.
The next step is our calling. Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" There are different gifts that God gives His followers in order to complete the body that is the Church.
And finally, separation. We cannot be of the world and of Christ. The world may surround us, yet we must separate ourselves. The word means to mark off the boundaries around something, to appoint, set apart for a purpose.
Would someone, knowing the intimate details of my life, call me a servant of God? Am I seeking to fulfill God's calling on my life? And am I separated from this world, setting my life apart for God's purposes?
A servant, called and separated. Each Christian's call may look a little different in substance, however in form I believe they are all very similar. We are all servants of Christ. We must surrender our own will and surrender to His will. This is very clear.
The next step is our calling. Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" There are different gifts that God gives His followers in order to complete the body that is the Church.
And finally, separation. We cannot be of the world and of Christ. The world may surround us, yet we must separate ourselves. The word means to mark off the boundaries around something, to appoint, set apart for a purpose.
Would someone, knowing the intimate details of my life, call me a servant of God? Am I seeking to fulfill God's calling on my life? And am I separated from this world, setting my life apart for God's purposes?
Monday, September 4, 2017
The Sacrifices of Righteousness
Psalm 4:5 "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."
We should be careful to not indulge in the fantasy of easy righteousness. Once we are a Christian, the war is won, however there remains a daily battle against our sinful flesh. This battle makes certain types of righteousness hard at times.
I say certain types, because we all have our own individual struggle. For some, righteousness in one area of life may be easy, however for another, that same righteousness may be a difficult struggle. Righteousness in one area of life may require sacrifice for some, while it's nearly second nature for another.
All that to say, there will be a certain area in your life where righteousness will require sacrifice. In the New Testament era, we no longer offer rams on an altar. Rather, we offer our own pleasure, our own will and instead live for God's will and God's pleasure. This is the sacrifice of righteousness.
However, unlike any other sacrifice, the sacrifice of righteousness gets easier and easier as we consistently make that choice. In what area of my life does righteousness require sacrifice? Have I been consistently sacrificing?
We should be careful to not indulge in the fantasy of easy righteousness. Once we are a Christian, the war is won, however there remains a daily battle against our sinful flesh. This battle makes certain types of righteousness hard at times.
I say certain types, because we all have our own individual struggle. For some, righteousness in one area of life may be easy, however for another, that same righteousness may be a difficult struggle. Righteousness in one area of life may require sacrifice for some, while it's nearly second nature for another.
All that to say, there will be a certain area in your life where righteousness will require sacrifice. In the New Testament era, we no longer offer rams on an altar. Rather, we offer our own pleasure, our own will and instead live for God's will and God's pleasure. This is the sacrifice of righteousness.
However, unlike any other sacrifice, the sacrifice of righteousness gets easier and easier as we consistently make that choice. In what area of my life does righteousness require sacrifice? Have I been consistently sacrificing?
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Keep Yourself From Idols
1 John 5:21 "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
This is almost like a P.S. at the end of a letter. It seems to just strike John at the very end that he needs to include this. At first it may seem like this, however the verse before John was going over what it means to understand the One True God and have life through that understanding.
This verse naturally follows that thought. An idol is anything that prevents us from worshiping the True God with a whole, undivided heart. In John's time it was definitely wooden or stone images. However, today we know that an idol doesn't necessarily have to be a graven image. It can be anything that we place above God. Whether it is money, self, a relationship, a job, or fame, there are many, many things that can attempt to replace God on the throne of our hearts.
The word "keep" means to watch over, guard carefully so that something doesn't escape. Our sinful flesh will constantly be warring to escape to serve sin. We must daily wage war to keep ourselves from the sin that so easily besets us.
Are there any idols in my life? They're easy to spot - they control my joy. Am I willing to repent, turn back to God, and daily fight to keep myself from idols?
This is almost like a P.S. at the end of a letter. It seems to just strike John at the very end that he needs to include this. At first it may seem like this, however the verse before John was going over what it means to understand the One True God and have life through that understanding.
This verse naturally follows that thought. An idol is anything that prevents us from worshiping the True God with a whole, undivided heart. In John's time it was definitely wooden or stone images. However, today we know that an idol doesn't necessarily have to be a graven image. It can be anything that we place above God. Whether it is money, self, a relationship, a job, or fame, there are many, many things that can attempt to replace God on the throne of our hearts.
The word "keep" means to watch over, guard carefully so that something doesn't escape. Our sinful flesh will constantly be warring to escape to serve sin. We must daily wage war to keep ourselves from the sin that so easily besets us.
Are there any idols in my life? They're easy to spot - they control my joy. Am I willing to repent, turn back to God, and daily fight to keep myself from idols?
Friday, September 1, 2017
Light of Understanding
1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
Jesus came to earth for very specific reasons. He was the bridge between us and the Father, His sacrifice is our salvation making a relationship with a Holy God possible. In order to make this happen, He had to bring us out of the darkness of sin and ignorance, into the light of His righteousness and knowledge.
1 John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
He is the Light that brings understanding to our darkness. Darkness attempts to hide the Truth, but it cannot stand when confronted with the Light. Darkness attempts to keep us from the true God, and thereby from eternal life. But if fails every time when pitted against His Light.
Have I experienced the Light of God's Truth and understanding? Am I daily walking in that Light? How does it influence my choices and way of life?
Jesus came to earth for very specific reasons. He was the bridge between us and the Father, His sacrifice is our salvation making a relationship with a Holy God possible. In order to make this happen, He had to bring us out of the darkness of sin and ignorance, into the light of His righteousness and knowledge.
1 John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
He is the Light that brings understanding to our darkness. Darkness attempts to hide the Truth, but it cannot stand when confronted with the Light. Darkness attempts to keep us from the true God, and thereby from eternal life. But if fails every time when pitted against His Light.
Have I experienced the Light of God's Truth and understanding? Am I daily walking in that Light? How does it influence my choices and way of life?
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Of God
1 John 5:19 "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."
When this verse says we are "of God", it is speaking of our origin, where we came from. Our origin is God. We are His children now, born into this new, miraculous life. This is not what we were, or used to be. Our origin prior to this new birth was the world.
The word "lieth" here can refer literally to one buried or to a foundation. Metaphorically speaking, it refers to something that "lies in the power of the evil one, i.e. is held in subjection by the devil." This was our origin before salvation. And it is the origin and dwelling place of those apart from Christ.
Our calling is to bring the Good News of salvation to those dwelling in this wickedness, to show them the path from darkness to light. We are of God. Think about that! If you were "of the Navy Seals", if the Navy Seals were your origin, how would that change your outlook on life? Now multiply that by infinity!
Am I living today like I am "of God"? How would my life be different if I truly were living that way?
When this verse says we are "of God", it is speaking of our origin, where we came from. Our origin is God. We are His children now, born into this new, miraculous life. This is not what we were, or used to be. Our origin prior to this new birth was the world.
The word "lieth" here can refer literally to one buried or to a foundation. Metaphorically speaking, it refers to something that "lies in the power of the evil one, i.e. is held in subjection by the devil." This was our origin before salvation. And it is the origin and dwelling place of those apart from Christ.
Our calling is to bring the Good News of salvation to those dwelling in this wickedness, to show them the path from darkness to light. We are of God. Think about that! If you were "of the Navy Seals", if the Navy Seals were your origin, how would that change your outlook on life? Now multiply that by infinity!
Am I living today like I am "of God"? How would my life be different if I truly were living that way?
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Keepeth Himself
1 John 5:18 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
We've discussed before what it means for a child of God to "sin not". But this verse takes another step - a child of God will keep himself. While we rest in God's completed work, His love, mercy, and power, we are not absolved from responsibility for our spiritual well-being.
To "keep" means to: "to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is..."
The victory over sin has been won by Christ's death. Yet we still have our sinful flesh to contend with. This is done through resting every day in Christ's victory as well as through diligently taking care of, guarding our hearts. This is a struggle, a war, but we fight knowing that victory is already ours.
Do I fight daily to keep myself in the sanctified state in which I am in Christ?
We've discussed before what it means for a child of God to "sin not". But this verse takes another step - a child of God will keep himself. While we rest in God's completed work, His love, mercy, and power, we are not absolved from responsibility for our spiritual well-being.
To "keep" means to: "to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is..."
The victory over sin has been won by Christ's death. Yet we still have our sinful flesh to contend with. This is done through resting every day in Christ's victory as well as through diligently taking care of, guarding our hearts. This is a struggle, a war, but we fight knowing that victory is already ours.
Do I fight daily to keep myself in the sanctified state in which I am in Christ?
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