Rom 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
I am starting to see a pattern. Here it is:
Carnally minded is walking according to the flesh, it is the same thing as living for self. It is allowing our flesh to control our thoughts and purposes. It is where everything that I do is done with me in mind. The result of thinking and living like this is death. If I live for me, I will die.
The word for death means: “in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell.” (Strongs) Any takers?
In contrast, spiritually minded is walking according to the Spirit, it is the same thing as dying to self. It is allowing the Spirit of God to control my thoughts and purposes. The result of thinking and living like this is life. If I die to self, I will live and I will have peace.
The word for live here means: “life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.” (Strongs) Real life, genuine life, an active life, a vigorous life, a blessed life, and eternal life. Who is the world doesn’t want this?
Not only this, but it is peace. The word for peace means: “security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)” (Strongs) We all desire security and safety and harmony. How do we get this life and peace? Be spiritually minded. (It seems like I have visited this theme before. Maybe Rom 5?)
There is a battle here. How do I live? Is my life controlled by me or God? If it is me, I am in trouble. The problem is, so many times I cave in. I do what I want to do. I think only about me and I don’t consider God or others. That is when I run into trouble. That is when I feel inner guilt. That is when my peace and happiness evaporate. That is when I have to pay the consequences.
Yet, when I know that I have done what God wants it results in joy and satisfaction and peace.
So, where is my mind? The answer will reveal the quality of life that I will have both now and forever.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
No Condemnation
1-22-10 Rom 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
One thing I hate is being accused of something. I don’t like it when people say that I did something wrong when I didn’t do it. I like it even less when people condemn me for something that I did…because the reality of the truth hurts.
The truth is, we all can say with Paul: “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Rom 7:19 Even when we don’t want to screw up, we still do. The result: we stand accused. It’s no fun. We stand in the presence of a holy God realizing that we don’t measure up, we have missed the mark (Rom. 3:23) and we are condemned. We are on our way to a “damnable sentence”.
Paul’s question is a good one: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Rom 7:24 His answer is even better: “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 7:25 He then says this: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” No condemnation. I have to let that sink in. I am no longer destined for punishment if I am “in” Christ Jesus. If I am “in” something, it reveals my position. It shows where I am. My location is with Christ. I am no longer alone. Christ is an integral part of who I am. He is now my identity.
Beyond that, however, is the next line. “Who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”. Really this line defines what it means to be “in Christ”. I am no longer controlled by my flesh. My life is not run based upon my selfish whims. My life (my walk) is directed by the Spirit of God. When this happens, I am no longer condemned. I am no longer guilty. I am free. I don’t have to hate being accused of anything because there is no longer any accusation available against me. I am “in Christ” and He sets me free from sin and death. Amazing stuff.
One thing I hate is being accused of something. I don’t like it when people say that I did something wrong when I didn’t do it. I like it even less when people condemn me for something that I did…because the reality of the truth hurts.
The truth is, we all can say with Paul: “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Rom 7:19 Even when we don’t want to screw up, we still do. The result: we stand accused. It’s no fun. We stand in the presence of a holy God realizing that we don’t measure up, we have missed the mark (Rom. 3:23) and we are condemned. We are on our way to a “damnable sentence”.
Paul’s question is a good one: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Rom 7:24 His answer is even better: “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 7:25 He then says this: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” No condemnation. I have to let that sink in. I am no longer destined for punishment if I am “in” Christ Jesus. If I am “in” something, it reveals my position. It shows where I am. My location is with Christ. I am no longer alone. Christ is an integral part of who I am. He is now my identity.
Beyond that, however, is the next line. “Who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”. Really this line defines what it means to be “in Christ”. I am no longer controlled by my flesh. My life is not run based upon my selfish whims. My life (my walk) is directed by the Spirit of God. When this happens, I am no longer condemned. I am no longer guilty. I am free. I don’t have to hate being accused of anything because there is no longer any accusation available against me. I am “in Christ” and He sets me free from sin and death. Amazing stuff.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Peace
Rom 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This verse comes after a chapter break. Paul did not write a letter and include chapter breaks, these were added later. As one pastor that I had once said: “When you see the word therefore, you need to know what it is there for.” So, what lead to this verse? Rom 8:25: “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” Jesus died because of our sin. He had to. He had to shed His blood to cover our sin. But He did not stay there. He rose again. Here we have Paul talking about the Gospel again…the power of God unto salvation. Jesus resurrection brought about our justification. His death covered our sin, but His life gave us righteousness before God, purity before God, holiness before God “Just as if we had never sinned.” That is what the “therefore” is all about.
Therefore, because of Jesus death and resurrection, because we trust in Christ’s death and life alone for our salvation, we have peace with God. The word for peace means tranquility, harmony, security, safety. We can rest, we don’t have to worry, we don’t have to live in guilt, we don’t have to be concerned about what God will eventually do to us. Why? We are clean in His sight because of Jesus and we are at peace with God. No more animosity. No more barriers. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and we are at peace.
This is great news! This is the power of the good news, the Gospel. So many people are walking around conflicted. They don’t have to be. So many are walking around in fear. There is no need. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” ( Elvina Hall) No more dirt, no more garbage…totally clean. “Clean before my Lord I stand and in me not one blemish does He see.” (Nancy Honeytree)
Not only do we have peace and tranquility and harmony, we have security and safety. God is my Father. He makes me safe and secure. I am at peace with Him and He holds me. No more punishment, only restoration and life.
Man, the world needs this. My hurting clients need this. My neighbors need this. Let me share it freely.
This verse comes after a chapter break. Paul did not write a letter and include chapter breaks, these were added later. As one pastor that I had once said: “When you see the word therefore, you need to know what it is there for.” So, what lead to this verse? Rom 8:25: “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” Jesus died because of our sin. He had to. He had to shed His blood to cover our sin. But He did not stay there. He rose again. Here we have Paul talking about the Gospel again…the power of God unto salvation. Jesus resurrection brought about our justification. His death covered our sin, but His life gave us righteousness before God, purity before God, holiness before God “Just as if we had never sinned.” That is what the “therefore” is all about.
Therefore, because of Jesus death and resurrection, because we trust in Christ’s death and life alone for our salvation, we have peace with God. The word for peace means tranquility, harmony, security, safety. We can rest, we don’t have to worry, we don’t have to live in guilt, we don’t have to be concerned about what God will eventually do to us. Why? We are clean in His sight because of Jesus and we are at peace with God. No more animosity. No more barriers. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and we are at peace.
This is great news! This is the power of the good news, the Gospel. So many people are walking around conflicted. They don’t have to be. So many are walking around in fear. There is no need. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” ( Elvina Hall) No more dirt, no more garbage…totally clean. “Clean before my Lord I stand and in me not one blemish does He see.” (Nancy Honeytree)
Not only do we have peace and tranquility and harmony, we have security and safety. God is my Father. He makes me safe and secure. I am at peace with Him and He holds me. No more punishment, only restoration and life.
Man, the world needs this. My hurting clients need this. My neighbors need this. Let me share it freely.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Faith
Rom 4:20-22 "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore 'It was accounted to him for righteousness.'"
Old man Abraham was an amazing guy. He was 100 years old and Sarah his wife was 90 (Gen 17) when God told him that he and Sarah were going to have a baby. This was such crazy news that Abraham laughed. He thought that God was funny…but God was very serious. Obviously this guy was pretty healthy since he fathered a child (Ishmael) when he was 86. He still thought it was pretty funny though, because he questioned God about his age and Sarah’s age. God’s response? Yes. You will have a son through Sarah and you will name him Isaac.
I think it is interesting that this verse in Romans says that Abraham did not waver at the promise of God. I guess laughing at what God said was not wavering…it was just questioning. Apparently questioning God is not wavering. God is not afraid of my questions. In fact, He probably welcomes them because He is willing to answer those questions in order to strengthen my faith.
After Abraham got God’s answer, what did he do? This 100 year old guy had sex with his 90 year old wife. His intent? To have a child. This was an act of faith. At that point he was totally and completely convinced that what God said He was going to do, He would do. He was not surprised when his 90 year old wife came back with a positive pregnancy test, in fact he expected it. (Gen 21) Not only that, but Abraham new that the child that was in her was a son, and he did not have the advantage of having an ultrasound. Instead, he had the advantage of knowing a faithful and true God who would keep His promise. Abraham was “fully convinced”, totally persuaded, absolutely convicted that this was going to happen before it happened. This is faith. This resulted in righteousness before God.
How am I doing in the faith category? Oh sure, I am fully convinced about Jesus work on the cross for my salvation, but what about my day to day faith? Do I live by faith? Do I walk by faith? Do I make decisions based upon the promises of God, or do I base my decisions on my own reasoning? Would I do something that made absolutely no sense in the human realm if I was fully convinced that God was directing that way? Have I ever done this? This is faith. Don’t waver.
Old man Abraham was an amazing guy. He was 100 years old and Sarah his wife was 90 (Gen 17) when God told him that he and Sarah were going to have a baby. This was such crazy news that Abraham laughed. He thought that God was funny…but God was very serious. Obviously this guy was pretty healthy since he fathered a child (Ishmael) when he was 86. He still thought it was pretty funny though, because he questioned God about his age and Sarah’s age. God’s response? Yes. You will have a son through Sarah and you will name him Isaac.
I think it is interesting that this verse in Romans says that Abraham did not waver at the promise of God. I guess laughing at what God said was not wavering…it was just questioning. Apparently questioning God is not wavering. God is not afraid of my questions. In fact, He probably welcomes them because He is willing to answer those questions in order to strengthen my faith.
After Abraham got God’s answer, what did he do? This 100 year old guy had sex with his 90 year old wife. His intent? To have a child. This was an act of faith. At that point he was totally and completely convinced that what God said He was going to do, He would do. He was not surprised when his 90 year old wife came back with a positive pregnancy test, in fact he expected it. (Gen 21) Not only that, but Abraham new that the child that was in her was a son, and he did not have the advantage of having an ultrasound. Instead, he had the advantage of knowing a faithful and true God who would keep His promise. Abraham was “fully convinced”, totally persuaded, absolutely convicted that this was going to happen before it happened. This is faith. This resulted in righteousness before God.
How am I doing in the faith category? Oh sure, I am fully convinced about Jesus work on the cross for my salvation, but what about my day to day faith? Do I live by faith? Do I walk by faith? Do I make decisions based upon the promises of God, or do I base my decisions on my own reasoning? Would I do something that made absolutely no sense in the human realm if I was fully convinced that God was directing that way? Have I ever done this? This is faith. Don’t waver.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
No Difference
1-17-10 Rom. 3:22b-24 "For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"
There is no difference. We are all the same. Back when this was written, Paul was talking about the perceived difference between Jews and Gentiles (Greeks), those who had the law and those who did not. The perception was that the Jews were special. They were closer to God. They had special privileges. That the Gentiles were “dogs”, spiritually dead. Paul said: “No…there is no difference. You are all “dogs”. You are all spiritually dead. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “You have all violated God’s standard whether you have the law or you don’t have the law. You all miss the mark.”
Think about the glory of God. What is it like? Here are some words that describe it in Strong’s Concordance: The splendor, the brightness, the magnificence, the excellence, the preeminence, the dignity, the grace, the majesty. Let’s face it, we just don’t measure up when it comes to comparing ourselves with God. We fall short. This is why “…the goodness (the glory, the splendor, the brightness, the magnificence, the excellence, the preeminence, the dignity, the grace, the majesty) of God leads you to repentance.” When we get a realistic view of who we are, and who God is, we fall short. We have all sinned. We have all screwed up. We have all missed the mark, we have all violated God’s standard. There is no difference. We are all bad.
The unreal thing is what comes next: Jesus. Free justification. God’s grace. Redemption. All big “Christian” words. All necessary words to get out of this pit. To be released, delivered and liberated and to be undeservedly declared right in God’s sight because of His unmerited kindness, is unreal. We are so far from God and He, on His own initiative, because of who He is makes us right…He brings us close, He sets us free. How? Through His Son. Jesus paid it all (v25 – our propitiation). He shed His blood. He gave it all up so I could be declared blameless, without sin, no more missing the mark, in God’s sight. How? Through faith. (v26) Through belief. Through the strong internal conviction that this is the truth and I am relying on Jesus alone.
Thank you Lord that one day in my life you brought this truth to me. You revealed my own garbage and You said that You would clean it up if I would only trust what Your Son did for me on the cross. I no longer fall short in Your eyes.
There is no difference. We are all the same. Back when this was written, Paul was talking about the perceived difference between Jews and Gentiles (Greeks), those who had the law and those who did not. The perception was that the Jews were special. They were closer to God. They had special privileges. That the Gentiles were “dogs”, spiritually dead. Paul said: “No…there is no difference. You are all “dogs”. You are all spiritually dead. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “You have all violated God’s standard whether you have the law or you don’t have the law. You all miss the mark.”
Think about the glory of God. What is it like? Here are some words that describe it in Strong’s Concordance: The splendor, the brightness, the magnificence, the excellence, the preeminence, the dignity, the grace, the majesty. Let’s face it, we just don’t measure up when it comes to comparing ourselves with God. We fall short. This is why “…the goodness (the glory, the splendor, the brightness, the magnificence, the excellence, the preeminence, the dignity, the grace, the majesty) of God leads you to repentance.” When we get a realistic view of who we are, and who God is, we fall short. We have all sinned. We have all screwed up. We have all missed the mark, we have all violated God’s standard. There is no difference. We are all bad.
The unreal thing is what comes next: Jesus. Free justification. God’s grace. Redemption. All big “Christian” words. All necessary words to get out of this pit. To be released, delivered and liberated and to be undeservedly declared right in God’s sight because of His unmerited kindness, is unreal. We are so far from God and He, on His own initiative, because of who He is makes us right…He brings us close, He sets us free. How? Through His Son. Jesus paid it all (v25 – our propitiation). He shed His blood. He gave it all up so I could be declared blameless, without sin, no more missing the mark, in God’s sight. How? Through faith. (v26) Through belief. Through the strong internal conviction that this is the truth and I am relying on Jesus alone.
Thank you Lord that one day in my life you brought this truth to me. You revealed my own garbage and You said that You would clean it up if I would only trust what Your Son did for me on the cross. I no longer fall short in Your eyes.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Repentance
1-16-10 Rom 2:4b “…the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”
Repentance is a tough word. Why? Because it is an admission. An admission and a realization that I am wrong, that I don’t know what I am doing, that what I am doing is improper, or incorrect or sinful. Beyond that, it is a turning. A turning from what I am doing to something else. A turning from the wrong way to the right way. A turning from what I want to what God wants. And it is not just crying. Genuine repentance is an actual change in attitude, a change in heart, a change in behavior.
Do you want to know if someone has genuinely repented? Don’t watch their blubbering, watch their life after the blubbering. Is it different? Is it going in another direction? If so, repentance was genuine. If not…
Repentance is a necessary word. Why? Because we all need it. We all screw up. We all make mistakes. We all sin. We all have to go a different direction, not just once in our lives but continually. I know that I hate to admit when I am wrong. I want to do what I want to do. I think that my way is the right way. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I don’t like correction. I don’t like to be pointed in the right way. It hurts my ego and it reveals my sin. This hurts. Yet it is necessary because if I continue to go down the road I want to travel, I will eventually meet destruction. I will eventually meet the wrath of God. (v5) The only solution is repentance…a necessary action.
How do I get there? The goodness of God. The integrity of God. The character of God. Seeing who God is and comparing it to who I am. This has to lead to repentance.
Also, the kindness of God. The Gospel. The realization that God sent His Son to this world to deliver me from my mistakes. To free me from my sin. To turn me in the right direction. When I think about how much God gave up, how much Jesus gave, when I truly consider His kindness, I can’t help but turn around. His love compels change.
So don’t resist repentance. Embrace it. Do it.
Repentance is a tough word. Why? Because it is an admission. An admission and a realization that I am wrong, that I don’t know what I am doing, that what I am doing is improper, or incorrect or sinful. Beyond that, it is a turning. A turning from what I am doing to something else. A turning from the wrong way to the right way. A turning from what I want to what God wants. And it is not just crying. Genuine repentance is an actual change in attitude, a change in heart, a change in behavior.
Do you want to know if someone has genuinely repented? Don’t watch their blubbering, watch their life after the blubbering. Is it different? Is it going in another direction? If so, repentance was genuine. If not…
Repentance is a necessary word. Why? Because we all need it. We all screw up. We all make mistakes. We all sin. We all have to go a different direction, not just once in our lives but continually. I know that I hate to admit when I am wrong. I want to do what I want to do. I think that my way is the right way. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I don’t like correction. I don’t like to be pointed in the right way. It hurts my ego and it reveals my sin. This hurts. Yet it is necessary because if I continue to go down the road I want to travel, I will eventually meet destruction. I will eventually meet the wrath of God. (v5) The only solution is repentance…a necessary action.
How do I get there? The goodness of God. The integrity of God. The character of God. Seeing who God is and comparing it to who I am. This has to lead to repentance.
Also, the kindness of God. The Gospel. The realization that God sent His Son to this world to deliver me from my mistakes. To free me from my sin. To turn me in the right direction. When I think about how much God gave up, how much Jesus gave, when I truly consider His kindness, I can’t help but turn around. His love compels change.
So don’t resist repentance. Embrace it. Do it.
Dynamite
1-15-10 Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. "
The Gospel. The gospel of Christ. The gospel of the Messiah. What is it? It is that He was born, came in the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God through His death and resurrection. (Rom. 1:1-4) A very simple message. The good news is this: The Son of God was born in the flesh, He lived here on this earth where He died but He did not stay dead, He rose again and now lives. It is this message that is the “power of God to salvation”. It is this message that is God’s dynamite to bring people to deliverance.
Sometimes I think we make things too complicated. We try to convince people that they are sinners. Or we try to win arguments about truth. Or we try to shove what we think down people’s throats. This verse tells us what to do. Share the Gospel. Tell people about the simple fact that Jesus, the Son of God came to this earth to deliver people. He did it by dying, but He did not stay dead, He rose from the dead and was verified to be God’s one and only Son. That’s it. Share that message and let it work…for it will work. It is the power of God. The word for power actually means “inherent power”. It has some internal power. It has some built in power that we really don’t understand, but it works in the lives of people to bring them to salvation.
This world really is a mess. People are not content. People are restless. You can sense it all over the place. People are lost. People are stuck. They are bound. They need deliverance. They need salvation. They need Jesus. He is the only One who can deliver. He is the only One who can free. He is the only One who can bring salvation. And it is the simple message of the Gospel that will do it.
God, give me the opportunities to share it and not be quiet. Share it simply, share it confidently and let God do the rest.
The Gospel. The gospel of Christ. The gospel of the Messiah. What is it? It is that He was born, came in the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God through His death and resurrection. (Rom. 1:1-4) A very simple message. The good news is this: The Son of God was born in the flesh, He lived here on this earth where He died but He did not stay dead, He rose again and now lives. It is this message that is the “power of God to salvation”. It is this message that is God’s dynamite to bring people to deliverance.
Sometimes I think we make things too complicated. We try to convince people that they are sinners. Or we try to win arguments about truth. Or we try to shove what we think down people’s throats. This verse tells us what to do. Share the Gospel. Tell people about the simple fact that Jesus, the Son of God came to this earth to deliver people. He did it by dying, but He did not stay dead, He rose from the dead and was verified to be God’s one and only Son. That’s it. Share that message and let it work…for it will work. It is the power of God. The word for power actually means “inherent power”. It has some internal power. It has some built in power that we really don’t understand, but it works in the lives of people to bring them to salvation.
This world really is a mess. People are not content. People are restless. You can sense it all over the place. People are lost. People are stuck. They are bound. They need deliverance. They need salvation. They need Jesus. He is the only One who can deliver. He is the only One who can free. He is the only One who can bring salvation. And it is the simple message of the Gospel that will do it.
God, give me the opportunities to share it and not be quiet. Share it simply, share it confidently and let God do the rest.
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