Sunday, January 31, 2016

Our Words

Our Words


People have two eyes and two ears. These are used to detect sights and sounds from multiple sources around us. And because our brains can receive, process, store and retrieve such immense amounts of information, the combination of sights and sounds we take in help us navigate the extremely complex environments in which we live (physical, relational, spiritual, etc.).

But we only have one mouth. When we speak, whether our words are good, bad or indifferent, they all come out of the same place. It is impossible for us to completely control our mouths – out of our mouths come good and evil; we praise, we encourage, we criticize, we deceive.
  • James 3:8-10 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

The Bible has a lot to say about our mouths and how we use them. Our words can be used to accurately represent or deceivingly misrepresent who we really are (how we feel, what we think, our values, our beliefs, our intentions…). But all our spoken words come out of the same place, the mouth that God made for each of us (Exodus 4:11, Isaiah 44:24).

Why are our words so important?
  • Matthew 12:36-37 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
    • We will give an account to God for every word we have spoken.
  • Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
    • Ultimately, when all is said and done, our words reveal our desires, priorities, principles, etc.
  • Proverbs 15:1-2 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
    • Our words can bring peace or war – they can educate or confuse.
  • Psalm 34:12-14 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
    • The words we use are one of the aspects of our lives that demonstrate what we value and long for.

Scripture makes clear that followers of Jesus are to live in a way that glorifies our Lord. The way we talk and the things we talk about are just one part of an overall wayof living that should honor Christ and who we are in Him. Here are just a few of the standards found in the Bible about our words:

Improper Uses Include
  • Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
  • Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
  • Ephesians 5:3-4 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
  • Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Proper Uses Include
  • Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
  • Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
  • Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
  • Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
  • Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
  • Matthew 5:37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Above I said, ‘It is impossible for us to completely control our mouths…’ So what hope do we have? We have to look beyond ourselves to tame our words. Controlling our mouths is only possible with God. Through His power, and with the wisdom that comes only from Him, it is possible to mature to the point where we aren't insensitive, inconsiderate, hurtful or harassing with our words.  
  • Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
  • James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
This requires such a level of Christian growth/maturity (the meaning of ‘perfect man’ in verse below), reaching this point is only possible through obedience to God’s Word and submission to His Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives.
  • James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
    • Never as an excuse, but an ever-present reality, living with our sinful flesh results in some level of sinful behavior.
      • Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
      • 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The process of controlling our words begins with transforming our minds.
  • Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  • Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Finally, God knows the heart and condition of each person.
  • 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
    • Everything I have written above refers to actually speaking words. Please consider how the same truths apply to what you post, text, email…; even the dialogue in your mind.
    • There are many people with emotional, mental or physical issues that may not be able to control what they think or say. 


Prayer

Lord I fail You in many ways. Today I confess and ask forgiveness for all the times I fall short of Your expectations regarding my words. Help me to grow, submit and overcome such that my words reflect the power and presence of Your Words in my life. Thanks for Your patience, understanding and love. In Christ’s precious and powerful name I pray. Amen
 
  

Monday, January 25, 2016

Plethora of Praise

Plethora of Praise

As a follower of Jesus Christ, reading the Word of God should fill us to overflowing with praise. God has given us so much: we are reborn!  We are new creations!
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

When we

 - Admit that we are sinners
 - Acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay for our sins
 - Appreciate that He rose from the grave and defeated death
 - Accept Him as our Lord and Savior

We are cleansed from ALL sin!!
  • Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
  • 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.


The forgiveness of our sins alone ought to have us praising God with all that we are. But our God is so good, He just keeps on giving – His grace is truly amazing. Of the countless blessings we receive when we surrender to His Lordship, here are six profound gifts from God that should lead to a Plethora of Praise.

Position
In Christ, we are in a new position before Almighty God: we are now in right standing with Him. Soak up the blessings of who you before God because of who you are in Christ!
  • Romans 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.
  • 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light
  • Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
  • Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
  • 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Promises
Our great God has made great promises about our eternal future with Him – nothing can separate us from His love!
  • 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
  • John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
  • Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Peace
The Prince of Peace is the only way to true and lasting peace.
  • Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
  • John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
  • John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Passion
That old, cold, hard heart is gone; God’s Spirit makes us passionate about the good works that glorify His name!
  • Ezekiel 11:19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
  • Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
  • Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Power
People have a perverted view of power. As Christians, there is power in the name of Jesus! There is power in the blood He shed at Calvary!
  • Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
  • Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Purpose
Everybody needs a purpose in life: God made us His own so we can glorify His name before the entire world and share the truth about Christ with all nations!
  • Psalm 86:12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
  • Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.


An eternity of praise won’t be enough
To acknowledge all He has given us!


But we will keep on praising
And He will keep on giving!


Prayer

Thank You for all You have done for all Your children. Thank You for all the good You do for all people. Our praise is inadequate, but I pray that it brings a smile to Your face. May your graciousness draw many to salvation in Jesus Christ – the ultimate gift! I praise You and pray to You in the name of Jesus. Amen.
 
  

Saturday, January 16, 2016

The Unchanging Story of Redemption

The Unchanging Story of Redemption


God created man and gave him a choice: obey and be blessed or disobey and be condemned. Man chose poorly. And from the first sin, all the way to now, and for as long as sin exists, there is only one way for sinful man to be restored to a right relationship with his sinless Creator – REDEMPTION.

Because God is holy, just, righteous, perfect…, our sin separates us from Him. To be separate from God is spiritual death. The problem with spiritual death is, our souls are eternal. If you are spiritually dead when your physical body dies, you will spend eternity in Hell. Hell is not a fairy tale or a lie. It is a real place created for Satan and the angels who joined him in rebelling against God. Hell is a place of eternal torment. 

That’s the bad news. The good news is there is a way to spend eternity in Heaven with God. Heaven is a place of eternal blessings. For this to happen, you must be spiritually reborn. But to be reborn, your sin debt to God must be paid in full – it has always been that way.

Biblical redemption is the ransoming or rescuing of a person from the eternal condemnation of sin. God provided a way for the redemption of sinners by sending His only Son Jesus Christ to earth to live a sinless life, to die on a cross to pay our sin debt, and to defeat death by rising from the grave and securing the eternal future of those who are reconciled to God through the blood of Christ.

Let’s turn to the Bible, the Word of God, and look at some of what God has to say about this. Here are a few verses from the Book of Psalms that tell the Unchanging Story of Redemption.
  • Psalm 116:8-11 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”


For You have delivered
Deliverance comes from one source only, the Lord God Almighty!
  • Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.
  • 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

My soul from death,
In His love, God raises our unworthy souls from spiritual death!
  • Psalm 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, 19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
  • Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
 
My eyes from tears,
With Jesus, there is joy now and forever!
 
       Now
  • Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
  • Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
       Forever
  • Isaiah 65:17-19 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. 
  • Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
 
And my feet from falling.
Redemption in Christ means never being separated from God again!
  • Psalm 17:5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.
  • Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
 
I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living. 
The life of a follower of Jesus brings glory to God!
  • Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.
  • 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
 
I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.” 
To be saved from our sin, we must recognize it and confess it!
  • Isaiah 6:5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
  • Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
  • Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
 
I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”
Every single person is a sinner – everyone needs Jesus!
  • Psalm 14:2-3 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
  • Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
 
 Jesus is the one and only way to God.  
 

Through a system of animal sacrifices, the Old Testament promises of redemption foreshadowed the one and only, final and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ to pay the sin debt of the world. In the New Testament, the promise of redemption was fulfilled and the good news about eternal life in Jesus began to spread beyond the Nation of Israel to all nations. For all time, in all places, redemption comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
  • 1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
  • Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
 
 
Prayer
 
Lord and Savior, the story of redemption never changes because You never change. Please reveal the truth of Your Word according to Your will, ways and timing. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen
 

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Responding to Reproach

Responding to Reproach


The more obediently and openly you live your life for Christ, the more you will be chastised, rebuked, criticized, insulted, scorned, taunted...  But when the reproach of the world is in response to the presence of the Spirit of God in your life, you are blessed and He is glorified.
  • 1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Letting the light of Christ shine through you into this dark world can elicit a hateful response; this should come as no surprise. When you are God’s child, you don’t fit in with the world.
  • John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
  • 1 John 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

So how are you, as a follower of Jesus, supposed to respond to reproach? You continue working, sharing and proclaiming, all for the glory of God. Here are three examples from scripture:


Jesus
  • Luke 8:52-53 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
    • The mourners for Jairus’s daughter ridiculed Christ when He proclaimed that she wasn’t dead.
  • Luke 8:54-55 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
    • Despite the verbal attacks, Jesus continued with His good work and raised her from the dead.

Paul
  • Acts 17:2-3, 5 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”… 5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
    • In response to Paul’s teaching in the synagogue at Thessalonica, many very saved. But those who rejected the truth were jealous and stirred up so much trouble that a mob sought after Paul and Silas and accused them of violating the law of Caesar.
  • Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
    • To save Paul and Silas from attack, they were sent to Berea. Upon arriving there, they continued sharing the truth with those who needed to hear it.

The Psalmist
  • Psalm 71:1, 10-11 In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame… For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, 11 Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”
    • The psalmist put his trust in the Lord, but his enemies waited for an opportunity to attack.
  • Psalm 71:14-16 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. 15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits. 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
    • Yet in the face of danger, the psalmist continued proclaiming the infinite goodness of God.

However, we also find examples in the Bible where those who love God responded inappropriately to reproach – in the flesh instead of in the Spirit.


Peter at Christ’s Arrest
  • John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
    • Peter had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 8:29) but didn’t restrain His fleshly response as Jesus was telling the troops and officers to let His disciples go. 

King David when reproached by those who reproach God
  • Psalm 69:27-28 Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.
    • David judged the hearts of those reproaching God and prayed for their eternal destruction.
 
James and John when a Samaritan village refuses a visit from Christ
  •  Luke 9:54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
    • James and John wanted to destroy in response to the insult of the Samaritans. Jesus reminded them that He came to save, not destroy.

The Psalmist who continued proclaiming the goodness of God from the example in Psalm 71 above
  • Psalm 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed Who are adversaries of my life; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor Who seek my hurt.
    • Although the psalmist kept his faith in God and continued praising and proclaiming the goodness of God, he also had a vengeful attitude towards his enemies.  The psalmist responded well in one way and poorly in another.

Christians are to respond to reproach in a way that brings glory and honor to God, not in a way that satisfies the sinful desires of the flesh to hate, judge and get even.
  • Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
  • Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
  • Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Anyone can do good to those who treat them well.
  • Luke 6:33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

It is only through God’s mercy and grace
that we are able to respond to reproach
appropriately
 
  • Psalm 119:41-42 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord – Your salvation according to Your word. 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Prayer

Father, You have told us plainly that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Please Father, by Your mercy and grace, fill Your children with love and give them the desire to shine brightly in this world for Your glory by responding to reproach with love, joy, peach, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – the fruit of Your Spirit.  Please forgive us when we fall short.  I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
 
  

Saturday, January 2, 2016

New Year – New Me

New Year – New Me


Each New Year, many people take time to reflect on their lives: they think about where they have been, where they are and where they are headed. This self-reflection makes a lot of sense. Our lives are so calendar/schedule/appointment driven, a new year makes it ‘feel’ life we have a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.

A sincere examination of who we have been and who we are as compared to who we desire to be will inevitably lead to the identification of gaps; some big, some small, some important, some irrelevant, but all the same – GAPS. Most people don’t like gaps in their self-image. The sense of ‘I can do better. I should do better. I will do better!’ results in many people making New Year’s Resolutions.

I am neither a proponent of nor an opponent of such resolutions. But scripture is clear, sincere self-examination in the mirror of God’s Word is very important!
  • James 1:23-25 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Scripture is also clear that when we surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and accept His free gift of salvation, we do have a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning!
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Here are two verses from God’s Word that provide a small glimpse into the vast library of wisdom found in the Holy Bible related to how followers of Jesus Christ should be living there lives.
  • Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

But in direct opposition to how the world attempts to change their lives for the better, a Christian’s journey is not about self-improvement and self-exaltation. A relationship with Jesus is about succeeding through His strength while glorifying His name (see       2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).

If you have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you are already fully righteous before God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
  • Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Maturing as a Christian is about becoming in your daily life who you already are in God’s eternal view.


Part of this very important process of maturing as a follower of Jesus includes self-examination and surrender.

To facilitate thorough and ongoing self-examination and surrender in light of the Godly truths presented in Colossians 2:6-7, let’s reference a few related verses found in God’s Word.


Having received Jesus Christ, we are to:
 

Walk in Him
  • Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
    • Walking faithfully with Jesus Christ is just as much about what we don’t do as what we do.
  • 1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
    • Walking with Christ means walking like Christ. He set an example for us of how to live. Our life after spiritual rebirth should be dramatically different than it was before we knew Christ. In Him, we walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
 Are you walking
like Christ walked?


Be Rooted and Built Up in Him
  • Proverbs 12:3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
    • A tree with a deep and healthy root system is not easily moved. Our spiritual health and stability is based on Christ’s righteousness and the work He has done in our lives. He grounds us in God’s righteousness.
  • Ephesians 3:17-19 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
    • To know the love of God, to be in love with God, to learn to love like God; these roots help us grow closer to God and to grow in ways that further His kingdom.
 Are you firmly planted
in Christ’s righteousness?


Be Established in the Faith
  • Psalm 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
    • In His grace, mercy and love, God has saved us from eternal damnation in Hell. Stability today and confident anticipation about tomorrow is possible only through the faith He has given us. His Word illuminates our path and helps us to identify tripping points along the way (Psalm 119:105).
  • Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
    • The new covenant of grace offered by God is much better than the old covenant based on law. God’s Law is right and good; but we aren’t. We need God’s grace to be in right relationship with Him.
 Is there stability
in your faith in Christ?


Have Been Taught
  • Psalm 119:102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
    • God’s Word is our teacher. His Words make us wiser than those who walk in darkness (Psalm 119:98).
  • Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
    • Barnabas and Saul taught the church at Antioch. Active participation in Christ’s church is critical in being equipped for Christ’s service (Ephesians 4:11-15).
 Are you growing in
your knowledge of God?


Abound in Our Faith with Thanksgiving
  • Psalm 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
    • God is good and gives us all good things (James 1:17). Thank Him!
  • Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
    • As you pray to your Heavenly Father, thank Him for who He is and what He does.
  Are you overflowing
with thankfulness to God?


Our daily walk with Christ requires ongoing reflection. The indwelling Holy Spirit of God teaches, guides and empowers us; all for God’s glory.
  • John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
  • John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
  • Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”


My daily resolution is
self-examination and surrender
to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
 
I am new in Him!!!


Prayer

Father, I pray that those who love You will faithfully self-examine themselves under the authority of Your Word and the leading of Your Holy Spirit. I also pray that we joyfully surrender to Your Will and Your Ways! You have made us new through Jesus Christ! May we be resolute in our walk with You and diligent in our seeking to know You better. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.