Salt & Light Blog

There is Some Value in the Law

9/22/2017

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations Deuteronomy 7:9

I am Jewish; I am what some call a completed Jew, some call a Messianic Jew and others call a Christian Jew. I am proud of my Jewish heritage. I believe it is a special gift to be Jewish. God said this of the Jewish people, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
So, it is special to be Jewish. What God did for His treasured possession the Jews was a foreshadow of what He did for all people. In our devotional today we will read Romans chapter three. This is what Paul wrote about it in verses 1-4,
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,
“That you may be justified in your words,
    and prevail when you are judged.”
God spoke to the Jewish people. He gave them His Law. He brought forth all the promises of His covenants through the Jewish people. He brought salvation to the nations through the Jews. The special relationship they had with God should have been enough to prevail over their sinfulness and lead them to faith in God, but for most, it did not. Their unfaithfulness, rebellion, and stubbornness only allowed God to prove His faithfulness, steadfastness, patience, and love. Do you think God was surprised that His people were so hard-headed and hard-hearted? Of course not! He knew, but He never wavered. He never left them.
But does that mean that God didn’t mind their sin or mind ours? Do you think He said, “Your sin is fine because I get to show you my grace and mercy when you sin?” No! Verses 5-8 read,
But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

That seems to be the attitude of many people, Jewish, Christian, and others. God is good, He forgives, so I may as well live a life of sin and label it a life of freedom and let God show His mercy to me on my deathbed. That is what I call I-theism. That is when we make ourselves god and lift up sin, pride, and selfishness and call it personal freedom.
If God were okay with letting us live that way, could we really call that love? There would be no justice, no punishment for wickedness and Salvation would be worthless. Lives like that declare Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection futile. To say we follow the One True God and yet decide He doesn’t mind our sin is to worship a god of our own creation, an idol. When you say, “My god would never send someone to Hell” or “My god doesn’t mind the path I take to goodness as long as I try and do good” you are creating your own god with traits that do not mesh with the LORD, God Almighty. The Jews did it a thousand years ago and many of us still do it today. God had something to say about the way His people behaved then and it still goes today for those who think that God will grant them some special grace just because they look or act right on the outside or just because they are Jewish, Muslim, or call themselves Christian. In verses 9-18 Paul quotes several verses from the Psalms and Isaiah to describe God’s attitude toward their persistent sinfulness.
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11     no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16     in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Are you guilty of those crimes? Be honest, this is between you and the Lord. Do you really seek God, to know and understand Him? Or are you casual in your pursuit, promising God every Sunday that from now on you will do better? Do you use your words for edification or destruction? How’s your temper? Are you slow to anger or fast to revenge? Do you truly respect God?
The law has its purpose. But maybe it isn’t what you imagine it to be. Verses 19-20 reads,
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The law cannot justify anyone. The law shows us our guilt and shows us that we cannot save ourselves. It takes us away from I-theistic ideas and to Jesus. It is impossible to keep the law. The law cannot give us righteousness. Verses 21-26 read,
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
There are some long words and difficult sentences in this passage. What it says is this, Jesus is the fulfillment, the perfect demonstration of the Law. The Law and the prophets all pointed to Jesus as the Christ, our Savior. The law can’t save because we can’t keep the law perfectly, we all fall short, the only way to salvation is through faith in Christ. God gives us that salvation as a gift because Jesus paid the price. That is what propitiation means, it means, Jesus appeased God, He gave the Father what was required for our sins. He is the only one who could because He is fully God and was born fully human, lived perfectly, took our sins in His death and resurrected for our eternal life. God did all this for us, even while we were still sinners so that His goodness and love would be known and we would all come to faith.
So, what do you think now? Are you special? Are you good enough? Can you save yourself by all the good things you do? Can you keep on living for yourself and expect God to be okay with it?
It is not us but Jesus who saves. It is not us who chooses God but The Father who chooses us. It isn’t us who makes ourselves good, but the Holy Spirit who transforms us to be like Jesus.
Verses 27-31 read,
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Yes, I am still proud of my Jewish heritage but I know that it is not being Jewish that saves me, nor is it calling myself a Christian, writing devotionals, or praying for people on the streets which saves me. It is faith in knowing Jesus is who He says is, the Son of God who died on the cross, resurrected from the grave, ascended to Heaven, and will come back again.

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Do not Judge, Full Stop

9/21/2017

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For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7a

Today we are reading Romans 2
We can prove to be very judgmental. When given a list of sins, people tend to think or even say, “That’s not about me, that’s about that person or those people.” The truth is you have sinned and chances are you sin not just daily but multiple times daily. That critical thought you had about that person who sins so much worse than you do, that was a sin. That disrespectful thought you had when your boss told you the same thing he has told you one hundred times already, that was a sin. When you looked at your friends vacation pictures and thought, “Why can’t that be me? I wish I could go on as many trips as she does,” that was a sin. If you’re anything like me, your sins are probably much more and more obvious than those.
Yet in our human flesh, we find it natural to compare ourselves, to judge others, and justify our own behavior and thoughts while showing little or no mercy for the behavior of others. Verses 1-2 read,
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.
It is absolutely not okay to judge someone for the same sins we ourselves are committing. Now it is probable that most people reading this have never murdered or raped anyone. So, is it okay for us to judge murderers and rapists? We have not practiced those very same things. No, not really. Jesus said,
“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye (Matthew 7:1-5).”
Jesus said, “Do not judge if you don’t want to be judged yourself. Take care of the enormity of your own sin first, then look to someone else and help him to stop sinning.” He didn’t say, “First stop sinning then it is okay to judge.” As believers, we do not judge the world, full stop. And when it comes to one another, it is dangerous; we can help the less mature stop sinning, we can offer advice and be role models, but judgement implies putting ourselves in Jesus’ place. In dealing with horrific acts happening within the church in 1 Corinthians 12-13a Paul said,
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside.
God will judge every person, good or evil, righteous or not. Trust God to be the judge, Trust Him to be God and work on people to bring them to Him. You sin, they sin and God allows it for now. He has a purpose. He waits for Judgement Day because His mercy will bring more people to Him. Verses 3-5 read,
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
You see, some people claim “grace, grace, grace” and use it as an excuse to deliberately sin and live lives just as sinful as those who do not know the Gospel. Some people think, if there is a god, he would never send them to Hell and he will let people into Heaven based on how good they are; but those people too continue sinning and ignoring who the LORD truly is. Both Paul and Peter had something to say about this. Paul wrote,
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another (Galatians 5:13-15).
And Peter wrote,
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:15-17).
You see, there is no love in judgement, there is no glory to God in judgement, and there is no showing people the love and mercy of God in judgement. God’s kindness, His patience and mercy is so that people will recognize their sin in the face of His love and repent. Judgement Day will come and the evil will not get away with evil. Even those who are blind and deaf to the truth will face consequences for their sin. God wants everyone to repent and come to Him, don’t we also want that? What good is being judgmental? People can’t recognize the love of God in our condemnation of them.
2 Peter 3:9-11 says,
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness

Everyone will be judged, we don’t have to concern ourselves with doing God’s job and judging them. Verses 6-11 read,
He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
The Jew referred to here are those who have knowledge of the Law, who know what God expects from them. The Greek are those who have no understanding that God sent Moses the law. But in the end, it won’t matter if a person heard of God’s law, or heard the Gospel or not because judgement will happen and there will be one criteria, did you have faith in Jesus or not. Did you fulfill the law by accepting confessing Christ, believing in Him, and living in the Spirit or did you know right from wrong and reject Jesus and choose yourself as god? Verses 12-16 read,
For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

One of the reasons that we humans should refrain from judgement, even in the form of piously teaching people to do what is right, is because we are not God, we are imperfect people who sin. How can we sanctimoniously moralize people and expect them to do any better than us? That is the problem with Hate the sin, love the sinner. There is no love when we lift ourselves above someone, brand him a sinner, and superciliously judge him. Only Jesus can save, only the Holy Spirit can sanctify. We can teach, but we have to teach Jesus. We can lead, but we have to lead with the example of Christ! Verses 17-24 say,
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Let’s stop judging and start being! Let’s stop preaching rules and start living the Word! Let’s stop trying to be god to the world and let God be God to the world. Let’s stop trying to look good, meaning let’s give up self-righteousness and start to live the righteousness of Christ. Paul refers to the practice of circumcision and compares it to self-righteousness. The Judaizers thought that laws such as circumcision were important, it made them look like good Jews. But they ignored the laws of loving God and loving their neighbors. They looked righteous but on the inside they were not faithful, loving, or pleasing to God. Verses 25-29 read,
For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Believer, what is your response? Have you judged where you have no right? Have you taught rules instead of confessing Christ? Are there people you could love who you have labeled as sinners?

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Light in the Darkness

9/20/2017

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In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven Matthew 5:16

Romans 1:18-32 is not easy to read. It may make you want to look at the world through sanctimonious and condemnatory eyes. But do yourself a favor and read this passage with eyes of love. Read this passage with humility, take your eyes off the man across the street and look at yourself not with a disparaging heart but with the eyes of a God who adores you and longs for you, your neighbor, and your enemy to know Him and be loved by Him.
Verses 18-20 read,
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Just as righteousness was revealed by God through Jesus Christ, that same salvation reveals God’s wrath against unrighteousness. What is it one is saved from? It is eternal death, Satan, and the grip of sin. God’s wrath is what will happen when Jesus comes again, some will be resurrected to eternal life with Jesus in New Jerusalem and some will be resurrected to God’s wrath. Revelation 21:6-8 reads,
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

God never hid Himself from the world. He has been plain in Creation since the beginning. But, in order to fulfill his own desires and satisfy the flesh, man closed his eyes and ears to God and pretended He didn’t exist as The Almighty. Instead, sinful man created his own stories of creation like an explosion in the chaos. He created his own version of how man came to be such as evolution. He created religions and gods which would allow him to practice self-righteousness and self-gratification; he created I-theism and idols, and new beliefs. He created new age wisdom which appears to be good, and light, and love, but is all about the self, and the people who practice it not only accept all manner of depravity but endorse the further degradation of the soul, mind, and spirit. Verses 21-32 say it this way,
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Verses 21-25 in The Living Bible read,
Yes, they knew about him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship him or even thank him for all his daily care. And after a while they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what he wanted them to do. The result was that their foolish minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead. 23 And then, instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they took wood and stone and made idols for themselves, carving them to look like mere birds and animals and snakes and puny men.
24 So God let them go ahead into every sort of sex sin, and do whatever they wanted to—yes, vile and sinful things with each other’s bodies. 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they prayed to the things God made, but wouldn’t obey the blessed God who made these things.
Yes, the world is filled with degeneracy and debauchery, it seems to become more corrupt every day. But, Believer, it is not without hope! The world is darkness, the enemy likes it that way. But, you are the Salt & Light of the world! You hold the hope of the Gospel within you! Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
What does that mean? Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; He is the only way to Salvation (John 14:6). The way you live your life shines a light into the darkness and calls people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said people would know you by your love (John 13:35). You will be recognized by your fruit(Matthew 7:16), that is what your life produces, either God’s glory as you become like Christ or your own glory as you live to lift yourself up.
How does that relate to the life you should lead? Ephesians 5:1-21 says it like this,
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The world is blind and deaf to the Gospel because the enemy has pulled a darkness down over their eyes, hardened their hearts, and pressed his hands over their ears. Lies hide in the dark, but truth is revealed in the light. Live a life of light by loving, by growing more Christ-like, and being the light, Jesus has made you to be. The world is enslaved and does not know it, but you can make a difference. Romans 10:13-17 reads,
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Believer, you are the light in a world of darkness. You have the hope of the Gospel in a world that needs Jesus.

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Living Life in Fellowship

9/19/2017

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And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Romans 1:8-17 reads,
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we need each other. We were never meant to go on this journey alone. Yes, in truth once redeemed, we are never alone because God is with us and He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is not only with is but within us and He prays for us before the Father (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:34). But we also need one another. Our relationships bring us closer to God and reveal Him to the world.
Why are our relationships with one another so important? Why do we need other Christians in our lives? First, we pray for one another. In verses 8-10 Paul says,
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you
Prayer works on many levels for us. Prayer not only strengthens our relationship with God, but it keeps us in mind of one another. We are aware of each other, our struggles and our joys and knowing that we are praying for each other reminds us, we are not alone, we are not the center of the universe, we are in this with someone else and for a greater purpose than our own needs and our own glory. What does prayer do? What does fellowship with one another do? Verses 11-12 read,
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours
The physical closeness of fellowship and serving side by side allows us to pray for one another but it also encourages and gives us opportunities to gift one another spiritually. I believe this not only means laying on of hands to release the anointing of gifts such as described in 1 Timothy 13-16, which reads
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
But also, that as we use our gifts with one another we give them to each other and encourage and strengthen each other. I may use my gift of prophecy to encourage a sister and my sister may use her gift of intercessory prayer to strengthen me. My brother may use his gift of healing to heal me and in my praise report, he is edified, the whole church rejoices and may join me in my praise. Our faith mutually, that is reciprocally and communally encourages one another.
Paul was not able to go to the Roman Christians and spend the physical time he longed to spend with them, his letters and prayers would have to be enough for the time being but he knew there was greater benefit in his personal presence than in his letters. A letter is a one-way communication, a response which must continue without the give-and-take of the other respondent. A letter is good, but a visit is so much better.
Paul wanted to reap a harvest in Rome, he wanted to preach the gospel, which was after all his gift, and be able to have the conversation that was not possible in a letter or a greeting sent from a friend. He encouraged the church that they as he should not be ashamed of the gospel, though it could bring them persecution or separation from their families, and division from their communities. Verse 16 reads,
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.

The Gospel is the power of God for salvation! We Christians do not live as we live in order to have a tighter more exclusive club, we do not live in a community that shelters itself from the persecution and ridicule of the world. We live as we do because the world needs Jesus! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).”
We live, we serve, and we love because God loves us and He loves the world. We want what He wants which is that none should perish but all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). How does living life together affect that? Verse 17 says,
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.
God’s righteousness revealed brings about repentance and salvation. It is not revealed through our self-righteousness or piety but our faith, Our faith is revealed by how we live, how we respond to life and how we respond to people. We are not good and then have faith, it is faith which provides the righteousness of Christ. It is our faithful response to all life’s circumstances which reveal faith and glorify God. If our own good works are glorified, that is not faith that is trying to earn the impossible. No one is encouraged that Jesus saves by us being overtly pious; people are saved when they see the love of God manifested in His awesome grace and mercy.
Do not miss out on the opportunities in living life with your fellow believers. You miss out on personal growth, chances to spread the Word of God, and a major part of what it means to have an abundant life.

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Who Are You and Who Are You Made to Be?

9/18/2017

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For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power. Colossians 2:9-10 Photo by David Campbell

Today, I am beginning a new study Paul’s letter to the Romans. Verses 1-7 of this amazing letter consists of Paul’s greeting. He begins with his identity. Verses 1-2 reads,
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures
Believer, you can identify yourself here too. Read verse 1 but fill in your name and your calling. If you do not know your calling fill in “the image of Christ.” For me, this sentence reads, “Donna, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be a teacher, set apart for the gospel of God.” What does it say about you? Write it out, read it aloud. Claim your identity in Christ.
Believer, you are a servant of Christ Jesus. You have obeyed his first commandment of you, that you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). As a servant, it is expected that you will continue to serve Him, obey Him, and seek to represent your Lord and Master in the world. To obey, you must know what it is He asks of you. You need a relationship to listen and communicate with Him and you need to know where to look for His commandments. The Word of God is filled with God’s will for you. Jesus told us, ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). It is in the obedience to this command that we best represent Him to the world. In John 13:34-35 Jesus said,
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What is your calling? How is it that God wants you specifically to love people and share His Gospel? There are many gifts God has given and God has given you at least one (1 Corinthians 12:7). Using your gifts is how God builds His church and builds up His church. He works through each of us and adds to the church but also strengthens us as we become more and more like Him. 1 Peter 4:8-11 says it this way,
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen

What is your gift? If you do not know, there are several ways to find out. If you actively serve God, persistently follow Him, and spend much time in the presence of fellow believers, ask your brothers and sisters what your gift is. They will know because they will see God’s Holy Spirit at work within you and through you. You can see for yourself as well, what it is you’re good at doing. Are you the person who loves to clean up after service, plan a party, or give to the poor? Are you the person skilled at making the Gospel simple, speaking God’s truth to those around, or praying for others? That is likely your gift. There are a couple of places in the Word, which list some of the gifts. One such list is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. It reads,
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

There are also tests you can take to help you identify your gifts. As you grow and mature in Christ, your gifts will grow and change. Whatever your gifts are, God set you apart to use them for His Gospel.
You were called before you were born, before the world was created, to be a servant of Christ! God made you very purposefully and with great deliberation so that you could be exactly who He designed you to be, His servant glorifying Him in the image of Christ. Read what Paul wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:3-10.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
As verse 2 reminds us, we were called apart beforehand, through His prophets in the holy Scriptures. That may sound confusing to you. What does it mean? It means that you find out who you are in Christ, by reading the Bible and believing what it is God says about you in those glorious living pages. As you find out who Jesus is, you will find out who you are in Him. Verses 3-4 tell us a little something about who Jesus is, and what the Gospel is.
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Jesus is the Son of God born as a man as prophecy states from the lineage of King David and professed and recognized as the Son of God by the Holy Spirit and by His Resurrection. He is our Savior and Lord, Jesus.
Jesus is the Son of God; He is the power of Almighty God manifested in perfect Love, Peace, and Salvation! If you mediate on what that means, you cannot help but be overjoyed and rest in the knowledge of who He is and who you are in Him. Believer, you are saved, you are given the righteousness of Christ because He took your sins on Himself and paid the price (2 Corinthians 5:21). You have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead within you (Romans8:11)! You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)! You can do greater things than Jesus did (John 14:12)! Why? How? Because you are a servant of Christ, called and set aside to be who you are, because God adores you.

Do you know who you are in Christ? Do you know who God made you to be? He made you to be loved, He made you a saint (Romans 1:6). I want you to know who you are, so you can help others know who they are, so you can love them the way God loves them, and so you can love the full life your Creator means for you to live.

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Who Are You and Who Are You Made to Be?

Donna Campbell

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