2016-11-25
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week we ended with a presentation of EPH 2: 1-10. This important passage rehearses what we were like before we came to faith and highlights the meaning to our lives of Christ’s redemptive work in us, as we came to faith in Him. Basic understanding of our relationship with God is defined in verses 8-10 in which it is made clear that our faith comes from God’s grace and not anything we do. The relationship, often misunderstood, between grace and works is clarified in (10) in which we are told “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared for us to do.” It is not works, which lead to salvation, but faith in Christ and genuine confession of sin. No one can “earn” his way to heaven.
Having said that, then what enables a person to become a saint and gain eternal life? It is genuine profession of faith in Jesus Christ, Who “rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brings us into His Kingdom of light.” It is He Who redeems us, makes our justification possible, and brings us eternal forgiveness of sins [COL 1: 12-14; JN 3: 16; RO 4 3; 1 JN 1: 9]. My own experience has shown me that living the life that our God teaches us is right brings inner peace and general happiness never possible without Him in it. It’s not the easy path, but it’s the path that encourages us to do what is required to gain eternal life with the Father in heaven one day. I’ve often mentioned that God’s word (the Bible) has a supernatural quality which I’ve experienced over the last 55 years. The more one studies it, the hungrier for it he becomes. At this point I have studied the books of both the OT and NT in detail from a wide variety of viewpoints, and I have taught adult, in-depth classes about many of them. In addition, I’ve been writing these weekly devotions for the last 20 years. The way I ideate, the decisions I make have been entirely altered by this practice. This is a practical example of living God’s mystery, which is Christ in us [COL 1: 26-27; COL 2: 2-3].
There is an urgency that all true practitioners of Christianity feel. That is to convey accurately the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who either haven’t heard it, have weakened faith in it, or who try to deny it’s truthfulness. I do this by working 6 hours a week for “In Search of Shalom,” participating in secured computer and texting chats with seekers from all walks of life. Other spiritually mature believers do it by the example of Christian living they exhibit or by asking key questions of non-believers that lead them into thought-provoking discussions. All of these are relational witnessing, the most effective kind, the kind that is Kingdom-building work for the Lord. The habit of prayer is an integral part of doing anything for the Lord. One prays beforehand to ask the Lord for direction and help. He prays for the people with whom he interacts for their specific needs. He prays that the Lord will use him as His instrument in accomplishing whatever task is at hand. He prays to offer the Lord thanks and praise after the task has been successfully achieved. He prays for self and for others. The mature believer (saint) is aware of the Lord’s constant presence. He knows how to be aware of blessings asked for and received. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are His constant companions. He never feels alone or abandoned [PS 9: 9-10]. PS 145: 18-19, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.”
PRAYER: O Lord, You are our Strength and the Source of any wisdom we have. It is Your Spirit that guides us in how we live, the decisions we make, the actions we take. He helps us to understand You and Your will for our lives. We must have the courage to follow You with obedience and faithfulness. Often You ask us to take a path less travelled or one that is difficult for us. Our human foibles get in the way; our sinful natures object. And yet, You created us with the ability to follow Your commands and to be enormously blessed by them. We acknowledge Your superior wisdom and power to bring Your goodness to this sinful world. Our prayer is found in PS 118: 19-25, “Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation. The Stone the builders have rejected has become the Capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us and grant us success.” We treasure You as our Covenant Partner and want to know You better. Your goals are ours; Your enemies are ours. It matters to us that Your truths are spread, that Your Gospel is well understood by those who hear it from us, and that those who have yet to believe in Your Son should come to faith in Him. We utter this prayer in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m led to discuss the relationship between Paul’s prayers in COL 1: 3-14 and EPH 1: 17-20 and his concerns about the Colossian heresy and Gnosticism, which came afterward. False prophecy was always at the heart of Paul’s concerns. When Paul wrote to Timothy, in 2 TIM 1: 13-14, he said something that I personally take very seriously. “What you heard from me, keep to the pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the Treasure entrusted to you---guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.” To me, this means knowing the teachings of Christ and transmitting them with the wisdom and accuracy that only the Holy Spirit can impart. Many of the seekers I encounter are between the ages of 18 and 30. This is a time of many crucial decisions—things like: How long do I want to stay in school? Which values do I accept, reject? What career do I want? What kind of people do I want as friends? What person do I want as my spouse? Do I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior? Impatience in making these decisions simply won’t do; in fact, impatience hinders. That’s because we will make these decisions as God feels we are ready for them. Having an honorable, responsible approach to the tasks the Holy Spirit asks us to do for the Lord is essential to the success for which we prayed above. None of us can have this success without God’s intervention and wisdom imparted to us [JN 15: 5]. If we ask for these things, God will give them to us. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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