Another wonderful day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it! Yesterday I spoke about our ‘sin consciousness’, and I would like to thank ‘Anonymous’ for his/her comment on the matter. I would also like to take the opportunity to quickly discuss the topic raised by ‘Anonymous’; namely that we tend to take portions/verses in the Bible out of context and build our lives around these ‘half truths’. This can leave us in rather a difficult spot! The Bible has only ONE main author, and that is the Living God Himself; therefore the Bible ‘should’ have only ONE message. But when we read Scripture out of context we tend to find contradicting messages in the Bible, leaving as in a vulnerable and confusing place.
For an example, let’s have a look at one such verse in the Bible that has been misused in the past:
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
When we take this out of context it sounds like an open and shut case: we are sinners! However, when we read the verses leading up to and following v.23, the true meaning of what the Holy Spirit wanted to convey to us is revealed: “(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.”
The point I want to make here is that when we are able see what God has done for us and with us in Christ, sin is not the controlling factor anymore – and therefore our thoughts cannot be filled with sin anymore, but with Truth:
Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Please also read this verse in context)
Again it is very clear that it has everything to do with Him, and nothing to do with what we may achieve or not achieve. And this is what righteousness is all about; it is His Righteousness, and by His grace that we have been saved and redeemed! We have heard that righteousness (or in simpler terms: being right with God) has something to do with what we do or refrain from doing. However, this is not what the Bible teaches! Scripture is crystal clear about this: you are not righteous because you help old people cross the busy street, or because you read several chapters in the Bible on a daily basis, or even because you feel righteous. You are righteous solely because the sacrifice of Jesus made you so!
Now you help people to cross the street because you want to, and you read your Bible because you want to know Him more, and you start living the Life He intended for you to live!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
How wonderful and indescribably fantastic is our God? This is the Good News: He gave us the good life, the Life of Christ, planted us in the Vine, and although there is a great deal of suffering and tribulation and trails in the world; we can be at peace and have confidence because of our being in Him. (John 16:33)
I want to encourage you with the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Do you see whose righteousness, and do you see the promise?
And remember: Father loves you very very much!
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2 comments:
It is really a blessing to read about someone who is so excited about being a "Child of God"
But! Listening to and reading the news,or even just looking around us......There so many believers out there going through difficult times.
What prompted me was an article in a newspaper that I would like to share with you and maybe give me and others some answers'
WELKOM. – ’n Groep vroue, wie se mans almal werknemers van die Pamodzi-myn is, het gister hier huilend op hul knieë gegaan, hande vasgehou en gebid vir die toekoms van dié myn wat moontlik vandag gelikwideer gaan word en 4 000 werkers sonder ’n inkomste gaan laat.
Emosionele tonele het hulle hier afgespeel toe Lindie Strydom, bekend om haar rol as Karen in Egoli en bemarkingsbestuurder van Solidariteit se Helpende Hand, ’n roerende boodskap van hoop vir die vroue gebring het. “Ek voel lomp om hier met julle te kom praat. Ek het nie ’n idee waardeur julle gaan nie, maar ek kan vir julle ’n geskenkpakkie van God bring – hoop.”
Sy het M. Scott Peck se boek The Road less Traveled aangehaal en gesê die lewe is moeilik. Eers wanneer ’n mens dit verstaan en aanvaar, dan is die lewe nie meer moeilik nie, want sodra jy dit aanvaar, maak die feit dat die lewe moeilik is, nie meer saak nie.
“Ons moet die probleme in die lewe beskou as geleenthede om te leer. Die Here sal nooit vir ons probleme gee wat te groot vir ons is nie.”
Sy doen ’n beroep op die vroue van Pamodzi om dié swaarkry as ’n geleentheid aan te gryp om karakter te ontwikkel, hulself totaal oor te gee aan God, met God te versoen en met Sy hoop vorentoe te beweeg. “Onthou altyd die krag van ’n biddende vrou is ongelooflik. Wees daar vir jul mans. Omsingel jou man met jou liefde.”
They are praying, and the only thing that can save the situation is a miracle.
Looking forward to your comment
PS A verse that made me think twice was Joh 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. . The problem is we stare blindley at last part ....."ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ...and not the most important ....."If you "abide in me, and my words abide in you" Then only!!!!!
In reply to Anonymous's quote of John 15:7. Note "words" being plural.In other words as Jesus rebuked the enemy by quoting from the bible, so too we need to make an intimate study of the word of God and speak God's word over our situation.Sort of stop telling God about our situation, and start telling our situation about our God.
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