John 15:10 NLT
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
There is much discussion about obeying the law even though we are born again and Christians. Does this scripture say therefore we who follow Jesus are to obey His commandments, the ones Jesus left for us and not the law? Jesus obeyed the law and all of the original commandments. We remain in the Father's love as we do this. Of course, if we truly obey the commandment Jesus left for us, we remain faithful to the ten and the moral codes from the original Mosaic laws. Just thinking...
When we are in God's love, we want to do everything to please Him, but we do it out of gratitude rather than "obeying the law" --- the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law that Paul talks about. Jesus' commandments center around love, love of God and each other. He says those two cover all of it. Yet, He still mentions from time to time in the New Testament the different laws that the Pharisees broke, in a way substantiating their importance to them, the jews. As we die to self, we "obey" the commandments increasingly, automatically.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
In this scripture verse it states that we are God's masterpiece, His workmanship. That's the major difference between following the Old Testament law and following Jesus. Heart motives are changed by Him as He transforms us. His love increases our love. It's so neat! We have the law to look at to show us the difference between good and evil, but we have God's love to help us obey His commandments. So simple, huh? Even when we mess up, His love gets us back on track.
We don't have to earn His love like the Hebrews under the law did. I guess, to sum it up, the morals are not to be dismissed, we just approach them in a different way, don't you think?
Monday, July 27, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Everyone
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
We live in a time where we see what is happening around the world in real time. We expect it and we expect solutions to situations to happen immediately. Patience is something we have little of. We want it now.
We wait for Jesus to return as did the Christians of the first century church. They expected Jesus at any time and yet they did understand they would not know the day or the hour. But He did not return in their lifetime. And He has not returned yet.
But with what we see happening all around us, I believe it may be sooner than later. There is an increase of environmental changes, weather pattern changes, wars, sexual sin, and you know the list. All of it points to nearing the end times as prophesied in Revelation.
Why hasn't Jesus come? He promised He would. Perhaps as it says in this verse He is looking for us to step up and step out to fulfil the commission He gave to each of us. That is the commission to go into all the world, preach the gospel message, and make disciples. He wants everyone to repent and to come into a right relationship with Jesus.
"Father, give me boldness to step out and reach the lost. Give me boldness to pray for them, Give me the words to testify to what a difference in my life a relationship with Jesus has done. Help me to lead them to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and savior. In Jesus name, I pray."
The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
We live in a time where we see what is happening around the world in real time. We expect it and we expect solutions to situations to happen immediately. Patience is something we have little of. We want it now.
We wait for Jesus to return as did the Christians of the first century church. They expected Jesus at any time and yet they did understand they would not know the day or the hour. But He did not return in their lifetime. And He has not returned yet.
But with what we see happening all around us, I believe it may be sooner than later. There is an increase of environmental changes, weather pattern changes, wars, sexual sin, and you know the list. All of it points to nearing the end times as prophesied in Revelation.
Why hasn't Jesus come? He promised He would. Perhaps as it says in this verse He is looking for us to step up and step out to fulfil the commission He gave to each of us. That is the commission to go into all the world, preach the gospel message, and make disciples. He wants everyone to repent and to come into a right relationship with Jesus.
"Father, give me boldness to step out and reach the lost. Give me boldness to pray for them, Give me the words to testify to what a difference in my life a relationship with Jesus has done. Help me to lead them to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and savior. In Jesus name, I pray."
Monday, July 13, 2015
Faithful Guard
2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. Faithful is not about having faith, it is defined by Merriam-Webster as being loyal, firm in keeping promises, and true to facts.
No matter what I do, how I fall in my daily walk, my Jesus is with me to pick me up and remind me of His promises to me. He reminds me that He is in me and I in Him. And in Him:
I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).
I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).
I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).
I am a partaker of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3,4).
I am an ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20). *
The evil one may try to get me to do those things I used to enjoy by tempting me throughout my day, but He who is greater is in me. He gives me strength, He guards me from all temptation and even when I fall into temptation, He is quick to show me the way out. He is in battle with me as I walk out this salvation walk ever learning, ever growing in Him. Thank you, Jesus!
* See more promises at TheEvans.org
Monday, July 06, 2015
The Battle
Romans 8:31 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
There is a battle going on daily for the saved and the yet to be saved. As believers we are in constant battle with temptation. The enemy knows our past and our weaknesses. He finds ways to remind us of those "good times" we had following him in the past. He brings people of our past life across our path to trigger those old memories and tempt us into going back.
The yet to be saved are still listening to the enemy tell them how good they have it. They are lured by the instant pleasures of the flesh and the search to find happiness in this fallen world. And yet all they need is to hear the truth and they, too can be set free from the baggage they have accumulated.
The battle is in the spiritual realm manifested in much around us. Our society is goodly rather than godly. It seems to have turned from purpose driven to pleasure seeking. If only they knew the pleasure in walking with Jesus.
No matter how long the battle wages or how intense it gets one thing is sure. The battle is won and Jesus is the victor. I am so glad I am on the side of truth; so glad I have been born again into victory over my past, present, and future. I can truly say, "If God is for me who can be against me?"
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
There is a battle going on daily for the saved and the yet to be saved. As believers we are in constant battle with temptation. The enemy knows our past and our weaknesses. He finds ways to remind us of those "good times" we had following him in the past. He brings people of our past life across our path to trigger those old memories and tempt us into going back.
The yet to be saved are still listening to the enemy tell them how good they have it. They are lured by the instant pleasures of the flesh and the search to find happiness in this fallen world. And yet all they need is to hear the truth and they, too can be set free from the baggage they have accumulated.
The battle is in the spiritual realm manifested in much around us. Our society is goodly rather than godly. It seems to have turned from purpose driven to pleasure seeking. If only they knew the pleasure in walking with Jesus.
No matter how long the battle wages or how intense it gets one thing is sure. The battle is won and Jesus is the victor. I am so glad I am on the side of truth; so glad I have been born again into victory over my past, present, and future. I can truly say, "If God is for me who can be against me?"
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