Sinful nature and Spirit are like day and night. The desires of the sinful nature are like opposites to the fruits of the Spirit. This is a good reminder verse that all these different sins are on the same page. Sometimes, in the moment, it's easy to think that a certain sin is more of what I like to call a "pedestal sin". I think that each person has one or two "pedestal sins" that they struggle with more than other sins. And when struggling with those sins, it's common (at least for me and others I know) to think that it's worse than any other sin. This verse brings all sins back to the same level.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Galatians 5:16-26
What an awesome thing to know that I since am led by the Spirit I am not under the law. The law of sinful nature has no power over me. Sure, I sin. Everyone does. It's rather inevitable. But I don't have to let sin control my life.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These fruits are what I need to continuously grow in in order to fight the sinful nature.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Romans 8:1-17
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
These two verses alone deserve an Amen, don't ya think?
No condemnation. Peter has a great group of guy friends and if they needed a motto, I think it'd be "No condemnation" because it's something that they continually reinforce with each other. It's a great encouragement and blessing to see them actively live out the "no condemnation" rule with each other. They keep each other accountable and confess to each other and immediately, without any thought, they reinforce that there is no condemnation in Christ. And it's an ever greater encouragement and blessing to know that God treats me the same way. The fact that I can sin, confess and God does not hold me punishable for those sins is almost too much to wrap my head around.
None of this would be possible without Christ and His death on the cross. He bridged the gap between myself and God. He took the punishment for my sins. All past, present, and future sins of mine have already been paid for.
Verse 12 mentions that we have an obligation. After reading this passage, I focused on the obligation of those in Christ. Our sins have been paid for and therefore we must live in the Spirit. I think that by not choosing to live in the Spirit, it's kind of like saying that what Christ did for me wasn't as awesome as it was. Almost like what He did for me was in vain.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Luke 4:1-13
I wish that when I am tempted to sin, that I had the level head and confidence that Jesus had while being tempted for 40 days by Satan in the desert. To just speak the Truth and that’s the end of it. No discussion. No frustration or anger resulting in regretful words or actions. For some reason, it usually takes me more time than it should to remember the Truth while being tempted. And even after I do remember the Truth, my sinful flesh fights back hard. Through debate and manipulation, Satan uses my sinful nature to try to persuade me into thinking that sinning isn’t as bad as it really is.
Romans 6:23 clearly states that “the wages of sin is death.” Death. There’s no argument about it. So why do I even bother giving it a second thought?
I loved reading how Jesus waited for Satan to finish what he had to say and then just replied with what is True. No argument. No debate. No second thoughts.
I think that reading the Word more will allow verses to come to mind more quickly to use as a defense against sin. I’m trying to increase the amount and frequency that I’m in the Word, as well as being to memorize more Scripture. It’s been a while and I need it.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Living and active. Since I believe that the bible is the inerrant word of God, this part is particularly important to me, especially in today’s society. Many people, believers and non-believers alike, think that the bible is only applicable to some aspects of their lives or believer some of the scriptures to be true. There is an attitude that many folks have adapted in which they pick and choose parts of the bible to believe, follow and obey. They think that the bible may have applied back when it was written, but certainly not for today. It’s more of a “feel good” society where as long as people “feel good” about something, it’s ok. They manipulate Scripture to fit their lives, instead of changing their lives to live in accordance with Scripture. It’s a sad and frightening thing to see happening. For me, it’s “all or nothing” and I choose all.
Choosing all means changing my life. If there is any area of my life that is out of sync with the Word, then I must change that area of my life. And change it fast. The Word offers those of us who “choose all” a way to examine our own hearts and expose our sins. This is ultimately what we need if we are going to humbles ourselves enough to be able to lay down our stubborn pride, surrender our wills to His will, and accept His forgiveness, mercy and grace.
In HEBREWS, The New Testament Commentary Series by Ray C. Stedman, he writes, “Plainly, Scripture is the only reliable guide we have to function properly as a human in a broken world. Philosophy and psychology give partial insights, based on human experience, but they fall far short of what the Word of God can do. It is not intended to replace human knowledge or effort, but is designed to supplement and correct them. Surely the most hurtful thing pastors and leaders of churches can do to their people is to deprive them of firsthand knowledge of the Bible. The exposition of both Old and New Testaments from the pulpit, in classrooms and small group meetings is the first responsibility of church leaders. They are "stewards of the mysteries of God" and must be found faithful to the task of distribution. This uniqueness of Scripture is the reason that all true human discovery in any dimension must fit within the limits of divine disclosure. Human knowledge can never outstrip divine revelation.”
The sad thing is many people don’t believe the bible to be a reliable guide, but that’s a whole 'nother story.
Romans 6:23 clearly states that “the wages of sin is death.” Death. There’s no argument about it. So why do I even bother giving it a second thought?
I loved reading how Jesus waited for Satan to finish what he had to say and then just replied with what is True. No argument. No debate. No second thoughts.
I think that reading the Word more will allow verses to come to mind more quickly to use as a defense against sin. I’m trying to increase the amount and frequency that I’m in the Word, as well as being to memorize more Scripture. It’s been a while and I need it.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Living and active. Since I believe that the bible is the inerrant word of God, this part is particularly important to me, especially in today’s society. Many people, believers and non-believers alike, think that the bible is only applicable to some aspects of their lives or believer some of the scriptures to be true. There is an attitude that many folks have adapted in which they pick and choose parts of the bible to believe, follow and obey. They think that the bible may have applied back when it was written, but certainly not for today. It’s more of a “feel good” society where as long as people “feel good” about something, it’s ok. They manipulate Scripture to fit their lives, instead of changing their lives to live in accordance with Scripture. It’s a sad and frightening thing to see happening. For me, it’s “all or nothing” and I choose all.
Choosing all means changing my life. If there is any area of my life that is out of sync with the Word, then I must change that area of my life. And change it fast. The Word offers those of us who “choose all” a way to examine our own hearts and expose our sins. This is ultimately what we need if we are going to humbles ourselves enough to be able to lay down our stubborn pride, surrender our wills to His will, and accept His forgiveness, mercy and grace.
In HEBREWS, The New Testament Commentary Series by Ray C. Stedman, he writes, “Plainly, Scripture is the only reliable guide we have to function properly as a human in a broken world. Philosophy and psychology give partial insights, based on human experience, but they fall far short of what the Word of God can do. It is not intended to replace human knowledge or effort, but is designed to supplement and correct them. Surely the most hurtful thing pastors and leaders of churches can do to their people is to deprive them of firsthand knowledge of the Bible. The exposition of both Old and New Testaments from the pulpit, in classrooms and small group meetings is the first responsibility of church leaders. They are "stewards of the mysteries of God" and must be found faithful to the task of distribution. This uniqueness of Scripture is the reason that all true human discovery in any dimension must fit within the limits of divine disclosure. Human knowledge can never outstrip divine revelation.”
The sad thing is many people don’t believe the bible to be a reliable guide, but that’s a whole 'nother story.
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