"Legalistic Or Holy?"

"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."  Isaiah 52:11

When I was growing up, I understood that being a Christian meant that there were certain things I did not do.  I did not drink.  I did not smoke.  I did not do drugs.  I did not cuss.  I dressed modestly.  I didn't "shack up" and live with someone that I was not married to.  It meant there were certain places I did not go.  I did not go hang out at the bars.  I did not go spend my money at the casinos.  I did not hang out with thugs.  I did not watch indecent movies.   

Now days I see everything that I named, plus more, in the lives of those who profess to be Christians.  "These things ought not be." (James 3:10)  But they have become an accepted lifestyle and the norm.  To say anything about, or against, this behavior is to be accused of "judging" or being "legalistic".  I want to clarify this morning that it is neither. 

Oh, but we are under grace, you may say.  Yes, but grace is not a license to sin.  And grace is more than unmerited favor.  It is also God's divine influence upon the heart.  If He has no influence in your life-- what you do, what you wear, where you go, how you live, or your attitude-- then your salvation is doubtful.  We are saved by grace through faith.  When grace is appropriated to our lives, though it is unearned and not "worked for", it is to be "worked out".  That means we walk in and live in that Divine influence of God that is now in our lives.

I am not talking about legalism I am talking about holiness.  "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15,16)  Holy lives are a reflection of the Father and evidence of His work of transformation taking place in us.  When He saves us, He doesn't leave us like we are.  He changes us.  Continuing in the things we have always done, indulging in the same fleshly desires we have always fulfilled, living the same old lifestyle we have always led shows no evidence of any transformation taking place in us.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Does your life reflect God's grace and holiness? 

Have a great day.  What does your lifestyle say about you?  Does it line up with your profession of being a Christian?

For further reading:
Ephesians 5:1-6; 2:8,9

"Keep Your Word"

"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."  John 13:38

During the Last Supper Jesus begins to tell His disciples that He would be leaving them and that where He was going they could not come.  Peter spoke up and said, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." (verse 37) Our opening scripture is Jesus' reply to his question. 

How many times have we done the same thing as Peter?  How many times have we made a "vow", so to speak, that we would follow Him all the days of our lives?  How many times have we told Him that if He will just do this or that for us that we will live for Him?  How many promises have we made to Him?  How many "deals" have we tried to work out with Him?  The real question is not how many, but how many have we actually kept. 

It is easy when we are in need to make these kinds of statements.  But what about when the emergency/problem/need is over?  It is easy to make them when He is blessing us abundantly.  But what about when it is put to the test?  Peter's profession to be willing to lay down his life for Jesus was put to the test.  He failed it-- he denied Jesus three times when the very thing he professed he would do, lay down his life, looked like it might become a reality.  

Peter made the profession because he thought he could really do it.  He made it in the "heat of the moment".  He made it out of pride.  Have you made some profession or vow to the Lord but when it came to fulfilling it, you recanted, or was afraid to do it?  The Bible says that it is better not to make a vow to God than to make it and not keep it.  Jesus knew Peter wouldn't keep it, but He loved him anyway.  After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter and Peter did actually lay down his life for Jesus.  It is time for you to keep your vow to Him as well.

Have a great day.  Have you told the Lord you would do something but haven't kept your word to Him? 

For further reading:
Ecclesiastes 5:4,5  

"Hold Fast To God's Word"

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)."  Hebrews 10:23

Where does the profession of our faith come from?  It comes from God's Word.  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)  How did we come to believe what we believe about Jesus Christ the Son of God?  Through the preaching of God's Word.  How did we receive eternal life?  By responding to what we heard when we heard the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Lord uses the foolishness of preaching (His Word) to save the lost.  He uses His Word to guide and instruct us through our journey of life.  He uses His Word to enlighten our pathway so that we can see clearly how to walk through life.  He uses His Word to convict and convince us of sin.  He uses His Word to give us hope, joy, peace and strength.  His Word is such a vital part of our Christian life.  So vital that we can't afford to neglect it.  So vital that we can't live without it.  It is food to our spirits.  It is life and health to our flesh. 

The enemy knows how "important" the Word of God is in bringing the lost to Christ, in the saving of a person's soul, in establishing us in our spiritual growth, in equipping us in how to face life's problems and situations, in revealing God the Father's will in our lives and in keeping us from falling.  Therefore, He tries to steal the Word from us.  How?  By twisting it to mean what we want it to mean.  By watering it down.  By deceiving us into believing that we don't really need it.  By lying to us and telling us that it is not relevant for today and it is out dated.  By mixing it with man's philosophies, humanistic wisdom, cultural traditions, old wives-tales, misguided interpretation and by deceiving us into believing there are no absolutes. 

Because of this, we must hold fast to God's Word and don't waver from it no matter what society tells us about it, no matter what the consensus of the world is, no matter what anyone else tells us or teaches including misguided churches, or even an angel.  We have to hold fast our profession of God's Word.  His Words are life and eternal life to us.       

Have a great day.  Hold fast to the truth of God's Word no matter what anyone else says about it.

For further reading:
2 Timothy 1:13; 3:15
Romans 10:14

 

"Established In My Heart?"

"Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear."  Psalm 119:38

The word establish in the dictionary means:  set up (an organization, system, or set of rules) on a firm or permanent basis.  The word established means:  having been in existence for a long time and therefore recognized and generally accepted.

God's word has been set up/established from the beginning.  It is permanent and to be recognized and accepted as the truth.  Its instructions, its councils, its commands have always been accepted as the absolute truth-- because it is.  Nations were formed on its principals.  Businesses were governed by its precepts.  Lives have been forever changed by the peace it gives.  Hope has been restored because of its promises.  Dreams have been accomplished because of its guidance.  Nations have fallen because they refused to be governed by it.  Lives have resulted in ruin because they ignored it.  

God's word has been established forever-- from the beginning until the end.  Yet, sadly, now days it is being put in question.  It is being rejected.  It is being mocked.  It is being ignored.  Even in the church it is being watered down, compromised, reinterpreted, and rejected as the first and final authority.  It is being replaced by philosophy; by educated wisdom; by humanistic thinking.  Do we really think we know better?  Do we really think we can build our lives, our homes, our businesses, our nations, upon our own wisdom and council?   

Only a house that is built upon a firm foundation can stand the test of time and the elements.  Only a life that is built upon a firm foundation can stand and withstand life in general.  "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24,25)

While the world is degrading the word of God, while the church is compromising it, and while multitudes are ignoring it, you and I must individually live by it, let it govern our actions and attitudes, and have its truths firmly established in our hearts. 

Have a great day.  God's word is forever established.  Is it established in your heart?

"Greater Righteousness"

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20

The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was dependent upon their works, deeds and religious intellect.  It was a self-righteousness.  Jesus tells His disciples, and us, that unless our righteousness exceeds theirs, we will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  How can ours exceed theirs?  We are all born with the same righteousness-- or rather lack of.  Our righteousness is as "filthy rags".  So was theirs.  We are all in the same boat with the scribes and Pharisees.  All our righteousness is "filthy" no matter how many good deeds we do or religious acts we perform. 

The only way our righteousness can exceed this "self-righteousness" of the scribes and Pharisees is by our righteousness being transformed.  The only way it can be transformed is through Jesus Christ.  In order for our righteousness to exceed this filthy righteousness we must be a partaker of Jesus Christ's righteousness.  We must have His righteousness applied to our lives.  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) This happens when we receive Him as our Savior.

Does your righteousness "exceed" that of the scribes and Pharisees?  Is it greater?  Is it great enough to cause you to be able to enter into the Kingdom of heaven?  If it's your own, it won't be.  Yours is filthy, therefore, it is unacceptable to God.  Nothing "filthy" will enter into His Kingdom.  But God has provided a righteousness that exceeds all our righteousness.  It is provided through Jesus Christ and is available to all who will receive it.

Have a great day.  Whose righteousness do you have?  The same as the scribes and Pharisees?  Or the righteousness of Jesus? 

For further reading:
Romans 3:22
Isaiah 64:6