Romans 1:14-17 - "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed —a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul understood the importance of the gospel message. He considered it an obligation or his duty to tell everyone about God's great salvation in Christ. Why did Paul give it such great importance? It was the power of God that brings salvation. It reveals the righteousness of God.
The preaching or sharing of the gospel should be natural outcome of our relationship with Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 5:13-16 - " “You
are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can
it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be
thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on
its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds(E) and glorify your Father in heaven."
Salt doesn't work to be salty. It is naturally salty. We as well do not need to work to be salty, but it should be natural outcome of our relationship with God. We know that salt penetrates things. It penetrates food and enhances the flavor. It preserves meat and other things. It gets into wounds and brings healing. It gives life.
We in turn need to be these things. We should have an impact on the lives of those around us for the good. We should be enhancing peoples lives. We should be preserving the world from by holding back sin by being righteous and bringing other to righteousness. We should bring healing and health to those around us.
Matthew 5:14-16 - " “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on
its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
We are to be the light of the world not a light but the light. There is only one light which is the light Jesus Christ. We don't have to work to be a light. We have the light. We just need to let the light shine out of us. It is unreasonable to hide the light. It is unreasonable to hide anything that you prize. If yon have new shoes or new dress, you want people to notice. If you have a new car or a big house, you want people to see it. If you have recently become engaged, you want everyone to know. If you have just had a child, you don't close it in a dark room, but you show him off. We have the greatest gift of all, let us show it off.
The preaching of the gospel is demanded and commanded of us by God.
Paul said, "For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Paul understood the principle taght in Ezekiel 33:1-9. You are held accountable for the sinner going to hell if you do not tell them of Christ's salvation, and warn them of their sinfulness. Paul says, woe is me if I do not.
James even goes farther to say in James 5:20. whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
I am not ashamed of the Gospel
Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
You may say to me, I am not ashamed of the gospel. If not, when was the last time you shared the gospel with someone? We all know that we need to share Christ with others, but are we faithful in this? Some times we are afraid of what people think, say or how they will react. We are afraid of rejection and criticism. To overcome these fears and hesitations, we need to truly believe it is powerful. We need to truly believe it is a matter of life and death. We need to believe it is of the utmost urgency to proclaim it.
Jesus said in Mark 8:38 - " If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Paul understood the importance of telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:14-15 - " For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Are you compelled to share Christ with others? Is there the driving force of the Holy Spirit spurring you on to tell others about Christ's salvation.? Do you have the same attitude as the apostle Paul? Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.
This attitude comes from knowing and experiencing the fulness of Christ, and as result wanting others to participate in this great salvation. Let us no longer be selfish and self centered, but share that which we have received. As believers, we enjoy knowing Christ and enjoy the fellowship we have with him. If it such a great thing, why not let other in on the secret.
You may say to me, I am not ashamed of the gospel. If not, when was the last time you shared the gospel with someone? We all know that we need to share Christ with others, but are we faithful in this? Some times we are afraid of what people think, say or how they will react. We are afraid of rejection and criticism. To overcome these fears and hesitations, we need to truly believe it is powerful. We need to truly believe it is a matter of life and death. We need to believe it is of the utmost urgency to proclaim it.
Jesus said in Mark 8:38 - " If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Paul understood the importance of telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:14-15 - " For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
Are you compelled to share Christ with others? Is there the driving force of the Holy Spirit spurring you on to tell others about Christ's salvation.? Do you have the same attitude as the apostle Paul? Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.
This attitude comes from knowing and experiencing the fulness of Christ, and as result wanting others to participate in this great salvation. Let us no longer be selfish and self centered, but share that which we have received. As believers, we enjoy knowing Christ and enjoy the fellowship we have with him. If it such a great thing, why not let other in on the secret.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
A Good Idea - Not a God Idea
In Numbers 1 Moses is telling the story of how the people of Israel disobeyed God at the border of Canaan, the promise land. In verse 22-46 he talks about the spies going into the land and how when they returned the discouraged the people and resulted in their refusal to enter.
Did Moses make the wrong decision when he sent the 12 spies to spy out Canaan? I would say that he did. God never told him to send spies through out the land. It was the peoples desire and he gave consent to it. There is always a danger when we do something because the people desire it, and not get a word from the Lord.
Was it a bad idea? In human thinking it was a good idea., even a reasonable idea, but not God's idea. We often come up with good ideas, but not God ideas. How often do we have to check the situation over and try to figure things out for ourselves instead of moving in faith? I definitely like to do this. Yet, the danger lies when we let reason rule over obedience. Often when we look at a situation through our eyes and understanding, we lose perspective and faith. Doubt will bring rebellion because we don't think God knows what he is doing. Our way is the right way. Doubt enters because we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the circumstances around us and our inabilities.
The result of looking to circumstances and not to God, you will lose heart and doubt enters. You forget what great things God has done for you and through you in the past. The result is disobedience. Disobedience causes us to lose the blessings and they are often given to another. Disobedience breaks our good relationship with the Lord.
Can we do good to blot out our error and make up for our sin? No, when one sins he can't make it up like a test or go back in time and change it. What is done is done. You can only seek forgiveness and receive God's grace. You can seek to not ever do it again.
Did Moses make the wrong decision when he sent the 12 spies to spy out Canaan? I would say that he did. God never told him to send spies through out the land. It was the peoples desire and he gave consent to it. There is always a danger when we do something because the people desire it, and not get a word from the Lord.
Was it a bad idea? In human thinking it was a good idea., even a reasonable idea, but not God's idea. We often come up with good ideas, but not God ideas. How often do we have to check the situation over and try to figure things out for ourselves instead of moving in faith? I definitely like to do this. Yet, the danger lies when we let reason rule over obedience. Often when we look at a situation through our eyes and understanding, we lose perspective and faith. Doubt will bring rebellion because we don't think God knows what he is doing. Our way is the right way. Doubt enters because we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the circumstances around us and our inabilities.
The result of looking to circumstances and not to God, you will lose heart and doubt enters. You forget what great things God has done for you and through you in the past. The result is disobedience. Disobedience causes us to lose the blessings and they are often given to another. Disobedience breaks our good relationship with the Lord.
Can we do good to blot out our error and make up for our sin? No, when one sins he can't make it up like a test or go back in time and change it. What is done is done. You can only seek forgiveness and receive God's grace. You can seek to not ever do it again.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Taking What Has Been Given
After wandering 40 years in the desert and now at the border of the promise land again. Moses finds it necessary to recount to the people of Israel what happened to this new generation. We find this in Deuteronomy chapter 1.
Moses explains how he encouraged the people of Israel to take hold of the promise, but they rebelled and refused to take hold of it. We are often the same way. God has given many good and wonderful promises in His Word, but we do not lay hold of them.
Let us look at three great promises God has given us, His people.
Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ"
Ephesians 1:18 says, He has given us a rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:19 says, He has given us incomparable great power for those who believe.
Today I want to encourage you to believe in God's many promises and lay hold of through faith and obedience. Let us not be rebellious and stubborn like the people of Israel.
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Moses explains how he encouraged the people of Israel to take hold of the promise, but they rebelled and refused to take hold of it. We are often the same way. God has given many good and wonderful promises in His Word, but we do not lay hold of them.
Let us look at three great promises God has given us, His people.
Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ"
Ephesians 1:18 says, He has given us a rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:19 says, He has given us incomparable great power for those who believe.
Today I want to encourage you to believe in God's many promises and lay hold of through faith and obedience. Let us not be rebellious and stubborn like the people of Israel.
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Benefits of Righteousness
When one reads Proverbs 3:25-33, we find several benefits of a righteous life. They will not need to fear sudden or the ruin that will over take the wicked. v.25 The Lord will keep our foot from being snared. v.26 He takes the upright in his confidence. v.32 He blesses the home of the righteous. v.33
The sinful pleasures of this world are deceptive. We think there is much gain in them. Yet, they will only be a snare and produce ruin. They will rob us of the true blessings God desires to give.
Lord! Help me live a righteous life today and every day.
The sinful pleasures of this world are deceptive. We think there is much gain in them. Yet, they will only be a snare and produce ruin. They will rob us of the true blessings God desires to give.
Lord! Help me live a righteous life today and every day.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Righteousness brings Health
Proverbs 3:7-8 - "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
I love this verse. A righteous life brings health and nourishment to our bodies. This is so true. When we do right, we are not plagued with guilt which is detrimental to our physical and mental health. We are not plagued with worry and stress that someone will uncover our sin. In other words a clear conscience produces enables a healthy body. The Bible says do not worry. Worry effects our health badly.
Also, there are many sins in this world that are not healthy for the body. Many sexual sins bring disease. Alcoholism and smoking is detrimental to our health. Gluttony is unhealthy as well. Thieving, cheating, and lying hurts our relationships. It even can bring physical reprisal. We are a relational people. If they are not good, it takes a tole on our bodies.
Let us live righteous and health lives.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
I love this verse. A righteous life brings health and nourishment to our bodies. This is so true. When we do right, we are not plagued with guilt which is detrimental to our physical and mental health. We are not plagued with worry and stress that someone will uncover our sin. In other words a clear conscience produces enables a healthy body. The Bible says do not worry. Worry effects our health badly.
Also, there are many sins in this world that are not healthy for the body. Many sexual sins bring disease. Alcoholism and smoking is detrimental to our health. Gluttony is unhealthy as well. Thieving, cheating, and lying hurts our relationships. It even can bring physical reprisal. We are a relational people. If they are not good, it takes a tole on our bodies.
Let us live righteous and health lives.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Love & Faithfulness
Proverbs 3:3-4 - "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
As a person and believer these two qualities are indispensable. Love and faithfulness are foundations of the Christian faith. Yet, often we find a lack of these two qualities. We need to walk in God's agape love towards Him and others. Out of true love faithfulness comes. A person who is not faithful lacks love. A person who lacks love will not be faithful. It is true that some are faithful out of duty and fear of reprisal, but at sometime this will not be sufficient and it will fail them.
As you see these two qualities come with a promise. You will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
As a person and believer these two qualities are indispensable. Love and faithfulness are foundations of the Christian faith. Yet, often we find a lack of these two qualities. We need to walk in God's agape love towards Him and others. Out of true love faithfulness comes. A person who is not faithful lacks love. A person who lacks love will not be faithful. It is true that some are faithful out of duty and fear of reprisal, but at sometime this will not be sufficient and it will fail them.
As you see these two qualities come with a promise. You will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
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