We live in a time when people are looking for ways to be healthier, live longer, and enjoy the pleasures of this world. From ‘super foods’ and special diets to exercise and medical intervention, extraordinary amounts of money are spent trying to reach the ‘fountain of youth.’ This pursuit has not changed the fact that all die. Some live longer than others, but all die.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). All have sinned (3:23), which means there is no escaping the death penalty. Healthy habits may extend our lives to some extent, but no program will avoid death. It is a price that must be paid for sin. At the same time, God is offering a “free gift” for those who will acknowledge their sinful condition and the guilt that goes with it and believe that Jesus provided a way to redeem us from such an eternal penalty. In this “free gift” is God’s grace that justifies us; makes us righteous before God (3:24; 5:17; Titus 3:7). With this amazing grace, God’s “free gift” also gives “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life cannot be found anywhere else except in God’s Son. God wanted His grace to reign through righteousness so every person can know and possess in Christ this eternal life. Because it is “in Christ Jesus our Lord” and we are in Him, this eternal life is enjoyed now as well as in eternity. If you possess this life, are you telling someone else today where to find it?
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From the title, I do not want you to get the idea that this blog is about looking in a mirror in order to admire yourself. That will always result in some sort of distortion and pride that comes from self-occupation. James reminds us that when we look at ourselves, we “go away and at once forget what [we look] like” (1:24). There is no benefit from ‘self-gazing’.
Scripture makes it clear that when we see ourselves “in Christ Jesus,” we are looking at ourselves as God sees us. This becomes better understood as we look at the process God took us through so that we can be “in Christ Jesus” now and for all eternity. Paul takes us through the gospel truth that makes this very clear. I have tried below to summarize this so it is easy to remember: · We are crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 6:14). · In Christ, we have died to sin because we have died with Him (Romans 6:2-3, 5, 7-8, 11). · Since we have died with Christ, we have also been buried with Him (Ro. 6:4; Colossians 2:12) symbolized in our baptism (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4). · Because Christ is raised from the dead, we also are raised with Him (Ro. 6:4-5, 11; Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1) so that “we too might walk in newness of life” in Christ. The ability and power to see ourselves “in Christ Jesus” and walk in that new life can never be achieved without seeing the whole process from crucifixion/death right through to resurrection. The power and reality of this new life can only be experienced as we believe and accept what Scripture says about what has taken place for us “in Christ Jesus”. I am constantly challenged by this and trust this blog will inspire you in the same way so together we allow the life of Christ to control us and make Him visible to others. There are places in the New Testament, and particularly in Paul’s letters, where statements are made that seem unbelievable. When we realize what we were before the grace of God reached into our broken lives and made us new, the assertions of Scripture seem either exaggerated or out of place. Yet, there is a divine intent in this tremendous discrepancy.
Paul captured this extreme difference. To a church that had personal power struggles, party loyalties and unchecked immorality, he lifts their eyesight to the way God looked at them through Christ’s completed and perfect work in redemption. But he does this in a very unique way. Paul first makes his point by making exaggerated statements about himself and Sosthenes. They were willing to be “last of all, like men sentenced to death…a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake…we are weak…we in disrepute” (4:9-10). This attitude requires a mature, humble mind in Christ so that others can be lifted up to what they are in Christ. Paul charges them with becoming “rich and kings” (1 Corinthians 4:8). Paul charges them with becoming “rich and kings” (1 Corinthians 4:8). At the same time, to achieve spiritual growth and maturity in them, Paul says, “But you are wise in Christ…you are strong…you are held in honor” (4:10). This attitude is a direct reflection of Jesus, “who, though He was in the form of God…emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant…humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:6-8). As Jesus came to serve us through this humble attitude, we have the challenge of how closely we will follow His example. Paul was captured by this character in his Master and determined to replicate it in himself through the Holy Spirit in him. Will you and I serve others under our influence in the same way? (Report from Jonathan) “God is at work in Hmawbi!! I arrived today at 3pm and found that potentially up to 5 brothers had finished the manual! With only an hour with them today, I did not have a chance to look through everything. A couple of them travelled 3 hours both ways and needed to be home by dark which also limited our time together. What a group of faithful men! They were answering questions very quickly as if they knew their material. This really shows the power of the Holy Spirit working in them and manifesting itself in their willingness to learn.
Another evidence that God is working in them is that there was no mention of money. They only wanted God's word from me. What a joy to experience this confirmation that the Spirit was producing a hunger for the Word more than anything else. Pray for me as I only have one full day tomorrow and will try to keep focused those who have finished and move them forward with the projects in hopes to graduate them in the Fall. The Scripture that comes to mind is 2 Corinthians 8:5 where Paul was speaking about the unbelievable generosity that came from this poor Macedonian church; "and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us." These are my sentiments about the brothers in Hmawbi. They have absolutely exceeded any expectation I had. And we praise the Lord for the power of His Spirit and His Word in those who have given themselves over to Him.” This report reminds me of Paul’s confidence he had in the Philippians: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence” (Philippians 2:12). This was the work of the gospel in them and in those in Hmawbi. Their obedience started when and how they received the gospel. It was not forced. The challenge for us is to examine how we received the gospel and how it has produced obedience. Often we look at our past with all the ugly sins that peppered our history and wonder how it can be possible that God would erase our sinful record. Actually, it is impossible for our minds and hearts to grasp this truth because it is an act of God’s indescribable love and grace. That is why we are saved by grace “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is the only way we even begin to accept the erasing of our sin record. Faith in the work of Jesus for us is the only way we can be saved.
But there is more. To understand more fully who we are in Christ, we must realize that God has sanctified (dedicated to the loyal service of God, consecrated or made holy) a people for Himself and “called to be saints” (God’s people, holy - 1 Corinthians 1:2). That is a proof God fully accepted the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross. To be a “saint” is not a title we can earn. It is not gained by education or status through some organizational system. It is part of the gift of grace given by God through faith in Jesus Christ. As we let the Holy Spirit confirm in us this truth and transform our lives through His indwelling work, we then start living according to what we have been called; “saints”! How is this truth affecting your walk with the Lord and how you see yourself “IN CHRIST”? In my quiet time with the Lord yesterday morning I read Psalm 78:5-8. I felt the Lord speak so clearly to my heart regarding a huge need in every Christian family and church. Here is my journal entry.
One of the most important reasons why God has given His “testimony” to His people is so they will pass it along to the next generation. I am so thankful for this being lived out by a few. There are two couples serving our young people at church who without shame proclaim God’s truth to the next generation when their parents (who should be doing this) are not as they should. There is a trend in many churches to avoid difficult issues and place more emphasis on non-controversial issues, fun and games, than proclaiming truth that will make them strong in faith and practice. Asaph has it right. God “commanded our fathers to teach to their children.” Why was this so critical for the fathers to do? “That the next generation might know them…so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep His commandments; that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.” As I read these verses again, I am in awe of God looking down the corridors of time to our day and speaking to us through Asaph as if it were 2018. This adds punch to the Word of God for our hearts today. May the Spirit help us take them to heart and apply them in life for the sake of the next generation. There are times when I sit still before the Lord and just ponder how far back, even in human history, He was putting things in place that would affect you and me today. Notice how Paul links two key events in history; “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13–14).
Paul makes it clear that the death of Jesus Christ was the only way we would receive the blessing God gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). The witness of this blessing is only known through faith and the Holy Spirit indwelling us. He is both the witness (Romans 8:16) and the guarantee (Ephesians 1:14). As we survey the scope of God’s plan, purpose and promise; can we live any longer for ourselves when He has provided everything we need to live for Him? We are in Christ. His life is in us. Since “He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15). With this new life in you and me, and we in Him, there is every reason to live for God’s glory all the time! There is an additional principle in being in Christ that we cannot separate from His death for us and our death with Him. “If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (5:17). Our ability to realize in experience the passing of old things, is believing that we are new creatures in Christ and the old has no claim on us any longer. Why do we try so hard to gain acceptance with God and others through our own works and strength? We are powerless! “For while we were still weak [powerless], at the right time Christ died for the ungodly [put your name right here]” (Romans 5:6). As we saw yesterday, the law only brought condemnation. When we were (maybe still are) struggling with the “law of sin that dwells in [us]” (7:23); “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). Take a moment and think back over your life. Can you remember a time when you had no thought of being right with God? Now, go back, way back, before you entered the world stage; nearly two thousand year ago, and then go back before the world and universe existed. YOU WERE ON THE MIND AND HEART OF GOD!! He planned that His son would die for you and me, the “ungodly” and provide a way out of death brought by sin. This death brought by the Law of God was intentional. He wanted us to “live to” Him! But there is only one way we can truly experience this “new life” working in us. Paul helps us grasp this truth; “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Do you really see yourself “crucified with Christ” or is there still some part of your old self that still wants recognition? If you just said “yes” to that question, you are not alone. The more the Holy Spirit reminds me of this truth, the more I want to live this truth in me. Seek the Spirit’s help and He will make it clear to your heart and understanding. During this next week, I want to use a lesson from our new book, God’s Plan for His Disciples, as a basis for these blogs. In my own personal experience and in working with other believers, most of the problems we face stem from not understanding who believers are in Christ and how that changes the way we see ourselves, how we live and relate to others. There is nothing more critical and foundational to the Christian life than a believer knowing his/her rich inheritance in Christ. These riches in Christ do not grow but are perfect and complete the instant they are possessed at salvation. They are in no way related to human merit (work) but stand on the merit of the Son of God, known only through divine revelation. Knowing these riches depends on our allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us what they are and how they impact our lives. We begin with how a disciple/believer is justified in Christ. “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16–17). What does it mean for you to be justified in Christ? It is the removal of guilt because of sin and being acquitted from any charge of unrighteousness; set free from the penalty of sin and made right with God. This means all condemnation has been removed (Romans 8:1). Attempting to be just with God by keeping the law only brings more condemnation because the law will continually point out where you are wrong. That is why Paul says, “through the law I died to the law” (Galatians 2:19). Spiritually, the law brought death. But there is more (see tomorrow’s blog). Becoming justified before God “through faith in Jesus Christ” means that you trust His perfect sacrifice on the cross to erase your sin record and give you His righteousness. Through Him you are able to stand before God with peace, hope, secure in your new life, and filled with joy. There is a common phrase we use and hear when talking about people we know; ‘he is just like his father’ or ‘she is just like her mother.’ This is not always true, but we often see the good or bad behavior in individuals and notice how they are copying either their parents or others they are close to.
Who should we imitate? Paul exhorts the Ephesians; “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). He is indicating that our imitation must be of God, knowing that He is our Father. That is what a child of God does. What does this word “imitate” mean? We are to become like God to a point that we possess the same characteristics that He has. The context around this short verse shows that we are to “put off or put away” behaviors that marked us before being made new in Christ (4:22-29; 2 Corinthians 5:17). These former behaviors “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). There is not one of us who is exempt from this exhortation. We all need to examine our walk to see if it is in love and in the light (5:1, 8). For true disciples of Jesus, this is not just a matter of ‘following’ but of representing God in our manner of life. Others are watching! |
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