Tag: joy in the Holy Spirit
Gospel transformed lives!
Scripture reading for September 12: 1 Thessalonians 1
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7
When people hear the Gospel message in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His power of conviction, transformation takes place. Sinners become saints and brothers and sisters are now aware of God’s great love for them. Their lives begin to undergo transformation as God’s love received through repentance begins to flow in their hearts through the infilling Holy Spirit. Hopelessness is replaced by new vision of God’s gracious and glorious plans for His children. Growth in godliness is evident as the Word of God is proclaimed and taught and received by hungry hearts. Godly leaders model Christ Jesus for the new believers and help them rejoice in the transformed life.
This is what Paul was commending the church for in Thessalonica. He prayed for them to continue to grow and undergo change. He wrote to encourage them to focus on Jesus Christ and God’s Word and the promise of Christ’s return. In other words, Paul was affirming their paradigm shift in world views. Their radical change was an example and encouragement to Paul and his missions team. It also was an example to other believers and impacted a wide geographic area, spreading like ripples from a stone throne into water. When our world view is transformed by God’s Word, we also impact others in a widening circle.
Have you experienced this kind of a transformation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What aspects of your life changed when you received grace through repentance? Are you living out your world view in the joy of the Holy Spirit and setting examples for those in the culture and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending believers to share the Gospel message in power and with full conviction. Thank You for the transforming Holy Spirit Who lives in me and reveals the hope we have in Jesus Christ, now and when He returns! Use me to be an example to others in need of Jesus! Amen!
Faith working through Love!
Scripture reading for July 1st: Romans 14
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 14:19-23 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
In Paul’s time, eating meat sacrificed to idols was a big issue. Some believed that this meat would pollute them spiritually. Others were concerned that this would cause unbelievers to think that believers were serving idols too. Paul taught the law of love. When we love others, we do what is best for them and try and keep peace. Each person should serve God with a clear conscience, acting in faith in whatever they believe in these disputable matters. This doesn’t mean that we ignore sin and fail to lovingly pray for and confront believers that are still caught in sinful lifestyles. We must do all that we do to the glory of God and live by faith to please Him!
Observations for over-comers: “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 14:17)“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.” (Psalm 51:12-13)
Rigtheousness, peace and joy!
Scripture reading for July 31st: Romans 14:1-23
The body of Christ is composed of people from different walks of life and different spiritual experience. Some come from religious backgrounds. Others come with no spiritual training and are eager to learn what is expected. Paul knew that the church at Rome was very diverse, with many Jews and Gentiles of different backgrounds. He wrote to help them understand how to practice the command of Jesus to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9-10)
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (Romans 14:1-4a) We enter into pride when we judge someone else. Some matters, such as eating meat sacrificed to idols, are disputable. The strong person knows that the idol is nothing and that the meat is made clean by prayer and thanksgiving. The weaker person may feel polluted by the meat and believe that they have sinned by eating it. As long as what they do is motivated by their faith, neither one is to judge the other and cause disunity or division over eating meat! We do not show love when bringing strife over matters like this.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” (Romans 14:17-18) The Holy Spirit wants to lead us in loving our brothers and sisters, not in judging them on matters of conscience that are not clearly dealt with in Scripture. We can please God by walking in love and faith that God will deal with each person according to their faith.
“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:22-23) Be quiet and live by faith!