Tag: redemption
Wise for salvation
Scripture reading for July 7: 1 Corinthians 1
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because you are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”“ (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Paul had founded the church in Corinth and preached there for about a year and a half. He and his ministry team along with Pricilla and Aquila saw great numbers of Gentiles come to the Lord in this pagan city, known for its idolatry and sensuality. Consequently, this church experienced many problems that Paul would address in this letter. He began by reminding them of their original place in that culture. Not many were among those considered wise and powerful. Many were counted as nothing and possibly were slaves. Others may have been sickly or invalids, considered as the weakest of that culture. The world view prevalent in that culture valued wisdom, strength, and powerful positions and titles. It was very similar to this day and our culture.
But Paul reminded them that God specialized in choosing the weak and powerless and marginalized and giving them a place in His eternal kingdom. In fact, in Christ Jesus, they had received wisdom from God as their Father. He had declared them righteous before Him and set them apart as those marked to rule in His eternal kingdom. They may have had nothing to boast about in the culture of the world they lived in, but in God’s kingdom they could boast that they now knew the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father, Who created all things. In fact, they were now adopted into His forever family! This knowledge unlocked wisdom for salvation and eternal riches beyond all earthly gold and silver or power and position.
As you consider you own life and how you are perceived in this culture, are you among the wise, those considered ‘valuable’, or the powerful? If you could boast about anything you have or have accomplished, what would it be? Do you have the wisdom offered through Jesus Christ for eternal life?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the wisdom found in Your Son Jesus Christ. My world view has been expanded and my place in Your kingdom has been revealed. I give myself to You to be used to further Your eternal kingdom and purposes. My boast is in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Amen!
“Let His blood be on us”
Scripture reading for October 12: Matthew 26-28
Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times. This story is a key to our redemption from the ravages of sin because it tells of a Savior Who willingly took our sin and loved us so much that He gave His life for us. No one really took His life from Him; He offered it on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself. Today, as we look at this story, I want us to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-15) Why Judas sold his Master, we are not actually told, except that he belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples. He fulfilled Scripture in Zechariah 11:12-13 that was written about him several hundred years in advance. The Jews sent temple guards to follow Judas to the place where Jesus was praying with His disciples. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss. Jesus told Judas and his followers to do what they came for and offered no resistance.
He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin, who met early in the morning, to try to find a way to put Jesus to death. (Matthew 27:1) Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus answered “yes” and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:63-64) The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists. His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus had predicted.
Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death. Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus again answered “yes”. Jesus made no other defense against the charges, to Pilate’s amazement! Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had. He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but they insisted on having a criminal released and demanded Jesus be crucified.
Pilate symbolically washed his hands of Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people. They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25) Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin. We all have done that which caused God to take this drastic measure to save us. It is a wonderful act of grace for Jesus to give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him. We who are saved have willingly confessed our sins and asked that “Jesus blood cover us”. May it cover our children too!
Humbly boasting in Christ!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Job 37-40, 1st Corinthians 1
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 1:28-31 “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””
Paul stated plainly that God chose the weak and lowly things of this world in order to shame the proud and those claiming to be wise. Through Jesus Christ, God’s amazing wisdom, abundant righteousness, sanctification and redemption are available to all who humbly accept. That’s something to humbly boast about!
Job 37:23-24 “The Almighty–we cannot find Him; He is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness He will not violate. Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Jesus Christ, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption! Help me to humbly boast in Him alone!
Thankful for Compassion!
Scripture reading for March 29th: 2nd Samuel 16-20
Key Scriptures: 2nd Samuel 18:32-33 “The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you–O Absalom, my son, my son!”
King David cried out in mourning at the news of the death of his rebellious son Absalom. As he sobbed, he stated that he wished it would have been him that had died instead. This is the heart of a father and our Father God over His rebellions sons and daughters!
Thankful for God’s heart: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, actually died in our place to pay for our rebellion! ” . . for all had sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.” (Romans 3:23-25)
Rejoice in our Kinsman-Redeemer!
Scripture reading for March 14th: Ruth 1-4, 1st Samuel 1
Key Scriptures: Ruth 4:13-15 “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”
The hand of our Lord directed Naomi, an Israelite, and her Moabite daughter-in-law to return to Israel after tragically losing their mates. God raised up a close relative (Boaz) to provide redemption and continue the family line. God also by grace made this Moabite widow the great grandmother of King David in the line of Jesus Christ!
Rejoicing in Redemption: God used Naomi’s and Ruth’s faith to further His purposes for bringing about the redemption of mankind through our Kinsman-Redeemer Jesus Christ! (Mary) “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me–holy is His Name.” (Luke 1:46-49)
All boasting is ‘in the Lord’!
Scripture reading for July 6th: 1st Corinthians 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 1:26-31 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written; “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.””
God loves to work with those men and women that the world looks at as weak and worthless. That’s because many of the ‘beautiful’ and ‘successful’ people of the world are so caught up by the world’s system and their own human pride that God can’t use them or get their attention! The world’s own boast of their wisdom, talent, strength, possessions, and position. But God’s ‘weak’ people boast in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus alone is their wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption! We owe it all to Him!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers love Jesus Christ and boast of His goodness and blessing and thank Him for redeeming them. “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boast boast about this: that he knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
Scripture reading for June 23rd: Psalms 98-103
Praise and worship continue today in these psalms of the hymnbook of the nation of Israel and the gift of God to His people, the church. Praise and worship must be in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) We must worship from our spirit man and from a mind renewed with the truth. I have picked Psalms 101 and 103 to draw from today for our devotion. I have used these often in my personal life and in ministering to those in various kinds of troubles.
Psalm 101 praises God for His love and His justice. Both of these character traits work together to bring wholeness or holiness to God’s character. Love without justice is some sentimental emotion that lacks integrity. Justice without love is harsh and bitter. Balanced as they are in God’s character, we can only worship Him and sing praise! This holy fear of God’s justice caused the psalmist to be careful with his life and character. He sought to live a blameless life because he did not know when God might come in judgment. He vowed to keep his eyes from vile things. He knew this would defile his heart. He hated evil and sought to live in truth and surround himself with those who were faithful. He promised to eliminate from his house any who were false or wicked. We would do well to apply these simple standards! I have Psalm 101:3 on my computer to remind me of my need to keep my eyes on what is good!
Psalm 103 begins by praising God for all of His benefits. This psalm comes from the depths of a soul who loves God and is purposely remembering why he must praise Him! First of all God forgives us all of our sins! (Psalm 103:3) He not only forgives our sins, but forgets them and removes them far away! (Psalm 103:12) God also heals all of our diseases and sicknesses! This was true in David’s day as in ours; God does not change! God redeems our life from the pit–a place of destruction and punishment! We must bless Him from the depths of our soul! He also renews our youth and satisfies our desires with good things from His house! We are most blessed! He works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He is full of love and abounds in mercy and compassion. God is like a loving Father and we like his special children. His love promises us that though our life is short and tender, we who fear Him will enjoy that love forever and ever! (Psalm 103:14-17)
This last psalm ends with David exhorting a chorus of angels to praise the Lord. The heavenly hosts are called upon to praise Him as well as all His works in the whole universe! Praise the Lord, O my soul!