Tag: righteousness
Day 4–Shoes of Peace!
Scripture reading for March 12: Ephesians 6:10-15 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.”
As first responders we always need strength and courage to face the dangers of life in this world. God is well aware of the battle that is raging here on earth. There are spiritual forces of darkness behind some of the troubles we deal with. We must always remember that it is not flesh and blood that is our biggest problem, but these fallen angels called demons who seek to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) They oppose those we seek to help and us in helping them.
But our Lord has given us an illustration in this passage of Scripture to help us see how He has provided everything we need in our daily battle with darkness. The equipment is called here ‘the whole armor of God’ and we are told that this armor enables us to stand firm in each incident. The belt of truth is the foundation of our armor. The truth of God’s Word must hold our armor together and protect our vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart and midsection. Next come the shoes of readiness given to us through the Good News of peace with God for all who believe. A closer look at these pieces of armor reveals that Jesus Christ provides them all as He is the ‘Truth’, our ‘Righteousness’ and the ‘Good News’ from God the Father.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing protection and strength today against the forces of darkness and evil in this world. Help me to draw from my Lord the full armor of God. Let my feet run in readiness with the Good News of Peace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Week 11–Day 1–Abiding Peace
Scripture reading for March 9: Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The Lord of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah spoke God’s Word to a people who were struggling to find peace. The super power of that day, Assyria, was threatening to take God’s people captive. The people and their leaders were not fully committed to follow God either. But God knew what they needed. He spoke to them about His own zeal to bring them a government of peace. He would give them a Child, His own Son. This Son would shoulder the burden of government with great wisdom. He would be called ‘Wonderful Counselor’, ‘Mighty God,’ ‘Everlasting Father’ and ‘Prince of Peace’! He would bring a lasting peace of which there would be no end through His righteous rule! God Himself, Lord over angel armies, would bring it to pass!
Our world is no different today. God’s people are scattered among those whose lives are disrupted by selfishness and sinful influences. As a responder to less than peaceful troubles, the best thing we can show those we are helping is a calm spirit and a personal peace that reassures the hurting. The only way to truly have this peace is to embrace the One spoken of by the prophet Isaiah 2700 years ago. We must come by faith to Jesus Christ, God’s Son Who came to earth as a child. This Son was given as a gift to the world of sinful men and women. He came proclaiming the kingdom of heaven and inviting those who would humble themselves to enter and find peace. The Lord of hosts (angelic warriors) would bring it to pass and has through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for fulfilling this ancient prophecy given to people lacking peace and justice. Thank You for Your zeal to love us by providing the ‘Prince of Peace’ to rule over us eternally. Help me to reflect His peace to those I am sent to help. Amen.
Faith Demonstrated by Works
Scripture reading for November 3: James 2
“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is One; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”–and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:18-23
In today’s culture, believing God and having faith is often a nebulous concept that is defined by feelings or confession. Feelings depend on our circumstances and can often be misleading. It is easy to confess that we believe in God and go on living for ourself. On the other hand, some in our culture are strong proponents of works and are into working to please God. From James’ letter to the church, we see that this tension between faith and works was something that God wanted to address. James taught that true faith would always produce works that demonstrated our beliefs. Our works complete our faith! Faith without corresponding works is dead faith.
James pointed to Abraham, father of the Jews, as an example of faith. Abraham believed God’s promise of descendants that would be as numerous as stars in the sky. After giving Abraham a son in his old age, God then tested his faith in a most unusual way. God asked Abraham to take his son Isaac and offer him to God as a sacrifice. Abraham did as God had asked, demonstrating that he believed that God would fulfill His promise, although it looked like sacrificing his only son would destroy the promise. God was pleased with Abraham’s faith, demonstrated by his obedience. Abraham was credited with righteousness by God through faith and obtained the blessing of being a friend of God.
If God tested your faith in His ability to do what He promises, would your faith be supported by obedient actions and works? How do you show your faith through your works in your current life in this culture? Could God call you His ‘friend?’
Prayer: Father God, thank You for your amazing grace through the sacrifice of Your only Son on our behalf. Through Him, I have received the gift of justification and righteousness for which I am thankful. I ask daily to be filled with Your Holy Spirit that I might obey Your command to love You and my neighbors. Amen.
Questions!
Scripture reading for August 19: Galatians 3
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Does He Who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith–just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?” Galatians 3:1-6
In typical rabbinic style, Paul the former Pharisee seeks to bring correction to the world views of those in the Galatian church who had succumbed to the Jewish false teachers that sought to persuade them to return to keeping the law along with faith. Paul asked them a series of questions designed to get them to open their minds and hearts to the truth. Questions help those who are teachable to do a self-examination without putting up a wall of defense. Questions help with honest exploration of possible answers. Questions are a gentler way of confronting those who are deceived to enable them to decide for themselves to admit or confess their deception and thus find deliverance.
Paul’s “O foolish Galatians!” was a life-giving rebuke to help them realize how serious their doctrinal shift was. They had been ‘bewitched’ by an evil spirit that was trying to take them back to religion and good works as a means of salvation. Human effort to be good and keep the law of God will never bring us to righteousness and justification before God. These believers had already gone through suffering for their initial stand of faith for Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah. Paul questioned if their suffering had been in vain or for nothing. Paul’s final question concerned living by faith through the Spirit or if doing the works of the law brought righteousness. The answers to all the questions should have been obvious.
Have you ever been faced with questions concerning your doctrines or core beliefs on salvation? Have you ever had to change your stand and take a new view of God’s plan of salvation? Do you personally find questions as a good way to help you examine your own beliefs?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for asking us questions to open our hearts to receive correction and instruction. Help me to respectfully use questions to help those who may be involved in deception or false teaching. Thank You for the Holy Spirit of Truth that gives me wisdom and discernment. Amen.
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!
Righteousness by faith
Scripture reading for June 25: Romans 9
“What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 9:30-33
Righteousness simply means to have right standing before God. The Gentiles have God’s law through nature and conscience. They know that they are eternal beings because God has put eternity in man’s heart. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) The Jews had God’s law through Moses and did not keep it. Because they had a sin nature from Adam, they fell under condemnation for breaking God’s law. Because all men and women, from Adam and Eve until today have sinned before God, no one can have righteousness through perfect obedience of God’ law as Jews or following conscience as Gentiles. Truly, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory and perfection. We cannot stand on our own in the final judgment.
God provided sacrifices that would temporarily cover man’s sin and give them relief from condemnation by faith in God’s mercy through their obedience. The only way of obtaining righteousness for sinful man is to come to God by faith and ask for forgiveness and mercy. The Jews failed to pursue righteousness by faith and instead tried to work to keep God’s law. Their own sin natures brought failure and condemnation. But God provided the final and only Sacrifice for sins and sinners in His Son, Jesus Christ. He was born a Jew and was placed by God among the Jews. Many Jews refused to come to Him by faith and will be put to shame. But for all who receive Him, their condemnation is removed and adoption results!
Have you ever tried to be good enough to be accepted by God through religious practice or good works? Have you stumbled over the Gospel of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ or have you found adoption and forgiveness through Him? Do you have confidence for righteousness now and at the judgment?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for removing my condemnation and giving me Christ’s righteousness by faith. I have confidence through faith in Your promise of eternal life through trusting in Jesus Christ. Use me to testify to Your amazing Gift of right standing before You now and at the final judgment. Amen.
There is no distinction
Scripture reading for June 17: Romans 3
“Now we know that whatever the Law says it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, . .” Romans 3:19-24
Just as God is not partial, He shows no distinction between Jew or Gentile. The reason for this is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’s perfect holiness. The Jews have broken God’s law by disobedience. They had the Law and Prophets as their guide. Their sin was revealed by God’s Law, but not removed or fixed because a mirror has no power to change the reflection. The Greeks had the Law written on the tablets of their heart but they failed to obey God’s inner witness of the conscience. (Romans 2:15-16) They had blocked out their conscience and hardened their hearts. There is no distinction between the two as all have sinned and are under God’s judgment.
But God Himself provided a plan for all men, Jew or Greek, to be justified before Him. It was and is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Whoever would come to God through faith in Christ’s sacrifice of His blood and life would be saved. This would cleanse their soul of unrighteousness and bring God’s Gift of His perfect righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ. God would give this gift without distinction to Jew and Gentile, slave or free, man or woman!
Have you ever felt that Jews or certain ‘religious’ people had an advantage over you in obtaining God’s favor? Have you faced the fact that you are a sinner who has to answer before God? Have you humbly acknowledged your sins and asked for the gift of grace and righteousness through Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of Your perfect holiness. I cast myself on Your Son Jesus Christ and ask for mercy and forgiveness. I receive by faith Christ Jesus as Lord of my life and my only hope of Your eternal glory. Thank You for showing no partiality or distinction. Amen.
Mixed motives, opportunity missed!
Scripture reading for June 6: Acts 24
“After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. . “ Acts 24:24-27
Paul was kept in the jail at Caesarea under Roman governors. Felix, the current governor, had a good understanding of the “Way”, or the early church. God had been working on him through other witnesses and now would send him Paul to more accurately share the Gospel message. As Felix and his wife sent for Paul, they received a strong Gospel message and a reasoned message about righteousness and self-control and God’s coming judgment of all men. This message brought alarm to Felix and he sent Paul away, limiting the conviction of his own sinful life view.
But Felix was captivated with a fleshly world view. He loved money and looked at Paul as a source of possible bribes. He possibly thought the Jews might also bring him money to keep Paul in custody. He sent for him and conversed with him for about two full years. God’s patience was on display and Felix and his wife were given great grace. But time passes and so does opportunity to hear the Good News and be saved. Another leader replaced them and another mission field was opened.
Did God give you a season or special opportunity through someone he sent to minister the Gospel to you? Did you respond to the opportunity or did you have mixed motives and miss the opportunity? Do you seize every opportunity to share about righteousness, self control and coming judgment?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending several persons to offer me the Gospel message and receive salvation. Thank You for granting me repentance leading to eternal life. Use me in whatever circumstances You desire to give others the opportunity to find salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dealing with injustice
Scripture reading for May 09th: Nehemiah 5-8:1
Wise and godly leaders stand firmly against injustice! Our sinful tendencies lead us relentlessly towards selfishness and taking advantage of those who are in need or in crisis or weak. Slavery in America is an example of these selfish and sinful tendencies. Slaves were bought and sold to build wealth for those they served. Slaves did jobs that their owners did not want to do themselves. Slaves were treated well by some and harshly and cruelly by others. Injustice in this system led some leaders to take action and a civil war resulted that cost the lives of many Americans and many who named the name of Christ on both sides of this issue.
Nehemiah faced injustice in his day among his own people. Taxes were high in Jerusalem and the Jews had to pay them to the Persian king. Their brothers who had money were loaning to these Jews who had no money. Mortgages were taken on the fields and vineyards and even their homes. Even sons and daughters were being sold into slavery because of the usury that was going on among the Israelites. An outcry because of this injustice reached Nehemiah and he pondered this problem. (Nehemiah 5:6-7) Calling a meeting of all those involved, he called out those charging unfair interest, commanded them to stop these practices. (Nehemiah 5:9-11) They publicly agreed to do so. He even shook out his own robe and prayed prophetically, “In this way may God shake out of His house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13
God’s people must beware of injustice, even in their own house! Sin and selfishness can cause us to take advantage of others. We can abuse or neglect the poor and the weak. Spiritual leaders and pastors must guard their hearts in how they encourage giving, being careful not to manipulate. A form of slavery results when our sons and daughters go into captivity and leave the church because of injustice in God’s house! Righteous leaders are watchful and take direct action when they know about it! Pray today for those in authority and let them know of any injustice among God’s people!
Father of a multitude!
January 6th Scripture Reading: Genesis 15-17
A great deal has happened in the lives of Abram and Sarai in the last three chapters. They traveled to Egypt and back. They rescued Lot from invaders. They gave the first tithes to Melchizedek, an unusual man who was a king of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of “The Most High God”. Sarai suggested to Abram that he have a child by her maid, Hagar, to fulfill God’s promise since she was still barren. A child resulted and trouble ensued. Good ideas are not always God’s ideas! The child, Ishmael, became a source of trouble in the house and was prophesied to be one who would cause trouble (Genesis 16:12). We are today experiencing trouble from Ismael’s offspring over 4000 years later!
God visited Abram and Sarai again about 25 years later. Abram is now 99 years old and Sarai is 90. During this visit, God renewed His promise of a son born to Sarai. God confirmed His promise to them in a covenant. Part of a covenant is an exchange of names. Abram means “Exalted Father” and Abraham means “Father of a multitude”. Sarai’s new name means “Princess”. God took Abraham’s name too. He became known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God gave them circumcision a physical sign of the covenant. This mark in the male organ carrying the “seed”, would remind Abraham of God’s promise and mark his offspring as set apart for Him.
Faith simply says “yes” to God and obeys! Abraham is known as the father of faith because he believed God and God credited him with being righteous! (Genesis 15:6) By faith in Jesus we are credited with righteousness and adopted into God’s family. God writes our name in the Book of Life and we have an eternal inheritance in Him . He gives us the Holy Spirit as a mark of His promises! Amen!
Have you ever tried to ‘help God out’ to fulfill a promise He made to you? How long have you had to wait for a promise to be fulfilled? Are you assured of your right standing with God through Jesus?
“Having believed, you were marked in Him (Christ) with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His Glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14