Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day seven)
“The life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:20) We are saved by faith. Sola Fides. “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15) “Not by works so that no one can boast”, says Ephesians 2:9. This must never suggest, however, that work is permanently be out of the equation. Jesus is the door. Narnia-like, we trust Him and walk into a new world. But Jesus is also the Lord. Once in this new world, we, believers, apply ourselves to every assignment, every attitude that requires change. Faith is the comprehensive word that describes both activities. Notice the juxtaposition in Ephesians 2? Salvation is not the WORK of any man. We are God’s WORKmanship. We are, nevertheless, made for good WORKS. The same faith that leads us to the door and through the door teaches us the duty of hard and grateful effort.
Faith IN Jesus Christ
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day six)
“We. . .(know) that a man is not justified by observing the Law, but by faith IN Jesus Christ. . and the life that I now live, I live by faith IN the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:15-16, 20) Peculiar language. Very specific. Overlooked at times for its familiarity. Just as some people believe IN the power of positive thinking, we believe IN Jesus. Jesus is the FOCUS of our faith. No argument here. But, Paul may also be pointing to the LOCATION of the believer as he exercises faith. We are IN Christ, supernaturally joined to Him, resting in Him, obeying Him, rejoicing in Him. This union with Christ gives faith its power. Christians are not spectators to the life of God. We are participants. Shareholders. Are you IN Christ today, friend? Have you confessed Him as Lord? If He is IN you, you are IN Him. Trust! Discover the power of your new position!
Pursue Faith
Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day five)
The next 2 weeks our teenagers will be at youth camp. The theme is Pursue (from 2 Timothy 2:22). Timothy is challenged to pursue: righteousness, faith, love and peace. These are such pivotal moments for teenagers to test, grow, and solidify their faith. They are transitioning to “faith ownership” as they become young men and women (that’s what we want for them). Will you pray these next 2 weeks for them and their “faith”? Will you pray for The Holy Spirit to speak the truth and wisdom of the Gospel into their hearts and minds through Scripture, Youth Ministry Staff, and Camp Counselors?
That process should never stop, even for adults. From our camp curriculum: “It is normal for teenagers to doubt and question what they believe. Searching for who and what we believe helps answer tough questions. There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt comes from a struggling mind while unbelief comes from a stubborn will that refuses to surrender to God.”
Faith Equals Life
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day four)
Salvation by grace through faith…one of the major doctrines of Paul…did not originate with him. In Habakkuk 2:4, the key verse in Habakkuk, it says, “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.” This verse sets out two distinct paths that are placed before us…righteousness vs. unrighteousness. In these passages, Paul contrasts works vs. faith. It is the same picture that is in Habakkuk. Will we trust Christ or will we trust in the works of our hands…idols, laws, and good deeds? The proud one, meaning the one who trusts in himself, vs. the righteous, meaning the one who trusts in Christ. Which path will you choose? One leads to life while the other leads to death…choose life!
Invisible
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (Day Three)
“In all your ways acknowledge him.” Before there was a material realm, there was a spiritual realm. Without the spiritual realm, no material realm would exist. “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Therefore, the material realm is dependent upon the spiritual realm for its origin and continued existence. Because this is true, every question that comes before you has a spiritual side to it. If we decide matters by only taking into account the finite, visible side, we will produce things that will not last. If, on the other hand, we take into account the infinite, invisible side, then we begin to acknowledge God in all our ways. Perhaps a helpful prayer is this: Lord, what am I not seeing?
Leaning
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day two)
Lean not in your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge him…Proverbs 3:5-6. Picture yourself leaning against a tree or a wall, something that is seemingly stationary. What position is your body in? Probably some angle to the ground other than a right angle. You are off-balance, right? Imagine if that tree or wall suddenly disappeared, what would happen? You would stumble for sure, and if you had all your weight pressed up against it, you would fall. It’s an interesting picture of faith. God gives us feet to stand, but when we trust our own strength or understanding we deviate, sin, decay. It is only when we get off-balance from our own thoughts and lean totally against the almighty that we can walk straight. Although the tree or wall may fall down, Jesus never will. Lean into that trust.
No other way
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day one)
Strange cure for human sin. Not what we expected. Faith! God saves those who believe/trust Him. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.’ (John 1:12) Unchanging truth. “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) “If you will not believe you will not last”, said Isaiah to stubborn king Ahaz. (Isaiah 7:9) This ego-shattering, control-surrendering commitment of trust is a hard thing for us to do. But, it is the only thing that can a make a man right with God again. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but should have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Did you trust Christ to save you? Do you trust Christ to save you? Will you trust Christ to save you? There is no other way.
True confession
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51:1-19; 1 John 1:9 (day seven)
“If we confess our sins. . .” Confession in the Bible is a more specific word than we normally think. Homologeo (the Greek word) means “to speak the same thing” Homo=same. Logos=word. So, confession is more than secret sins finally admitted. More, even, than sorrow or regret. True confession is an agreement reached between a holy God and a sinner. A shared perspective, a joint statement of purpose going forward. It is an agreement on sin and the damage done. Good question. Have I waited for God on the subject of my sin? Do I know what He feels, thinks about it? Both are true–sin separates us from God and separation from God is our sin. “Come, let us reason TOGETHER,” says the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”–Isaiah 1:18. Have you had this hard and helpful conversation with God? It is what the Bible calls true confession.
The GREATNESS of Thy compassion
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51:1-19; 1 John 1:9 (day six)
“According to the GREATNESS of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions.” (v 1) When I feel guilty, my focus usually goes to the wrong place. All I see is my failure. All I feel is shame, a lonely separation from God. I fear the consequences to come. Recovery requires a new place to look. When David knelt to pray out his confession in Psalm 51, he focused on God’s character. Slowly, powerfully his vision cleared to see the GREATNESS (size) of God’s compassion. Ultimately, the only reason that sinners can be forgiven is that God wills it. Only the GREAT mercy of God, His eternal purpose that sinners be rescued and restored can assure our troubled hearts. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for us sins.”–1 John 4:10. This is our hope. Our only hope. God’s mercy is great!
Mercy
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51; 1 John 1:9 (Day Five) When pondering the nature and character of God we take note of His Majesty, Wisdom, and Justice. In Psalm 51, David teaches us the sole basis of any approach to God by sinners is His Mercy. vs 1- “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions..”
Where does our understanding of God’s merciful nature come from? It comes from God Himself. Exodus 33:19 “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Hebrews 4:16- “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
So maybe this week, as we read this passage, we can be reminded that what we need to know about God, is that He is merciful.
God’s mercy is also depicted as Unfailing Love and Great Compassion.
One further thought and reminder (thanks to James Boice), Unfailing Love points to the continuing operation of God’s Mercy, and Compassion teaches He does feel our infirmities.