Slaves to Righteousness

Just because we are saved by grace we aren't free to sin. Romans 6:15-23 tells us once we are no longer slaves to sin we should be slaves to righteousness. If we present ourselves obedient to either sin or righteousness, we will gain the outcome of death from sin or life from righteousness. Thanks to the grace of God we have been set free as slaves to sin and are now slaves to righteousness. We must now present ourselves as slaves to righteousness, which leads to sanctification. Because we are now free from sin, where we once were free from righteousness and life, we must now live in righteousness.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." verse 23.

Praise God for the Free Gift of Life through Christ.

No Longer Enslaved to Sin

Romans 6:5-14 was today's passage. Sometimes I look at my life and I see patterns of sin and things I do over and over that I know are not right. I feel like I am enslaved to sin. But I'm not. I'm united with Christ and that my "old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that (I) would no longer be enslaved to sin." I must now consider myself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. I can no longer let sin reign in me, causing me to "obey their passions." Instead I must present myself to God as one who has "been brought from death to life." "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."

This all sounds much simpler than it is though. It is hard to avoid sin. We all do it probably on a daily basis. I think I "obey the passions" of sin because I don't present myself to God daily. Because we are weak, we need to be in constant prayer, study, and devotion to God. We must physically, mentally, and emotionally present ourselves to God every day, even multiple times a day. When temptations are near us, we must run to God. His grace pulled us out of sin and into His presence so we can worship and glorify Him with our lives. 1 Peter 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, buy now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, bot now you have received mercy." How can we not be thankful? Grateful? When I think about what sin God has saved me from, I feel like I should be on my face in worship.

Praise the Holy God for Saving me from my sin.
Praise God for His Son. Praise God for Salvation.
Praise God for His Mercy and Grace.

Dead to Sin

Romans 6:1-4 tells us that just as Christ died on the cross putting to death sin, and being buried and then raised from the dead "by the glory of the Father", we who believe are also dead to sin and alive in Christ. Baptism is a symbol of this. As we enter the water, we are being laid into the tomb dead in sin. As we come out of the water, we are made alive by God through the death and resurrection of Christ as payment for sin. (This is why I believe in total submersion in baptism. It's a better picture. Once under, probably backward, that's the best picture for me. I think I was dunked forward though........rabbit trail over.)

Praise God for His Son, the payment for sin.

All Men Sin, God's Son Saves and it's Free

Romans 5:12-21 talks about sin coming from one man, Adam, bringing death, and the gift coming from one man, Jesus, bringing eternal life. It's a long section to say something pretty simple for me to understand. Because of the sin of Adam, death due to sin began. And all men after Adam, which is to say every human who ever lived, is living, and will live, had/has/will have sin. That sin brings death. Jesus was the only man to live sinless, and only because He is God. Jesus died despite His sinless-ness to pay the price for our sins. This gift was given as justification for us to have life instead of death. Of course, we all still die here on earth but with faith in God we live eternally with Him in Heaven, instead of eternally dying in Hell separated from Him.

Since I'm being serious today I'll say this: DON'T BLAME ADAM FOR YOUR SIN. Every man on earth sins. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) But that isn't the point. "The wages of sin is death, BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) That's the point. Jesus gave us a free gift. And the final verse of the day Jesus said these words, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18)

Praise God for the Free Gift of Him only Son.

He Died To Save His Enemies

Would you die for someone? I think I may be willing to do that in the line of saving an innocent person from an unjust death. Like a cop risking his life to protect and possibly save someone else. But would I die to save the person deserving of death for wrongs done against me? Probably not. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't.

Romans 5:6-11 tells us about a love for people that is and did go that far. God sent is Son Jesus to die a death to save all of us from eternal death we deserve for wronging Him. We sin against God every day. Even while we know of this salvation we sin against the giver of life. And it is only through the blood Christ shed for us that we are justified, and saved from the wrath of God. Verse 11 "...we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Praise God for His Love.

Rejoice in Suffering...even cancer?

Right now is a hard time in my good friend, cousin-in-law, and spiritual brother Jordan Minyard. On the first of the year, our two families went to the snow and to Truckee. On that day Jordan mentioned he had pain, as though he'd been kicked in his male part. 15 days later he had surgery and it was found to be cancer. Now, he has 3 cycles of chemo and a hard road ahead of him. And through this time, I have never been more encouraged by him and his trust and faith in God.

Romans 5:3-5 says, "...we rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

I can't sum it up better than what the text says. I can only point to the fact that we need to be rejoicing in suffering. It will make the relationship with our great God so much better. I am encouraged by my brother Jordan. He has a faith in God through this really hard time in his life. His strength encourages me.

Praise God for Jordan.
Praise God for Hope.

Crazy Love - Chapter 1, Stop Praying

Jordan, Stuart, and I had our first chapter book review of "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan yesterday morning. I'm really starting to find that time so valuable. It's encouraging, challenging, practical, and educational. The first chapter is titled "Stop Praying." The highlights of our discussion focused on some of the great ideas and truths Francis wrote about.

First, the title of the chapter almost seems wrong because of what it sounds like he's saying. But it was really about stopping and reflecting on what you are praying. Are you praying out your wish list to God? It's time to reflect on God. He created everything from the universe to the bone structure of insects and more. God is great and powerful and amazing. In today's society "we are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry." This is the opposite of what James 1:19 tells us.

Second, he talked about the fact that we can not make God who and how we want Him to be. He listed some of God's characteristics and that God described Himself as "I Am who I Am." God is holy. God is eternal. God is all-knowing. God is all-powerful. God is fair and just.

I did learn that I'm going to need to highlight as I read, and even take some notes while we talk to do a better review. This week, I'm responsible for being the most prepared with the chapter, in case these to great guys aren't. I don't think I'll anything to worry about but I want to do a good job of being prepared. Overall, chapter one helped me think about the way I pray, and I'm hoping to change my pray habits and style. First, I just need to pray more. Second, I need to pray better.

God is God. I am not. I am hopeless and helpless without Him. I can only hope in Him.

Through Him We Have Grace

Choosing where to stop and write is hard. I want enough to meditate on for the day and I also want enough to write about without leaving more of the same for tomorrow. Romans 5:1-11 is a little too much to include in one days writing but I read the whole passage because I couldn't stop.

We are justified by faith in God and have peace through Jesus Christ. If you don't have peace, like I often don't, it comes from a lack of understanding this truth. Because of faith we have grace. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. I just re-read that and it actually says, "Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Two things jumped out at me, "Through Him" and "by faith". "Through Him" points to that fact that it is God who calls us to His grace. And some manuscripts omit "by faith" which may also point to the fact that God's grace has more to do with His calling than it does with our faith.

So what am I saying? I believe, left to my own devices I would not have the faith it takes to be called a child of God. I would fail and live in my sin. I think it could read like this: Through His grace I've been called and He revealed Himself to me so that I may have faith in Him and be justified by that faith.

So I got through verses 1 and 2. Not quite to 11 but there is so much here. Gosh, and I wanted to write about rejoicing in suffering. Yikes. I'm no good at that.

Praise God for His Grace.
Praise God it is Through Him.

Faith Counted to Him as Righeousness

I wish I had the time and ability to write a book or something. I enjoy writing. I'm not saying I'm good at it by any means, but there is some sort of satisfaction in writing.I think the greatest part of this blog being focused on my Bible studies is when I look back and read what I've written in the past. Of course there's always the errors in spelling or grammar, or a sentence that sees to go no where or never end. Like that one.

I think it comes down to reading something I wrote seems to make more sense to me then others. I make sense to myself. Maybe it's only to me but that's really what this blogs for. I continued reading the "Crazy Love" book by Francis Chan last night, and I found myself thinking it was an easy read. Simple truths written simply. Most people know I'm not a strong reader. It's definitely a frustration of mine. But this book was written in a style I can handle...at least so far.

This has been a weird introduction to nothing about the book or my joy in writing. I read Romans 4:13-25, titled in my Bible as "The Promise Realized Through Faith." The promise God gave to Abraham that he would be heir of the world was given to Abraham because of his righteous faith in God. The law is impossible to completely obey and follow because of the nature of man, sin. The law brings wrath because man can not obey it. Therefore we are saved through faith so that grace can be realized and God can take all the credit for salvation. Abraham's faith that God could make him the father of the world, even at 100 years old with a barren wife, was counted to him as righteousness.

Why we sin and sin and sin again, I don't understand. The sorrow and misery that comes from sinning is no good. But we still do it. And without the salvation of God, we would be hopelessly seeking joy through sin. Only God can give us hope and joy and peace in life. The faith we need to have in Him provides the understanding we seek in otherwise foolish things. Knowing Christ is our Savior, frees us from the bonds of our sin. Working to make Him the Lord of our lives also is our life's mission.

Praise God for His Grace.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I remember thinking Francis Chan was one of the best speakers I ever heard at Hume Lake. Jordan, Stuart and I are going to start a study through a book by Francis called "Crazy Love." I'm going to try and write a review of the book, a chapter at a time. Check out more about the book here.

Righteousness Had by Faith

Righteousness is for all who have faith in God. Romans 4:9-12 talks about the fact Abraham was saved by faith and not by adherence to the law. Circumcised vs uncircumcised was merely a seal of the righteousness he had by faith. Again, Abraham was saved by faith not by works.

I'm not going to stress myself out with trying to write a long explanation of the text I read. I really just want to get back to reading.

The Gift of Grace by Faith, Not Earned, Not Deserved

I've read and started to write something about Romans 4:1-8 a few times now. I continue to get distracted by my sin and lack of time allowed for this. And since my last entry, I've not read much beyond this same few verses and a study book my wife and I started together 2 weeks ago. I've also started meeting Jordan and Stuart for some accountability. I got my butt kicked yesterday when I admitted my lack of time in the Word. I spoke to them about some of my frustrations and sins, and how through my time with them I realized that my whole life I've been a "good" person, staying way for the sins of the world (sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll). I told them I've reach a place where I've begun to realize there is no joy in my life. NONE!!! I hate what's happened to me in work. I hate my horrible relationship with God. My relationship with my wife and my family is suffering. I'm in this trial of financial strain. The people I work with cause me other trials and frustrations. I am in a dark place in my life.

Stuart reminded me that my salvation is not based on anything I've done, anything I've earned, anything I deserve. God saved me from my sin despite myself. And, what really hit my heart was when he reminded me God sees me through Christ's blood. I am not seen as a sinner anymore. Even though my sin is wrong and I need to turn from it and flee, God has forgiven me of my sins. Salvation is not based on the number of sins verses the number of good things I do. Salvation is not based on the quality of my life or weather or not I live a "good" life. My salvation comes from God, the gift he gave by faith in Him when He called me as His own.

And now I read Romans 4:1-8. Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith. "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Verses 7 and 8 are a quote of Psalms 32:1,2. "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgive, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

Why does it take so much to get our attention? Why do we make it so hard to pray and read the word of God? Why do we not long to keep our relationship strong with God? In the study I'm doing with my wife, last nights lesson was on prayer and its importance in keeping the communication going with God. It said, "Relationships, whether human or divine, must be cultivated and maintained if they are to be vibrant and meaningful." We have to spend time every day with our loving Master. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 "pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. This is God's will for you (me).

One more text. Stuart texted this to me yesterday after our breakfast meeting. Psalm 69:1-2, 14-15. Mire=crap. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." "Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the the pit close its mouth over me."

Praise God for His Word. It is powerful and alive.
Praise God for His People. They have the power to encourage and guide and point others to Christ.
Praise God for His Grace. It is an unearned, undeserved gift.