Beyond the Gospel: Ephesians

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-24
[Be sure and read the verses before the rest. Open your Bible or the link above.]

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Ephesians 6:24 NIV

In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the word undying love is translated love incorruptible.

And I wonder...

Can your love for Jesus be corrupted? or die?

Will you love Him no matter what He allows in your life?

Or do you have a list of stipulations?

I'll love You as long as nothing happens to my children...

I'll love You as long as I'm healthy and happy...

I'll love You as long as our finances are good...

I'll love You as long as you protect me from crisis...

What can you think of that would corrupt... decrease... kill... your love for God?

Grace is with those who love the Lord no matter what.

Incorruptible love sees with eyes of grace.

They see His grace in the illness...

They see His grace in the loss...

They see His grace in the disappointment...

They see His grace in the crisis...

Those who love God with an undying love know He works all things for the good of those who love Him that are called according to His purpose.

Those who love God with an incorruptible love know He is trustworthy in whatever comes.

Those who love God with an eternal love have built their life on the Rock and no matter what storm comes they will not be shaken.

I've heard others say about a situation: Well, the God I know wouldn't let that happen! In these words and this attitude I hear a love that could be corrupted given that certain situation.

He allows some things to happen in this world that seem just awful this side of heaven. All you need do is look at the cross. The purpose for which He sent His Son, His only Son. But in that tragedy, that injustice, that horror, He made the Way for eternal salvation. He's still about the same business, saving lives one at a time by any means He sees necessary. This is the ground on which we build incorruptible... undying... eternal... love.

Father God, I praise You for Your steadfast love.

Forgive me when I don't recognize it in the goings on of the world

and my life. Forgive me when I'm blind to Your grace.

Open my eyes that I may see. Strengthen my love for You.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9
[Open up the Scriptures in your Bible or online by clicking the link above.]

...doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly,

as if you were serving the Lord, not people...

Ephesians 6:6-7 NIV

From children and their parents to slaves and their masters, this passage is all about knowing our place when it comes to dealing with both sides of authority.

Whatever authority God places in our life: parents, principals, managers, bosses, husbands, coaches, leaders, etc. we are to receive their direction as if it is the will of God Himself.

There is no room for grumbling or complaining. There is no excuse for lip-service or false-flattery. Our obedience is to be sincere and respectful to all positions of authority as if serving the Lord.

There is also no place for anyone to abuse the authority which they have been given. Whether it's parents over their children, a husband over his wife, a boss over his employees. There should be no favoritism, no abusive language, no threats. 

Those who are in positions of authority are accountable to God for how they use their authority.

God does not deal lightly with those who have authority issues. It's a big deal because it all comes down to our relationship with Him. If we cannot come under parents' authority as children or follow the rules set up in a classroom or work environment, the odds of coming under His authority are very slim.

Ultimately, we will all be held accountable to how we come under God's authority and obey Him. If a boss or manager, anyone with authority over you, directs you to act immorally or against God's way in any capacity, your first allegiance is to God. He will bless you for doing what you know is right, even if there are unpleasant consequences at first.

All Believers, no matter what role they have in the family, society, or church must respect authority and do the will of God from the heart, rendering service to God.

Where do you wrestle with authority in your life?

Maybe it's time to take it to Him. Let Him show you the root of your issue. Bring healing. That you may serve Him wholeheartedly.

Lord Jesus, reveal the places where I'm disrespectful of

or abusing authority in my life. I don't want anything

to hinder me from serving You with a whole heart.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33
[Click the reference above to read online, but I bet you have your Bible nearby.]

The marriage relationship, between a man and a woman, is the most holy relationship we can ever experience on this earth. It is the relationship where we have the greatest opportunity to love like God loves us and to learn more about His love for us.

It is a mystery. Making it difficult to express in words the relationship between husband and wife, and God and the church. But because God uses this metaphor for His relationship with His people, is it any wonder the world attacks marriage the way it does?

Selfishness stirs up the temptation to fight for rights rather than serve one another in love. Battles within a marriage make a heart susceptible to the temptation of infidelity and adultery. The legal system has gone so far as to allow no-fault divorce. Boredom grounds for tearing apart two lives that have become one. The world fights God's Word unrelentingly to redefine marriage, all because the enemy wants to destroy the basic building block of the church.

With this sacred joining of husband and wife, we see the sacred bonding of Christ and a Believer. On an individual basis Christ brings us into the church by the wooing of the Holy Spirit. Each marriage painting a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. Two becoming one multiplying to bring more into the church by the conception of children or the witness of a spiritually healthy marriage bringing others to Christ.

Marriage is more than a social tradition. It is a holy union, God-ordained, from the beginning. It's worth fighting for on an individual basis and worth standing up for in the social arena. Both relationships husband and wife, Christ and the church, lead to life.

Husband and wife
Christ and the church.
The two most important relationships you will ever be a part of.

Father God, thank You for the beautiful mystery of marriage.

Not only the precious relationship between husband and wife, man and woman,

but between Christ and the church. Uphold Your work by Your mighty power.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's verses: Ephesians 5:8-21
[Open up the Word, either in your hand with a Bible or online by clicking the reference.]

"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you."

Ephesians 5:14 ESV

Sleepers generally sleep in the dark, unresponsive, oblivious to what is going on around them. They may be having a wonderful dream from which they don't want to wake or they may be trapped in a night terror from which they can't free themselves.

Sleepers in Scripture are those out of touch with the reality of the One True Living God. They live life on their own terms led by their own desires rather than the ways of the Lord. This is living in the dark.

Believers are called to live as children of light bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. We are to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Those who have been asleep usually don't like it when a light suddenly comes on and wakes them up. Or in this case, exposes their sin and unbelief. It can be a dangerous thing to wake up a sleeper.

But we, as Believers, are called to expose dark deeds. Not talk about them in secret with one another, this would be gossip, but to expose them to the sleeper himself. Make their darkness visible to them.

This concept of exposing yet not talking about sin may sound like a contradiction, but let's think about it a moment. Even reflect on your own life, for we all, once upon a time, lived in darkness. When a person finally realizes they have been living a lie and sees their path of sin leaving behind a wake of destruction, then Christ has an opportunity to shine in their hearts. Repentance and forgiveness and grace illuminate their lives.

Your past may include addiction, sexual immorality, abuse, abortion, deception, stealing or any other number of sins, but when the Holy Spirit wakes you up, and Christ shines on your past, it becomes a testimony that shines for His glory. 

Children of Light find all the joy and excitement they need in the Holy Spirit. He fills our hearts with songs of thanks to the Father for EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! For He makes all things new, even a dark past.

What's in your past, your sleeper days, that He wants to shine for His glory?

Consider thinking through and writing out your testimony of what He's done in your life. Then ask Him for opportunities to share your story with those who are still sleeping...

I praise You for rousing me from the sleep of death, do not let me drift off again. Help me to wake others with my testimony in Jesus's name.

Lord, wake up Your church that we might shine Your grace on others.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-7
[Open up your Bible or open up the link above to read the Word.]

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children

and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us

and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering

and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

Today's words cause me to wonder how many of us are actually walking the way of love...

God calls us to walk as Jesus. Totally sold out. Totally obedient. Totally in line with His Word. To the point of being a fragrant offering and sacrifice. Incense was burned. Lambs were slain. Both consumed on behalf of God's glory.

Paul lists what the way of love looks like:
no sexual immorality (not even a hint)
no impurity (of any kind)
no greed
no obscenity
no foolish talk
no coarse joking

The only action, besides giving yourself up as an offering to God, is thanksgiving.

Where are you when it comes to this list regarding the way of love?

I'm pretty sure everyone of us fail on one or more points regularly. If you don't see yourself in the list of "no"s maybe it's time for an honest look at your heart. Maybe... it's time to mourn...

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Matthew 5:4 ESV

Kyle Idleman, in his book The End of Me, examines the need  to recognize and mourn our sins.

But how often do I laugh at the very things that should cause me to mourn? ... So is anyone out there mourning? Where is the man who weeps over his selfishness and pride? The woman who weeps over her gossip and her vanity? The husband who weeps over his passivity and the years, long gone, when he could have led his family? Where is the wife who weeps over her unsubmissive and critical spirit? Where is the student who weeps over his cheating, his lust, his ingrained cynicism? Where is the Christian who reads the news and sees the sin in our culture and feels the bruising in his inner spirit? There is joy and peace that come only when we finally let ourselves see the sin and let our eyes shed tears for it. Because in the midst of all those tears, all that grief, is where God's blessing can be found. I realize it sounds a little crazy, but more and more I actually feel something like gratitude that I'm able to mourn my sin before God. There's pain in confession, and then, on the other side, there's a feeling like cool water washing over me on a blazing hot day.

---Kyle Idleman, The End of Me

I know from experience, he's right. Just this past week I made a confession to a dear friend in the faith regarding sin in my heart. I experienced the grief... the pain... but what came "on the other side" was relief... freedom... peace...

God of grace, Lord of peace, bring me to the place of godly sorrow over sin in my life. Bless me with the boldness to confess to You and whoever else You call me to. I want to walk the way of love. The way of Jesus. For Your glory.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32
[Open up your Bible or click the link above.]

...put off your old self... put on the new self...

Ephesians 4:22, 24

God's Word in Ephesians gives us a picture of our new life in Christ. He tells us the way to walk and what our lives should look.

I'm reminded of the old reality show What Not to Wear. Have you seen it? Fashion experts secretly watch and then approach an individual nominated by family and friends who just can't seem to dress themselves appropriately.

The hosts of the show take the fashion-challenged individual off to New York City, go through all their clothes, tell them what's wrong with them and then provide the means to go out and find the fashions and styles they should wear.

Through Paul, God tells us what not to wear in our walk with Christ. He tells us what to put off and what to put on spiritually.

What to throw out of your spiritual wardrobe:

• sensuality
• greed
• impurity
• corrupt and deceitful desires
• falsehood
• destructive talk
• bitterness
• slander
• malice

Then He tells us what to put on, spiritually speaking:

• true righteousness
• holiness
• truth
• forgiveness
• honest work
• generosity
• words of encouragement
• grace
• sensitivity to the Holy Spirit
• kindness
• tenderheartedness

It takes time to evaluate a wardrobe and it takes time to evaluate a heart and spirit. The process can be painful. Many of us use the "what not's" as means to hide or protect ourselves and we don't even know it. Being open to evaluation makes us vulnerable, but the Holy Spirit is gentle and knows our hearts better than we do. Trust Him. Invite Him in to makeover your heart and spirit.

It's Friday. Print out today's passage or mark it in your Bible. Return to it this weekend. Be open to the Holy Spirit to examine your heart, evaluate what you've been wearing spiritually. Allow Him to instruct, reveal, heal, and equip you to put on the new self in order to reflect the likeness of Christ and glorify Him.

Lord, I long to reflect You with my life, to be someone who attracts others to You.

Prepare my heart to receive the truth about the way I walk now,

what to put off and what to put on. Open me up for revealing and healing.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

...you were called to one hope...

Ephesians 4:4

Hope is a cherished desire we wait for with anticipation.

What do you hope for?

financial security?

physical well-being?
close relationships?
successful children?
emotional stability?
comfort?
__________________?

People hope for many different things in the world.
But those in Christ Jesus are called to one hope.

The hope of salvation through Jesus Christ, which includes:

The hope of the resurrection.

The hope of His return to put all things right.

The hope of His perfect judgment.

The hope of eternal life with Him in His Kingdom.

The one hope we are called to is not found in the things of this world. It is a spiritual hope more real than anything found on this earth.

As Believers in Jesus Christ, we are all called to one hope.

If you have misplaced hope, you will be disappointed. For the things of this world will pass away. The eternal hope, the One Hope, is only found in Jesus.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:2-3 NIV84

Father God, reveal where I have misplaced hope.

Set my heart and mind on the One Hope:

Jesus Christ.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
[Go ahead, you know what to do: click the reference or open up the pages.]

...strengthened with power through his Spirit...

Ephesians 3:16 ESV

Strengthening by the Spirit in our inner being --- our mind, will, and emotion --- is required for Christ to live in our hearts through faith.

The Spirit strengthens Believers by revealing Christ's great love for us as individuals and as a corporate body. He helps us grow in the understanding of His love that surpasses knowledge.

Spiritual strength increases as we begin to firmly grasp and become rooted in His love for us.

We only let Jesus rule in our hearts when we know His love. Its unsurpassed breadth, length, height, and depth. Understanding His love opens up our spirits to His presence to rule and reign. The more we know He loves us the more we are willing to step out and live for Him. The more we know His love, the more we trust Him.

Trust, in biblical terms, is faith.

By faith, by trust, He dwells in our hearts.

Do you know His love well enough to trust Him?

Do you reveal His life in you through obedience to His Word? to His Spirit?

Seek strengthening from the Spirit. Ask for understanding of His love. This is a prayer that will be answered: Yes.

Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7 ESV

Father God, bless me by the power of Your Spirit

with knowledge of Christ's great unfailing love for me!

I want Him to live in my heart, to rule and to reign.

Strengthen my spirit by Your grace.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's passage: Ephesians 3:1-13
[Open up your Bible or open up the link above.]

...the mystery was made known to me by revelation...

Ephesians 3:3

God's Word. Sometimes it feels like a mystery. Reading it brings questions and wondering to mind. 

What do you do with your questions? your I wonder what that means? moments?

We often have the temptation to begin thinking it out for ourselves. Using our reason to come up with some plausible explanation. But let me tell you, you don't have to do mental gymnastics to figure out the mysteries of God. Indeed, you cannot figure them out.

The mystery of His Word is made known by revelation.

When we have questions and wonders about God and things we come across in His Word, all we need do is ask. Put the question before Him. Ask for insight and understanding. And He will reveal the answer when you are ready for it.

...yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

For God gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...

Proverbs 2:3-6 ESV

There are too many examples of those who have used their own reasoning in the Bible and were led astray. Those called false prophets in the Old Testament reasoned God would never allow His people to be removed from their promised land, He was God, and they were His people. They refused to listen to men like Jeremiah who brought them a word they didn't want to hear. A seemingly unreasonable word. Jeremiah told them to repent or God would burn Jerusalem and exile His people.

The Pharisees in Jesus's day had the Messiah all figured out. They reasoned He would come as a political leader, a warrior king, in order to defeat Rome. But they missed Him. He came as a babe in a manger. He came to defeat a supernatural enemy and overcome death by His own death.

Never forget. God's ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Our reasoning and logic will never come up with the right answer to the mysteries we run across in His Word. Only revelation by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ Jesus makes the way for us to see, know, and understand the wonders in God's Word.

Instead of reasoning, begin seeking.

Ask for revelation to the next mystery in His Word you encounter.

And wait.

Father God, Your greatness is beyond my understanding.

Open my eyes that I can see wonderful things in Your Word.

Bless me with the Spirit of revelation that I might know You better.

Help me resist the temptation of leaning on my own understanding

and reasoning according to the ways of the world.

[Note: In the Proverbs passage above you will notice God answers when we seek for understanding and insight as if we were mining for precious metals or digging for buried treasure. Both of these activities take time and energy. The kind of seeking we do is spiritual mining through prayer, Bible study, and obedience to His Word. Often times I've had revelations come when digging into the original language of the Bible or studying the historical context of the times. These are ways we seek while we wait for God to reveal.]

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22
[Click the link to open the Word online if your Bible is not near.]

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh,

called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision...

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ,

alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers 

to the covenants of promise, having no hope

and without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:11-12 ESV

Jews vs. Gentiles.
Circumcised vs. uncircumcised.
Those of the family of Israel vs. everyone else.

Jesus came to bridge the gap.
Make a Way for all to become one.
It was the plan all along.

God chose Abraham to bless all nations.

"Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house

to the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation,

and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Genesis 12:1-3 ESV

Abraham, in obedience, followed God to the place He would show him, all for the express purpose of making the way for Jesus to come and bless all nations. Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, the patriarchs of the family of Israel that became a great nation. 

But over the years, on the way to Jesus, the difference between Jew and Gentile was highlighted. Through their law and their prophets, through their special relationship with God, the world could see the nation of Israel was different. Even during exile they had hope of restoration.

Through the one chosen people, the family of Israel, came Jesus.

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off

and peace to those who were near. For through him we both

have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:17-18 ESV

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), in this Jew and Gentile stand on common ground: spiritually far off from God. 

Through faith and trust in Jesus --- His sacrifice, His blood, His resurrection --- we now all have access to the Father by way of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made the Way for all to draw near.

Like Abraham and the nation of Israel, let us be a way for Him to bring others near.

How can you be a bridge today? to those who are far off from Him?

Father God, help me to remember I was once far from You with no hope in the world. Bless me with the faith and trust to follow You where You lead, to obey, and be a blessing to others. Amen. 

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Today's Scripture to read: Ephesians 2:1-10
[Read it in your Bible, or click the reference above to read online.]

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive...

Ephesians 2:1, 4 NIV84

Dead. Alive.

A short before and after story Believers share.

But we each have a personal story too.

[Email subscribers click here to view on YouTube or click post title to view on Growing in Faith at FUMC.]

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God...

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

What has His gift of grace and love done for you?

What are you doing with His gifts?

Father God, thank You for Your amazing gift of grace.

Thank You for choosing me. Open my heart to the work

You want to do in me and the good works You've prepared

for me to do. Open my life to You for Your use and glory.

Consider sharing your before and after with us here.

Click the post title, scroll to the bottom, leave your testimony in the Comment Box.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's passage: Ephesians 1:15-23
[Be sure to read the Word before you read the words below. Click the reference to read online or turn to it in the pages of your Bible.]

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV

Because of His Son's obedience --- His sinless blameless life --- God the Father exalted Jesus, put all things under His feet and made Him head of the church, which is His body.

The church's purpose is to display His fullness to all the world. Bring light where there is darkness. Bring order where there is chaos. Bring love and compassion where there is hurt-full hate. Bring truth where there is deception and confusion. Bring wholeness to places of corruption. Bring life to those who are dying. Bring purity to places and people who have been defiled. Bring justice to those who are oppressed. Bring freedom to those who are captive. Bring hope and good news to those in despair. Bring healing to those suffering dis-ease.

Do you see the church fulfilling that role?

Paul gave thanks for the Ephesian church. For their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward one another in the church. But he also remembered them in his prayers, asking God to grow them even more and more into the fullness of Christ Jesus.

Today. Let's take Paul's prayer model for the Ephesian church and pray this Word over First United Methodist Church Jacksonville. For our good and His glory:

Thank You, Lord, for First United Methodist Church Jacksonville. For those who are faithful to Your name and loving toward all Believers. (Take a moment here to insert specific names of those you are thankful for their faith and love.) I ask You, today, Father God, for the sake of Your glory and our Lord Jesus Christ, to bless the members of First United Methodist Church Jacksonville with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation of the knowledge of Jesus. Open the eyes of our hearts, corporately and individually, to the hope You call us to, to the riches of the glorious inheritance we have access to in His name, and to the immeasurable greatness of His power in us as Believers. The same power You used to raise Christ from the dead is at work in us. Teach us to use Your power for Your glory. May we do everything for the praise and glory of Him who sits at Your right hand! Grow us to display Your fullness of love, compassion, mercy, wisdom, and truth to those around us, not only in our church, but in our homes, at work, and in the community. Open us up fully to the headship of Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, the name that is above every name, both now and in the age to come, Amen.

Beyond the Gospels: Ephesians

Read today's passage: Ephesians 1:1-14
[Click above the read on BibleGateway.com.]

... he chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world...

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ...

Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV

Here is a truth beyond comprehension to me. He chose us in Christ before He created the world. In love. He predestined us for adoption into His family. To receive an incredible inheritance of lavish grace.

I don't know about you, but I do know about me. I know who I was before He captured my heart and I was not a lovable person. I know what I've done. And wonder why He would choose me, for heaven's sake. Why would He want me to be a part of His family?!

Don't leave me all alone here. You know you, too. Are you someone worthy of being chosen by the Creator of the Universe? Someone worthy to be called His son? His daughter?

Now that's some amazing grace. Some powerful love. Imagine. Even before He began to create, He saw all the trouble. sin. rebellion. hate. murder. selfishness. greed. Yet, He still spoke: Let there be light... 

But not only did He create. He chose. Predestined broken rebellious sinful people to make His own. To bless with love and glorious grace. 

His whole purpose in Christ is to unite ALL things in Him, both in heaven and earth.

I know He's worked a mysterious wonder in my heart. One I don't deserve. One that humbles me before Him and causes me to love Him.

He loved me first. He loved you first. Before creation. He loved and chose knowing everything there is to know about you. About me.

Is that not a cause to love Him, too? To praise? worship? bless? obey?

Father God, wrap my mind around this choosing of me.

So undeserving. So nothing apart from You.

May I live a life of glorious grace for Your praise.

Begin uniting all things in heaven and earth.

Begin in me.

Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Read today's passage: Galatians 6:11-18
[It's the last day of Galatians! Open it up online by clicking above or open up that Bible of yours.]

All this flesh vs Spirit talk in Galatians has come down to one thing...

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

... what counts is the new creation.

Galatians 6:14-15

Jesus's work on the cross. That's the only thing in your life that counts for anything!

Not your natural abilities, your financial gains, your position at work, in the community, or even at church. Not your material possessions, not your family background, not your relationships, not even if you go to church every Sunday.

None if it counts for anything. Only what Jesus has done for you.

Today is a significant day for me, it's my dad's birthday. He would have been 94 if he hadn't died seventeen years ago. My mom died five years before my dad, just ten days after his birthday in 1994. Both my mom and dad give me reason to boast in the cross of Christ alone.

You see, my dad lived for the flesh until my mom died. He lived by the rules, he was proud, he worked hard, he was a good father, he took care of his health, but he was missing a relationship with Christ. 

My mom's death was not in his plan (he was supposed to die first!) and it rocked his world. Shortly after, he came to saving faith. The same faith I'd just come to myself through the witness of my mom's trust in God during her illness and death.

Nothing my parents did, either good or bad, made the way for them to enter or not enter eternal life. Only because of Jesus's work on the cross do I know both my mom and dad live. Only because of His death and resurrection do I have the hope of life. 

Only because of the cross of Christ do any Believers have room to boast.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your awesome work.

Thank You for seeking and saving so many of my family.

Thank You for continuing to seek those I love who are lost.

Thank You for my mom and dad...

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Read today's passage: Galatians 6:1-10
[Click the link above to read online, or open up your Bible.]

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.

Galatians 6:7

Let's just get this straight right now. God cannot be mocked. He cannot be deceived. We cannot hide anything from Him. We cannot live self-righteously on the outside, yet be dark and devious on the inside. God knows and tests the hearts of all mankind. And we reap what we sow, because He's the one that makes things grow. He both blesses and curses depending on the heart behind our actions.

The warning here is for us not to be deceived. And I don't think he means by other people. The truth of the matter is we all have a great capacity for self-deception. We make excuses for our behavior and justify unjust actions. We think a life lived 95% in the flesh and the other 5% on Sunday morning singing a few hymns and saying a rote prayer makes up for the sin we just can't let go of the rest of the week.

Do not be deceived. Let God examine your heart. Be open to the Holy Spirit's conviction. Be in the Word and let it speak life into your life. Be open to that Spirit-led brother or sister in Christ who boldly confronts you about gossip, pornography, boasting, greediness, drunkenness, addiction, uncontrolled anger, envy, jealousy, infidelity, or any other lack of integrity you've allowed to take root in your heart.

Don't delay. Recognize the seriousness of a life lived in the flesh vs. the Spirit.

Whoever sows to please their flesh,

from the flesh will reap destruction...

Don't get tired of doing the right thing. Even when no one else sees, you get no credit, or it just seems to cause trouble in your life.

...for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Father God, open my eyes to the places I'm living under self-deception.

Open my heart to Your Spirit. Open my mind to Your Word.

Help me to see clearly the fruit I produce from what I sow in my life.

Grow me in faith as only You can.

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Read today's Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26
[Click the reference to read online or open up your Bible to read the Word.]

Flesh versus Spirit. They are at odds, at conflict with each other. If you are walking in a way where you live for your natural desires then you can't walk the way of the Spirit. If you walk the way of the Spirit, as our passage says, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

I've heard the term "carnal Christian," an oxymoron to be sure. But this word today reads to me like it's not possible.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh

with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:24

If you belong to Him, then your flesh has died to its passions and desires which are always out of line with what the Spirit calls us to do.

Jesus said, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

This choosing to live by flesh or Spirit is a daily decision for us. Often moment by moment. But it's clear, nothing in our flesh, our natural state working in its own power, leads to good. Our desires from the moment of conception are perverted and distorted.

Yes. Each of us are made in the image of God, but sin has marred every good thing He put in our flesh. ONLY by walking with the Spirit. ONLY by letting Him lead will we bear anything good for His kingdom.

Paul lists the "fruit" of both the flesh and the Spirit. Read them again.

Which one describes you?

If you find yourself on the carnal side more than the side of the Spirit you may need to consider what you really believe.

As long as we live in these bodies of flesh, we will deal with temptations and at times we will fall. But if we have had a true conversion experience our lives will be transforming, becoming more and more a picture of the fruit of the Spirit and less and less like the rest of the world.

When the Holy Spirit comes to reside in our hearts by faith in Christ Jesus, He begins to clean house. But He is gentle. When His still small voice convicts, we have a choice to make: my way or His way.

Let me tell you. From my experience there is no peace or joy when you choose your way over His. For a moment it may seem good, but in the end is misery.

Over my years (a couple of decades now) of following hard after Jesus, daily dying to some part of self, it has been a painful walk, but every moment has led me to a place where I truly do experience more joy and peace than ever before. The walk is worth it. I pray you'll take up your cross today, deny your flesh, and choose to walk with the Spirit... no matter how hard...

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

Father God, show me today the one step I need to take 

to begin walking with the Spirit in Jesus's name.

Amen.

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Today's Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15
[Click the link above to read on BibleGateway.com. Or open your own Bible.]

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 NIV

Christ has set us free! Yet, God reminds us through Paul of our need to be on guard, stand firm against those who want to burden us again with a yoke of slavery.

There are two ways we can be enslaved, both involve the law. One way is by coming back under the burden of the law and living a legalistic life of do's and don't's. This is what Paul cites here in this passage. He has some strong words for those who still push circumcision as a part of salvation. They are all about the law and not Jesus. Only through Christ are we justified, never through our keeping of the law.

The other way we become enslaved through the law is by breaking it, living a sin-full life. Because of Christ's work on the cross and our trust in that work, sin no longer has a hold on our lives. But many of us willingly come under that yoke of slavery over and over by indulging in sin. Instead of standing firm and living in the freedom He has made the way for, we choose instead to gratify that which we are dead to: flesh. This is a miserable place for a Believer to live, enslaved by sin.

We are set free from the constraints of the law because, as Believers, we have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). We are free from the law of sin and death. We are truly free! But there is a responsible way to walk in freedom. Freedom is subject to abuse, as you probably know or have experienced.

"Everything is permissible for me"--- but not everything is beneficial.

"Everything is permissible for me" --- but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV84

Everything permissible... but not beneficial...

When we strive to keep the law, we are generally motivated by pride and a desire for control over the lives of others.

When we seek to live for the desires of the flesh, we live a selfish life, harming not only ourselves but those around us.

Jesus says the entire law could be summed up in one way:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two

commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40 ESV

There is only one way to exercise freedom, and God had Paul sum it up nicely...

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh;

rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13 NIV

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming and showing us the heart of the law.

Thank You for Your great sacrifice for my salvation.

Teach me to use the blessing of freedom to love others

in the same way You love me.

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Today's Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Slave versus free.
Law versus Spirit.
Two ways to live.

God has Paul take us back to Genesis and Abraham the father of the faithful.

Abram was given a promise by God, a promise for a son, a promise for an heir. Abram's wife Sarai couldn't stand the waiting and came up with a plan resulting in Abram having a son, Ishmael, through Hagar her Egyptian servant.

Ishmael was not the son of promise. He was the son of human contrivance. Bringing about God's promise in our timing, under our power, by our own scheme. This is the heart of religion. Getting God to do what we want, when we want it, by the means we want. Religion keeps us from the promise. Separates us from God. It's what happens when we use our brains to think things out for ourselves rather than seeking God and waiting as He calls us to.

God came back to remind Abram of the promise. To remind him afresh, God changed his name to Abraham and his wife's name to Sarah. He also instituted the covenant of circumcision. According to God's plan, Isaac was born, the son of promise. The chosen son conceived by God's supernatural power, in His way, and in His timing. Through Isaac came the One who ultimately frees us from slavery to sin and death. Jesus.

There are those in the church today who choose law over Spirit. Believing they can manipulate God, get what they want, when they want it, by obeying a set of rules or traditions. Then there are those who walk by the Spirit, waiting, listening, serving freely as He calls. Those who are slaves to the law don't always appreciate those led by the Spirit. Just as Ishmael stirred up trouble with Isaac, the legalists often attack the Spirit-led.

Those under law live according the flesh.
Those under promise live according to the Spirit.

Intimate relationship with God is found in the Spirit. Living by the law keeps us at odds with God, for in the flesh we are unable to uphold the law.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death,

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, 

for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot.

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:6-8 ESV

Freedom is found in following the Spirit. Death results from living under the law.

How are you living? worshiping? walking?
Do you find yourself annoyed by those who don't keep tradition?
Do you feel free to follow what God puts on your heart?

Jesus said it Himself:

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.

John 6:63 NIV84

Give up the flesh, let go of the Law.

Live freely by the Holy Spirit who will never lead you astray!

Father God, open my eyes to the places I'm enslaved by law and religious tradition.

Open my heart to appreciate the freedom of living by the Holy Spirit and teach me

how to follow Him in grace, fulfilling Your divine purpose.

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Today's Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20
[You know what to do. Open up your Bible or click the reference above to read online.]

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God --- or rather are known by God --- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?

Galatians 4:8-9 NIV

It's a perplexing thing when those who know God turn back to follow the ways of the world.

To know God is to know freedom and peace, love and acceptance, satisfaction and rest. But the things we run after in the flesh, those things enticing by nature that are not gods, they drive us to seek more and more. Yet, they never fill. Their promises of peace and rest, love and acceptance, never come through.

What are the things of the world... the gods that are not gods... enticing you from the One True God? Pursuit of wealth? physical pleasure? relationships? power? prominence? possessions? knowledge? _________________?

Really... what entices you from the One you know who never lies? always loves? never fails?

Me. I'm most prone to fall prey to seeking acceptance from others. Whether it's on a relational level or at work or in ministry. For some reason my flesh longs for the stamp of approval from people.

I fall humbly before the One I know over and over asking for forgiveness for the times I've sought validation from others... longed for someone to say, That's good. When I recognize I'm disrespecting Him for the work He's doing through me. When my flesh longs for human acceptance when I know He's the One at work in me. It's pathetically dishonoring to the God I know. The One who loves me and approves of my obedience to Him no matter what anyone else may think of what I've done. It's a perplexing thing when I see it in myself.

One other thing to consider today, regarding this Word, is whether you do know Him. Because, if you know Him, you will begin to recognize, feel the sting, wonder with perplexity at the times you follow hard after the gods of this world.

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.

What they want is to alienate you from us...

Galatians 4:17 NIV

Don't allow yourself to be alienated from the body of Christ for no good. 

Seek to know Him better. Strive hard to follow Who you know.

Father God, open my eyes and heart to recognize the gods of this world

I continually turn back to. Make my spirit sensitive to the conviction

of Your Spirit. I do not want to be perplexing to You.

I want to bring You joy!

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Today's Scripture: Galatians 3:22 - 4:7

But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,

so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ,

might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:22 NIV

Scripture... the Law... has locked up everything under the control of sin.

His Word reveals people as rebellious sinners. From the very first couple set in an idyllic garden, we chose the liar over God. Since that moment, sin has controlled the lives of people. Kept us from the promises of God.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23 HCSB

There is only one way to receive the promises. Faith in the Promised One.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Not destroy it. Not change it. But live it out perfectly.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ..." ---Jesus

Matthew 5:17 ESV

He came so we might receive the promises of God by faith in Him.

He came to set us free from the slavery of sin and death that we might live by the Spirit of life.

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus

from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law,

weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled

in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:2-4 ESV

Trusting faith in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection sets us free to live by the Spirit of life. Follow His Way. Live out our lives in loving obedience to Him. And be included in His family of faith. All the promises become a Yes in Jesus. We are set free from the law to live by the Spirit.

Are you still trying to live by the letter of the law? Let go. Trust His work. Strive instead to hear and obey His Spirit.

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus that I might know the fulfillment

of Your promises in my life. Thank You for the faith You have blessed me with.

Open my heart to live by the Spirit and trust Jesus's fulfillment of the law.

Beyond the Gospels: Galatians

Today's Scripture: Galatians 3:10-21
[Where is your Bible? If you're unsure click the link above to read online.]

..."the righteous will live by faith."

Galatians 3:11

Living by faith is not unique to the New Testament. This particular passage appears in quotations because Paul is quoting the Old Testament book of Habakkuk (2:4).

Habakkuk is fresh on my mind as I write this devotional, because I just happened to have read it this week. Not once, but twice. 

Habakkuk's book centers on his conversation with God at a time when corruption was rampant among the temple priests and leaders of Jerusalem. Very few were following the law. God delivers a hard message to Habakkuk. One of coming destruction to Jerusalem for their sins. Destruction brought by an idolatrous nation far from the one true God.

Confounded by the message, Habakkuk asks God how He could allow such a thing to happen. In response, Habakkuk receives a vision revealing the ultimate destruction of the proud who unjustly reap gains against God's chosen people. God tells him: the righteous shall live by faith.

The depth of our faith defines our relationship with God. It always has and it always will, at least until He returns to make all things new.

The author of Hebrews defines faith for us.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Faith can be a slippery thing. Hard to live by. It's about putting all our hope in God's promises and being certain of the unseen.

God's promises sometimes seem sketchy this side of eternity. He says He will never leave us or forsake us, but how often do you feel lonely or abandoned? He promises perfect peace for those who trust in Him, but sometimes anxiety wins out in any given circumstance.

When the fulfillment of His promises are far off on the horizon and the unseen blessings to come seem unimaginable, that is the opportunity for the righteous --- those in Christ Jesus --- to live by faith.

Only through a life of faith can we please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Only by faith, sure of the unseen, can we follow the Holy Spirit wherever He leads (John 3:8).

Only by faith do we become righteous (Romans 4:5).

Faithful living rests solely in Jesus's work on the cross for our righteousness.

Faithful living sees God's loving hand in every circumstance.

Faithful living focuses on what we don't see and not on our understanding of what we see.

Habakkuk ends his small book of prophecy with a prayer, one we should all take to heart and remember when things seem dark and hopeless...

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor the fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail and yields no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV

Yes, the righteous will live by faith.

Faith in His promises.

Faith in His return.

Faithful in praising His name.

Amen.

How are you at living by faith?

Father God, I pray this prayer with hesitation:

Grow me in my ability to live by faith.

I long to be closer to You, to please You,

to find joy in the God of my salvation

no matter my circumstances.