Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

Suffer for His sake

4/30/2013

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Philippians 1:28-30).

There is no surer sign of salvation than to suffer for Christ and for the cause of the Gospel. It is not that this should be sought, but rather that it should be realized that suffering for Christ might be required. There is always a purpose in suffering for Christ though as well. That purpose could be to show simple obedience or it could be a mechanism for spreading the Gospel. The Gospel has always spread fastest in times of persecution. And so while persecution is terrible, it often leads to the salvation of many.

Armor of God

4/29/2013

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12).

In this world we need the full armor and protection of God. This is not so much because of the physical conditions in the world, though they can be difficult, but because there is a spiritual battle that wages constantly in the world. This battle, though unseen by us, has a profound effect on our world. The reliance upon God’s power to overcome spiritual darkness is the only action we can take in this battle. This is not a battle fought with typical weapons, nor is it a battle won through violence. In fact, it is a battle that is fought for us by Christ. And in Christ, victory is assured. And so when we put on the full armor of God, we put on the victory won by Christ.

Redeeming the time

4/28/2013

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Paul is reminding us to act in a way that is wise. To be wise is to follow God. We are to follow God, in time, that is to say, that each day we are live according to God’s way and according to God’s wishes. We are too often made aware that there is evil in the world. The only action that will ever have any lasting effect on the problem of evil in the world is to obey God. Obedience to God leads to goodness, peace and redemption. The primary act of obedience is submission to God. Submission to God is possible as a result of faith, and is eternally effective against the evil that is too often present in this world.

Renewed in the spirit of your mind

4/27/2013

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:23-27).

We are to renew our minds. The mind comprises both reason (intellect) and emotion. We are to control both. This control is not for the purpose of just following rules (do this, don’t do that), but rather it is for the purpose of protecting us from evil. According to how we think so do we act. And so by renewing the spirit of our mind in Christ we align ourselves with the very will of God and with the purpose for which we were created. We were created for righteousness and holiness imparted by God.

Manifold wisdom of God

4/26/2013

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (Ephesians 3:8-12).

There are some very significant facts presented in this passage. The preaching of the Gospel to all people is the will of God. God created all things through Christ. The wisdom of God is the power of Christ to restore and make anew. It is through the power of faith in the person and work of Christ that we have access to God. It is only through Christ that we are brought into proper relationship to our heavenly Father and it is the eternal will of God that this occurs.

The response

4/25/2013

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).

As we discussed yesterday, salvation is a sovereign gracious act by God. Christianity is unique in this belief. This belief accounts for both the nature of God and the nature of Man. Our position before a Holy God, as a result of sin, is tenuous, and without action by God, permanent. Therefore, no amount of effort on our part can remedy this position before God. So, we are saved by pure grace. We cannot earn salvation, but rather out of our salvation comes good works. Good works are a response to God’s gracious call and salvation.

Chosen before the foundation of the world

4/24/2013

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:4-6).

The sovereignty of God trumps everything else. Whatever the free will of Man is, it certainly is not limitless. Out of eternity, God chooses a people for Himself. Granted that elsewhere in scripture Man is responsible for choosing as well. But Man’s choice is in time; God’s choice is out of eternity. And so salvation has its’ root in the eternal choice of God according to His gracious will and for His ultimate glory. But I speak of the eternal cause of salvation, and while that is important, equally important is that in time, which is created by God, all that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is by His eternal decree, according to His amazing grace, for His infinite glory, and for our own good.

God is not mocked

4/23/2013

5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:5-7).

God is not fooled by appearances or words. Rather God knows us by our actions. Therefore, personal responsibility is something that we should embrace. What we do should flow from what we believe. This does not mean that we cannot or will not make mistakes. We all, to varying degrees, do not live always according to our faith, and so we falter. But over time, when we walk with God, we will increasingly conform to God’s way and will.

Fruit of the Spirit

4/22/2013

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we walk according to the Spirit, there will be obvious signs in our lives. There is a choice to be made in life. We can either walk with or against God. Obviously it is God’s desire for us to walk with Him. And when you look at the list of signs that we are walking with God they all are very positive, so why would we choose otherwise? It is difficult to explain and yet in many cases we do choose otherwise. Perhaps if we find ourselves walking against God, that still small voice will draw us back towards peace, joy, gentleness, goodness, faith..

Adopted

4/21/2013

4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father (Galatians 4:4-6).

At just the right time God sent His son to save and redeem His children. Notice too that the children of God are adopted; they are therefore chosen. This is a very personal exchange on the part of God, an exchange that is characterized by the love of a Father for a child. And so we are adopted into the family of God and set apart for this relationship for all eternity.

Created Through Him