Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

The promise

4/20/2013

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:28-29).

As we discussed yesterday, we are saved by grace. God’s grace is a promise to all that are in Christ. This is an ancient promise often traced back to the promise to Abraham. Truly though the promise even predates Abraham. The promise of salvation can be seen all the way back in Genesis 3:15. God’s promises are sure and true. It is to the truth of the promises that we can be certain. And so we are one in Christ and therefore children of the promise.

Grace

4/19/2013

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Galatians 2:20-21).

We are justified as a result of grace through Jesus Christ. When we walk in faith, we live through Christ. Since we are saved by grace, it is not be merit or personal actions that we are saved. The necessity of the Cross cannot be overlooked. The justice of God requires that sin be dealt with and we become righteous only through the imparting of righteousness to us as an unmerited gift. And so our response should humbly reflect the fact that we are made righteous only by God’s grace.

Truth

4/18/2013

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:9-12).

The Gospel is not up for debate. We cannot pick and choose the doctrines that we declare as truth. God’s word is truth because God is truth. Truth is God’s design, God’s ways, God’s actions and God’s plan. We are to be witnesses and therefore we are to testify for God’s truth. This can only be accomplished in submission to God and God’s word. We are subjected to God’s word; God’s word is not subjected to us.

Peace and love

4/17/2013

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).

Paul is reminding believers to be good, to be of one mind and to live peaceful lives. There is a huge sense of comfort in these words. God’s peace and love is what we all seek. God promises that He will grant this peace to us. How great is that? Think about it, in all situations the peace and love of God is with you. Truly we limit the impact God can have on any situation when we fail to realize that God’s promises are always available. In all things look to God for the solution and the peace and love of God Himself will be made available to you.

Power of God

4/16/2013

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing (2 Corinthians 2:9-11).

Paul spoke of several times what he termed a ‘thorn in the flesh’. We don’t know what this was exactly, but we do know that it was bothersome to Paul. But Paul reminds us that we are most successful when we rely on God as opposed to our own power and strength. And so it should be the power of God that we base any and all of our actions. God wants us to rely on Him. When you think about it, when we rely on ourselves we are really limiting the outcome, but when we rely on God the outcome is without bounds or end.

Recognizing truth

4/15/2013

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

This is a very sobering passage. There are those that minister in the name of Christ that are in reality ministers of Satan. But it is not like they have an ID card or a sign that says false teacher/minister. Rather they are recognizable by whether they preach the true Gospel. Anyone that preaches another Gospel or compromises the word of God to conform to this world is a false teacher. We recognize them by what they say and do. We should therefore check all we are taught or told against that which is in scripture. All of the orthodox Christian teachings are clearly in the bible. While there is mystery in certain aspects of theology there is no mystery in the core Gospel. God is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God, as part of His very being, is Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer. The good news of the Gospel is this that while we were still sinners, Christ paid the price for us on the Cross, and on the third day in fulfillment of the scriptures He rose from the dead-defeating death. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end.

Glory in the Lord

4/14/2013

17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).

It is all about God. I think, at times, we lose sight of this fact. It is God that is glorious and it is God that we should therefore try and please. Of course, we know that on our own power and accord we cannot please God. Therefore, it is in our weakness and dependence that we can begin to please Him. So when we submit to Him we acknowledge that He is God and in so doing we are placed in the proper relationship to Him. It is therefore our relationship before a Holy Sovereign God that ultimately matters; all other matters are a distant second.

Sow and Reap

4/13/2013

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).

The amount of work produced for the Gospel has a degree of effort dependence. Essentially, if we don’t do much for the Gospel, not much will result from our work in this area. This has nothing to do with salvation but everything to do with obedience. God commands that we, as God’s people, should take the Gospel to the ends of the earth and along the way feed hungry, clothe the naked, and preach the good news to the poor. And so faith leads to works not as part of justification before a Holy God, but as a response to what we ought to do in return for God’s grace towards us. However, our response is not designed to earn God’s grace, but rather our response is designed to honor God.

Perform the doing of it

4/12/2013

11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not (2 Corinthians 8:11-12).

We are asked to use what we have in terms of gifts for the purposes of God. And those purposes are to glorify Him and in so doing accomplish the mission of spreading the Gospel. So in all things, according to our ability, we are to do the work that God intends us to complete. It is not that God needs us, but rather He is glorified through our actions and uses our actions in accordance with His will. We in turn are blessed when we do and use what God has given us. So, whatever you do, do it for God.

Encouragers

4/11/2013

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more (2 Corinthians 7:5-7) .

In times of trouble, God provides encouragement and strength. This encouragement is always present through the Holy Spirit. God also provides specific people to be encouragers and comforters at specific times of need. We are meant to strengthen each other. This brings to light the ideas that all believers are united in faith and are to be of one purpose. That purpose which is to glorify God leads to the strengthening of the each of God’s people.

Created Through Him