ἀνανεοῦσθαι

A Thought on Leadership

2009-10-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

I was listening to an Andy Stanley podcast today. The topic was leadership. The first words out of Andy's mouth were,

"You are not the smartest person in your organization . . . you are just the leader."

The Image of God

2009-05-18T20:48:00.004-04:00

Internal (Scriptural) Examination

When commencing on a study of the Word of God I believe it to be best to start with the Word of God. Before consulting outside sources, I will survey the Scriptures to see what information can be gathered that pertains to the image of God and what it means to be made in that image.

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (KJV Gen 1:27). Based on the immediate context of this verse, it seems that being made in the image of God has something to do with the dominion given to man in verses twenty-six and twenty-eight. In the same way that God has rule over all creation (including all that is in and beyond the earth), so man is created to be a ruler over certain things, but only over those things that God told him to rule over (since God is the Lord of lords, He has the authority to delegate). So, God’s image seems to involves lordship.

It also appears from the context of Genesis 1 that the image of God involves reproduction. Just as God told man to subdue the earth, He also commanded him to reproduce. So, as God is Lord, so man is to be a lord of the earth; and as God replicated Himself in man (making man in His image), so man would replicate himself through his offspring. The image of God seems to involve replication.

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (KJV Gen 9:6). The penalty for taking the life of another man would be death for the offender. But why? Because in the image of God made he man. This does not tell us what the image of God is exactly, but it does tell us that inherent in the image is great value. Value such that the penalty for destroying that image is punishable by death - the ultimate price. We read also in James 3:9 that one man ought not curse another man because of the fact that he is made “after the similitude of God” (KJV). So, the image of God entails great value.

When man sinned, something happened to the image of God in man. The Bible does not say in exact terms how the image was tainted or affected, but we know that it was affected in some way (in a negative way) based on the overall message of Scripture. Little is said of the image of God in the Old Testament outside of Genesis. It is not until the New Testament that this idea of the image of God is emphasized. Contrary to man in Genesis (prior to the fall), man in the New Testament is seen conforming (or being conformed) to the image of his Creator (KJV Rom 8:29). The New Testament makes it clear by its message that the image of God in man is not the same that is was before the fall.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (KJV Rom 8:29). There are a number of things that one May draw from this passage. One thing to note is that the Father has determined that all believers will be conformed to the image of His Son. It seems that what was the image of God in the Old Testament makes a shift to the image of Christ in in the New - Christ, the mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5), “who is the image of the invisible God” (KJV Col 1:15). So the focus now is on being conformed to the image of Christ, rather than the image of God. This May not be of extreme significance since Christ and the Father are one (thence the image of Christ and the image of God must be the same thing), but the text makes a distinction regarding whose image is the focus, so it should be noted. In addition to this, Romans 8:29 tells the reader that God has determined that all believers will be conformed to the image. This statement implies that man, in his natural state, is not in the image of God (at least not fully). So, man is not a complete representation of the image of God, but he does have some “resemblance” even in his fallen state (this is clearly seen in the reference to the death penalty and James’ words against cursing men - both proclamations being made after the fall).

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (KJV 2 Cor 3:18). The context of this passage speaks of Moses, whose face reflected the glory of God as a result of his time with the Lord receiving the law on the mountain. When Moses returned from the mountain, his face had to be veiled because of the brightness (the glory) of it. Paul says here in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that, as we behold the glory of the Lord (through the Word of God, vv. 14-15), we are changed into that same image. So, the image of God involves glory. Does this mean our faces will be brighter like Moses? To some degree, I believe so. Proverbs 15:13 says that “a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance” (KJV). What better way to produce a merry heart than by communing with the God of the universe?

“Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (KJV Col 3:10). The image of God involves knowledge. The word knowledge here is translated from the Greek word epignosis and refers to “the knowledge of things ethical and divine” (Strong 1922). Being made in the image of God, therefore, means that one is made with innate knowledge and awareness of divinity and morality. This explains why even unbelievers have some standards of right and wrong (thought they May be inconsistent standards), not because they are arbitrary, but because they are made in the image of their Creator. It appears from this passage that “the new man” is synonymous with the image of God. One who is “putting on the new man” is being conformed to the image of Christ.

“Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24). The image of God involves righteousness and true holiness. This righteousness refers to “correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting” (Strong 1343). “Holiness” here means devotion and faithfulness (Strong 3742). Therefore, the image of God involves righteousness and holiness as they are here defined.

Conclusion of Internal Examination

Man is made in the image of God. The image of God in man gives him authority over the living things of earth; it enables him to reproduce the image in his offspring; it gives him great intrinsic value; it is tarnished as a result of sin’s entrance into the world; all believers will ultimately be conformed to it; it involves glory (causing the face of its possessor to be brighter?); it causes man to know and be aware of morality and divinity; it involves thinking, feeling, and acting correctly (in a way that is acceptable to God); and it involves devotion and faithfulness (holiness...as He is holy). To bring this all down to a simple statement, it could be said that to be made in the image of God is to be made just like God without actually being God. Man is designed to be just like God, but man is not all-knowing; he is not all-powerful; and he is not here and everywhere else all at the same time. Man cannot create ex nihilo because there is nothing new under the sun (the laws of thermodynamics would have issues with this as well). While man May be described as holy or becoming holy, he can never attain to God’s level of holiness - that is Holy, Holy, Holy! Therefore, man, created in the image of God, is (or is becoming) just like God barring those attributes that make God . . . God.

External Examination

According to Harper’s Bible Dictionary, “to speak of human beings as created in the image of God apparently refers primarily to the bodily form (the Hebrew term for ‘image’ usually denotes a concrete likeness)” (Achtemeier 418). The Scriptures do not say this explicitly, which makes it hard for me to accept this at face value. Based on my study of Scripture, the image of God in man has little to do with his man’s physical body. Harper goes on to say that “the plural pronouns of Gen. 1:27-28 indicate that male and female share equally in the image of God and connect this idea to the twofold commandment (‘Be fruitful and multiply…and have dominion over…’), so that both in nature and in function human beings are understood to reflect their Creator” (Achtemeier 418). I believe this is a statement more in line with the text of Scripture.

The New Bible Dictionary concludes: “Though many interpreters have thought to locate the ‘image’ of God in man’s reason, creativity, speech, or spiritual nature, it is more likely that it is the whole of man, rather than some part or aspect of him, that is the image of God. The whole man, body and soul, is the image of God” (Wood 499). I would tend to agree, but am still not sure that I would classify the human body as being part of the image of God. We know nothing of any physical form or shape of God. We know that He is a spirit (John 4:24), and that He dwells in “light that no man can approach unto” (1 Tim 6:16).

Others agree that the image does not involve the body. The Old Testament Survey Series says that “the general significance is that man is closely patterned after his Maker. The second term [likeness] is merely supplementary to or explanatory of the first term [image]. The combination of terms refers to man’s intellectual, spiritual, volitional, and ethical capacity. In short the combination “image and likeness” refers to all that sets man apart from the animal kingdom. Neither term refers to man’s body” (Smith 1:26-27). My personal thought here is that it is dangerous to view the image of God as an aspect of man that distinguishes him from the animal kingdom. The image of God in man does distinguish man from animals, but that is not how the image is emphasized in Scripture. In Scripture, the image is what makes man like God not what makes man different from animals.

Conclusion of External Examination

Those who have written on the topic present a wide range of thoughts and ideas regarding the image of God in man. It would be enough to make one’s brain spin out of his skull (if such things were possible). A study solely based on the “comments” of others would leave the inquirer more lost and confused than when he began. After consulting external sources, I stand by my initial conclusions based on my internal survey of Scripture.

Bibliography

Achtemeier, Paul J., Publishers. Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.

The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

Smith, James E. The Pentateuch. 2nd ed. Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co., 1993.

Strong, James. The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996

Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993.

Wood, D. R. W. and I. Howard. Marshall. New Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

God Isn't Fair

2009-05-15T10:58:00.013-04:00

In Jeremiah 32:28-35, God tells Jeremiah what is going to happen to the Israelites. They would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, and the capitol city of Jerusalem would be burned to the ground. God was going to judge the Israelites because they as a nation turned their back on God, worshiping pagan, man-made gods. They put pagan idols in the Temple of God, built pagan shrines, and even offered human sacrifices to these pagan gods. God "diligently taught them," but "they would not receive instruction" (v.33).

God was infuriated with Israel (v.30), and understandably so! But the story does not end with God being angry at Israel. It was fair for God to judge Israel for their sin. Just as a human judge executes judgment on physical matters, so does God regarding matters of the heart (spiritual matters). Because God is just, He must judge sin - that's only fair. But what God does next is actually quite unfair.

In verses 36-44, God goes on to explain His plans for a future restoration of Israel. He says, "I will certainly bring my people back again . . . I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. They will be my people and I will be their God. I will never stop doing good for them . . . I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land . . . Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them . . . I will restore prosperity to them. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Did you catch that? God said, "I will find joy doing good for them." God enjoys blessing people! And He doesn't enjoy judging people for their sin. God told the prophet Ezekiel, "As surely as I live, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. I want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live" (Ezekiel 33:11).

These verses remind me of just how amazing my God is. Yes, He judges sin, and He judges severely (as a perfect judge should), but His justice is so beautifully balanced by His love. God wants to bless us! He doesn't enjoy punishing sin, but He loves to "do good" to us. All we have to do is listen to His instructions (and He often blesses us even when we don't!). The ultimate example of God's love for us, of course, is His death for us, paying the penalty that was ours to pay - the punishment that was ours to receive. Have you accepted Jesus' payment for your sin? If you haven't, you should seriously consider it! Know that God doesn't want to boss you - He wants to bless you! No matter what you've done, God wants to bless you - that's not fair, but that's God.

Living a Lie

2009-05-07T11:39:00.008-04:00

Today I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). They sold a possession of theirs and gave some of their profit to the church. They said that they gave all of their profit, but they really kept some of it for themselves. Hypocrisy . . . it's not just telling a lie; it's living one.

The problem was not that they kept some of the profit. They weren't required to give anything in the first place. Their action was wrong because they purposefully tried to deceive others to think that they were more spiritual than they really were. They wanted to appear to be a certain way. Their concern was looking godly rather than being godly.

My focus ought to be on being godly rather than looking, or acting, godly. The first is a work of God; the second, a work of me (my flesh), and "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). If the first is true of me, then the second will come "naturally".

I don't want to be a "self-made" man. I want to be a man of God, and only God can make a man of God.

Acts 4:1-4

2009-05-04T21:03:00.011-04:00

"While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children."

Observations:

The first thing that I find interesting here is that Peter and John were speaking. They weren't sitting around waiting for "the opportunity to share their faith." They pursued opportunity rather than expecting or hoping for opportunity to pursue them. We Christians spend so much time waiting for "opportunities." The result is that, when an opportunity comes, we are so surprised and unprepared that we completely blow it! We need to stop waiting for opportunities to come to us, and we need to start making opportunities.

Another observation is that Peter and John's speaking disturbed some people. There were people around who were annoyed and irritated by what they were saying. People were irritated by the gospel in the first century and people are still irritated by the gospel in the twenty-first century. There will always be people who are annoyed by the gospel, but that is not reason enough to withhold from sharing it.

The controversial idea being taught by Peter and John was that Jesus literally rose from the dead. The way the apostles spoke of Christ's resurrection, for me, is strong evidence for the reality of the event. Would these men go to prison, suffer excruciating pain, torture, and even death for something they knew was a lie? If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then why would these men devote their entire lives, traveling across the known world, telling people that He did? There were other men before Christ who claimed to be the Messiah. They accrued a following, but they all eventually faded away - and died. Jesus was different. Jesus rose from the dead.

Even though Peter and John were taken to prison, many who heard their message believed. Since they were taken to jail, Peter and John probably didn't even get to see those who believed nor how many. Even when we are faithful, we do not always see the fruit of our labor, but we can trust that God will accomplish what He wants to accomplish. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Jeremiah 32:17,21

2009-04-27T13:26:00.007-04:00

"Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You . . . You brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt . . . with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm . . . " Jeremiah 32:17,21

To look at the complexity of all that we know and conclude that it all "happened" by chance over time is, to me, incredible. The world did not "happen;" God made everything with intelligence, design, and, as is seen in this passage, with power! What an encouragement it is to know that the power of God that created man is the same power of God that rescues man from the mess we got ourselves into!

God, thank you for taking me from where I was and, by Your power, bringing me to where I am today.

1 Timothy 4:12

2006-02-03T01:56:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (Part Five)
1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise your youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in love...
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious; love does not boast; love is not proud; love behaves itself in a comely manner; love has no selfish motives; love is not easily provoked to act in an uncomely manner; love never thinks about harming others and forgives the wrongs that others have done; love does not rejoice in wrong-doing, love rejoices in the truth; love patiently endures all situations; love trusts the Lord in all situations; love anticipates all situations; love perseveres through all situations. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (paraphrase mine)
Okay, so that is what love is, and even what love does. Now take out the word love, replace it with your name, and see how many statements apply. It is a wake-up call for sure. Nobody will know what you mean by saying that God is love unless you act it as well -Lawrence Pearsall Jacks
It is impossible to be an example of the believers in the area of love if we love the things of this world: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever - 1 John 2:15-17No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other - Matthew 6:24You adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God - James 4:4Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth - Colossians 3:2
I'll end with this: By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one toward another - John 13:35
Think about the way you treat fellow Christians. There's so much gossip, so much filth, and so much discord among so many Christians and churches these days. What kind of message does that send? The wrong one. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

1 Timothy 4:12 (Part Four)
1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise your youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation . . .
The Greek word translated conversation is anastrophe, and it refers to our behavior - the way we live. We have gone from word (talking the talk) to conversation (walking the walk) - sorry for being cliché, but it’s the truth! A good way to remember the meaning of the word conversation here is to look at your feet. Most of you reading this are probably familiar with Converse shoes - shoes you live in . . . see the comparison?
2Co 1:12 - For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity (single-mindedness) and godly sincerity (purity), not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.
So we will have a clean conscience (that's a good reason to rejoice!) when we live with singleness of mind (focus), and in purity, and not according to the wisdom of this world . . . Awesome!
Php 1:27 - Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Has anybody ever told you that something is not “becoming” of you? We need to be living in a way that is becoming, or worthy of the gospel of Christ (Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1 Thes 2:12). Notice how Paul again brings up the idea of being single-minded (as in the previous verse) - stand fast in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving TOGETHER.
1Pe 1:13-16 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?14 But if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Heb 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I hope you all really take some time to think about these verses, and maybe even dig deeper into them – there’s definitely a lot more that could be said! Let’s all strive to be examples of the believers by being holy in all manner of conversation so nobody has any thing to say against us, and more importantly, let us be holy for the glory of God.I’ll close with this last verse:
Tit 2:7,8 - In all things showing thyself a pattern (keeps repeating) of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

1 Timothy 4:12 (Part Three)
1 Timothy 4:12"Let no man despise your youth, but be thou an example of the believers - in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."Now we come to the second half of this amazing verse. Be thou an example of the believers in . . .
Word (logos) - the things we say. There are a bunch of words used to describe logos in Strong’s Greek Dictionary; I’ve chosen the four that stuck out to me the most.
- Account: An example of the believers must be “exemplary” in the area of giving an account of his actions or the actions of others (by giving a truthful account). We will all give an account in the day of judgment for EVERY IDLE WORD that we speak here on earth (Matt 12:36, Romans 14:12). It would also be wise for us to evaluate our lives, knowing that we may be asked to give an account for our actions at any time (Luke 16).
- Doctrine: We need to study to know (and speak) sound doctrine. Why? Because doctrine changes people! There are MANY passages in the New Testament that talk about people being changed and amazed by the doctrine (teaching) of the Lord: Matt 7:28; Matt 22:33; Matt 1:22; Mark 1:27; Mark 11:18; Luke 4:32; Acts 13:12. Sound doctrine changes people! So where do we get sound doctrine? From the WORD! 2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine. We need to study the Word and know its teachings (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Tim 4:13), but we also need to be good listeners. When we have an opportunity to hear wise counsel, we need to jump on it - Prov 12:15; Prov 19:20.
- Intent: What are our intentions when we speak? Do we aim to tear people down, or build them up with our words? Do we try to speak in ways that will point people to Christ, or do we try to make people feel insignificant? Our intention when we speak should be that we speak the TRUTH, and that we speak it IN LOVE (Eph 4:15). A better way to phrase that might be: speak the truth OUT OF or BECAUSE OF love. When we genuinely love people we will want to give them the truth (out of love) because we know it can set them free (John 8:32). Our intent should be to see people grow in the knowledge of our Lord. When that is the desire (intent) of our heart, the words will follow (Matt 12:34).
- Matter: This is the substance of our words. We’ve now gone beyond what we intended to say to what we ACTUALLY said. Many times the matter of what we say does not always line up with what we intended to say - especially for us guys! Let us all strive to be able to say what Solomon said: Pr 8:6-9: Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Isn’t it AMAZING how we can learn so much from just one word? We still have five more words to go!
Here are a few more verses that pertain:- 1Peter 3:10 - For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.- Eph 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.- Titus 2:1 - Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.- Ps 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

1 Timothy 4:12 (Part Two)
1 Timothy 4:12"Let no man despise your youth, but be thou an example of the believers - in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
Yesterday I ended with “. . . but be thou an example of the believers . . . “ and that’s where I’ll begin today.
I found this first bit of info to be really interesting: when Paul says “be thou” he uses the word ginomai which means “to become” (ginomai is where we get the infinitive “to generate” from). Paul is talking about a process here. You don’t become an “example of the believers” over night. Paul knew that, so he was encouraging Timothy: “Don’t worry about it when people look down on you, just keep working on becoming the man of God you are meant to be (the example of the believers you are meant to be).
The word Paul uses for “example” is tupos, and it means just that: example; model; pattern.
This is really cool - the word Paul uses that was translated “of the believers” is the word pistos, which means: trustworthy; faithful; sure; true. The word pistos is the same word used in Mathew 25:21 when the Master says to his servant: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” I’m not sure why the King James translators didn’t use one of those words (trustworthy, faithful, etc...), but anyone who is going to be an example “of the believers” should definitely posses those characteristics - so I can see what they meant.
Become a . . .- trustworthy example- faithful example- sure example- true exampleThat’s quite a challenge!

1 Timothy 4:12 (Part One)
1 Timothy 4:12"Let no man despise your youth, but be thou an example of the believers - in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."It's interesting how the same word is used twice in that first phrase: "Let no man despise your youth" (kataphroneo medeis kataphroneo sou neotes). The word kataphroneo means to disesteem, or to look down upon. Paul isn't saying, "Don't let them look down on you like that!", but rather, “Don’t disesteem those people who look down on your youth” (youth is partly referring to age, but more so to Timothy’s being ‘new’ - NEOtes - to the ministry, and him being inexperienced.
The point is: Instead of getting frustrated (as I sometimes do) when older people look at you as insignificant because of your age (or for whatever reason) - shrug it off; remember that you’re not here to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10); and focus back on the task, which is to “Be an example of the believers.”

Romans 12:11

2006-02-02T02:00:00.000-05:00

"Not lagging in diligence; boiling over in spirit; serving the Lord."
I am to be diligent and high-spirited for God's glory, not to draw attention to myself.

Romans 12:10

2006-02-01T02:00:00.000-05:00

Paul exhorts the believers to love one another like brothers and sisters - to cherish one another. He tells us to esteem eachother to the highest degree (honor) by preferring one another.
The needs of the brethren come before those of my unsaved friends or myself (Galatians 6:10).

Romans 12:9

2006-01-31T02:00:00.000-05:00

"Let love be without hypocrisy (sincere); abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
Abhor = "detest utterly"
Cleave = "to glue/to stick"
Lord, let me see evil through your eyes; give me an abhorrence for it.

A sincere love produces a sincere life; the source of both is a sincere relationship with a sincere God.

Romans 12:6-8

2006-01-30T02:00:00.000-05:00

Paul says we have gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.
It is the believer's responsibility to do what he has been called to do and to do it the best he knows how.
I've been called to be a leader; I will lead as I am led. Being a leader means being a servant.
I've been given a voice; I will sing for the One who gave it.

Romans 12:3b-5

2006-01-29T02:00:00.000-05:00

God has dealt to every man a portion/measure of faith. That portion is exactly enough for one to fulfill his role in the church, and no role is more or less important than another. This is why Paul said that we shouldn't think of ourselves more highly than we ought to.
I must be careful how I treat the brethren; they are members of my body, and I of theirs; we of eachother's - of Christ's.

Romans 12:3a

2006-01-28T02:00:00.000-05:00

Men ought not think more highly of themselves than they ought to, but soberly.
Pride turns a living sacrifice into a walking rebellion.
Lord, make me sensitive to pride.

Proverbs 25:27 - It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

Ecclesiastes 7:16 - Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Romans 12:1-2

2006-01-27T02:00:00.000-05:00

"Living Sacrifice" - what a challenge! It's a challenge because of pride.
I can abstain from conforming to the world's actions, but if I allow my mind to dwell on or long for the things of this world, thenI have not been transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I am conforming to the world.
Lord, you know my thoughts - that they are far to often rooted in the ways of this world. Make me sensitive to these thoughts, that I would take hold of them by the power of Your Spirit before they take hold of me.

Romans 11:25-36

2006-01-26T02:00:00.000-05:00

I don't really know how exactly to interpret the first part of this passage. It could mean a number of different things. I will cling to verses 33-36
It's not m job to try to "figure out" everything that God says or does, but to just trust that what he says and does are perfect; they are for my good and, more importantly, for His glory.

Romans 11:11-24

2006-01-25T02:00:00.000-05:00

Paul compares the Jews to branches on an olive tree. The root of the tree is holy (set apart for God's purposes), which makes the branches holy also. The root is God's coventental promise to Abraham, who is the "firstfruit" of verse 16.
Some of the branches were broken off because of unbelief and wild olive branches (Gentiles) were grafted into the tree to "provoke them (the Jews) to jealosy" and to spur them on to re-connect to the tree. The wild branches were able to partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree just as the original branches were.
Disbelief is what causes branches to fall off the tree and out of fellowship with God. Those who turn from their disbelief can be grafted back into the tree.
God is severe to those that fall, but good to those who persever in faith.

Romans 11:1-10

2006-01-24T02:00:00.000-05:00

In the days of Elijah, God reserved a remnant of Israel that had not bowed down to Baal. He blinded the rest to punish them for their refusal to listen to and believe (v.20) God. They hardened their hearts, so God blinded them so they would not be able to see the truth and repent - that is their punishment. They have to experience the consequences of their rebellion.
Beware of a hard heart. Be teachable, moldable, and flexible.
Hebrews 3:8,15

When I was a child I was told by my older brother that if I held a certain expression on my face for a long enough period of time, my face would stay that way forever. Needless to say, I stayed as far away from making that expression as possible.
In this passage, the majority of the nation of Israel had hardened their hearts to the Lord . . . so God punished them by causing their hearts to stay that way; He blinded their eyes to the truth and left them to their stubbornness (to their own devices) without the ability to repent (without the ability to change their "face" back to normal).

Romans 10:14-21

2006-01-23T02:00:00.000-05:00

Paul emphasises the importance of evangelism. "How shall they blieve in him of whom they have not heart? How shall they hear without a preacher?" The hearing of the message of God's Word produces faith (it is important to make the truths and principles of God's Word the center of evangelism - because they produce faith).
The Jews who looked for the Messiah refused him when he came because he was not what they expected. Gentiles were more receptive. Jesus' acceptance of Gentiles made the Jews jealous.
the gospel is for everybody. I mustn't come to preconceived suppositions, based on appearance or backround, as to how one will respond to the gospel.

Romans 10:5-13

2006-01-22T02:12:00.000-05:00

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
This is not something to be quiet about.
Practical: Visitation starts up again next week or the week after. I ought - I will - get involved.

Romans 9:25-10:4

2006-01-21T13:07:00.000-05:00

Paul talks about Israel and how they sought righteousness by the works of the law and not by faith - their "own" righteousness instead of submitting to the righteousness of God. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.
Lord, keep me from trying to establish my "own" kind of righteousness. I do not serve the law, or people, or even the ministry; I serve You because You served me - You saved me.

Romans 9:14-24

2006-01-20T02:04:00.000-05:00

This passage deals with a lot, but what stuck out the most was the idea of God being the potter. The clay cannot talk back to the potter; it can't question the vision/plan that the potter has for it.
Lord, may I remain soft and moldable for you. I won't question your design, your vision, your plan. I am the clay; you are the potter.
(Isaiah 64:8)

Romans 9:6-13

2006-01-19T20:09:00.000-05:00

God did not "hate" Esau, but he could only choose one of the two, and he chose Jacob. The terms "love" and "hate" come from an old usage regarding adoption. When a father had to choose between two, he could only pick one. The one he picked was the one he "loved" and the one he was not able to pick was the one he "hated". Esau was not excluded from knowing and loving God just because Jacob was chosen for the purpose of carrying on the line of God's covenant.
God has a purpose for everything that He does. Putting Jacob over Esau went against all the customs of the day, but that is how God wanted it.
Lord, even when I can't see the purpose you have in mind when you do the things you do, I know that you know what you're doing. I'll rest in that. I'm so glad that you are sovereign - that you're in control. The peace that this knowledge brings is sweet . . . a breath of fresh air.

Romans 9:1-5

2006-01-18T01:59:00.000-05:00

Paul has a deep burden ("great heaviness and continual sorrow") for Israel. Paul writes that he wishes he could take their sins upon himself and be "accursed from Christ" on their behalf.
Lord, break my heart over the fate of the lost. Give me a passion, a burden, to see them come to repentance. Wake me up from my sleeping.

Romans 8:31-39

2006-01-17T04:34:00.000-05:00

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is on my side; I will not fear what man can do to me.
Christ makes intercession to the Father on my behalf. I can more-than-conquer all situations when I tap into Christ's strength and love.
I will not fear what man can do to me. Lord, may you be the well from which I draw strength for the battle. I know your well does not run dry.

Romans 8:28-30

2006-01-16T02:01:00.000-05:00

All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. That good/purpose is glorification - being made like Christ.
There is a lot of debate over this passage and others like it. It doesn't matter to me who is "right or wrong" in the debate. All that matters to me is that God is in control; He knows what He's doing - that's all I need to know. We need to stop arguing over little things like the scribes and pharisees did (Jesus called them hypocrites).
Every situation and/or circumstance is an opportunity to become more like Christ. Holy Spirit, remind me of this truth when I go through hard times.

Romans 8:26-27

2006-01-15T10:22:00.000-05:00

The Spirit helps me out in areas of weakness. The Spirit knows my heart and my thoughts and prays to the Father on my behalf. That is SO nice to know!
When I pray, God is not looking at the words I use or how eloquent I am in my prayer; He's looking at my heart.

Romans 8:18-25

2006-01-14T17:02:00.000-05:00

"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." The Holy Spirit is the "firstfruits", or the "first installment/downpayment" as a guarantee of the believer's resurrection life.
Lord, thank you for the hope of a new and glorified body . . . for a new heaven and earth. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that enables me to have somewhat of a taste of what it will be like - I can't wait!

Romans 8:9-17

2006-01-13T03:07:00.000-05:00

I am not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. I hae not received a spirit of bondage again to fear, but a spirit of adoption. I am a child of God! What a privilege! I am a joint-heir with Christ - in both suffering and glorification. There is a price for being identified with Jesus.
Adopted . . . what a wonderful word!

Romans 8:1-8

2006-01-12T18:07:00.000-05:00

There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The carnal mind is enmity against God.
Lord make me sensitive to carnality that I might recognize it immediately and flea from it.

Romans 7:14-25

2006-01-11T03:20:00.000-05:00

The flesh, which still serves the law of sin, wars against the mind, which serves the law of God.
The strength of my mind - the renewing of my mind - must take precedence over the strength of my flesh/body. This does not mean that I neglect to care for my body, which is the temple of God.

Romans 7:7-13

2006-01-10T02:32:00.000-05:00

Paul writes that the law is not sin; it reveals sin. Without the law, we would not know sin exists. The law is like a sign at the beach that tells the swimmers that there are sharks in the water - it tells us that we need to stay out of the water . . . it is for our own good and safety.
The only things that God restricts are attitudes and actions that will ultimately harm me.

Let my heart be sound in they statutes that I be not ashamed - Psalm 119:80

Romans 7:1-6

2006-01-09T02:05:00.000-05:00

The unregenerate man is bound to "the old man" in the same way that a woman is bound to a husband - she is bound until he dies. Christ put the old man to death, freeing us from that marriage bond and enabling us to "marry" Him - "that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
"We should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." I don't serve by obeying a set of rules, but out of a renewed heart and mind - out of love for God, who gave himself for me.
To choose the way of the old man would be to "cheat" on God . . . that would make me a whore. Lord, remind me of this the next time I think about casting a stone at somebody else. Remind me of the plank(s) in my eye before I point my finger at the sliver in another's. Is there a limit to your love, to your forgiveness . . . your grace?

Romans 6:15-23

2006-01-08T04:45:00.000-05:00

I have the choice each day - yield to sin, or yield do God. Yielding to God is more difficult . . . it's a harder job . . . but it comes with far greater benefits, including a free life-insurance policy. The better choice is clear.
It's one thing to know what choice to make, it's another to make it. Lord, give me the common sense I need to just choose to yield to you. Help me to think of what I'm gaining, not what I'm losing - for the things I am "losing" are but dung compared to the greatness of what is being gained.
"Ten frogs are sitting on a log; one decides to jump off. How many frogs are left on the log? Nine, you say? You, sir, are wrong. There are still ten frogs because the one frog only decided to jump - he did not actually do it."

Romans 6:8-14

2006-01-07T16:48:00.001-05:00

The believer is dead to sin and alive unto God - to righteous living. Verse 13 is key.

"Don't yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield youselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

A "member" is a limb or any part of the body. My hands, feet, and vocal chords are instruments (tools) made to be used for righteousness - they work much better and much longer when I use them the way they were designed to be used.
If I'm not yielded from head to toe - inside and out - I'm not yielded. If I stop halfway between two lanes (there are only two), I'm probably going to get hit by oncoming traffic. I'll make people in the left lane mad, and become a stumbling block to those in the "right" lane.

Romans 6:1-7

2006-01-06T04:17:00.000-05:00

Grace does not give me permission to sin; it frees me from sin altogether, but I can still choose to live according to its ways (entangle myself again in the yoke of bondage - Gal 5:1). This passage leads me to believe that I have the power to abstain from sin altogether.
Me sinning is like a prince bowing to a dead man . . . a dead enemy. How pathetic is that?
Lord, your grace is beyond me . . .

Romans 5:12-21

2006-01-05T02:04:00.000-05:00

We do not deserve death because we break the law; we have the law to show us that we deserve death.
Sin entered the world by one man's disobedience, and death by sin. Justificaion, righteousness, and eternal life were made available by one man's obedience. Eternal life!
One man can make quite an impression on this world for good or bad . . . just one man!
Lord, thank you for the law - for how it shows me how much I need you. Grant me to be one man that you use to make a difference in this world . . . not when I go to college, not when I get married, not when I have a career, not when I'm "settled" - but today.

Romans 5:6-11

2006-01-04T18:57:00.000-05:00

It is rare for somebody to lay down his life even for a righteous man. God demonstrated the magnitude of His love by dying for a world of sinners. We are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, and saved by His life (resurrection).
The ultimate demonstration of love is for one to give of himself for another - to die for somebody. This death may not always be - may never be - physical. I can die for others by giving of my time, my energy, my money, etc . . . "with all your heart, soul, mind, strength." I find my life when I lose it.

Romans 5:1-5

2006-01-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

By faith we have peace with God and access to His grace.
Paul exhorts the believer to glory in tribulation because tribulation works patience, which works experience (character?), which works hope, and hope does not disappoint! Grace for now, hope for later.
I will glory in tribulation.
Thank you for peace . . . for grace . . . wow.

Romans 4:17-25

2006-01-04T14:54:00.000-05:00

Abraham did not stagger through unbelief at the promise of God, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. He believed God would keep His promises.
Lord, develope in me the confidence of Abraham . . . "God-confidence."

Romans 4:1-16

2006-01-04T14:49:00.000-05:00

Salvation was by grace through faith even in the old testament. "Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

"It is of faith that it might be by grace."

The grace of God is not that he enables an elect to be sanctified, but that he gives all the revelation through creation and the opportunity to partake of his grace through faith.
I will show grace to others because You have shown me grace.

Romans 3:21-31

2006-01-04T14:47:00.000-05:00

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Praise God!

Romans 3:9-20

2006-01-04T14:45:00.000-05:00

Nobody is innocent; all hae failed to live according to the standards set by the law. "By the law is the knowledge of sin."
I must be honest with myself and others when I break the law of God. Strive for perfection, while remembering my imperfections.

Romans 3:1-8

2006-01-04T14:41:00.000-05:00

The disbelief of men does not make the faithfulness of God ineffective.
Men are liars, but God is "justified in His sayings."
It is wrong to do evil with good intentions. Even if something "good" comes from willfully doing something wrong, it is sin.
I can trust God's word - it is justified. I can take comfort in its truth, but also must be willing to abide by its laws.

Romans 2:17-29

2006-01-04T14:34:00.000-05:00

Paul speaks against hypocrisy quite passionately here. I'd say the theme of the passage is: "Practice what you preach."
I must look at myself becore I tell others what they ought to be doing. My words must be accompanied with actions or they will be nothing more than little gusts of wind.

Romans 2:10-16

2006-01-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

God judges all by the same standard. A man who knows not the law of God will beb held accountable to the law God has written on his heart - his conscience.
I must do what I know to be right. I need to be more active in evangelism. I'll start participating in Tuesday night visitation when it starts up again later this month (January, 2006).

Romans 2:1-9

2006-01-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

A man who judges another man is really condemning himself as much as the man he is condemning because he himself has done the same thing that he is condemning.
Lord, keep me from a self-righteous, judgmental attitude.

Romans 1:19-32

2006-01-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

God's power and divinity are manifest in the creation. Everyone is accountable to God because everyone has had the revelation of God through His Creation.
Lord, make me sensitive to your calling and revelation and grant me the wisdom to chose you over the temporary pleasures of this world.

Romans 1:18

2006-01-04T14:08:00.000-05:00

Just as the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, even so is the wrath of God uncovered/revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
The wrath of God is against the sin (the unrighteousness of men), not the man. God does not enjoy seeing a man suffer because of his sin, but a holy God must punish sin.
It is easy to "suppress" the truth - try to ignore it - especially when it speaks against something(s) I am doing or against sin in my life or the life of those that are close to me. Lord, enable me to submit to the truth.

Romans 1:17

2006-01-04T13:56:00.000-05:00

The righteousness of God is revealed/uncovered/disclosed/made available by the gospel through faith. Righteousness is God-revealed, not man-invented. The source and end of righteousness is the same - God.
What else can I say but "Thank you"? Your grace is far more than I can comprehend!

Romans 1:16

2006-01-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

The Gospel

It's the last thing in the world one should be ashamed of.
It is the power of God, or, is embedded with the power of God that is necessary to bring the lost to salvation
- That power is toward everyone that believes
- It is for both Jew and Gentile

Let me never be ashamed of who I am in your son, Jesus, nor of the gospel that gave me the "power to become a son of God."

Romans 1:8-13

2006-01-04T13:33:00.000-05:00

Paul thanks God for the Roman saints because their faith is spoken of throughout the world. Paul says he prays for them constantly and that he desires to visit them, and experience the encouragement that their mutual faith brings.
I can find comfort and encouragement by surrounding myself with people who share my faith (mutual faith) - fellowship.
I, like Paul, am obligated to bring the gospel to all people, not to only a select group. "Be all things to all men."

Romans 1:1-7

2006-01-04T04:38:00.000-05:00

Paul refered to himself as a slave of Jesus - called to be an apostle and separated from the world unto the gospel.
Far better to be a slave of the Lord of Lords than a slave of the Devil. I've been separated from the world; living for the things of this world is a waste of time. What a priviledge it is to be a messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ!