2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Why put off until tomorrow, what you can do today? You've heard that expression. Some have turned it the other way around...Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? Often this is a light-hearted way to handle procrastination and to encourage ourselves (or others) to "just do it!" Have you wondered where the expression originated? Well, I think it might have been Paul! Although the Apostle Paul's exhortation in these 2 verses of focus in our reading, is not light-hearted. The matter at hand for the Corinthians was a matter of life and death. And in our days for our ways, is today, a matter of life and death for us!
"As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For He says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.'
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (vs 1,2)! (emphasis mine).
Paul is highlighting, strongly, the reality that there are times and seasons for certain movements of God - and tomorrow really may be too late! Perhaps the Corinthians were waffling, doubting, questioning the experience, witnessing, or hearing of God's grace. Whatever the circumstance, it was cause for Paul to warn those within his hearing. He wanted to assure them that God's grace and favor was real and now. That as they were under God's ministry of Grace, that it was in that moment their salvation was to be received from God!
Tomorrow was not promised to them in their day, and tomorrow is not promised to you and I. Even as you read this message, today is the day of salvation. Today is the moment of receiving God's grace in your situation. Today. Now. Not later. Now.
"Lord, thank You for Your Precious Grace that is for each one of us in this moment. Lord, please move by Your Spirit, in each heart of the ones reading this now. However it is one needs to receive the grace You are extending, let him/her receive You Lord. For salvation. For forgiveness. For pardon. For direction. For patience. For understanding. For seeing. For clarity. For assurance. For ...whatever it is - now is the time. Thank You Lord!"
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, September 10, 2010
"The hour has come.."
Romans 13 (continued)
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
What are we "to do?" As we reflected last writing, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love as in 1 Corinthians 13 style. Love as in acting in the best interest of another (which, as you know, is not always what one is asking for, or always in agreeing with someone...BUT whatever action is taken or word spoken - is always in love). Love as in thinking of another before ourselves - that doesn't mean we don't think about ourselves, as in not respecting ourselves...but as in not being selfish, self-centered, and "I'm # 1 attitude...
"...understanding this present time." What is this present time? How can Paul mean the same thing in @ AD 57 and we read this in AD 2010, as 'this present time?' How can 'the hour has come' in 57 and 2010? Paul is speaking from God's perspective - in God one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. There are volumes of commentary written on just this verse - and my approach is very simplistic. However, when it comes right down to it, simplicity is how we live out the Word of God day to day. Simply put, we are told that we don't know the hour of Jesus' return. We don't know when 'life as we know it (on this earth), will end. But we DO KNOW that we are to be ready...and in this present time, Jesus could come....even before you read this writing.
Additionally, today is the day, this moment is the moment to 'love our neighbor as ourselves'; today is the day to wake up from our slumber - each moment is precious - today 'our salvation (the 2nd coming of Jesus) is nearer now than when we first believed'...
Are you and I living in expectation of meeting Jesus face to face, right now? Are we 'putting aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light? Are we behaving decently...not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery ("excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure"), not in dissension ("Strong disagreement or contention, discord") and jealousy'(13:12,13)?
Instead of these things, are we 'clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (the qualities of Jesus - love, humility, truth, servant-heart) and not thinking about how to gratify desires of the sinful nature'(13:14)?
"Dear Lord, please forgive us for anyways we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves (show us these things individually Lord). What have we not done that we ought, and what have we done that we ought not have done? We are sorry. Please help us to live today in light of seeing You face to face any moment; help us to love as You love us, putting on the qualities of You - we need Your Holy Spirit to help us - we can't do these thing, love the way You do, in our own power or strength. We can't really even want to love as You do, without You giving us the desire. Thank You Lord for Your continue grace and mercy, which enables us to grow in You. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come."
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
What are we "to do?" As we reflected last writing, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love as in 1 Corinthians 13 style. Love as in acting in the best interest of another (which, as you know, is not always what one is asking for, or always in agreeing with someone...BUT whatever action is taken or word spoken - is always in love). Love as in thinking of another before ourselves - that doesn't mean we don't think about ourselves, as in not respecting ourselves...but as in not being selfish, self-centered, and "I'm # 1 attitude...
"...understanding this present time." What is this present time? How can Paul mean the same thing in @ AD 57 and we read this in AD 2010, as 'this present time?' How can 'the hour has come' in 57 and 2010? Paul is speaking from God's perspective - in God one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. There are volumes of commentary written on just this verse - and my approach is very simplistic. However, when it comes right down to it, simplicity is how we live out the Word of God day to day. Simply put, we are told that we don't know the hour of Jesus' return. We don't know when 'life as we know it (on this earth), will end. But we DO KNOW that we are to be ready...and in this present time, Jesus could come....even before you read this writing.
Additionally, today is the day, this moment is the moment to 'love our neighbor as ourselves'; today is the day to wake up from our slumber - each moment is precious - today 'our salvation (the 2nd coming of Jesus) is nearer now than when we first believed'...
Are you and I living in expectation of meeting Jesus face to face, right now? Are we 'putting aside the deeds of darkness and putting on the armor of light? Are we behaving decently...not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery ("excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure"), not in dissension ("Strong disagreement or contention, discord") and jealousy'(13:12,13)?
Instead of these things, are we 'clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (the qualities of Jesus - love, humility, truth, servant-heart) and not thinking about how to gratify desires of the sinful nature'(13:14)?
"Dear Lord, please forgive us for anyways we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves (show us these things individually Lord). What have we not done that we ought, and what have we done that we ought not have done? We are sorry. Please help us to live today in light of seeing You face to face any moment; help us to love as You love us, putting on the qualities of You - we need Your Holy Spirit to help us - we can't do these thing, love the way You do, in our own power or strength. We can't really even want to love as You do, without You giving us the desire. Thank You Lord for Your continue grace and mercy, which enables us to grow in You. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come."
Friday, August 27, 2010
Salvation in no other Name
Romans 11
This chapter is rich with theology based on Paul's reviewing and teaching on how God acted in History in the Israel nation. Paul is speaking to the Messianic Jews, Jews like himself who were born-again. He is pointing out to them that not all Jews had rejected Jesus; there was still a faithful remnant, and how God sent him to the Gentiles because of his fellow Jews (as a whole) had rejected Jesus. Paul also speaks to the future salvation of the Israelite nation - that there will be individual Jews who will be saved - saved in the same way as Gentiles (Romans 17-24). Paul emphasizes that whether Jew or Gentile, all are saved by grace through faith in Christ - no one is saved through cultural heritage.
There are differing interpretations of the future salvation of Israel, as taught by Paul. One author writes, "Some say the phrase "And so all Israel will be saved" means that the majority of Jews in the final generation befor Christ's return will turn to Christ for salvation. Others say that Paul is using the term 'Israel' for the "spiritual" nation of Israel made up of everyone - Jew and Gentile - who has received salvation through faith in Christ. Thus all Israel (or all believers) will receive God's promised gift of salvation. Still others say that all Israel means Israel as a whole will have a role in Christ's Kingdom. Their identity as a people won't be discarded. God chose the nation of Israel and He has never rejected it. He also chose the church, through Jesus Christ, and He will never reject it either. This does not mean, of course, that all Jews or all church members will be saved. It is possible to belong to a nation or to an organization without ever responding in faith. But just because some people have rejected Christ does not mean that God stops working with either Israel or the church. He continues to offer salvation freely to all. Still others say that the phrase "and so" means "in this way" or "this is how," referring to the necessity of faith in Christ" ( NIVp2048).
How does this teaching in Romans 11 impact you and me? It is by grace through faith we have been saved and this is not a work of our own, that any of us can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-11). The Jewish race, chosen by God, to usher in salvation through Jesus Christ, is not forgotten by God and what is happening in current events of the Middle East is not just for this earthly point in time, but has a place in the Revelation of God in Christ - has been prophesied for centuries, as written in the Word of God.
So, as we hear the news of today, let's prayerfully consider the times we are living in, from God's perspective as revealed in Scripture. Let's be 'wise as serpents and gentle as doves' (Matthew 10:16)...praying in the Spirit at all times everywhere for all the saints throughout the world (Ephesians 6:18). Let's pray that everyone who will come to Jesus, will come - even now.
"Lord, help us to be aware and understand the sign of our times, as revealed in Your Word and around us everyday, until Jesus, You come."
This chapter is rich with theology based on Paul's reviewing and teaching on how God acted in History in the Israel nation. Paul is speaking to the Messianic Jews, Jews like himself who were born-again. He is pointing out to them that not all Jews had rejected Jesus; there was still a faithful remnant, and how God sent him to the Gentiles because of his fellow Jews (as a whole) had rejected Jesus. Paul also speaks to the future salvation of the Israelite nation - that there will be individual Jews who will be saved - saved in the same way as Gentiles (Romans 17-24). Paul emphasizes that whether Jew or Gentile, all are saved by grace through faith in Christ - no one is saved through cultural heritage.
There are differing interpretations of the future salvation of Israel, as taught by Paul. One author writes, "Some say the phrase "And so all Israel will be saved" means that the majority of Jews in the final generation befor Christ's return will turn to Christ for salvation. Others say that Paul is using the term 'Israel' for the "spiritual" nation of Israel made up of everyone - Jew and Gentile - who has received salvation through faith in Christ. Thus all Israel (or all believers) will receive God's promised gift of salvation. Still others say that all Israel means Israel as a whole will have a role in Christ's Kingdom. Their identity as a people won't be discarded. God chose the nation of Israel and He has never rejected it. He also chose the church, through Jesus Christ, and He will never reject it either. This does not mean, of course, that all Jews or all church members will be saved. It is possible to belong to a nation or to an organization without ever responding in faith. But just because some people have rejected Christ does not mean that God stops working with either Israel or the church. He continues to offer salvation freely to all. Still others say that the phrase "and so" means "in this way" or "this is how," referring to the necessity of faith in Christ" ( NIVp2048).
How does this teaching in Romans 11 impact you and me? It is by grace through faith we have been saved and this is not a work of our own, that any of us can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-11). The Jewish race, chosen by God, to usher in salvation through Jesus Christ, is not forgotten by God and what is happening in current events of the Middle East is not just for this earthly point in time, but has a place in the Revelation of God in Christ - has been prophesied for centuries, as written in the Word of God.
So, as we hear the news of today, let's prayerfully consider the times we are living in, from God's perspective as revealed in Scripture. Let's be 'wise as serpents and gentle as doves' (Matthew 10:16)...praying in the Spirit at all times everywhere for all the saints throughout the world (Ephesians 6:18). Let's pray that everyone who will come to Jesus, will come - even now.
"Lord, help us to be aware and understand the sign of our times, as revealed in Your Word and around us everyday, until Jesus, You come."
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Romans 10
"...my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved" (10:1). The Apostle Paul expresses his passionate prayer for the Israelites, that they would be saved. That they would know God through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many of them, like Paul (aka Saul) once was, were very zealous for God's law; they had rich tradition and religious practice. But Saul turned Paul when He literally saw the Light; Jesus Christ Himself spoke to Saul through revealing Himself to him...Saul was never the same...He was changed, He was saved, He became Paul. He was zealous for God's law, he persecuted and even advocated the killing of those who were followers of The Way...followers of the God-man, Christ.
Because of what God did in his life, Paul was now zealous for Jesus Christ, as a forgiven, new man. He had come to know personally, The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6) and his utmost earthly desire which was an eternally motivated and everlasting goal, was for his fellow-Israelites to be saved - to be born-again, to personally be in a transformational relationship with Jesus.
That is my deepest desire, for my loved ones, neighbors, acquaintances - whoever will - to be saved. My motivation to pray more fervently for this is renewed as I read of Paul's 'heart desire' - as I read Romans 10 which gives a clear message of how one is saved.'
How about you? Are you saved today? Is your ever-increasing heart's desire that your loved ones be saved? Let's commit ourselves before the Lord and one another to pray for their salvation. Today.
"Lord, thank You for how Your Word speaks to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit. I pray today Lord that if anyone reading this message is not saved, that today would be the day, now would be the moment when they would 'confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. For it is with our heart that we believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that we confess and are saved' (10:9 ,10). Thank You Lord. And Lord move by Your Spirit in a way that would continually increase our heart's desire for the salvation of loved ones and others, even Israel, to be saved and that our desire would be followed up with prayer and whatever actions You would have us to carry out. Thank You Lord."
Because of what God did in his life, Paul was now zealous for Jesus Christ, as a forgiven, new man. He had come to know personally, The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6) and his utmost earthly desire which was an eternally motivated and everlasting goal, was for his fellow-Israelites to be saved - to be born-again, to personally be in a transformational relationship with Jesus.
That is my deepest desire, for my loved ones, neighbors, acquaintances - whoever will - to be saved. My motivation to pray more fervently for this is renewed as I read of Paul's 'heart desire' - as I read Romans 10 which gives a clear message of how one is saved.'
How about you? Are you saved today? Is your ever-increasing heart's desire that your loved ones be saved? Let's commit ourselves before the Lord and one another to pray for their salvation. Today.
"Lord, thank You for how Your Word speaks to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit. I pray today Lord that if anyone reading this message is not saved, that today would be the day, now would be the moment when they would 'confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. For it is with our heart that we believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that we confess and are saved' (10:9 ,10). Thank You Lord. And Lord move by Your Spirit in a way that would continually increase our heart's desire for the salvation of loved ones and others, even Israel, to be saved and that our desire would be followed up with prayer and whatever actions You would have us to carry out. Thank You Lord."
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