Ephesians 4:17-24 “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the (unbelieving) Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”I now go to a Men's Bible Study at our church on Wednesday nights. Pastor leads the study (currently through the book of Ephesians) and the diversity in the group is fantastic, from 80 to 18, so many views are expressed and voiced. I've invited a couple friends to the Study group and they now attend regularly too. We are so blessed by the Spirit working through this time to mature our Christian walk and keep our focus on Christ and what is truly important in life in the great scripture messages that we experience. This passage above sparked such great discussion within the group that we didn't even make it through the whole text. That's great because "real" hearts were being poured out in the meaning and application for life today as Christians in an unbelieving world, full of temptation. Who we are and what we live for and why, took center stage. John 3:13 -21 sheds light on this very subject. We, living as Children of Light, stand for Jesus and His glory. Holiness is being set apart, as the body of Believers in an unbelieving world, by the Lord, for the Lord’s purposes; not man’s. This is where true love, peace, and joy flow.
Ephesians 2:6 - “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
the late Pastor Adrian Roger wrote: “Have you ever noticed that we buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like? We try to keep up with the Jones family, but when we finally catch up with them, they refinance! Let me exhort you to get off that comparison treadmill of this world's rat race and onto the pathway of serenity. You are accepted right now in Christ. God does not change you so He can love you. He loves you so He can change you! God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. If you are saved, you are in Christ. And where is He? He is seated in the heaven lies. You are also seated in those heavenly places, even though you still have your address on planet Earth. You are enthroned with Him.” When was the last time you compared yourself with someone else? It’s time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King! Child of Light! Saved by Jesus! Incomarable glory!
Psalm 89:5-7 “And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD? God is greatly to be feared (the fear of letting Him down) in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him."
In Christ, Brian
5 comments:
Keep them coming, they bless me because you speak truth and God is glorified.
"It’s time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King!" Amen! True riches are not found here. Everything here in this world decays. Thanks be to Jesus, because of Him, we have those eternal blessings!
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving to you bro. Brian. I can't imagine the discussion you guys have every time...I know you can all sit there for hours without even feeling like it because there are just so much stuff to share when it comes to Christ.
God love His children and bestows so much goodness on them. The trajedy is we often miss His goodness because we are so easily excited by a few baubles that seem to sparkle around us.
C. S. Lewis was right when he remarked that we settle so easily.
Those are great remarks and comments. Thank you for the encouragement also. Praise be to God and our Lord & Savior jesus Christ! Keep serving the Lord and telling others of His loving gospel of salvation!
Awesome Bro, Blessings to you. Christ said, "Come to me, all you who are heavy laden, and i will give you rest . Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentile and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Brother , we must put on Christ than we can rest.
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