"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Galatia that because they believed in Jesus Christ that they were also part of the seed of Abraham, and that the covenant that God made with Abraham regarding his seed also applied to them.
Because we also believe in Jesus Christ today, we are also part of the seed of Abraham and God's promise to him also applies to us. We shall share in the blessings that God promised to Abraham and to his seed.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Exercise Good Christian Behavior Consistently
"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." Galatians 2:11-13 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul confronted the Apostle Peter because because he changed his behavior depending upon who was around. Peter would not fellowship with the Gentiles when his Jewish friends were around. Following his hypocrisy others were led astray.
We should behave as Christians and follow our Biblical principals, no matter where we are or who is present. We should not act one way in front of one group and another way in front of another group. Don't act differently and do wrong just to please the crowd. We should consistently demonstrate good Christian behavior, doing otherwise may lead someone astray, or cause a Christian to stumble and fall into sin following our example.
The Apostle Paul confronted the Apostle Peter because because he changed his behavior depending upon who was around. Peter would not fellowship with the Gentiles when his Jewish friends were around. Following his hypocrisy others were led astray.
We should behave as Christians and follow our Biblical principals, no matter where we are or who is present. We should not act one way in front of one group and another way in front of another group. Don't act differently and do wrong just to please the crowd. We should consistently demonstrate good Christian behavior, doing otherwise may lead someone astray, or cause a Christian to stumble and fall into sin following our example.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Are You One Of God's Chosen People?
"So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace." Romans 11:5 (NIV)
When the Apostle Paul was questioned as to whether God had rejected Israel because they had turned away from Him, Paul reminded them of what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me. (1 Kings 18:22) God told him that He had seven thousand believers who had not bowed down to Baal. He had a remnant of believers then in Elijah's day, and He had a remnant of believers in Paul's day.
Today, in spite of the sad state of things in this world, and in spite of all the non-believers there are, as evil as man is, God still has a remnant of believers alive today to spread His word and do His work. By the grace of God, we can be part of the remnant of believers that are working for God today, if we choose to believe.
When the Apostle Paul was questioned as to whether God had rejected Israel because they had turned away from Him, Paul reminded them of what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me. (1 Kings 18:22) God told him that He had seven thousand believers who had not bowed down to Baal. He had a remnant of believers then in Elijah's day, and He had a remnant of believers in Paul's day.
Today, in spite of the sad state of things in this world, and in spite of all the non-believers there are, as evil as man is, God still has a remnant of believers alive today to spread His word and do His work. By the grace of God, we can be part of the remnant of believers that are working for God today, if we choose to believe.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Confess Sins Or Continue To Feel Guilty
"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to The Lord' and You forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalms 32:3-5 (NIV)
David reports that when he sinned and did not confess it, he was miserable afterwards. Only after acknowledged his sin and confessed them to God was he able to feel better and be guilt free.
We all have sinned, and we will continue to sin as long as we continue this human existence. However, as believers we will not enjoy our sin as we used to before we were saved. We will feel bad and guilt ridden after we sin. Our sins will take a physical and emotional toll on us. We need to acknowledge our sins, confess them to God, and ask for His help so that we do not continue to commit the same sin over and over again. When we pray and confess our sins, we should be specific and name the sins that we are asking Him to forgive. Listing our sins may help us to realize just how much we need His help in order to be Christ-like. Let us not lose the joy of our salvation because we won't acknowledge and confess our sins. (Psalms 51:1-15)
David reports that when he sinned and did not confess it, he was miserable afterwards. Only after acknowledged his sin and confessed them to God was he able to feel better and be guilt free.
We all have sinned, and we will continue to sin as long as we continue this human existence. However, as believers we will not enjoy our sin as we used to before we were saved. We will feel bad and guilt ridden after we sin. Our sins will take a physical and emotional toll on us. We need to acknowledge our sins, confess them to God, and ask for His help so that we do not continue to commit the same sin over and over again. When we pray and confess our sins, we should be specific and name the sins that we are asking Him to forgive. Listing our sins may help us to realize just how much we need His help in order to be Christ-like. Let us not lose the joy of our salvation because we won't acknowledge and confess our sins. (Psalms 51:1-15)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Repent Or Perish
"Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:2-3 (NIV)
Luke records the words of Jesus, The Christ, saying that some sinners are no worse than other sinners. If they do not repent, then they will perish.
Christian believers are still sinners just as the non-believers are sinners. The only difference is that believers are sinners who have been saved by the grace of God. Only by belief and repentance are we saved. Salvation is not earned, it is a gift from God to those who believe that Jesus is His Son. (John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10)
Luke records the words of Jesus, The Christ, saying that some sinners are no worse than other sinners. If they do not repent, then they will perish.
Christian believers are still sinners just as the non-believers are sinners. The only difference is that believers are sinners who have been saved by the grace of God. Only by belief and repentance are we saved. Salvation is not earned, it is a gift from God to those who believe that Jesus is His Son. (John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10)
Monday, July 2, 2012
Condemnation By One Man Justification By One Man
"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned ... For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:12 & 17-19 (NIV)
To the Christians in Rome the Apostle Paul taught that because of Adam's trespass and disobedience all men were made sinners and condemned. And because of the righteousness
and obedience of Jesus, all men who believe were justified and made righteous.
Adam's sin condemned all men. Jesus Christ afforded justification and salvation to all men by His crucifiction, death, burial, and resurrection. He who was without sin, took on all of the sins of the world to justify all men. He paid the price for us. Justification is available for each of us, if we only believe.
To the Christians in Rome the Apostle Paul taught that because of Adam's trespass and disobedience all men were made sinners and condemned. And because of the righteousness
and obedience of Jesus, all men who believe were justified and made righteous.
Adam's sin condemned all men. Jesus Christ afforded justification and salvation to all men by His crucifiction, death, burial, and resurrection. He who was without sin, took on all of the sins of the world to justify all men. He paid the price for us. Justification is available for each of us, if we only believe.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Punished To Help Us Repent
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
During his vision John was told to write the church in Laodicea, the lukewarm church, about their shortcomings. He was also told the write that God rebukes and disciplines those that He loves, and that they should be earnest and repent.
God will chastise and punish us for doing wrong to correct us and to get us to do right because He loves us. Just as our earthly parents spanked us when we were wrong because they loved us and wanted us to do right in the future. Sometimes God allows bad things to happen to us because of our disobedience. He loves us and wants us to repent and turn from our sinful ways.
During his vision John was told to write the church in Laodicea, the lukewarm church, about their shortcomings. He was also told the write that God rebukes and disciplines those that He loves, and that they should be earnest and repent.
God will chastise and punish us for doing wrong to correct us and to get us to do right because He loves us. Just as our earthly parents spanked us when we were wrong because they loved us and wanted us to do right in the future. Sometimes God allows bad things to happen to us because of our disobedience. He loves us and wants us to repent and turn from our sinful ways.
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