Complete salvation…

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 4:28–5:6)

Paul’s illustration comes from OT history, a story that is current today. The offspring of the slave woman are still persecuting the offspring of Abraham, the man who is called the father of faith. They are not members of the same family as those who have the faith of Abraham.

Faith removes the yoke of “I must do it myself” that carries the load of keeping all the laws in order to be right with God. Jesus Christ removes that yoke and sets me free by doing it for me. Being “in Christ” means this is how God sees me — sinless because I am hidden in His Son by faith because He loves me.

In the NT, many verses speak of what faith working through love looks like, but no one can take credit for that; it is the work of Christ who works in us like a hand in a glove. This is why Paul could say God's strength is perfected in weakness (gloves are useless without the hand) and that he was the chief of sinners, yet his life was one of amazing obedience.

These verses build me up. I know that without Him, I cannot do anything that warrants approval. Obviously not circumcision, but even the love He speaks of and demonstrates is beyond me. Everything I do apart from faith is not only useless, it is also sin. (Romans 14:23) The NT also says:

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:22)

Yes, I still sin, yet the wonder of faith in Christ, He also promises:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Therefore, God's salvation is utterly amazing and total. He takes care of every possible issue or argument that anyone might give or use as an excuse to say NO to the invitation of Jesus Christ to put their faith in Him.

Lord, doubts come. It is easier to walk by sight and give up hope when prayers go unanswered or even are not prayed. We humans want what we want right now. But You love us and take care of us and use even trials to transform our lives that we are more like You. Jesus, You are so easy to love with all my heart! Thank You for such a total salvation!

The Source of True Power

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

It has taken fifty years of being a conceited Christian to being able to recognize and be glad of my weaknesses, to even be accused of being “too humble” which makes me laugh. It seems almost all of my life others have expected me to excel and if I did, praised me. Of course my ego demanded the praise so the pressure to excel interfered with my ability to trust God. If I could do it, why ask for His help?

But then comes that “messenger of Satan” who often uses flattery to distract me from trusting God. The other option is “my way” or just don’t do anything. After many lessons, and re-reading this passage or having it come to mind while I attempted and failed, the purpose and benefit of weaknesses finally sunk in.

This is not just about Christian ministry. It is about everything. I’m making quilts and pray for wisdom, noting when things need another technique, or to not make an error (that seam ripper is not a favorite tool), and for the ability to use color and design wisely. Then the fun of having my bobbin thread not run out when expected, or two pieces to sew together turn out to be the exact right size without trimming them at all, or I have a scrap that fits without cutting off the excess. This might seem silly to a non-sewer, but admitting my needs to God changes efficiency and more. 

This confession of not being able has to be real and honest. God does not answer prayer designed to make me look good. He wants a genuine sense of being unable, weak, ignorant. But who likes feeling that way? Who can be content with always saying “duh” instead of patting their own back?

This is one of the “His ways are not our ways” truths even though many Christians fall for the DIY lie rather than see the benefits of being weak so the Lord can shine through. And He does. The lack of skill and confidence become the doorway to the power of Jesus Christ. 

So whether the cause of weakness is age-related, forgetfulness, distractions, being overcome by too much to do, bombardment of new responsibilities, or Paul’s list of insults, hardships, persecutions, or calamities, being unable is a friend, not an enemy.

Lord, the best part is that You never let me down to drown in my inability to deal with the challenges of life. You are faithful to grant what I need, always surprising me and often bringing tears of gratitude and certainly words of praise. Truly, You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You, I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong, in the strength of the Lord… 

Saved by and living by confession and repentance…

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. (2 Corinthians 7:8–13)

Everyone knows worldly grief. I got caught. Everyone knows. I feel shame and want to hide, or make excuses, or blame someone else, like Adam and Eve did after their sin.

Godly grief is different. While it too wants to clear myself, it also wants to change, to do it right. As a new Christian, I felt guilt about yelling at my children and  confessed it as sin. Trying harder didn’t work so I followed what has become a life-changing verse:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

The forgive part is often highlighted; the cleansed part too often become “try harder” but God showed me this amazing second thing He does when sin is confessed. A few weeks after bringing my selfishness at being annoyed at little ones to Him, I noticed that I was not doing it any longer! He cleansed it also!

A certain cult believes Jesus died to give us the right to earn our salvation. This belief system is not biblical. It only makes them try harder. For true Christians, this is a trap we can fall into. The book of Galatians was written to those who figured certain behaviors must be performed in order to keep the salvation and forgiveness they had. 

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Galatians 3:1–6)

Too easily human pride wants a part in salvation and boosts about what I do rather than what God has done. Someone said to me, “Isn’t (name) amazing!” And I replied, “God is amazing; He has made her what she is.” I was given a funny look and that person walked away. 

A few times I’ve confessed a sin that the Lord convicted me about and those who heard it refused it by trying to define it as okay. My sister heard, “Oh no, not you” and her confession was rejected.

Jesus, I’m sad that praising You is sometimes replaced by praising people that Your grace has changed or when genuine confession is replaced by refusal to call sin for what it is. How can we overcome it without acknowledging it? Or even enjoy the freedom of being forgiven and cleansed? I’m so thankful that You do not give up in Your work of being our Savior. You invite us just as we are, yet love us too much to leave is that way.

 

Unequally yoked NO, yet bold YES…

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1)

Yesterday we went to a neighborhood gathering involving wine, cheese and other nibbles, and visiting. I sat with several people and we talked about current events, both in our community, and in the world. Some of these folks are Christians, others not, but there was mostly harmony in opinions, particularly an upcoming referendum that would affect all of us. Here, the agreement was obvious. Christian or not, we did have the same views on most issues.

Is that being unequally yoked? Most say not. One definition is says unequally yoked means do not have a close, binding partnership with someone who has a fundamentally different faith, moral center, or worldview, or anything that would pull me away from faith in Christ. 

In other words, friendships with unbelievers is okay. Otherwise how could I speak to anyone about being reconciled to God? Unequally yoked  is more about marriage, business partnerships or relationships with those who live and promote ungodly lifestyles. We watched a drama last night where the police talked with a man guilty of incest and that man said, “Pardon me for not sharing your moral values.” Even thinking about his nonchalance over such sin makes me feel ill. He had no idea of how such thinking brings pain into many lives.

The only positive in realizing such darkness exists is that it increases my burden to pray and to be as totally dedicated to Christ as possible. I’ve already realized that even two who disagree on spiritual issues walk and talk differently and pull in different directions. Such a partnership cannot be effective in any endeavor. Even having food together requires the grace of God in ordinary conversation. Sometimes I just want to stay home rather than be challenged by the words and ideas of those who reject Jesus.

The NT speaks of a boldness from the Holy Spirit. Even though I’m not nearly so fearful of being rejected as I once was, I know that I need the Spirit to boldly speak  when unbelievers need to hear about Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. . . . And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. . . . And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:13-31)

When the Spirit gives boldness, it is often a surprise and always has a positive result. In other words, it cannot be mustered up, or faked, or a product of my own determination. It is one of those “only God” things for which I praise Him!

Lord Jesus, sometimes I want to hide and not be with unbelieving people. You are not like that, and I need to be more like You. Grant me the attitudes You desire, and a boldness that removes all that blocks me from faithfully sharing You with others, and not sliding into any agreements that would deny my faith in You. 

Christians are ambassadors…

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:10–21)

Two judgements; the Great White Throne where the unsaved are judged: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) and the Bema judgement where Christians are rewarded, yet suffer loss for things done that have no eternal value…

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:10–15)

This is called the Bema judgement, a NT term to describe human judges. This passage tells of the rewards and the verses above it describes how to build a life that does not suffer a great deal of loss. Basically it says to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. 

The work I do in my own strength and apart from God's direction and will is useless. As God does, I am to disregard anything done in the flesh. That old life stuff has no value. I have a new life and living it as He directs is the way to be righteous here and rewarded later.

Oh Jesus, this is a perspective that is so easily forgotten, the victim of distraction. I need to think more about the eternal value of my affections and activities and allow those thoughts to govern the more important task of being an ambassador for You. One online definition says: “An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomatic official who represents their home government while living and working in a foreign country.” 
More details both convict me and instruct me in confession and change. For instance: Christians live in this world, but our true citizenship and ultimate allegiance belong to heaven and to You. My core duty is to urge people to be reconciled to God through trusting You, and not share personal opinions but faithfully deliver the exact words and official position of You, my King. Because You are physically absent from earth, my lifestyle, character, and actions must reflect You to those around me. Enable me to be an obedient and effective ambassador.     

Do not change God’s Word — let it change you!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:17–4:6)

Too often Christians say “I accepted Christ” even though Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide. . . .” (John 15:16) A better wording would be, “I accepted Jesus’ invitation” which honors Him for making the first steps. The Bible is clear; salvation is not up to me. If that were the case, there is no evidence that I have the ability to say YES without the Spirit of God giving it to me. 

This passage says we refuse to tamper with the Word of God. Taking credit for being saved is a form of tampering.

I know the cults do it. One of them rewrites the Bible to suit their belief system so they can proudly claim, “Jesus died to give us the right to earn our salvation.” The Bible does not support that or the other changes they make that takes credit for what only God can do.

Paul is clear; what we proclaim is not ourselves. God shone His light so we could see Him and know His glory, and without any veil over our eyes that glory is transforming us into His image. We do not become like Jesus by ourselves apart from Him.

I read this passage with both sorrow and outrageous joy, sorrow for those who are blind to the truth and are perishing, and joy because Jesus opened my heart to who He is and what He is doing. 

People ask, why doesn’t God save everyone? Yet this is a better question: Why does God save anyone? We all fall short. We all turn to our own way. But “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) and invites us to seek Him for His grace and mercy, 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free. Rolling as a mighty ocean, In its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of His love. Leading onward, leading homeward to His glorious rest above.

Jesus, even though You do the choosing, my prayer is that Your voice is heard and those who hear You will seek You because You promise that all who seek will find You — and You can change their darkness to light, loving them into Your family and into eternal life. Oh yes, Your love is deep!

Labor for Jesus

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:51–58)

This passage is positive and speaks of death as a victory. Most of my devotions are not about the next life but usually the challenges of this life and the things I need to do or change as I live as a Christian. It is about saying goodbye to sin more than about the eternal victory of immortality.

However, for the past few days I’ve had an amusing conversation with one granddaughter about what will happen to my possessions when I die. She wants my hubby’s golf clubs and his Lego castle. However, as I look at some of these things and consider death will separate me from everything I enjoy in this life except Jesus, I’ve had a bit of a grieving process. 

I also like the work I do. Two major activities are God-given. He has me making quilts to show His love to needy people, the homeless, ill, grieving, poor, in wheel chairs, with dementia, kids who sleep on the floor, and so on. Some days this work is hard and I’m exhausted, but never doubt that is what He wants from me during this stage of my life.

Yet there are days when I just want to quit. Is this task doing any good? Are people being blessed? Sometimes I can see the results, but not usually.

The other task is prayer. Steadfast is a challenge. I’m easily distracted. I cannot see the results as much as I’d like. Yet I know the answers are far more important than quilts that will eventually perish. Prayer involves eternal matters, including the battle here against sin, but also the destiny of those on my prayer list. I so easily give up, yet today Jesus surprises me with “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Thank You Jesus for this encouragement. Prayer is a labor and while I cannot always see the results, You grant me faith to know that You hear and that You are working in the lives of the people I pray for and in the challenging situations in this sin-filled world. Often there is no explanation and no specific request except “Thy will be done.” Elements of vanity can creep into quilt-making, but sincere and stedfast prayer needs humility and because You hear and answer, in prayer is never in vain because it definitely glorifies You.