Learn From Gideon, 52of52

~ Cause And Effect ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we have discovered practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Summary  ~  God rewards our behavior—good and bad.  From an eternal perspective we are all headed to judgement and hell.  But the Beloved Son of God gave His life as payment for our sins—but forgiveness of an individual’s sins only comes when they accept by faith the reality of Scripture.

“God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10). 

Learn From Gideon  ~  Nations and individuals eventually reap what they sow.

1. There is a general principle which stands out in the life of Gideon: God wants obedience and God is faithful to those who are obedient.
2. We trust God by faith—and in so doing receive salvation by God’s grace.
3. Having trusted God He works in and through us.
4. As God works in us we do good works (not to earn salvation but as a result of salvation). 
5. We reap what we sow.  “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8). 
6. Gideon started out as a spiritual coward but God used him as a mighty warrior.
7. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “He who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.” 

Challenge For Us  ~  What are you sowing for eternity?  There are no U-Hauls in heaven.  What eternal treasure are you laying up in heaven?

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

NOTE:  We now resume our “Fear God” series after skipping 2018 with a “Learn from Gideon” 52-week series.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .