Is That In The Bible? 19

~ God Helps Those Who Help Themselves ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  The root idea here is individual responsibility.  This is found from the early pages of Scripture and throughout.  For example, consider the statement: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (Genesis 12:1-3).  Yes, this concept is in the Bible! 

Scripture  ~  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14-15). 

Comment  ~  Popular saying, “Pull yourselves up by your bootstraps.”  Have you ever tried (physically) to do that?  You would look silly trying to do that!  What is required is to recognize two sides of the same coin: you have absolute dependence upon God and at the same time you have an absolute responsibility before God.

Quote  ~  “With a proper understanding of our dependence upon God, we will realize that we are dependent for everything including our next breath.  We are dependent upon the Spirit of God for absolutely everything in life.  At the same time, responsibility before God is also critical.  The concept of responsibility allows no room for excuses or justification.  Even in the secular world where one can delegate activities, you maintain full responsibility for the results.  We may ignore what we are responsible for, but that does not change our accountability.”  ~ “Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God’s Will For You”; Robert Lloyd Russell, pages 20-21.

~ 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/ .

Fear God, 128

~ The Fear of God Brings Riches ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.  By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.  Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them” (Proverbs 22:3-5). 

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ 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/ .

True Independence

~ The Universal Desire For Freedom ~

Universal Desire  ~  Almost from the time of birth humans seek independence to “do their own thing.”  No one sets out to teach a baby to be self-centered and acting as if they are completely in control of the situation.  (Clear evidence that all mankind is born in sin as the Bible teaches—but that is another topic.)  Certainly this trend is also evidenced abundantly in adolescent and teenage years.  But it is not only true of individuals but also social groups and nations.  Today the U.S.A. celebrates it’s “Independence Day.”  But where is true freedom and independence found? 

The Solution  ~  True freedom is only found at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ.  “Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).  This is the only source of true freedom. 

The Scriptures (a sample)  ~  A prophecy about the coming Messiah—Jesus Christ.  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). 

The New Covenant (two samples)  ~  “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32).

“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39 esv). 

Summary  ~  The worst kind of slavery is slavery to our passions and lusts (sin).  One of the reasons it is so cruel is that the slave often does not realize the degree to which he is bound beyond his strongest imagination.  But once true freedom is gained (through Christ) we are admonished: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

~ 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/ .