Jesus Came To…, 7

~ Jesus Christ Came To Do The Will Of His Father ~

Passage  ~  “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day’” (John 6:35-40).

Significance  ~  Disciples of Jesus Christ are to become like Christ—this includes seeking to do the will of God.  The Apostle Paul directly addressed this responsibility:  “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:15-21).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ 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/ .

Myth, 8

~ The “Judge Not” Myth, 2 ~

Introduction  ~  This “judge not” concept is probably the most misused text in all of Scripture.  “Judge not, and you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1a & Luke 6:37) is ripped out of context and used as a false universal principle!  The reality is just the opposite: spiritual judgment is one of the key aspects of Christian maturity.  Jesus requires His people to judge! 

Comment  ~  One cannot read very much of Scripture without realizing it is about right and wrong and judging between that which pleases God and that which is sinful.   

Interesting Scripture  ~  “It isn’t our job to judge outsiders.  But it certainly is our job to judge and deal strongly with those who are members of the church and who are sinning in these ways.  God alone is the Judge of those on the outside.  But you yourselves must deal with this man and put him out of your church” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, TLB). 

The Important Distinctions  ~  There are two very important distinctions when it comes to Christian judgement. 

1.      Those who are Christians versus non-believers.  

In the above passage it is clearly stated, “It isn’t our job to judge outsiders [non-believers].”  However, as a member of the body of Christ, “It certainly is our job to judge and deal strongly with those who are members of the church and who are sinning.”

2.      Motive versus actions.  

Only God knows the true motives of an individual’s actions.  “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b).  However, God expects His people to judge actions – what is right, and what is wrong.  “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age [mature in their faith], that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). 

The Important Principles  ~  First, “God alone is the Judge of those on the outside.”  Second, an important mark of Christian maturity is the ability to discern what is right from what is wrong according to God’s standards and to react appropriately.

Additional Comments  ~  There are many passages of Scripture which assume human judgement is necessary.  When it comes to morality and right versus wrong God has set the standard in His Word.  As Christians when we talk about God’s standards we are acting as His messengers.  Also note that throughout the four Gospels we repeatedly find Jesus Christ—as fully human—judging others yet we know that He never sinned! 

reference  ~  You may wish to look at a previous ALN post entitled “The Myth of Judge Not” (published on February 8, 2011) which was subtitled: If You Are NOT Judging—You Are Not Mature!   

~ 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, 133

~ The Fear of God Brings Praise ~

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  ~  “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31). 

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/ .