Myth, 80

 ~ Christian Women Can Ignore Male Leadership ~

Myth  ~  As a woman I am accountable only to God.  I am not accountable to male leaders. 

Partial Truth  ~  Women are equal co-heirs in Christ with men (Galatians 3:26-29). 

Truth  ~  All Christians, male and female, are not only under the authority of God but also of their governmental, spiritual leaders, and women to their husbands.

Government:  “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-3).

Spiritual Leaders:  “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

Husbands:  “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter 3:1-3).

Exception   ~  Responding to authority must always be within God’s commands.  In an extreme example if someone in authority asks you to murder someone it is a clear violation of God’s commands and should not be obeyed.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Fear God, 204

 ~ The Bible Is Full of the “Fear of God” ~

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  ~  “That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever” (Joshua 4:24).

Comments  ~  Our responsibility to “fear God” is every much as part of the Bible’s overall message as “God is Love.”  It starts at the beginning of the Bible when Adam answered God by saying, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10).  It is remarkable that Adam and Eve feared God but no mention is made of them fearing the devil!

God’s love is shown that His response was anger but a simple question, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).  God knew where he was.  In other words God wasn’t asking for information, but in His love offering Adam a response to respond. 

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 blog.

* * * * *

True Peace, 4of4

 ~ 7 Facts About True Peace ~

First, Fundamental Facts:

Peace Is Made  ~  “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

Peace Is Preached  ~  “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached” (Acts 10:34-37).

Peace Is Given  ~  Jesus Christ said, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:25-27).  

Peace Can Be Possessed  ~  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).   

Now let’s get personal:

Peace Should Fill Your Heart  ~  “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).   

Peace Can Keep Your Heart  ~  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).   

Peace Should Rule Your Heart  ~  “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:14-16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *