Called by God, 3

 ~ The Obedience Call As A Temple of The Holy Spirit ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this set of postings we will look at the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

In the first post in this series, we considered the Universal Call.  In posts 2-5 we look at the new responsibilities for Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call.  In posts 6-12 we examine the new roles of Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

 

Comment  ~  Wherever you go and whatever you do God is with you. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 3

 ~ Clear Conscience ~

 

Series Note ~ The conscience plays a crucial role in human behavior.  The Scripture has much to say about our conscience.  In these early posts of this series, we are looking at various Biblical Descriptions of our conscience. 

 

Scripture ~ “Paul surveyed the members of the council with a steady gaze, and then said his piece: ‘Friends, I've lived with a clear conscience before God all my life, up to this very moment’” (Acts 23:1-2 MSG).

 

“Paul looked straight at the council members and said, ‘My friends, to this day I have served God with a clear conscience!’” (Acts 23:1 CEV).

 

“Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: ‘Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!’” (Acts 23:1 NLT).

 

Quote ~ “There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.”

 

Comment ~ Continually “walking in the Spirit” will cause a clear conscience.

 

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:16-17).

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Binary, 17

 ~ Destiny: Eternal Pain or Eternal Life ~

 

Series Comment  ~  When it comes to spiritual paths it is strictly a binary choice. 

(1)   It is a choice between the True or False.  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  [See Post #1 in this series.]

(2)   It is a choice between Do or Done.  Jesus said, “It [the work of salvation] is finished!” (John 19:30).  Your Doing can add nothing to what Christ has Done for you.  [See Post #2 in this series.]

(3)   It is your choice between Religion or Relationship.  Religions are geared toward self-effort whereas Christianity is an intimacy with the only One who can save.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).  [See Post #3 in this series.}

 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). 

 

Comment  ~  Are you part of those headed for destruction?  Or, are you part of the minority headed for an eternal life of joy?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW  

 

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