God Is Patient

It’s no surprise that as I pray to be more patient, God presents me with opportunities to cultivate patience in my character, by way of people who try my patience, as well as situations that require me to wait for a change after I’ve done my part. (I’ve concluded that a lot of the time after you’ve done everything you can do under your own power, you’re to pray and wait.)  Yes, God has a sense of humor, indeed.  And he is an answerer of prayers.

Patience is a godly trait, as love is patient, and God is love (1 Co 13:4; 1 Jn 4:16).  And we’re encouraged to be godly (Ti 2:11-15).  So my prayer is:

‘Lord, help me to be wise and patient, overlooking offenses. 

Help me to have persuasive patience.  Let me value patience over my own pride. 

I pray that I be an imitator of you Lord, showing kindness, tolerance, and patience that others may see you in me and be lead to repentance.  And I thank you Lord God for showing me the same grace and mercy! 

Although my anger might be justified, Lord let me keep from showing my wrath, as you do.

I know that I show myself to be your child when I’m understanding, patient and kind.

Lord, help me to work out my salvation so that I may reap the fruit of the Spirit, of which patience is a part.

I pray -as Paul did for the church in Colosse- that all believers be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might that we may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to you the Father, who’s qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints.

I pray that I clothe myself in patience daily as one of your chosen Lord God.   

Lord, I know that I’m always in danger of becoming lazy and falling away from the body, so bless me with a mind to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what you’ve promised; examples like your prophets who spoke in your name Lord.

Yes, the patience of the Lord means salvation, and I thank you again Lord God for your patience that has lead me to salvation!  Help me to reflect your patience Lord!  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.’

(Pr 19:11; 25:15; Ecc 7:8; Ro 2:4; 9:22; 2 Co 6:6; Ph2:12; Gal 1:11; 3:12; Heb 6:12; Jas 5:10; 2 Pe 3:15)

...Because of Me

Okay, I really need someone to feel me on this one.  And I know it to be true, because I’ve experienced it quite a few times and often recently, but people will often hate the Jesus in you (even if you have not expressly stated that you are Christian) (Mt 10:22). 

In America, the insults, persecution, and lies that Christians often face are relatively harmless, and are only dangerous on a social level, so for those of us who have survived adolescence, dealing with it should be a piece of cake (1 Pe 3:17).  But knowing scripture lets us know how to respond when we are tested in this: 

• First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised by it.  Jesus said very plainly that men will hate us because of him (Mt 10:22).  We are just visiting after all (1 Pe 4:12).   We’re a peculiar people (1 Pe 2:9 KJV). People of the world don’t understand why we bless when we’re cursed, why we are hopeful, why we don’t lie to make life ‘easier’ for ourselves, etc.  
• Secondly, we’re never fear the world (Mt 10:28).
• Thirdly, not that we should deny everyone else, but Christians are to encourage one another (Mt 28:19-20; 1 Pe 3:8; Heb 10:25; 1 Th 3:2’ 4:18; 5:11)      
• And fourth, and best of all, we’re blessed (Mt 5:11-12)!

So, just pray for the haters y’all (Mt 5:44).

Submission In Marriage

Submit- to yield oneself to the authority or will of another; to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another; capitulate; concede (m-w.com). 

The rebellious, in heart, took fight at the very sight of the word, but I see you’re still with me, so… 

Chapter five of Ephesians speaks of submission, starting first with the submission of all ‘children of the light’, which tells us to be imitators of God and Christ, living a life of love that is characterized by sacrifice, and to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (v. 1-2, 21).  Lord, help us all with this one!  Submitting is something that goes against our prideful nature, but this is how we prove ourselves to be children of God because saying isn’t the same as doing.  This mutual submission is shown in a ‘conciliatory attitude’ that is ‘associated with the filling of the Spirit’ (NIV note on v. 21).  We should seek to give the advantage instead of taking advantage. 

The following passage, verses 22 to 33 -titled ‘Wives and Husbands’ in my Bible- speaks of the sacrifices each spouse should make, and be willing to make in a marriage.  Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, not meaning the husband stands instead for the Lord in the marriage, but that a wife is to submit to her husband as an act of submission to the Lord (v. 22 and NIV note).  I’ll also point out that the word ‘as’ in this context most likely means ‘to the same degree or amount’, which leads me to believe that the wife is to submit to her husband, in that he himself is submitting to the Lord (This is in reference to character, as no one but Jesus has lived a perfect life.).  We’re told that nothing, no one, or nowhere precedes God, and that includes a husband (Rev 1:8). 

Verse 23 continues, ‘For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior’.  This verse explicitly states the cost of being a husband, or ‘head’ (director; leader; m-w.com) in a marriage:  sacrifice your life!  Jesus did so, in life and death.  All he did was for his bride, the church.  It also places the responsibility of leadership on the husband.  ‘Now the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything’ (v. 24).  The church is defined by its submission to Christ.  So, if an assembled group of people aren’t submitting to Christ, they can’t truly call themselves a church, just as a headless body ceases to live.  So, what do we call a woman who’s not submitting to her husband, or who’s not the head of his wife?

We, the Church, have power when we submit to the Lord. Just as the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, so is a submissive wife in her marriage (Jas 5:16).  Husbands may be won over without words by their wives’ behavior, beauty of their inner selves, and their gentle and quiet spirit (which is of great worth in God’s sight; 1 Pe 3:1-5).  This submission is seen as powerful, not weak, because only a strong woman can submit.  Women who fail to do so, are motivated by fear -the fear of losing control- but the previous verses explain how control may be gained by submission (1 Pe 3:6).  Surely, faith in God, and his way opposes this fear.   

Now back to husbands, verse 25 to 27 tell of the care given by Christ to the church for its overall wellbeing.  For a husband to care for his wife, is to care for himself, since they are one flesh (v. 28-31; Ge 2:24).  And is self-preservation wasn’t enough reason to care for a wife, failure to do so will result in hindered prayers (1Pe 3:7).

The profound truth of the union of Christ and his ‘bride’, the church, is beyond unaided human understanding.  It’s not that the relationship between husband and wife provides an illustration of the union of Christ and the church, but there’s a basic reality it, with marriage being a human echo of that relationship (from NIV note on v. 32).  Although the church is illustrated as the body of Christ, he’s independent of it.  Christ won’t cease to exist without followers, as a true marriage would without the two living as the Word instructs.

In closing, ‘In the Lord, however, woman isn’t independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as a woman came from man, so also man’s born of woman.  But everything is from God’ (1 Co 11:11-12).

Bottom line:  We need each other y’all!             

Be Blessed

Okay, right as I’m leaving the house tonight to go to a lab and type this, I’m tested on what the Holy Spirit had revealed should be my topic for this week’s post.  One of my teenage neighbors is leaning on my car -as if it’s his own- and when one of his friends jokingly suggests he show more respect, he gives a pretty nasty response.  I was put off by his actions, but thank God I chose to pray for him (and myself) instead of thinking badly of him or cursing him, even in my mind.  Now, being honest, this is not to say that it couldn’t have gone the other way -because God is still working on me- but I can thank God I can testify that I’m not where I was.  The Holy Spirit held my tongue.  Because of my yielding to God’s word, it was him who handled the situation, not Michael.  Thank you Lord!

The way we choose to respond to the provocation, snares, plots, schemes, etc. of those who oppose us determines whether, or not, we’re blessed:

1.    Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk 6:27-28; Ro 12:14).  Please keep in mind that this is a command, not a request.  So try to live, so that you can also testify that when you’re cursed, you bless; when you’re persecuted, you endure it; when you’re slandered, you answer kindly. (1 Co 4:12-13)   

2.    Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him (Pr 24:17-18).  First of all, let me point out that it says, ‘when your enemy falls’, not if (2 Pe 3:9-10; Pr 29:6).  But in these verses what’s suggested is that God will give you the punishment reserved for the sinner if you rejoice in his punishment, as he did with Edom (see Ps 137:7; Eze 35:15).  Those of us who know better are held to a higher standard.

3.    God is omniscient.  He already knows about your enemy and all that he’s doing and saying, whether it’s to your face or behind your back (Ps 147:5; Job 28:24; Heb 4:13).  For those of us who trust in God, in the shelter of his presence he hides us from the intrigues of men; in his dwelling he keeps us safe form accusing tongues (Ps 31:20).  But he wants to hear from us too.  He wants us to share all of our thoughts about what we’re dealing with, the good, the bad, and the ugly (Ps 8:3; 62:8).  He’s God.  He can take it!

4.    Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5:11-12; Lk 6:22-23).  Things are almost never as they appear to be.  Although it may look like a follower of Christ is cursed, they are indeed blessed.  And it’s not because I say so, but Jesus Christ himself says so!  Notice that it’s the Jesus in a person that guarantees this blessing (see post titled “In Jesus’ Name”).  See to it that when you’re treated poorly that it’s because of Jesus, not because of any wrongdoing on your part. 

…God doesn’t promise any blessing for that.

   

And the Second Is Like It...

And the second greatest commandment is like the first, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, Jesus says (Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31) (And this love for self is also shown in the context of a marriage union in Eph 5:28-30, where the love for a spouse is equal -on some level- as love for self, since the two have become one.).  Jesus tells us, “love one another as I have loved you…” (Jn 13:34).  (He said this was a new commandment, but it was actually an old one [Lev 19:18].  It was new in the sense that it was a mark of the disciple’s bond created by Christ’s love for them [NIV note on Jn 13:34].)  We love because God first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).  Love ultimately comes from God himself. If anyone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother is a liar; because anyone who doesn’t love his brother, who he has seen, cannot love God, who he hasn’t seen.  So God has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:20-21).  Here, the term ‘brother’ is intended to mean mankind, not simply our siblings in Christ. But those who are followers of Christ should especially care for our brothers and sisters in Christ (Jn 21:15-17; Gal 6:10).       

The parable of ‘the Good Samaritan’ illustrates this love well, and shows us who we are to regard as our neighbor.  In the presence of so-called lovers of God, Jesus commends a Samaritan –a people who Jews were openly hostile against and considered both spiritual and physical half-breeds- over a religious leader (priest) and another lay person (Levite) to show that love has no national, religious, racial, etc. boundaries (Mt 10:5; Jn 4:20,22; Lk 9:52; NIV note on Lk 10:31-33).  It was this despised Samaritan who cared for a foreigner -who would’ve probably cursed him, if he had the strength (v. 33-35).  It was him who Jesus told his fellow Jews to imitate (v. 36-37).  So, my definition of a neighbor, given the context, is anyone who isn’t you!

And again, this is a commandment from God.  To show love towards men, who were made in His spiritual image, is one way of showing love for him (which remember, is second only to directly showing love to God).  This is true, just as failing to love our brothers is to show contempt for Him.  If you follow the first and greatest commandment, the second -which is like it- will fall into place.  Love for God and love for man are inseparable.        

  

The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said, the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with everything you’ve got, with everything that you are, with your entire being (all your heart, soul, mind and strength; Dt 6:5; Mt 2337; Mk 12:29-30).  Here, the heart represents an individual’s will and desire (Ex 25:2; 1 Sa 13:4; Lk 6:45).  The soul is our true self (our immortal being, while the body is merely a temporary shell (Mt 10:28 and NIV note).  The mind encompasses our complete mental faculty: memory, perception, reasoning, opinions, views, disposition, and mood (m-w.com).  And our strength is our power to resist, our attributes or inherent assets, our ability, energy, might, and vigor (m-w.com; 1 Co 10:13; 16:13; Isa 40:31).  God wants it all!       

It was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all that had been previously taught to Israel (the Law of the Prophets, which is the Old Testament in its entirety) by making clear its full meaning.  To fulfill means to measure up to, convert into reality, and develop the full potentialities of (m-w.com).   Jesus did this by emphasizing the deep underlying principles of the law and total commitment to it rather than mere external acknowledgement and obedience (NIV note on Mt 5:17). 

It’s this commandment to love God with our all –along with the second greatest commandment- that the Law of the Prophets hangs on (Mt 22:40.)  The love shown here, to the Lord our God, is primarily in view of the love shown by a subject to a king, because to truly love God is to be his loyal and obedient servant (NIV note on Dt 6:5).  God, our king, requires complete devotion and honor.  He commands us:  not to put anything before him, not to form any idol(s), and not to misuse his name (Ex 20:3-7).         

Our love for God will be evidenced by a life that’s characterized by service to him; the perfect example being the life lived by Jesus Christ.  However, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Ro 12:1).       

Have Nothing to Do With Them

We are all called to be holy and sanctified.  But if perfection was the criteria for whom God allowed us to associate with, then we’d truly be islands, not dealing with anyone.  (Furthermore, how estranged would we be from a holy God himself?) So, I believe that the instruction not to have anything to do with people who are:  lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God should be understood as being indicative of the very character of that individual (2 Tim 3:1-5).  I believe that if the overall tenor of a person’s life is marked by sin -if it doesn’t surprise you that they’ve chosen to do wrong, as opposed to right- then these are the people the Word is referring to.  These are the people we should have nothing to do with. 

To some extent, I’ve found myself in the previous description.  I can work on being more self-controlled.  I have moments of pride.  And unfortunately, there have been times when I’ve put my own pleasure first.  But my life is not characterized by these instances of failing to meet the mark.    

The Bible tells us how to further indentify these people we’re to distance ourselves from.  They seemingly lead a life that is good and holy, with a reverence for God, but they lack the power of one who does (2 Tim 3:5; NIV note on 1 Tim 2:2).  They take advantage of people’s weaknesses (v.6-7). And they oppose the truth of God’s word (v. 8).  But the Bible also lets us know that they won’t get very far, because their folly (lack of good sense, prudence, or foresight) will be clear to everyone (v. 9).  God’s not trying to deny us anything, but it’s plain to see that he wants to save us from suffering the same fate as these people because surely bad company corrupts good character (1 Co 15:33).

Similarly, these people who do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God (the word ‘retain’ is used here because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men [Tit 2:11]), not only continue to do these things -become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity, are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, are gossipers, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil, they disobey their parents; they’re senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless- but they approve of those who practice them as well (Ro 1:28-32)! 

The Bible tells us that these people deserve death (v. 32).  But thank God, he’s loved us enough to provide us with a way out if we’re ever so caught out there that we’re given over to a mind such as this (v. 28; Jn 3:16).  Jesus Christ (our way out!) who’s given the ransom for our lives, so that we can be restored into right standing with God has offered his blameless, unblemished, perfect life for ours (Mk 10:45; Ro 5:10; 10:9; 1 Co 15:56-57; 2 Co 5:21).  Through him we have the opportunity to cheat death (Rev 12:11).  All YOU need to do is accept the gift of salvation offered, by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved (Ro 10:9).  No, you won’t be perfect, but you will be saved.          

Guarding the Reputation of Others

I’d mentioned this a week ago, as I spoke with a few others about honest report.  It came to me that we aren’t only supposed to be concerned about our own reputations, but the reputations of others.  I believe that guarding the reputation of other people is an expression of our love for them (Mt 22:36-39). 

What are you doing to ensure the good name of those around you?  Are you even damaging their name?  We should do to others as we would have them do to us, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Lk 6:31; Pr 31:8).  We aren’t to give false testimony, or speak falsely of them (Ex 20:16; 23:1; Ps 34:13; Jas 4:11).  But caring for other’s report isn’t limited to only false statements.

Do you reveal personal or sensational reports about others, be they true or false (which by the way, is the definition of gossip.  My definition of gossip is passing on anything you wouldn’t want known about yourself. Pr 11:9 and 13)?  Will you be like Ham, who was quick to tell of his father Noah’s indiscretion, or will you be like Shem and Japheth, who made sure he wasn’t further disgraced (Gen 9:20-23; Pr 17:9)?  A gossip betrays confidence, separates close friends, and without it a quarrel dies down (Pr 11:13; 16:28; 26:20).  We aren’t to slander one another (Lev 19:16; Ps 101:5).  Instead, we should speak words of encouragement and build people up (Acts 13:15; 20:2, Eph 4:29, 31; Php 4:8; 1 Th 5:10-12; Heb 3:13).

This isn’t to say, we aren’t supposed to be truthful, but we should examine our motivations for choosing to say the things we do (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:36; 1Pt 3:10, 16).  We should ask ourselves, is this what I would want said about me?  Better yet, is this what God would have me say (1 Pt 4:11)?

Grieving God

I was just thinking about how we attempt to misuse God (and trust me when I tell you, it’s only an attempt) when we treat him like a genie, who’s only useful for granting wishes (I had a little writer’s block).  But God demands that we love him, deeply respect him, and do what he tells us to do.  Our obedience is his due, and our duty, in love (Ecc 12:13; Pr 3:6; Lk 10:27).  And when we don’t do what he tells us to, God isn’t merely angered, but saddened (Gen 6:5-6, 11-12). 

Yes, our motivation for doing God’s will should be in love.  And that includes a desire not to sadden our God who wants only the best for us (Jer 29:11).  I say this to encourage, not only you, but me as well:  Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God by choosing to do wrong; don’t burden him (Eph 4:30; Isa 43:24).  He will not stand for it (Heb 10:26-31).  Have enough faith in God to obey him (Ro 1:5).

God has given us the ability, in him, not to give in to the temptation to sin (1 Co 10:13).  So, let’s throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that we will not grow weary and loose heart.  In our struggle against sin, we’ve not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood (Heb 12:3-4).  Jesus suffered way more than he’s asking any of us to, which should be encouragement when we’re tired and tempted to become disheartened. 

Have an appropriate relationship with God.  Give him the honor and reverence that belongs to him (Failure to do so is sinful).  Don’t grieve God by believing the lie of pride that says he’s here to serve us.  He is not a dag-on genie!        

Because I Said So

I couldn’t stand the saying when I was a child, and the thought of it kind of irritates me even today, but as an adult I can see the benefit of not being provided with an answer every time I inquired.  It was, no doubt, a form of discipline, and I’ve seen many instances where adults obviously were not disciplined by this seemingly arbitrary response.  And I’m sure you have too.  They’re the ones that don’t last very long on the job, and make everyone miserable for the duration of their time there.  Well, likewise the Lord sees fit to discipline us, as an expression of his love for us.

There’s a word of encouragement that addresses us as children:  Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as children.  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his own children.  For what child is not disciplined by his parent(s)?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and are not truly his children.  Moreover, we have all had human parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our parent(s) disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Heb 12:5-11).

How thankful am I for discipline, in love, from my heavenly Father, and my earthly charges: my mother and grandmother.  How much trouble has their discipline kept me out of?  How much has their discipline given me the ability to set out goals and diligently accomplish them?  They did as they thought best, and no it didn’t seem pleasant at the time, but what a harvest their love has produced, and continues to produce.  Thank you Ma.  Thank you Grandmother.  And thank you Lord!

God Is Love

I planned on writing about another topic today, but got to thinking about what love means -considering it’s Valentine’s Day- so that’ll have to wait.  And aside from the fact that this is Valentine’s Day, I think this message is so timely.  We need to constantly be reminded of what love is, according to God’s word (so that we can also recognize what love isn’t).  Love is characterized by patience, kindness, and endurance.  It isn’t envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable (Once again, God’s talking to me.), or resentful.  It doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing, but in truth.  It bears, believes, and hopes all things. Love is endless (1 Co 13:4-8)!

The Bible tells us that God himself is love (1 Jn 4:8).  The word’ is’ is the singular form of the word ‘be’, which means to equal in meaning, or to have the same condition as.  What’s cool is as I looked this word up, the first definition sentence example in Merriam-Webster Online was <God is love>.  The two are, indeed, interchangeable.  God is love, and love is God.  So, consider that the next time you hear a flippant testimony about what love is.  Love is a crazy game?  I think not!  God is not to be trifled with.

Enough of the commentary though.  I can’t tell it better than God can anyway, so here’s one of God’s many love letters to us from the pen of John: 

‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us.  If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:7-21).

With that said. 

Love y’all!

          

Never Alone

No one’s ever truly alone.  Nothing is hidden from God; everything is laid out bare for him (Heb 4:13).  We should feel secure in knowing that we have a God that’s always present (Ps 46:1).  He’s here to counsel us, comfort us, and help us cope with the difficulties of everyday life (Jn 14:25-26). 

We’re told to trust God enough to pour out our hearts to him, and encouraged to cast all of our anxiety on God because he cares for us (Ps 62:8; 1 Pe 5:7).  There’s a song called ‘Tomorrow’ by the Winans that’s often sung as an encouragement for those who are unsaved to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but recently I’ve gotten a new revelation on this message, and it’s that God truly desires a relationship with each and every one of us.  Let me pause here.  That thought is just so overwhelming.  The ‘fire insurance’ is good, and absolutely vital, but God wants a real-deal relationship with us!  He already knows us through and through, and still loves us (Ps 139)!  Now I challenge you to make that testimony about anyone else.  He wants us to truly know who he is, not just what we’ve heard about him! 

He’s told us that he will never leave us, so we should be able to say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’ (Heb 13:5-6; Isa 54:17; Dt 31:6).  It’s unfortunate that many have chosen not to believe that these things are true (1 Ti 2:4; Tit 2:11; Heb 9:28). 

The Apple of His Eye

I think people generally have a tendency to accept what others have to say about them and their potential, as well as what they have to say about themselves, while paying no mind to what God says about us.  I don’t know about you, but I’d listen to a God that’s all-powerful, all knowing, all present, and who’s made me, and therefore knows my purpose and potential, before I listen to what anyone else says about me, including myself (Gen 1:1; Ac 15:18; Ps 139:7-10; Col 1:15-20).   

We were ALL created, through and through, in our mother’s womb by God, and he knows us, through and through.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, indeed (Ps 139:13-14)!  We were ALL made in his spiritual image, meaning we’re the only beings that God has created that have the potential to be saved.  We have the opportunity to be called children of his, and as a part of his spiritual family, have some residual powers and authorities that only one that is called a child of God can have (Gen 1:27); however, not all have chosen to be saved and born again, so not all can rightly claim to be a child of God (Jn 3:5-6; Ro 10:9-10)!   

Those who accept his gift of salvation were predestined, are called, justified, and glorified (Ro 8:28-30).  Anyone who asks and believes is forgiven (Ps 130:4; Mt 6:14; Mk 2:7), cleansed (Ps 51:2; Jn 15:3; Ac 10:15), redeemed (Job 19:25; Ps 44:26; 1 Pe 1:18), restored (Ps 23:3; Na 2:2; 1 Pe 5:10), righteous (Isa 42:6; Ro 1:16-17; 2 Co 5:21), approved (Jn 6:27; 1 Co 11:19; 1 Th 2:4), protected (Ps 37:25; 121:7; Ro 8:31).  They are over comers (Jn 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4-5; Rev 21:7), provided for (Ps 37:25; Mt 6:31; Lk 12:29), prosperous (Jer 29:11; Ac 17:11).  You can be the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13, 44).  If you follow his word you are wise, discerning, knowledgeable and blessed (Pr 11:30; 28:7; Ac 18:24-26; Mt 5:1-12), and so on, and so on. 

We are the apples of God’s eye (Deut 32:10; Ps 17:8)!  And if you couldn’t tell by the above, God loves us (Jn 3:16; 15:13). 

Learning to Flee

It’s good to see when you’re maturing spiritually.  And I’ve noticed that I’m more likely to flee from sin than I was before, not that I was so eager to do wrong.  But I do know that I’m abiding in the Word more, and that my walk is being affected.  I’m becoming more sensitive to sin, and as a result take more measures to avoid situations where I know I’m likely to fall into it.

The Bible is very clear in telling us to flee, or run, from sin (the love of money, false doctrine, sexual immorality, idolatry, and generally speaking, evil desires [1 Cor. 6:18; 10:14; 1 Tim. 6:3-11; 2 Tim 2:22]).  Don’t walk, swagger, or waddle, but RUN!  Christ spoke of the seriousness of the consequences that result from not running from Satan’s temptations, saying, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10).

But we can be encouraged knowing that we aren’t only to flee from potential danger, but to flee to assured safety in God’s word.  We’re told to ‘pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart’ (2 Tim. 2:22).  Look at that! We have company in this walk too!  And in John 10:10 Christ tells of the desires of the Accuser, but continues, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. 

God is denying us nothing but death, theft and destruction.  He is allowing us the opportunity to have LIFE!