When I was a teenager, I sometimes wrote articles for a newspaper produced and distributed to Christian teens across the country. One of the articles I wrote was titled, "Is it Best? Does it Build? Does it Bless?"
I wrote the article as a 16 year old, but the principles are as timeless as the Word on which they are based. Some of the following is taken from that article, along with more current illustrations and commentary.
In my junior year of high school Bible class, I was privileged to have a teacher who knew the value of scripture memory in the life of his students. Each week that year, we wrote a set of two to four verses on 3x5 cards and each Friday had a quiz over not just those verses, but a cumulative quiz covering all the verses for the semester. We carried those cards around and continually poured those verses into our minds. One set of those verses still rings in my mind when the right circumstances arise.
Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 through 13:"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
"...for the edifying of the body of Christ...", what a powerful statement. These gifts of ministry were given to build up, and lift up the body of Christ; in other words, the believers who make up "the body". We see another verse, in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, in which he explains that while some are boasting and lifting up themselves in pride, he and those with him were only interested in edifying the believers there in Corinth.
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"
II Corinthians chapter 12 verse 19:"Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying."
Whatever you spiritual gift(s) may be, what do you do with them? Do you use them throughout the day as you encounter believers? How do you act toward those to whom you should be knit in friendship and love?
What are you words? What are your actions?
As you go through the day, you have many decisions. You wake up, and you have a decision, whether you realize it or not. Will I choose to be cheerful today, no matter how I feel, or will I choose not to think of that and just act however my flesh "feels"?
You are on your way to work and someone cuts you off in traffic. They were wrong and both of you know it. How do you choose to react?
A co-worker takes credit for your work. What do you say to him/her? What do you say about him/her to others? And so it goes.
Here are the real questions you must ask yourself.
First, "Is it best?" Is my reaction to circumstances the best that it can be? In today's world people often say, "What would Jesus do?" Now, I won't debate the over-use and commercialization of that phrase right now, but the gist of it is, did you do the best thing in a given situation? Did you do the highest thing, the most edifying action you could take?
Secondly, "Does it build?" Some teenagers I know were once having a discussion in the car, and one criticized her brother and belittled him. Her older sister, wanting to be helpful, and caught up in the moment, blurted out, "Edify, Stupid!", to her sister! Not the most spiritual thing to say, and a bit of an oxymoron, but she had the right idea! She was attempting to admonish her sister to say things that would be edifying, or build up her brother, rather than tear him down. Do your actions "build" or "tear down" others around you?
Third, "Does it bless?" Is what you are doing or saying a blessing to God?
II Corinthians chapter 2 verses 14 through 16 says:Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
A sweet savour comes from the picture in the early days of sacrifices and incense burning in the temple. The smell of each was sweet to Jehovah and satisfied His desire to have fellowship with His people. Are you a "sweet savour" to God by the actions and words that you demonstrate to others throughout the day? "Does it bless God?"
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"
Remember, your actions are your choice. No one makes you react a certain way. Do circumstances influence you? Of course they can, if you allow them to. Does the flesh influence you? If you allow it to. Do the world and satan influence you? They can, but only if you let them.
Romans chapter 6 verse 2 says, "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
The greek words that are translated, "God forbid", are mei genoita, which can be translated, "let it never be!". If we are truly believers, we are to be dead to sin, and not live our lives be captivated by it. We have received power, because the Holy Spirit lives in us, to live a life that is "best", and "builds" and "blesses", but we must choose to allow the Spirit to live through us as we edify others.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Is it Best? Does it Build? Does it Bless?
Monday, February 16, 2009
What Are You Afraid Of?
How many times have circumstances surrounded you? You are disappointed by a failed business deal, someone close to you betrays your trust, your best friend stops speaking to you, a loved one falls into sin, your spouse passes away. Matthew chapter 8 verse 26 says, First of all, I am a child of The King! (no, Denise, not Elvis). I am a child of the Almighty, the King of kings, Lord of lords, the One who knows the end from the beginning. There's the key! He knows the end from the beginning. Why would I think that what He asked me to do could somehow turn out in some unexpected way? IT CAN'T! Nothing is unexpected for God! He knows all things. By Him do all things hold together, (Colossians 1:17). Secondly, who am I to question His commands? I am supposed to be dead to self, to live any longer therein. (Romans 6:2) I am supposed to "reckon myself to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:11). So, I did nothing. I squelched the Holy Spirit's leading and did nothing. I fell asleep as I intended, and didn't wake until we landed. As we prepared to get off the plane, the man spoke to me. He was rational, kind and unassuming. He was not the "bully" I had imagined him to be. But the time was gone. He grabbed his case and stepped off the plane. I never saw him again. The opportunity had been lost. This man may be lost - for eternity - because of my selfishness.
In all these things, you may cry out, "Why!" Or you may say, "Help me Lord! I can't go on!", just as the disciples did in the midst of the stormy sea."And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."
For most of us, most of the time, the problems we are called on to endure and the fears we have, are not nearly as serious as the ones I listed in my first paragraph. But, none the less, they are real fears, they grip our heart and mind, and we are paralyzed, unable to act rationally or effectively to fulfill God's plan for our lives that day.
Just a week ago, a man sat down next to me on a plane. He was obviously angry about something. He was gruff with those around him as he put his belongings away, and when he sat down he got out a paperback and began to read.
Just then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, encouraging me to find a divinely appointed time to strike up a conversation with this man. Now, understand, I had just worked a long week, I was tired; ready to go to sleep on the plane. I had my funny little half circle neck pillow out, I was ready to lean my seat back as soon as the plane took off, and I had already determined I could get almost an hour's sleep on this flight, before we began descending.
So, I thought, "Lord, he's in a bad mood, he won't want to talk, I will annoy him, he'll speak angrily to me, and may even cause a scene." I was afraid to trust the Holy Spirit and let Him have control of the situation. So I did nothing.
I was afraid. Of what? Afraid someone might think less of me if I said something?
Let's think about that a bit.
In addition, only presumption of our own importance, or PRIDE, can cause us to think this way. Do we think our embarrassment is too much to suffer for what Christ did on the cross? If so, then that is self-consciousness, or pride. Or, are we so "full of ourselves", engrossed in our own lives, that we think that we should take care of ourselves rather than sacrifice a little of our "precious" time to speak with someone about eternal life. That attitude is PRIDE also - self-centeredness.
I Peter chapter 3 verse 15 says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
Are YOU ready?
Mark Tabor
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Will You "Be Mine"?
Something amazing and disheartening happened today. A dear friend of our family, and many of yours, went to be with her Lord. It is a glorious day and yet a little bit scary. Let me tell you what I mean. Psalm 116:15 says, Please be my prayer warrior, I have committed to be yours.
Mrs. Jimmie Ledford, a dear friend of our family, a long-time member of Beth Haven Baptist Church, secretary and guidance counselor at Beth Haven Christian School for more years than I can count, mother of my best friend in high school, and someone who truly cared for everyone she knew, even me, left this cursed earth and found herself where she always knew the Lord would have her - standing next to Him on those golden streets leading to the throne of grace! That's the amazing part. "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Mrs. Ledford had a massive stroke this past Wednesday and was hospitalized until tonight, Saturday February 14th, Valentine's Day, when she left us for her home in heaven.
Most of you who know Mrs. Ledford know that she prayed for each and everyone of us all the time. She took an active interest in our lives from the time we came to high school until now. Even though I live many miles from "home" she would often ask my mother how I was and what was going on that she could pray for. Since she retired her main ministry has been to pray for us. She is the quintessential prayer warrior - the type of person any of us would want to be.
Now, here's the disheartening part. Thousands of prayers for hundreds of people and their families stopped this week. That's a little scary to me.
James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Mrs. Ledford was a righteous woman. She would immediately tell you, only by God's grace affected on her life, but none the less, she was righteous. Her prayers availed much for many.
In Ezekiel 22:30, God says, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
Please, I beg of each of you, don't let this verse be true of us today. Don't let God find none who will stand in the gap and make up the hedge. Today, more than ever before in our lives, we need to be PRAYER WARRIORS!!!
Make a vow today to be the prayer warrior God would have you be.
Stand in the gap for all your fellow Christians. Will you "Be Mine"?
Mark Tabor
Friday, February 13, 2009
Where Will You Live Forever?
I was reading someone's Facebook page this morning and came across a verse. I have read this verse many times, but today it caught my attention and I had to dig further. So today I am simply considering the meaning and underlying background of this one passage. I John 2:17 says,"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
Matthew Henry in his commentaries says of this passage: "The things of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God shall never fail. Many vain efforts have been made to evade the force of this passage by limitations, distinctions, or exceptions. Many have tried to show how far we may be carnally-minded, and love the world; but the plain meaning of these verses cannot easily be mistaken. Unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it."
The passage is not saying that doing God's will makes salvation, (eternal life), possible. The key word here is "abideth". I don't want to get too technical here, but this word comes from the greek, "meÑnw", which carries the meaning, "not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually". So this verse is more about the fellowship of the believer with the Lord. He that does God's will has fellowship with Him continually, on into eternity. In contrast, the world and the desires, (lusts), that are part of it will not last, but will "pass away", or be destroyed.
So the application of this passage is to flee the lusts that are part of the world, and remain fixed on doing what you know to do for God, and you will thereby enjoy continual fellowship with Him.
Mark Tabor
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What's On The Menu?
Do you have a favorite restaurant you and your family like to frequent? Have you ever had a place where you had "your table"? Many restaurants have no regular menu, so if you walk in you have to either look at a chalkboard or ask, "What's on the menu today?"
Can we talk about prayer today?
Years ago, my wife and I had a favorite restaurant. We didn't get to go out that often, but when we did, more often than not that was the place. It was great! We each had a favorite entree', but we also liked to take bites of each other's meals, because they were prepared perfectly. We had "our" table, and whenever we could, that's the table we chose.
They always had a special menu for the day, usually some seafood flown in just for that evening. Sometimes we wouldn't know what to order, so we would ask the wait help, "What's good today?" It had the kind of atmosphere that made you feel like you belonged, and they were really glad you came to see them - almost like you were adopted family members. We always had a great time there, together, enjoying being with each other over a good meal.
Look with me at Romans chapter 8."For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Our prayer life should be just like the experience we had at our favorite restaurant. We never felt we were there often enough. We were always welcomed and given a special place. We never knew what would be on the special menu, but we could always count on our favorite entrees' being available.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
The Lord can't wait for us to show up at the door of our prayer life. He always welcomes us, has something special for us, and if we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, and makes the choices for us. Everything served is always perfectly prepared and just right - just for us.
When we enter the throne room of God, we are made to feel like we are one of the family, because we've been adopted to be His child, so we can come to Him and He will care for us and give us a place of honor.
In John chapter 21 verse 12 we see, "Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine."
He's inviting you to have fellowship with Him as He provides your daily sustenance. Won't you "come and dine" with the Lord today?
Mark Tabor
Monday, February 9, 2009
How Can I Make It Right?
How many times have you hurt someone's feelings?
You react selfishly to a comment. You make a sarcastic remark that cuts to the other’s heart. You don’t think before you speak and your words are insensitive and mean spirited. Now what?
Paul has much to say about feelings.
In I Corinthians 13 Paul talks about this."Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
Many people read this passage, especially around Valentine’s Day, and usually read past these first three verses to get to the “charity” verses. But let’s take a look at these. The first verse says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels”. In other words, even if I am fluent in multiple languages including those even of angels, so that my words are beautiful, fitting and heavenly, they fall on listening ears as a harsh, crashing horn sound, or a deciding non-musical beating of a pot or basin. Think of the sound that two stock pots banged together make.
So, the most heavenly words without true, love from the heart, are harsh, hurtful, and of no value.
Have you spoken words to those you say you love, and then immediately know that those words wounded your loved one? Of course you have, we all have. We are constantly fooled by the flesh. The flesh includes our mind, which God, through Jeremiah the prophet tells us about in Jeremiah 17 verse 9 and 10.” The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
So, what do we do. Paul provides the answer in later verses of chapter 13, as well as in letters to other churches. First let’s look at some of the other letters. In the letter to the Colossians in chapter 3 verse 13 we read:”Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
This might read better if we said, “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other…” So the answer starts with forgiveness, from each side. Both the wronged party and the one commiting the wrong must forgive. None of us is without fault. We all, through outright words or through body language, selfish will and actions, or simple lack of understanding due to our fallen, sinful nature, fail to measure up to the standard of agape love. Therefore, each one must ask forgiveness and come back to each other with a spirit of humility, knowing we are but dust; fallible, sinful creatures bound to this earth by the chains of the flesh.
In another passage to the Corinthians, in his second letter, chapter 2 Paul speaks again about forgiveness for harsh words, even though in this case the words were needed, Paul realizes that because we are in this flesh, the words can cause pain and be taken as to hard.”But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.”
Here Paul is referring to the hard words he had to speak to the Corinthians in another letter about their worldly lifestyle. He asks forgiveness that he even had to speak the words and hopes they will realize that the same ones who he admonishes are those that make his heart joyful.
Finally, back to I Corinthians 13 - Verses 4 to 7 say: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Here are all of the proper reactions to the words and actions of others. No matter how we “feel”, or how much pain is caused to our heart and spirit, if we truly have agape love, our reactions should always be a picture of verses 4 to 7.
Mark Tabor
Friday, February 6, 2009
How Can I Get Help?
I used to write for a newspaper in high school. Here's a sample article from way back then.
We've all heard the saying, "Prayer changes things," but how many of us really take it to heart? God expects all of us not only to read His Word and believe it, but also to use it. He tells us that if we pray we should expect an answer.
John 15 verse 7 says,
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."Most Christians go through their entire life without using five percent of what we could. God wants to help you. He wants to guide your life and work out your problems for you. All you have to do is pray in His will and expect and answer and you will get it. Use the power He gave us! He will help you with any problem. If you need help on a test and have studied, pray and He will help you remember.
Also, remember that your prayers can help others with problems and in making decisions. We will always get an answer if we pray in His will.
John 5 verses 14 and 15 tell us:
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole."We often go to friends and others in whom we have confidence for advice, but yet we sometimes never go to God. He should be the first one we go to. Who knows all the answers, God or friends? God, of course! Why don't you go to Him; He gives everything we need!
(End)
Back then, one of the hardest things a teen might face is a test. But today, we all have tests of some sort. We might call them trials or tribulations, hard times or circumstances, but God is still the all-powerful-one, the all-knowing-one, but best of all, He is OUR Father.
Romans 8 verses 14 and 15
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."Do you understand the full meaning of these verses? Many have said that the word, "Abba" from Aramaic can be translated, "daddy", and while that is true in its simplest form it goes much deeper.
Abba is a term of extreme endearment expressed by a young child to his beloved father, his hero, the one who kisses his scraped knee and dries his fresh tears. Abba would be the word used only for a parent who was familiar, available, trustworthy, and comforting. Think of the ultimate father figure - maybe it is your earthly father that comes to mind, but maybe it's someone else's from your childhood. Maybe you were always secretly jealous of the close relationship other children had with their father. That "best" relationship is what is connoted by the term "Abba" from the Bible.
Think of that type of relationship. What would that father not do to protect and care for his child? Think of it! That's a finite example of how your infinite Heavenly Father desires to care for you, His child! As if you were His ONLY child!
Ask Him. He wants to care for you. Let Him.
Mark Tabor
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Who Started This, Anyway?
You've accepted the gift of eternal life, you have the "down payment" of the Holy Spirit within you. Now what? Well, let's think about that. The spirit of God, the creator of the universe, the one who knew you before you were ever formed, the author of the greatest book ever written, the Savior of the world - HE wants to have a relationship with you on this earth, as you live out the life He has given you.
What does that even mean?
Paul talks through this with the believers from Macedonia in the book to the Phillipians.
Phillipians 1 says,"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."
In these verses the apostle offers up thanksgivings and prayers, for the good work of grace performed in the Philippians. God's best for us is to be servants of Christ. The work of grace will never be perfected till we are finished on this earth. But we must always be confident that God will perform his good work, in every believer. Though we must not trust in outward appearances, but rather a new creation made for holiness. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear one to another. (Phil. 1:8-11)
Let's read on."But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Here he expresses affection, and prays for them. Shouldn't we love and have compassion for those souls whom Christ loves and pities? I we try different methods we will then discern the best methods - those which are 'excellent'.
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: but the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Christians should not quickly take offense, and should be very careful not to offend God or other believers. The things that give glory to God will most benefit us. So, don't leave any doubt whether good fruit is found in us. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.?
Paul fortifies them against being cast down at his sufferings.
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him famous and gave him and audience where he would never have had one. Since our troubles work out for the good if we love Him, (Romans 8:28), then we ought to rejoice. Prayer is the appointed means of seeking for sanctifying trials.
Now let's continue to learn to walk. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Paul stood prepared to bring glory to Christ by life, or by death. Death is a great loss in the horizontal world of those without hope; but to a true believer it is the ultimate gain, because all of his weakness and misery comes to a stop. Paul couldn't decide if it was better to serve Christ in this life, or rest in His comfort in the next. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do.
Mark Tabor
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Why Can't I Do Right?
Most would agree that Paul, the Apostle born out of due season, was perhaps the greatest example of sinful man living a life pleasing to God. He himself speaks of his life, both before and after his conversion, as one that was driven to obey the Word and live out the faith by which he trusted the Messiah.
But Paul also tells of the struggle with the flesh, and the desire to overcome it. Read with me in the book to the Romans, beginning in chapter 6, verse 11: "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
I know - you have to read it a couple of times to let it sink in - Paul's translated writings are very wordy - that's part of his personality the Spirit allowed to flavor the inspired Word. It takes some getting used to.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
So there it is, Paul says to reckon, or see yourself, as dead to sin so you are no longer a slave to it. In Bible times bond slaves were slaves for life. But it would be obvious to anyone reading Paul's letter then that a man couldn't be a slave after he was dead - of what value is a dead slave to his former master
Now lets look at Paul's struggle to do right in chapter 7 of Romans. Starting in verse 14."For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
The triumph over sin is never more obvious than in the first verses of chapter 8 of Romans.
For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.""There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
I know that we've just read a lot of scripture, but these are very powerful verses, that when understood can give you the tools to allow the Spirit of Christ to reign in your mortal body, rather than the law of sin.
Read these verses often and understand them. They are the key to surrendering the flesh to gain victory over sin.
Mark Tabor
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Living a life that is pleasing to the Lord is sometimes viewed as a mystery - something that the Lord hides in His Word that must be searched out. Some believers think that somehow this life eludes them because they are not discerning enough, or aren't "deep enough" in the Word. God didn't design the Christian walk that way. Let's take a look at what the Word says about a walk for Him.
Many sermons, lessons and devotionals have been given on Romans 12:1-2 and tagged as, "how to live in God's will", or, "how to do the will of God". Now, these are good verses and they definitely tell us that we should offer ourselves in sacrifice to God, not be conformed to the world, and be transformed by the renewing of our mind. These are all appropriate and necessary, but let's look a little deeper.
The verse says we should present our bodies as living sacrifices. How do you apply that phrase in your life? How are we to accomplish that? By what means? Paul says earlier in Romans 7, verse 18, "to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." Even Paul knew that in this flesh by which we are all trapped there is no mechanism to please God. Chapter 7 goes on as Paul paints a self-portrait for us - verse 23 and following; "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
Paul, in the mind of some the greatest Christian ever, painted himself as a "wretched man."
So, how do we live for Him?
Again, back to the book of Romans, chapter 6, verses 11-12, "...reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
Paul puts it another way in Galatians 2:19-20, "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Paul knows the answer. It is impossible for us to please God through the outworking of this sinful flesh. Our only hope is one thing: reckon yourselves to be dead. That's not a word in use much today, except in the south, but it still means today exactly what it meant when the translators of the King James Bible wrote it 400 years ago. Reckon is an accounting term. It means "to settle accounts", or "to make a calculation", or "to judge, suppose, or think";, and lastly, "to accept something as certain".
God through the work of Christ not only paid for our sins, all of them, since He is not limited by time, but also FREED us from the power of this sinful flesh. But, that is only effective if we consciously "reckon" it to be true every day. Sometimes multiple times a day.
Our mind is a powerful tool - a weapon given to us to use against Satan. He cannot know our thoughts unless we verbalize them, but he does know our weaknesses, because they are his as well - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. He can capture us and sift us like wheat if we do not consciously acknowledge that we are dead to the flesh, freed from its power, and free to allow Christ to live through us by His spirit that lives within in us, given to us at the time we accepted His free gift of eternal life.
So, how do you "walk the walk"? You don't. Let Him walk for you. He wants to, He's offered to, He only wants you to say, "Lord I can't do this, will You do it for me?" Just as if you were His child. You are, you know.
Mark Tabor
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