Posts from February 2021 (Page 2)
SELF OPPOSITION
When man rejects truth it is to his own detriment. He is opposing himself. In other words, we are our own greatest enemy. The greatest opposition one can have against himself is to reject Jesus Christ as Lord and savior in unbelief. However, for the Christian we also oppose ourselves when we refuse to follow Christ in obedience to the truth. The first will realize how great his error is at the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). The latter will know at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10-12). That is why we should approach those rejecting truth with humility as we ourselves are not immune to temptation nor will we escape the judgment seat (Gal. 6:1).
A GREAT CONTRADICTION
This portion of the Psalm by King David contrasts the wrath of proud men to the longsuffering of an all knowing God. It is a great contradiction for man to benefit from the longsuffering of God and not show it one to another. It is especially egregious for believers who know the longsuffering of God to not offer the same to other believers. Regardless of this contradiction we must remember the greatest contradiction in human history is that Jesus the savior of the world was crucified by man, otherwise, we are likely to faint in our minds (Heb. 12:3).
THE LOVE COMMANDMENT
Jesus showed by example what love truly is. By laying down his life for us he demonstrated that greatest emptying of one self for others. He commands us to show the same type of love for others. Godly love is a self-sacrificial giving of ourselves for the benefit of others. The commandment is for all Christians to all Christians. On this Valentine’s Day and every day after, let’s surrender to His commandment.
IMMEASUREABLE, TIMELESS LOVE
Americans this year will spend a estimated $27.4 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts such as flowers, candy, perfume etc. to express their love for their significant other. At most, the flowers, as beautiful as they are will last a week or two. The perfume….much longer, the candy, not so. God’s expression of His love for us however, is immeasurable, timeless and available to all who will simply receive the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
A BITTER DWELLING PLACE
Sometimes in life we find ourselves in a bitter dwelling place drinking bitter water. When we do we must not stay there continuing to drink from a well that will make us spiritually sick. Rather, we must go to the cross of Calvary setting our eyes upon Jesus and begin drinking from the spring of living water that gives life and restores spiritual health.
WHAT IS LOVE?
There was a popular song on the air waves back in the ’80’s titled “I Want to Know What Love Is” which charted at #1, selling millions of copies. According to the artist who wrote it, it was born out of frustration with not finding a perfect relationship. After many failed relationships, he was looking for something that would endure. Many people today are looking for that “enduring” relationship, all the while wanting to know “what love is”. We have the answer, God is love! His love is enduring, unconditional and unmerited.
KEEP GOING
Do you ever feel like giving up? When you are serving the Lord you are certain to face opposition. It is easy to get discouraged and want to give up because you are not seeing the fruit. However, this verse tells us that it is worth it to keep going. In “due season” or at the right time you will reap the harvest if you do not give up.
THE DEPTH OF GOD’S LOVE
How does one properly articulate the scope and depth of God’s love? I must admit that l fall woefully short in the task of doing so. Frederick M. Lehman however captured the essence very well in the Hymn that we’re all familiar with: “The Love of God.” The last stanza of that hymn is: Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.
DUST THOU ART
There is no reason for man to be proud. We were created from dust where we shall return. However, because of pride we tend to create a lot of trouble between these two events. We would be much more humble if we remembered where we came from. If it were not for God we would not even exist.
SPIRIT OF BONDAGE
In this verse the spirit of bondage is contrasted with the Spirit of adoption. The spirit of bondage describes the lost person that lives in fear of death and/or fear of judgment from God. Therefore, their relationship to God is one of fear that produces torment (1 John 4:18). However, the Christian has the Spirit of adoption that affirms God is our loving heavenly Father and we are His child. Therefore, we are able to live for God based upon love and not fear. What a blessing!