Posted by Charlie on Nov 20, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Matthew 5, 6, 7
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29
Observation
The Sermon on the Mount has to be one of the most amazing and challenging sections in all of Scripture. It concludes by saying that the crowds were astonished at Jesus’ teaching, which came with authority.
The law of Moses already had proven to be an impossible standard for people to keep flawlessly, and now Jesus came on the scene and essentially said, “You thought the bar was high? I’m going to raise it much higher!”
Application
So much higher, in fact, that it is impossible. The only person in history ever capable of fulfilling the standard set in the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus himself. Then he gave himself as a worthy sacrifice to pay my penalty for falling short of God’s righteousness.
As I seek Jesus daily and abide in his presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to change and mold my life, I have the opportunity to increasingly look like the person the Sermon on the Mount describes. And where I fail, I have the covering of his forgiveness.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for fulfilling the amazing standard you set in the Sermon on the Mount. I want to look more and more like you as I live each day. Please work in my heart today. I want to be able to experience the reality of “Blessed are the meek [praus], for they shall inherit the earth.” Amen.
Tags: law, righteousness, Sermon on the Mount
Posted by Charlie on Oct 17, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Job 1, 2; Acts 6, 7
Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law….
Acts 6:11-13
Observation
There is a stream of American theology that seems to think that if I say the right things and push the right spiritual buttons I will have a life of blessing. Apparently no one informed the early church about this. Stephen is just one example of the bold proclamation of the gospel stirring up a deadly hornet’s nest. Paul, James, and nearly all the other apostles are ample evidence that living for Jesus doesn’t always fly well in the eyes of the world.
Application
The question, then, is, how is that reality going to impact my willingness to live boldly for God? Righteousness sometimes results in trials, whether I consider the life of Job or the life of Stephen. Yet those trials, even when fatal, lay the groundwork for God’s kingdom to expand, and I have to take it on faith that the investment will yield eternal benefits for myself and those I impact.
Prayer
Father, please help me to live boldly for you, regardless of the cost. Please empower my life by your Spirit, and grant that your kingdom be established where I am day by day (your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven).
Tags: righteousness, suffering
Posted by Charlie on Jun 24, 2009 in
Devotions 2 Kings 11,12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
Observation
Paul warns Timothy against disputes over questionable doctrines and the distraction of seeking to be rich. Then he reminds Timothy how to acquire genuine riches: Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. I want to take a moment to unpack each of these words.
Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosune, which means “the state of him who is such as he ought to be.” In Paul’s theology this means being acceptable to God through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, but on a broader scale it includes the concept of wholeness—being rightly related to God, to others, and to myself.
Godliness in Greek is eusebeia, which means a deep reverence and respect toward God.
Faith, pistis, means, well, faith—complete trust or confidence in God. It’s interesting to note, though, that pistis also means faithfulness, which reflects a depth of character in those who possess it.
Love, agape, is a purely biblical word. It is a love that says, “It’s not about me….” God demonstrated it in the way he bought my redemption at his expense.
Steadfastness, hupomone, is, according to Thayer, “the characteristic of a man who is unswerved [sic] from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” ‘Nuff said.
Gentleness in Greek is praupatheia, and is the equivalent of prautes, which I wrote about on June 8. Though I’ve given the definition before, it affords repetition because it is such a crucial characteristic of a mature disciple. “A disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The word is best translated “meekness, ” not as an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well.”
Even though all these words are all nouns, I think it is helpful to consider them in a more verb-centric way. Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness are not things—they are really action words that only have teeth when they are put into motion and practiced.
Application
Wow! In one short verse Paul has provided a thorough summary of what a mature disciple should look like. Now it’s time to go look in the mirror and ask God where I am in my process of growing in these areas. In verse 20 Paul exhorted Timothy to guard the deposit entrusted to him. I am under the same charge.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you have already modeled all these qualities perfectly, and trained up your disciples to be like you. Please build these characteristics into my life in increasing measure, and grant me the grace to be a model and mentor for others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: character, faith, gentleness, godliness, love, righteousness, steadfastness
Posted by Charlie on May 30, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Proverbs 13, 14, 15; Romans 11
He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Proverbs 14:29
Observation
Proverbs has quite a bit to say about anger. A man who is quick to anger lays the foundation of trouble and exhibits folly. Angry words wound and stir up strife. My favorite verse on anger is actually in tomorrow’s reading: He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32). That makes a good memory verse, and an excellent reminder that there is great value in a temper that is under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Application
“Hi, my name is Charlie and I’ve got an anger problem.”
“Hello Charlie….”
I confess that I don’t deal with disappointment well, and I’ve had a bit of a temper since I was a kid. I don’t like the fruit of getting angry—I want my life to be characterized by righteousness.
According to James 1:20, …the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. I’m putting myself on public record today that I am seeking God to grow in my ability to stop and seek to be led by the Holy Spirit when I feel anger rising. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Prayer
Father God, I’m serious about wanting to grow in my ability to submit to your leading instead of having my temper flare. Please help me today to hear your voice and to follow your lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: anger, folly, righteousness, temper
