Daily In Christ Devotionals

Secure In Your Salvation... What Does That Mean?

2012-02-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

I often hear the phrase "once saved always saved" thrown around by Christians and it is the subject of much debate. I also hear the phrases such as eternally secure, justified, assurance of your salvation, and more, talked about as well.

Today I want to spend a few minutes diving into the scriptures and not into myths, opinions, or misinterpretations. I know there are two sides to this topic and I know I fall on one of those sides. Such it is with life. There will always be areas of discussion in our faith that both sides will never agree on. However, I see clear scriptural evidence that supports one side alone.

Is a person secure in their salvation?

That is the question...

Let's begin with the premise that salvation is the work of God and not of man. For the sake of the length of this post I will not include all the verses that support this premise, but if we can come to terms with this then we are on the same track.

Next, man has the opportunity to respond to salvation. Some believe man is chosen by God and his response is simply an answer to the call, while others believe Jesus died on the cross for all and whomsoever chooses to believe will be saved. Great... let's not get into this debate here either. Let's just agree that Jesus died and to be saved man has a responsibility to respond.

Now a bit more challenging question arises at this point. Who keeps us faithful. What I mean by that is this. Is it a work of the flesh to stay believing or is it a work of the Holy Spirit. I often hear Christians say things like "It is all a work of God." And "God directs my path." I also know that many believe that to stay saved you must do good works. And there are many who feel like they can just leave their salvation if they want. Walk away from it like the power of the cross meant nothing. (The question I have with that one is why would you if you are a new creation with the heart of Jesus in you... and how many times can you come back and forth? One day I am saved the next day I don't want to be... Kind of a weird one for me to buy into) I digressed... The Bible tells us otherwise. Staying in the faith is a work of God and not of our own doing. 1Sa 2:9; Psa 37:23-24, Psa 37:28, Psa 103:17-18, Psa 125:1-2; Pro 2:8; Isa 54:17; Jer 32:40; Joh 4:14, Joh 5:24, Joh 10:28-30, Joh 17:11-12, Joh 17:15; Rom 8:31-39; Phi 1:6; Jud 1:1, Jud 1:24

1Co 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,

and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Then comes evidence of our salvation. The Bible tells us that if we are saved we are a new creation. The old is passed away and the new is come. (2Cor 5:17) It also says that we are crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. (Gal 2:20) Therefore, if we are saved then we are a new creation with the Spirit of Christ dwelling in our hearts. We live in Him, by Him, with Him, and for Him... We have been bought with a price and our lives are no longer our own. Because of our new birth there should be evidence of this. The Bible makes it clear...

So a person who is is truly saved should show evidence of their salvation through their obedience to Christ. This is the fruit of salvation, not the method. We, as believers in Jesus Christ, show evidence of our faith by the lifestyle we live and the service we do for others. Gal 5:19-25; John 8:31; 2Tim 2:19; Rom 8:13; 1John 1:8-10; Eph 1:4-5; 1Thes 2:12; Col 1:10... and there are so many more. As you can see, a regenerate person who lives by faith shows it by their obedient lifestyle.

Jas 2:14-26 - Faith without works is dead!

Now the struggle I believe most of us deal with... sin! Oh boy, we just had to bring that one up didn't we. How do we deal with a person who says the "sinners prayer" and then goes on living just like they did before? How do we deal with a person who looks like a Christian in every way and then walks away from the fellowship and says they don't believe in God any more? How do we come to terms with people who try to live a godly life and struggle with addiction to drugs or pornography? How about those who loved Jesus, lost a family member to a tragic death, struggled for ten years and then came back to the faith? How do we deal with a friend or family member who accepted Jesus, was baptized, and now lives enmeshed in the world? So many questions... I am certain you have come to terms with or are trying to come to terms with at least one of these questions.

Can I sin so bad, so long, or so often that I

walk away from my salvation?

Please remember, this post is not to judge whether or not you or anyone in the circumstances above are saved. That is the work of God. It is to show what the Bible says about assurance in your salvation. So let's move forward...

Now some answers...What does the Bible say about assurance?

Let's start with a couple of verses in Hebrews. Heb 6:4-6

Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, (5) and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

In these verses it appears that there are some who have been "enlightened," tasted the "heavenly gift," and shared in the Holy Spirit and then fell away. How do we contend with that? Matt 13 is a good example of what the writer of Hebrews is talking about. The person in question hears the message of the Gospel, gets excited about it, samples the power of the Holy Spirit, and then decides that the ways of the world are far more pleasurable than following after Jesus. So the question this passage brings up isn't whether or not the person is saved and walks away from their salvation. It begs to ask, "was this person a new creation?" Where they crucified with Christ? Did this person have fellowship with Jesus and abide in Him? Did they bear fruit or just thistles? Verses 7-8 discusses this:

Hebrews 6:7-8 ESV For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. (8) But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Both the saved and the unsaved drank from the rain but one bore thistles. Not because they were saved and fell away, but because their heart was not fertile soil and they never received the rain.

John tells us in 1John 2:19 that those who depart from the faith were never really one of us. You will hear clever arguments that there is no such teaching in the Bible that states: "If a person walks away from Jesus they were never saved." Well, I beg to differ with those arguments. This verse is very clear that if you depart from the faith you were not one of us. You were never saved to begin with.

1 John 2:19 ESV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Jesus tells many that claim to be followers of Christ to "Go away, I never knew you." Then He calls them workers of lawlessness. These people appeared to be doing good things for Jesus. They looked like "good Christians" on the outside but their heart was far from Him. Notice one key phrase in Matt 7:23... "I Never Knew You!"

Matthew 7:23 NASB "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;

DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

The thing with salvation isn't about us knowing Jesus. Many claim to know Jesus. James tells us in Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. So salvation isn't about us knowing God, it is about Jesus knowing us. And when He knows you, you will never be cast out. You will be secure in knowing that no one can snatch you from your Fathers hand.

So, back to the last question. What about sin? Can we agree that the Apostle Paul was probably one of the most influential writers of the New Testament and that his work in ministry will span from our generation to the next to the next? Is it safe to say that he will more than likely be a partaker of the heavenly gift of salvation? If we can agree to that, then maybe what he wrote in Romans will give us a little light to what the scripture says about sin and our salvation.

Romans 7:18-21 NASB For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. (19) For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (20) But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. (21) I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

Paul struggled with sin. I struggle with sin. You undoubtedly struggle with sin. It is in our flesh nature to struggle with sin. The problem isn't do we sin. The issue is do we live a lifestyle of unrepentant sin. Does your sin bother you? Are you, as the late John Owen said, "mortifying sin every day?" Are you taking your sin to the cross and asking God to forgive you or are you in denial of your sin and act like it is no big deal.

How we live is testimony to whether or not we are saved. If we deny our sin and claim to be a Christian then we are deceiving ourselves and calling God a liar. 1 john 4:1-10

So to come to a simple answer about security in salvation. Yes, if you are a follower of Christ and love Jesus you can be assured that as you follow Him and persevere in your faith you will be called home to Glory and spend eternity with Him. If you said the "sinners prayer" and live like the rest of the world you might want to check yourself. The Word makes it clear that salvation isn't about finding a get out of hell free card and once you think your saved you are always saved. There must be evidence... fruit and perseverance.

I hope this blog post is helpful. I know that it is quite long but because of the subject matter it is quite difficult to condense to any less than this. I would welcome your comments or discussion. Feel free to comment and i will try to respond as quickly as I can.

Have a blessed day!
Keith

Works vs. Fruit... Fruit Wins!

2012-02-20T23:24:00.001-08:00

I have been impacted lately by the verses in Galatians 5. Especially as I look further down into the chapter around Gal 5:16-26. "The deeds of the flesh are evident." When I am in my human nature I am walking in the flesh. The evidence of this is manifested in my works. The outward and inward things that control me. It is something, that if left unchecked, will turn into habits and become natural ways of being.

However, the fruit of the Spirit is altogether different. I don't have to "work" to acquire the fruit Paul is talking about in verse 22. I just need to abide... Jesus tells us in the book of John to abide in Him:

Joh 15:3-4 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

When we are in the flesh we are working toward evil but when we are in the Spirit we become bearers of fruit. Spiritual fruit... So fruit bearing is not about works. It is not about doing the right thing for Jesus. It isn't even about being good. It is about abiding in Jesus and allowing His fruit to be produced in your life.

Have you ever gone to an orchard to pick fruit? One thing I have noticed is there is generally more fruit than there are people to pick it. It is all over the tree, dropped on the ground, and fills basket after basket. And so should it be with you and me. I pray that as we abide in Jesus that our fruit will be so abundant that it will overflow to many.

When it comes to the battle of works of the flesh vs. fruit of the Spirit there is one thing to remember...

fruit wins.

Back At It? Maybe...

2012-01-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

After a bit of a gap in posts I have made the commitment to keep at it. I have recently been in a "writing funk." I have been in a period of just reading the Word and listening to God speak many things in my life through it, but haven't had a whole lot to say...

Maybe the next couple of weeks and months I will be inspired to sit down and write a bit more, but until then I will just write as the Spirit leads and if there is no prompting to say much, then I will remain silent.

There has been so much joy in writing this blog over the past several years and I am excited to see where it goes. The desire is there. The ideas are there. I just get tripped up when I sit down to write and feel like I am falling over my words... not sure if that makes sense!

Feel free to browse around and read through some of my older posts.

Blessings,
Keith

Revolution In World Missions

2011-10-04T13:23:00.001-07:00

America… the land of the free and the home of the most wealthiest people on the planet. Even amongst the Christian population, there is more wealth here than in the entire under developed countries in the rest of the world combined. What feeds a family of four for one dinner in the typical American household is more food than an impoverished village family sees in more than a week.

And when it comes to the knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel, we are filled to the brim. We have access to Jesus 24/7 via the internet, podcasts, church services, and Christian radio… But is it making a difference?

I am currently reading the book “Revolution In World Missions” written by K.P. Yohannan. Today I want to share just a snippet from this amazing perspective of world evangelism from a man who understands poverty and the transforming power of the Gospel.

He writes,

If the affluence of America impressed me, the affluence of
Christians impressed me even more. The United States has
about 5,000 Christian book and gift stores, carrying varieties
of products beyond my ability to imagine—and many secular
stores also carry religious books. All this while 4,845 of the
world’s 6,912 languages are still without a single portion of the
Bible published in their own language! In his book My Billion
Bible Dream, Rochunga Pudaite says, “Eighty-five percent of all
Bibles printed today are in English for the nine percent of the
world who read English. Eighty percent of the world’s people
have never owned a Bible while Americans have an average of
four in every household.”

Besides books, 8,000 Christian magazines and newspapers
flourish. More than 1,600 Christian radio stations broadcast
the Gospel full-time,5 while many countries don’t even have
their first Christian radio station. A tiny 0.1 percent of all
Christian radio and television programming is directed toward
the unevangelized world.

The saddest observation I can make about most of the religious
communication activity of the Western world is this: Little,
if any, of this media is designed to reach unbelievers. Almost all
is entertainment for the saints.
The United States, with its 600,000 congregations or groups,
is blessed with 1.5 million full-time Christian workers, or one
full-time religious leader for every 182 people in the nation.

What a difference this is from the rest of the world, where more
than 2 billion people are still unreached with the Gospel. The
unreached or “hidden peoples” have only one missionary working
for every 78,000 people, and there are still 1,240 distinct
cultural groups in the world without a single church among
them to preach the Gospel. These are the masses for whom
Christ wept and died.

I encourage you read this book. Audio (MP3) and print (pdf) versions of this book are available for free @ http://www.gfa.org/resource/books/revolution/

I believe that when we come to the realization that our wealth in the western world could and should be used for proclaiming the Gospel message to the world, then and only then will we experience true and lasting change. Not only in our own lives but in the lives of every person that walks this planet.

May you be blessed today as you proclaim His name.
Keith

Village2Village Project - Sam and Ester

2011-09-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Back just a couple short years ago I shared a story of three young children in a post on my personal photo blog. It was the story of a young girl caring for her two starving siblings in Uganda. The compassion little Jane had towards her brother and sister was beyond anything I have ever seen from such a young person.

Recently their story has been on my mind and I decided to follow up and see how little Sam and Esther were doing. Before I discuss the most recent update, I would like to share the two videos that touched not only my life, but the tens of thousands around the globe who have been able to experience such a thing due to the advances in technology.

For those of you who missed the original video that I first encountered 2 1/2 years ago, I would encourage you to watch it.

And the follow up video a year later is quite encouraging as well.

So now the update:
Here is a quote from the Village2Village Project website:

Sam and Esther continue to be well cared for and receive physical therapy twice a week and a specialized diet. Recently, Sam was thrilled to try standing! They remain very weak, though, and require tender care in the House of Love in Kampala where they live with two loving staff, their sister Jane and two other children.

Children like Sam, Esther, and Jane are just a small glimpse into the lives of millions of children and adults around the globe who go every day without clean water and adequate food supplies. I know that the problem seems insurmountable at times, but there is always hope when you put your faith in the Creator of the universe.

What can you do to help today? Is God calling you to sell all you have and give to the poor? Is he calling you to give up a cup of Starbucks each day and send a little bit of money each month to help someone who can't even get a cup of clean water? Or maybe he is calling you to mentor a child in your own community or walk through your neighborhood and tell about the transforming power of Jesus. Maybe he is even calling you to leave the comforts of the States and travel half way around the world and serve... Only you know what He is calling you to do.

Whatever it is, are you willing to trust and obey? Give whatever it takes to follow Him?

I pray today that the story of Sam and Esther penetrate your soul so deeply it moves you to action. I pray that you, me, and the million of Americans who have so much can begin to sell all that we own and be willing vessels to help those who need not only their physical needs cared for such as food, medical care, and water, but to show them their need to know Jesus as well.

Blessings,
Keith

Verse Of The Day...

2011-09-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out our Verse Of The Day yet?

You can have each day's Bible verse, daily thought, and prayer sent right to your email...

http://www.dailyinchrist.net/dailybible/

Come on by and check it out!

Blessings,
Keith

WWJD...

2011-09-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

WWJD - What Would Jesus Do?

If you have been a Christian for awhile you will instantly know what this acronym stands for. These four words became such a part of the Christian culture that I believe they have almost lost their punch. But as simple as this question is, it packs a plethora of truth.

1Cor 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

What would Jesus do? Do you still ask yourself that question every moment of every day? If we are called to imitate Jesus then we surely must know what He would do in any given situation shouldn't we?

Thankfully we were given a helper to guide us. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to tickle our minds in situations where it is imperative to know how to respond like the Savior. Now listening to Him is another story altogether.

So today I ask... WWJD?

I hope you will ask the same...

Blessings,
Keith

Whoever Practices Righteousness is Righteous

2011-08-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

1John 3:6-7 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

The word of God is full of wisdom. In this verse I think it is pretty simple to understand the first part from verse 6. If I keep walking in a lifestyle of sin and satisfying the flesh then I probably don't know God. But what does it look like to "practice righteousness?" Matt 6 tells us not to practice righteousness before men, so it appears that it is something we do in private. Isaiah 64 tells us our righteousness is as filthy rags. Therefore, it looks as though we ourselves can not produce our own righteousness.

Righteousness starts at the cross of Jesus Christ. 1Cor 1:30 tells us that Jesus Christ is our righteousness. In Him we receive our righteousness. We can not earn it, buy it, or borrow it from someone else.

The practice of righteousness begins and ends with me making a decision to live in Christ. To walk by faith in Jesus with the understanding that He is my everything. Spending time in the Word and in prayer, falling in love with the Maker of the universe. Practicing righteousness means accepting, walking in, and loving the Savior Jesus Christ. It also means that we put away the practice of sinning and repent from our ways of the flesh.

Are you practicing righteousness today?

Blessings,
Keith

Verse Of The Day...

2011-07-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Daily In Christ Devotionals has created a great new part of the site:

Daily In Christ - Verse Of The Day

I would love for you to join me every day as I select a verse God has laid on my heart and share a daily thought as well.

To subscribe to Daily In Christ - Verse Of The Day
simply click on the envelope:

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Come To Me All Who Labor...

2011-07-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Mat 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

When it comes to verses in the Bible that bring comfort, for me, this one has to be near the top of the list. As I read again through the Gospels, I am encouraged by the love, instruction, gentleness, and comfort we receive from our Savior.

In the next series of posts, my desire is to look closely at these three verses in the book of Matthew. I am looking to discover what the Lord would have for you and me. As I read these verses, I often just scratch the surface. But this time, I want to swim a little lower. I want to dive into deeper water and see if there is more to these verses than meets the eye.

Blessings,
Keith

What If... I Didn't Blame Anybody Else?

2011-06-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Alright, we all have done it. The boss shows up to work and questions why you did a certain thing. Your first response is, "well, because so-and-so did this or that!" You are at school and your teacher questions why your homework isn't turned in... well, the dog ate it of course. Or worse yet, your husband questions you about a text you received on your phone from another guy and you're scrambling for an excuse.

One of the things I have noticed being around and discussing life issues with teens and young adults is the increase of the phrase, "It's not my fault."

What if I decided today was the day I started taking responsibility for my actions? What if today I decided to delight in God first and seek Him for all that I am so I don't have to be defensive and make excuses? What if I was faithful to do the right thing so I never had to cover my tracks.

What if...

Blessings,
Keith

Do Not Neglect To Show Hospitality...

2011-06-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Heb 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Confession time...

In the course of life we often encounter opportunities to serve others and blow past them due to our busy schedules, blindness to the situation, or just plain old selfishness. Yesterday was one of those days for me.

I had been riding on a passenger train for about 4 hours. While I was on the train I was enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The Olympic Mountain range with its snow capped peaks and the calm water of the Puget Sound set the stage for a great trip. The train was packed full of passengers. My seat assignment was next to, let's just say, a rather large man. Across the table from us was his wife and small child. I was planning on doing some computer work while on the train and due to my cramped quarters I was unable to move, let alone whip out my laptop and write.

Being a railroad employee helps tremendously in these types of circumstances. I walked up to the train conductor and told her my plight. She was more than accommodating and gave me a seat with my own table in a car that was virtually empty... Kudos to the conductor for that one.

I spent my almost 4 hour trip reading God's Word and working on building a website I have been developing for some time. I prayed, ate a snack or two, and caught up on some loose ends. It was a great trip home.

As I approached the busy train station I called ahead to have my ride ready and waiting for me as I disembarked. Sure as clockwork, the ride was there. Oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the other passengers as they greeted loved ones with hugs and kisses, I was in full speed heading to my ride. I had somewhere to go and if you stopped in front of me you would probably get ran over.

Just as I approached the curb I was greeted by a disheveled city resident. He had probably not been showered in quite some time and was missing several teeth. He held out his hand toward me and explained that he was a veteran. In his hand was a tattered veterans card with his picture on it. He asked me for a dollar. Now here is the confession...

I would love to say that I was Jesus at that moment. That I looked him in the eyes and felt his aching heart. That I understood his struggles as he lived as a beggar on the streets. And then offered to pray for him and give him the dollar he was asking for. But that didn't happen.

I did look him in the eye however. Not to understand his heart, but to express my inability to offer any hope. I answered his request with a quick, "Sorry man, can't help you" and ran off to my ride. As I sat in the van in my 10 minute ride to my final destination I began to think about what just happened. Did I just miss an opportunity to entertain an angel? Did I do what Jesus would have done? What a selfish person I discovered I was.

As I discussed this situation later that night with my wife an image came to my mind. I visualized this disheveled homeless guy walking up to Jesus and asking for a dollar. And as Jesus was about to show him His love and compassion, I jumped in front of Jesus and basically said, "Sorry, can't help you. You will need to get it from someone else"

Oh how we can be so lost in our own selfishness. Would it have changed a thing if I had spent even one minute with this guy? It wouldn't have changed my getting home in time for dinner, but it may have changed his life for eternity.

Lord, forgive me for times like this when I am so caught up in my own thoughts and desires that I forget about those you place in my life that I can help. I am your hands extended and I pray Lord that you will give me another chance to show your love and grace to a stranger.

Blessings to you as you draw closer to him today.

Keith

Heal Me - Aaron Jeoffrey

2011-06-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

A great video and message:

Heal Me - Aaron Jeoffrey

May you be blessed by this message today.

Keith

Salvation Sunday: Is Today Your Day?

2011-06-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

Today is a great day to give your life to Jesus! This is a testimony from Lecrae. It speaks to the heart of God and how He can transform a boy from the streets into a man of God.

If you are in need of a loving relationship with God, feel free to contact Daily In Christ for more information.

Bless you,
Keith

What If... I Didn't Compare Myself To Others?

2011-06-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

What if... I didn't compare myself to others?

Have you ever compared yourself with someones else? I am sure I can answer that one for you... of course you have! We all do it. What happens when we live a life of comparison rather than a life of satisfaction in who God made us to be?

Here are just a few reasons why we shouldn't compare ourselves to others:

Comparing to others causes a life of discontent and unhappiness.
Comparing ourselves to others makes us jealous and envious of their belongings or accomplishments.
Comparing ourselves to others can cause resentment and bitterness.
Comparing ourselves to others often causes stress and frustration.

So what if you were content in who God made you to be? What if you decided to forget about what was going on in others lives and thank Jesus for the things He has done for you? What if you found your pleasure simply knowing you are made in the image of God?

What if...

What If... Hell Is Real?

2011-06-05T21:09:00.001-07:00

Have you ever just sat down on a bright sunny day and reflected on the things of life that matter but rarely get thought about? One of the subjects that rattles through my mind on occasion is this very question...

What if... hell is real?

There are a lot of emerging beliefs these days and many of them center around this very topic. So what if? What if hell is real? What if what the scriptures have to say about eternity apart from God is absolutely true. Sure, we take what is written in the Bible on a measure of faith, but isn't that how we form any of our world views?

So back to the question... What if hell is real? Would it change how you relate to God? Would it change how you interact with others? Would you even give it a second of consideration? What if...

Have you ever considered the alternative to life apart from God? Does the thought of eternal life in Heaven experiencing pure joy in the midst of the loving Savior excite your heart? Are you in need of spiritual strength and forgiveness? If so, I encourage you to visit http://greatchristianstuff.com/salvation.html

For more on this topic feel free to visit CARM @ http://carm.org/hell

I pray that you will be blessed today as you look to Jesus for your salvation.

Blessings,
Keith

I Have Been Crucified With Christ - Part Four

2011-06-05T10:08:00.001-07:00

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I have been discovering over the past several days what being crucified with Christ means for a born again believer. It isn’t a physical death and resurrection, but a spiritual death and rebirth. Being crucified with Christ is to die to the law. To die to sin. And to die to the desires of my flesh.

In the next part of the verse I am encouraged by knowing that Christ lives in me. I no longer live by my old standards and desires, but I live differently because of the indwelling of Christ. I am a renewed person in the likeness of God and I now pursue holiness and conformity with Jesus.

In my last post I saw what it means to live by faith in the Son of God. Faith is defined as complete trust or confidence in someone or something. When we live by faith in Jesus we are putting our complete trust in Him and who He is. No longer living in the flesh. Making a choice to live by faith in the Son of God changes us. I seek a life that looks more like His.

Today I am considering the final part of this verse:

who loved me and gave himself for me.

This verse, Gal 2:20, was one I memorized early on in my Christian walk. I have probably said it over and over at least one thousand times. And as I would say it, I never grasped the true meaning of and magnitude of what is packed into it. Until recently…

As I meditate on this final portion of the verse I am overwhelmed by the Love of God for me. I know for myself, the love of God is something I have taken for granted often. I believe the reason for this is that I really don’t grasp the severity of my sin before Him. Because of the Grace of God, killing sin doesn’t always take shape the way it should. So in this last post on Gal 2:20 I want to spend a little time understanding why this last phrase, “who loved me and gave himself for me,” has so much significance.

Rom 5:10 tells us: For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

While we were enemies… The first reason I find this last part of verse 20 in Galatians so significant is that Christ died for me as an enemy. Do you remember what Jesus says in Matt 5:44? He says to love your enemies. This verse shows me that Jesus doesn’t only teach the things of God, but actually fleshed them out for you and for me. While we were enemies of God He took the punishment on the cross for our disobedience. He paid the ultimate price so I could live free in Him. How amazing is that? He gave himself up for me. Not a group of people, not the whole world (which he did), but for me as an individual. I was on His mind while He was on the cross.

Secondly, I am in awe of the fact that the creator of the universe loved me. Not because of anything I have done or will do. Just because He loves me. Eph 1:4-5 says before the foundation of the world he chose me because of His love. When I try to wrap my mind around that one I can only be amazed.

In summary, God loved me before the foundation of the world. And in that great love for me, He sent Jesus to live a perfect life and die on the cross taking the punishment I deserve. John: 15:13 tells us that no greater love is this, than one would lay his life down for his friend. What about laying your life down for your enemies? That is what Jesus did for me… and you!

Blessings,
Keith

Part one

Part two

Part three

I Have Been Crucified With Christ - Part Three

2011-06-04T09:05:00.001-07:00

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.

I have been crucified with Christ… I have been writing over the last several blog posts about what it means to be crucified with Christ. How we, as Christians, can begin to learn how to no longer live our own way of life, but to live knowing that Christ lives in us.

In this passage in Galatians I find it interesting that Paul states that he "no longer lives," and then in the next sentence says that "he now lives." This may appear as a paradox, but is clearly a true definition of what he means when he says in 2Cor 5:17; therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

When we give our lives to Christ we crucify our old life of sin. We actually die to sin and are no longer bound by the law (Gal 2:19) and our inability to keep it. We have been raised up with Christ and now live a new life in him. Jesus says in John 15:5, apart from me you can do nothing.

Paul wants us to know that Christ is the source for all we have. He has taken residence in us and we in Him. Certainly we still have to live in our flesh. We still possess a body, but in that body we no longer live by the way the flesh used to lead us. We now live our life by the faith that He produces in us. (Heb 12:2) Jesus is the founder and the perfecter of our faith.

Living by faith means moment by moment looking to Jesus for our strength, trusting Him for direction, and believing in His Grace. In addition to looking to Jesus in faith for wisdom and strength, we are living more like Him as well. In 2Cor 5:15, Paul says we no longer live to ourselves, but to Him who died for us.

Many of us claim to be followers of Christ. We go to church on Sunday and try hard to be good. That can be a good thing, but Paul is not talking about being good or going to church. Paul is talking about a completely transformed life. He is talking about us having the attributes of Christ and living accordingly.

So if my life is crucified in Him and I am no longer governed by my flesh, and I live in Him by faith, what should my life now look like? Here are some things I need to consider to see if I am really living by faith in Him.

Jesus is loving, even to the point of dying for those who were His enemies. Am I willing to die to my selfish desires in love for those I encounter?
Jesus is humble and patient. Do I express humility in everything I do?
Jesus is gentle, meek, and kind. How am I doing in this area? Am I filled with the Love and Kindness of Jesus?
Jesus is prayerful. Being like Jesus requires me to be in constant contact with the Father.
Jesus is sinless. As I live by faith in Him and experience His grace, I too will be less capable of sin. When my desires and thoughts are in constant alignment with His, sin is an abomination.
Jesus cares for others. Living like Jesus means that I no longer look out for myself only. I look to Him for guidance and use my resources to help those in need.

Being crucified with Christ isn’t about being saved from hell. It isn’t fulfilled by going to church once a week and living like a chameleon in the world the rest of the week. Being crucified with Christ and living our new life by faith in Him is about becoming Jesus to the world. It is about us loving, trusting, and depending on Him so greatly that we begin to look more and more like Him every day.

My prayer today is that we, as Christians, stop trying to be good. We stop trying to accumulate possessions. We stop looking to our own needs first. And we start looking like, acting like, and being like Jesus.

Blessings,
Keith

I Have Been Crucified With Christ - Part Two

2011-05-31T03:43:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

In part one of I have been crucified with Christ I discussed what it means to be crucified with Christ. I was able to see that being crucified with Christ meant that I am to die to myself. That I am to die to the desires of my flesh and the bondage of sin. That Jesus paid for it on the cross and that in doing so I was there on his mind with him.

In this post I want to see what Paul means when he says “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Just as Jesus was resurrected from the dead, I too am resurrected and now live a new life. Paul tells us in this verse that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. We were designed to be a dwelling-place of the spirit of God. God didn't create man to live on his own. We were created to be in fellowship with him. However, sin has broken that fellowship and caused man to live separate from God. When we are in Christ, we are a new creation, our old life has passed away and our new life has come.

So what is this new life in Christ that Paul is telling us to live? I think if we look at Colossians chapter three we might see a little bit more clearly what he is saying. Col 3:1-2 says that if we have been raised with Christ, then we will seek the things above. He says we are to set our mind on things above.

The key for us to “set our mind on the things above” is to come to an understanding of who lives in us. Paul says it is no longer I who live. So what does that mean? I am sure we can understand that Paul is not talking about his natural being. Rather, he is speaking of our spiritual being, the life we live in faith in Jesus Christ.

Christ living in us can seem quite mysterious. When we have found our new life in Christ, and He dwells in our heart, we begin to live different than those who don't know Christ. The way we think, the way we believe, and the way we act, begins to look more and more like Him.

So, when Paul says it is no longer I who live, I believe he is saying that the life he lives conforms to the life of Christ because of who he has now become, a new creation.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. When we begin to grasp the magnitude of that statement we must change the way we live. 1John 1:6 says that if we have fellowship with God but go on living in darkness that we are liars and we do not practice the truth. We are liars... We claim to be something we are not. We pretend to be a Christian all the while living in darkness and living to satisfy our own desires. That is what John is saying if we do not practice the truth.

Who lives in you today? Have you been crucified with Christ? Do you claim to have fellowship with God but still live like the rest of the world? Are you seeking after the things that bring simple pleasure rather than seeking after the things that bring pleasure to Christ?

Eph 4:22-24 tell us to put off our old self which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

“It is no longer I who lives” means that I now live with Christ in me as a renewed person in the likeness of God, pursuing righteousness and holiness.

Does Christ live in you today? If he does, do your desires conform with his?

Lord Jesus, help me to understand what it means to have you living inside of me. Help me not to live my old ways but to live in such a way that brings Glory and honor and praise to you alone. Lord, I know you live in me and the life that I live now I want to live in you.

May the Lord bless you today as you live in Him.

Blessings,
Keith

I Have Been Crucified With Christ - Part One

2011-05-30T12:27:00.001-07:00

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ.

mp3 audio file

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have taken on the joyful task of spending a few blog posts on Gal 2:20. I feel this will be a benefit to me (and you) for several reasons. First, it will give me a clear understanding of what Paul is speaking to the Galatians regarding their position in Christ and what it truly means to be "crucified." Second, I will begin to grasp in a deeper way what it means to live for Christ. Third, I believe this verse exhorts us to truly live by faith. And fourth, I see where it gives me a reason for my faith... because He loved me.
So, today I begin with the first part of the verse. "I have been crucified with Christ."
The way Paul begins this verse has significance. The word "I" seems fairly important. He states, "I have been crucified" rather than "we." This gives me the assurance that I am known by God personally. Not just collectively as in a large group of people, but as an individual. My mind tries often to comprehend what that means. Sometimes I visualize God as a King or an Emperor. I see Him looking out over a huge city filled with lots of people. Each one is unnamed. This perception is so not how God is. He is intimate with all of us. Visualize if you will the same King sitting on His throne looking out over the people, and at the same time, like a wind blowing amongst them, knowing each one by name.
Christ didn't die on the cross for a group of people. He died for individuals. You and me. He knows each one of us by name. He knows the color of our hair and how many we have. He designed our minds to operate in a certain way. He chose the color of our skin, who our parents would be, and why we may dislike lima beans. God knows each one of us intimately and He was crucified not for a group of unnamed people, but for individuals. For you and for me.
Having been crucified with Christ causes me to ask a few questions. What does it mean for me to be crucified? What did I put to death when I was crucified with Christ? And what is meant by "have been?"
Let me first ponder the "have been" part. I think of a couple of things pertaining to this. First, it could mean that when I made a decision to fully follow Christ I was crucified with Him. Or maybe it means that when He was on the cross taking the punishment for my sin, I was crucified there with Him.
I am inclined to go with the latter. Paul tells us in Ephesians that He knew us before the foundation of the world. God chose us before the foundation of the world, so I am thinking that "have been" means that I was crucified with Christ the day He gave His life for me on the tree. I was on His mind that day. He didn't die in hopes that maybe one day I would accept His free gift. He died knowing I was already His. What a comfort that is.
What does it mean for you and me to be crucified? We know that Paul didn't hang on the tree with Christ. The only two people on Biblical record who were crucified with Christ were the thieves on the cross. So what is Paul explaining to us when he says “I was crucified with Christ?” I think if we look at Romans chapter six we get a little bit more understanding of what the true meaning of us being crucified is. Rom 6:6 tells us that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Being crucified with Christ means that we're dead to sin and we're dead to the law. Our old man has died. Sin no longer has dominion over us. Just as Christ defeated the power of sin, we too no longer allow sin power over us.
So when I read the beginning of Gal 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ," I realize that Christ didn't die for a group of unnamed people, but he died for me as an individual. I was on his mind while he was on the cross. And that my victory over sin and the law occurred before I was ever born. Paul tells us in Gal 5:24 that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Therefore we are to work daily at destroying the power and influence of sin and our life. If we are to live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit.
So my prayer for you and me today is that we will become dead to the law and to sin, and begin walking in the grace that God has given us through Christ Jesus. Jesus tells us in Luke chapter nine that anyone who would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Are you willing to be crucified? Are you willing to be dead to the desires of your flesh? Are you willing to live for Christ and offer yourself a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God? Picking up your cross daily needs to be an intentional act of our will. It doesn't happen simply by accident. In order to make your life a living sacrifice, you need to desire the things of God and not the things of the world. One must fall in love with Jesus and desire Him more than anything else. To do that you must get to know Him by reading His word, praying, and spending time with Him. Are you willing to do that?
Lord Jesus I pray that you'll help me understand what it truly means to be crucified with you. To give up my fleshly desires. To live for you alone. You took my sin on the cross so that I didn't have to, and I know that I could never repay you. So, today I offer up my life to you.
May the Lord bless you today as you offer your life to him.
Blessings,
Keith
For a direct link to save audio file right click here and "save as."

What Are You Willing To Trade?

2011-05-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this video at church last week. I hope it speaks to where you are at today.

I Have Been Crucified With Christ

2011-05-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have been reading this verse often over the past couple of weeks. The more I contemplate my relationship with Christ the more I keep coming back to this verse. Over the next several blog posts I am going to break this verse down and write about what I believe God is speaking to me through it.

Often I read a verse in the Bible and trample over it so quickly I miss the weightiness of it. This is one of those verses. Please join me as we study this verse together.

I would love for you to share your thoughts with me as well. Leave me a comment and tell me what this verse means to you.

Blessings,
Keith

I Can Never Mess Up Too Bad For God...

2011-05-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

I spent about an hour tonight talking to a young man about his addictions. He is a college student and his major is theology and Biblical studies. For almost five years he was addicted to numerous substances and late last year he achieved victory over his addiction. Since that time he has enjoyed great fellowship with Jesus and the love and grace of God like never before. Until tonight...

You see, my friend used again today. He walked back into a life that he thought he had control over but unfortunately, it still has control over him. Addiction is a funny thing. Not funny - ha, ha. Funny strange. One moment you feel like a victor, the next you become a slave. (2Pet 2:19)

One major result he discovered today from using again was the absence of peace. He truly felt that God had abandoned him and that he lost his faith. I prayed with my friend, encouraged him to make a plan, and tried to show him that God will never abandon us. Even when we mess up!

How are you doing today? Do you feel like you have messed up so bad that God has abandoned you? Have you lost your sense of peace? Do you need to be reminded that Jesus loves you even in your mess ups?

I know I feel this way sometimes and it is great to go to the Word and be reminded of who we are in Christ.

God chose me from the beginning. Even before the foundation I was secure in Him as an adopted child: Eph 1:4-6
Even in my sinful state He loved me: Eph 2:4-5; Rom 5:8
I am His sheep. I hear His voice and I will never perish. Nothing can separate me from the Love of God. Not even my own sin: John 10:27-30; Rom 8:35-39
My justification comes by faith and not by works of the law. Even when I sin I am still saved and will not be lost: Eph 2:8-9; Rom 5:16-17
Even in my struggles God has intended it for my good and His glory. There is no scheme the devil can bring into my path that God has not meant for good: Gen 50:20; Rom 8:27-28

After much prayer, scripture reading, and asking of forgiveness my friend began to feel the peace and presence of God again. He was able to realize that God is the God of second chances. That this slip up was not going to keep him out of the Kingdom of Light and that he was able to feel the forgiveness of the Lord.

If you are struggling with sin in your life and have lost His peace I encourage you to read through the verses above and pray. Ask the Lord to forgive you for your mess ups and I assure you by His Word He will.

If you are feeling peace in your heart and are strong in the Lord then encourage a brother or sister in the Lord who is struggling. Pray and ask God to place on your heart someone close to you that you can call or visit and encourage them today.

God isn't surprised when we mess up. He loves us and will always be there to cleanse us from our sin and purify us in His righteousness.

Blessings,
Keith

Love You Neighbor... Lend A Hand

2011-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

I was in a hurry. Like many days, I was limited on the amount of time I had available to me for the day and my tasks exceeded my hours. Make a list of to do's... check! Map out course...check! Start movin...check!

Well, I got running around in my truck going from place to place and I had about 15 minutes to get to an appointment. "Right on time," I thought to myself as I walked to my truck sipping on a fresh cup of Starbucks coffee. When I got in the vehicle and turned the key the dreaded sound occurred right before my eyes... click! Click - click - click!

Oh my goodness, a dead battery. This isn't supposed to happen. Today is supposed to go as planned. I have many items on my task list and being stranded in a parking lot was not one of them. I raised the hood and inspected the battery. July 2005... oh my, it is old. Thankfully I was next to a store that sells batteries so I walked over to the automotive section and dropped 134 big ones. OUCH!

Problem solved. I just need to go out, install the new battery and off I will go. A few minutes and one bloody knuckle is all it took. Presto. I put the key in the ignition and... you guessed it, click - click - click!

As I stood there perplexed I was greeted by a very kind 5 year old being pushed in a stroller.

"What is wrong?" he asked.
"My truck wont start," I answered.
Then came the proverbial question from every 5 year old. "Why not?"

I informed him that I didn't know why but I was going to figure it out. As the stroller continued to pass me by, the pusher, a man in his late 50's, made it quite clear that he was going to have nothing to do with me.

"If you can't get it fixed we can help you," said the child.
And out of the blue came the response from the stroller motor... "No we can't!"

Well, if we could all be like this 5 year old child. "If you can't make it, I will help you" was the message I took from this situation. How often do we reach out to others who are stranded and without Christ in their life? Do I take the time to encourage a struggling brother or sister or am I like the guy pushing the stroller? A dead battery may delay you for a few hours, but a dead soul will cause you to face eternity outside of the presence of the God of the universe. And eternity is a very long time.

I finally got the truck running after 2 1/2 hours and in that time two people offered me assistance. I decided that God was showing me something. He allowed me to discover at least three things in this event.

God places people in our path at the right time to help us out.
If the Lord wills it, today I will do this thing or that. (Jam 4:14-15)
There is always time to help others in need.

I hope when you encounter a stranded soul you rise to the challenge. Whether it be a dead battery, a marriage crisis, or a lost soul. There is always time to lend a hand.

Blessings,
Keith

The Hope Of The World - Jesus!

2011-05-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

Often I read the Old Testament and just skim over many of the pages. It feels like an arduous task to read who beget who and so and so is the son of this guy etc... The black words just seem to blend into their vanilla canvas and I become distracted as I read. However, in the book of Isaiah there is so much to try to understand it is difficult to just skim the pages.

This morning I read through my verses in chapters 52 and 53. As I was reading I was encouraged to stop and go through some of the notes and key themes of this awesome book.

Here is just one of the key themes from the book of Isaiah. It is well worth your reading of each verse and see how it points to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

The only hope of the world is bound up in one man—the promised Davidic king:

Isa 4:2
Isa 7:14
Isa 9:2-7
Isa 11:1-10

The servant of the Lord

Isa 42:1-9
Isa 49:1-13
Isa 50: 4-9
Isa 52:13-53:12

The anointed preacher of the gospel

Isa 61:1-3

And the lone victor over all evil

Isa 63:1-6

Isaiah 53 1-11

Isa 53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
Isa 53:9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (ESV)

* All notes and references come from the ESV Study Bible

To study the Bible online go to: http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/esv-study-bible/

Have a blessed day as you draw closer to Christ.
Keith