Inadequate ... Yet Adequate (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Wow. I don’t know about you, but there are sometimes (many times) when I read the Bible, and I think, “There’s no way I can do this. I’m just too weak (or prideful or stubborn or weary).” I read today’s verses, and I think, “There’s no way I can do this. I’m just too inadequate.”

I mean really. Read those verses again. Peter exhorts us to moral excellence. To knowledge. To self-control … perseverance … godliness … brotherly kindness … love.

Oh my goodness. Seriously? Now, there are a couple of these attributes that I pray I manifest regularly. I pray I’m kind to my brothers and sisters. I genuinely love others. I strive to grow in knowledge of my Lord. But self-control? Moral excellence? Perseverance?

I really am inadequate. But guess what? I don’t have to do this on my own. The Holy Spirit is in me to help me. When I struggle with impatience, I can ask for patience. When I’m tempted to sin, I can ask for the strength to withstand that temptation. When I just want to give up, I can ask for stamina to accomplish what God has called me to do.

Yes, the Bible often convicts me, and I often feel I’m incapable. And I am. On my own, that is. Praise my Lord God, I’m not alone.

And neither are you.

Foolishness ... (Galatians 3:1-4)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 3:1-4

I’ve probably written this before, but I love how Paul gets to the heart of the matter … and doesn’t mince words.

The Christians in Galatia had been “bewitched.” Many of them had actually seen Jesus crucified, yet they’d fallen prey to false teaching. Works, they were told, “perfected” their faith. They were taught that they received the Spirit through works, not faith. And Paul called them “foolish.”

And rightfully so. Jesus Himself made it clear. Eternal salvation comes through the His own sacrificial death (John 3:16). The Father, part of the triune God, gives each of His followers the Spirit—also part of the triune God (Luke11:13), and it is through the Spirit we are reborn (John 3:6).The Spirit gives life (John 6:63) and dwells in us (John 14:17). He teaches us truth (John 14:26).

Jesus didn’t even mention “works.” But somehow, some in the early church decided that what Christians did was more important than who they were in Christ. Works were more important than faith.

It was foolish then. And it’s foolish now. 

The Things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:14-16

Sometimes—oftentimes—I look at what’s happening in this world, and I think Christ’s return must be imminent. How can God linger a whole lot longer?

So much corruption. So much perversion. So much selfishness.

Everyone is out for himself, and it doesn’t matter who gets hurt as long as he gets what he wants. Yes, there’s all kinds of talk about tolerance, but it seems like most people only tolerate those who are just like them.

No one wants to listen to a truth that requires sacrifice or service. No one wants to “accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him …” And those of us who do accept such things are fools, in the world’s eyes.

My heart breaks when I hear such disregard for faith and truth. And if I “have the mind of Christ” because of my faith in Him, then what must He feel? How His heart must break even more than mine does.

I don’t know how long it will be until Christ returns to finally put an end to sin and its destruction, but I pray it will be soon.

Illumination (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

When I started my ministry almost 10 years ago, I wrote the following statement of faith:

~š I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—one God in three Persons.
~š I believe that God the Father created heavens and earth and all that’s in them; that God the Son—Jesus—died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and rose three days later; and that God the Holy Spirit dwells within each one who accepts the free gift of salvation and eternal life.
~š I believe that salvation comes only through the belief in and acceptance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
~ I believe the Bible is God’s word given to us through the pens of men. It is inerrant in its original text and is God’s truth.
~š I believe that those who choose to follow Jesus will spend eternity with Him in heaven, and those who do not will spend eternal life separated from Him.
š~ I believe we are to grow in our faith through continued study and meditation on God’s word.
~š I believe that God has uniquely gifted each of His children, and that we are to use those gifts to serve and glorify Him, serve each other, and ultimately grow His kingdom.

The very first statement deals with a concept called the “Trinity,” and one Person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit who indwells each of us who has accepted the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God the Son.

It is the Holy Spirit who illuminates the Scriptures for us. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand biblical truth. And it is the Holy Spirit who reveals the wisdom of God, “combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”

If you want to understand the Bible and its truths, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal that truth to you. Ask, as Samuel did, centuries ago, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant is listening …” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Never Alone (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14

I'm not exactly certain what happened, but I got a bit ahead of myself yesterday and focused on a few verses out of chronological order. I guess I needed what should have been today's verses yesterday ... and what should have been yesterday's verses today.

The verses we're looking at today do speak to my heart ... today.

Do you ever feel lonely?

I sometimes do. With my family spread throughout the U.S., with my friends busy with their own lives, with my spending so much time working from home … sometimes, I feel quite alone.

But then I remember, I’m never really alone. Never. I’m God’s beloved daughter, “sealed … with the Holy Spirit of promise …”

My trusty commentary says:

… the Holy Spirit, which is promised to them who believe on Christ Jesus, was given to you, and thus you were ascertained to be the children of God, for God has no child who is not a partaker of the Holy Ghost, and he who has this Spirit has God's seal that he belongs to the heavenly family. (The Adam Clarke Commentary)

I am part of God’s family, and the Holy Spirit is within me.

Thank You, Lord God, for the reminder that I’m never alone. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for living in me.