The Law Fulfilled (Galatians 2:19-21)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 2:19-21

These are familiar verses to many of us, and sometimes, when we’ve heard something over and over, we tend to overlook the importance of words.

Jesus fulfilled the Law. Before His death and resurrection, redemption came through adherence to the Law and a blood sacrifice. But Jesus’ payment of the penalty for our sin made certain aspects of the Law unnecessary. Ritual cleanliness. Circumcision. A perfect lamb’s spilled blood.

No longer does our righteousness come through the Law. We die to our sin. We die to the Law. And we live to God. But remember: It’s not we who live. It’s Christ living in us. Our faith in God gives us a heart to serve Him. Not because we’re trying to keep a bunch of rules and regulations. But because we want to please Him. We want to delight Him.

But don’t pass over that last verse. Sometimes we still feel we have to tow the line. If we give our tithe, if we serve at the homeless shelter, if we help our neighbor, we’ll sometimes be more righteous in the Father’s eyes. If that were the case, however, “then Christ died needlessly.”

Oh, my friend. What a tragic thought. Jesus suffered excruciating pain and torment needlessly? He died an agonizing death needlessly?

No. On the contrary, His suffering and death gave us a way to the Father apart from the Law. And when we strive to be righteous by what we do, we’re negating our Messiah’s sacrifice.

In the words of Paul, may it never be!

The Works of His Hands (Psalm 111:6-8)

Today's scriptures: Psalm 111:6-8

“The works of His hands are verity …”

Verity isn’t a word we use much these days, but it has rich meaning:

“the quality or state of being true or real”
“a fundamental and inevitably true value”
“the quality or state of being truthful or honest”

God is truth. He is real. He has infinite value.

“The works of His hands are … justice … “

God is just. He is holy and righteous. 

He inspired a written account of His precepts, His commandments, His assurances, His encouragements. His word, the Holy Bible, is “trust and righteousness,” and it will “stand fast forever and ever.”

Do you know this God? Do you know the one true, real, holy, righteous God? Read His word. Read the history of His people. Read about His plan of reconciliation for you. Read about His love—an everlasting love.

Just for you.

Righteous God (Psalm 145:17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:17

We who follow the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—talk a lot about His being a God of love, grace, and mercy. And so He is. He loves us with an everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). He offers us the unmerited favor of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). He gives undeserved mercy (Luke 1:49-51).

Yet, we can never forget that He is holy and righteous. Holy is defined as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness"; further, righteousness is "acting in accord with divine or moral law" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and He alone is truly holy and righteous, and it is because of His holiness that He cannot abide sin. He must therefore judge that sin.

Our God gives every opportunity for people to come to know Him. For some, He reveals Himself through "general revelation": His very creation (see Romans 1:18-20). For others, they hear truth through God's servants. In any case, those who seek God will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Those who choose to follow Him experience that grace and mercy He showers so abundantly. Those who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one true God face judgment. He must separate Himself from them because His holiness and righteousness cannot exist with their sin.

Yes, God is loving, gracious, and merciful ... and kind. But He is also holy and righteous.

You can experience His love, His grace, His mercy.

Or you can face the rightful judgment of your holy and righteous God.

It's your choice ... but I pray you choose blessing over judgment. Choose to follow God. Choose to experience His grace and forgiveness.

Choose to serve your righteous God.

Whiter Than Snow (Psalm 51:5-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:5-9

The psalmist continues to express sorrow over his sin. But there’s also hope in these verses.

First, look at the little gem in verse six: “in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” When we’re in relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is in us to illuminate the God’s word. We will learn how to make wise choices when we follow His word.

Second, we are sinful creatures. Dirty. Soiled. But with God’s cleansing, we are “whiter than snow” in His eyes. I love that illustration. Have you ever seen a fresh snowfall? I really believe there’s nothing quite so white and bright. And that’s how God sees us!

Finally, in verse eight, the psalmist knows he’ll “hear joy and gladness” and that even through the pain and trials, he’ll “rejoice.” We too can find joy because we’re children of God. Even when we suffer, even when we’re uncertain, we can be joyful. Because joy isn’t an emotion, believe it or not. Joy is a state of mind in which we choose to rejoice no matter the circumstance.

Yes, we sin. Yes, we’re imperfect beings, but as children of God, we know He sees us as His beloved children. You are His son or daughter.

And in God, you are wise. In Him, you are whiter than snow. In Him, you can rejoice at all times.

Don't Be Deceived (1 John 3:7-8)

Today's scripture: 1 John 3:7-8

We live in a world of deceivers. Politicians (not all, of course, but some). Corporations (ditto). Employees ... and employers.

And now, it seems, our schools. They seem to be changing history. They teach evolution as fact, but creation can’t even be taught as a theory. They allow “free thinking,” but don’t be caught praying in class.

But even more tragic? Our churches. Tolerance has morphed into compromise which then becomes acceptance. I’m all for loving my neighbor, and I’m a huge proponent of loving the sinner, yet hating the sin (in my own life as well as in the lives of others). And if one is not a follower of Jesus, then I say, “Live and let live—as long as she's not hurting someone or breaking the law.”

HOWEVER …

If one says he’s a follower of Jesus, yet practices sin … well then, I do have an issue with that. If one picks and chooses what she believes in the Bible in order to legitimize her sin … Now I know the Bible says, “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1), but it also gives guidelines for how to redeem a sinning brother (see Matthew 18:15-20).

John makes it very clear in today’s verses. Those who practice, who live in habitual sin of any kind, are of the devil. You cannot serve two masters (see Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13; yes, Jesus is speaking specifically about wealth, but this applies to anything that takes priority over our relationship with Him).

If you’re practicing sin, then please confess it. And then “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Don’t be deceived by this world. Don’t be deceived by even those who call themselves Christians, yet compromise God’s word.

Instead, practice righteousness. Pray that God will help you to more and more like Christ. Pray that you’ll exude the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians5:22). Practice those things that will please God.

In the end? That’s all that matters.

How Will He Find You? (1 John 2:28-29)

Today's scripture: 1 John 2:28-29

John now comes to the most important reason we should abide in Christ. He will return one day. It could be today. Or tomorrow. Or years from now. But He will return.

How do you want Jesus to find you when He returns? Watching television? Playing video games? Gossiping with your friends? Committing adultery? Cheating? Lying? Or appropriate for today, blasting the other political party?

Or will He find you serving at a soup kitchen? Praying? Playing with your children? Reading His word? Embracing your spouse? Worshipping at church?

Will you be following what Jesus called the greatest commandment—loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? And the second—loving your neighbor as yourself? (See Mark 12:30-31.)

God is righteous. And we who call ourselves His children need to be as righteous as we possibly can be. We won’t be perfect this side of heaven, but we can choose to live loving God and loving others. We can choose to live in such a way that we won’t be in any way ashamed when Jesus returns to take us to heaven.

How will Jesus find you when He returns? Think about it.

Achieving Perfection (2 Cor. 7:1)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1

“Perfecting holiness” … Sounds like a pretty tall order. And one most of us are far from completing.

How in the world can someone as fleshly as I “cleanse [myself] from all defilement of flesh and spirit”? I mean, seriously … I can barely keep my focus where it belongs.

I don’t often argue with Paul, but I have to say: I don’t think we’re able to cleanse ourselves. Maybe I’m the only one, but I am so very incapable of keeping myself pure. I just can’t do it. If I try, I fall. Every time.

I am cleansed through the blood of Christ, and it is only when I confess my sins that I am washed clean (1 John 1:9).

So again, how can I take part of my cleansing and perfecting? By totally and completely surrendering everything I am to my God. If I seek His will for me, then He will continue to perfect me and I will continue to want what He wants for me (see Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 1:6).

I cannot be holy on my own. I cannot work my way to salvation. I cannot find perfection through my own feeble efforts.

It’s only when I seek God, when I trust Him, when I give up my own desires and focus on His, that I begin to achieve holiness.

Because only then do I desire nothing but Him.

Godly Wisdom (2 Cor. 3:18-20)

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18-20, NASB)

At my small group the other night, one of our ladies was talking about how she sometimes felt inadequate because she didn’t have a string of letters after her name. She never got a degree, so sometimes she felt … well, less than others. We all assured her that a degree doesn’t necessarily equal superior intellect or wisdom. Often, it means that someone worked really hard to get it, but he or she might not be any smarter than one without a degree.

One of the most intelligent people I know never received a degree, but he knows so much about history, science, geography … much more than I, with my two degrees, know about them.

We so often look at earthly “wisdom” as being something of great importance. And I’m not saying that education and seeking knowledge here on earth is a bad thing. But we Christians have to be careful not to rely too much on the “wisdom of this age.”

This world’s wisdom tells us that fame is important. We should strive for riches. We should live for "sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

The Bible tells us something very different. Jesus told His disciples that they—and we—should be “poor in spirit … gentle … merciful … peacemakers” (see Matthew 5:3-9). We should love others just as Jesus loved us—and He was willing to die for us (see John 15:12).

We should keep ourselves pure:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD …
(Psalm 24:3-5a)

And “How can a young person [and may I say an old person as well?] lead a clean [pure] life? By carefully reading the map of [God's] word” (Psalm 119:9, The Message).

We should seek righteousness. As the psalmist wrote, "For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield” (5:12). A later psalm asks:

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
(15:1-2)

We are to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

We need to seek godly wisdom. Instead of—or in addition to—reading the latest bestseller, we should be reading His word. Before we talk to our friends, we should talk to Him.

Seek the Lord’s wisdom because that’s where we learn to be like Christ. Truly wise.

The Lord Abides Forever (Ps. 9:7-8)

But the LORD abides forever;
         He has established His throne for judgment,
And He will judge the world in righteousness;
         He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.
(Psalm 9:7-8, NASB)

These verses touch my heart. In fact, I want to add them to my list of scriptures I want to memorize. They’re encouraging and affirming and confidence-building.

The Lord abides forever. Our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God is eternal. He’s always been and always will be.

He has established His throne for judgment. Every single person who’s lived, is now living, or will live in the future will stand before God’s throne. Each of us will either be judged for what we didn’t do (accept God’s gift of salvation) or awarded for what we did do (those things believers did to serve God and others).

And He will judge the world in righteousness. God is holy, righteous. We can be assured God will judge each of us through His heart of righteousness, through His eyes of love.

He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. And in His righteousness, He’ll judge fairly. He’ll honor the decision many will make: to follow Him. He’ll equally honor the decision many others will make: to reject Him.  

So when you feel overwhelmed by life, when it seems the enemy is winning, remember: Our eternal God truly is in control. He is righteous and just. And fair. And loving.

What a good God we serve!

Lacking in Nothing (1 Cor. 1:4-9)

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:4-9, NASB)

Sometimes—oftentimes—I read through passages of the Bible, and I’m overwhelmed with how much is in just a few words. Today’s verses are no exception.

We learn that we are “enriched in” Christ. He gives us the ability to speak on His behalf as we gain knowledge of His truth. We can be “certain that everything [Paul] told [us] about our Lord Christ Jesus is true” (v. 5, CEV).

We can “eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” knowing that we’re works in progress, learning more and more about what it means to live as He would live (see Phil. 1:6).

We can be confident that Jesus will “confirm [us] to the end” and one day, we will stand before the throne of the Most High God and He will see us as “blameless,” righteous, and holy.

Finally, we can be assured that our God is faithful. He never wavers, never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And He has called us as partners in the building of His kingdom.

We are blessed, beyond anything we could ever imagine.

Just sit and meditate on what God has done for you. And be grateful!

Stand in His Holy Place (Ps. 24:3-4)

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
(Psalm 24:3-4, NASB)

God is holy. He is righteous. He is perfect. And He cannot abide with sin and unrighteousness.

Since we are innately sinful creatures, God cannot abide with us. At least in our sinful state.

But He offers a way for us to become holy, for us to have “clean hands and a pure heart.” Since Adam and Eve chose to defy God in the garden, He has had a plan to make us righteous. First, atonement came through the sacrifice of a perfect, flawless lamb. But then through the ultimate sacrifice of the perfect Lamb.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 3:16). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

When we accept the gift of salvation through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son, we become new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17). We choose to commit our daily lives to God, and we choose to live as Christ did. We strive to live according to God’s word, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

And one day, we will “stand in His holy place,” spending eternity with our Lord and Savior.

Abundant Love (Phil. 1:9-11)

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:9-11, NKJV)

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians continues with some words of instruction, words that we, too, can take to heart. He calls his readers to love abundantly, learn continually, seek wisdom, choose the excellent things of God’s word, and live righteously.

My goodness. Quite a list, isn’t it? Makes me feel really inadequate.

Loving abundantly … This should be relatively “easy” for followers of Christ. After all, the second greatest commandment is that we’re to love others as ourselves.

Learning continually … I’ve written about this many, many times. We must study and meditate on God’s word. It’s the only way to gain knowledge.

Seeking wisdom … Obtaining God’s wisdom also comes from spending time in His word.

Choosing the excellent things … And what are the excellent things? We’ll delve more deeply into this idea when we get to the fourth chapter, but they’re those things that edify us and help us to be more like Christ.

Living righteously … In order to do this, we need to strive to live as Christ would. We need to follow God’s commandments, focusing on His will.

Paul’s not asking for much, is he? (You can’t hear my mild sarcasm …) The good news? We’re those works in progress we talked about yesterday. We need to ask for God’s help every day to become what He’s called us to be.

With His help, we can follow Paul’s instructions. And maybe one day, we’ll actually live them.