We are all reminded on a daily (if not hourly) basis that we live in a world surrounded by and stuck in sin. In Galatians 1:4 the apostle Paul refers to this current period of history in which we live as "the present evil age." Everyone knows and admits the world has problems. People get sick, people steal, people harm other people, and all people ultimately die. We are told that "the world is getting better," but one look around or glance at the news would compel us to disagree. This world is rotting and wasting away because of sin. Thankfully, in the same verse (Galatians 1:4) Paul gives us hope. Jesus "gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age." There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin, we must trust in Christ to save us through His unbelievable sacrifice of Himself on the cross. That is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christ followers we still deal with the effects of living in a sinful and messed up world, but our ultimate rescue is secure in Christ. We are in process of being rescued. Are you being rescued?
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
What kind of fruit do you have?
I am getting ready to begin preaching through Galatians in a few weeks and thought I would share a quick thought from my studies....
In Galatians 6:7 the Apostle Paul gives a stern warning to the Galatians. He warns, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
The world would like us to believe that it is OK to have “little” sins in your life because, after all, “they won’t hurt anyone”, or “no one will find out.” HOWEVER, “God cannot be mocked.” God knows everything that you do or even think! Ultimately we will face the consequences of our actions whether good or bad. Those who live a life of sin will ultimately be judged by God, just as he judged the wicked in the days of Noah by destroying them with a great flood.
The question is what type of a life are you sowing? Are you living to please your sinful human nature, or are you living each moment to please God? Contrary to what many people believe, you can’t do both. Galatians 5:17 says, “the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other.”
HOW do you know if you are living for the Spirit or for your sinful nature? The only way to begin to answer this question is to look at the fruits of your life, which are reflected in what you do and say. If you are living for the Spirit then the fruits of the Spirit will be evident in your life. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
What kind of fruit are YOU cultivating in your life?
In Galatians 6:7 the Apostle Paul gives a stern warning to the Galatians. He warns, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
The world would like us to believe that it is OK to have “little” sins in your life because, after all, “they won’t hurt anyone”, or “no one will find out.” HOWEVER, “God cannot be mocked.” God knows everything that you do or even think! Ultimately we will face the consequences of our actions whether good or bad. Those who live a life of sin will ultimately be judged by God, just as he judged the wicked in the days of Noah by destroying them with a great flood.
The question is what type of a life are you sowing? Are you living to please your sinful human nature, or are you living each moment to please God? Contrary to what many people believe, you can’t do both. Galatians 5:17 says, “the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other.”
HOW do you know if you are living for the Spirit or for your sinful nature? The only way to begin to answer this question is to look at the fruits of your life, which are reflected in what you do and say. If you are living for the Spirit then the fruits of the Spirit will be evident in your life. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
What kind of fruit are YOU cultivating in your life?
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