Enslaved! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 4:8,

"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods."

As Paul presents his concerns about these Galatian believers, he brings up a bit of their history. Before they embraced Jesus Christ, (but now knew him), they existed in a state of slavery. This is actually the history of all of us who are believers. Before we chose to embrace Jesus Christ in faith we were slaves to "those who by nature are not gods."

The notion of being enslaved by "those who by nature are not gods" speaks to an irresistible influence in a person's life. We read of the freedom from slavery when we come to know Jesus Christ in Romans 6:14, a slavery to sin, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Here we read of slavery to "those who by nature are not gods."

In another place Paul speaks of "gods" that influenced people before they came to Christ, who were really not gods at all, "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." 1 Corinthians 8:5-6.

These so-called "gods" were idols and false deities that were worshipped in an organized pursuit of spiritual darkness. Beyond personification, I also believe they were/are influences that impact unbelievers. Influences that emanate from the forces of darkness. All who do not know Jesus Christ march to a drummer. Unsaved people would like to think they are "independant", that they order their own lives in certain directions all on their own. Deceived, they fail to recognize that they are enslaved in lock-step with many others as they pursue the purposes of the spiritual forces of darkness. 

Believers march to a different drummer. We are influenced by the Holy Spirit and find our lives are changing from within as the Holy Spirit indwells us. The reality is that mankind, all mankind, march to one drummer or the other (and there are only two drummers!) As our lives take direction, we find the expression of who we are influenced by: a slave to the forces of darkness or a child of God.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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By Promise, Not Performance - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 3:3,

"Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?"

Paul chastised these Galatian believers for pursuing God by keeping the law. False teachers, Judaizers, had come into their midst and convinced them they needed to keep requirements of the Mosaic law now that they were Christians. Paul questions them that since they began their new life in Christ by faith, why would they go back to the old law God gave Moses (the "means of the flesh")? This includes the big 10 (the ten commandments).

Paul said that no one was ever justified by keeping the law, verse 11, rather, only those who rely on faith, verse 9.

Interestingly, Paul points out that salvation by faith preceded the giving of the law by 430 years. "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." Verses 17-18.

Paul sums up these thoughts with the comment, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Verses 21-22.

How happy this makes me! If being saved from God's wrath depended on my performance before him in keeping his law, I would be utterly hopeless! How wonderful his promise to me is assured by what Paul said in verse 14, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."

How wonderful is that?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Apostolic Realities - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 2:11-13,

"When Cephas [the apostle Peter] came to Antioch, I [the apostle Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."

I recall, as a boy, attending a church that had beautiful large stained glass windows depicting heroes in Scripture. I recall looking at the images of the apostles in these windows in beautiful robes, with halos hovering over their heads. Clearly these were men of transcendent spirituality. I recall wondering what sort of humans these were. I didn't know anyone like that in my young life, hadn't seen anyone like that. Yet, here they were, the great holy and spiritually lofty ones from the pages of Scripture!

I have since had to come to grips with the reality that these depictions created within me a misconception about these great heroes in Scripture. Far from perfect, they made mistakes, as we read in the above passage. They had occasion to correct one another, a need to resolve problems they had with one another. Read the account of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Just following that we read of a dispute between Paul and Barnabas over Mark, which caused them to part company, Acts 15:36-41.

The apostles and the early church leaders were not perfect. Neither was Abraham, the twelve sons of Jacob, Moses, David and all the others. What they were, however, were people who embraced God in faith, became heroes and examples for us, and through their lives, God shows us the way. They all had their shortcomings, but they also had God's Spirit burning within them that enabled and emboldened them to do works of God and to leave us a legacy that God wants us to know of.

Of these heroes of faith, the writer of Hebrews says, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16.

The apostles were the ambassadors of Jesus Christ, his emissaries to the world. As such they held great authority given them from the Son of God to aid in the birthing and development of his church. They wrote Scripture, shepherded and corrected the various fellowships that were forming. The Holy Spirit ran deep in their lives as they performed various miracles, signs and wonders that were needed during the early formation of the church. As such we look up to them for who they were: the apostles of Jesus Christ. Not perfect men, but men chosen by God and used greatly by him.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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A Unique Man With A Unique Message - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Galatians 1:11,

"I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin."

Paul explains to his reading audience that he preached a message that God had given him directly. He says, "I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Verse 12.

Paul was a unique individual. His relationship with God did not begin the way ours does. He was set apart from birth for God's purposes and was "called" by God as a young man, "But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being." Verses 15-16. In this regard, he was much like John the Baptist. Both were set apart from their mother's wombs for God's purposes. We might say both were non-normative when it came to their salvation. We come to know God a different way: through our exposure to the gospel and our embrace of Jesus Christ in faith in our response to it.

Paul says in another place, "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. This is how we come to know Jesus Christ, God's "normative" way.

The message spoken by Paul was a unique message, a message not from within him, or that any other human had given him. "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

Paul was a unique man, a man gifted by Jesus Christ to carry the message of the gospel. He said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Living In A Manner Worthy of Jesus Christ - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 13:2-4,

"I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you."

Here is an absolutely frightening threat from Paul to the church in Corinth. He has already expressed his love for them, a love that found its origin in Jesus Christ. Yet, due to the sinful condition within the fellowship in Corinth, he now tells them they had better set things right before he came for his next visit with them. He tells them, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" Verse 5.

We don't know exactly what Paul intended if he found the fellowship there still enmeshed in sin when he came for his next visit, but we can be certain it was not an empty threat. Paul carried the authority and power of Jesus Christ within himself as his apostle, and when he says, "I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others", it is a frightful thing to consider.

We all look to the love of Jesus Christ who died for us so that we might live with him. However, we should not overlook another aspect of his nature, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider [Jesus Christ] is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty." Revelation 19:11-15.

I am reminded of my own responsibility before the Lord, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:12. It also brings to mind Hebrews 4:13, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

How thankful I am that all my sins have been paid for by Jesus Christ! If not for that, there would be no hope for me. Yet, I find instruction in Philippians 1:27, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Wonderful Loving Christian Leaders! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 12:14-15,

"Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?"

The love Paul had for the brothers and sisters in the fellowships he founded is a wonder to behold. Here is a man who, years earlier, persecuted believers. "Meanwhile, Saul [Paul] was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem." Acts 9:1-2.

But he encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus! "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied." Acts 9:3-5.

Paul was called by the Lord to be his apostle to the Gentiles and received the Holy Spirit who indwelt him and energized him, changing him from within.

We read of the kinds of things the Holy Spirit does in the lives of those whom he indwells (all of us believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, "And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9b). The change within us includes things like, "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Paul certainly had these in full measure.

How wonderful it is to find Christian leaders today who follow in Paul's footsteps, who are energized by the Holy Spirit, who reflect that in their love for others. Rather than seeing others from the standpoint of what others can do for his or her ministry, seeing them from a standpoint of how he or she can serve them, expending themselves in the lives of others, just as Paul did!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Paul: A True Apostle And Guide - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 11:4,

"If someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough."

This is a sobering observation. "Super-apostles", "false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.", verse 13, had come to Corinth and Paul had found the Corinthians accepting them in his absence! In the previous letter he called these Corinthian believers "still worldly-mere infants in Christ" 1 Corinthians 3:1. Yet, they were well endowed with gifting from the Holy Spirit, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.", 1 Corinthians 1:7.

In spite of the activity of the Holy Spirit within their lives, and in spite of their earlier commitment to the gospel Paul preached to them, they were guilty of embracing false teachers and  false apostles within their midst. Paul points to his credentials as a genuine apostle for the Lord as key to their understanding of who was genuine and who was false, who would lead them in the right path and who would lead them astray. In a key verse Paul said, "We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening." 2 Corinthians 12:19b.

I find that verse to be a good direction for me. All we have to do is look around at all the differing "expressions" of Christianity to understand that many false leaders have led the church astray in many directions. I'll follow Paul as a true apostle of the Lord to help me stay on the right track.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.