Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture –

2 Corinthians 7:10 – For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas world grief produces death.

Observation-
Paul is writing his second letter to the Corinthian Church explaining how difficult it was for him to write his first letter which caused them to grieve. Paul finds comfort from God in his afflictions and now is comforted to see that the grief of the Corinthian believers was godly in nature as reported by Titus. Being sad and convicted from sin produces a grief that leads to transformation, repentance and salvation. Grief from a worldly perspective only leads to death.

Application –
Verse 10 is the essence of gospel transformation when we are truly repentant of our sin and surrender it at the foot of the cross to be covered by the blood of Christ. I need to be convicted of any sin and surrender it over to God. Salvation through Jesus is our greatest need and brings joy no matter what we are facing without regret. When we repent it brings us closer to God and to help others. If anyone knows they are not right with God now is the time to repent in the name of Jesus. This is the time we were put here for to stand firm in the Word of God. We must act in love and truth to live, serve and point people to Jesus and glorify Him. Knowing what is right and not acting on it by following culture will lead to death. Loving the Lord and serving Him will bring life and to self, church and community.

Prayer –
Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word. Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus to to pay for my sin so I can repent be reconciled and have a relationship with you to know you and make you known. Let the Spirit guide me to live without regret loving others to glorify you!

Journal 2 Cor 5 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”  2 Cor 5:9-10

Observation: What is the obligation of a believer? What should be the expectation of a believer? Is the above clear enough?

Analysis:  From Gruden’s Bible Doctrine: “…the doctrine of the Clarity of Scripture does not suggest that all believers will agree on all teaching of Scripture. Nevertheless, it does tell us something very important—that the problem always lies not with Scripture, but with ourselves.  We affirm that all the teachings of Scripture are clear and able to be understood, be we also recognize that people often (through their own shortcomings) misunderstand what is clearly written in scripture.” (Gruden, Bible Doctrine, pg 52-53)

There is another principle that Scripture is to be primarily analyzed and compared/interpreted by Scripture (apologies, I do not have that titular reference).

So, does the above scripture reference conflict with other places in the New Testament (and perhaps other deeply held scriptural quotes/convictions)?

Perhaps.

Take the injunction to “make it our aim to please him.” It could be that this is one of those unspoken convictions: “Of course I want to please him…”, but the idea of “pleasing him” might be regulated to “works” and therefore takes a back seat to “pleasing him.”  In other words, if I can’t separate “works vs. Grace” from the Grace involved in “pleasing God” then perhaps I need to meditate and study on this more.

And “…all MUST appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ…” and will receive some sort of a performance evaluation. Is that a function separate from being able to “plead the Blood for my Sin?”  The Scriptures here seem to indicate so. What about other places in the Scripture where all I need to do is to confess or just believe Christ and be baptized: “…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…” (Ro 10:9), and “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Somehow, all of these quoted scriptures (above and below) are EQUALLY true, and a believer’s obligation is to search them out to find the interconnections before God.

I am in no position to engage in smorgasbord Scripture study and think that is proper or enough. Even if understanding them and their connections take my whole life of pursuit that is what I am called to do.

Prayer: Father, I have jokingly spoken of being able to use the statement “I don’t know” has the height of mature exegesis/study. The picture in my mind this morning is “raising my hands in worship only to scratch my head in reverence.” I want to know what you are fully saying in your Word.

But I have come to realize that you do not always show your hand (c. Deut 29:29).

Holy Spirit, help me to cultivate long patience and the ability to meditate on what you have given, not to study like I am cramming for a test at the end of the week. Your Word has and is Life and it should be cultivated and savored each and every day.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 2 Cor 4 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s Word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the Glory of Christ (who is the image of God).

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor 4:1-6

Observation: Is the Gospel attractive?  I suppose that Paul refers to the temptation to make the Gospel narrative somehow more than what it is to decrease the possibility of “veiling” and to attract converts.

Analysis: What are the components of the Gospel? There are many but could probably be narrowed down to this:

1. All mankind has been judged by God and found guilty of not meeting the measure of His Holiness.  Wrath, not Love or Mercy, is the character of God to be met at this level.
2. The Triune God planned for the Son to be the Propitiation for Man, atoning for Man’s Sin before God.  God initiated this plan for no other reason than He wanted to, as a demonstration of His Love to His Creation, Man.
3. Man, through the rebellion and treason of Adam, passively and actively resists God, choosing an attempt to serve God on his own terms in some way, even to the point of rejecting God completely and succumbing to man’s heart.
4. There will be two categories of Man: Chosen and not-chosen. Since Man cannot, will not, come to surrender to God because of his willfully traitorous heart, God’s mercy will still find and make a way for individuals to surrender to the irresistible Will of God.

These are important, if not essential points of the Gospel.

However, Paul is addressing the Corinth church of using “…disgraceful, underhanded ways…” and of practicing “…cunning or to tamper with God’s Word…”

Is that what believers at Corinth did?  Did they cherry pick subjects towards potential converts that will “seal the deal?”  Is that what I do?  Even if I did take such a path, do I eventually get around to declaring the whole Gospel?

Not everyone gets “saved.”  While the scriptures plainly say, God “…desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth…” (1 Tim 2:4), He also says, “For many are called, but few are chosen…” (Matt 22:14; cf. Ro 9)

I think that it is clear the Gospel must be preached, and that fully.  To not do so is like a salesman waving away the yucky parts of a contract to get someone to sign on the bottom line.

The subject matter is so difficult; we go where we THINK the Spirit is leading us.  To get there (preaching the Gospel) takes not only courage and fearlessness, but also a determination to learn further of the Gospel every day.  No believer has the Gospel in full knowledge—it takes a lifetime to learn and only on that Day will we understand the Gospel in whole.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 2 Cor 3 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now, if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory (which was brought to an end), will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?

For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.

Indeed, in this case, what once had glory (the Law) has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it (Grace of the Cross).  For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.  Not like Moses who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what is being brought to an end….to this day, when they read the Old Covenant that same veil remains un-lifted—because only through Christ is it taken away.

Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts…. but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”  2 Cor 3:7-16

Observation: Isn’t it interesting that a church, vibrant, exciting, and growing, can still be a bit wobbly in their foundations?

Analysis: When I surrendered my life and will to Christ a few decades ago, my inclination was to gather biblical truth like putting berries in a basket—no rhyme or reason of accumulating “truth”, but just putting those Bible Berries in my Basket.

About 25 years ago I learned about organizing these Bible Berries into categories.  The Psalmist in Ps 119 called them precepts, laws, and doctrines.  The writer of Hebrews categorized them minimally as milk and meat; milk being what babies consume while meat is for the mature.

Well, competitive like I am, I did not want to be identified as a baby in the Lord and I started to dig in.  It was the benevolence of the Holy Spirit that He brought Deb and I to a church plant that had Theology as a backbone of offerings.  Changed me.

So, what about the scripture passage above?  Two things: 1) The Law is powerful and has Glory, but it fades because the Law is a ministry of death.  It testifies (in a particular measure of Glory) that the Law cannot be lived up to.  Man will fail to live up to any Law and thus cannot live up to what God measures as Holy.  Do I want to die and figure to be in His Presence?  If I am only living by Law (knowing Right from Wrong—re: Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Garden of Eden), I will never see and enjoy the Presence.  (By the way, the above is a necessary component of preaching the Gospel)

2) What surpasses the Law?  Grace. Why Grace?  Grace is such a huge word.  Many shortcut the definition of Grace by saying Jesus (Glory to His Name), but there is so much to break down.

• Propitiation and Model of the Sacrificial System: Jesus is the only Sacrifice acceptable to God to Atone for Man.
• Two words to get acquainted with: Propitiation and Atonement and one subject—Sacrificial System beginning with Genesis.
• It is the Grace of the Triune God, His initiative alone on the Cross that Redeems traitors to the Throne and Saves us from His Holy and Justified Wrath towards Man (independent and rebels to His Rule and Reign).

Personally, I am struggling with life now.  That is why I am reviewing the Gospel again so I can remember His Mercy towards me, my thanksgiving of all the Love shown to me, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring me point by point of confession and then repentance.  Unfortunately, I know that this will be a long journey because of my innate stubbornness and how short a conviction I can muster.

Prayer: Lord God, please help me with this obstinance I have.  I don’t know if it is physical or spiritual (certainly spiritual).  You have given me a gift of your Grace in Debbie.  Let me get back into the saddle.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?

Vs 3 … I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.

 

Vs 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.

Vs 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive.

 

Vs 14 … thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Vs 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

 

Vs 17 For we are … men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

 

Observation

 

Paul emphasizes the shared nature of emotions here … good or bad.

Joy and pain are not merely personal and individualized …

“my joy would be the joy of you all”

Pain is caused “not to me” … but, “to all of you”.

 

And emotions are not the only thing shared, but more importantly “forgiveness” is, as well.

“anyone whom you forgive I also forgive”

 

As a result, what God does in us “spreads”.

 

Application

 

What then am I spreading? … Pain or Joy? … Resentment or Forgiveness?

I will spread something … good or bad.

 

I will have “an aroma” … “a fragrance”. … Do I “smell” like death or life? Perishing or saving?

Vultures find a carcass the same way a butterfly finds a flower … an aroma that spreads.

 

I must not “over personalize” my relationship with God and Christ and the Spirit.

Even talk of a “personal relationship with Jesus” becomes questionable on these terms.

 

It’s so easy to become individualistic in faith.

It’s so much easier to sit down with a bible than to sit down with a person.

It’s so much easier to know some thing than to show some one.

 

So, then a big question for myself after reading Paul’s description here:

After time in God’s Word …

Does my “knowledge of Him” in me become the “aroma of Christ” to others?

 

How can I tell? … Am I a “man of sincerity speaking in Christ”?

Does the fragrance of Christ “flow” from me readily without me mustering it up, but … sincerely?

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, again, Father, for your Word

Help it, Holy Spirit, become a fragrance pleasing to you and others

Let it lead to joy and forgiveness and your fruit

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture –

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Observation-
Paul is one who faces many afflictions for his faith writing to a church that faces struggles. Paul as a leader points them to God for comfort in the time of trials. As we are comforted by God in our affliction we are to use this to comfort others.

Application-
If we are a follower of Jesus Christ, we are not walking alone during times of trouble. We have to allow the power of the Spirit to give us comfort and peace to navigate through whatever we are facing. Like our faith, this is not to be kept to ourselves. We have strength and comfort from God during our troubles, so we need to share and be there to comfort others in there time of need. This can be listening/praying and or providing material assistance to those in affliction in the name of Jesus.

Prayer –

Father,
Thank you for your love grace and mercy you have to comfort us. Break my heart for what breaks yours. Let the power of the Spirit guide me to comfort others as I am comforted by you to bring you glory.

Journal 1 Cor 13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge…and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned…but have not love…I gain nothing.

Love is…” 1 Cor 13:1-4a

Observation:  It is way easy to separate 1 Cor 13 from chapter 12 and 14.  It even has a “name”: The Love Chapter.  But if I take the chapter notations away and read this straight through, what do I see and comprehend?

Analysis: Writing about 1 Cor 12 through 14 brings a certain thought to my mind about Chapter 13: It appears that Chapter 13 is written to clarify operations of Spiritual Gifts and to expand what love in Christ expressed looks like—the use of the Gifts should be Love for the brotherhood/the local church expressed.

That is not to minimize the impact of is normally posted on wall art and greeting cards quoting from 1 Cor 13, but to expand why the Holy Spirit had Paul write what he did.

It is apparent that Corinth was a little bit undisciplined and excitable about Gifts (“Hey, look at what I can do…”) Yes, I am intentionally understating the situation in a tongue in cheek manner.  Corinth, while an effervescent and exciting local church, has issues all over the place.  I think they lack doctrinal and wise leadership, but that is just me.  Note: I think that Paul exhibits taking a “long view” of growth and maturity at Corinth, not just assembling a “tiger team” of pastoral oversight to lock them down.  God is patient.

From 1 Cor 12, Paul writes broadly about why Gifts are given: For the health and maturity of the local Body and to advance the Gospel.  But Paul also is adamant about motivations.

Concerning Gifts, if the motivation is not based in Love, I am just noise.

Concerning Gifts, if the motivations are not grounded in humility, it is all about me.

Concerning Gifts, if the foundation isn’t the Word of God, then perhaps I am just flying off the emotional handle, wanting the sizzle and not the steak.

Concerning Gifts, if the vision isn’t the Gospel and in particular making disciples, then I might just be off the mark and shortsighted to what God wants to accomplish.

Concerning Gifts, is the pursuit of Gifts a pursuit of maturity in Christ?

I think that the Scriptures are clear.

Prayer: Lord God, I succumb to fear and avoidance of being an outspoken disciple of You.  But that is not where I want to be.  You saw where I spoke, not boldly, but candidly about my life with Jason and it impacted him, saying that I was an unashamed witness for you.  What I remember is that I just talked about my life.

How does just being real in everyday conversations impact others?  How does training myself to avoid worldly talk advance the Kingdom?  It is unimaginable.

What would the pursuit of Your Gifts, what I call the Toolbox, impact the community I live in, and specifically the Local Church?

Is it time to get my hands dirty?

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Cor 12 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Cor 12:7

 

Observation: This is a can of worms for a lot of Christians.

Analysis: How do I read 1 Cor 12?  Do I read it honestly with candor?  Or do I put a twist in it?

I think a lot of folks put a twist in it, at least up to the point of saying, “I believe it can happen; it is what the Bible says, but maybe not for me personally.”  Maybe it is a doctrinal position developed by either a local congregation or by the governing body of a group of churches.

The point that I want to bring up today is that 1 Cor 12 through the first part of 1 Cor 14 is all about the Manifestation of the Spirit—all the supernatural Gifts that the Holy Spirit made a point of listing.  And with this exclamation point: Gifts are for the common good.

Ok, I agree with this: Spiritual Gifts have been publicly abused (for decades and decades).  And with that abuse will come a reluctance to practice them, even ignore the gifts by twisting the truth and explain them away by insinuating “it is not for our time…”

But what if there were vision to encourage the practices as part of the presentation of the Gospel?  What if we were seeking God about how to make practicing the Gifts in a mature manner, looking to serve the local church, practicing for the benefit of the local Body?  What if my faith in His Grace extended to being considered a fool for stretching out publicly in this manner?  What if I could pocket my fear long enough to even try?

What would God accomplish if I could do that?  Would He use me as an Instrument of His Grace in this manner?

Prayer: Lord, you have given me encouragement all through the years about practicing Gifts and I still struggle with fear of stretching out publicly.  “What if I fail?” whispers the accuser?  I forget that any success in the implementation of the Gift exercised and/or confirmation comes from His Hand—my success/failures are measured by just trying, just like speaking of the Gospel.  I can’t save anyone, nor can I heal anyone.

Father, I want to be wise and smart/learned concerning the Scriptures, but more than that I want to be an Applied Disciple.  Leaning on You, O Lord God.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

Vs 2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

Vs 17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.

Vs 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.

Vs 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you,

Vs 24 … “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Observation

Paul begins here by praising the church for remembering well.

They have remembered well Paul & holding to his teaching.

Then he tells the church he had no praise for them in another matter …

That other matter was for not remembering well.

Not remembering well how to receive the Lord’s Supper.

Something we are to do “in remembrance of Christ.”

It seems in this chapter remembering is something of a theme & important for us to keep literally … in mind.

Why?… Because Paul tells the church it is actually doing more harm than good in their meeting!

Wow! What a charge!

More harm than good in the gathering of one of the first churches.

Application

I often feel like today we tend to almost romanticize the early church.

I even find myself thinking sometimes, “If we could just get back to how the body of Christ was “back then” … In the first days.”

The problem with that … It was still a group of flawed human beings meeting together.

The problems of the modern church gatherings it seems aren’t necessarily all that modern.

Doing more harm than good has been a constant risk as long as the church is made up of human beings.

So, what’s Paul’s recommendation? …

Remember! & Constant Remembering!

That’s what gets us out of our own head & into truth.

“Truth” is what Paul tells us to remember ….

The truth of his teaching … Which he says he received where?

Not from his own thoughts … But directly from The Lord!

The Lord’s Supper is an ultimate “equalizer” of people!

To use it as a creator of division among the church is literally “anti-gospel”!

“Lord keep me in your judgement” …

What an odd prayer I admit … But Paul tells us here it is God’s judgement that disciplines us …

And keeps us from condemnation.

Prayer

Lord keep me in your judgement …

And keep me from my own ideas of truth ….

Keep me in your truth …

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture – 1 Corinthians 10:31 –

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Observation –

Paul has prior issued a warning against idols and tells us that although something maybe lawful it may not be helpful nor further the Kingdom.

Therefore, we must be careful in what we consume and how we consume to not cause any brother or sister to stumble and to be honoring to God.  In everything we do it should be to bring glory to God!

Application –

I need to be as focused as Paul about my actions and the reflection that they present.  In other words, I have to be cognizant that even in my mundane daily activities I have the opportunity to glorify God or not.  Did I conduct myself as an ambassador of Christ?  I should place others needs above my own and do so in love to point others to Jesus.  

We all have a part in God’s plan and He chooses to use broken people to make Him known.  The best summary and application of this I have ever seen was at the Hindustan Bible Institutes annual Pastor’s conference where the theme was “Our Story, His Glory” as pastors went out to plant churches in the face of persecution.  

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus so I can know you and make you known.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to be focused in all I do to enjoy your grace and have my story extend your glory!

Journal 1 Cor 9 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Paul) “For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting—for necessity is laid upon me.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

What then is my reward?  That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”  1 Cor 9:15b-18

 

Observation:  Preaching the gospel: Do I do it for a reward?  Do I do it because I have been called to be a steward of the gospel?  Or do I do it because I am driven (necessity has been laid upon me…)?

Analysis:  What is it about this passage concerning preaching the Gospel?  What point is the Holy Spirit saying about preaching the Gospel?

Right off the bat, I see three stated motivations: Reward, conviction of being a steward, or an irresistible drive.

If it were me, I would aspire to the “irresistible drive.”  It seems like the one I would be most proud of.  Next, it would be “stewardship”, and last it would be “reward” (because I chose to, exercising my personal will to preach the Gospel).

Which is best?  I wonder if it is dependent on the stage of life I am in.

I remember previous chapters, especially Chapter 7, where it refers to single men vs. married: “The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.  But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife (as an example, comment is mine), and his interests are divided.” (1 Cor 7:32b-34) And when children are involved, boy, complications are even more.  I remember when Jesus called the rich young ruler and he said to divest himself of his riches, and the young man couldn’t give it up. (Matt 19:20-22) Or how Jesus called a few guys to follow Him as disciples and they demurred, saying I have business to run, or I have to bury my father. (Luke 9:57-62)

Right or wrong responses all, I bring these up because they are examples of complications of life.

Therefore, perhaps there isn’t one answer that fits forever in the effort to walk worthy of the Gospel. (1 Thes 2:12) Maybe the irresistible drive is what we experience early, where we don’t have to do much to stir up the flame within (2 Tim 1:6).

But as our age, experience, and complications of life begin to impact our life, then we experience the conviction that I have been given a stewardship, a responsibility to manage outputs of the fact that “I am not my own, I have been bought with a price.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)

Then lastly, as the fires of youth subside with age and experience, the resulting coals burn with glowing embers, hot and long lasting, the conviction of faith, grown strong through the discipline of the Lord, becomes the standing reflex of my life to represent the strength and fact of the Gospel, heats the Church with wisdom gained from the Holy Spirit and continued study of the Gospel.

The Gospel isn’t just the invitation to salvation.  It is the definition of the Plan of Redemption from before “Let there be light” through the establishment and continuation of the New Heavens and New Earth.

I remember Paul before Felix and Drusilla (Acts 24:24-25) where Felix wanted to hear what Paul had to say.  Paul spoke about faith in Jesus but also expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.  Why this isn’t stated plainly as the Gospel, I think that this is a clue that all of these subjects are related and integral to the Gospel.

Prayer: Father, let the embers of my heart glow brightly and with continued heat about You and the Gospel.  Help me remember the Gospel through every subject and, in case I don’t see the Gospel within a topic, help me meditate until I am sure.

You are faithful, always faithful.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Cor 7 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I (Paul) am.

But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry—for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”  1 Cor 7:8-9

 

Observation: This is the wisdom of God.

Why then has that boundary been so easy to cross?  Do I even recognize that the culture is promoting the easing of shame, actually endorsing sexual pleasure outside of marriage as healthy and beneficial?

Does the Church tacitly/silently fall into line with today’s culture message?

Analysis: Let me take the Church out of this.  Do the people I hang out with, my boy or girl friend, start to have stirred in their minds, loins, and heart that “It can’t be that bad; it’s love that we feel…”  Does the media that I am encountering (TV, Movies, Books, Magazines, even my own imaginations) elevate my passions?  What about apparel commercials, even clothing catalogs?

Let me be frank: I am no stranger to what I have written above.  My sexual escapades started in my early to middle teens.  I have been susceptible to the drives even from my youth.  I am no stranger to the burn, even today.

I am also no stranger to the redemptive power of the Cross.  The Cross, the Gospel, the Blood of the Lamb is for situations like this.

Because we are innately sinful, we are susceptible to executing sinful things, like sexual immorality.  Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death; sin no longer has dominion over us. (Ro 6:9 and 6:14) But that does not mean impervious to temptation and falling to the performance of sexually immoral actions.

Being “saved” or “redeemed” does not mean “delivered” from doing.  Everyone reading this knows in their memory that the Holy Spirit is stirring right now.  I cannot be the only one who is reviewing these memories while I am writing.

This is the power of the Holy Spirit: the Word of God says, “…sin does not have dominion over you…”  And the action to take therefore is RESIST.  If a person falls, confess, and repent and determine to again RESIST.  Here are some points:

• “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry). Col 3:5.
• “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.” 1 Pet 4:3

What is thing that stays in your mind when it comes to sexual immorality?  That, dear friends, is idolatry.

Look, my flesh is weak, even at my age.  I am not just writing to my younger companions in Christ, the older folks are just as susceptible.  Sex is powerful.  It is driven by this: I want.  I want to please myself.  I want to take control of how not to have these sensations, these feelings, these drives and yet engage in them.  I want, I want, I want…

At the end of the previous chapter, Paul writes for us to remember “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”  So therefore, “glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor 6:19b-20

So, when failures come (and they will), we have a Savior that understands our temptations and failures (Heb 4:15“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with out weaknesses, but one who in EVERY RESPECT has been tempted as we are (yet without sin).”)  Therefore, when sin is reflected upon (and it will be), remember Lam 3:20-27: “My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness!!”

“The Lord is my portion”, says my soul, “therefor I WILL hope in Him.”  The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks Him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.  It is good for a man that he bears the yoke in his youth.”

Prayer:  Amen and Amen.  Father, you see my weaknesses.  Every sin that I have and will commit will be because I lacked self-control.  You see my weakness.

But you also give me hope; hope through the Cross, hope through your patience with me, hope through the Holy Spirit in that you are not done with me, but you will see me through the End.

Please keep my eye stayed upon You, O Lord of my redemption.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Cor 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”  1 Cor 6:19b-20a

 

Observation: This is one of those eternal precepts, holy principles, that believers are expected to know and apply.  It is also one of those sayings that gets tossed to the side when tussling whether to sin or not…

Analysis:  As a mental help, I think of what circuit breakers do.  They interrupt the flow of energy when that same energy threatens to overwhelm the system.  I apply this mental picture to Sin (both ways).

As a believer, I struggle every day between being a disciple of Christ or surrendering to my own innate sin nature.  Look what Paul says in Romans 6:11-14:

• So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
• Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
• Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life and your members to God as instruments FOR righteousness.
• For sin will have no dominion over you since you are not under law but under Grace.

I see in this section of Romans that the wording is not passive, but it is active, vigorous, personally assertive.  “Don’t let sin happen!!  Be assertive, for God has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  But perhaps the base principle stands: You have been bought with a price.

Guess what?  Even the ones who are considered the most mature in Christ struggles to remember that “I have been bought with a price!”  Why?  Because the natural man doesn’t want any part of it; wants to do it without surrendering or being dependent on another.  It is seen as early as childhood when babies pitch a fit because they are not getting their way, or a toddler pushing a parent’s hand away with the rejoinder, “I don’t want to!”  For adults (anyone quickened to surrender to the Cross), it is being familiar with the “fruit of the flesh” compared to the “fruit of the Spirit.”

“I am not my own; I have been bought with a price…”  This is not a flippant statement.  This digs down deep.  It is so important that the first third of Revelation is all about the Lamb who is that price and the celebration that follows, not to mention that the Lamb is a Lion.

Does the thought “I have been bought with a price” drive me to my knees, or sets my face like flint?  Either response could be considered appropriate in the light of the Gospel.

You know that this is in the base declarations of being baptized?  “I am symbolically dying to my old life, symbolically being resurrected into a life that now is not my own…”

Prayer: Father, I have been privileged to see both responses in others, warriors all.

I will gird up my loins (hitch up my britches), square up my shoulders and will pursue You all my days.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 Cor 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people– not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world…or the greedy and swindlers…or idolaters…since then you need to go out of the world…

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler (scorner, abuser, disparager, etc.), drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges those outside.  Purge the evil person from among you.”  1 Cor 5:9-13

 

Observation: Judging within the local church vs. judging outside the local church.  Easy peasy: The Scriptures make clear about those outside the church.  But what if the so-called “believer” brings some of the world with him into the local church?

Analysis: Don’t you know that I wanted to skip over this chapter?  Let me be clear up front: I can analyze the chapter, read what it says, break it down so it is unambiguous, full of clarity and light—and still don’t know how to apply what God says with my understanding of love and grace.

I am either chicken (no doubt, full of fear), or hypocritical (again, no doubt.  If I would be judging, I would be doing myself in some form or fashion), or with a bunch of unholy judgmentalism.  I am probably not alone because, by and large, the vast majority of Christian churches don’t act that way or even have the reputation of acting that way; even leaning towards judging other people in the local church.

I think this scripture reference falls into the realm/area of the doctrine of the practice of Church Discipline.  The presence and practice of this doctrine is a mark of a healthy church (9 Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Devers).  But how does church discipline get practiced in a healthy manner?  Certainly, the above scripture reference shows day to day practice by the congregation, not the more officious Matt 18 sort of procedure.  Do I ignore facts about a brother just to keep the peace and to show love and grace, or do I turn up my nose, treat that fellow badly?

I think this journal session is for me to ask questions.  I can answer clinically, but applying answers practically?  I don’t have answers I am comfortable with sharing except in a closed group.  For sure, the more I learn and embrace the Gospel with fullness, the easier it is to answer these questions.

Let’s face it: What Paul (by the Holy Spirit) is saying is mighty intrusive, especially since it can apply personally.  It will seem unloving and ungraceful, but who is our love and Grace primarily applied to?  That is God alone.  Does the direction that Paul give honor God, or do we possibly pervert the Word by not at least meditating on this until we are aligned to the Word of Life?

Prayer: Lord of Life, Lord of the Church: have mercy on me a ton.  I want to follow what you say.  I also know that I cannot take things out of context and live with not exploring Your Word to be fuller in understanding.  Everything I learn, I know without a doubt there is more to pack on, so that I become a single-minded man, stable in all my ways.

I humbly surrender my mind and my heart to searching your ways.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

SCRIPTURE

 

Vs 1 “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ …”

Vs 3 “… it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or any human court.”

Vs 4 ” … it is the Lord who judges me.”

 

Vs 12 “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we answer kindly.”

Vs 13 “We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world …”

Vs 16 “I urge you, then, be imitators of me.”

 

OBSERVATION

 

Paul tells us what the life of an apostle looks like.

An apostle of Jesus will be a servant who will be judged harshly by others and treated lowly.

How lowly? Paul uses the phrase “scum of the world”!

 

This consists of being reviled, persecuted, and slandered as normal for him.

And he doesn’t waste time worrying about it.

In fact, he says the world’s judgement is “a very small thing”!

 

Why? Because he’s a servant of Christ!

 

APPLICATION

 

So, I consider myself a servant of Christ.

But do I care if I’m judged by others? Probably more than I’d like to admit.

Maybe a better question is, does my “serving Christ” even warrant judgement by others?

In other words … Is it noteworthy?

Does it standout in an ocean of “humanitarians” that all consider themselves serving “the greater good”?

 

In any serving I do, am I seeking to raise my status or Christ’s?

Jesus said, “Let you light shine” … but why? …So others would “glorify the Father”.

Who is glorified by my service? Me or God?

 

I can’t ever recall being “reviled”.

We American Christians throw around being “persecuted” a lot,

but usually because we got an “eye roll” from the co-worker who doesn’t want to be told about hell.

 

I don’t know the persecution Paul’s talking about.

And if I’ve ever been “slandered”, I’m sure it was a consequence of my own actions.

 

Why was Paul reviled, persecuted, and slandered?

Because of the offense of the Gospel.

 

Why am I? Because of the offense of me.

I need to imitate Paul.

If Paul offended someone because of serving the Gospel, their judgement was “a very small thing”.

 

I need to serve Christ.

Serve in a way that His light will shine.

And stay aware of any circumstance which I can “bless”, and “answer kindly”.

 

PRAYER

 

God, thank you for your Word.

And thank you for Paul and his example.

Give me boldness and courage to serve in a way that provokes a response of glorifying You.

And if the response is not to glorify You, Give me the fruit of the spirit to love the people You put around me.

Amen.