ALWAYS

Having been a youth pastor for the last eleven years, I have seen a lot of kids put their trust in boyfriends or girlfriends rather than God. The problem is, whether you are considered a youth or an adult, people will inevitably let you down. Why? It’s called human nature. The Psalmist wrote in Psalms 53:2-3,

² God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

³ Every one of them has turned aside;

They have together become corrupt;

There is none who does good,

No, not one.

The New Testament writer, Paul, puts that same thought forth in Romans 3:23,

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

So on whom can we ALWAYS depend? The God that saved us, Whose mercy endures forever, Who rescues us, Who is on our side; He is the One to Whom we owe thanks, allegiance, trust and love.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

² Let Israel now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

³ Let the house of Aaron now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

⁴ Let those who fear the Lord now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

⁵ I called on the Lord in distress;

The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

⁶ The Lord is on my side;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

⁷ The Lord is for me among those who help me;

Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

⁸ It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in man.

⁹ It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 118:1-9

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CONTRAST

2 Corinthians 4:10 (NKJV) always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Imagine that, our bodies containing both Life and death!

We see in Paul’s words a contrast of the weakness, which marked the humiliation of Jesus’ earthly life, and the power associated with His heavenly exaltation.

In his service for Christ, Paul constantly faced death. The life of Jesus was manifested by God’s deliverance of Paul. That deliverance was evidence that Jesus is alive.

Perhaps we don’t face physical death each day in our service for the Lord, but we should experience “death” to selfishness and “life” through obedience to the Holy Spirit that now lives in us. We should be manifesting Jesus’ life by imitating the way He lived. After all, isn’t that why we call ourselves Christians?

It means “followers of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV) ⁴For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10 (NKJV) ⁹And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

May God richly bless you as you seek to follow Him.

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TROUBLE?

When trouble comes our way, we often get depressed or scared or think, “The whole world’s against us! If we are only looking at mortal men to help us through this then it may get really bleak at times. After all, don’t they have the same problems that we do?

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 2 Corinthians 4:8 - 9 (NKJV)

Paul looked to God Who had created all humanity and everything else. He knew that the risen Jesus was coming back to gather together those that called Him Lord. He had told them

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20b

Paul had a hope that went beyond mere humans. Not that he didn’t think of people. As we will find out later in verse 12, Paul was going through all of the problems that he faced, because of people and for people. He thought it was worth the suffering and the persecutions in order to tell everyone about the amazing saving grace of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And, He knew, that even if he were to be killed, he would still live on in the presence of Jesus Christ for all eternity.

Here’s how Eugene Peterson puts those same two verses:

As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, ⁹ but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. 2 Corinthians 4:8 - 9 (TMSG)

So, the next time you’re feeling sorry for yourself, remember what Paul went through in order to get the message through to an entire world, including you, that Jesus Christ is Lord and He will save you out of any and all circumstances.

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LIGHT

One thing I’ve always liked about the desert is how you can see so far when the light of the full moon is shining. Add that light with the millions of stars and you can walk anywhere without a flashlight.

God’s light is like that, shining into our lives and lighting up the dark places. Then, when we see what is there in the dark, we can avoid the obstacle or remove it.

His Word, the Bible, does precisely that. It lights up or exposes those dark areas that we need to work on. He is so good to us.

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB)

God is the Source of Light…

God spoke light into existence when He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3

His Light is a True Spotlight on our lives…

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5 - 7 (NASB) (see also Ephesians 5:6-13)

God sent His Only Son, Jesus, into the world (John 3:16)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 (NASB)

The Purpose of Light in us is to glorify God…

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14 - 16 (NASB)

Get in the Word…read it every day…it will “light up your life!”

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HAPPINESS

Have you ever had friends that just loved to talk about themselves? They tell you of their accomplishments, recount stories of things that they did, sometimes repeating them over and over until you could almost tell the story from memory.

That doesn’t make them a bad person, but it does make them a less effective friend to you and a less effective witness for Christ. Why? A couple of reasons come to mind.

First, because they don’t really seem to care about us since they talk only of themselves. Second, because what we should be hearing is how Jesus did this, or Jesus accomplished that, through us perhaps, but He is the one that should be praised, not “self.”

Paul explains how he feels about this in 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB):

For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.

Not only did He put Christ first, but he also put others second, with self coming in at third place.

Isn’t that what Jesus said when asked what the most important commandment was?

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37 - 40 (NLT)

Paul’s whole concept of self was that it was, and should be, DEAD!

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

His concept of others was that they were more important than self…

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3 - 4 (NASB)

God first, others second and myself immersed deeply in Christ. This is the recipe for genuine happiness.

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BLIND

2 Corinthians 4:3 - 4 (NKJV) ³But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Paul had told us in verse 2 that he preached the unadulterated, unaltered Word of God. He didn’t water it down with things people wanted to hear or vain philosophies in order to win them over. It was the pure Word from God.

Beginning in verse 3, he tells us that some think the message he preaches is veiled or mysterious. In other words, they just don’t get it. He goes on to explain that the god of this age, satan, has blinded their minds.

Jesus told His disciples in John 10:27 (NKJV)^,

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Satan has not blinded those of us that understand what God is saying. God, in His wonderful grace has opened the “eyes” of our hearts.

Does that mean there is no hope for them that do not understand it now? Paul tells us “no” in Ephesians 2:1 - 3 (NKJV) because we too were once like them.

And you He (Christ) made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Therefore, we must not give up because the seed of God’s Word that we plant in someone’s heart today, may be watered by another tomorrow.

One thing is for certain, Christ has already won the victory over death and the god of this world, satan, has been defeated.

Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31 (NASB)

Our part is to continue on bringing to the people of this world the gospel of peace. It is God’s part to convict men’s hearts and bring them to understanding.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 (NKJV)

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TRUTH

Do you want to sleep soundly at night? Do you want to be able to look people squarely in the face? Try Paul’s recipe found in 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV):

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Renounced: to give something up, to reject belief in (the hidden things of shame)

• Now they won’t be hidden or deceiving others...the equivalent to walking in the truth.

Craftiness: using cunning or trickery to deceive other people (no more!)

• Now only walking in truth

Deceitfully: intentionally misleading or fraudulent in lying to people or not telling them the whole truth

• Now manifesting (to show something clearly) the truth found in the WORD OF GOD

Giving up shameful, secret things

+ Not twisting God’s Word or taking it out of context to fit your agenda

+ Clearly using God’s Word as He intended

= Clear Conscience

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NEVER

Don’t you just feel like quitting some times: quitting work, school, a project or something else? I think we all get discouraged if we are honest. So why then do we keep going? What is it that spurs us on, regardless of the task? Paul tells us something about this in 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NLT),

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way (or ministry), we never give up.

The “new way” is the answer. What is that about? When we lived at home with our parents, we were under their law or rules. When we are on our own, there is liberty from those rules, but hopefully we learned a little something about life from them; work ethic, morals, responsibility, etc. We also feel, as we get older (more mature), a responsibility and sense of gratitude for the sacrifice our parents made in order to make us able to handle our liberty.

It is the same with God and us, though we are never apart from Him! There has to be something beyond humanity that keeps us going and Paul tells us it is God’s merciful dealing with us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.

No longer are we under those hundreds of rules called the Law and condemned to death because we can’t keep them. We have liberty in Christ Jesus because He took that punishment of death on Himself. He paid for our sins with His life. We are freed from the law because of that but bound to Christ (we owe Him big!) because we have accepted His gift and His love for us. What does Christ ask of us in return? Love God and Love each other.

That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? It also sounds like a message worth telling. So why would we ever stop? Can a mere human discourage us from telling people about the God that created all humanity and everything else? Can trials or circumstances ever stop us from telling people that when their earthly body dies they can live with God in heaven forever? Paul says, “Never!”

Romans 8:38 - 39 (NLT) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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PROVIDE

Jehovahjireh - The Lord will Provide - Genesis 22:14

As we set about to create a youth center in our town it can, at times, seem like a huge project. So, as we should, we turn to the God’s Word to see how other “huge projects” were handled. What we see, is God’s man telling the people what was needed, and the people responding in obedience to God. God provided then for His work and He will provide now as we walk in obedience.

THE TABERNACLE

God told Moses to build a tabernacle, describing it in intricate detail. Moses then told the people what was needed, both material and financial.

Exodus 35:5b (NASB)

‘Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD’S contribution.

Moses told the people that workers were needed to build the tabernacle.

Exodus 35:10 (NASB) ‘Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded:

The people responded and brought the materials.

Exodus 35:21 (NASB) Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.

The people responded and brought gold to pay for the tabernacle.

Exodus 35:22 (NASB) Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.

God provided skilled workers to make the tabernacle.

Exodus 35:30 - 33 (NASB) ³⁰Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³¹“And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; ³²to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, ³³and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work.

Just one last thing…

The people brought more than was needed.

Exodus 36:6 - 7 (NKJV) ⁶So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, ⁷for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.

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VERSUS

We go through life making comparisons of one thing to another. That is how we see what is best.

Now sometimes comparisons don’t point out better or best, just differences. For example, when we compare ourselves to others and either, think we’re not good enough or that we are better than they are. That kind of comparison doesn’t work because God has made each one of us unique and gifted us in different ways.

At other times, comparisons show progress, as when we compare how we, or an employee, are performing a specific function now versus when we first began.

The whole of chapter three of Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth deals with the Letter or the Law versus the Spirit. When Paul is comparing the Law to the Law, that doesn’t mean the Law was bad, just that the Spirit is better. God’s progression is perfect.

“…for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Cor 3:6b (KJV)

The Law brought death, because it showed us we were sinning.

• The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

The Spirit and only the Spirit gives life – biological and eternal!

• Jesus said, the words I have spoken to you are life…John 6:63

The Law came from God through a man named Moses.

• The law was written on tablets of stone. Exodus 31:18

The Spirit came from God through the Son of God, Jesus.

• Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

The Law caused men to seek approval of men.

• They might see that we had kept the Law on the outside but we knew it was only for looks. John 12:43

The Spirit causes us to seek approval from God.

• Only God knows our heart. Acts 15:8

Paul tells us in Romans 2:29 that, “…true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Truly, this comparison not only shows us the worth of the Law, but the more valuable characteristic of the Spirit of God living in us.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 (NASB)

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MINE

Is there something that you own without which you do not think you could live? Maybe it’s that new car, or perhaps it’s your iPod ®. What ever it is, would you be willing to give it up for something even greater? What if someone asked you to give up all of your earthly possessions, could you do that?

Here’s a story, told by Mark, about such a man,

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17 (NKJV)

The first part of Jesus’ reply to him was that he shoud keep the commandments, to which the man replied that he had kept them ever since he was young.

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:21 - 22 (NKJV)

Now, do you think then that all Christians are to give up or sell everything they own in order to inherit eternal life? No!

Jesus knows each one of us. He knows what is important to each of us and He knows how important He is in our life. The truth of the matter is, whatever in your life is more important than Jesus, you will be asked to give it up. Or, at least, to come to the point of willingness to do so.

The Bible says that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He wants to be number one in our lives. The first commandment says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). When Jesus told us what was most important, it was to love God and to love each other (Matt 22:37-39).

Each day I end my devotional with “Seek first the Kingdom of God”. The rest of that verse reads “…and all these things shall be added unto you.” In other words IF you put God first in your life, you will lack for nothing. That doesn’t mean you will be rich, but it does mean that even if you are poor, you won’t notice it!

There’s a beautiful chorus by Wayne Goodine © 1989 that says it all,

Jesus is everything I need:

Jesus, Jesus.

Jesus is life and breath to me.

Jesus, my Lord.

© 1989 New Spring Publishing

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PERFECT

The idea of being “perfect” is a little foreign to us. After all, we can’t achieve it, right? We’ve all heard that perfectionism is a “bad thing.” The problem is that, as humans, we often take the opposite path and don’t even worry about “being the best we can be.”

So what does Jesus mean when He says,

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (NASB)

The Greek word, teleios, is translated here as “perfect.” According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions it means,

1) brought to its end, finished

2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness

3) perfect

4) that which is perfect

4a) consummate human integrity and virtue

4b) of men

4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature

In order to understand fully what Jesus meant we must then look at the tense of the verb “be”. In this instance, it is in future tense. We might think of it as, “You are becoming perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Becoming perfect is a process. Of utmost importance to realize is that the ability to become perfect only resides in us as the person of the Holy Spirit. It is not something we are capable of on our own. Jesus said, apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5), and that includes being perfect!

Paul makes it clear that it is God’s work in us that will bring us to completion or perfection:

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

So what is our part?

Do our best…

Colossians 3:17 (NASB) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Surrender to Him…

Romans 12:1 (NASB) Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Now, there is a cost. And, as King David said in 2 Samuel 24:24,

“I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing.”

What is the cost? Your life!

Matthew 16:24 - 25 (NASB) ²⁴Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. ²⁵“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

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MIRROR

I’m sure you have spent some time in front of a mirror whether it be in the morning, afternoon or at night. You look at what you see and you try to transform that image into something that you feel is presentable to the rest of the world.

Paul speaks of a different kind of a mirror in his second letter to the church at Corinth:

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

Remember whenever Moses went into God’s presence, he lifted the veil and, as a result, he glowed brightly with the glory of God (Ex. 34:29-35). Christ lifted the veil that kept us from coming to God when He gave His life for us on the cross.

Instead of merely being able to enter that Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or temple where He resided, His Holy Spirit lives inside of us as believers in Christ. We are in God’s presence simply by trusting Jesus as our Savior after we have repented of our sins.

Every time we read God’s Word, we are in His presence. His Word, the Holy Bible, acts as a mirror of our lives to see how closely we resemble God, our Creator. He has given us specific things in His Word that can tell us whether we are closer to being like Him:

• Are we thinking about things that are noble, true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise? (Philippians 4:8)

• Are we displaying the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23)

• Are we thinking of others more than ourselves? (Philippians 2:3-4)

The word transformed is the same word used in Matthew 17:2 when Jesus was transfigured in front of Peter, James and John. The Greek word metamorphoō is used. From that word, we derive our English word metamorphosis. Perhaps the most graphic image of metamorphosis is seen in the process of a plain cocoon turning into a magnificent butterfly. It is transformed from one thing into an entirely different thing.

That is why we are to be transformed from a person who used to be a sinner, to a saint set apart to God, holy and righteous through Jesus Christ.

Does the Bible speak elsewhere of being transformed? Look at Paul’s letter to the Romans:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

Two more questions as I close:

• Do you like what you see in the mirror of God’s Word?
• How much time are you spending in front of God’s mirror?

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COVENANT

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

This is clearly referring to the New Covenant:

I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33b (NLT)

This is the same “New Covenant in my blood” that Jesus referred to at the Last Supper when taking the cup (Luke 22:14-20).

The two major divisions of the Bible are the Old Testament or Covenant and the New Testament or Covenant. The Old speaks primarily of the Mosaic Covenant or the Law (10 commandments and more!) which revealed sin and the way to live. The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the sin-less Son of God who fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) and is now the only way (John 14:6) to be reconciled to God the Father.

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 (NKJV)

Christ made the first obsolete, not us. The only reason the new covenant was needed was that man could not keep the law. Still today, we cannot keep the law except for our trust in the sufficiency of Christ.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4 - 6 (NKJV)

If we try to hold others “to the letter” of the law, we become legalistic and drive people away from the grace that was ushered in by Christ. However, if we love them in the Spirit of Christ as He loves us, they will be more likely to receive new life by accepting Him as Savior and Lord.

Now, the New Covenant has only come to us in part because the people of Israel rejected it when they rejected Christ. The New Covenant was meant especially for the people of Israel…

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— Jeremiah 31:31 (NKJV)

There is even more that is to be fulfilled in the New Covenant…

No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)

Until that time comes, we need to remain obedient to Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6) and tell others the Good News about Him. We need to be about the business of making new disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey what Jesus has commanded, namely loving God and loving each other (Matthew 28:19-20; 22:37-39).

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ADEQUACY

“I can do it! I can do anything that I want.”

Sounds rather like boasting, doesn’t it? It reminds me of one who boasted in the distant past and what God’s response was:

¹² “How you have fallen from heaven,

O star of the morning, son of the dawn!

You have been cut down to the earth,

You who have weakened the nations!

¹³ “But you said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;

I will raise my throne above the stars of God,

And I will sit on the mount of assembly

In the recesses of the north.

¹⁴ ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High.’

¹⁵ “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol,

To the recesses of the pit. Isaiah 14:12 - 15 (NASB)

This passage is referring to Satan! Contrast that with the following passage:

⁴Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. ⁵Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, ⁶who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:4 - 6 (NASB)

I like that statement, “our adequacy is from God”! It reminds me of another familiar passage found in Philippians:

¹³I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Only when we recognize that it is God’s strength, not ours, His adequacy and not ours, will we truly be on the path to a godly life.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

LETTER

Sometimes we are separated from those we love by gulfs of time and space. They may be on a trip, off to college or simply had to move to another place for work. Before the advent of the cell phone, it was quite expensive to call and talk on the telephone to someone in a different state.

Now, we have cell phones with unlimited long distance calling, email and Instant Messaging giving us a written real time conversation with someone regardless of where they are, just as long as they have access to the internet.

In Paul’s day, the letter was about the only way you could communicate to people that were in another location. Letters were very important. In the following passage, Paul describes our lives as letters:

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:1 - 3 (NASB)

The phrase “read by all men” ought to make us stop and think. What is being conveyed here is that the way we act toward others is perceived as a tremendously important piece of communication. Some people see how we act and may be adversely affected by it though we may never hear their response. As in writing a letter to someone in Paul’s day, they may have received the message and responded poorly, but Paul wouldn’t have immediately known it. Mail service wasn’t as fast as it is today…there was a delay.

The “letter” of our life should be carefully considered as it is lived out day by day. If we recall as Paul admonishes that we are a “letter of Christ”, an important communication to the world from Him, we will be careful to dot all the “i”s and cross all the “t”s.

Our acceptance of Christ’s sacrificial death for us on the cross caused the Holy Spirit to indwell us. As we remain yielded to His leading, the letter of our lives will be a clear testament for Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our salvation. It will lead other people to Him. We, as living letters, become the ultimate witnesses for the Master.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD