Today we switch gears just a bit, but we are not going away from the subject of stress. Let's take a look at the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Here we see Jesus teaching His disciples about what it truly means to be a Christian. In fact, when you read these verses, you get a sense of what it means to not only be a Christian on this earth, but also the attitude of everyone who calls heaven their home. It is this attitude and these characteristics that not only reflect Christ but will also give us victory in a stressed filled life.
The first blessing has to do with a "poor spirit". The word blessed can mean happy, but more applicable it means "approved by God". Approved by God are those who recognize that spiritually they are bankrupt and need outside help. The word for "poor" in the Greek is ptochos which means completely depended on another for survival. So, the ones who make it to heaven are those who realize that their self-righteousness will give them hell, but the
righteousness of the perfect God/man will give them heaven. Life is more stressful when we try to make it to heaven on our own good deeds. The Pharisees carried this same attitude in Luke 18:9-14. They loved to look at their own works and boast of the fact that they were so good, and yet Jesus condemned their self-righteousness. It was the publican, the sinner, who recognized his position before God as unworthy, and yet humbled himself before God to accept God's mercy and salvation. If I seek to get to heaven by my good works, it will only stress me out each day when I see how little I have done and how much I still have to do. Are you relying on your good works to get you to heaven? What a stressful situation to fine yourself in. All men need to realize how short we miss the mark on our own, and make the decision to humble their hearts and accept the perfect work and righteousness of Jesus Christ. This attitude also applies to we who are Christians, let us daily search our hearts to make sure that we remove all pride that will hinder fellowship with our God. This life is not about us, it is all about bring glory, honor, and power to Jesus Christ in everything we say and do! It is only when we carry this attitude of "poor of spirit" that we truly will live as Christ intended for us to live. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Forgiveness, Oh What A Feeling 5
It is one thing to be forgiven by God, or to struggle with forgiving that family member, friend or even enemy. But have you ever thought about the stress people carry all the time on their shoulders when they do not forgive themselves? Are you one of these people? If we could look to one person in Scripture, who shows us what it means to walk joyfully in this world while not letting his past defeat him or stress him out, that man would be the Apostle Paul. This was a man who persecuted, hurt, and killed followers of Christ. He described himself as the "chief of all sinners." How could this man live in victory when he thought about his past actions? This same question must be asked of us as well - How can I forgive myself?
Well, good news, bad news - (Bad news) It is impossible to forgive yourself on your own, your guilty conscience and pride will not allow it (1 John 3:20). (Good news) A Christian can only forgive themselves when they embrace God's grace, mercy and strength. Let me break down these thoughts a little further. Paul could forgive himself when he realized the power of God's grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10). God's grace gives us a new position, new purpose, and new power. God did something for us that we could not do on our own, and with that work of grace, we can boldly walk in victory from that sinful past. We also see that Paul could forgive himself when he accepted God's mercy (1 Tim. 1:13-17). You see, God's mercy is offered to all unbelievers, whether one accepts it or not. When He died on the cross, mercy was offered for all sin. Now there is a time coming when His mercy toward the wicked will end; but until then, today is a day to receive God's mercy.
But it does not end there, God's mercy continues to flow upon His children. God is so patient with us. God is continuing forgiving us. God is sovereign, what more could we ask for. Oh, friend, you need not walk under the burden of your past sins, you can walk in victory at the cross. And no matter what your past looks like, His forgiveness is sufficient. Go ahead, forgive yourself as He as forgiven you. Until next time, walk closely with Christ.
Well, good news, bad news - (Bad news) It is impossible to forgive yourself on your own, your guilty conscience and pride will not allow it (1 John 3:20). (Good news) A Christian can only forgive themselves when they embrace God's grace, mercy and strength. Let me break down these thoughts a little further. Paul could forgive himself when he realized the power of God's grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10). God's grace gives us a new position, new purpose, and new power. God did something for us that we could not do on our own, and with that work of grace, we can boldly walk in victory from that sinful past. We also see that Paul could forgive himself when he accepted God's mercy (1 Tim. 1:13-17). You see, God's mercy is offered to all unbelievers, whether one accepts it or not. When He died on the cross, mercy was offered for all sin. Now there is a time coming when His mercy toward the wicked will end; but until then, today is a day to receive God's mercy.
But it does not end there, God's mercy continues to flow upon His children. God is so patient with us. God is continuing forgiving us. God is sovereign, what more could we ask for. Oh, friend, you need not walk under the burden of your past sins, you can walk in victory at the cross. And no matter what your past looks like, His forgiveness is sufficient. Go ahead, forgive yourself as He as forgiven you. Until next time, walk closely with Christ.
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