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Tuesday, May 13,
2008
Boast
Ephesians 2:7-10 That in the ages to come
he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man
should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(KJV)
Here is a fool proof plan of salvation
that eliminates our works and gives credit where the credit is truly due.
Some today boast of their works they claim to be doing for God; in fact now
I see where they use the infomercial approach, hand picking people to do
interviews that say what they want said concerning their ministries, which
by the way is just that, their ministries and not the Lord’s. If the Lord
is not leading you this day, if you are not walking in the Spirit in the
work He had ordained for you to do, then you are none of His.
Are you letting the peace of God rule in
all your decisions and the path you are walking this day or are you
following one that is more people pleasing? Now if you really wish to boast
about something then why not boast about the work the Lord is doing and has
done for His people, and the joy and peace you are experiencing because of
His good work. A true minister of God is one that will point the people to
the Lord and teach them all that is available in Christ, while many pretenders
are just patting themselves on the back and diverting the attention toward
their own works and what they think they are accomplishing for the Lord,
like He really needs our help. Last time I looked, we being all mankind,
were like helpless sheep headed for the slaughter until God so graciously
sent His Son on our behalf to redeem us from our destructions. Remember a
guy named Job, who when he kept his mouth shut long enough was able to hear
his answer from the Lord when God basically asked him if he knew better
than He did. Job chapter 38 on gives a good account of what happens when
man thinks he can now instruct God and give Him counsel and advice.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 But God hath chosen
the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28)
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
(29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in
Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for glory
& glorieth:
2744
kauchaomai (kow-khah'-om-ahee); from some (obsolete) base akin to
that of aucheo (to boast) and 2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):
KJV-- (make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.
God chose the foolish things, things that
are nought or nothing, to work through and manifest Himself in. God didn’t
choose you because you were so smart or because you had your life so
together, but rather just the opposite was true. Many people don’t think
they need God in their life and consider it a sign of weakness when others
seek the Lord for strength. The wisdom of God is foolish to mankind because
their carnal mind is enmity with God and unable to see or comprehend the
things of His realm, many times because it is just so simple.
If you are looking for something to glory
in, or even boast about, then why not boast about what the Lord is doing
and give Him the credit not only for the good work He has begun in you, but
is willing to perform in you unto the end. I am wearied with all these
religious organizations and their larger than life performances, which
remind me of the movies that come out these days with all the special
effects, and portray their imaginary account and views of salvation that
are not based on reality.
Psalms 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at
all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (2) My soul shall
make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (3)
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (4) I sought
the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (KJV)
God so graciously gave us access into His
kingdom which is based on His love and mercy and certainly not by our own
merit. Pride always proceeds a fall; so rather than being humble and
keeping that mindset many decide to take back control of their lives again
and end up worse than they were in the beginning. God has a perfect plan
for each and every person who is willing and obedient to walk a narrow and
straight path that leads to eternal life. Many think they can help God and
make His plan more effective by their works. While God’s word is quite
specific to point out throughout the Bible that His word has gone forth
throughout the whole world, mankind thinks it is their duty to deliver His
message through satellites and TV, and that God is waiting for them to
deliver it before the Lord returns. Didn’t we have an example of this back
at the tower of Babel when man thought they could get closer to God through
their own devices? God is not waiting on or relying on mankind to deliver
His message, or carry out His plan of salvation, however, He is able to
speak through those that are humble enough and realize their salvation is
based on grace and certainly not of their works. God knew the one man He
could send and rely on to deliver His message and lay down His life for the
perfect sacrifice, that being Jesus Christ. So when God chooses to use man
to speak or manifest His plan of salvation, He does it through Jesus Christ
and those that hear His message and do those things that are pleasing in
His sight.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (KJV)
I know, I know, someone you saw on TV or
heard on the radio said you need to give money to their organization so
that they could go to a place where no one has heard or had to opportunity
to hear the word of God. And yes I know we have been given the great
commission to go into all the world. Now it is a matter of hearing the Lord
of where our place in the body of Christ is, what office He is calling us
to, and then learning how and where to deliver His message so it will prosper
in the thing where He sent it. The good works we should be zealous of is
the good work that He has begun within and desires to perform and perfect
in all the believers. The teaching and the message we need to be delivering
should be pointing the people to God the Father through His Son Jesus
Christ and not toward mankind and its fallen nature and ideas.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that
glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (18) For not he that commendeth
himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (KJV)
Many are called and seek their approval
and praise from mankind, while few are left that God has chosen to work in
and through to deliver His message of love. It wasn’t mankind that got you
into the kingdom of God, and it is certainly not mankind that will keep you
in that realm, but rather a love for the Lord based on what He has done and
not what others try to take credit for. So let’s give credit where the
credit truly is due; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
because truly He that is within me is so much greater than those that are
still stuck in the realm of the world and its fallen ways.
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