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Thursday,
December 4, 2008
You Too
James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23) For if any be a
hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural
face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed. (KJV)
Do you remember what got you access into
the kingdom of God in the first place? It wasn’t your good looks, or your
family name, or even the fact that you had a lot of money, none of these
outward things or anything in the outward realm had anything to do with
your entrance into the kingdom of God. It’s when we look into the perfect
law of liberty, the truth that sets us free, and not being a forgetful
hearer, continuing in the faith, grounded and settled, this is what is
blessed of God. Thus the importance again of a daily renewing of the mind,
reminding of us of our place in the body of Christ and how we can stay in
good standing with our Lord.
Titus 3:1-3 Put them in mind to be
subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to
every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and
pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(KJV)
Being a Christian doesn’t make you bullet
proof or above the laws of this land. Sometimes people that have walked
with the Lord a while forget what got them into the Lord’s kingdom in the
first place, and spend a lot of time pointing their finger at others and
looking down on them. Keep in mind that it is pride that comes before the
fall. Just as surely as summer comes before the fall; spiritually you can
count on the fact that pride is shortly followed by the fall for many
Christians who forget that they were saved by grace through faith, and
definitely not by their works, which should put an end to all boasting.
Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the
temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. (11) The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am
not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican. (12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess. (13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so
much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner. (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (KJV)
Doesn’t this fit many religious
organizations, you know, those larger than life people with their holier
than thou attitudes? Those who may have actually been a bit humble in the
beginning of their walk sure have had a change of attitude as they have
gone on in their walk, or think they have progressed in it. Again we are
saved by grace through faith; the truth be known, that in our Lord’s eyes we
are all equal, sin is sin folks no matter what kind of big shiny robes that
you try to cover yourself up with. Anytime we forget who we really are and
who it really is that got us into right standing with God, that being Jesus
Christ, then we deceive ourselves, becoming forgetful hearers and not doers
of the Word.
Titus 3:3-6 For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and
pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4)
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Saviour; (KJV)
Here is a word that we should not soon
forget, ‘mercy’. Kindness, compassion, and a willingness to forgive, are
just a few of the definitions describing this word. Keep in mind as well,
that as long as we are in these fleshly temples we are all, one decision,
one temptation or lust, if acted on, from falling away from grace and back
into sin again. So don’t be too high minded. There was and is no works of
righteousness that any of us did to get us in good standing with God, and
there are no works we can do that will impress Him or keep us in good
standing with Him. However, our good standing with God is in Christ and His
righteousness; letting His Spirit lead and guide us on His path of life. So
before you go climbing your soapbox and think you are God’s gift to
mankind, remember who you truly are, how you got into good standing with
our Lord, and try practicing what is preached.
Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my
mind, therefore have I hope. (22) It is of the LORD's mercies that we are
not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every
morning: great is thy faithfulness. (KJV)
One way to keep the Lord’s mercies new
every morning is by a renewing of your mind so that you can remember who
you are in Christ and what allows you to keep in good standing with Him.
The more you can recall this, and renew your mind, the more hope you will
have in the Lord and the less you will try to rely on your own works. The
Lord’s mercies are new every day; He forgives and forgets; He doesn’t keep
a tally sheet to those that ask for His mercy and forgiveness. The fact
that we are saved by this mercy that was shed on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ, would it not be fitting for us to demonstrate some of this as
well on others?
Psalms 86:15-16 But thou, O Lord, art a
God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy
and truth. (16) O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength
unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. (KJV)
God is full of mercy, in abundance, ready
to be shed upon all His people. Remember what the Lord said about doing
unto others as you would have done unto you? Some compassion and kindness
will go a long way toward others rather than looking down on them and
thinking more highly of ourselves than we really should. Remember, at one
time you too were once foolish and deceived; so don’t forget what got you
out of that realm or you might just end up deceiving yourself again.
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