I've been busy with the holidays and have had little time to write. So here is a somewhat short, maybe even a bit simple but I trust an on target statement, about application of the scripture when it is being taught.
I like real application of scripture when it is taught. I am NOT talking about the kind of application that most Christians think of, as in "What should I DO for God?" I mean the APPLICATION that leads one to say, "I hear and am OVERWHELMED by what GOD HAS DONE FOR ME and will respond!"
This is because,
UNTIL__ a Christian realizes they don't HAVE to do ONE thing for God, OR try to change themselves to obtain the FAVOR of God, OR make any commitment, promise or vow to God to earn that favor, and UNTIL__ a Christian knows GOD ACCEPTS THEM and LOVES THEM just as they are because HE HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THEM WHAT THEY CANNOT DO themselves, namely, forgiven and cleansed them, is present within them to progressively empower and change them, given them every spiritual blessing they will ever need to live life which has come by Grace through Christ__their FOCUS will be on the WRONG place [their sins] instead of the RIGHT PLACE which is their spiritual portfolio IN CHRIST! THAT'S where you START with application!
UNTIL__ a Christian realizes they don't HAVE to do ONE thing for God, OR try to change themselves to obtain the FAVOR of God, OR make any commitment, promise or vow to God to earn that favor, and UNTIL__ a Christian knows GOD ACCEPTS THEM and LOVES THEM just as they are because HE HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THEM WHAT THEY CANNOT DO themselves, namely, forgiven and cleansed them, is present within them to progressively empower and change them, given them every spiritual blessing they will ever need to live life which has come by Grace through Christ__their FOCUS will be on the WRONG place [their sins] instead of the RIGHT PLACE which is their spiritual portfolio IN CHRIST! THAT'S where you START with application!
[THAT is a long sentence and may well need reading AGAIN!]
Most people read the Bible as if it is a rule book for behavior, when in reality God gave us the Bible as a love letter declaring the good news that He requires NOTHING of sinners and describing in that love letter what has ALREADY been provided sinners precisely and completely, IN CHRIST JESUS! [Remember, the Old Testament is the ROOT and New Testament is the FLOWER both pointing to the ONE PERSON of CHRIST]
If we don't understand this, when we fail, and we will, we would simply grit our teeth and try harder to DO good and NOT DO bad and would wind up being discouraged, defeated, and maybe even disillusioned.
Whereas, when TRUE APPLICATION [What He's ALREADY done on our behalf] is made when the scriptures are taught, we then can FAITH IT TO BE SO and we then can choose to do or live IN RESPONSE to His Grace and Mercy. That's obedience [serving] birthed out of faith and love BECAUSE we know He FIRST LOVED US!
Paul B.
4 comments:
Paul,
God does work in mysterious ways! My wife and I have had our five children and their families home for Christmas. A long time since that has happened!
I was privileged to be able to explain the very thing you are writing about here, and will pass it on to each of them. The two daughters attend "Reformed" churches because of their husbands and, to use an Australianism, 'bust their boilers' doing what they are told they should do for God, to quote your words,"to obtain the FAVOR of God".
How easy our children can be lead astray in how they understand their faith by those whom they marry.
By-the-way: I don't follow your blog because we seem to agree on most things, but because I am blessed by what I read, knowing that it comes from long years of "understanding" again and again.
Aussie J,
You don't know what an encouragement to read your comments. If a post of mine ever hits the mark it will only be doing what your comments ALWAYS do!
Paul,
Great read.
It’s too bad some Bible writers did not comprehend the love of God as you’ve explained.
“And so my judgment is…we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.” For it seem good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements.”(Acts 15:19-20, 28)
This letter was sent to Christian Gentiles but omitted the words of Peter: “Why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers…We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the underserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 15:11-12 NLT)
Rex,
Everyone one was coming to an understanding of things slowly weren't they. Isn't it just like the Lord to allow the scriptures to contain evidence and a record of that continuing struggle for clarity and understanding. One of the many reasons I so LOVE this Divine Record we call the Bible!
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