Tag: security

The Distractions of Sin: MT e50

I once had a fat fly buzzing around my office.  The plan was to ignore it and remain focused on the reading in which I was engaged.

However, the more I tried to focus, the more the fly got my attention. So a new plan emerged and it was capital punishment for the fly.  God father reference: the fly would swim with the fishes.

I got up and began following it all around the office.  Swing and miss, swing and a miss. I am no Babe Ruth, the sultan of swat!  Follow it some more until I realized that I was now completely distracted from my reading.

I had gone from being emerged in reading to erratically following a fly.

This is so much like life, even life for the believer. 

We discussed the reality for every person born into this world, no matter if you are born in America or Angola, if you are born, you inherit the rebellion of Adam. For those who are born again, in Christ, we inherit His righteousness.

Which brings up a good question:  What if that old Saab, after repaired, broke again?  What if that synchronizer went out again? 

It is a good question because even though we are born again, forgiven and in Christ, there are times when we still sin.

We are trying to live focused on the Christian life yet we are distracted, just as I was with that fly in my office. 

When we are living this life in Christ as a believer, and a follower, it doesn’t mean that sin won’t distract us and take our attention off the Christ we love. 

I say this as an encouragement because as we strive for holiness, we are still in this body.  It can be temptations and harassment from the enemy. For it is true that “Satan walks about like a lion, seeking who he may devour” but most often the source of our sin is . . . our flesh.

When we were born again, our ability to sin was not removed. What did happen is our hearts were changed and we desired passionately to obey God.  We are disappointed when we do fall short and are given a will to love God’s word and to seek God. (Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 36:25-27).

We have always been and always will be solely dependent upon Jesus.

As always, S.D.G.

Nothing to Fear: MT episode 25

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you.” We have been hovering over that phrase for a few visits.  Let us consider that phrase right after this which says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  (2 Timothy 1:9)

So this verse begins with God’s Spirit given to us.  The moment you became a believer, God placed His Spirit in you (John 3:1-15).  It is a supernatural act of mercy.  This Spirit is the causing agent in our ability to love God, love His law and helps us control our rebellious flesh.  (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31)

But what about this statement “God gave us a spirit not to fear?”  There are several times where we are instructed/commanded to fear the Lord.  That it is the right thing to do. Yet here, the opposite.  Consider these passages:

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,”

Philippians 2:12 “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

These are just a small sampling of many passages which seem to promote that a fear in relation to God is a good thing.  How do we justify Those passages with earlier words that we should not fear?

In Scripture interpretation it is important to consider the location.  On the one hand we must fear the Lord in relation to honor and respect His authority as Lord and Creator.  We honor Him and His word. Yet on the other hand, as believers who are in Christ, we do not fear our eternal state. 

There is a same thought in Romans 8:15 that we have received the Holy Spirit adopted into God’s family, “by whom we cry Abba! Father!” (That is Father 2x)  “God gave us not a Spirit of fear” because Christ is our Lord.  Our eternal state is safe in Him.  There is nothing to fear in Christ. 

S.D.G.