"So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God," (Romans 14:12).
* Because the thought of giving is so connected with material things, this verse would likely not come to mind on the subject.
Yet, each and every believer shall give an account of himself to God at the Bema seat of Christ.
It is there that what we have done with what the Lord entrusted to us will be evaluated.
It will not be centered on our salvation (that was sealed the instant the Lord quickened us), but will be the basis for receiving crowns and rewards.
Questions come: will it be a day of gladness, showing the Lord how His investment in us has multiplied through faithful obedience? Or will it be an occasion for embarrassment, that we have squandered His resources through laziness, pride, & fear?
What a challenge to live each and every day in the light of this future judgment!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Bits & Pieces: Giving (14)
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (II Corinthians 9:15).
* It is evident throughout his letters that the apostle Paul never tired of praising the Father for giving His Son for our salvation.
We, on the other hand, often fail to specifically give thanks for God's indescribable gift.
It is all too easy for us to take Him for granted.
Take a few moments to reflect on the Lord Jesus Himself... ponder His perfections such as: His sovereignty.... His compassion.... His sacrificial love.....His faithfulness.... that He is Truth.
* It is evident throughout his letters that the apostle Paul never tired of praising the Father for giving His Son for our salvation.
We, on the other hand, often fail to specifically give thanks for God's indescribable gift.
It is all too easy for us to take Him for granted.
Take a few moments to reflect on the Lord Jesus Himself... ponder His perfections such as: His sovereignty.... His compassion.... His sacrificial love.....His faithfulness.... that He is Truth.
Bits & Pieces: Giving (13)
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful," (John 14:27).
* Upon facing the fact that their Master was leaving, the disciples needed desperately to be comforted. Intimately acquainted with all their ways, the Lord Jesus promised them, and us, a distinctive peace to counter discouragement and fear.
Because the world didn't give it to us, the world cannot take it away.
This promised peace is as permanent as the presence of the blessed Holy Spirit, its benefit forfeited only by unconfessed sin, and regained by repentance.
* Within hours of the cross, the Lord Jesus spoke these words of comfort to His men. They, as we, had such need for the inner assurance of His utter acceptance which transcends all circumstances.
Such peace pervades our hearts through the Person and ministry of the blessed Holy Spirit.
* Upon facing the fact that their Master was leaving, the disciples needed desperately to be comforted. Intimately acquainted with all their ways, the Lord Jesus promised them, and us, a distinctive peace to counter discouragement and fear.
Because the world didn't give it to us, the world cannot take it away.
This promised peace is as permanent as the presence of the blessed Holy Spirit, its benefit forfeited only by unconfessed sin, and regained by repentance.
* Within hours of the cross, the Lord Jesus spoke these words of comfort to His men. They, as we, had such need for the inner assurance of His utter acceptance which transcends all circumstances.
Such peace pervades our hearts through the Person and ministry of the blessed Holy Spirit.
Bits & Pieces: Giving (12)
"And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life," (I John 5:11, 12).
* In the light of man's total spiritual depravity, if anyone is to have eternal life, it must be given by God. For, no one could, or would, ever be able to earn his way to heaven. Only through salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal life given by God to whomever He pleases, can heaven be reached.
* In no uncertain terms, the apostle John makes it abundantly clear that eternal life is a gift, and is experienced by no one apart from salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Such truth decimates two of the world's most common assumptions: (a) that salvation can be earned or deserved, and (b) that there are many ways to heaven.
No, says John, eternal life is only in the Lord Jesus, and available only as He makes it so.
* In the light of man's total spiritual depravity, if anyone is to have eternal life, it must be given by God. For, no one could, or would, ever be able to earn his way to heaven. Only through salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal life given by God to whomever He pleases, can heaven be reached.
* In no uncertain terms, the apostle John makes it abundantly clear that eternal life is a gift, and is experienced by no one apart from salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Such truth decimates two of the world's most common assumptions: (a) that salvation can be earned or deserved, and (b) that there are many ways to heaven.
No, says John, eternal life is only in the Lord Jesus, and available only as He makes it so.
Bits & Pieces: Giving (11)
"Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly, with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh," (Matthew 2:7, 10, 11).
* These gifts from the magi were both beautiful and practical-- beautiful, as they reflected the character of the Child's life, and practical in meeting the little family's needs.
Gold could represent His deity or purity, incense the fragrance of His life, and myrrh (which was used for embalming) His sacrifice and death.
Practically, the gifts were undoubtedly the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod's death.
May we also give the Lord Jesus gifts beautiful and practical: the beauty of praise, and the practicality of daily obedience.
* These gifts from the magi were both beautiful and practical-- beautiful, as they reflected the character of the Child's life, and practical in meeting the little family's needs.
Gold could represent His deity or purity, incense the fragrance of His life, and myrrh (which was used for embalming) His sacrifice and death.
Practically, the gifts were undoubtedly the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod's death.
May we also give the Lord Jesus gifts beautiful and practical: the beauty of praise, and the practicality of daily obedience.
Bits & Pieces: Giving (10)
"But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE," (James 4:6).
* The prime obstruction to the grace of God in our lives is pride in all its forms. Although completely accepted in the Lord Jesus, we are usable only as we humble ourselves in His presence.
The greater our humility, the greater His grace. Pray that He will increase your willingness to be humbled.
* Although humility is the key which unlocks the floodgate of God's grace, we must not focus on being humble as our goal. Rather, we are to continually become more and more aware of who God is in all His greatness, thereby keenly conscious of our total dependence upon Him.
The greater our vision of who He is, the less thought we'll give to who we are.
* The prime obstruction to the grace of God in our lives is pride in all its forms. Although completely accepted in the Lord Jesus, we are usable only as we humble ourselves in His presence.
The greater our humility, the greater His grace. Pray that He will increase your willingness to be humbled.
* Although humility is the key which unlocks the floodgate of God's grace, we must not focus on being humble as our goal. Rather, we are to continually become more and more aware of who God is in all His greatness, thereby keenly conscious of our total dependence upon Him.
The greater our vision of who He is, the less thought we'll give to who we are.
Bits & Pieces: Giving (9)
"And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham,' " (Luke 19:8, 9).
* A key evidence of the salvation the Lord Jesus brought to the soul of Zaccheus is the giving which resulted from his gratitude. Previous disdain for the poor, as well as unconcern over dishonest dealings, were replaced by compassion and a determination for a clear conscience. Instead of loving things and using people, he would now use things and love people.
* It is doubtful that a clearer evidence of salvation could be manifested in Zaccheus' life than is here given. To suddenly express generous concern for the poor, and to determine to gain a clear conscience, are unmistakable indications that Zaccheus' life had been changed.
The Lord Jesus had opened his eyes to finally see that people are more important than things.
* A key evidence of the salvation the Lord Jesus brought to the soul of Zaccheus is the giving which resulted from his gratitude. Previous disdain for the poor, as well as unconcern over dishonest dealings, were replaced by compassion and a determination for a clear conscience. Instead of loving things and using people, he would now use things and love people.
* It is doubtful that a clearer evidence of salvation could be manifested in Zaccheus' life than is here given. To suddenly express generous concern for the poor, and to determine to gain a clear conscience, are unmistakable indications that Zaccheus' life had been changed.
The Lord Jesus had opened his eyes to finally see that people are more important than things.
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