What does it take for me to live by the gospel? How can I possibly be worthy of the intense gift of God’s grace to such a sinner as me. Well, let’s begin with the observation that it must be possible because we’re told to do it. Let me add a note about the context here, this is to the congregation at Philippi, but of course we are members of the body of Christ each one of us, and so must take this lesson to heart together. Wouldn’t it be something to have a boot-camp like experience where we had to work through obstacles and like the military the point would be team building? At the end of the day a pastor would have the task of summing up the day with a sermon on this verse. I think people would remember it. We don’t know sometimes what it is like to work together toward a goal, and seeing the prize together. Our prize? “14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” In the Greek prize here means exactly what you might think it does, an award in the public games. There is no Stanley cup or Lombardi trophy to aim at which would be simpler. But the award we await is so much more lofty and higher than any emperor could devise. If only we could get a feel for what that upward call felt like, how it could and should impact my thinking, planning, giving, and living my life. As those who are elected we are called to the heavenlies! How can I make that any stronger. I have been set free of the bonds of sin and should live my life without that bother hanging around my neck. I have a clear conscience before the Lord, and let me tell you what a precious thing that is. To live the gospel then is to live the freedom that has been bought for us! If we get into the pig pen of sin what good are we? W... ... middle of paper ... ...t (this book) to keep me busy. I am feeling so blessed at this time in my life. It has only been recently that the Lord has shown me the things I did wrong and why the discipline was so long and arduous. I am happier now than ever before, and more aware of the Lord’s presence, and especially my need to keep myself clean as I walk before Him. The section of scripture in II Peter 1:1-11 has taken on a new and bright meaning for me lately. It talks about when we find ourselves in the spiritual doldrums that we are actually blind or short-sighted, not remembering that we have been delivered from sin. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of sin. I don’t want anything to do with it anymore, if I can help it. The passage goes on to promise that if I work on 7 different areas of my spiritual life “they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive” [1]
As Christians it is our responsibility to live our lives in accordance with God’s will. Sharing the good news of God’s kingdom is imperative not only for our salvation, but that of many. If we don’t hear the gospel, we do not have an opportunity to embrace it. Additionally we cannot distort the message otherwise we diminish ...
To be completely transparent I don’t think that prior to this year I’ve lived in true communion with God. I compartmentalized my life in many ways, and I did not put one hundred percent of my life on the altar. The past few months and especially this book have shown me the attitudes, the compromises, the hurts, the habits, and the many other things in my life that have been displeasing to God. The things that have grieved His heart and broken the communion.
I grew up in a home with a family that attend church weekly and was active in the church family. I knew about God and about His son but I never remember the story of salvation and the personal need for a savoir. As a teenager I walked away from the religion that I thought did not offer my anything. In my thirties, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and I immediately started my negotiations with God. Little did I know that He was not a negotiator but it was during this time in my life that I needed God more than He needed me. Since accepting the gift of God’s love, the salvation of a Savoir, and the renovation of my heart, I look to God for the path of my life. I share Gods truth through my career change to a Christian nob-profit that’s vision is to share God’s love to the community through the platform of pregnancy care and family services. Personally I have fulfilled God’s call to help the less fortunate by adopting a sibling group and participating and supporting mission trips to third world countries to support his children and missions there. My final piece of God’s plan I feel lead to complete is to volunteer my professional expertise and finances to work with a mission group that provides laboratory services to third world mission hospitals. I have done one trip for them and am currently planning a trip to Honduras in the new year. My day to
As I consider the various lessons that I have comprehended in this course further advances my calling to be an observer for the Lord. I acknowledge that an unadulterated life focused in a steady love of the Lord and a reliable sharing of my constant faith is important to satisfy the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. I have understood that my reverential life, the act of sharing my faith and administering to the lost has melted away and is conflicting.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[e] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by
We have to admit that we are sinners and we need to be saved from this world. We have to want Jesus to be a part of our lives and be willing to follow him no matter where it will lead. Then we must believe that Jesus is who he said he is and want him because he provided us with love, peace, joy, hope, strength, and understanding. Then we must commit our lives to serving the Lord so we can live a life for him -- a life that's truly worth living.
Man knows that the Gospel is God’s power to save, that the truth purifies the heart and the truth sanctifies the heart; for, that information has been revealed through His Word by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 1:16; I Peter 1:22; John
In the world, there exist 129,864,880 books. The chances of someone reading every single book is virtually impossible. One of these books holds information, beliefs, and truths that are pinnacle to Christianity. This is, of course, the Bible. In the Bible, namely the New Testament, there are many letters. Paul, who wrote many of these letters, proclaims the gospel, the “good news”. What is this good news and what are the so-called “gospels” in the first place? Why is it even necessary to know this? After reading specific sections of Paul’s letters, such as Romans 8, and commentaries regarding these passages, the gospel is the good news of the Lord, The good news is a proclamation of our access to salvation and the sacrifice of Christ that served to grant us that.
Christianity has its challenges. It places demands on us that set us apart from the rest of our world. The bible calls us a peculiar people, who navigate the challenge of living IN the world, without being OF the world. When we say ‘no’ to temptations that are enjoyed by the masses, we are labeled as self-righteous snobs, religious weirdoes, or worse. But we persevere, and we press toward that invisible line the Apostle Paul drew in the sands of time…for the high calling in Christ Jesus.
“Salvation is evident in the human response in faith, love, and a certain gallantry to the challenges of the world – discrimination, death, poverty, disease, handicaps. It is the unexpected response, unexplained save through the inspiration of the Spirit of God, the work of God’s grace.”(Bullock, James R. Whatever Became of Salvation? Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1979. Print.) I really like this short statement, it explains how salvation is a way to deal with the evil of the world, by simply recognizing that God is truly the only way to live a fulfill life, with a sense of purpose. But the first question we ask ourselves when we decide to get saved is, how, the correct question we should be asking is “what does it mean to get saved? Too often we describe being saved as “getting” or “having” Jesus Christ as our “personal” Lord and Savior. I am part of that population who thought that “getting” or “having” Jesus Christ as our “personal” Lord and Savior was giving you the authority to say “I am saved” or “I am a believer/ Christian.” But like the saying goes “Actions speak louder than words”, to truly be a believer of Jesus Christ, it is not only accepting Him as your Lord and Savior but to also show His love through you. “Salvation is...
This excerpt conforms to my worldview that the essence of Christianity is based on how an individual responds to others who are in need of both physical and spiritual help. As I continue to develop and grow in Christ, I will apply this principle throughout my lifelong journey of helping others and teaching the Gospel.
When Jesus called His disciples, His invitation was simple. He invited them to follow Him. The same is true today. In Matthew 28, Jesus gave His last charge to His disciples, and the charge was simple. He called his followers to go and make disciples. Much effort has been placed by Christians to fulfill this charge, commonly referred to as the Great Commission. Jesus chose to fulfill the implementation of the New Covenant through 12 men who He called, appointed, and commissioned, and he only had a few short years to prepare them for the task (Willson, 1990). His methods were unconventional and were revolutionary for that time. His disciples were to be trained extensively by Jesus, living with Him for three years prior to His ascension. He taught about servant leadership and its meaning for both the leader and follower Matt. 20:25-28). From the beginning, Jesus put in place a careful plan, and an examination of His actions in the Gospels showed that Jesus left behind the pattern to be replicated. His methods, which included the incorporation of three different levels of discipleship, included His interaction with Peter, His closest three (Peter, James, and John), and finally the group of 12. This paper identified and analyzed the three levels of discipleship Jesus modeled, these discipleship methods were then measured against modern leadership theories, and Jesus’s level of involvement and interaction with his disciples were critiqued in light of these modern theories in an effort to determine the effectiveness of this approach.
As a counselor, I will with the help of the Holy Spirit, walk this passage of scripture out in my daily profession. I am reminded of a quote given by one of my instructors. She stated, as a professional I bring my expertise but a Christian I come on my knees. I am nothing more than a servant in the field of counseling.
In the General Epistles, we are shown how to follow Jesus in hard times and when it is essential to walk with Him. The General Epistles show us the difficulties of life when dealing with captivity, mistreatment by those of a higher social standing, and racism. Today we have many similar difficulties but they are in the form of working for human glorification, benefitting others who are not in need for our work, and maximizing profits for a company. These scenarios are not for Gods purpose but only for human purposes. The General Epistles also show us how to deal with these difficulties and overcome them in a way that we can be helpful working toward Gods purpose. Trusting that God will provide for us and that we must work to only benefit others
I learn that from this class, I am priceless that makes God have to give heaven 's best asset, which is the Son, Jesus Christ to die for me on the cross. After I received this revelation, I realize that every people matter in God 's eyes. As the follower of Christ, I cannot stop from showing the goodness of God 's love in my life to others (believer or unbeliever), because the moment I stop at displaying God 's love in my life to others, then I started to become like the unsalted Christian. Spiritual maturity also talks about enjoying my relationship with God and how could I influence others with God 's love in me by doing an intentional and significant action that could become the evidence of God 's love in my life. In other words, when God 's love started to invade my life, I would become contagious