Give Me Freedom

Posted on October 22, 2021 by paulwlane

Romans 6:16-18

Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Show me a person who is not a slave!!!!

“One is enslaved to passions, a second to profit, a third to status and everyone to fear.” Seneca, first century Roman philosopher.

What are you a slave to?

Romans 6:16-18 – All of us were ( “were”) slaves to sin for Christ saved us by the shedding of His blood on the cross when we finally got around to recognizing that we had been a slave to sin. We came as sinners to the foot of the cross and acknowledged our need of a Savior. He forgave us. Yea! Hallelujah!

There is no moral authority today – if it feels good, do it!

Proverbs 30:12 – There is a class of people who are pure in their own eyes, and yet not washed from their own filth.”

Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.

Romans 12:1-2 – I urge you by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Some of us, still knowing we were forgiven, remained in slavery, bound to some of our sin or at least some of the beggarly elements of servitude. What should have been a radical transformation and total about-face seemed partial or non-existent.

Oh yes, we were saved but we certainly had not been really transformed in the way we thought, talked and behaved and continued to live our life.

Story is told of a young man who had an addiction to donuts, eating six or seven at a time. He was very overweight. He worked on it and lost a lot of weight. He woke up one morning craving a donut. When he arrived at work with a donut, his coworker questioned him, saying “I thought you had given up donuts.”

His response: “I prayed and told God if there was an open parking spot right in front of the donut shop when I went by, I would know it was okay for me to stop and get a donut” What he did not tell his coworker was that there was an open parking spot on his eleventh time around the block. That’s about the way we treat temptation.

We read our Bible when we thought about it and did not have anything else to do like a favorite TV program, shopping, watching a football game, watching “As the Stomach Turns”, going to Olive Garden or McDonalds or whatever else was transient gratification. (That’s a big word for “current need for self-satisfaction.”) We prayed, especially when we got into trouble.

A Christian is someone who changed – transformed – made new in His image – set free from slavery. That’s really the crux of this whole thing. We had gone through the motions of being set free, but we were still in fact enslaved. Christ had forgiven us up to that point (repeat) of our asking for forgiveness.

The Bible say “For He (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We had, so to speak, by asking forgiveness, emptied the backpack of sins on our back. Sins we had carried around, or was it a duffle bag full, or maybe it was two duffle bags full or maybe it was a wheelbarrow and a duffle bag. For me it was a dumpster – not the kind sitting out back, but the kind they drop off at a house getting a demo job. (sins)

Actually we were still enslaved, though forgiven.

Don’t misunderstand me – Christ did forgive us when we asked Him to – no more guilt from all the baggage of sin. No real change, however, we just started stacking up the whole rotten, stinking load again. We were still enslaved – saved from our sin of the past but now we are like a totally irresponsible person and our enslavement begins all over again in a life of guilt and shame.

We had prayed – maybe we shed a few crocodile tears, maybe some minor course correction but really still enslaved. If we are to be Christ-like there should be some change in our life.

The book of Jeremiah is a book of doom in so many ways; a tale of God’s wrath and judgment for man’s failure to follow Him. But hope is intermingled there. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

That scripture is the promise of hope that even in our sin, our turning away, our rejection of Him who loves us, even in the midst of His judgment He offers hope. He offers us the best that we could ever hope to have.

That’s what Jeremiah is about….that sums it up. It’s not about simply turning from sin because it is wrong. It’s not about simply turning from sin because it means a turning back to God. God wants these things, but He wants them because, like any good father or husband, he does not want us suffering the consequences of sin. You may be forgiven from your sin but that sin put a scar on your memory that you may never forget and Satan will taunt you over it even though you are now a follower of Jesus. Believe me, I know from a personal standpoint and I’m old. He wants to provide something far more wonderful than our dreams and hopes could imagine. He wants His people to be in good marriages (remember – we are the Bride of Christ) not just because it is right, but because it is through marriage, through our relationship with Him that He can shower upon us love, security, purpose, hope. It is where He can demonstrate what the union between god and man is meant to be. Paul used marriage as a way to explain the church’s relationship with God. God wants us to avoid sin and turn to Him, because he has been planning since the foundation of the earth to give us good things.

We turn away from God’s commands out of fear, anger, rebellion, stupidity and we miss not simply heaven, but in the here and now we miss an abundant life. There is hope amidst the judgment, joy among the bitterness, grace amidst the sin. God promises in Jeremiah that “when we get serious about searching for Him and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you are not disappointed.” God is not a lover that disappoints; He is not a shady salesman or politician.

This passage of hope in Jeremiah comes after he says in the preceding verse that “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years of captivity are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home.” This promise does not negate His judgment of the consequences of sin, but God, knowing the rejection of Israel (and of us) having dealt the punishment we deserve, He gives His people a second chance. He says He has plans for them, to take care of them, to not abandon them, to give them a future, a hope. The people who so poorly treated Him are offered the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. It is proof that God’s wrath and judgment are not enough to extinguish His love or His belief in His people.

Jeremiah is a book of judgment laced with hope.

There is a consequence for sin but we have hope.

We simply were not free. We were still enslaved. We had experienced

Christ’s free gift of grace, but it was like we were – in spite of His grace – bad, bad, bad.

Romans 6:1-4 says “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may more abound. The answer – No – No – No

Romans 6:3-6 – Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

Galatians 5:24 – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

We have been set free. Let us walk in that freedom in obedience to God.

I’m free!

Living in His Fullness

Posted on May 16, 2021 by paulwlane

Ephesians 3:19

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (The Amplified Bible)

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (New Living Translation)

Ephesians 4:11-13

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. (New Living Translation)

He was man – yet:

Colossians 1:19 – For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently. (The Amplified Bible)

All His loving kindness

When I say “all” I am not saying his “all” is limited, that there is no more for anyone else. I am saying He has given us all that was needed, all that was necessary, and all that was available. The enormity of His fullness, of His grace is beyond our comprehension (like the stars in the heaven or the sand at the seashore) and we are the recipients of all that there is.

Look at this illustration: We are spiritually filthy dirty in our sins and we can somehow harness all the water that is in the ocean and bathe in that huge bathtub. His grace is immeasurable and never ceases. Once it is poured out on us it keeps on being poured out. You may have been saved 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 years ago, but His grace has never stopped flowing upon you, over you, through you, in you, around you. The ample vast supply is available to all who have been redeemed.

John 1:16 – For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (The Amplified Bible)

This grace in its fullness is “real love.” At salvation I received that same fullness living in me.

Colossians 2:9 – For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. (The Amplified Bible)

What shall we do about His fullness in our lives?

Hebrews 10:26-29 – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

We have received the fullness of Jesus Christ which is, was and forever shall be His grace. All His grace was manifested at Calvary. We can never, never, never, never, never, never, NEVER receive more of His grace than that which was given freely at the cross because we have received His fullness. That is, we have received all that is available, complete salvation. All that was necessary for the work to be done in us, for us, through us, all His riches, all His love, all His forgiveness, all His mercies.

The fullness of His grace. There is no past tense. It does not say “completed” – but “complete.” It is done!

Luke 6:27-42 – But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.\

James 2:1-7 – My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

1 John 3:14-17 – If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (New Living Translation)

2 Thessalonians 1:12 – Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist said, “I must decrease – He must increase.” We might simply say, “It’s not about me but it’s about Him.”

One writer described His fullness this way – “Basketfuls.” He must have had the multiplication of loaves and fishes in mind when he said, “basketsful!”

Jonathan Edwards – “Nothing was done after His resurrection to purchase redemption of men, nor is there anything more to be done through all eternity.”

He is all my righteousness – I stand complete in Him and worship Him.

Appreciating the Mystery

Posted on May 15, 2021 by paulwlane

Ephesians 3

BACKGROUND/FOUNDATION: This entire third chapter of Ephesians is about the mystery of God, the eternal purpose of God for the Christian believer. It is divided into three parts and all together, it tells us of our access in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 3:1-7 – Revealing the Mystery

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

All are fellow heirs, or joint heirs
All are of the same body
All are partakers of the promise in Christ through the Gospel.

Ephesians 3:8-13 – The Purpose of the Mystery

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

The power of God in the church
The grace of God in the church
God’s eternal purpose in Christ
The believer’s access into God’s presence by faith.

Ephesians 3:14-21 – Appreciating the Mystery

Appreciating the Mystery – For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

For strength and power within – by God’s Spirit
- For Christ to rule and reign within – by faith
- The encouragement to pray and trust God for the answer.

THE MYSTERY

In most books we read we find the same questions. In school when you have a book report to write you had to cover all the very same questions. No less is true when we read the Bible. We must ask the very same questions. Those questions are:

Who
How
What
When
Where
Why

In this chapter we find the answer to some of our questions.

Who – We are all fellow heirs, or joint heirs of the same body. That is, both Jew and Gentile are partakers of God’s promise in Christ through the Gospel.
How – through the Gospel – the good news
What – the death and resurrection of Jesus giving us eternal life
When – Now
Where – wherever anyone receives the message and believes on Jesus
Why – the love of Christ which passes knowledge

Part of that promise is that He gave us the power and grace and strength to be like Him in obedience, faithfulness, and holiness in all manner of situations.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “But He said to me, ‘My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in your weakness.’ Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! So for the sake of Christ I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak (in human strength), then am I (truly) strong (able, powerful in divine strength). The Amplified Version.

Colossians – “(We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, (to exercise) every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy.” The Amplified Version

Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait for the Lord (who expect, look for, and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” The Amplified Version

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth) let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight ) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection). He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Amplified Version

THE PURPOSE

1 Peter 2:5 – “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

OUR APPRECIATION

1 Timothy 1:13-14 – “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Grace

Posted on May 12, 2021 by paulwlane

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

LIFE WITHOUT CHRIST

A life of death

The basic meaning of death (nekros) is separation. Physical death is when a person is separated from their body. Spiritual death is when a person is separated from God.

1 John 5:12 – “He who has the Son has life; and he does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:6 – “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

A life of trespasses and sin

Trespasses (paraptoma) means to fall, slip, blunder, deviate, wander away.

Sins (hamartia) means to miss the mark.

Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

A life lived with the disobedient.
A life under God’s wrath.

John 3:36 – “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Romans 1:18 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

Hebrews 2:2-3 – “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”

LIFE WITH CHRSIT

Made “Alive”

Why? Because of his love.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Love (agapao) means unconditional love, love by choice and by an act of the will. It is the world for God’s unconditional love. It does not depend on “feelings” or “chemistry.”

Why? Because of His mercy.

Mercy (eleei) means feelings of pity, compassion, kindness. It is a desire to comfort, to care for.

When? When we were His enemies.

Romans 5:6, 8, 10 – “For when we were still without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Together with Christ

In His resurrection
In His ascension
In His present rule at God’s right hand

Romans 8:11 – ‘If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Romans 8:17-18 – “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Philippians 3:21 – “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

Colossians 3:4 – “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

GOD’S GREAT PURPOSE

We were created for God’s glory.

Col 1:16 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

God’s grace will take all eternity to show off.

Whatever we may experience of God’s goodness here, there is much more to come – it will take all of eternity for us to comprehend and show proper appreciation for all God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

GRACE OF GOD

God’s

Riches

Christ’s

Expense

Grace is giving – giving to people who do not deserve it.

Romans 5:6-10 – “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” This portion of Scripture shows that God died for us when we were:

without strength
ungodly
sinners
enemies

God’s saving grace is free (for us – it cost Jesus His very life).
We cannot save ourselves.

Romans 3:20, 27 – Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin; Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith”

Galatians 2:16 – “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

Titus 3:4-5 – “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

GOD’S GRACE MEANS WE CAN WALK RIGHT

We are God’s “work of art.”

Workmanship (poiema) means that which is manufactured, a design produced by an artist. (This is where we get our words “poetry” and “poem.”) We are God’s poem.

We are designed to do good works.

Not as a duty – but as a part of our new nature. If a man has been created in Christ, he does good works. He is not perfect. He fails, gets up and starts again. But he keeps coming back to God and allows God to use him to do God’s work on earth.

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Col. 1:10 – “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Titus 3:8 – “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

James 2:17-18 – “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

1 Peter 2:12 – “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Growing in Grace

Posted on April 1, 2021 by paulwlane

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We know we are saved by the grace and mercy of God. It is by the same grace of God – unmerited favor – that we grow and become more like our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

As we allow God’s Word to become part of us, we will grow.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

As we wait and seek the Lord, His grace will give us the strength we need to grow.

Lamentations 3:22-25 – Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

Jesus instructed us to seek His kingdom first. As we sincerely make every effort to really seek His Word and walk in obedience, we will grow.

Matthew 6:33 – Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Even in difficult times, God’s grace will keep us.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Growing in grace does not mean that somehow we can get more of God’s grace. God’s love, His mercy, His grace is unlimited. But as we grow in our understanding and our appreciation of God and His work in our lives, the more we will understand and benefit from His grace.

What’s in a Name?

Posted on March 30, 2021 by paulwlane

1 Peter 1:1-10

1 Peter 1:1- 10 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

The prophecy of this grace.

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 – Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

Grace – what does it mean?

G It is a gift – Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

O It calls for an offering – Romans 12:1 — I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

D It caused God to dwell among us – John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

W This “Word” is powerful and His life on earth was verified by many witnesses – Hebrews 4:12-13 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1 Timothy 3:16-17 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.

I Because of this “Word” we have an inheritance – Romans 8:16-17 – The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

T Because of what God has done, we are His temple. – 2 Corinthians 6:16 – And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

H It calls for us to be holy in our lives – 1 Peter 1:16 – because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

U It calls for faith in God. However, it also tells us when we have doubts we can honestly cry out to God for His help – Romans 11:19-21 – However, it also tells us when we have doubts we can honestly cry out to God for His help – Romans 11:19-21 – You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Mark 9:24 – Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

S It provides for us a Savior – Luke 2:11 – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

What’s in a name? Everything, if the name is the one above every name – the name by which we must be saved! Introduce your friends to Jesus (God With Us)!!!

When the World Was At Its Worst, God Was At His Best

Posted on March 16, 2021 by paulwlane

Galatians 4:4

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME

Galatians 4:4 – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Daniel was thrown in the lions den, and the world around him seemed to be at its worst, but Daniel’s faith proved God at His best.
The three Hebrew children were about to be thrown in the fiery furnace and the world around them seemed to be at its worst, but God was at His best. In fact he was right in the midst of the fire with them.
The woman for 32 years bent over, reached out in pain and touched the hem of Christ’s garment. Her world was at its worst, but her faith proved God to be at His best.
The man who lay at the temple gate. His world was at its worst, but his faith proved God to be at His best.
Lazarus was dead and buried for four days. His sisters said at that point he would stink, but when Jesus cried “Lazarus, come forth” he was resurrected fully alive and well.
Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob but as he lay dying he saw Jesus standing at God’s right hand.
Paul said he had a thorn in the flesh. It seemed Paul’s life was at its worst, but God was at His best. He said “My grace is sufficient.”

WHEN THINGS ARE AT THEIR WORST, GOD IS AT HIS BEST

When the world around you is at its worst, God wants you to know He’s there and as always, He will be at His best.
In the fullness of time God was at His best. He did what was right, at the right moment in time, at the right place, in the right way, right on time.
God has not changed. He’s “the same yesterday, today and forever.” He’ll be right on time for you. Latch on to your faith and receive what He has for you!
If it seems like God is no where around, ask yourself “Who moved?” He said He would “never leave you nor forsake you.” Did you move away from His presence? He’s there and wants to meet your need. He’s there and wants to redeem you and forgive you from all your wrong motives and actions and thoughts and wrap you in His loving arms and say to you, “I’m here at my best. Your world is at its worst. Nothing else can hurt you because I’m here. I can give you My best.

Thoughts of a Retired Pastor

Tag Archives: God's grace