Bible League: Living His Word Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault.Jesus summarized the Christian life by saying, '"If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me"' (Matthew 16:24). Given Jesus' teaching, it can be seen that the lives we lead in service to Him are lives of denial of self and obedience to Him. However, even if we obey His directive, a question remains: How happy are we about it? A life of denial means that we don't always get what we want. It means that sometimes we have to set aside what we want in order to do what Jesus wants. Will we serve Jesus happily under these conditions, or with complaining and arguing? The Apostle Paul says that we should do everything without complaining about it. After all, if we have made the decision to follow Jesus, then we have also made the decision that following Him is the best way to go in life. It makes no sense, then, to complain about it. What makes sense is to take up our cross and bear it with a good attitude. The way may be hard, but it is the way of Jesus. The way may require great sacrifice, but it is the sacrifice that Jesus asks of us. Further, the Apostle Paul says that we should do everything without arguing about it. After all, if we love Jesus and trust His guidance for our lives, then it makes no sense to argue with Him about what He wants us to do. What make sense is to form arguments in defense of the direction He has chosen, despite the difficulties and obstacles. It is true that many of the great figures in the Bible complained to God on occasion. Job is the classic example. He complained that someone as upright as him should not have to suffer the things that he suffered. God, however, responded by saying, '"Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?"' (Job 38:2). It is perfectly acceptable to bring our cares and concerns before God, but it is never acceptable to blame Him or accuse Him of doing wrong. If you have made the decision to follow Jesus and obey the will of God, then make sure you perfect your decision with a good attitude. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 4, 5, 6 Isaiah 4 -- A Remnant in Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 5 -- Song of the Vineyard; Woe to the Wicked NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 6 -- Isaiah's Vision and Commission NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Galatians 3 Galatians 3 -- Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness; Purpose of the Law NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.Insight Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that they were a unified assembly. They were not to see themselves as a collection of competing interests or independent individuals. Paul was emphasizing the intent of Jesus' prayer in John 17:21-23 that believers be unified in God. Challenge What actions can you take this week to strengthen your ties to fellow Christians in the church of Jesus Christ? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 3:26 Just, and the justifier of him which believeth.Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of his people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell. It seems to be one of the very principles of our enlightened nature to believe that God is just; we feel that it must be so, and this gives us our terror at first; but is it not marvellous that this very same belief that God is just, becomes afterwards the pillar of our confidence and peace! If God be just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished; but Jesus stands in my stead and is punished for me; and now, if God be just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change his nature before one soul, for whom Jesus was a substitute, can ever by any possibility suffer the lash of the law. Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer--having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that his people ought to have suffered as the result of sin, the believer can shout with glorious triumph, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Not God, for he hath justified; not Christ, for he hath died, "yea rather hath risen again." My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, he is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and in what he is now doing for me. On the lion of justice the fair maid of hope rides like a queen. Daily Light on the Daily Path James 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.1 Peter 1:6,7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, • so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Romans 5:3,4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; • and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; Lamentations 3:26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. Hebrews 10:34-36 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. • Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, • comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |