Bible League: Living His Word We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.Here's the main issue of life: We are sinners and we need salvation. We are sinners and we need to be righteous before God. How shall this issue be resolved? Our verse for today says that there are two possible ways to resolve the issue. You can rely on what Jesus Christ has done for us or you can rely on human ability and effort. The latter way maintains that there are certain things that must be done in order to attain salvation and in order to be righteous before God. The latter way also believes that it is possible for human beings to do the things that are required for salvation and righteousness. The former way, in contrast, maintains that the only way to attain salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. The former way also believes that it is not possible for human beings to do anything to earn salvation from God. Although those who truly believe in Jesus Christ start to serve Christ in life, there is nothing they can do through human effort that will make them righteous before God. Only the blood of Jesus can save us and make us righteous. The Apostle Paul rejects the latter way and embraces the former way. He says he and the Philippian church "put no confidence in human effort." From Paul's point of view, it is not possible for mere human effort to attain salvation and righteousness apart from Jesus Christ. From Paul's point of view, human effort is a poor substitute for Christ. However, we live in a world that places a lot of confidence in human ability and effort. We live in a world that teaches people how to be self-reliant, self-sufficient, and self-confident. Paul's biblical point of view, in contrast, places no confidence in the abilities and efforts of human beings. We don't need self-reliance, we need Christ-reliance. We don't need self-sufficiency, we need Christ-sufficiency. We don't need self-confidence, we need Christ-confidence. Instead of learning how to rely on ourselves and believe in ourselves, we need to learn how to rely on Jesus and believe in Jesus. The main issue of life will not be properly resolved until we realize that we can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ (see John 15:5). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 132-135 Psalm 132 -- O Lord, remember David and all his affliction, NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 133 -- See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 134 -- Look! Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 135 -- Psalms of Solomon (2Ch 7) NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 8 1 Corinthians 8 -- Take Care with your Freedom in Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.Insight What a contrast between the disciples and the world! The world rejoiced as the disciples wept, but the disciples would see him again (in three days) and rejoice. The world's values are often the opposite of God's values. Challenge This can cause Christians to feel like misfits. But even if life is difficult now, one day we will rejoice. Keep your eye on the future and on God's promises! Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.These words have been frequently used by holy men in their hour of departure. We may profitably consider them this evening. The object of the faithful man's solicitude in life and death is not his body or his estate, but his spirit; this is his choice treasure--if this be safe, all is well. What is this mortal state compared with the soul? The believer commits his soul to the hand of his God; it came from him, it is his own, he has aforetime sustained it, he is able to keep it, and it is most fit that he should receive it. All things are safe in Jehovah's hands; what we entrust to the Lord will be secure, both now and in that day of days towards which we are hastening. It is peaceful living, and glorious dying, to repose in the care of heaven. At all times we should commit our all to Jesus' faithful hand; then, though life may hang on a thread, and adversities may multiply as the sands of the sea, our soul shall dwell at ease, and delight itself in quiet resting places. "Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." Redemption is a solid basis for confidence. David had not known Calvary as we have done, but temporal redemption cheered him; and shall not eternal redemption yet more sweetly console us? Past deliverances are strong pleas for present assistance. What the Lord has done he will do again, for he changes not. He is faithful to his promises, and gracious to his saints; he will not turn away from his people. "Though thou slay me I will trust, Praise thee even from the dust, Prove, and tell it as I prove, Thine unutterable love. Thou mayst chasten and correct, But thou never canst neglect; Since the ransom price is paid, On thy love my hope is stay'd." Daily Light on the Daily Path Jonah 1:6 So the captain approached him and said, "How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish."Micah 2:10 "Arise and go, For this is no place of rest Because of the uncleanness that brings on destruction, A painful destruction. Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Psalm 62:10 Do not trust in oppression And do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. 1 Chronicles 22:19 "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the LORD." Luke 22:46 and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 21:34 "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; Matthew 25:5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. Hebrews 10:37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. Romans 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. Mark 13:35,36 "Therefore, be on the alert-- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning-- • in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 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. |
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