True Freedom - Romans 6:20-23

Romans 6:20-7:3 "For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Introduction:

Paul's main section on the post-conversion Christian life begins with a preliminary statement on our union with Jesus Christ, the New Adam, in Romans 5:12-21. In Romans 6, we get introduced to the main theme of union with Christ by way of the realities of our Christian identity (a.k.a "Gospel Indicatives") and the responsibilities that follow (a.k.a "Gospel Imperatives"). Paul lays out our Christian identity, our position in Christ, by building up the firm foundation of Gospel indicatives. He uses the language of "in Christ", "through Christ", "into Christ" and so forth to reinforce to his readers who they are and Whose they are. The imperatives (such as "reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive unto God" in Romans 6:11) follow from the indicatives to build our growing experience in Jesus Christ. All of this is Paul's supreme case for the process of sanctification which he will further expound in Romans 7 and 8. 

In today's post, we want to see how Paul layers on another key theme and contrast in his exposition on the post-conversion Christian life - namely "freedom" in Christ as having rescued the Christian from "enslavement" to sin. Paul will develop this key theme by three ways: illustrating such from the world of 1st century Roman slavery (Romans 7:20-22); illustrating the contrast between spiritual freedom and sin's tyranny by way of the world of employment and wages (Romans 6:23) and then thirdly, by how a spouse is freed to marry again once her first husband has passed away (Romans 7:1-6). We will focus upon the first two of these illustrations of true spiritual freedom in contrast to sin's tyranny.
Today's post will consider what it means to have true freedom in Christ, and why being tied to Jesus is the greatest form of freedom there is. 

True Freedom is found under the Lordship of Jesus Christ

It has been said that: "the one who is a slave to the compass will become lord of the seas; but the one who abandons the compass will become a slave to the shoreline." How many of us, if we're truly honest, like being told what to do? None of us do. However, one of the counter-intuitive truths of Christianity is that the more I'm under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the greater amount of spiritual freedom I will have. When we talk of spiritual freedom, I liken it to the amount of enjoyment one has of being a follow of Jesus. 

Jesus Himself talked early on about spiritual freedom in John 8:32 "and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” In Paul's other letters, we find this wonderful theme of spiritual freedom in 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Or again in Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Again, spiritual freedom has to do with one's level of enjoyment in being a follower of Jesus Christ. Matthew 11:28-29 records Jesus talking about this in the following command: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 

Now these passages speak of the interrelationship between Christ's Lordship and spiritual freedom. The more bound I am to Jesus Christ's Lordship, the more enjoyment of the Christian life I will have. To illustrate, lets consider the first-time a man broke the sound barrier.

Chuck Yeager - The first man to break the sound barrier

On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager flew an aircraft named "Bell X-1" to break the sound barrier at a velocity of 700 m.p.h. To achieve this feat, Yeager's aircraft was drop launched from the belly of a modified B-29 Superfortress plane, pictured below:



What would had happened if Yeager's plane had not been attached to the much larger one? Yeager's range of freedom in breaking the sound-barrier would had been hindered. 

In the Christian life, the follower of Jesus must be bound-over to the authority of Jesus and His Word if he or she is to ever break the barriers of growth and progress in Christian faith. The gravity of sin and the old life will attempt to drag on us. This is why we read in Romans 6:22-23 "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We must be aware of the enticement and false-advertisements of sin

Paul repeatedly warns us not to give into the beckoning call to the old way of life from whence we were redeemed. The world, the flesh and the devil promise all sorts of freedom. After all, the unbelieving world is convinced that if we would but sever ourselves from the authority of God, we would be free indeed. Psalm 2:1-4 perfectly captures this attitude of sinful man, and God's response to it: "Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them." In the prophetic tapestry of the Bible, Psalm 2 functions as a so-called "Messianic Psalm", meaning that even though the term "anointed" speaks in the immediate context to King David, the ultimate referent is "The Anointed One", i.e - The Lord Jesus Christ. What unbelievers find most objectionable is the claim Christ has on everything. 

However, Paul utilizes the simple imagery of earning wages at a job. We've already seen his use of this in Romans 6:22-23. The Bible Exposition Commentary on Romans 6:20-23 notes the following: 

"If you serve a master, you can expect to receive wages. Sin pays wages—death! God also pays wages—holiness and everlasting life. In the old life, we produced fruit that made us ashamed. In the new life in Christ, we produce fruit that glorifies God and brings joy to our lives. We usually apply Romans 6:23 to the lost, and certainly it does apply; but it also has a warning for the saved. (After all, it was written to Christians.) “There is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:17). “For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep” (1 Cor. 11:30, NASB). Samson, for example, would not yield himself to God, but preferred to yield to the lusts of the flesh, and the result was death (Jud. 16). If the believer refuses to surrender his body to the Lord, but uses its members for sinful purposes, then he is in danger of being disciplined by the Father, and this could mean death. (See Heb. 12:5–11, and note the end of v. 9 in particular.)"

Years ago I heard the following saying: "sin will keep longer than you intended to stay and it will cost you more than you intended to pay". Righteousness in Jesus Christ has its wages, its payment, its outcome; and sin has its payday too. In Christ, there is eternal life; when we sin as Christians, a little part of us dies. Only the grace of the Gospel and genuine repentance can rescue us from the snares of sin (see 2 Timothy 2:24-25; 1 John 1:9). 

True spiritual freedom comes by staying lashed to the mast of Christ's Lordship and keeping one's eye on the compass of His Word. As the great commentator John Gill notes in his commentary:

"....a life of the utmost perfection and pleasure, and which will last for ever: and as the grace of God, which justifies and sanctifies them, is through Christ, so is the eternal life itself which it brings unto: this is in Christ, comes through his righteousness, sufferings, and death; is bestowed by him, and will greatly consist in the enjoyment of him."

Indeed, to be bound to the compass of the Master and His authority will afford me the ability to truly enjoy the Christian life, no matter how hard it may get.  

Convictions worth living for and dying by in 2017

Acts 7:59-60  "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  ⁶⁰And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU FOR 2017           
As we begin this year of 2017, I want to propose to you that you make this the year that you find something that is both worth living for and dying for.  Many of you reading this blog have made a "New Year's Resolution" in which you believe you have found something worth living for.  Fewer people have ever found something worth dying for that is of eternal value. The Christian life cannot proceed on preference and opinion, since such things can never lead a person to live and die for something greater than them nor for the sake of others. True conviction identifies all at once that the thing worth living for and dying for is located in a Person (Jesus Christ) and the truth of the scriptures. Stephen was the first martyr recorded for the Christian faith. He modeled what it meant to live for and die by His convictions - The Entire Bible and the Entire Christ.

STEPHEN PREACHED TO THE DEATH           

As he stood before his accusers, the charges leveled against him were those of blasphemy and attempting to replace the Jewish religion with Jesus Christ.  The religious leaders who were accusing Stephen did not have anything eternal to live for or die for.  They had tradition, ideas, self-righteousness and themselves.  

When they actually ran across someone who was proclaiming what he believed was worth living and dying for, Stephen's words became as a stench in their ears.  Mediocrity will always hate excellence. Religion will always detest true godliness. Self-righteousness will forever wage war against Christ.

STEPHEN LIVED AND DIED BY THE ENTIRE BIBLE          

Stephen first of all believed that it was worth living for and dying by the entire Bible.  His sermon in Acts 7 gives the entire history, in highlight form, of redemptive history from Abraham to Christ.  Before it is all said and done, Stephen will had referenced over 60 Old Testament passages, mentioned eight major Old Testament figures, covered 2100 years of time and summarized 40 books of the Bible.  Stephen burned with a white hot passion for the word of God.  He knew that his sermon was going to end in death - yet he never felt more alive.

STEPHEN LIVED AND DIED BY THE ENTIRE CHRIST          

Then Stephen secondly believed that it was worth living and dying for the entire Christ.  In the lives of the people mentioned in Stephen's address, we find pictures of Christ.  Abraham pictures the promised Christ. Isaac the Sacrifical Son.  In Jacob's life we are reminded of Christ anticipated and in Joseph the picture of Christ's death and resurrection.  In Moses we see Christ the intercessor for His people. Moses' successor, Joshua, portrays the victorious Christ.  David reminds us that Christ was to be the King of Kings and Solomon foreshadows Christ our wisdom.  Stephen also briefly mentions the prophets, reminding us that Christ alone could reveal the glory of God - since He is God.   Is it no wonder that as stones bludgeoned Stephen to death that he echoed the prayer of forgiveness that Christ prayed when He was being crucified.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU?     

Will you this year make the entire Bible and the entire Christ your standard by which you determine what is worth living and dying for? There is an old saying that goes something like this: "whatever is done on this earth will pass; but whatever is done for Christ will last".  Christianity's cornerstone is shaped by the Written Word and The Living Word - Jesus Christ.  Make 2017 your year by which you make the Christ of the word and the word of Christ your core convictions worth living for and dying by. 

P2 - Embracing Christ-centered rather than man-centered Christian living

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

Introduction:
Today's post carries on from yesterday's theme of "Embracing Christ-centered, rather than man-centered Christianity. James is warning his readers not to "show favoritism" or be literally "seekers of the face". Whenever we seek to impress people more than to focus on the glory of Jesus Christ, the vitality of the Christian life is severely weakened. James' strong warnings list four consequences of preferring people more so than the Lord. Today we will look at those consequences, and then consider how we can embrace a Christ-centered Christianity and what it looks like in tomorrow's post.

The Specific consequences of showing favoritism (people pleasing)
So what specific consequences come about when we show favoritism?  Man-centered Christianity becomes the overall outcome.  Ironically, in an effort to focus more on people, man-centered forms of Christianity end up being less loving.  The more we try to please people for our own-agendas, the less we will be like Jesus.  As you journey through James 2:1-13, four damaging consequences result from man-pleasing Christianity

1. Less love in your heart for Jesus.  James 2:1-4
As James speaks about the manner in which you "hold to your faith in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ", the NASB words the statement in 2:1 as "with an attitude of favoritism".  Clearly the issue of showing favoritism affects the heart we have towards Jesus Christ, since such activity leads to us becoming "judges with evil motives". (2:4)  The phrase rendered "evil motives" speaks of "disputes, arguments and schemes" that are characterized as welcoming the company of evil.  Whenever we allow such evil motives to creep into our hearts, the love of Jesus will quickly grow cold.  Thus favoritism leads to less love for Jesus, but notice what else favoritism leads to...

2. Less love for God's glory. James 2:5-7
As James continues, he says in James 2:5 "Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"  In typical Jewish style, James uses the word "Listen" to get his reader's attention.  Moses back in Deuteronomy 5:1 and 6:4 tells the people "Hear, O Israel" - so we know that what ever James is going to say, we need to heed.  Clearly showing favoritism and preferring one person over another causes the name of God to be blasphemed - which leads to less love of God's glory. (James 2:5)  

God's name and glory are interrelated.  For example, Exodus 33:18-19 "Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”  The name of God refers to the sum total of His goodness, character and reputation.  God has invested His name and reputation into His very people.  How we treat one another ultimately reflects how we treat Jesus, as Jesus Himself explains in passages such as Matthew 25:45 “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."  Favoritism or partiality among God's people causes less love for Jesus and.....

3. Less love for God's word. James 2:8-11
To show partiality is characterized by James as violating God's Law.  In fact, the second greatest commandment according to Jesus is to "love your neighbor as oneself" (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:28-34)  When we show partiality, we are doing the exact opposite of loving our neighbor.  To be a man-pleaser or show partiality makes me a "trangressor" (2:9,11) and guilty (2:10) as a lawbreaker.  Whenever we cater to certain people, rather than loving people with God's love, the net result is less love, less regard and less desire for God's Word.  But notice finally.....

4. Less love for one another. James 2:12-13
Certainly whenever we show partiality or become more "man-pleasing" with one another, how we treat one another will change.  When you look at James 2:1-13, you get the sense of a downward spiral effect stemming from ongoing efforts in preferential treatment of one person or group over another.  Mercy and lovingkindness are translated by the same Hebrew word in the Old Testament.  Micah 6:8 reveals the true nature of what God desires from His people - "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? "  Tomorrow we will look at 1 John 4:7-21 to discover the way in which we can get back to embracing a Christ-centered Christianity. 

P1 - Embracing Christ-centered rather than man-centered Christian living

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

Introduction:
Today's post features the author of James warning his readers to not show favoritism. The word translated "favoritism" connotes courting favor with certain people so as to gain their favor. Quite literally the Greek word underlying this English word literally refers to be a "seeker of the face". Another way we could render this word could be simply avoiding what amounts to "man-centered" or "man-pleasing" Christianity. How can you and I tell when we are concerned more about "seeking the face" or "approval" of people than God? Today's post begins a three part blog series on the subject we will call: Embracing Christ-centered rather than man-centered Christian living.

How avoiding "man-pleasing" Christianity functions in the overall message of James' letter
James' key point in his letter is concerned with "living working faith", as seen in James 2:26 - "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." As James writes to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the regions of Israel and beyond, he communicates to them the type of Christian faith desired by the Lord.  How often in churches today do you see favoritism or "man-pleasing" determining decisions and policies?

Bible teacher R.C Sproul in his study on James refers to this warning on favoritism as "playing politics".  Clearly whenever we try to please one group over another, or whenever we "cave in" to the whims and desires of certain people - we end up being man-centered in our lives and thus our various forms of service to the Lord.  What James is warning us to avoid in this subject of "showing favoritism" is people-pleasing, man centered Christianity.  It is a guarantee: wherever you see man, rather than Jesus Christ being the focal point of all efforts in your personal life or church, somewhere along the way favoritism has reared its ugly head.   

How God regards people ought to be the guide for how we are to approach people
The testimony of scripture is that in all of God's dealings with people, whether they be believer or unbeliever, is the fact that He does not show favoritism.  Passages such as Psalm 89:14 states - "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You."  

God is a fair God.  No one can influence God to adjust standards or pull some strings to accomplish an agenda that would violate His character.  God does what He does for His own glory and purposes. (Isaiah 48:11)  When we turn to the New Testament, time and time again we read of how God does not show favoritism for the sake of anyone. (Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25) 

So as we can see, whenever Christians get caught in the trap of trying to impress people rather than glorifying God, man-centeredness results. Amazingly enough, whenever we make Christ our sole Person for whom we bring pleasure, He will bless our efforts and bring people our way in His own timing and purpose. Tomorrow we will consider the consequences of man-pleasing Christianity and how we can instead embrace Christ-centered Christianity. Today we will close with these words from Jesus Himself - John 12:32  "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

More tomorrow.... 

Thur 4/7 P3 - Embracing Christ-centered rather than man-centered Christian living

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."

Introduction:
The past couple of days have been focused on the important subject: "Embracing Christ-centered rather than man-centered Christianity. In the first installment we considered James' warnings to his readers to avoid "favoritism" and thus "man-pleasing Christianity". Yesterday we looked at what happens when we show partiality to one another from James 2:1-13. We discovered that showing partiality is another way of saying "being a man-pleaser". When Christians get caught in the trap of trying to court favor with men in the place of bringing pleasure to Jesus, less love for Christ, His Word, God's glory and people occurs.

How James and 1 John work together in urging Christians to embrace Christ-centered Christianity
Clearly James is warning his readers to not show preferential treatment in their dealings with one another. Whenever we study warning sections in God's Word, it is God's way of warning us about what not to do. Often it is instructive and helpful to turn to sections that are dealing with the same subject, urging us on what we need to do. Exhortation is a form of communication that urges readers and listeners to perform a certain task, or to increase effort in a practice that they are already doing. Warning sections in scripture urge readers to avoid certain practices or attitudes that can hurt their walk with the Lord. Whenever we are dealing with sin, we need both warning and exhortation. 

The Apostle John gives the antidote to showing favoritism in his short Epistle of 1 John.  In 1 John 4:7-21 we see John painting a picture of a church that is to exercise the Great Command to "love one another". When we speak of "loving one another", human love is not the love we are exercising, but rather God's love. Notice the four outcomes of Christians showing love to one another, and how such outcomes lead believers to embrace Christ-centered Christianity rather than its man-centered counterfeit.

1. More love, not less love for Jesus. 1 John 4:7-9

John cannot help but to write about Jesus Christ's accomplishments on the cross. Why? Because his exhortation to "love one another" is based off of God's supreme act in the sending of Jesus. As we love one another with respect to Christ's redemptive work on the cross, He and others will become more dearly loved. Loving one another - rather than being partial - yields a greater flow of the love and power of Jesus Christ. When God's power of love flows through His people - the net result is like electricity through a light bulb.

2. More love, not less love for God's glory. 1 John 4:11-12
John writes in 1 John 4:11-12 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." God's glory is His goodness and name put on display. As we aim to love one another, we are positioned to not only better see God's glory, but to enjoy it. Jesus states in Mark 12:28-34 that the two greatest commandments are to Love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

The command to love my neighbor is directly related to my love for God. Whenever Christians make these two commands central to their life, God's glory in Jesus Christ takes center stage. As Christians sharing this core conviction to come together in unity of heart and mind, the spiritual climate of the church becomes saturated with love and zeal for His glory.

3. More love, not less love for God's Word. 1 John 4:13-19
1 John 4:13-15 states - "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God." As the Holy Spirit testifies to your heart and mine about who we are and whose we are, He does so in connection to the scriptures. Where else do we learn that Jesus is the Son of God, or that He first loved us? The scriptures! (1 John 4:16-19) 

Whenever we choose to love one another with God's love, the love for God's word will follow suit, since scripture itself is described as the believer's food. (Job 23:12; 1 Peter 2:1-2) 

The Holy Spirit within the Christian bears witness of the words which He inspired through the writings of the Apostles and writings. It is through the scriptures that faith is born, nourished and enabled to see Jesus Christ. (Luke 24:44; James 1:18)

4. More love, not less love for one another. 1 John 4:20-21
1 John 4:20 reads - "If someone says, 'I love God' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." As we make a concerted effort to love one another without partiality, we will have the supernatural by-product of greater love for God. Conversely, as we aim to make our lives more God-centered - we will have greater love for one another. Why? Because God has so chosen to indwell each Christian by His Spirit. (John 14:17; Ephesians 1:11-14) 

Moreover, Christ purchased His people with His own blood, making them precious due to the price paid for them. (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Again, we cannot separate loving the Lord our God with all our mind, soul and strength from the other great commandment to love our neighbor.

Conclusion - loving one another results in embracing a Christ-centered Christianity
Through John's simple command to "love one another", we find the antidote to the warning James gives concerning showing partiality. As we love one another with God's love, we will end up with Christians who love God and others more than themselves, which in turn makes for Christ-centered churches. May every Christian consider these words and embrace Christ-centered Christianity rather than its man-centered counterfeit. 

How God uses difficult times to mature the Christian

Colossians 2:1-3 "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

The importance of understanding the place of difficult times in Christian spiritual maturity

When you begin to read the New Testament epistles or letters, you are struck more and more how Paul or the other writers will purposefully make known their trials and sufferings. Take for instance the opening verse of today's post: Paul did not try to hide his situation of being under house arrest in Rome nor did he try to appear "macho" and "separated from the pain" of his circumstance.  If anything, his suffering and circumstances ended up being at the heart of his life and ministry, per the Lord's calling (compare Acts 9:16).  This seems to cut across the grain of the 21st century conception of a blessed Christian life being equal to no pain, worry or hardship. How do we make sense of Paul's insistence on his readers knowing about his plight? Let's look at some cross references in both his other epistles and other New Testament letters to find the answer.

1. Galatians 4:19 "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

This statement is from the earliest of Paul's letters. When he wrote these words, he had just completed his 1st missionary journey in Acts 13-14 and had declared, defined and defended the Gospel he was preaching at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Already Paul had to deal with constant verbal and physical attacks from opponents who were bent on silencing his attempts to proclaim the Gospel in the Galatian region. As Paul and his fellow laborers stated during the course of that missionary journey in Acts 14:22 - "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

2. Philippians 1:27-30  "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me."

Paul wrote Philippians very close to the time he would had composed Colossians. Interestingly enough two intriguing statements about the relationship of suffering to the Christian's maturity emerge. First we see that in either knowing about suffering or undergoing it, their tends to be a dependence upon Christ that is cultivated. The sensitivity to the destiny of those who persist in their rejection of Christ is heightened, causing the Christian to be burdened for them while greatly assured of their own faith in Christ.  Secondly, suffering is part of the Christian's calling. 2 Timothy 3:12 for instance records Paul writing: "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:21 "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." Thankfully we are told the purpose of God's Sovereign inclusion of suffering in the Christian life in 1 Peter 5:10 "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

3. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 "For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts."

Here again we see Paul making known all that he underwent in suffering for the Gospel. Here in 1 Thessalonians, Paul uses his sufferings as proof of his commitment to the Gospel and for the advancement of his readers. Such information is not meant to garner sympathy nor to elicit praise from his readers. If anything, Paul is informing his readers that God uses such sufferings to put an exclamation point on the fact that it is worth living for Christ in this world. 

I find it interesting that when looking at Colossians 2:1, the word translated "struggle" is a greek word "agona" from whence we get our word "agony". To live for Christ is a joyful agony, we could say. Why? Because as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."

Closing thoughts

So in closing out today's post, what did we observe regarding how God uses suffering to mature the Christian? I see three reasons from the above observations in the New Testament letters:

1. Strengthen the believer's confidence. Galatians 4:19

2. Sharpen the believer's calling. Philippians 1:27-30

3. Certify the believer's commitment. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Certainly two other passages can be mentioned to demonstrate the reality of these observations: James 1:3-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7. May God strengthen His saints in these up and coming days. 

Reining in your emotional-life and thought-life

Philippians 4:4-5  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."

Introduction

So many people today will pay untold amounts of money to have peace in their emotional-lives and thought-lives. Some will pursue addictions to secure what they think is lasting peace and control. The problem is that in trying to gain control, they lose control. 

The practical Christian life is lived out daily through two areas of the soul: the thought-life (the mind) and the emotional-life (the emotions or heart). We can liken the man of God's soul to a mighty-conflict. The war being waged is over whether the world or God's word will govern the man. In Philippians 4:4-9 we see the General, the Holy Spirit, giving the orders to the emotional-life and thought-life in Philippians 4:4-5. With the orders given, Philippians 4:6-9 represents the strategy for reining in the emotional-life and thought-life. 

Commands given for reining in the emotional-life and thought-life. Philippians 4:4-5

The Apostle Paul has two banners that function as themes necessary for both the emotional-life (Philippians 4:4) and the thought-life (Philippians 4:5). The Holy Spirit of God through the pen of the apostle is issuing the orders to the emotional-life in Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!" What is joy? The joy being commanded here by the Holy Spirit is the unshakable confidence that God has done, is doing and will continue to do His will in your life. The word "confidence" is the true essence of God-given joy. 

Author Oswald Chambers writes in his daily devotional classic "My Utmost for His Highest", dated for March 7th: "Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them." Chambers then later notes: "The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change." 

Then we see a command issued to the thought-life in 4:5 "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near". The phrase "gentle-spirit" could also be translated "sweet-reasonableness" or "readiness to forgive" and thus our thought-lives ought to be governed by what is most reasonable or ready to forgive. Those are the commands issued forth from the General, God Himself.   So then how do we carryout these two commands?

Practical steps for reining in the emotional-life and thought-life of the Christian. Philippians 4:6-9

Every time God issues forth a command in scripture, there is always at least one provision of grace available to carry out the command. The emotional-life is the first area of practical concern in applying the command from Philippians 4:4 of "rejoicing always". Men are emotional - whether they admit it or not. Dr. Adrian Rogers said it best years ago: "You can tell what is important to a man by what makes him angry, what makes him laugh and what makes him cry". Proverbs 29:11 reminds us - "Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." Either your emotions will control you or you will control of your emotions. Note the following strategy for reining in the emotional-life:

1. Stop worrying, start praying. Philippians 4:6a 

Philippians 4:6a "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication....".

How many of you reading this right now are worry about something? Anxiousness here speaks of rolling whatever is bothering over and over and over again in your mind. You and I dear friend will often worry first and then pray last. Why not switch up our order? In applying the command to "rejoice", one of things you is realize that because God is in control, the main responsibility is to have confidence (joy) in Him. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds the believer that the "joy of the Lord is their strength". The Holy Spirit who is the General issuing the commands in Philippians 4:4-5 is the same One who indwells every believer. One of the greatest ways to unleash Spirit empowered joy in your emotional life is to sing, or hum or whistle songs of praise or hymns to yourself. (Ephesians 5:19-20) I have found that when I do that, the excesses that can often accompany any emotions are calmed. As Jesus notes in John 7:38, the Holy Spirit acts as a fountain of living water, and He desires to splash up into your emotional life. By doing as suggested above, you will find it easier over time to stop worrying and start praying. But notice also...

2. Stop griping, start thanking. Philippians 4:6b

Philippians 4:6b ...."with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

The best way to rid your emotional-life of bitterness and apply the command of "rejoicing always" is by giving thanks to God in all things. Begin with the smallest things: a warm bed, warm shower, a car that runs and so on. As you literally thank God for the smallest things, you will find so much to be thankful for that before you know it, you are beginning to look at situations from an eternal perspective.  

3. Claim the promise of peace and joy in your emotional life. Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

How do you know when you have reined-in your emotional life? When you have the "peace of God" that surpasses all understanding. As you daily rein-in your emotional-life, you must claim the promise of God's unending peace. God's peace ruling the soul of the child of God is inexplicable by human standards. It is oftentimes in the severest trials where the saint of God is distinguished from the mere religious pretender. 

So then what of the thought-life? Being that the emotional and thought-lives are interconnected in these passages and in real-life, we will move on in considering how one can rein-in the thought-life:

4. Look for what God has given you, rather than what you don't have. Philippians 4:8

We begin at the end of Philippians 4:8 and work our way up to the beginning of the verse. We read in the latter part of Philippians 4:8b "if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." The source of the thought-life's discontent often lies in assuming that God has somehow short-changed us. However when we begin to examine and think through what God has given us in regular life and eternal-life, we gain the ability to rein in our thought-lives. Notice how Paul writes: "If there is excellence", that is to say: "what makes you conclude that God is good and has done good in your life?" Then Paul says next: "If there is anything worthy of praise" - that is - what can you think of to praise God for? 

Then we're told to "think on these things" at the end of the verse. What things? Paul has given us the list of categories to work through as we rein-in the thought-life in Philippians 4:8a  "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute....", Where do we find such things? The scriptures. The number one way by which the man of God can execute these instructions is through daily reading, study and application of the scriptures. (2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17) When we do these things, we will be able to conclude in our minds that God has indeed given us more than we deserve. 

5. Claim the promise of peace and reasonableness in your thought-life. Philippians 4:9

We read in Philippians 4:9 "The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Notice how the same promise of peace is given for the thought-life in 4:9 as we find for the emotional-life in 4:7. As man who has reined in his thought-life will be governed by the "gentleness of spirit" or "sweet-reasonableness" that we saw in Philippians 4:5. Reining in the thought-life entails reinforcing yourself with the positive spiritual realities spoken of in these verses. Only through such positive spiritual realities can you defeat or defend yourself against the negative realities thrown at you by the world, your flesh and the Devil himself. 

Conclusion:

In Philippians 4:4-9 we saw the only effective way we can rein in the thought-life and emotional-life. Philippians 4:4-5 gave the commands of rejoicing and exhibiting a gentle spirit or sweet reasonableness to all people. We then saw a strategy for practically taking these commands and reining in one's emotional-life and thought-life: 

1. Stop worrying, start praying

2. Stop griping, start thanking

3. Claim the promises of peace and joy in your emotional life

4. Look for what God has given you, rather than what you don't have

5. Claim the promise of peace and reasonableness sin your thought-life

Questions for thought:

1. How do you understand the relationship between your emotions and thoughts?

2. How does reining in your emotions and thoughts in stressful situations demonstrate to a watching world the Person of Jesus Christ in your life?

3. What is at least one take-away that you have gained from today’s lesson?  

Christ came to re-create true manhood

Colossians 3:9-10 "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him".

Introduction:
Jesus Christ came not only to provide redemption and forgiveness of sins to all who believe but also to provide the restoration of what was lost in Adam. Recently the phrase I have heard being tossed around by men's ministry leaders is the idea that we are the by-products of "broken male culture". Today's study will seek to equip Christian men on the foundation and focal-areas for the re-created manhood that is only found in Jesus Christ. The principles laid out below can be applied to men specifically or anyone in general.
Foundations for Christ's re-creation of true manhood
As men of God, we're not called to be "recreational" in our manhood, but re-creations who have a totally transformed manhood. Colossians 3:1-17 describes the foundation of re-created humanity (and for that matter manhood). We can understand this foundation by noting what I term "three certificates" issued by Christ to the Christian.

Re-created manhood's power to prioritize things around God .  Colossians 3:1-2, 10-12
As a man born-again by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ, I am issued a birth certificate. (John 3:3-6; 1 Peter 1:23) Becoming a Christian is not merely turning over a new leaf, but becoming a whole new tree altogether. (Psalm 1) Thus as a re-created man, this first foundation tells me I have new priorities (3:1-2) and the power of a newly-formed nature in union with Christ to live out His priorities (3:10-12). 

2. Re-created manhood can put the past behind. Colossians 3:3-9
Colossians 3:3 states - "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." At the cross of salvation the sinner by God's graceful gifting through faith believes and dies to who they were in Adam. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Old convictions (described in Colossians 3:5) and old habits issuing forth from those convictions (Colossians 3:6-9) are written on my spiritual death certificate by the Heavenly Coroner, the Holy Spirit, at my salvation. As a man of God in Christ I have the power to put the past behind.  This is to be a daily resolve and not just merely a once and a while "re-commitment".  The cross that saved me is now the cross that is going to be changing me in my mind, emotions and will. Everyday I must in my mind, emotions and will go to the cross by way of taking in the scriptures and breathing out prayers to God.  Christianity is not a recreational activity, but a re-creational reality.  Old convictions and habits may attempt to rear their ugly head, and will at times.  However when a man has the newly created nature deep inside the core of their being, that means that by dying to self, the power to change convictions and habits is well within reach.  

3. Re-created manhood is united to the One who enables persistent change. 3:10-17
Do you remember what it was like when you went from the single life to married life? What changed? Your union with your spouse undoubtedly affected everything about you: finances, relationships, eating, sleeping, thinking - everything! As Christians we are united to Christ at salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Though that union is instant, the remainder of the Christian life is figuring out what happened!  

The foundation to Christ's re-creation of a man's manhood involves the certificate of a new-birth (power for living) as well as a death certificate (putting the past behind). However unless we as men are united to Christ at salvation, and understand in a growing way who we are in union with Him, we will never be convinced that change has happened, is occurring or must take place. Colossians 3:10 states - "and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him". What does this all mean? Through our union with Christ (like in a marriage), everything is made new: from attitudes (Colossians 3:12), to actions (3:13-15) to how I regard the scriptures (3:16-17). 

As we saw already, the birth-certificate granted at salvation means new priorities and power for living. Furthermore, the death certificate means I can forsake the "old me" and live out who I really am in Christ as a re-created man. Those three certificates in Colossians 3:1-17 describe the foundation for re-created manhood in Christ. But now lets look briefly at the four focal-areas for re-created Godly manhood.

Focal areas of re-created manhood in Christ. Colossians 3:18-25
As we noted at the beginning of this lesson, alarms are sounding all around us about the "broken-male culture". The only solution is by recognizing the foundation of re-created manhood that comes by grace through faith in union with Christ. Practically speaking what focal areas does such an identity have the power to affect? Consider briefly the following focal areas mapped out in Colossians 3:18-25
1. Marriages.  Colossians 3:18-19

2. Family. Colossians 3:20-21

3. Workplace. Colossians 3:22-24

4. Accountability. Colossians 3:25

Just as Colossians 3 begins with urging us as men of God to prioritize and draw from the power available to us as re-created men in Christ, those priorities are spelled out above. Notice how for re-created manhood, others are first and the self is last. In the cultural understanding of manhood, self is first with others maybe or maybe not getting what is needed. In Christ the whole-man is rebuilt from the ground up. There is nothing recreational about the Christian life. Christ is not interested in renovating some rooms in the house of your life, but rather rebuilding you as a man of God. Imagine how a manhood re-created in Christ can affect our marriages, families and workplaces. Men of God, this is who we are called to be. Jesus Christ came to re-create true manhood. Our identity and our destiny as men can only be found in Him. Our marriages, families and workplaces will only be affected when we as men of God come to terms with who we are and whose we are.