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Victorious Living

Living the Beatitude Life: A Heart to See God

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A Heart to See God

Intentional teaching

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  As a little girl, Matthew 5:8 was one of the first memory verses I was taught.  I can’t explain the reason for the choice of this verse.  Perhaps my mother felt it would help tame my mischievous spirit.  She was very intentional when it came to her children.  Little did I realize that my mother’s guidance would lead to a fuller vision of God and His Kingdom.

Jesus was also intentional in His teachings.  The Beatitudes, both in unity and individually, radically flew in the face of how the world defined happiness, satisfaction, and success: poor in spirit, mourners, meek, merciful, hungry and thirsty.

Jesus’ purposefulness is seen in His presentation of each of the beatitudes, especially with the placement of this sixth beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”  Today’s beatitude is no exception to this teaching pattern.  It redefines purity and the resulting blessedness of “seeing God.”

Jesus knows what’s needed.

Jesus has to this point shared with His Disciples key behaviors of those who enjoy the “happiness and satisfaction” of living by kingdom rules.

In reading this beatitude today, one might comment on its simplicity in meaning and presentation.  However, in the context of the 1st century, Jesus’ statement was revolutionary.  Jesus presented it to a nation literally obsessed with purification laws and procedures (Leviticus 11-15).

Imagine the shock of hearing Jesus.  “No one, not even Moses, has ever seen Jehovah God!”    “Purity of heart and nothing else?”   This alone was sufficient reason for the scribes and the Pharisees (who benefited from the current religious system) to desire Jesus’ death.

The heart’s role in purity.

The heart is key in sustaining a faithful walk with God.  Its condition (pure or unpure) affects our thoughts, behaviors, and actions.   In the Old Testament, the Lord described the heart, the seat of man’s affection, as “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).  David understood the importance of purity of heart as he pleaded with God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him (Psalms 51:10).

Who are the “pure in heart”?

  • Those who mourn the impurity of their hearts to the extent that they do what is needed to cleanse and purify it (Matthew 4:17; 1 John 1:9).  When standing in the presence of Holy God, we understand our personal depravity and the need for forgiveness (Romans 3:23).
  • Those who accept God’s lordship in their lives. They place Jesus as the center of their life.  The pure in heart “see” God spiritually.  They operate in His presence, under His authority, and to His honor and glory (Coram Deo).

“Seeing God” in this beatitude allows us to recognize and acknowledge God’s sovereign acts of mercy and grace in this fallen world we live in (Matthew 5:45).  We are able to see “His Hand” both physically (Acts 17:28) and spiritually (Romans 6:6-9).

Our 21st century challenge

Seeing God is a challenge for people living in the 21st century.  Nonbelievers are blinded by Satan who keeps them from seeing the possibilities that Christ offers (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4).    Beatitude living is at enmity with a world that neither recognizes nor accepts the authority of God, the lordship of Christ, or the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, we believers aren’t always the best witnesses for Beatitude living.  Satan convinces many of us that purity of the heart is impossible.  Again, a trick by Satan to frustrate and discourage our efforts to live holy. We fail to understand that it is the work of the Holy Spirit who will always lead us to purity.  God is not seeking perfection but progress:  a sincere effort to grow and love others.

As children of God, we have everything we need to live pure and holy lives (2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 3:2-3).  Our pursuit of purity can become “second nature”.    How?   By spending more time with God:  reading His Word, meditating, and prayer.  The more we do this, the more we will see God.

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature]

are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character],

for they will see God.” (Amplified)

 

Advent/Christmas

New Year. New Beginnings?

 

New Year. New Beginnings?

The New Year

The new year has arrived with festive gatherings and events.  Some of us have, as is our habit, made “traditional” New Year’s resolutions (which will be quickly abandoned in 30 days or less).

It is my prayer as we prepare for 2025 with new beginnings, that we also evaluate our spiritual growth and progress.  Are we growing closer to God or are we subtly drifting away?

In 2024, where did we spend our time and our resources?  Did we invest in things eternal (Matthew 6: 19-20) or put our hope in things that reflect the values of this world: power, influence, and material wealth?

As we move into this new year, let us remember that we are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Let’s let go of those “old things”.  Let’s rediscover and embrace our identity in Christ.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

Christ’s work of redemption presents us with the opportunity to experience a new beginning with God. No longer separated by sin, we can now be reconciled with God and enjoy peace with our fellowman (Romans 5:1). To experience this new beginning, we must first possess a clear understanding of our new identity in Christ (1 John 5:4).

Identity is the condition of being a specific person or thing. Our personal identity is the result of the people, places, and things we connect or associate with. This is also true of our spiritual identity. What is feeding our identity in the 21st century?

While personal identity looks at outward influences, spiritual identity, however, looks at two things: (1) the Person of Jesus Christ and (2) the Place of the Cross.

“Old things have passed away.”

Jesus Christ took on our physical identity (in his fleshly body) so that we can become partakers of his spiritual identity (Hebrew 12:14-15). This divine incarnation resulted in the perfect sacrifice required to satisfy the penalty for sin.  In exchange, we have eternal life and are now children of God (Romans 8:16).

In the shadow of the Cross, we leave our old nature and become crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). We die to sin and its hold upon our life (Romans 6:11). It is in His resurrection, that we received new life for our new beginning.

 “Behold, all things have become new.”

Let’s flip the switch in 2025 and consider what God has invested in us.  Our responsibility is to daily live out the new identity Christ has provided. Once we fully grasp that, we are positioned to receive “all the fullness of God” (John 1:16).

Our hope and assurance rests fully on the completed work of Jesus Christ.  HE IS our New Beginning (Colossians 1:18).

Spiritual Maturity

Psalms for Thanksgiving 2024

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Thanksgiving 2024

On Thursday,  we will celebrate Thanksgiving—again.  As we prepare to join with friends and family during this time of gratitude and appreciation, my question is “what are we thankful for this year?”

For an answer, the Holy Spirit guided me to the Psalms.  The Psalms are recognized for their ability to capture the feelings and emotions of people “doing life”.  With that in mind, I’d like to share three psalms, Psalms 105-107, in gratitude for Thanksgiving 2024.

Begin with the end in mind

The opening lines of Psalms 105-107, “Oh give thanks to the LORD,” links together this trilogy of songs which praise God for His goodness and mercy to Israel.  Psalm 105 and 106, possibly originated by command of David to Asaph on the occasion when the ark of the covenant was first brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-19); Psalm 107 most likely were written during the post-Exilic period, that timeframe after the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity.

As I read these psalms today, it is evident that their strength and intensity lie in their ability to present events of the past clearly and unabridged.  By communicating them to future generations, the nation of Israel would make sure that they would never forget what God had done for them and would result in unending praise to Him.

Psalm 105 remembered and praised God for His eternal faithfulness.

“He remembers His covenant forever, The Word which He commanded, for a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:8).  Israel’s covenant relationship with God gave them “favor” as the seed of Abraham and children of Jacob.  That covenant guaranteed God would both protect and provide for His own people.  It began in time past and is still promised to the nation of Israel in the 21st century.  God is “not a man that He should lie…as He spoken it, He will make it good” (Num. 23:19).

God’s faithfulness is extended to believers today through Jesus Christ, the Mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15).  He will do everything He promised and more (Ep. 3:20).

Psalm 106 remembered and praised God for His certain forgiveness.

“We have sinned…committed iniquity…done wickedly.  Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake…” (Psalm 106:6-8)   Israel’s history is replete with accounts of their disobedience and turning away from Jehovah God.  Sometimes it took the form of idolatry; other times it was willful wickedness and rebellion.  Wherever they found themselves, the nation of Israel quickly forgot God and adopted the sinful patterns of their neighbors (v. 13).But God always extended mercy to them.

Believers today are blessed that we can ask God for forgiveness of our sins and He will faithfully and instantaneously forgive (1 John 1:9).  There is no need for the blood of bulls and goals or heifers (Hebrews 9:13-14).  Jesus paid it all that we might freely receive forgiveness.

Psalm 107 remembered and praised God for His great works of deliverance.

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…and He delivered them out of their distresses.  And He led them forth by the right way…” (Psalm 107:2-7).

In God’s faithfulness and because of His forgiveness, He would continually show Himself strong on behalf of His people (2 Chronicles 16:9).  His works of deliverance would save them from their enemies (vv. 1-3), their sinful consequences (vv. 4-22) and the other storms in their national life (vv. 23-29).  And with that deliverance, came unmerited blessings—“wildernesses would be turned to pools of water and dry land into watersprings.”

Today, God continues to be our strength and very present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1).  He has delivered us, does deliver us, and we trust will still deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).

Your Thanksgiving Psalm

This Thanksgiving, create your own psalm in honor of God’s love and provision.  Know that He loves you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

Sing praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His love for us.  Even while we were in sin, He died for us that we might have everlasting life (Rom. 5:8).    Praise the Lord and give thanks!

Victorious Living

Living the Beatitude Life: Kingdom Rich

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Reality living in God’s Kingdom

If the television industry is to be remembered for anything, it will be the birth of “reality” programming.  Since its entrance into our entertainment schedule, the number of reality shows and spin offs have grown exponentially compared with other television venues.   While these programs are marketed as “reality”, the truth of the matter is that their plots are carefully staged. Their view of reality was no more than “staged possibility”.

However, when Jesus stated that, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God,” (Matthew 5:3), He was presenting to the world a new reality.  A reality that was both available and possible to those who accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.  Upon accepting Christ’s invitation, believers become citizens of His kingdom and usher in a new reality for living.

The Believer’s reality

The promises (the blessedness) of the Beatitudes are available to believers only.  In fact, to unbelievers the propositions put forth in the Beatitudes appear illogical and irrational.  This should not surprise us.  The preaching of Christ (and His teachings) is “to them that are perishing foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18).  The world’s wisdom is based on the standards of a different king.  His name is Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The believer’s reality is not based on man’s wisdom, but on that which the Holy Ghost teaches.  The natural man (unbeliever) cannot understand these things because they are spiritually discerned.  The privilege of the poor in spirit and the possession of the kingdom of heaven are reserved only for those who believe (1 Corinthians 2:12-14).

Privilege and possession

The privilege of being poor in spirit comes from understanding the need for salvation AND a Savior.  In recognizing our sinfulness and depravity, our poverty of spirit is exposed.  We cry out like Paul, “Oh wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”  (Romans 7:24) The reality of our personal brokenness should not drive us to increased darkness.  Instead, it should invite us to the life-giving light of Jesus.  It is there that true forgiveness is possible, and spiritual transformation can begin (Colossians 1:20-22).

The possession of the kingdom of heaven can only be properly understood by knowing the King.  As believers, our reality acknowledges that our Lord and King is Jesus Christ.   In Him, we live, move, and have our meaning (Acts 17:28).  God is transcendent (beyond or above the range of human experience) and omniscient (everywhere all the time).  We live continually in His presence.  While Jesus reigns exalted with God in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20), His rule still extends to us as we physically live in this fallen world.

Why are believers happy?

First, because we know our sins have been forgiven (Ephesians 1:7).  We no longer need to hide in the shame and the fear of our past lives.  Jesus has made it possible for us to become part of the citizenship of heaven (1 Peter 2:9).  This position comes with both privilege and power that exceed any temporary position we might hold on earth.

Second, believers not only enjoy benefits as citizens of God’s kingdom now but look forward to even more blessings in eternity (Ephesians 2:12, 18,19).   It is this reality that incent us to live holy and soberly within His kingdom (Titus 2:12).

Finally, the believer’s position in God’s kingdom can never be withdrawn or loss.  Nothing can separate us from God’s presence.  Our present and future realities are guaranteed.  It has been secured by the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:18)

Living the “beatitude life” makes us kingdom rich. It results in peace that passes all understanding, indescribable joy, and love that covers a multitude of sins.  The Beatitudes witness to the extraordinary gifts that awaits us who live faithfully for Jesus.

Victorious Living

Living the Beatitude Life: An Introduction

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Living the Beatitude Life: An Introduction

A Return n to the Familiar.

Last week we shared our thoughts on peacemaking.  We used the Sermon on the Mount, more specifically, The Beatitudes, that are found in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:3-12).   Why did we choose them for our teaching?

While the behaviors outlined in the Beatitudes may not conform to the current “worldview”, they are none the less valid and profitable.  The Beatitudes are foundational truths for righteous living that transcend time.

21st century living through the lens of the Beatitudes is a challenge, to say the least.  They are counterculture, counter-intuitive, and just plain hard.  While living the “Beatitude life” may appear difficult, it is worth the effort in the end.

The key to living the Beatitude Life is in our understanding their benefits.   For the next few weeks, we will examine the Beatitudes and the “blessings” available to us right now.

“Nothing new under the sun.”

We believe the teachings contained in the Beatitudes are relevant and desirable for 21st century believers.  The behaviors described in the Beatitudes represent what life “in Christ” looks like in relationship to God and with our fellowman.

In Ecclesiastes 1:9, Solomon stated that “there was nothing new under the sun”.  He was not referring to the normal changes that occur over time in society.  We are continually learning and integrating new technology and innovation into our world.

What has not changed is the heart of man (Jeremiah17:9).  The influence of the world, of sin and the pulling of our flesh continues (1 John 2:16-17).  Time has not lessened the need for God’s plan of salvation.  Justification, regeneration, and sanctification—are needed as much in AD 2024 as they were needed in 1 AD.  The need will continue until Christ returns.

Supernatural power needed.

Once we become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we no longer are expected to live by the world’s dictates.  Instead, we are to pursue a righteous lifestyle like that demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

The behaviors chronicled in the Beatitudes, however, are not developed in the flesh.  They are supernaturally enabled.  Some believe the Beatitudes are behaviors we should strive to achieve.  No amount of striving can accomplish each of these controversial behaviors.  They are only possible through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Beatitudes make no sense, especially to the unredeemed world.  It is this third person of the Godhead that is responsible for the transforming work needed to live out the behaviors described in the Beatitudes (Philippians 2:13).

Stormie Omartian clarifies our response to the Holy Spirit’s power.

Know that once we have received Jesus, we can’t continue to live our old sinful lifestyle. Now that we have His Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us, and transforming us, we have no excuse.

Beatitude living is “supernatural living” that flows from a life lived in obedience to and trust in God.  Our behavior is reframed to see God and others with the eyes of Christ.

We’re not home yet.

The Beatitudes remind us that this world is not our final place of residency.   The kingdom of heaven is the reward that Jesus wants us to focus on.  In an age of instant gratification, rewards that come later are not usually sought after.

Knowing that we are “strangers and pilgrims” in this world, we must turn our attention to things that have eternal value (Colossians 3:1-2).  Therefore, we live in this world with different expectations on how life is to be lived.  Unfortunately, many believers, like unbelievers, focus on “life in this time” rather than “eternity with God”.

The Beatitudes are “rules of engagement” for followers of Christ. They are intimidating and antagonistic to accepted practices and beliefs of the world. True satisfaction and peace are only possible through Jesus Christ.  It is through Christ’s “blessedness” that true satisfaction and peace can be experienced—both now and through eternity.

Our Faith Walk

What’s Going On?

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What's Going On

A View of 21st Century Life?

In 1971, American soul singer Marvin Gaye released a groundbreaking album entitled, “What’s Going On”.

What’s Going On is a concept album with most of its songs transitioning into the next and categorized as a song cycle. The narrative established by the songs is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye’s introspective lyrics explore themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of ecological issues before the public outcry over them had become prominent (“Mercy, Mercy Me”).[1]

As we listen to the songs, there is an unsettling similarity with the events of 1971 with those we are experiencing in the 21st century.  However, we can better respond to these tumultuous shifts if we “emphatically” acknowledge who we are and Who’s in control.

Time and chance

We are continually being bombarded with interruptions to our life that catch us unprepared for the inevitable. They are unexpected and usually, unfavorable circumstances that come to take “the wind out of our proverbial sail.”

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, The Preacher (King Solomon) makes the assessment that regardless of personal capacity or ability—speed, strength, wisdom, cleverness or skill.  Life happens!

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. (NKJV)

The Preacher uses two words, time and chance, to create a figure of speech that represents “life happens moments”.  We call it misfortune (Ecclesiastes 9:11b).  Misfortune nullifies both personal capacity and ability.

In this mad hour on the earth, what story are you telling yourself—or letting others tell you?  Is it a political narrative? We just need to get the right people in power! Is it a social narrative?  The issue is injustice! We need justice!  Is it about the economy?  A new era of prosperity is coming!  Most importantly, is it the story God is telling? [2]

A Better Way

What is our response to misfortune?  “Why me?” We try to do the right thing, make the appropriate preparation, and make the best choices based on “what we know at the time.” So, what’s going on?  What happened?

Life happened! No one is exempt from misfortune.  We all have our day when it gains our full attention. But while we live in this fallen world, we do not have to respond as the world when those “life happens” moments occur.

I’d like to recommend 3R’s that will help us manage life’s misfortune.

#1. REMEMBER our position. We are not our misfortune. Our hope and security lie in our position in Christ Jesus. In Christ, we are heirs of God and therefore, the object of His love. Therefore, despite misfortune, we stand firm on God’s promises and His power (Eph. 1:19).

#2. REFRAME our situation. We are not blind to misfortune, but we know who controls all circumstances. Nothing happens to us that does not first pass God’s examination. Reframing begins with accepting God’s sovereign rule over our lives (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

#3. RECAST our response.  Recasting is accomplished by trusting God and looking for ways to transform misfortune into opportunities that enrich our spiritual life. These opportunities may be more time in personal witnessing, intercessory prayer, fasting, and Bible meditation.    We respond with confidence knowing that God will always be with us (1 John 4:4).

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to memory a time when you had a “life happens” moment.  Use the three R’s to journal a “better way” to respond when life happens.  Feel free to share your thoughts.

[1] Wikipedia

 [2]  “Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times”, John Eldridge.

The Holy Spirit

Meet the Holy Spirit: A Proper Introduction

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A Proper Introduction

Our discussion on “surrender” has raised new interest in a topic WordBytes has “directly” addressed only ten times since our first publication in 2010.   Although each bible teaching makes mention of the works of this person, I have failed to dedicate a study about Them.

Who is it?  The Holy Spirit!  My failure was not my belief that teaching about the Holy Spirit wasn’t important.  On the contrary, I wrongly supposed that everyone knew everything about the Holy Spirit.  Faulty assumption!

Therefore, for the next few weeks, I’m going to dedicate time to reintroduce us to the Holy Spirit.  It is my prayer that at the end of this series, we will desire to draw closer to God after learning about His Spirit (Psa. 42:1-2). Why is this important?  As we will learn, the Holy Spirit is vital for victorious living and kingdom building.   That’s why we need a “proper introduction”.

The Holy Spirit of Pentecost

This month we celebrated Pentecost in churches across the nation and around the world.  With Christ’s completed work of salvation—His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—the promised Holy Spirit would come and dwell within us (Acts 2).

It was the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence that would enable Jesus’ disciples to continue the work He had begun. Pentecost marked the availability of the Holy Spirit to everyone who would “call upon the name of Jesus” (Rom. 10:13).

While we may know about the various ministries of the Holy Spirit, it is even more important to fully grasp the enormity of His Presence within us. Deity is living within us! I love the way Jesus described this phenomenon: “I (Jesus) in them (Believers) and You (God) in me, (so) that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23).

Like the disciples on the day of Pentecost we need the Holy Spirit’s power and direction as we live for God’s glory. We are invited to join with the Triune God in Their ministry of deliverance, wholeness, and grace (Eph. 2:10).

God wants to lead you to places you cannot get to without Him, and He does that by the power of His Spirit. He can bring you into the realm of the miraculous—not as a show, but as a demonstration of His love and compassion for the lost, hurting, or needy. Who among us doesn’t want or need that?[1]

Another like the Other

In anticipation of His departure, Jesus promised the disciples “another Comforter” (allon parakletos)—another of the same kind to aid (John 14:16).  The Holy Spirit would represent God to the disciples as Jesus did in his incarnate state.

The Holy Spirit would direct the disciple’s decisions, counsel them continually, and remain with them forever.  Jesus knew the heart of His disciples and the importance of His presence in their life.  That same Comforter now dwells within each of us who are in Christ (Eph. 1:13).

Jesus knew that, even in the 21st century, we would need the loving reassurance of His presence.  With the uncertainty of the world we live in, it is comforting to know that we are never outside the watchful eye of God IN ADDITION to being indwelt by the very presence of Jesus, who is the Holy Spirit living within us.

“The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and

the Church is famishing (starving) for want of His Presence.”

                                                  A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

God never changes and His promises are still true—”He will never leave or forsake us” (Gen. 28:15).   We are never out of God’s watchful eye or reach.

[1] Stormie Omartian, Lead Me, Holy Spirit:  Longing to Hear the Voice of God.

Our Faith Walk

The Surrendered Life

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The Surrendered Life

Living for Christ

In my faith walk, I must constantly remind myself that “I am not my own.”  My new life in Christ was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corin. 6:19-20).

This life brings new responsibility as we share Jesus’ message of reconciliation:   Jesus died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corin. 5:15) Living for Christ requires that we live a surrendered life.  It is not by accident or happenstance.  It is intentional.

Understanding surrender

In his book, Immortal Diamonds, Richard Rohr shares a glimpse into the secret of living a surrendered life through the contemporary example of the Amish.

The Amish people know they are connected to and a part of a much larger divine reality which looks naïve to the rest of us.  On the foundation as to what is real and what is passing, they are experts.  It also explains their peace, happiness and contentment.

Understanding begins when we seek and prioritize God’s plan for our life.  It is in God that we live, breathe, and have our meaning (Acts 17:28).  Our worldview is based on the reality of God, the certainties of faith, and the “end game” that leads us to eternity with the Lord (1 John 5:13).  The surrendered life begins with denying self and the world.  It begins with Jesus as our priority.

Surrender begins with denying

Jesus in His teaching on the cost of discipleship was brutally honest about His expectation of His followers.  There was no mincing of words to make the offer more appealing to His listeners.  Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. 16:24) Jesus’ ministry continues today with us as His disciples.  His expectations have not changed.

Deny has two meanings: (1) to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone and (2) to lose sight of oneself and own interests.  Matthew uses the second definition to explain Jesus’ rebuke to would-be disciples unaware of the cost to follow Him.

As we deny our own interest and forsake our past self, we must also reject our love for this world— “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).  All these create within us a divided heart which cannot love Jesus well nor surrender to His leading.

The surrendered life

The world, Satan, and our flesh are not big on “denying”.   They encourage us to place our desires above the Lord’s.  They deceive by whispering, “You can have it your way right now.  Jesus can wait another day.”  Jesus replies, “I am The Way” (John 14:6) and offers instead His love (John 3:16), salvation (Heb. 2:10), forgiveness (Ep. 1:7), freedom (Ps. 146:7), and peace (Col. 3:15).

The goal of the Christian life can be summed up by Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Such a life of surrender is pleasing to God, results in the greatest human fulfillment, and will reap ultimate rewards in heaven (Luke 6:22-23).[1]

The surrendered life in Christ results in great joy and wisdom.  There is great confidence in knowing we have made the best choice by seeking “the Pearl of Great Price” (Matt. 13:46). To give up other offers, by comparison, is a surrender of the lesser.

[1]   Got Questions, “What does it mean to surrender to God?”

Eastertide

Throwback Wednesday: Living in Resurrection Power

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Throwback Wednesday: Living in Resurrection Power

Easter, for Christians, is  more than a one day event.  It is a 50-day celebration. The season of Easter, or Eastertide, begins at sunset on the eve of Easter and ends on Pentecost (see Acts 2).

Eastertide, is also, an excellent  opportunity to expand our  understanding of the power Christ’s resurrection continuous to offer, even in the 21st century (Eph. 1:19-20).

That being said,  we offer for your reading, “Living in Resurrection Power”.   This is an excellent follow-up to our series, “Spiritual Blessing for Victorious Living.”

Victorious Living

Spiritual Blessings for Victorious Living: Living Victoriously

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Spiritual Blessings for Victorious Living: Living Victoriously Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NKJ)

What does it look like?

At the beginning of this series, we put forth the proposition that spiritual blessings, outlined in Ephesians 1:3-14, will result in victorious living by believers.

As we conclude this series, it is a great time to share exactly how spiritual blessings accomplish that.  What exactly does victorious living look like?  There is much written on “how” to live victoriously.  It often includes a recommended list of spiritual disciplines accompanied with a list of “do’s and don’ts”.  Yet, more than often,  the specifics on victorious living are unclear.

Clarity in the Scriptures

For me, there are several biblical truths that contribute to understanding what victorious living looks like.  The most important being how “we look” in Christ.

In Christ, we are “new creatures” (2 Cor. 5:17) and are continually being  “transformed by the renewing of their mind” (Rom. 12:2).  It is God’s expectation that we “be holy as He who called [them] is holy” (1 Pet. 1:15-16) with the ultimate objective to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

As we are conformed to Christ’s image,  we live out our purpose or  “good works, which God has ordained” for us to do (Eph. 2:10).

This process of spiritual transformation is ongoing in us who confidentially trusts God and understands that “He that began a good work is able to perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6)—until Christ’s Second Return or the believer’s returns to Christ.

Victory in God

Victorious living finds its genesis in the Triune God.  Chosen by God.  Redeemed by Christ.  Sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Victorious living is achieved by our walking in the reality of the spiritual blessings “gifted” to us by God resulting in our new identity and capability.  All these blessing are to the praise of God’s glory—lavish and abundant blessings on which to live victoriously.

I once believed that living victoriously was dependent on me.  I am so glad that God provided the “true secret to victorious living”.   For it in In Him “we live, and move, and have our meaning” (Acts 17:28).

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 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, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  (Titus 3:4-7)

In your quiet time, read Ephesians 1:3-14.  Feel free to read it several times using a different translation or paraphrase; then journal how this scripture can help you live more victoriously.