|
Home
Archive
May
April
March
Comments
and/or Questions
|
Tuesday, May 13,
2008
Boast
Ephesians 2:7-10 That in the
ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not
of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them. (KJV)
Here is a fool proof plan of
salvation that eliminates our works and gives credit where the credit is
truly due. Some today boast of their works they claim to be doing for God; in
fact now I see where they use the infomercial approach, hand picking people
to do interviews that say what they want said concerning their ministries,
which by the way is just that, their ministries and not the Lord’s. If the
Lord is not leading you this day, if you are not walking in the Spirit in
the work He had ordained for you to do, then you are none of His.
Are you letting the peace of
God rule in all your decisions and the path you are walking this day or are
you following one that is more people pleasing? Now if you really wish to
boast about something then why not boast about the work the Lord is doing
and has done for His people, and the joy and peace you are experiencing
because of His good work. A true minister of God is one that will point the
people to the Lord and teach them all that is available in Christ, while
many pretenders are just patting themselves on the back and diverting the
attention toward their own works and what they think they are accomplishing
for the Lord, like He really needs our help. Last time I looked, we being
all mankind, were like helpless sheep headed for the slaughter until God so
graciously sent His Son on our behalf to redeem us from our destructions.
Remember a guy named Job, who when he kept his mouth shut long enough was
able to hear his answer from the Lord when God basically asked him if he
knew better than He did. Job chapter 38 on gives a good account of what
happens when man thinks he can now instruct God and give Him counsel and
advice.
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 But God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him
are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as
it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for
glory & glorieth:
2744 kauchaomai (kow-khah'-om-ahee); from some
(obsolete) base akin to that of aucheo (to boast) and 2172; to vaunt (in a
good or a bad sense):
KJV-- (make) boast, glory,
joy, rejoice.
God chose the foolish things,
things that are nought or nothing, to work through and manifest Himself in.
God didn’t choose you because you were so smart or because you had your
life so together, but rather just the opposite was true. Many people don’t
think they need God in their life and consider it a sign of weakness when
others seek the Lord for strength. The wisdom of God is foolish to mankind
because their carnal mind is enmity with God and unable to see or
comprehend the things of His realm, many times because it is just so
simple.
If you are looking for
something to glory in, or even boast about, then why not boast about what
the Lord is doing and give Him the credit not only for the good work He has
begun in you, but is willing to perform in you unto the end. I am wearied
with all these religious organizations and their larger than life
performances, which remind me of the movies that come out these days with
all the special effects, and portray their imaginary account and views of
salvation that are not based on reality.
Psalms 34:1-4 I will bless
the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (2) My
soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and
be glad. (3) O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name
together. (4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all
my fears. (KJV)
God so graciously gave us
access into His kingdom which is based on His love and mercy and certainly
not by our own merit. Pride always proceeds a fall; so rather than being
humble and keeping that mindset many decide to take back control of their
lives again and end up worse than they were in the beginning. God has a
perfect plan for each and every person who is willing and obedient to walk
a narrow and straight path that leads to eternal life. Many think they can
help God and make His plan more effective by their works. While God’s word
is quite specific to point out throughout the Bible that His word has gone
forth throughout the whole world, mankind thinks it is their duty to
deliver His message through satellites and TV, and that God is waiting for
them to deliver it before the Lord returns. Didn’t we have an example of
this back at the tower of Babel when man thought they could get closer to
God through their own devices? God is not waiting on or relying on mankind
to deliver His message, or carry out His plan of salvation, however, He is
able to speak through those that are humble enough and realize their
salvation is based on grace and certainly not of their works. God knew the
one man He could send and rely on to deliver His message and lay down His
life for the perfect sacrifice, that being Jesus Christ. So when God
chooses to use man to speak or manifest His plan of salvation, He does it
through Jesus Christ and those that hear His message and do those things
that are pleasing in His sight.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace
of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. (KJV)
I know, I know, someone you saw
on TV or heard on the radio said you need to give money to their
organization so that they could go to a place where no one has heard or had
to opportunity to hear the word of God. And yes I know we have been given
the great commission to go into all the world. Now it is a matter of
hearing the Lord of where our place in the body of Christ is, what office
He is calling us to, and then learning how and where to deliver His message
so it will prosper in the thing where He sent it. The good works we should be
zealous of is the good work that He has begun within and desires to perform
and perfect in all the believers. The teaching and the message we need to
be delivering should be pointing the people to God the Father through His
Son Jesus Christ and not toward mankind and its fallen nature and ideas.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (18) For not he that commendeth
himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (KJV)
Many are called and seek
their approval and praise from mankind, while few are left that God has
chosen to work in and through to deliver His message of love. It wasn’t
mankind that got you into the kingdom of God, and it is certainly not
mankind that will keep you in that realm, but rather a love for the Lord
based on what He has done and not what others try to take credit for. So
let’s give credit where the credit truly is due; I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me because truly He that is within me is so
much greater than those that are still stuck in the realm of the world and
its fallen ways.
|
