YOU WERE MADE TO KNOW GOD Deep down, there’s a place within each of us that is made for one thing—a relationship with God. No matter how hard we try to cover it up or fill it with something else, we will never be satisfied. Our hearts will remain restless until they find their home with God. That deep, hidden part of you is there, even if you haven’t realized it until now. But unfortunately, there’s a problem. A barrier exists between God and humankind. It’s called sin—a word that refers to all the ways we fall short of God’s design for humanity. When the first human beings rebelled against God, sin became a part of the human condition. It has been passed on like a hereditary disease from ancestor to ancestor, all the way down the line to us today. In the Bible, Romans 3:23 says, “Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” And in Romans 6:23, we learn “the wages of sin is death.”* In other words, all people need to be brought “back from the dead” spiritually. But there’s nothing we can do to remove this barrier of death on our own. No amount of good deeds on our part can change our eternal status. Even though we sin, God doesn’t begrudge us our lives. In His kindness and mercy, He sustains us—blessing us even when we don’t know it—so we can eventually find the way back to Him. But if we don’t seek Him and His ways, or if we choose to reject Him, our spiritual deaths will be permanent. We will live apart from God and His goodness in eternity after we physically die. The Bible tells us that eternal life apart from God is to live in darkness, with no hope, no joy, and no love, forever. God doesn’t want anyone to experience permanent death (2 Peter 3:9). He loved us so much that He devised a plan to free us from the grasp of sin and provide forgiveness for all time. In the Bible, John 3:16 says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Before time began, God has existed in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no division between these three Persons. Though it’s difficult for us to understand, they are one God. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and He is also God. So when the Bible says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,” we see that God really gave Himself. God knew that we needed to be rescued. He loved us so much that He devised a plan to free us from the grasp of sin and provide forgiveness for all time. Because humanity failed to live according to God’s standard and had fallen into spiritual death, Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth to live as a man. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. But the world rejected Him and crucified Him on a cross. He died on that cross and was buried in a tomb, but three days later, He rose from the grave. What the world didn’t realize was that dying on the cross was Jesus’ plan all along. Through His death and resurrection, He removed the barrier between humankind and God. Because He was also God, Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf so we could truly live. Jesus’ victory on the cross was for everyone, including you. He offers salvation from sin and death to all people as a gift, but He asks that we give Him our lives in return. How can we do this? By believing in Him, turning from our sins, and asking Him to be the Lord—the ruler and guide—of our lives. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Remember, God is love. He loves you more than anyone else ever has or ever could. In giving your life to Him, you invite His love into every aspect of who you are. His love is transforming, and His forgiveness is complete. God will transform you and make you a new person in Him. You will find the joy-filled life you’ve always longed to have. There’s no need to put off receiving God’s gift of salvation. You don’t need to clean yourself up first, start behaving better, or anything of the sort before you can become a follower of Jesus. You can take the first step right now. Open your heart to God and receive Him. He’s ready to receive you. You can pray the following prayer or use your own words. A Godly Servant Print Page By Dr. Charles Stanley Scripture often refers to the Lord’s followers as servants. We are to live for God and serve His purposes, not our own. Let’s read Luke 12:35-48 for characteristics of a faithful servant. Godly servants… 1. Serve consistently rather than haphazardly. As humans, we will never be perfect this side of heaven. However, time after time, faithful servants demonstrate willingness to do the Master’s will. Their commitment to working for Him doesn’t evaporate when obedience is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly. In verse 37, the master is girded. He had tucked his robes into his belt, a common practice for travelling or serving. Adam Clarke’s commentary mentions that the host of a banquet often waited on his guests, even for a wedding feast. Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.” In verse 40, what does He say His followers will not expect? The New John Gill Exposition of the New Testament says that the second watch was from 9:00 to 12:00 at night, which would be early to return from a wedding. A more typical time would be during the third watch, from 12:00 to 3:00 in the morning. If Christ were to return tonight, do you think He would be pleased with how you are currently serving Him? Why or why not? If you suspect He would not be pleased, what do you think is hindering your obedience? 2. Handle their time, talents, and treasure in a trustworthy manner. Everything that a believer has belongs to the Lord. Like a faithful servant, we each should try to use possessions, gifts, and other resources in ways that honor God and expand His kingdom. Who is the target audience for this parable (vv. 41-46)? In verse 42, the faithful servant oversees his fellow workers and cares for their practical needs. According to 1 John 4:7-8, what connection is there between a person’s relationship with God and his or her treatment of others? Evaluate your interactions over the last 24 hours. Would you pass the test that 1 John 4 describes? 3. Don’t indulge the flesh. God wants His people to enjoy life and His blessings. First Timothy 6:17 says we are to “fix [our] hope on . . . God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Our pleasure can honor the Father, as a joyful Christian is a wonderful advertisement for the gospel. However, any pleasure we seek must be one that God permits. What behaviors indicate that the unrighteous servant is not exercising self-control (Luke 12:45)? The wicked servant begins to hope that the master won’t return at all. As a result, he gives himself over to his passions. Beating the other servants represents tormenting the faithful followers of Christ. John Gill wrote that when those who profess faith turn apostate, they not only fall into a lifestyle of drunkenness and debauchery but are often the most violent persecutors of sincere believers. Galatians 6:7-9 speaks of those who give in to the flesh (sinful desires). What are some common ways that believers indulge their unrighteous yearnings? Sometimes a blessing becomes sinful when we overindulge in it. For instance, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a delicious meal. But eating to excess is gluttony (Prov. 23:21). Can you identify an area of your life—a hobby, pastime, or even a task—that tends to get out of control in this way? 4. Can expect specific consequences based on the quality of their service. Although God often rewards our faithfulness here on earth, He doesn’t want us to count on temporal rewards for our good deeds. Such a focus can make us prideful and rob us of the simple joy of obedience. However, Jesus did encourage His followers to work for and anticipate eternal rewards for faithful service. According to Colossians 3:23, what should motivate us to do our best, no matter what job we have? In this study’s focal passage and in the parable of the talents, what is the reward for those who faithfully handle what God has entrusted to them (Luke 12:48; Matt. 25:21, 29)? What form will our service take in eternity (Rev. 5:9-10)? How does this make you feel? How are the unrighteous servants punished in these two parables (Luke 12:46-48; Matt. 25:26-30)? Luke 12:26 says that the immoral slave is assigned a place with the unbelievers. According to Adam Clarke, this word is better translated as the unfaithful. These are people who had head knowledge of God’s Word but failed to apply it properly and therefore missed out on transformation and blessing. Think of at least one specific action you could take to improve your application of the spiritual revelation God has granted to you. Note: Luke 12 and Matthew 25 may seem to indicate that salvation is somehow dependent on good deeds. But these passages must be read in light of the many other scriptures that indicate salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; 5:1). Conclusion: At all times, faithful servants of God should be ready for the Lord’s return. Others may not recognize our work or honor us for serving. But if we genuinely seek to do the Lord’s will, we can confidently expect heavenly rewards for our obedience. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to Your service. Give me a humble heart that will delight in pleasing You. Help me be increasingly sensitive to Your voice so that I may be a more faithful servant. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 09:09:11 +0000
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