When Jesus asked a question, it was not because He didn't know the answer. You can be sure He was making a point.
Jesus and His disciples were in Caesarea Philippi, away from their own territory. It was a place of idolatry and oppression - a threatening place both politically and spiritually. In this environment, Jesus posed 2 important questions about the perception of His identity. He wasn't interested in His popularity rating. He wanted His followers to be sure about the One they were following.
Today, our culture is just as hostile and opposed to Jesus as when He first asked the question: "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (Matt.16:13). As in Jesus' day, people offer a long list of inadequate and incorrect ideas about Jesus, ranging from "just a good teacher"all the way to "divisive" and "intolerant."
The real question was and continues to be: "Who do you say that I am?" (16:15). Peter boldly declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (v. 16). Jesus said that Peter's accurate confession was a God-given insight and that he was blessed because of his declaration (v.17).
Join Peter in confessing that Jesus is your Savior. Your life will be bolstered and blessed. (DB)
Thought: Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God! (1 John 5:1)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Enslavement to Sin
Almost anyone who has even been physically addicted to something will tell you that it all began with a small, innocent step-just one taste or one little moment of exposure. Then the experience gradually took over his mind and desires and body, until the addiction absorbed his attention day and night without relenting.
Maybe this was your experience or perhaps still is. And physical addiction isn't the only kind of consuming entrapment; any kind of sin or wrong desire can lead to emotional and spiritual enslavement. What is so devastating about bondage to sin is that it progresses slowly at first, allowing you the luxury to rationalize and justify what you perceive as your growing need. By the time you understand what is occurring, your problem has progressed to a serious condition - probably fatal!
King David experienced this process in his life in his sin with Bathsheba, a transgression that began when he first saw her bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11). When he realized how far he had gone, he immediately repented, confessed his sin to God, and experienced God's grace anew. David had an advanced understanding on how sin operate. (CS)
He prayed: "Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that i may keep You precepts."
(Psalm 119:133-134)
Maybe this was your experience or perhaps still is. And physical addiction isn't the only kind of consuming entrapment; any kind of sin or wrong desire can lead to emotional and spiritual enslavement. What is so devastating about bondage to sin is that it progresses slowly at first, allowing you the luxury to rationalize and justify what you perceive as your growing need. By the time you understand what is occurring, your problem has progressed to a serious condition - probably fatal!
King David experienced this process in his life in his sin with Bathsheba, a transgression that began when he first saw her bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11). When he realized how far he had gone, he immediately repented, confessed his sin to God, and experienced God's grace anew. David had an advanced understanding on how sin operate. (CS)
He prayed: "Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that i may keep You precepts."
(Psalm 119:133-134)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
He Would Not Go In
Some theologians divide transgressions into "sins of the flesh" and "sins of the spirit." This means that some sins originate in our physical passions; others come from our "heart or disposition. In the story of the prodigal sons, the elder brother's attitude gives us an example of the latter.
We're inclined to single out the prodigal son as worse than his brother. But it's worth noting that when the story ends, the prodigal is restored, forgiven, and full of joy, while the elder brother stands outside and refuses to go in.
The stay-at-home son is more than background filler. He makes us think about the state of our heart, for sour moods create untold misery.
Discontent, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, defensiveness, touchiness, and ingratitude are the dispositions that ruin our marriages, with our children, alienate our friends, and embitter every life - including our own.
It's easy to defend our bad moods and to slide into deception and hypocrisy. But we must guard our hearts against such destructive attitudes. When they arise, we need to confess them, let them go, and experience God's forgiveness.
Don't let your bad attitude cause you to lose out while others enter into joy. (DB)
Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from loking at God!
We're inclined to single out the prodigal son as worse than his brother. But it's worth noting that when the story ends, the prodigal is restored, forgiven, and full of joy, while the elder brother stands outside and refuses to go in.
The stay-at-home son is more than background filler. He makes us think about the state of our heart, for sour moods create untold misery.
Discontent, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, defensiveness, touchiness, and ingratitude are the dispositions that ruin our marriages, with our children, alienate our friends, and embitter every life - including our own.
It's easy to defend our bad moods and to slide into deception and hypocrisy. But we must guard our hearts against such destructive attitudes. When they arise, we need to confess them, let them go, and experience God's forgiveness.
Don't let your bad attitude cause you to lose out while others enter into joy. (DB)
Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from loking at God!
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