Some Of Our Weaknesses Take Longer To Overcome

Hi, there!

As Christians, we should NEVER be overly discouraged by our persistent failures when dealing with some of our weaknesses….although we should certainly intensely mourn the defeats with great regret….and seek the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives even more.

A really good example of this is revealed in Galatians 2:11-12 where Peter royally messed up and Paul had to confront and admonish him in front of everyone present.

Peter had personally been with Jesus for about 3 years and had had the Holy Spirit within him as a Christian for at least 17 YEARS (Galatians 1:18; 2:1). Not only that, but he was the head of the entire Jewish ecclesia!!!

And, yet, it is shown in Galatians 2 that he actually succumbed to peer pressure BECAUSE OF FEAR! He was afraid of what other people (fellow Christians, no less!!) might think of him EVEN AFTER all he had been through in past 17 or so years and in spite of having the Holy Spirit mightily within him as an apostle!I would venture to guess he was NOT ‘practicing the presence of God’ at this time.

The horrendous sins of David involving Bathsheba and Uriah is an even better example of how our weaknesses can sneak up on us if we do not stay close to God and Christ Jesus AT ALL TIMES. David had been ‘a man of God’ for about 35 YEARS, when at about 50 years old, he committed these horrible sins. Likewise, it is a given he was NOT ‘practicing the presence of God’.

However, both were forgiven out of God’s unfathomable mercy and grace.

One lesson to learn here is that God and Christ Jesus understand how difficult it is for us to be humans even when we possess Their Holy Spirit. How fortunate and blessed we are to have a Father and Savior such as They are, Who can extend such overwhelming forgiveness.

Another lesson would be to NEVER, NEVER give up trying to reach maturity in Christ Jesus (Matthew 5:48)  although we may fail from time to time, even after years of being a Christian (Please reference the Post on ‘NEVER….NEVER Give Up’). As well, keep in mind that we will ALWAYS suffer some degree of LOSS when we sin, even when They forgive us.

And, lastly, it certainly shows that we should consistently and persistently ‘practice the presence of God and Christ Jesus’ to insure that we are constantly in touch with Them and not left alone to ourselves, which is a scary and dangerous situation for any Christian to be in. (Please reference the Post “Practicing The Presence Of God”).

Hope to see you later.

Fred

 

 

The “Secret” Revealed To Paul

Greetings!

In Ephesians 3:2-3, Paul writes that a “secret”  was personally revealed to him by a “revelation”, and it involved a dispensation or administration concerning “the grace of God” towards the Gentile nations. He also called it the “secret of Christ” in verse 4 and referred to it as the “secret of the evangel” in Ephesians 6:19. This is also confirmed in Romans 16:25-26.

He goes on to say that this “secret” was NOT, and was NEVER made known in past generations….until it was divinely revealed to him (Colossians 1:26-27). Quite simply, the “secret” proclaimed that called believers from the Gentile nations (you and me) were to become “JOINT PARTAKERS” and “FELLOW HEIRS”  with the Israelites, and ON EQUAL FOOTING! In times past, a Gentile could only hope for proselyte status with the Jewish nation, and a far more subordinate role and much less inheritance.

Now, however, there was to be a “joint body” (Body of Christ) whereby the Gentile “nations” enjoyed FULL inheritance status with the Israelites (Ephesians 2:19, 3:5-6).

He continues that this “administration of the secret”, having  been “hid from the ages in God” (verse 9) was also a display of the “many kinds of wisdom of God” to the “principalities and authorities in the heavenly places”….and, was in accord with God’s “purpose of the ages (eons)” (verse 11).

Additionally, those believers from the nations (Gentiles) called under Paul’s “secret administration” did NOT have to observe ANY ELEMENTS of Jewish Law except (1) keep from things sacrificed to idols (2)keep from blood and from things strangled (3)keep from fornication. This can be found in Acts 15:4-20, especially in verses 18-20.

The Jewish believers (Peter, John, James, et al), on the other hand, had been instructed by Jesus Himself to keep ALL the elements of the Law “until all is accomplished”. (Matthew 5:17-18).

Galatians 2:7-9 reveals it was established on Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem that it was agree by all that he had been entrusted with the evangel to the ‘Uncircumcision’ (we Gentile believers) whereas Peter was entrusted with the evangel to the ‘Circumcision’ (the Jewish believers). Paul confirms this in 1 Timothy 2:7, Romans 11:13, 2 Timothy 1:11 and Romans 15:16.

So, even though “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), the writings of Paul are specifically addressed to us as Gentile believers.

Later, in Christ,

Fred