Press On

Posted on March 22, 2013 by KD Manes under Salvation

I wonder when Jesus first realized He was God’s Son, and His purpose for living on earth. Growing up under the care of a carpenter, he likely hammered hundreds of nails. Did He ever cringe―knowing His earthly fate would end with sharp spikes piercing His own hands and feet?

Luke 2:40-52 gives an account of Jesus at the age of twelve. Jesus―strong and full of God’s wisdom and grace―remained behind in Jerusalem when his parents began journeying home from their yearly Passover Festival. Mary and Joseph were concerned. Where is Jesus?

After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers.” – (vs. 46-47)

Joseph and Mary: Relief … astonishment … parental anger

Jesus: “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (vs. 49) “Or be about my Father’s business,” (NIV Bible’s footnote)

Joseph and Mary: Fear … misunderstanding

Was this Jesus’ first experience of His identity and mission being misunderstood? It wouldn’t be His last. The gospels―Matthew, Mark, Luke and John―detail Jesus’ suffering. His blood brothers ridiculed Him. Many disciples turned away. Even those in His inner circle misunderstood many of His teachings, and then scattered upon Jesus’ arrest. His home town shunned Him. The Pharisees bombarded Him with false accusations…

But Jesus pressed on.

In ministry, Jesus didn’t have home comforts, but instead dwelt among throngs of people―many pursuing Him with selfish motives.

But He persevered.

Satan―knowing Jesus’ true identity and mission from the get-go―assaulted Him with temptations, seeking to steal Jesus’ worship, kingdom and glory.

But Jesus overcame (Matthew 4).

So what prompted Jesus’ strong resolve amid such opposition? He prayed often, plugging into His Father’s power source. Also, Jesus declared:

My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” – John 4:34

God’s grace to us led Christ to His death. Jesus―fully God and fully man―did not come to gain political power or status, but to suffer and die so we could have eternal life (Hebrews 2:9-10).

Our sinless Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 2:18). He is the answer to all our dilemmas and temptations. Through Christ, we too can press on (Philippians 4:13).

Who Am I?

Posted on March 1, 2013 by KD Manes under Sanctification

What was I writing? … oh yeah, forgetfulness.

The other night I raked through my bathroom drawer looking for my headband, (to keep my hair back when washing my face.) Where in the world is it? Then I glanced in the mirror. Oh brother, when did I slip that on? I really don’t have memory loss―or do I? I admit, however, to occasional absentmindedness.

Ah, forgetfulness…

Remember the movie, Home Alone?

Thankfully, I haven’t forgotten my kids on a family vacation. However, I can relate to frenzied Mom moments. Busyness, multitasking, and/or juggling hats only intensifies the craziness. That’s when I ask … who am I?

I know better than to let my feelings dictate my identity. For they come and go like the winter fog. I don’t want to settle for people’s opinions that change like the wind. And I refuse to listen to Satan’s accusations.

So, who am I in Christ?

In Christ …

I am chosen (Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9):

Hand-picked by God
Adopted as His child
Called and purposed for salvation, even though I don’t deserve it

I am called to a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9):

Because of God’s purpose and grace before the world began

God’s call on the believer’s life results in abundant blessing. I’m all for God’s blessings, aren’t you? Here are some more benefits for the believer in Christ:

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
I am holy, blameless, and covered in God’s love (Eph. 1:4).
I am forgiven (Eph. 1:7).
I am marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).
I have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory (Eph. 2:6).
I am God’s work of art (Eph. 2:10) … wow!

Paul prayed that God would enlighten the eyes of (our) hearts so (we) may know the hope to which He has called (us), the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” -Ephesians 1:18

If you―like me―forget who you are, look in the mirror and remember WHOSE YOU ARE. Here’s another great song by Casting Crowns, Who Am I? You can view it at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7gfTYyLEHg.

Remember–you are blessed,

K. D.

Separation Anxiety or Assurance?

Posted on February 10, 2013 by KD Manes under Sanctification

“Just jump,” my husband told me. But the water looked a LONG way down. And what if I belly flopped? Finally, I pushed past my fear and leaped. Needless to say, I was hooked. The joy of plunging into Lake Roosevelt from the top of the houseboat soon replaced my fear of heights.

Bible study can be like this, daunting at first, especially with long “Christianeze” terms. But it’s important to learn, especially for those who desire to become more Christlike. Also, it’s the only way to sift truth from various teachings. So I encourage you to regularly explore the Bible. It’s worth the time and effort.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sanctification signifies separation to God. What does this mean? Herbert Lockyer writes:

“Sanctify” is one of the words related to “consecrate,” and suggests not only a separation from but unto: Separated from sin unto salvation, from works unto grace, from hell unto heaven. It implies a purging from sin or the old leaven (1 Corinthians 5:7) and stands for a renewing (Romans 12:2). Thus a sanctified one is not only washed from sin, but adorned with purity.”

Positional sanctification is the privilege of everyone who has accepted Christ. We have been set apart by and for God. We are sanctified the moment of our regeneration* (Philippians 1:1). Jesus became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God, (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through trust in Christ, we make an exchange―our sin for His righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at His crucifixion. As the risen One on high, He is the Object presented to the soul. He is our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11). His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. Jesus becomes our holiness and redemption as we are spiritually reborn. We (believers) have a living hope through Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). Christ now lives in us through His Holy Spirit, (John 14:16-17).

*See definitions for words in red below.

I don’t know about you, but I have to let that soak in for a while …

If Jesus is the object of our sanctification, what do you think we―His children/believers―are objects of? What about the person who hasn’t received Christ as their Lord? What is he/she an object of? If you are in Christ, how or when did you receive Him as your Savior? How has He made a difference in your life?

Have a wonderful week!

K.D.

********************

Consecrate – To set apart or devote to God.

Regeneration – spiritual renewal or revival; rebirthed

Conversion – to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another

Redemption – to buy back; repurchase; to rescue (often from sin) with a ransom

Resurrection – rising from the dead

*This article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/15zZHep

Bad News, Good News

Posted on January 14, 2013 by KD Manes under Salvation

Care to join me for a steaming latte? It’s 12 degrees fahrenheit in my neck of the woods. Brrr. Reason enough to enjoy the crackling fire with a hot drink within reach.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, God’s first call in our lives deals with salvation. In fact, most of the Bible centers around John 3:16 (NIV), “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The word salvation appears 164 times in the Bible. According to Strong’s Concordance, salvation is “mattâth” in Hebrew and Aramaic, which means “a present: ― gift; reward.” The Greek translation “soteria” means “rescue or safety.”

Salvation can be summarized as follows: deliverance from the power or penalty of sin.

Whose sin? Both yours and mine. We’ve all done wrong things and failed to obey God’s laws (Romans 3:23; 5:12).

The result? Separation from holy God, our Creator. This separation―the penalty of our sin―is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:10-15). Our best efforts–moralism–fall short in our attempts to unite with God (Isaiah 64:6). That’s the bad news.

The good news: Jesus–God’s unique Son–never sinned (Hebrews 5:9). He alone bridged the gap between sinless God and sinful mankind when He freely died on the cross (1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 5:9-12). He took our place in order to save us from sin’s consequences―including God’s judgment and death (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8-11).

The result? We can have new life because Jesus took our past, present, and future sins upon Himself, forgiving all our wrongdoing (Hebrews 10:5-18). Thus, He reconciles us to God (1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 10:19-22). Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the proof that His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross was acceptable to God. His resurrection has become the source of new life for whoever believes Jesus is the Son of God (John 11:25; Romans 10:9). He grants eternal life, giving union with God to those who believe and receive Him (Ephesians 2:4-7; John 1:12).

Do you believe Jesus is God’s Son? If so, have you confessed your sins to Him and asked Him for the gift of eternal life and forgiveness?

*This article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/17RG5UK.

God’s Call

Posted on January 7, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a phone call from God–advising you where to live, whether you should work outside of the home, whether you should marry or remain single, etc.? Although God doesn’t speak audibly to us these days, He doesn’t hide His will for our lives either. This is found in God’s eternal Word, the Bible (Psalm 119:89, 105).

(This post article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/13Lnbwt.)

Hebrews 4:12 says, “the word of God is living and active.” The Bible isn’t simply a collection of words. It is life-changing through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. In a searching, sincere heart, God’s Word spurs on faith. It penetrates to the core of our moral and spiritual life.

The Greek word of “called” is kletos. This means: invited, ie. appointed. We are invited to participate in God’s plan.

Knowing God’s general will leads to knowing His specific will for our lives. What does God call us to?

SALVATION
SANCTIFICATION
SERVICE
ACCOUNTABILITY

The call in God’s Word isn’t a light matter, it requires decisions. God’s work in a person’s life requires a demonstration of trust in His character and promises. His call often brings discomfort at first. Just as an athlete must train if she wants to win, likewise God’s call pushes us spiritually. But we will be the better for it, not only now, but for eternity. And, His rewards are unrivaled.

My next post will center on salvation.

Food for thought: