Where the Wrath and Love of God Meet – Dr. Charles Stanley

Where the Wrath and Love of God Meet – Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 3:23-26

In our culture, sin is no longer considered an issue. Although some people might admit to making mistakes or being wrong, few will actually say, "I have sinned." The Lord, however, takes sin very seriously. Until we learn to see transgression as He does, we will never understand what happened at Christ's crucifixion.

The cross was God's perfect answer to a terrible dilemma. Because the Lord is holy and just, He hates sin and must respond to it with punishment and wrath. Yet He also loves sinners and wants to be reconciled with them. The cross of Christ was the place where God's wrath and love collided.

The only way to rescue fallen mankind from eternal punishment was to devise a plan whereby the Lord could forgive sins without compromising His holiness. There was no way to overlook transgressions; His wrath had to be poured out--either on us or a substitute. But there was only one possible substitute: the perfect Son of God.

So Jesus came to earth as a man and suffered the Lord's wrath for us as He hung on the cross. Sin was punished, divine justice was satisfied, and now God could forgive mankind without compromising His character. His wrath was poured out on His Son so that His love and forgiveness could be lavished upon us.

Because of human limitations, we'll never grasp all that happened while Jesus hung on the cross. We can begin to comprehend only the physical suffering He endured, but in the spiritual realm, Christ bore so much more--the very wrath of God. This costly redemption plan proves God's great love.

IN HIS FOLD:

IN HIS FOLD: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Ps23:1 wp.me/p29yfQ-1N #goodshepherd #sheep #safe #greenpasture #peace

Be Still – Dr. Gary Chapman

Be Still – Dr. Gary Chapman

Be still, and know that I am God. 
—Psalms 46:10

Having a quiet, patient spirit throughout the day is countercultural in our harried world, but its effects can be life changing for us as well as for others. People notice when we are patient with strangers in line, with our kids at the park, and with our co-workers in meetings, because it is so much more common to show impatience. A patient stillness in attitude, words, and behavior, even in the midst of stress, always stands out.

Author Eugene Peterson reminds us how this kind of radical patience allows room for us to grow closer to others:"When we are noisy and when we are hurried, we are incapable of intimacy—deep, complex, personal relationships." While an anxious spirit on our part makes others feel more rushed and frustrated, a quiet spirit is likely to calm those around us, making loving interactions more possible. So not only does a patient spirit still the noise of the world so we can enjoy deeper peace, it also helps to still the noise in others' lives so we can enjoy one another more fully.

Action Step 

When you feel yourself getting anxious or rushed during the day, remember the words "Be still," and focus on having a peaceful spirit instead of a harried one

 

PURPOSE

PURPOSE: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me...Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Ps138:8 wp.me/s29yfQ-purpose #purpose #good

A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE – Dr. Neil Anderson

A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE – Dr. Neil Anderson

Acts 24:16 

I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men

 

Folklore advises, "Let your conscience be your guide." This has serious limitations since our conscience is a function of our mind. Having been conformed to this world, the conscience can be programmed wrongly. It is always true to its own standard. Until we come to Christ, the standard is the world system in which we were raised. Many people are falsely guided by a guilty conscience--not a true guilt, but a psychological guilt usually developed in early childhood. Satan works through this stronghold to accuse the brethren day and night (Revelation 12:10).

 

People like this are usually perfectionists who labor under condemnation, even though the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8;1). They aren't led; they are driven. They constantly look for affirmation. They have a tendency to be man-pleasers. Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). If you are striving to please men, of whom are you a bond-servant?

 

Since our minds were conformed to this world, we need to renew them in such a way that what we believe is in accordance with truth. Chapter 14 of Romans deals with how we should walk in regard to nonmoral issues. Paul says, "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves" (Romans 14:22).

 

However, we are to restrict our freedom if it causes a weaker brother to stumble. We never have the right to violate another person's conscience. Paul says, "I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men" (Acts 24:16). Be very cautious about going against your own conscience once you are committed to Christ. The Holy Spirit does work through our consciences as He seeks to renew our minds.

 

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that my mind and conscience can be renewed daily through the power of Your Word.

 

GOOD HOPE:

GOOD HOPE: “May our Lord Jesus...encourage your hearts & strengthen you in every good deed & word.”2Thes2:16-17 wp.me/p29yfQ-1H #hope

Cultivating Beatitudes Attitudes

Cultivating Beatitudes Attitudes – John MacArthur

 

"When [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  And opening His mouth He began to teach them" (Matt. 5:1- 2).

Jesus' earthly ministry included teaching, preaching, and healing. Wherever He went He generated great excitement and controversy. Usually great multitudes of people followed Him as He moved throughout the regions of Judea and Galilee. Thousands came for healing, many came to mock and scorn, and some came in search of truth.

On one such occasion Jesus delivered His first recorded message: the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). In it He proclaimed a standard of living diametrically opposed to the standards of His day--and ours. Boldly denouncing the ritualistic, hypocritical practices of the Jewish religious leaders, He taught that true religion is a matter of the heart or mind. People will behave as their hearts dictate (Luke 6:45), so the key to transformed behavior is transformed thinking.

At the beginning of His sermon Jesus presented the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12): a list of the godly attitudes that mark a true believer and insure true happiness. The Greek word translated "blessed" in those verses speaks of happiness and contentment. The rest of the sermon discusses the lifestyle that produces it.

Jesus taught that happiness is much more than favorable circumstances and pleasant emotions. In fact, it doesn't necessarily depend on circumstances at all. It is built on the indwelling character of God Himself. As your life manifests the virtues of humility, sorrow over sin, gentleness, righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, and peace, you will experience happiness that even severe persecution can't destroy.

As we study the Beatitudes, I pray you will be more and more conformed to the attitudes they portray and that you will experience true happiness in Christ.

Suggestions for Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you through our daily studies. Be prepared to make any attitude changes that He might prompt.

For Further Study:

Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

• What issues did Christ address?
• How did His hearers react to His teaching? How do you?