Focal Passage for 2010:
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
Weekly Passage:
“Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
Our focus this year is learning to love the way that Christ loves. Each week, our time together will be spent on learning practical applications of living a life that accurately portrays Christ. Now, at first glance, it may not be clear how Genesis 3:9 applies to loving the way that Christ loves but as we move deeper into our study of this passage the connection will become more clear.
Over that past few months, the Lord has been using this verse to really challenge me in my walk with Him. This verse follows the sin of Adam and Eve (The Fall). Adam and Eve had been commanded by the Lord God not to eat the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16-17). The Serpent (Satan) tempted Eve to eat of the tree saying, “Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1b) “Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). Satan posed a question that tempted Eve to believe a lie about God, herself and sin. Eve’s view of God was changed from a Biblical view (understanding who God is through the truth of His Word) to a world view (defining God based on our human rationale, understanding, wisdom, and fleshly desires).
In our focal passage, God was not asking Adam where he was physically in the garden. God knew exactly where Adam was and God knew that Adam had sinned against Him. The question God asked Adam was intended to bring Adam to the realization of where he now stood before the Lord spiritually.
Satan is the Master Manipulator. Scripture tells us that Satan is cunning (Gen. 3:1), a murderer (John 8:44), the father of lies (John 8:44), a roaring lion walking around seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), a thief (John 10:10), our adversary (1 Peter 5:8), and our accuser (Revelation 12:10). Satan’s tactics are designed to distract us from pure worship of the One True Living God. Satan will manifest his lies to fit our personality, circumstance, and vulnerabilities. That is why God’s Word warns us to “be sober, be viligant” (1 Peter 5:8) and to arm ourselves daily (moment by moment) with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must guard ourselves with truth and stand firm on that truth no matter what our circumstances are, what our flesh desires, and/or what the world offers us.
Eve believed a lie about God, herself and sin. God’s desire for Adam and Eve was to live a pure life before Him. God’s plan was that man would display His image throughout all time. When Adam and Eve rebelled against the Lord God, sin entered the world. And because of that we live in the presence of sin each and every day; however, God’s Word promises us “yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Ladies, we are tempted to believe those same lies today. Satan’s desire for us is the same desire he had when he tempted Eve to rebel against God. God’s Word promises us that God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) and that means that His desire for us is to live a pure life before Him today.
How do we live a pure life before the Lord God? The answer lies within the pages of Scripture. God’s Word is truth and HE alone equips us with the ability to stand firm when we are tempted to believe the lies of the Enemy. In order to stand firm in truth we must understand and believe truth “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
THE LIE ABOUT GOD: “God is NOT who HE claims to be.”
THE TRUTH: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer; the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” (Isaiah 44:6)
Satan will tempt us to believe that God is NOT who HE says HE is. Why? Satan’s objective is to keep us from worshiping the Lord God. Satan desires our worship but he will settle for keeping us from worshipping the One True Living God. Satan knows that we were made in God’s image and our purpose is to glorify Him. If Satan can convince us that God is not who HE claims to be, then we are more likely to live a life that is independent of the Lord God thus bringing shame, guilt, and death upon us.
Life Application Question:
Who do you believe that God is? Does your belief of God match God’s description of Himself in His Word? If not, are you willing to really get to know the Lord God?
THE LIE ABOUT SELF: “You are NOT who God says you are.”
THE TRUTH: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father”…heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8:15 & 16b)
Satan will tempt us to believe that we are bound to our sin and that there is no hope for us to live a pure life. When this lie infiltrates our thoughts, then our actions soon follow. We may begin to step outside of God’s protective boundaries thus leaving us vulnerable. Often times, self-destructive sins begin to develop.
Life Application Question:
Who do you believe that you are? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you are more than a conqueror and you have been freed from the bondage of sin!! You do not have to live a life that is impure!! You can live victoriously through Christ Jesus!!
THE LIE ABOUT SIN: “You are not sinning, you are just doing things a little differently than other people. You are an independent person.”
THE TRUTH: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” (1 Samuel 15:22-23a)
Satan will tempt us to believe that sin is not really sin. Why? If Satan can convince us to define sin on our own terms or to reject the truth of God’s Word, we become desensitized to the true affects of sin. We no longer view sin the way God views sin and it makes it easier and easier to follow our flesh and the enticements of the world system. We begin to rename sin so that our actions, behaviors, and attitudes do not seem so bad. In fact, they become “socially acceptable”.
Life Application Question:
How do you view/define sin? Does your view/definition match God’s truth about sin in His Word? Are their sins in your life that you have not dealt with because you are “renaming” in order to excuse them? We are wise to remember that “the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b) and “no creature is hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). What does this mean to us today? It means that we see things the way we want to see them but God sees EVERYTHING EXACTLY AS IT TRULY IS!!!!
My Friend, if we do not have a Biblical view of God we will not be able to love others they way Christ loves us. Before we can share Christ with others, we must understand who HE is through His Word. Scripture is filled with the love of Christ but if we do not understand this love through the light of God’s Word we will not be equipped to live out this love in our daily lives. Having a Biblical view of God is the foundation of our walk of faith. “Where are you, My Friend?” Father God, may you reveal to each of us the condition of our hearts. May You allow us to see clearly any and all lies that we are believing. May You, Lord, create in us a Biblical view of who You truly are so we can live purely before you and be an instrument that displays Your image accurately so that others may see Truth!!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Monday Morning Devotion #279
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
As we usher in a new year, we are ushering in another challenge in our walk of faith. Each year, we have a focal passage that we study and each week our devotion helps to apply that focal passage to our lives. This year, our focus will be on loving others the way Christ loves us. This may sound like a very simple task but as we dive deep into God’s Word, God will reveal areas in our hearts that do not reflect His love. Are you willing to allow the Lord to do whatever is necessary to mold and shape your heart into a heart that “loves the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)? Jesus Himself tells us that “…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (John 14:23-23).
Strongs:
Fervent # 1618 ektenes = without ceasing
Love (KJV the word for love in this verse is “charity”) #26 agape = affection, dear love
What does it mean to love someone with a fervent love? Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” The perfect example of loving with a fervent love comes from Christ Jesus Himself. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah from Genesis 3. The moment sin entered the world, Christ was the solution. Christ came to reverse the curse and allow us to live in freedom through His shed blood. Christ did not base His decision on our behavior but on His perfect love alone.
What is love? Love is a decision to put others before ourselves. Love is an attitude of the heart that accepts people as they are. Love is a shelter for others to turn when they are hurting or in need of encouragement. Love is the voice of truth holds us accountable to God’s Word. Love manifests itself in forgiveness, in truly rejoicing with others when they rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, praying for those in our lives, and giving thanks for the people in our lives. Love is genuine, gentle, does not boast or seek to serve self. Love is the very nature of our Lord and Savior. Love characterizes a true follower of Jesus Christ. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
What does it mean when Scripture says, “…for love will cover a multitude of sins”? Is this passage talking about love having the power to forgive/pardon sin? Absolutely not! Our focal passage is referencing Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.” This verse is describing interpersonal relationships, not salvation. Basically, this means that when we respond in love to those who have hurt us or offended us, we are able to forgive those sins that might otherwise come between us. This is not an easy task but it is possible through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I have shared several times last year, my heart’s desire is to be a godly wife and mother. This is a huge challenge for me because my sinful nature does not naturally respond with love and forgiveness. I have to guard my tongue and practice thinking before speaking every day!! God is revealing to me that my tongue responds out of the overflow of my heart. Needless to say, I have many heart issues that the Lord is graciously and faithfully confronting with the truth of His Word.
My Friend, what is the condition of your heart today? Do others know that you are a Christian by your love for others? Is God revealing to you today heart issues that need to be corrected through His Word? My prayer for each of us this year is to love the Lord God with all our hearts, minds, and strength and that we will live a life that reflects Christ to a lost and dying world. In order to accomplish this, we MUST put aside ourselves and love the way Christ loves. God’s Word tells us, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13). “…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
As we usher in a new year, we are ushering in another challenge in our walk of faith. Each year, we have a focal passage that we study and each week our devotion helps to apply that focal passage to our lives. This year, our focus will be on loving others the way Christ loves us. This may sound like a very simple task but as we dive deep into God’s Word, God will reveal areas in our hearts that do not reflect His love. Are you willing to allow the Lord to do whatever is necessary to mold and shape your heart into a heart that “loves the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)? Jesus Himself tells us that “…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (John 14:23-23).
Strongs:
Fervent # 1618 ektenes = without ceasing
Love (KJV the word for love in this verse is “charity”) #26 agape = affection, dear love
What does it mean to love someone with a fervent love? Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” The perfect example of loving with a fervent love comes from Christ Jesus Himself. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah from Genesis 3. The moment sin entered the world, Christ was the solution. Christ came to reverse the curse and allow us to live in freedom through His shed blood. Christ did not base His decision on our behavior but on His perfect love alone.
What is love? Love is a decision to put others before ourselves. Love is an attitude of the heart that accepts people as they are. Love is a shelter for others to turn when they are hurting or in need of encouragement. Love is the voice of truth holds us accountable to God’s Word. Love manifests itself in forgiveness, in truly rejoicing with others when they rejoice, mourning with those who mourn, praying for those in our lives, and giving thanks for the people in our lives. Love is genuine, gentle, does not boast or seek to serve self. Love is the very nature of our Lord and Savior. Love characterizes a true follower of Jesus Christ. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
What does it mean when Scripture says, “…for love will cover a multitude of sins”? Is this passage talking about love having the power to forgive/pardon sin? Absolutely not! Our focal passage is referencing Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.” This verse is describing interpersonal relationships, not salvation. Basically, this means that when we respond in love to those who have hurt us or offended us, we are able to forgive those sins that might otherwise come between us. This is not an easy task but it is possible through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I have shared several times last year, my heart’s desire is to be a godly wife and mother. This is a huge challenge for me because my sinful nature does not naturally respond with love and forgiveness. I have to guard my tongue and practice thinking before speaking every day!! God is revealing to me that my tongue responds out of the overflow of my heart. Needless to say, I have many heart issues that the Lord is graciously and faithfully confronting with the truth of His Word.
My Friend, what is the condition of your heart today? Do others know that you are a Christian by your love for others? Is God revealing to you today heart issues that need to be corrected through His Word? My prayer for each of us this year is to love the Lord God with all our hearts, minds, and strength and that we will live a life that reflects Christ to a lost and dying world. In order to accomplish this, we MUST put aside ourselves and love the way Christ loves. God’s Word tells us, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13). “…Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
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