Why are we commanded to be humble?

March 8
Why are we commanded to be humble?
by Chuck McKnight, AiG-U.S.

A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

Today’s big question: why are we commanded to be humble?

As humans, we tend to think of sins on a skewed scale of severity. Those outward actions taken against another human are considered worthy of a higher caliber of condemnation, while sinful thoughts are downplayed as being uncontrollable and not all that bad.

But the Bible tells us something entirely different. James explains that “whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). And a warning against pride can be found at the very heart of the first of the Ten Commandments. “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

Pride, at its core, is the elevation of self. We even try to place ourselves above God by thinking, “I know better than God. I can do this on my own without His help.” This unwarranted confidence in self becomes the god we place above Yahweh.

But it doesn’t stop there. Perhaps the most insidious aspect of pride is its tendency to develop into all other vices. Pride makes us think we deserve that which we do not have. This false belief leads to covetousness, thievery, adultery, hatred, and murder.

Was it not Satan’s pride which made him desire to be exalted above God? Was it not the pride of Adam and Eve which gave them the desire to be like God? And is it not pride and pride alone which causes men to reject the free gift of God’s salvation? C.S. Lewis called pride “the essential vice, the utmost evil . . . the complete anti-God state of mind.”

Furthermore, of all the sins we fight, pride is perhaps the most difficult to overcome. Benjamin Franklin, who was not a believer, gave some insight on this when he said that “even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.”  Perhaps you are now thinking, “What can I do to prevent this pride?” But that is the wrong question to ask. Can you see why? It again places the emphasis on you and on your own ability.

We recently considered the necessity of trusting in God for everything, and this is no exception. I cannot overcome pride by myself, but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). If we consistently rely on God and give Him all the credit and all the glory, we will find that there is nothing left for which to praise ourselves.

Franklin may have, with some moderate success, been able to perform the first twelve of his “Thirteen Virtues.” But without Christ, he went to his grave having never conquered pride.

Today’s big idea: we must admit our own insufficiency and rely on God for all things.            What to pray: render all praise to the only One worthy of any.

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/03/commanded-to-be-humble

Are you sowing to the Spirit or the flesh?

March 7
Are you sowing to the Spirit or the flesh?
by Chuck McKnight, AiG-U.S.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7–8)

These verses most directly refer to salvation. The unbeliever, sowing to the flesh, will reap eternal punishment, whereas the believer, sowing to the Spirit, will reap eternal life. All those who do not place their faith in Christ Jesus will reap corruption.

However, these verses do apply to our lives as well. The book of Galatians was written to believers—the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:2). But these believers had become fleshly, foolishly believing they could perfect themselves in the flesh, despite having begun in the Spirit (Galatians 3:3). They developed a legalistic view of the law, adding works, such as circumcision, as requirements for salvation.

Many today still try to add some form of human work to God’s free gift of salvation. But we are saved by grace, through faith, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Sadly, many others go to the opposite extreme and develop a form of licentiousness, believing they can live as they please because they have faith. Even if not committing blatant acts of sin, they live in a state of apathy, not seeking the Spirit’s leading to produce in them good works. This kind of faith is dead (James 2:20).  Rather, we are commanded, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). Furthermore, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

This brings us back to Galatians 6:7–8 and its application to believers. Anything done in the flesh will reap corruption. Only fruit grown of the Spirit will last eternally.  Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:13–15)

Many true believers will have little to show for their time on earth. We previously discussed the importance of redeeming the time, and this is the ultimate outcome if we fail to obey that command: our fleshly works will burn and reward will be lost. Don’t live a fruitless life.

Missionary C.T. Studd summarized it well in the following lines:

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,  Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

Todays Big Idea: Sow to the Spirit.

What to pray: ask God to help you produce work that endures

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/07/27/sowing-to-flesh-or-spirit

What is praise?

March 6
What is praise?
by Steve Ham, AiG-U.S.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord O my soul! (Psalm 146:1)

What human being has never had a good old boast about himself? If we think about it seriously, it is a regular thing. Letting others know of our achievements is an important pastime for many. We love being cheered for, and this starts from the very beginning of our lives.

It starts in our sin nature, and we nurture our desire for cheers from the sideline. Our earliest ventures on to the sporting field are embedded into our memories with excitement, not only for the game, but also for the cheers of adoring parents. We love the pat on the back, and sadly most of us love it a little too much. Our self-boasting and prideful attitude in this sin-cursed world causes incredible problems, and it’s one of the major reasons for our disputes. Everyone wants to look good, in our own eyes as well as in the eyes of others. If that is taken away from us, we fight for its return—sometimes with great energy.

We don’t just look for reasons to boast in ourselves. We boast about anything that holds our affections. I have heard people passionately boast about cars, computers, music, and even Christian speakers or Bible translations. We tend to focus our attention where our affections lie, and just like the opening appearance of a great performer in concert, the spotlight shines, and the great expectation of applause resounds. Cheer, boast, praise.

In the Bible, we are actually told to boast every time the word “praise” appears—boasting is an element of this word. When we praise God, we are essentially boasting about Him and cheering in reverent adoration of His person and works. Unlike adoring fans at a performer’s concert, it is God who shines His glorious light into our lives, revealing that everything about Him is praiseworthy.

Praise is a response of worship. We sing boasts about the greatness of our God with purity and vigor. We proclaim His greatness to others in joy and excitement. We spread words of comfort to the afflicted as we declare His goodness and sovereignty. We can confidently boast about our God in any and all situations.

Therefore, boasting isn’t always ugly. It all depends on the direction of the boasting and the object of our affection. Psalm 146 starts with three very significant little words—“Praise the Lord!” The next four chapters take us to the end of the Psalms and each one starts with these same words. It is a glorious crescendo of praise that we will enjoy in the next several devotionals.

Today’s big idea: our praise to God is the reverent, cheerful, and boastful adoration in response to His revelation.

What to pray: as you think of praising God, ask Him to point your affections completely toward Him. 

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/02/21/what-is-praise

How can we rejoice through pain?

March 5
How can we rejoice through pain?
by Erik Lutz, AiG-U.S.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

As I write this devotional, thoughts from the past week flood my mind. I’ve been confused by a lot of seemingly difficult circumstances and pain—physical, mental, and emotional—culminating in the sudden, tragic death of my neighbor last evening.

A quote from the movie The Princess Bride keeps repeating in my mind. Westley said, “Life is pain. . . . Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Without Christ, this is often true. We can attempt to numb the pain—as so many do with alcohol and drugs—or distract ourselves with all kinds of temporary pleasures, but this only masks the hurt. Whenever the fleeting feelings of circumstantial happiness leave us floating alone in the ocean of life, the pain is there waiting to drag us under—and we find ourselves gasping for breath.

No earthly thing can truly satisfy your soul. Our souls are not designed to be fulfilled by earthly things because we were created by God and for God (Colossians 1:16). And because God is good, He has not created us for pain. Humans are designed for joy, but true joy is only found in God.

Since we all turn away from God and try to make our own way (Isaiah 53:6), our lives are filled with difficulty and trials resulting from sin. Sin brings suffering—whether it’s our sin, the sin of others around us, or the original sin of the first man, Adam. God does not enjoy inflicting pain on His creation, but He does pour out judgment. He also allows pain, and we can use it as an opportunity to grow in wisdom, faith, and perseverance.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:2–5)

James said to consider the trials in life to be “all joy” because of the ultimate goal: becoming more like Christ. Rejoicing is not just a better way to live; it is the right way to live. In today’s verse alone we are emphatically commanded to rejoice always.

This world is passing away, but you will live forever. For the believer, pain is temporary, but joy is eternal. A day is coming when pain will be destroyed, and we will never feel hurt again (Revelation 21:1–7), but for now we must walk by faith through the trials.

Today’s big idea: you were created for joy in Christ, so rejoice in every moment.

What to pray: ask the Lord for wisdom so you can rejoice even through the pain.

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/02/rejoice-through-pain

Do I have to study the Bible?

March 4
Do I have to study the Bible?
by Tim Chaffey, AiG-U.S.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Today’s big question: do I have to study the Bible?

In his two letters to Timothy, the Apostle Paul repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining sound teaching. The surrounding context of today’s verse warned Timothy to stay away from false and idle teachings. With this in mind, Paul stated how important it is for a believer to be diligent in studying “the word of truth.”

Far too many people in modern churches have abdicated the responsibility to study God’s Word for themselves and trust instead in their church leaders to do the heavy lifting of Bible study for them. This problem is nothing new. The author of Hebrews admonished his readers that they needed to progress beyond milk to solid food.

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13–14)

Not every believer is called to be a Bible scholar, but we are all commanded to study the Word of God. The Jews in Berea were commended by Luke because when Paul preached to them, “they received the word with all readiness, and search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

If you neglect a serious study of the Scriptures then you risk falling for a vast array of false teachings. Paul told the Ephesians that Christians should not be like children who are “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). We must mature and grow in our faith, and a key component of the maturing process is spending time in God’s Word.

The Bible reveals the most important message we could ever read—the gospel. It is God’s message to us. Yet the Bible teaches us so much more than learning how to go to heaven. In its pages we read the true history of the world, beginning in Genesis. We learn who we are, why we are here, where we are going, and who made us. We can know what God expects from us and how we can live a godly life. As we diligently study, being guided by the Holy Spirit, we grow in our relationship with our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why would anyone who claims to be a Christian neglect to regularly study the Word of the God they claim to love?

Today’s big idea: we are authoritatively commanded to study God’s Word.

What to pray: ask God to give you a strong desire to study and obey His Word.

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/07/study-the-bible

Why is love crucial to the Greatest Commandments?

March 3

Why is love crucial to the Greatest Commandments?
by Tim Chaffey, AiG-U.S

 

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)

Today’s big question: why is love crucial to the greatest commandments?

When we hear the term “commandment,” we often think of the Ten Commandments outlined in Exodus 20. However, the Jewish rabbis determined that the Law consisted of 613 commandments, and they categorized them into greater and lesser laws.

The Pharisees were a sect of Jews who devoted themselves to following their own understanding of the Law, and they tried to strictly follow every single one of the 613 laws. Consequently, during New Testament times, great confusion existed among the people as to the purpose of the Law and which laws were most important.

When Jesus was teaching in the temple one day, the Sadducees attempted to trap Him in His words. After Jesus silenced them, one of the Pharisees—who saw what Jesus did to the Sadducees—asked Him to identify the greatest commandment. The Lord’s response shut the mouths of His critics, and none of them dared to question Him anymore (Mark 12:34).

Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This response would likely have gone over well since it came directly from Deuteronomy 6:4–5, a passage known as the Shema, which the Jews repeated twice every day.  However, it was what the Lord said next that silenced His critics. He proclaimed, “The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:39–40).

What a magnificent summary of the Law. Think about the Ten Commandments. The first four deal with our relationship to God, which is why we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. The final six deal with loving our neighbor.

Notice He did not say we need to learn to love ourselves. This modern false teaching is rife within the church, but it is flatly rejected in Scripture (Luke 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:2). Jesus instructed us to love others as we already love ourselves.

Finally, consider the group Jesus addressed. In the very next chapter, Matthew 23, He called them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, a brood of vipers, murderers, and whitewashed tombs. They self-righteously kept the Law but failed to obey the two greatest commandments because they loved themselves rather than God and others. No wonder they could not answer Him. They were guilty, and their sin was laid bare in the light of truth.

Today’s big idea: love must be directed to God and others.What to pray: ask God to help you fulfill the two greatest commandments.

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/20/love-is-crucial

Must I really love my enemies?

Layman

Keywords

·author-chuck-mcknight

·biblical-authority-devotional

·faith-hope-love-devo

·love

March 2

 

Must I really love my enemies?

by Chuck McKnight, AiG-U.S.

 

I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27–28)

Today’s big question: must I really love my enemies?

Leviticus 19:18 states, “You shall love your neighbor.” Over time, it became a common expression to add to God’s command the phrase, “and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43). The Jews considered “neighbor” to mean their own friends and countrymen, but outsiders were held in contempt.

Jesus provided a very different definition. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), He responded by telling the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” Keep in mind that many Jews despised the Samaritans and viewed them as half-breeds. However, the Lord’s parable reveals that God considers all men to be our neighbors, regardless of our antipathies.

This concept goes even further. Jesus specifically clarified that we are to love and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:44). He instructed His followers to deliberately return good for evil.

To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. (Luke 6:29–30)

As followers of Christ, we should strive to be shining examples of His love in the world as we extend that love to all without discrimination. After all, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

By loving our enemies, we let our light shine before them so that they will see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Everything we do should be for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and showing love even to our enemies is one more way to ultimately bring glory to Him. What glory does God receive when we love and do good to only those who love and do good to us? “Even sinners do the same” (Luke 6:33).

But we are given yet another reason. It is actually counted as a blessing to us when we endure persecution.  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10–12)

Like the apostles did in Acts 5:41, we are supposed to actually rejoice in persecution. It is our privilege to suffer for Christ. Why would we hate those who allow us this reward?

Today’s big idea: we must love everyone, even our enemies. What to pray: ask God to fill you with His own love for others.

Source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/21/really-love-my-enemies