2023

Finished. Done. Now What?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

2 Corinthians 5:20

…be reconciled to God.

Ephesians 5:1

…be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Religion is man’s attempt to appease their god. They desire to obtain favor today and reserve a place in heaven tomorrow when their human life is over. The rituals, rules, and observations are designed to make one feel good about one’s effort to be righteous before their god. The “to do list” of religious practices are as short or as long as the community one participates in.

Christianity, many times, is erroneously categorized or practiced in a similar manner. Yet, when one reads the New Testament one realizes Jesus Christ truly turned the entire world right side up with a new paradigm of salvation. Salvation is not something you and I need to do, but something to be. Salvation is a relationship with the living God.

We all like to think we are good because we occasionally do good things for others. And we think because we are good, we have a place reserved for us in heaven. Sure, we may at times mess up, but 51% of the time, we do more good than bad. Thus, we justifiably have earned the right to be in heaven. This is what many people incorrectly believe what the Bible teaches.   

But nowhere in the Bible does it say good people will go to heaven. Instead, Jesus spoke about repentant sinners entering His kingdom before the righteous Pharisee. The apostle Paul writes in Romans that no one is righteous before God, all have sinned, and none are good before God (Rm. 3:10,23).

What saves you is not your good deeds, but a God-Man. He took on human flesh and lived a perfect life without sin. He sacrificed himself on behalf of all humanity to restore our relationship with God Almighty. The fact is Jesus Christ lived a vicarious life for you and me. So now we have direct contact with the Divine. We are adopted into the inner circle of the Triune God.

Jesus Christ saved you and me. Past tense. Done. Finished.

But what does that mean for you and me now? Glad you asked.

Paul writes that we are now to “be reconciled to God.” And again, “be imitators of God as beloved children.”  Being already saved by Jesus Christ, we are now to focus our entire being to walk with God, to be one with Him, and to imitate Him in our dealings with each other.

Like children playing grownup, we are to put on His garments and act and behave in similar ways. We are to make His values and viewpoint ours. Like the disciples of their rabbi, we watch, observe, discuss and ponder with Him whatever and wherever He invites us to participate with Him. We are His student, His sibling, His bond-servant. We are to develop a personal, meaningful relationship with Him.

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pt. 3:18). It is coming to have so much faith in Him, your life explodes with His character and His Spirit being fully expressed through you for the sake of others. Your worldview becomes centered around the Triune God and His work. Life becomes a love adventure. God’s love overflows within you and you cannot help share His love with everyone you meet.

Yes, Jesus did the impossible for you and me. So now, through Him and in Him and for Him, He has equipped and empowered us to be free to do the same for each other.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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The Good Seed

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Matthew 13:37-43

He (Jesus) answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

When you follow Jesus, you are the children of His Kingdom. You are the good seed being planted in this world in preparation for an eternal harvest. You carry the salt and light of Jesus in you for others to observe. All those around you witness the good seed being produced in you and through you.

You are the workmanship of a divine plan started at the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4). When you choose to make the effort to lay “good soil” within the foundation of your character, your understanding of His Word grows in you. You begin to experience the fruit of His Spirit (Mt. 13:23).

The righteousness of Christ is your insignia (Phil 1:11). The fruit of the Spirit is your unlimited treasure chest (Gal.5:22). And the leadership of Father God is your assurance and inspiration.

You are the good seed being generated by a sovereign God for a greater purpose than anything you can think of on planet earth. Your life is not an accident but a plan event. You are unique yet similar with others. Your macro purpose is the same. But your micro giftedness and placement is unique. You have been planted in a specific family, neighborhood, and community to be sprouted for the sake of others.

Do not let the enemy blind you into ignorant stupor. Allow the Sower of good seed replicate His character and attributes in you. You will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of His workmanship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

Available for Your Devotional Study: 

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Love Hurts

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

Job 19:19

All my intimate friends abhor me, and those whom I loved have turned against me.

Psalm 109:5

So, they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:17

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

When you open your heart and invest yourself into the life of another, you may find yourself hurt from the experience. Real, genuine love when put into practice is sacrificing the self for the sake of another.

We love another expecting to be loved in return. But what happens when our expectations are not met?

Job was a wealthy man who gave generously to his family, friends, and those in need. But when he lost his home, business, family, and even his health, his friends and even his wife considered him an outcast. When he needed help at the lowest point of his life, his wife recommended he curse God and die. His small circle of friends visited him preaching religious sound bytes. Instead of extending the truthful love he actually needed at the time, they beat him down further.

The Psalmist complained about those around him who returned his love with hate and the good he did came back with evil replies.

Jesus himself paid the ultimate price. HIS love for others disappeared into betrayal when his disciples fled away as he was taken prisoner in the night.

Yes, when you love others, you risk becoming hurt from the experience. But the risk is the price we pay to experience the greatest high this life has to offer – God’s love flowing in you and through you.

More books and movies have are made under the theme of love than any other. Based on my observations, love is the natural human epitome of experiencing the God-life. When we connect with another person in a way to contribute more toward their well being, we taste the character of God. When we sacrifice our time, money, and resources for their betterment, the feeling and pleasure we receive is another taste of God’s character. And since we are made in HIS image, we get to partake in how HE lives and shares life with others by loving others.

The Bible reminds us that God is love (1 John 4:8). The closer we lean on HIM, the more HIS character rubs unto us. Yet, like HIM, the pleasure of love also has another side – the pain of love.

We see this throughout the Old Testament where God’s people constantly and repeatedly would backslide into rebellion. From Adam & Eve to the startup nation of Israel, and all the people since is a history of blessings and curses in the name of love. God continues to exercise HIS steadfast love toward HIS earthly children. They either passively rebel, or openly rebel against HIM. The history of God’s people is a roller-coaster ride of super highs followed by drastic lows. Yet, every time God is hurt from our responsiveness, he refuses to except the situation. Instead HE moves on to extend HIS steadfast love through other means.

Every time you love someone, the risk is you will be hurt or disappointed. Yet, we are most grateful to surrender any potential pain unto Him who knows such pain – Jesus Christ. Our responsibility is to sacrificially love everyone. Yet be wise. Whether we live or die from such action, we trust God will be with us throughout the process. And that is always a good place to be.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

Available for Your Devotional Study: 

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved