Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Romans 7:15: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

Do you ever ask yourself what is wrong with me? Why can’t I be better? Why did I do that? Take comfort – Paul had the same problem and admitted it in Romans 7. He has just talked about presenting oneself to God, in Romans 6, in yielding to God as “instruments for righteousness,” and he now states he doesn’t understand his own failures many times in this struggle of not doing what he knows is right and not carrying it out. Paul is not absolving himself of personal responsibility, or making excuses, but is emphasizing the power of sin even Paul struggles with, and continually has to redirect his thoughts, his mind, his heart, back to God’s truths and promises. Paul shares his vulnerability.

The tenth commandment, in Ex. 20:17 forbids coveting (having a strong desire for that which belongs to another). Luke states in Luke 12:15 that covetousness is the root of all sins so to be on guard against it. Paul states in Romans 7:8: “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment (“thou shalt not covet”), produced in me all kinds of covetousness.”  The Old Testament law activated Paul’s conscience. Paul is saying that the command not to covet actually accomplished the goal of making him covet even more (think of Eve and the forbidden fruit and Achan with the wedge of gold). “Paul said, I got up and decided not to covet, but my rebellious flesh took over and caused me to covet in ways that I did not think possible.” Wayne Barber. Some commentators feel Paul was writing autobiographically about before his conversion experience. If that is true then Paul is writing that he was indifferent to the demands of the law on the inner man. Paul was raised in a sheltered Jewish culture. He was taught the law from birth. But the fact remains that Paul points to himself as an example, be it pre-Christian or not and explains the law of God is perfect and as he grew in his understanding of Scripture, after his conversion, he realized how sinful he really was – that is his point.

So what is the answer in our back and forth struggles of needing to stand firm, persevering, growing in learning to place our faith and hope in God, and living through setbacks and coming out a stronger person in our relationship with Christ?  Paul states it at the end of Romans 7 and in verses 24-25: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

Paul declares Jesus is the answer – His living presence in our lives and filling our hearts and minds with His Word. We have to put on our spiritual armor every day (Ephe.6:10-18). Our culture has a pill or method of having being numb attractive as an escape, but that does not give one the tools to deal with life’s pressures. What Paul wrote is valid for all Christians. We all struggle with weaknesses and imperfections, but by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, we will walk worthy and grow as a Christ-follower in complete obedience and surrender to our heavenly Father, while we mature in our perseverance, stronger character, and unwavering hope (Rom.5:3).

Our acceptance is in Christ. Our identity is in Christ. Our worth is found in Christ. Our purpose is not in our social status or position. Hebrews 6:10 declares: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”

What would make you happier than you are right now?

Who do you wish you were more like and why?

“Envy is the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we just resent the other person having something we don’t have.” Jerry Bridges. Respectable Sins. Confronting The Sins We Tolerate.

“Covetousness is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment with God.” John Piper.

Charles Stanley has said in his book “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back” – “Why keep persevering? I’ll tell you why. Because it is in the realistic arena that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered, and polished. Because it is there that the life of Jesus Christ is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us, replacing a thin, fragile internal theology with a tough, reliable set of convictions that enable us to handle life rather than escape from it . . . when the bottom drops out and brutal blows attempt to pound us into the corner of doubt and unbelief, we need what perseverance offers: willingness to accept whatever comes, strength to face it head on, determination to stand firm, and insight to see the Lord’s hand in it all.”

Listen to the new song from Danny Gokey, “Wanted.” May the words minister to you today as you listen to it on YouTube. It is from his new album – Haven’t Seen It Yet.

Romans 6:13: “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Remember when you first got married and you thought you had marriage down pat and you knew everything there was to know about your spouse? Then seasons of life progressed and you discover more and more new things about each other you didn’t know before. Your love for each other deepens as the years go by. Sanctification – in the Christian life is much the same. It is a progressive process. The longer you are a Christian the more you learn new things about God’s love, faithfulness, power, mercy, and grace. He speaks directly to you out of His Word, giving you just what you need when you need it, and it will have special meaning just for you.

The NIV states Romans 6:13 as “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God . . .”

The KJV states this verse as “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves to God . . .”

Paul states five different times in Romans 6:13, 16, and 19, this phrase of “present your members” in the ESV, while the NIV states “do not offer” and the KJV says “do not yield” to sin. The power of sin was destroyed on the cross. It was deactivated – paralyzed and was nailed to that cross. Christ offers freedom in no longer being under sin’s control.

Then Paul appeals to his readers; he counsels them, in Rom. 12:1 that we are to present ourselves to God for His glory – “as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” – that is our purpose – to be yielded entirely to God as an instrument for righteousness. It is a fully, once and for all surrender of our own will, yielding, presenting, offering ourselves unto the Lord.

Remember that banner phrase, “Let go and let God!” That was totally false –  while we remain idle is totally wrong. Paul is saying the Holy Spirit provides us with the energy and our will must kick in to stand firm in saying no to sin while having faithful obedience to God’s will and law. It is surrendering to righteousness. God is not going to do that for us. It is a life-long process – called sanctification. It has to be done daily and is not age specific.

The following are examples of how God used various “members” which is parts of the body for His purpose:

• The rod in Moses’ hand was used by God to conquer Egypt.
• The sling in David’s hand, God used to defeat the giant Goliath.
• God used the mouths and tongues of the prophets.
• Paul’s dedicated feet took him from city to city proclaiming the gospel.
• John’s eyes saw visions of the future, while his ears heard God’s message, and his fingers wrote it all down for us to read.

However, we are also given examples in the Bible of physical body parts being used in disobedience and sin: Eve’s eyes and hands picked the forbidden fruit; David’s eyes and mind led to a plot of killing. Ps. 51 deals with the sin of David’s mind, eyes, heart, ears, and lips and mouth. Then he repented and prayed for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing from his sin.

Our old sin nature has been paralyzed – deactivated, while other things are being made new for God’s glory. Living in the freedom of God – doing what satisfies Him — listening to our master and shepherd who has set us free to have eternal life, a new life with Him – this should be our battle plan each day.

“Learning to walk spiritually/supernaturally is similar to learning how to walk naturally because a walk merely consists of two simple steps, repeated over and over again. It is not a complicated thing. In the same way, the Christian life is a matter of taking two steps, one step after another. Then you are beginning to walk. Put off the old man and put on the new. Then repeat. That is all. Keep walking through every day like that. That is how Scripture exhorts us to live.” Ray Stedman.

What verse has given you ammunition to stand firm and persevere as God intended?

Which body part gives you the most trouble – your mouth, eyes, heart, mind, or hands?

Listen to the Newsboys brand new song This I Know (Audio). It is from their new album United, released in May 2019

Romans 5:2b-5: “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

In the Christian life, we are complete in Christ. Christ’s acceptance of us is secure. No one can take that away. But as we are growing in our relationship with Christ, becoming more and more like Him, we will have temptations and problems. That is what life is on this earth until Jesus calls and takes us home to live with Him. We enjoy having the peace of God because He has justified us, declared us not guilty, by His grace. But we still face daily pressures. Yet God has a plan in it all.

The Chain of Christian Growth and Maturity Found in Rom. 5:3-5:

• Suffering produces endurance v. 3-if we remain firm under it. Literally, Paul is referring to stresses of life. Real hardships. Paul knew this better than anyone from his own life.
• Endurance produces godly character v. 4.
• Character produces hope v. 4
• As we wait for this hope to be fulfilled, the love of God is poured into our hearts v.5.

Look at Romans 5:3-5 from The MSG: “There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Now if I can just remember that the next time I feel like I am hemmed in with troubles! Yes, my faith and my hope in the Lord should tell me – “Hey you! There is more to come out of this. Pause and wait to see what God will do next.” I confess that has not been my gut reaction during the past two weeks.

Paul taught the church at Rome that in our tribulations and sufferings, God’s glory will be revealed through our endurance which will then be producing and maturing our character. This transformation process is like purifying gold and ends up in the hope of the glory of God, as we wait for the love of God being poured into our heart. It is certain but may not be fully realized yet. Christ Jesus is our hope (1 Tim.1:1), and as we abide in Him He fills us with joy (Jn. 15:11 & Gal. 5:22).

Have you felt like you were going through a time of sufferings? The NASB uses the word “tribulations” in Rom. 5:3. Warren Wiersbe has said that the English word tribulations comes from the Latin word tribulum. In Paul’s day, a tribulum was a massive peace of timber with spikes in it, used for threshing the grain. The tribulum was drawn over the grain, and it separated the wheat from the chaff. As we go through tribulations, sufferings, afflictions, and depend on God’s grace, these trials purify us and help to get rid of the chaff.

As we wait for God’s love to be poured into our heart, to fill up the holes of defeat, disdain, loneliness, rejection, intimidation, maybe frustrations of failures and various heartaches, God will sustain us with His love, joy, and peace, while we are dealing with the stress and feeling hemmed in on every side for God is faithful. Have hope.

How has God shown His love to you this week?

“The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace shines through.” John MacArthur.

Listen to Mercy Me’s Even If (Official Lyric Video).

Romans 4:18-20: “In hope he (Abraham) believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

Have you ever had to make a decision that had longtime repercussions or effects? Abraham faced that back in the book of Genesis. His obedience affected the history of the world.

Lessons we can learn from Abraham’s life:

• His faith was tested is shown in Romans 4:19. He was old, and so was Sarah. Beyond standard physical years to be able to become pregnant and have children. He was 99 yrs. old and Sarah was 89! Yet he believed God for what He said-promised.
• Faith was unwavering and matured –“grew strong in his faith,” Verses 20 and 21. Abraham never doubted – “was fully convinced.”
• As Abraham grew strong in his faith He gave glory to God.
• Jesus was born through the line of Abraham. God’s promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
• Key reference verse about Abraham – Gen. 15:6: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Remember, the Hebrew word translated for “believed” means to say Amen – truly, it is certain!

As Abraham believed God, how I want to have faith in God like Abraham had! No doubts – no but and -what-ifs and being constrained by human constraints of perspective.  There are over 60 references to faith or unbelief in Romans. The phrase, “by faith” is said 21 times in Hebrews 11. Sure and certain are two words that describe the word faith. It is having hope against all hope.

Yes, Abraham made mistakes. Under direct pressure, he distorted the truth but was also known for his wisdom and faithfulness and consistently trusted in God’s provisions. The obstacles he faced strengthened his faith, and God rewarded Him for it. Don’t we all learn from our mistakes more than our successes? What obstacles are strengthening your faith recently?

God spoke to Abraham back in Gen. 15:1 when He said: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” God gave Abraham a reason to have courage – that God would be his shield. A shield protects us from harm or being hurt. It blocks out what is harmful. It is a person or thing that protects against danger. I had to remind myself of that this past week.

As God was a shield to Abraham, He will be a shield to you through your complete faith in God’s promises and power. God will stay with you through any trial. God will reward you by Him being glorified in you. He wants to make you holy and pure.

May you put your name in this blank today: “I, _______________, will put my hope against hope in God alone. I will not waiver. I will not fret. My abilities are useless in comparison to the power of God, and I believe that God has the power to do as He promised, just as Abraham believed. I will have hope against all hope for God is faithful!

Listen to Danny Gokey’s Lyric Video – Hope In Front Of Me.

Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

GOD’S WORD Translation states Romans 4:7 this way: “Blessed are those whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sins are pardoned.”

My HCSB Life Essential Bible’s wording of these two verses is all in caps: “HOW JOYFUL ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS ACTS ARE FORGIVEN AND WHOSE SINS ARE COVERED! HOW JOYFUL IS THE MAN THE LORD WILL NEVER CHARGE WITH SIN!”

In Romans 4:7-8, Paul quoted from one of David’s psalms of confession after his sin with Bathsheba, Psalm 32:1-2: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Warren Wieresbe has said: “God does keep a record of our works, so that He might reward us when Jesus comes, but He is not keeping a record of our sins.” Amen!

When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and say: “God blesses me. My sins that I have confessed to God, He has forgiven and covered it all by God’s grace and mercy. My identity is in God alone. He does not measure me by my position, abilities, skills, or personality. He accepts me and knows my potential. God, You are working things out for my good. That is a fact declared by Paul in Romans 8:28. You have called me to You for your excellent purpose for me. May I see the power of the gospel transforming lives as I help give out Your love to others as you have abundantly forgiven and pardoned me.”

Has your life taken a sudden detour unexpectedly?

Has your dream suddenly vanished?

Is your job going in a different direction than you had anticipated? Does it seem stability is no longer present?

Has a door suddenly closed? God will use both open doors and closed doors. He has no limitations. He has the winning plan. Dive deep into your perseverance mode. God is faithful. As a Christian, you are blessed and forgiven in your position before the Lord.

The Hebrew word translated for “believed” (think of Abraham-his faith was the root of his obedience-Rom. 4:3) means to “say Amen” – truly, it is certain. Believe that your sins have been forgiven. Stay faithful. You are declared righteous (justification) through Christ’s death on the cross and are being sanctified (on-going process) for His purpose, and say truly, it is certain! Amen!

Listen to The Afters – Well Done (Official Lyric Video).

Romans 3:10-12: “As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Paul quoted from the Psalms in Romans 3:10-12. Ps. 14:3: declares: “The fool hath said in his heart “There is no God.” Then again Ps. 53:1 also states: “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”. They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is no one who does good.” Ps. 53:3 also states: “They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Paul is asserting that everyone has personal guilt. We all have sinned and deserve God’s judgment. It all started in the garden. Today’s news is filled with debauchery going on, but it was going on during Paul’s time in the New Testament, and David’s time in the Old Testament too. They both wrote about it –and they didn’t have the internet back then! People are bent to deviate or bend away from God’s way – that is not new. Romans 3:12 says “they have become worthless.” Think of a pitcher of sour milk or rotten fruit. This is quoted from Psalm 14:3 and 54:3 and the Hebrew meaning for the word “corrupt” means useless or worthless –  “to go bad  ” or to become like sour milk or rotten fruit – it has gone bad and is thoroughly useless in regards to works of righteousness. Warren Wiersbe calls Romans 3:13-18 “an X-ray study of the lost sinner, from head to foot.”

I was in a business meeting in my industry this past week. A particular “term” was used by the speaker at the platform. She said to the laughing audience, “If you don’t know what that means, look it up on Google after the meeting.” So I did, and I was horrified! It was immoral, and I felt disgusted and dirty. Have you had that happen to you too when you were innocently looking up information on the web, and something else pops up on the screen that is sinful?

But Paul tells all of us in the book of Romans that there is hope in the gospel. There is a solution. Paul had proved in Romans 3:1-20, that all men are sinners; next, he explained how sinners can be saved and have eternal life. Romans 3:24-25a states that we “Are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Propitiation means the removal of God’s punishment for sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

“Justification is an act, not a process. There are no degrees of justification; each believer has the same right standing before God. Also, justification is something God does, not man . . . Most important, justification does not mean that God makes us righteous, but that he declares us righteous.” Warren Wiersbe.

As believers, we need to ask ourselves the following questions:

• Have you ever said a misspoken word that caused someone’s feelings to be hurt or maybe it was from your tone of voice?
• Do you have any bitterness toward anyone?
• Have you become angry when anyone strongly disagrees with you?
• Has your need for the sense of approval become your idol emotionally?
• Has the pursuit of happiness become the utmost importance in your life?

We all have sinned. We all have taken steps backward and have to ask for God’s forgiveness and move forward. Our desperate needs point us toward Christ. The following verses reflect and lead us to where our joy comes from:

• Romans 4:7: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sin is covered.”
• John 15:11: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
• Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness (graciousness, HCSB) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
• Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Bask in the joy the Holy Spirit gives you from spending time with Jesus today. Ask God to provide you with new things to laugh about which will fill you with an abundance of joy and give you peace in His love of protection over you today. You never know how the light of the gospel within you will be a stepping stone to someone else seeing their need of salvation and realizing the foolishness and vanity of this life without God is futile – there is no meaning – just despair. It is like sour milk or rotten fruit – worthless. But through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can enjoy a relationship with God that gives fulfillment of joy and purpose to life. Let your light shine.

Listen to Jordan Feliz Changed (Lyric Video).

Romans 2:15-16: They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

The definition of the word conscience is: An inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. It gives a sense of obligation to do right or be good. It has to do with the mind and one’s morals. Our conscience makes us feel bad when we have spoken words we wish we could take back. However, Paul is telling the Romans that conscience is not always in line with God’s moral law.

 The conscience is believed to be located in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is the part of our brain that helps us make decisions. It records what we learn is right and wrong. But the problem is our conscience learns by experience, our biology, and our background.

Our conscience is composed of our upbringing and is reported to be set by the time a child is six years of age. Our conscience can accuse or excuse as Romans 2:15 states. The rules we had growing up mainly formed our conscience about right and wrong. But it is also developed by the Holy Spirit convicting our heart and mind while reading God’s Word. However, our conscience and the Holy Spirit are not the same thing. Romans 12:2  admonishes us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” That is why it is so important to guard our hearts. We must memorize God’s Word, so it penetrates our thought processes and travels from our mind down into our heart, so we make decisions based on the truth found in Scripture. Paul declares that “the gospel is the power of God for salvation.” Romans 1:16. It is the message of truth that transforms lives.

“Every person, whether believer or nonbeliever, has a conscience that is part of the soul. The conscience is not the voice of God. When you think the Holy Spirit is leading you, look for the witness of the Holy
Spirit, the illumination of the Scripture, and the confirmation of God’s hand in the circumstances.” Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God.

So, how do you recognize God’s voice in your own life leading and guiding you to be aligned with His will? Dr. Blackberry, who wrote the book,  Experiencing God,  was asked this question and his response was: “It’s really very simple. I always read the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to bring me the mind and heart of God. When the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word of God, I always know that I have the will of God and can proceed.”

Kay Arthur also has stated: “I know the Lord is speaking to me when it is confirmed by Scripture. God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness in His Word (2 Pet. 1:3). He never contradicts Himself and never acts contrary to His character.”

What forms your boundaries in life?

What verses in Scripture has God used to personalize the decisions you have needed to make in your life?

I need to ask myself daily how does God’s truth found in scripture show in my thoughts, actions, and speech? What changes do I need to make? I also have no excuse. I need to echo God’s yes and His no in my boundaries.

God will one day bring every deed into judgment whether it is good or evil (Ecc. 12:14). That day no one will escape or have an excuse. Acts 10:42b declares: “He is the one (Jesus Christ) whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins saves us from the penalty and power of sin. God judges according to the truth (Rom. 2:2), and according to man’s works or deeds (Rom. 2:6), but he also judges “the secrets of men” (Rom. 2:16). God sees what is in the heart and judges righteously. May our conscience be aligned deep within us that echoes God’s yes and no, in the boundaries we set, as we live in pursuing obedience, spiritually aligned to our Savior, before our world today.

Listen to Casting Crowns YouTube video, Voice of Truth. May these words in song give you courage today as you listen and believe God’s voice of truth found in His Word.

Rom 2:1-2 (ESV) —“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.”

Paul was writing mainly to Jews in Romans 2 that judged the Gentiles in the church, hypocritically and thought they were exempt from God’s judgment because they had not indulged in the sins Paul listed in Romans 1:28-32. Paul had recorded a whole catalog of human sins not confined only to immoral sexual sins as a result of turning away from God. These believers had more knowledge of the truth found in scripture. Therefore, they had greater accountability (James 3:1). “Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.” Rom. 1b-2, from The Message. No one can escape the fact that we all are guilty of sin (Rom. 3:23). God does not have a list of any respectable sins that are not as bad as any others.

Paul addressed the Jews judgmental attitude. God did not condemn them merely because they judged others but because they had overlooked their own sins. They practiced some of the same sins on this list and their self-righteousness condemned them:

• Envy
• Murder
• Strife – anger, harsh words, insults, sarcasm and ridicule
• Deceit
• Maliciousness and holding a grudge
• Gossips
• Slanderers – critical speech
• Disobedient to parents
• Foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless
• Haters of God
• Insolent – rude and arrogant and lack of respect
• Inventors of evil
• Pride
• Lack of self-control
• Un-discerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful

Back in 2 Sam. 12:7 Nathan rebuked David. Nathan confronted David with a parable. He asked David what judiciously should be done? David denounced the guilty man in the scenario and became angry. He declared the man should die! Nathan’s response was: “You are the man!” Nathan went on to remind David all that God had done for him (anointed him king over Israel, delivered from Saul trying to kill him, etc.) and yet he fell into grave sin and in the end David did have sincere repentance.  Aren’t we all just like David in seeing other peoples sins before first examining our standing before the Lord? My own memory is often too short.

Why don’t I remember Matt. 7:2 automatically which states: “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Ouch – I am often guilty.

When raised in a setting of legalism, criticism and judgmental attitudes are rampant. Perfectionists make others feel rejected and not accepted. “It is often said that it takes seven compliments to undo the effects of one criticism . . . Do we continually find fault with others, especially members of our own family or members of our own church?” Larry Osborne. Respectable Sins.

I think it comes down in the end to first praying and examining our own heart first before opening our mouth of judgment with humble love. We must thank God first for His righteousness and abundant mercy and grace – much undeserved that He has given to us. God’s judgment is righteous and just, but He is not soft. God judges our hearts and our real character.

Are you falling into any self-righteous traps today?

How can you apply Romans 2:1-2 along with Matthew 7:2?

We all must live out 2 Cor. 10:5b: “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Listen to Mercy by Matt Redman with lyrics on YouTube.

Romans 1:17 NIV: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 1:17 is the key verse of Romans, announcing the theme of “the righteousness of God.” The word righteousness and other terms from the same Greek root – just, righteous, and justified, were used sixty times throughout Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4: “But the righteous shall live by his faith,” in Romans 1:17. This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; and Heb. 10:38). It is by faith that one receives the gift of salvation, through God’s Son. It is also by faith we must live out each day in victory, liberty, and security, out of our faith, hope, and trust in God Almighty from start to finish. For this to be repeated throughout scripture, it means we need to pay attention to this truth – “The righteous shall live by faith.”

What past trials in your life tested your faith? Is your list a long list or a short list? There was one big one that I went through years ago, that I remember that I had told the Lord, “If you get me through this I will never doubt you again!” Actually, there have been two or three since that one, that I have prayed the same prayer. But that one particular memory still stands out in my mind as God used it to move us from Minnesota to sunny California (Ps. 27:13-14 “. . . in the land of the living.” But that is another story for another time.).

What has caused your faith in God to grow? I think over my life and ask myself what has caused my faith to grow? It usually has come out of trials. God spoke to me, during a span of three or so years of several hard circumstances that were going on all at the same time, from Psalm 119:92-93, and I have never forgotten this: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” Those verses breathed life into those painful circumstances, and I saw God’s glory come forth later as I prayed the words of those verses. I had to trust in God’s righteousness, provision, healing, and justice, one moment at a time in faith, for God’s sovereign plan to be revealed. I asked God to let those verses be my testimony. Do you have a verse that you rely on to give you comfort, peace, and strength in your storm as you are anchored in your faith in God?

We start with a seed of faith in our heart, mind, and soul, at the time of our salvation. Trusting in Christ was our first step of faith by God’s grace (Ephe. 2:8), which was our undeserved privilege. The second step is for us to live out our faith one step at a time – and some days that requires just one moment at a time. Today is a new day. Live in the surrounding power of your faith in Christ’s righteousness as His presence goes with you today, leading you one step at a time.

A fitting song to listen to regarding faith and hope is David Crowder’s YouTube video of “ All My Hope (Official Music Video)” featuring Tauren Wells. Then listen and watch Danny Gokey’s “New Day (Lyric Video).” It will put a bounce to your step!

John 21:22: “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you?” As for you, follow me.”

Those five words said by Jesus to Peter, in John 21 have stuck out at me – from the last chapter of John – “what is that to you?”. Peter had looked at John, who served closely in ministry with Peter, was an intimate friend, and who was also a follower of Jesus as is stated in verse 20b: “follower whom Jesus loved,” and asked Jesus “what about him?”

I see Peter as having a magnetic personality and very human. Peter was strong, not lazy, a take-charge leader. He made decisions quickly. Peter knew how to get things done. He was sincere. However, he was impulsive and acted like a coward when he denied Christ (John 18:13-27) three times but wept bitterly in remorse afterward. Honesty was also one of his strong points, and he had charisma. Peter eventually learned to depend upon the Lord to accomplish things for God in his ministry instead of depending upon his own abilities.

Peter had a conversation with Jesus as they walked along the shore – just the two of them. Peter noticed John was following them behind the group. Of all of the disciples, John behaved the most honorably. John remained close to Jesus during His trials and crucifixion. We read that John was a follower “whom Jesus loved” in John 21:20. Peter had his ups and downs in comparison. I am sure Peter felt like a failure as he looked at John, and felt inferior to John. John was the God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus. He was a fearless confronter. It was John who first realized the stranger on the shore was Jesus (John 21 – when they had gone fishing). No doubt Peter struggled with feelings of past shame, frustration, and guilt in comparison to John. But that is never God’s response. Sound familiar?

Jesus’ prophecy to Peter regarding his own death of martyrdom prompted Peter’s question. It could have been out of sincere concern regarding John’s future when Peter asks Jesus “what about this one” – what about John? Jesus tells Peter to do what Peter is supposed to do and let Jesus manage John. Jesus rebukes Peter and says: “What is that to you?” He then repeats His earlier admonition to Peter which was – “Follow me!”

I believe we can learn from the impact of this verse in John 21:22, and then act on the application of, ”so what, what is that to you (my added paraphrase).” We all have weaknesses and imperfections. Peter emerged from his previous failure transformed with Christ-confidence instead of his own self-confidence. We don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone else doing good things too and feel we are lacking because each believer has the light of God within their heart, and we possess the light of salvation (Matt. 16:24). We are all called to bring glory to God in all that we do. We must live our life in supreme faithfulness to the Lord and not compare it to anyone else’s. We must not let distractions derail us. Jesus tells us too, “So what is that to you? Follow Me!”

Listen to Lauren Daigle – You Say (Official Music Video).