The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
Law(s)
Conclusion - "Gold, Silver, Precious Stones"
"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus births believers into family relationship with God. The Lord Jesus prayed for such grace, and then died and rose again to make possible our spiritual entrance into "the whole family in Heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15).
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word, that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us" (John 17:20-21).
"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).
Our life and service to God must be viewed in terms far beyond mere obligation and duty. We are sons and daughters in Christ called to the devotion of "dear children" (Ephesians 5:1). Our Heavenly Father has no interest in obedience without heart. Neither should we. A careful reading of I Corinthians 13 confirms this truth, revealing that even the most extreme sacrifice to God - martyrdom - is unacceptable if it does not originate in His love revealed to our hearts, and dwelling in our hearts (I Corinthians 13:13; Romans 5:5). "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord" (Colossians 3:23). Thus, we obey commands and fulfill responsibilities as the fruit of a fellowship with God made possible by the internal working of the Holy Spirit. This forms within us a growing knowledge of our belovedness, and a growing confidence in our Christ-empowered love for God and others. "We love Him because He first loved us… Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us" (I John 4:19; Ephesians 5:2).
Recall that the Apostle Paul describes rewards for believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ in terms of "gold, silver, precious stones" (I Corinthians 3:12). Such treasures must be be found and retrieved from within the earth. Conversely, losses at the Judgment Seat are depicted as "wood, hay, stubble," or outward substances of the earth that serve only as fuel for consuming fire. In the sight of our Heavenly Father, that which has value must proceed from within, that is, from the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit - "being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11). The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus provides this inward motivation, guidance, and enabling. The Commander dwells within us to enable obedience to His commands. "I will dwell in them and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16).
Our spiritual enemies likely know this truth better than we do. Thus, from the beginning of our relationship with God, they seek to distract or deceive us regarding the inside-out work of grace in the Lord Jesus. We must respond by realizing that the same dynamic power that birthed us spiritually now facilitates our nurture and growth. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him" (Colossians 2:6). Satan and his minions tempt us to perceive our relationship with God in lesser terms than our Lord's grace provides. Nothing good or godly happens if we respond to such deception. We must therefore build within our hearts and minds the doctrinal conviction that the gold, silver, and precious stones of future reward for faithfulness proceed from our recognition that such bounty can only be found within the heart of the Lord Jesus, and within our hearts by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus…
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
(Philippians 2:12-13)
Weekly Memory Verse
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12-13)
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