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July 14, 2009
Living In and Through the King
Finding Balance and Freedom |
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Greetings!
When my children hit their teenage years I found myself praying differently. I know many of you probably think I prayed for peace, patience or perfect children but I actually began praying more for me! Here is a prayer I often prayed and one I pray regularly now with one teen and one adult child still in our home, "Father, please don't parent me the way I parent my children!"
I don't want you to think I am a horrible father and don't know how to parent because of my prayer. Rather, think of our humanity and limited scope of reference, compassion, love and wisdom. Let's face it ... we are not God but we can often act like one as parents. This is the source of my prayer. I needed, and need, God to help me parent like Him!
Another reason my prayer became a plea to a compassionate and understanding God for empathy is that I know God knows me! I am His child and nothing is hidden from His sight. He knows my secrets, my failures, my trials and my wins. God knows me yet He doesn't give up on me. God knows me yet I never leave a meeting with Him feeling anything but better. I may be convicted or convinced by God but I never leave my time with Him shamed or guilty. That's awesome! May our children and the world say the same for us.
God is full of compassion, mercy, grace and love. He forgives. He delivers. He heals hearts, minds and bodies. He is our provider. He is our protector. God is our Father! As such, may we emulate Him in all we do and strive to live in and through Him and not the flesh or self. May we interact with others the way our God and Father interacts with us.
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Why we strive to be like Jesus!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things which angels desire to look into. Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
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| Our Response to Our Holy and Compassionate God
In our passage today Peter reminds us of four pillars of our life in Jesus Christ:
Forgiveness - God is merciful and has provided Jesus for the cleansing of your sins, the extension of hope and eternal life with the Father.
The Power of Salvation - God has not forgiven you for just the sins before faith in Jesus but once and for all ... forgiveness is not something that can ever be taken away!
The Life of Faith - it is your faith that is vital in God's eyes (Hebrews 6). You may face trials and troubles but God desires you face them with the same faith that brought you to Jesus.
Striving for Holiness - Peter reminds us that our response to these great truths is to live for God and through God. We are to strive for holiness in His power and grace ... we are to live in, in the forgiveness and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and through, through the power of God's Spirit and grace, Jesus our King!
You and I cannot be holy or live a life of holiness apart from God. We are selfish and fleshly people. We are insecure and unsure. God is secure and sure. He is our source and we must live, or strive to live, in and through Him and Him alone.
God has done so much for us. He has made the way to peace and joy apparent and accessible (Forgiveness and the Power of Salvation). Our part is to simply chose to follow Him (The Life of Faith). Since God gives us choice and freedom the simple choice of following Jesus isn't always guaranteed. No, we often operate in self and flesh (Striving for Holiness).
I know that as a parent it is difficult to watch your children not follow advice, encouragement or instruction. In my humanity, I want to punish, discipline, protect and "tell" or "show" my kids how to do it right. I am thankful God has more compassion and grace than I for if God parented me the way I parent my children I would probably be grounded for eternity!
Friend, this week strive for holiness in response to what our Holy God did to provide peace and freedom. We are not robots to self, sin and shame. We are God's children and heirs to eternity and joy! I know life isn't always easy and that is why we have to train to win. Our training ground is life and we must live it in faith and strive to live as Christ did with compassion, love, grace, mercy and holiness! |
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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