This was my devotion for this morning/email to Finish the Work, and I wanted to share it with the world:
On Luis' myspace headline, it says: "Preach at all times, using words if necessary." - St. Francis of Assisi
In Titus 2:11-15, the Bible says:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
We all have different callings, but in each of our callings, we have a common factor-- we are to live a set-apart life from the world for our wonderful Savior.
We are called to a higher standard than the world has for us, because most of the time, the world's standards of what is acceptable and right is not what the Lord has for us. Many times (I know I've done this!), we do something that is just not right because according to the world, it's "okay". But let us not forget James 4:17: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Romans 12:1-2 says,
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Here again, we see that we are called to live accordingly that we may prove that perfect will of God. In the first verse, we are to be "living sacrifices"--to die to self and to let Christ reign in us.
I've heard a saying that says, "To deny self is to be like Christ." I'm not sure where that's from, but as calling ourselves "Christians," we are saying that "CHRIST (lives) in us." Gal. 2:20.
Also, we are to look at Christ's example, not at each other's. We are can witness to each other through our lives, but there are times when we fall short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23. We must remember to "look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," (Heb. 12:2) for He is the only one that will be able to keep us from falling and will lift us up. Jude 24, James 4:10.
If we're not sure if something is right or if we just don't know what to do in a situation, let us turn to God first-
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Ellen White has something to say about this:
"The lives of professing Christians who do not live the Christ life are a mockery to religion. Every one whose name is registered on the church roll is under obligation to represent Christ by revealing the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit. They are to be His witnesses, making known the advantages of walking and working as Christ has given them example. The truth for this time is to appear in its power in the lives of those who believe it, and is to be imparted to the world. Believers are to represent in their lives, its power to sanctify and ennoble. . . . They are to show forth the power of the grace that Christ died to give men. . . . They are to be men of faith, men of courage, whole-souled men, who, without questioning, trust in God and His promises. . . . There must be no pretense in the lives of those who have so sacred and solemn a message as we have been called to bear. The world is watching Seventh-day Adventists because it knows something of their profession of faith and of their high standard, and when it sees those who do not live up to their profession, it points at them with scorn." from God's Amazing Grace, page 247.
The greatest way to preach a sermon is through the life we live. God gave us a beautiful message and a wonderful callings--to be His ambassadors to this dark world (2 Cor. 5:20).
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light 2 Peter 2:9
In Titus 2:11-15, the Bible says:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
We all have different callings, but in each of our callings, we have a common factor-- we are to live a set-apart life from the world for our wonderful Savior.
We are called to a higher standard than the world has for us, because most of the time, the world's standards of what is acceptable and right is not what the Lord has for us. Many times (I know I've done this!), we do something that is just not right because according to the world, it's "okay". But let us not forget James 4:17: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Romans 12:1-2 says,
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Here again, we see that we are called to live accordingly that we may prove that perfect will of God. In the first verse, we are to be "living sacrifices"--to die to self and to let Christ reign in us.
I've heard a saying that says, "To deny self is to be like Christ." I'm not sure where that's from, but as calling ourselves "Christians," we are saying that "CHRIST (lives) in us." Gal. 2:20.
Also, we are to look at Christ's example, not at each other's. We are can witness to each other through our lives, but there are times when we fall short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23. We must remember to "look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," (Heb. 12:2) for He is the only one that will be able to keep us from falling and will lift us up. Jude 24, James 4:10.
If we're not sure if something is right or if we just don't know what to do in a situation, let us turn to God first-
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
Ellen White has something to say about this:
"The lives of professing Christians who do not live the Christ life are a mockery to religion. Every one whose name is registered on the church roll is under obligation to represent Christ by revealing the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit. They are to be His witnesses, making known the advantages of walking and working as Christ has given them example. The truth for this time is to appear in its power in the lives of those who believe it, and is to be imparted to the world. Believers are to represent in their lives, its power to sanctify and ennoble. . . . They are to show forth the power of the grace that Christ died to give men. . . . They are to be men of faith, men of courage, whole-souled men, who, without questioning, trust in God and His promises. . . . There must be no pretense in the lives of those who have so sacred and solemn a message as we have been called to bear. The world is watching Seventh-day Adventists because it knows something of their profession of faith and of their high standard, and when it sees those who do not live up to their profession, it points at them with scorn." from God's Amazing Grace, page 247.
The greatest way to preach a sermon is through the life we live. God gave us a beautiful message and a wonderful callings--to be His ambassadors to this dark world (2 Cor. 5:20).
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light 2 Peter 2:9
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