I think into this world today and all of those that put it out there that they can be trusted to do a job and that they will be committed to the work they say they will do. I applaud them for being willing to make the statements out in public, especially in the electronic, social media frenzied, instant and forever ability to capture every word. It is hard not to “like” someone when they seem to be speaking directly to you and are telling you everything you want to hear.

Here is where I have to remember to be careful and remember the nature of people and the influence of the evil one in all of our lives. I have to understand the position those people are in or will be in and what are they really able to control to provide that which they are professing. How much will they really be able to deliver on in the moment or near future, and how much of it is just speaking to “make things feel better”?

“¹In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! ²Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! ³For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; ⁴you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. ⁵Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.” — Psalm 31:1-5 (ESV)

My commitment is to the one that can and will provide and has proven to do so, time and time again. God is faithful to His promises and covenants and will not abandon them for some other vision of glory for Himself. I am the one that brings Him joy. I am His creation and His child and like our boys to Lori and I, I am loved and He will always be there, regardless of the circumstances. God will deliver me from the evil one and protect me tirelessly.

I was lost in sin and God rescued me. I was down in spirit and God provided joy in my life to lift me up. I was in need of provisions and God supplied for that need. I strayed away from Him and God waited on me and worked to bring me back. I needed to spend more time with Him and God provided the accountability partners making it easier. God committed faithfully to me and I commit to Him.

Who are those in your life that are promising the world only not able to deliver? Are you leaning on man to provide for your needs? What if you committed to the only one that is fully faithful, God?

I have seen many times others doing work that appears to be wholesome and in the interest of Christ and His plans in life, only to be disappointed at the self-promotion that comes from the doing of the work. I have seen those that are assisting those in need only to make it well known that they were there and that they are seen as doing the work. I have also seen those that take advantage of the opportunities to gain from and lord over others as not having done the same.

“²⁹Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?” — 1 Samuel 2:29 (ESV)

Too often, there are those that look down on others that are not “doing as they do” and they seem to count themselves as greater than everyone else and somehow deserve the finer things that everyone else provides for them. I am sure it is seen by others than just me and the view is a little perplexing, especially when these that are looking down profess to being Christ followers.

“³⁵And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.” — 2 Samuel 2:35 (ESV)

And there we have it. God is looking to provide for those that do according to His heart and mind. Those that are faithful to God are those that will be provided for. Those that do the will of God for His glory and not their own will be counted as faithful and will be honored and those that go against God will not.

“³⁰Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’” — 2 Samuel 2:30 (ESV)

I choose to do the work of Christ. I have found myself not being recognized for the work that I do and will admit that it bothers me to go unnoticed in the world. I have commented many times to Lori that I feel insignificant and that it is frustrating and demoralizing to be seemingly ignored. I have to remember these verses as I move through this world and make note that it is not about what actions others see me perform for God. It is about my faithful obedience and the bringing of glory to Him that matters. The notoriety of the world is of no consequence and I should only be concerned with the notoriety of God and not man.

What is it that you believe you should be recognized? Are you concerned with what others see you accomplish? What if you were to simply be faithful to God in your heart and mind and allowed Him to honor you?

“⁹Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, ¹⁰and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face.” — Deuteronomy 7:9-10 (ESV)

It is comforting to know that God is faithful in all. He is there for me whenever I need Him, even in the times when I am being attacked and persecuted for His glory. He remains there by my side and will take up the fight for me so that I am protected and safe from that which is outside of and contrary to His plan in my life.

This passage in Deuteronomy references God’s chosen people, the Israelite people to which He has promised. They will be cared for by the faithful God and provided the land He has promised.

There is more to it than just to sit back and wait for God to give everything to them, and even as God will give all to them, there is limits to that which is actually for them. In the passage and as I know, God gives to us that which we need, not that which we want. The Israelite people were to given the promised land and all of their foes would be defeated in God’s accomplishing of His will. Where there would be many spoils from the defeat of the foes, the only spoil that God allowed was that which He promised, the land. Any thing else left over was to be destroyed as that was not in God’s plan for the Israelite people.

And that is where the line is drawn for followers of God. I have a gift that is given to me by God. That gift is what I receive and nothing more. God faithfulness will provide and that is where my acceptance of His gift should be directed for thankfulness. I will not be “provided” with more than God has in His plan. I will not get more than He has for me. I will receive exactly what God has for me.

And to receive what God has for me, I must be faithful to His plan for me and my life for Him. God gives direction and instruction and it is my duty to follow His plan to the letter. I will be asked to take on some things and leave others. I will be given victory in some instances and in others I may see them as defeat. I must remain faithful to God and His plan and there is where I will experience His faithfulness in my life.

What experience in your life have you seen as a possible failure of God’s faithfulness? Are you expecting God to give you everything that you want? What if you received that which you were promised through God’s faithfulness and your expectation was for that which was outside of that promise?

“⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

Paul is writing to Timothy here and the title of this part of his letter is “Preach the Word” as noted in my ESV bible. There is a lot more to the passage that my focus here this morning, but I was reminded of just how important it is to continue fighting until I have reached the end of it all.

As I read this passage and came to this verse, I was reminded of a couple of movies and characters that never gave up. “Captain America” and the character Steve Rogers as well as “Hacksaw Ridge” and Desmond Doss. Steve Rogers, before he became Captain America fought in an ally until someone came to rescue him and he stated, “I can do this all day” even as he was being beaten to a pulp. Desmond Doss, continued to save soldiers all through the night, rescuing them from certain death and lowering them one at a time, on his own from a high ridge. Both of these fought the good fight and finished the race in front of them, not to quit until the job was finished and they were rescued.

Not once did either of them stop. Not once did either complain. Not once did either of them give up in the middle because it was “too hard” or they were “tired”. They fought from the start and gave everything they had.

Paul did gave that same energy and commitment as he fought for Christ and the spreading of the gospel. He did not stop, complain, or give up. He continued, even from prison as he knew his fate.

Jesus did not stop, complain, or give up. He knew the road was hard and what was at the end of it, yet He continued and fought for the lives of sinners even to His death. Jesus knew from the day He was born, and yet He kept going.

Now that Jesus and Paul and all others that have fought for me and my salvation have finished the race they were given to run, they can rest. Jesus is resting now in heaven and Paul is as well. Resting and waiting for the return to this world and pick up the fight in the last days. A new race coming and being ready to give it everything is what I know will be.

I have a race top complete for Christ. I know that this blog is part of it. There are many days that I wake and think, maybe I can skip, yet that would not be fighting the good fight. I have to be willing to “do this all day”. I have to be willing to exhaust myself in the completion of the task given me by God. I have to finish the race. I will have the chance to rest when I have finished my work for Christ.

What races are you running where you feel like just giving up? Are you just ready to throw in the towel and just stop? What if you were to continue the fighting the good fight with the understanding that you will have the chance to rest when it is finished?

“¹²I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.” — 1 John 2:12 (ESV)

John is writing here to congregations of believers of all ages. As far as referring to them as “little children”, he is doing so in reference to their faith and spiritual maturity. It is easy to forget that once we have accepted salvation, we have been reborn and are starting over in our life as a child of God. These congregations are young in their conversion and are in need of the reminder that they are indeed still learning and growing.

As for the forgiven part, John reminds them that while they are still young in the faith, they should remember that no matter, their sins have been forgiven. I have to remember the same thing in my walk of this world. I may not be as young in the faith as others, but am still learning and growing and will fall into those times where I may doubt my position. It is in those times that I have to come back to God’s word and verses as the one above and be reminded that no matter what, my sins are forgiven.

We are but “little children” in our faith at our salvation and baptism. It is proper to remember that and accept that we are still learning and growing. At the same time, we are to rest in the comfort of knowing that our sins have been forgiven. We have been set aside and accounted for in our faith. We are children of God and He has forgiven us for all of our transgressions past, present, and future.

What is your position with Christ? Do you believe that somehow you have arrived and know it all since you have been saved and are now walking with Christ? In those times that you may doubt your station with Christ, remember that you are but “little children” and your sins have been forgiven?

“¹⁵And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” — James 5:15 (ESV)

And there it is, James writes and we should all read and remember. With prayer of faith, we will be forgiven. Just my prayer is not going to get it done. I have to pray with faith that it will be done.

I have written in my bible the following; “Pray for God’s will with faith. Not our request for action we want, but action for and about God’s will.” I recently had the opportunity to witness to a friend going through a hard time. There was open admittance to not believing in God and yet there was an openness to listening to my witness. I did not take a hard line pushing salvation, I only pushed the love of God and as a result this person was grateful and accepting of what they stated as “you and Lori are a great example of what true believer should be”. Whereas I know that there is more work for God to do in this person’s life, I fulfilled my duty by praying with faith for God’s will and His love on this person.

Too often my motives may not be wholesome and in line with God’s plan for my life or the lives of those around me. I have to remember to pray with faith that God’s will be done and not my selfish requests. My wants are not the priority. God may grant them, but I have to take the approach that when He does so, it is and/or will have some part in the fulfillment of His plan for me in the future that I cannot see.

It is my sincere prayer of faith that God hears and takes action on. God has already granted my forgiveness, and now He only wants that I continue my deep relationship with Him. When I do, He will grant those requests that are in line with His plan.

What things have you asked for from God? Are you asking for them on the surface with just your words and are the more for you and your wants? What if you were to pray with faith and for those things that are in line with His will?

I have written on this topic before and this morning I was reminded once again.

“¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” — Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

Verse 13 above really tells what actions we should be taking. Forgiveness is in our bag as we follow Christ. He forgave me for what sins I committed and more importantly, those that I have yet to commit. I have a duty to pay that forward to those I come in contact who somehow commit them against me or anyone else for that matter. I am not the judge of the actions of others, I am simply to apply the character of Christ to those and allow them to be judged by Christ as He pursues a relationship with them.

Notice verses 12 and 14 above as well. I am to forgive based on verse 13 and I am to be compassionate, kind, meek, and patient in situations and with others. I am to love them as Christ loves me along with the act of forgiving those wrongs to me and others.

This passage is found under the title in my ESV bible of; “Put on the New Self”. This “New Self” infers that there is an “Old Self” to take off and do away with. I know that there is plenty of old me that I have gotten rid of over the past number of years. With my “One Word” each year I am taking on something new and with it I am ridding myself of the old that is contrary to the new. The same applies with my “New Self” and the actions listed in verses 12-14 above.

“⁸But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” — Colossians 13:8 (ESV)

And there they are, those items to put away and rid myself of and replace them with the New Self and those actions and items that drive me to following Christ and His example.

What are you holding on to that is getting in the way of your New Self? Are you hoping that you can make it as you are today? What will it take for you take the action of replacing the old with the new and taking on the actions of Christ including but not limited to forgiving as your were forgiven?

I have everything I need and could ever need in Christ.

“¹³And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” — Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV)

All that I am guilty of has been forgiven. All that I will be guilty of has been forgiven. I am free from the yoke of sin and can focus my attention on doing the work of Christ for His glory. I have been woken to a life of Christ as I go through this world. I have the opportunity to go about life clean and fresh thanks to His death, burial, and resurrection.

“¹¹In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹²having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” — Colossians 2:11-12 (ESV)

As Christ died, so did my sin. He took my sin with Him to the cross and accepted the consequence of it even as He was guilty of none of it. I have been forgiven so that I can live. I am now alive in Christ thanks to that forgiveness and now I can proceed to live for Christ at every turn of my new life.

What sins are in your life? Are you walking around wondering about your forgiveness and your life? What if you were to accept the fact that Christ died for your forgiveness and now you are alive in Him?

Wow, this morning I was led to Romans as I continue studying the word “forgiven” and as I compare my study from yesterday and my post title, I have to say I may have misled you.

“²For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ⁴Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:” — Romans 4:2-6 (ESV)

Yesterday I wrote about actions leading to forgiveness. Where I am not wrong in my writing, I may have not been clear with the whole of how it works. Before we can be forgiven of our sins, we have to be remorseful in our heart and have faith that God will indeed forgive us of our sins. Our remorse and faith is that which God is looking for in us and thanks to that, He will forgive our sins. It is our remorse and duty to God that drives our actions and those actions will be dedicated to the glory of God. It is our selfish actions for the glory of God that demonstrates to all of our dedication to God and the remorse for sin and faith we have in Him. Being forgiven is a result of our faith and not our works.

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

God forgives our sin thanks to our faith in Him and not as a result of our actions. Our actions are a demonstration of our faith and what others are able to see. We conduct actions and works as a result of our faith which leads to our righteousness.

So here it is to be a bit more clear in from yesterday and today as my study has driven to more discernment. Acceptance of our sinfulness, remorse for our sin (in our heart), faith in God to forgive our sin, and our actions to demonstrate our remorse and faith leads to our forgiveness. Our actions are not what gets us the forgiveness from God, it is our faith that God looks for and forgives as a result. Our actions show the world our glory to God and demonstrate our dedication to Him and His assigned work.

How is it you are trying to achieve forgiveness? Are you trying to do more work in hopes that God will notice and provide forgiveness? What if you were first to recognize, accept, and have faith in God and allow Him to forgive you for your heartfelt remorse for the sinner you are?

This morning I was led to the passage in Luke titled in my ESV bible, “A Sinful Woman Forgiven”. In this passage, Jesus is eating with a Pharisee and a woman of the town who was known to be a sinner joined them and immediately took to serving Jesus as she wept based on her sins. Now, this may or may not seem normal as was the custom in those days for servants to wash the feet and care for the guests and masters of the house. Where this is not as normal is in the idea that she was not necessarily a servant of the household and the care for Jesus as guest was not from the master of the house, but this woman from around town.

“⁴⁴Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’” — Luke 7:44-47 (ESV)

This woman gave much to serve Jesus and through her actions was certainly demonstrating remorse and shame. Her actions were much greater than those of the Pharisee at whose table Jesus was sitting as guest. Based on her actions, Jesus pointed out to those there that she was indeed giving everything and had not asked for anything. As a result, Jesus demonstrated His love and authority again by forgiving all of her sins and provided a clean slate for her as related to her sin.

I see at all times those that make public admonishments to draw attention to themselves and in the social and political world we live in, are treated as larger than life. At the same time, there are those that are giving fully of themselves and are treated as though they lack existence in this world and are somehow expected to do those things and expect nothing in return. Jesus recognizes those that are taking action from the heart and rewards them for their actions. The thing I have to remember is that those rewards may not be for everyone to see or even be aware. Jesus rewards based on those actions from the heart and in those that are meant for the glory of God and not for the aggrandizement of man.

What actions are you taking in the world and what is the reason for those actions? Are you looking for grandiose actions that draw attention to you for acceptance in the world? What if you were to take actions not expecting anything from the world, but for the glory of God and demonstrate your dedication to Him and His plan for you?