Doers are Those Justified

“¹³For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” — Romans 2:13 (ESV)

The first thing I think when reading the above is that my justification is based on works. It is this “first thing” that gets the headlines and the lack of fully understanding. It is NOT about the works, although the works are an indicator. There has to be more study in place to understand. I have to dig deeper than just the single verse which is likely to be taken out of context when used in a discussion.

Doers of the law are those that use their salvation and relationship with God to do His work. It is not the work that leads to the justification, but the doing of the work in the name of God and for His glory. It is not about being seen by the world doing the work, but about being seen by God.

Knowing that which is right and doing that which is right are two very different things. Paul makes it clear as he continues his letter that it is the doing of what is right and not just knowing and professing which is right.

“²¹you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? ²²You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.” — Romans 2:21-23 (ESV)

See what Paul says here that even knowing what is right does not make your actions right. It is possible to even teach one thing and do another whether, stealing, adultery, robbing temples, and any breaking of God’s law. It the keeping of God’s law that we should be concerned with. It is doing the law of God for all to be aware. Even if no one of this world sees, God sees and It is what He sees that brings our justification.

I want God to see me doing His work and not doing the work of the world. Yes, is some cases those works align, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and the like. But, largely, the world sees things only from their own eyes and focus on doing things that others can see to ensure that they are “being good” and then behind the scenes, there is a full on assault on that which is good. Let it be known that where the world may not know, God does and it is in those actions that we are judged by God. It is “the doers of of the law who are justified”.

What are you doing, the work of God? Are you focused on pleasing the world because you know what is right and teach others, all the while going against it? What if you focused on doing the work of the LORD to ensure that you are justified for that work in the eyes of God?

The LORD is Justified

“How can the LORD do this to me? Doesn’t He love me and protect me?” I know that I have thought those words and likely have even said them aloud a time or two (or three, or four…). It is natural for me to think that way, especially when the essence of God is love. But, isn’t He my heavenly father, isn’t it the job of a father to hold us accountable to what is.

“⁴Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,”

— Psalm 51:4a (ESV)

Frankly, to Him didn’t I do what is being called out. I was the one who sinned and any sin is a sin against God. It may have been something simple that “did not hurt anyone”, but it did, God and my relationship with Him. Sin is a wedge between the LORD and me. Where there is sin, there tends to be little to no room for the LORD. Yes, the LORD is light and darkness cannot remain in the light. Yet, with my sin I am doing all there is to cover the light so that the darkness can be prevalent. And just who am I accountable to for the removal of the light, God.

When I have taken action to remove God by sinning, whether intentional or not (as we will sin without really thinking or knowing), I am accountable to that sin and to God. Not the world as one might think. As note above, it may not have hurt anyone in the world and the world has repeatedly said and will continue to say to do what you think is right and what feels good to you.

I have to be concerned with the sin in my life, whether I know about it or not. That sin, where it may not be hurting anyone in this world, it is hurting the LORD and due to that, He is justified in holding me accountable. He has the right to take action against me as I have taken action against Him.

“⁴so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment.”

— Psalm 51:4b (ESV)

Just as any father has the right to hold accountable his children for doing things that are outside of what is deemed right, the LORD holds me accountable to do that which is right by Him. Sin is not right by God and therefor any sin is against Him and He should hold me accountable, whether I know of the sin or not. I have committed to Him and in that commitment I know what is right and should be held to that standard by the one that created the standard, the LORD.

What have you done that is sinning against God? Are you even thinking of the LORD as the one you are hurting with your actions? What if you were to accept that all sin is indeed hurting God and that He is justified to hold you accountable, how would you change your actions?

Temptations are NOT Random

I have noticed as I study temptation that those that come my way are not of random sort. All of the temptations that come from the evil one are designed to take advantage of those things in my life that are of importance. I am tempted with control as I have a role where I am to be the leader in an environment. I am tempted with boasting as I have experience in my career. And there are are plenty others as well. This is not a coincidence, but targeted.

“³And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’” — Matthew 4:3 (ESV)

I read and studied and wrote on this same passage just a bit ago. I realized then that if Jesus can and was tempted, then it is not unusual at all that I am. This morning I am led back to the passage and pick up that the evil tempts by design and in those areas where he knows we may have weakness. Here in this passage, the evil one tempts Jesus by coming after his status as the Son of God. The evil one comes after the power that Jesus has and looks to feed Jesus’ ego and allow Him to prove Himself, which would certainly be easy for Jesus to do, and He would not have to apologize for doing it. But Jesus does not take the bait and instead turns it into the learning moment for all.

It may seem easy for Jesus to turn away from the temptation, and frankly I believe it is. What I see here is the map to the avoidance of the temptation. It all starts with knowing that the evil one is coming after me in the place where he knows I am weak and vulnerable. I have to be prepared for the temptation and prepare for how to combat it. When I am in a position of leading, I have to know that the temptation is there to control the environment and turn that into serving those in my charge and allow them to lead and I simply guide. There, I have avoided the temptation already. When I am coaching a peer in my role, I have to remember the experience I have and teach as oppose to direct so that they have the opportunity to learn and grow themselves as opposed to listen to be talk about all of the experience I have. There, I have avoided the temptation again.

When defending an area from others, those defending it first look at all of the area where there are weaknesses and work to fortify those prior to planning on the counter attack. Once the areas are fortified, the planning begins at how to continue to maintain that fortification and how to move forward with the counter attack. Planning is the way to avoid temptation. It is important to know where I have weakness so that first I can fortify and maintain those weak areas so that I can then move forward with the plan the LORD has for me.

I have to know that the evil one is coming after me and that when doing so, he is coming after the weakest point. It is not random. It is targeted. I have to know this and prepare and fortify against the attack. I have to maintain that fortification and not be distracted by the attack in the strong areas I have in my life. I have to know that the attack on the strong areas is just that distractions while the evil one is quietly coming after my weaknesses to destroy my and the relationship I have with God. Temptation from the evil one is NOT random and I have to be prepared.

Where are you protecting against the temptations from the evil one? Are you protecting against the attack at your strongest points? What if you take a look at your weaknesses and fortify them first, knowing that is where the evil one will be coming?

Tempted by Desires

“¹³Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” — James 1:13-14 (ESV)

I have already studied and written that all will be tempted. I cannot escape temptation as I am human and the evil one is constantly seeking to destroy me and those temptations are just the beginning. I have only the chance to work toward avoiding the temptation or, once tempted, to be delivered. I would like to notice that the temptation comes from the evil one and not God. I can see in the above verses from James, that God will not tempt me as He “cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one”. He does however allow us to be tempted.

I am tempted with that which I desire. That desire is usually not in the best interest of me or in those around me. I desire it only to serve the now and to gain some momentary distraction with happiness and there is no joy in the result. It is the evil one that drives the temptation to give in to my desires. I even recall in the television program titled “Lucifer” that the line from the “Lucifer Morningstar” character that drives the solving of crimes was, “What is it that you truly desire?”. This desire is usually self-serving and will only solve the now and does not get at the true joy that is sought.

God allows me to be tempted. He does so to give me the opportunity to avoid and resist. I am human and certainly have those desires. I will fall prey to them when I am not focused on Him and doing the work that He has for me. I have to remember that those temptations are from the evil one and will always be there. Yet I have to remember to fight back against those desires in order to work to avoid sin.

“¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” — James 1:15 (ESV)

It is not the desire that is bad or sinful. It is what that desire gives way to and that is the sin. Admiring a beautiful person is not sinful, it is working to be with them that is. It is not wanting that second bowl of ice cream, it is actually getting the bowl. It is not wanting to have more monetary possessions, it is taking them from others. All of the firsts in the above sentences are the desires and they, in an of themselves are not bad. It is when acted on that they become sin.

Yes, God allows me to be tempted by the beautiful person, the second bowl of ice cream, the monetary possessions. He also knows that I belong to Him. I have given myself to Him and by doing so have gained the protections from and guidance to avoid the sin that comes after the desire. I have to remember that He is not tempting me, He is allowing me to have free will and make decisions for myself to demonstrate my love for Him and that I do belong to Him in the end.

What are the things that you are tempted? Are you blaming God for tempting you with those things? What if you understood that the temptations are coming from the evil one and are there to lure you into sin and you only need to lean on the LORD to avoid and be delivered?

Jesus was Tempted to Know What You Go Through

As I have studied “temptation” I wrote about Jesus being tempted by the evil one after completing a 40 day fast. He was tempted and yet resisted. Even in the weakened state He was able to resist the evil one and serves as the example that we too can resist. The thing is that we will not be in such a weakened state, but rather just walking through life.

This morning as I read, I am again reminded that Jesus walked this world as I do. He was subjected to the same world and challenges. He was tempted by those things that I am. Yet, He resisted. Knowing all that He was tempted, He knows me even better now. He knows my weaknesses. He knows where I will fall. He knows where I will give in. He knows of all that I am challenged with as He too was challenged. Yet, He resisted and knows that I can as well.

“¹⁸For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” — Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)

Jesus knows that I am human. He knows that I am weak. He needed to experience my suffering so that He would be able to demonstrate His understanding of my suffering. I am not unique in the temptations that I experience, even Jesus experienced them and resisted as He has shown.

I am not alone in this battle, Jesus has been here. He walked as I do. He knows first hand the struggles I face. I have to lean on Him for help in my time of need. I have to reach out to Him daily, perpetually, to allow Him in my life to help me avoid, deal with, and be delivered from the temptations that are presented to me. He knows what I go through and is there to help guide me through it.

What temptations are you experiencing? Are you trying to go it alone? What if you approached them with Jesus knowing that He has been there and knows exactly what you are going through?

Concern of Temptation When Left Without Guidance

It is so hard to keep going when there is a lack of guidance. Let me use myself as an example with my exercise in the mornings. For the past few years I have gotten up in the mornings before I start my mental day and get some physical work done. I walk/jog a little over 3 miles to get the body moving. Well, over the past few months, I have found it difficult to get up and when I do, I do not seem to have the same enthusiasm with the exercise. What I have found is that I have a lack of motivation and accountability to actually get the work done. The same holds true with just about everything in my/our life. Paul knew this as he spread the gospel and planted churches.

“⁵For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV)

Paul had planted the church at Thessalonica and then left to continue His work. Knowing the nature of man, as I mentioned earlier, he was concerned that the temptation to wander away from God without guidance was too great. Did he have faith in the church to continue the work, yes, but he was also very aware of the evil one and the weakness of new converts without proper guidance and accountability.

In life, I need to have some guidance. Yes, I have to be self-sufficient to start things and to move forward, but I am also a child of God and as a child I need to be guided. The guidance I need must be on a daily basis and not left to chance. I need God to keep me on the right path. I need the Holy Spirit to guide me daily in the way that I should go.

Paul was brought great news when the report of the church at Thessalonica was returned to him. Timothy went as noted above and reported back that the church indeed was continuing the work of God. The Church had found its guidance and was faithful to God.

“⁶But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 (ESV)

I am staying with the LORD. I am His child and with His guidance, will finish the work. I have Lori in my life to keep me moving in the direction of God, although as much as she does, I still lean heavily on the Holy Spirit each day. I have God’s Word and the love of Him as well as you to keep me going each day. I write of what I have read and do not believe I have all of the answers as I am still trying to figure it all out. I may be wrong and if that is true I need others to point to the wrong so as to guide me back to the path provided by the LORD. I am concerned for you and for me as I continue this walk toward the LORD. I need all that I can get to guide me down the path the LORD has for me. I need the accountability. I need to avoid the temptation. I need the guidance to keep going.

What is keeping you from staying on the path? Are you allowing yourself to be stopped by the evil one? What if you leaned on other Christians and the Holy Spirit to keep you on the path God has for you?

Careful You Are Not Tempted

I believe that it is very clear to avoid temptation. I have to look back at my writings to ensure that I am taking the necessary actions and precautions to avoid temptation even though it is very clear. This morning I read that I should be that partner with others to guide them in the avoidance of those temptations and when they do give way to the temptation, I should be there to guide them back, gently.

“¹Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” — Galatians 6:1 (ESV)

But that is not all that is contained in the above verse. I am, yes to guide my brothers and sisters in Christ back to Him in a gentle manner, yet I am also to be careful not to fall into the same temptation with them by allowing them to drag me in. This would be very easy to do as I hold to the idea of gently bringing them back.

You see, it is important to be gentle and understanding. It is also important to be deliberate. I have to remember that I am there to guide my brothers and sisters out of the temptation to transgress that they gave way to. I have a duty to support them and show them that they do not nor did not have to go down that path. I have to put myself in the position of possible temptation in the interest of bringing them out. I cannot avoid the situation due to not wanting to be a part to such transgression. Even Jesus dined with sinners openly to show love and bring that love to them.

“¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ ¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)

I have to be willing to help those in need and I cannot worry with what others think. I have to just simply do the work that is right. I do however have to be careful not to be dragged in. I have to ensure that I keep my eyes on Jesus so as not to fall prey to temptation to take part in the transgression. I have to know what I am there to do and stick to the plan that God has for me. I have to be careful so as not to be tempted.

When have you avoided getting involved with someone or something in hopes to not be tempted to take part? Are you somehow doing better by not helping others out of those situations? What if you went into those situations to help and stuck to the deliberate action of just helping them out of the situation?

Yes, Even Jesus was Tempted

I know, who knew. Well, I know that I did as I have studied God’s Word for some time now in my 51 (almost 52) years of life. Even Jesus was tempted, and look as to when He was tempted.

“²And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” — Matthew 4:2 (ESV)

Jesus was weak and vulnerable in this hour that He would be tested. He had been fasting for 40 days. I know that when I have been without for even 24 hours I am irritable and vulnerable to the temptations of the world as I look to satisfy my need. Jesus had been without for 40 days and for sure this is the time that He would be tested, when He is most vulnerable. But look at the verse just before.

“¹Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” — Matthew 4:1 (ESV)

This tempting of Jesus was not random and coming out of nowhere. The Holy Spirit “led” Him into the situation. Jesus was chosen to be tempted by the evil one at this time when He was most vulnerable. God knew that Jesus was up to the task and allowed His son to be tempted. He knew the outcome would be great because He knew His son and even in His weakened state, God provided the strength and wisdom needed to overcome and be delivered from the temptation that was befalling Him.

I look at this tempting of Jesus and think, well, if He will be tempted when He is in an extremely weakened state and was still strong enough to overcome with the help of God, why wouldn’t I have the same chance to overcome with the help of God. I should be leaning on God to guide me through this life so that I am able to avoid temptation, yet even then will I still be tempted just as Jesus was tempted, and He is the Son of God.

If even Jesus was tempted, what does that imply about you? Are you working through this world without understanding that you too will be tempted? What if you were accept that you will be tempted and lean on God to get you through?

Temptations and Sin Will Come, We Must Forgive

As I have continued to study “temptation” I have noted that no matter where I find myself, temptations will come and present themselves to me. I have to be aware of this and look for every opportunity to avoid them. I have to associate with others as accountability partners, I have stay working and avoid idleness, I have to be content with what is provided by God and not fall to the ways of the world. And not only do I have to do my work to avoid temptation, I have to know that the LORD will deliver me when I fall to that temptation. But, how will I get that deliverance, by repenting and asking for forgiveness.

It is up to me to repent of all of the sins that I have committed and will commit. Being human, I know that I will commit them. I have to admit to my failures and the sins and allow God to forgive me and I have to accept His forgiveness, even though I do not deserve it. And this brings me to my study today, forgiveness of those who are tempted to or actually sin against me. I have to forgive them as Christ has and does forgive me.

“³Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, ⁴and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” — Luke 17:3-4 (ESV)

Above are the words of Jesus as He speaks about temptation and sin. He is very clear that those who sin against us are not to get off without consequences. Notice that one should first “rebuke” the one who sins against you. I have to let them know that it is unacceptable to treat others that way. And once there is repentance of the sin to me, I have to then forgive. And this is not just the one time. Remember that as often as we sin against God, He ALWAYS forgives us, and I am to do the same. When repentance is displayed, forgiveness follows.

I know what you are thinking and you are not wrong in your thoughts, how much is too much to forgive. Well, notice the number that is stated here, “seven times in the day”. And elsewhere it is noted as seventy-seven.

“²¹Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ ²²Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” — Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)

I look at what Jesus says in Luke and have to take the full statement into account. He says “in the day”. This to me indicates that we give our brothers and sisters seven times each day, and even looking in Matthew, that should be seventy-seven times each day. What this tells me is that we are to forgive our brothers and sisters that are repentant, continuously and an infinite number of times. The thing is that there has to be the repentance that comes before the forgiveness. Without the repentance, I am only tasked with loving them. I will love them always and when they come to me repentant, I will forgive.

When has someone done to you that they were repentant for doing? Were you forgiving of their transgression against you and were you each time? What if you loved until repentance and the forgave infinitely for the sins against you?

Be Content and Do Not Fall Into Temptation

Way easier said than done. Be content? Well that is the approach we should have, content with that which God has provided. Our needs are those things that are to be met, not our desires. Those desires are the thing of temptation.

“⁸But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” — 1 Timothy 6:8-9 (ESV)

I see too many situations where it is the desire for more that that which is needed and provided where I fall. I have to understand that what I need is vastly different than that which I desire. I hear regularly from others that they “need” something and yet if they were not to receive it, there would be no change to their situation or future. One does not need a new car, bag, shoes, video game, house, watch, or other things. It is food, clothing, and a roof over head that are the needed items and the LORD is the provider of all of those.

Yes, some have been blessed with more than others, and for that I should be excited for them. Those with the big houses and fancy cars and expensive clothing have been provided for in their way from God. Do they “need” all of those things, that is not for me to decide. And, I am not in the inner circle of their lives and relationships and as such am in no position to determine if those are provided for them or if they are fulfilling some sort of desire and have fallen into the temptation of material things. I have to turn my attention to me and my relationship with the LORD and know that He has provided for my needs and that is enough.

Being tempted by the things of this world are a part of this world. I have to remember that I am dedicated to the LORD and all that He has provided and all that He has tasked for me. It is in contentment that I find truth in the LORD and then I am able to move on to those things that are more impacting to those around me and not just being self serving with the accumulation of material things that are of no use to me when I leave this world.

What things do you have that have been provided by God? Are you working to accumulate even more through the temptation of the worldly things? What if you were content with the provision of your needs that comes from the LORD as opposed to looking to the material things that the world tempts?