Paul's Past, Not a Problem

A couple weeks ago I did a small word study on “principalities”. It was really small because this English word is used only once in the NASB version of the Bible!

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.

By using Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, I was able to find the original Greek word used for “principalities” is “archē”. This is a prefix we already have some understanding of in English.

Archeology and Archives – something being old, the beginning or earliest
Archangel and Archenemy – the primary, important, or first of something

Therefore, it is not surprising to learn this same Greek word is translated 38 times in the New Testament as “beginnings”. What is surprising (to me anyway) is that “archē” is not also translated as “beginnings” in Romans 8:38. If it were, the passage would read, “nor beginnings, nor things present, nor things to come …”

In other words, Paul’s word choice in the original Greek language seems to say that there is nothing in your “past, present, or future” that will separate you from the love of God! When I think of Paul’s past as a persecutor of the Church, I am grateful to know about his “dirty laundry”, it keeps me from falling prey to hero-worship.

But more importantly, it teaches me about the love of God. Paul says we will find God’s love “in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). Once I am in Christ Jesus and He is my Lord, nothing I’ve done in the past would cause God to turn away from me, I am His child, and He loves me with His unending love. Hallelujah!

Mulligan Mondays

In friendly games of golf, sometimes a Mulligan or a do-over shot is allowed when you’ve hit a really poor shot. In a similar way, I see every Monday as a Mulligan, an opportunity from the Lord to just start fresh. Put the ball back up on the tee and swing away – but hopefully with more clarity, focus, and accuracy!

I am blessed to attend a church where we observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday morning. As the elements are taken, I’m reminded to reflect over the past week, every week, confess my sins and get back on course. I’m so grateful my Lord Jesus allows for Mulligan Mondays, and Tuesdays, and . . . .!

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Becoming Beautiful

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 teach the path, the only path, one must follow to become beautiful. This path starts with a mournful heart. One must be sorrowful for their sins in order to be truly beautiful. Then one must be meek, recognizing one’s lowliness as compared to the awesome holiness of the Lord God Almighty. Next, we must be hungry and thirst after righteousness. If we are complacent and content with ourselves as we are, that is not a beautiful thing.

In this endeavor, these words of Christ our Lord promise, we shall be satisfied. The one who strives for righteousness in this world shall be glorified in the next. And because we have mourned our sin, fallen prostrate before the holy God, and sought after righteousness with much diligence – then, this path to our beautification, leads us to be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers.

The surprising result is that we are then persecuted. But in that persecution there is absolute beauty – we are Christ-like, for none other suffered more for righteousness’ sake. This then is the path of becoming truly beautiful. And a beautiful person such as this is salt and is light upon this earth, but that story is for another day!

Neglecting the Harvest

It’s summertime and my zucchini and tomato plants are going nuts; the harvest is plentiful! I have more than I can eat and I’m busy passing produce along to my family and neighbors.

Today this has reminded me of harvesting men’s souls. Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.”

The harvest is now, it’s been going on since the Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2. As Christians, we need to wake-up and be busy about our Father’s business.

It would be shameful of me to let the produce rot on the vines, neglecting the opportunity to share what I have with others. Even more so, I shouldn’t neglect sharing my most valuable possession: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loneliness is a Lie

This painting represents God’s pillar of fire that traveled with the Israelites through their wilderness wanderings. If you've ever felt alone or know someone who has, you'll want to read more about this painting's meaning at wingabouts.com

A Peculiar Sight

The fire in this painting illustrates the burning bush that Moses saw in Exodus chapter 3. As Christians, the fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn within us....Read the complete story or purchase an art print by visiting wingabouts.com

Follow Me

 

Follow Me

by Barbara Eccleston

These two watercolor fish paintings remind me that we are all called to be fishers of men by the Lord Jesus. These were the first fish He and I caught together – they are my son and daughter, both baptized into Christ soon after accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Yet I know these sin-stained hands have no part in redeeming anyone. It was the Father’s work, all by His grace, that called these two young fish into His boat. There’s no monster fish too tough to be reeled in by my Father’s hands. There’s also no fish so small that He’ll say, “Why bother?”

Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). What a wonderfully exciting promise this is, fishing to win the souls of men! But follow how? Here in the United States, many church-goers have been taught to befriend people and gain their approval before witnessing to them. But that is not what Jesus did, nor any of the Apostles. The Bible calls us to be peculiar, to be separate, and to be holy. Paul asks in II Corinthians 6:14, “What fellowship has light with darkness?”

It is our difference, our Christ-like aroma that will draw men to the Lord. If we do succeed in fitting in, there’s nothing appealing left in us to draw others to Christ. Unfortunately, this also means we don’t truly believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to convict and call a man to Christ. We feel we are the one who is winning these people over – that it is somehow up to us, with our wonderful smile and smooth talk! However, our part is to live holy lives and speak truth. God’s Spirit does the rest.

So let me say again, Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” But follow how? He is my example. He was compassionate towards all people, yet never cowered from speaking the truth they needed to hear. He told lowly strangers, as well as prominent persons, of their sin and challenged them to repent. It is only as I closely follow His example, that I can claim this promise and become a fisher of men’s souls.