Liberated

 

If I really buy into Jesus’ word, if I really live in it, I am very much a disciple of Him, I will know the truth and that truth will liberate me into the greatness and goodness of God.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32  ESV

It makes sense that my wisdom would come from spending time in God’s word. Actually, I have to keep reminding myself that knowledge is not the key here, rather knowledge of the truth that sets me free. Who does not want to be free? Is it not true that all of us are a disciple of something or someone? There is only One though whose words set us free. I have heard that my culture today says that to be free I need to be true to myself. Anything less than that is me being in captivity and oppression. I do know that God knows me better than anyone, He created me. I was made to know Him and to be in relationship with Him. So learning from Him is a roadmap to true freedom.

Abiding gives the sense that I am to stay in a given place but not just standing around doing nothing. It suggests that I am doing something and that I am following a pattern. I am pretty sure that I will not wake up one day and say that I have truth or that I have freedom – it is not a moment in time but a journey in time.

So discipleship is not simply a decision of belief at some point in time, but more an ongoing process of following and obedience.

I meet those who declare that there is nothing in the Bible that states they need to read their Bibles every day or have devotions etc. What is interesting is that someone who does not spend much time in the word actually does not know what is in it. Yet they confidently tell me what the Bible says or does not say on a subject matter.

Let’s put it this way – Jesus did not lay down a condition for becoming a believer but He mentions, on several occasions, what characterizes a growing one. In this case, one who is fully engaged in the truth of God’s word is set free and is a disciple.

 

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Spiritual legacy

 

Kirk Franklin – Spiritual

 

I am to disciple and send others equipped in God’s Word and not according to their talents or abilities. God’s Word is the primary thing to be preached from generation to generation. It is our spiritual legacy.

And Baruch the son of Neriah did all that Jeremiah the prophet ordered him about reading from the scroll the words of the Lord in the Lord‘s house. – Jeremiah 36:8  ESV

 

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Broken

 

Casting Crowns – Broken Together

 

When I am walking along the waterfront it becomes so obvious how useful the placement of rocks are in stopping the encroachment of the water. It is definitely the best foundation to build a lighthouse on. Rocks in the unquarried state do not do much but it is a sight to see when they are broken to be used. I think that I am in the same boat – to become an able and devoted servant of Jesus, a disciple, living in the faith and being of some help in this world – I need only be broken to be useful.

 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? – Jeremiah 23:29  ESV

I can be broken because I have been justified by the grace and mercy of God. In my brokenness I can confirm and even settle others in the belief of God Word as truth and what follows is a demonstration of that faith in my works. 

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. – Titus 3:8  ESV

 

 

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Endure

 

One thing can be said of Paul – he was willing to endure whatever he had to for the sake of reaching people with the gospel and he would suffer in any way necessary to make disciples. Even so, he considered himself a servant to the elect (saved and unsaved) so that I could see myself as a disciple serving and being a servant to the elect as well – enduring any and everything for that calling.

Paul, a servant[a] of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. Titus 1:1  ESV

Paul has provided, from time to time, lists that look like goals to reach for and general criteria for selecting leadership in the churches that he had started. It is not that any person could reach perfection by having all of these qualities, but they do address some questions. “Does the person in question desire all these things with their whole heart? Does that desire show itself in their life?” Titus was to take such a list, find those who best fit the description, and then use the list as a training guide to disciple them.

 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. Titus 1:5  ESV

The one that grabs my attention is being “quick-tempered.” In other words, the person cannot be a one ready to come to blows – that comes the Greek word used here, plektes, which literally means a striker.

 For an overseer,[f] as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain. – Titus 1:7  ESV

It would seem that physical violence played a role in the early Church. There are laws in place in the early days that if a leader struck a person, even if they had erred, that leader would be deposed. The Greeks furthered rule or widened it to include violence in speech as well.

Safe to say that enduring has every to do with loving. If I cannot endure then I cannot be a disciple who disciples others.

 

 

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Heal and Save

 

Carman – Saved, Delivered & Healed

 

These are strong biblical words – heal and save. We think of healing most often when we think of our medical profession, however God’s healing can go far deeper. “Save” means more than heal. Jeremiah prays a great prayer as he cried to God for healing and salvation.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise. – Jeremiah 17:14  ESV

When it comes to my soul, let me say that I find myself in a healthy place, a place filled with hope. I whisper Jesus’ name and Help comes before His name is even breathed out. The other thing I have come to expect is that when He comes to Help – it is all-sufficient – I find myself healed and saved all at the same time.

 

 

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