“The Powerful Working Of God” (1 Corinthians 5: 7 – 8, ESV) by Carley Evans

Have you heard — Christians can not sin? Have you heard — if you sin, then you are not really saved?

Paul says to the Corinthian church, “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” He claims to be their “father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” As their father, he urges them to “be imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4: 14, 16) He commands the church to “cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.” Paul writes to the Colossians, “If then you are raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3: 1 – 4) He calls them to “put to death therefore what is earthly in you.” (Colossians 3: 5)

Paul urges them not to be chained again “by philosophy and empty deceit.” (Colossians 2: 8) He tells them and us that we “are filled in [Christ], who is the head of all rule and authority. In Him, [we] are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which [we] are also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And [we], who were dead in [our] trespasses and the uncircumcision of [our] flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2: 10 – 14) God sets aside our record of debt. He eliminates legal demands. He puts off our body of flesh, and makes us a “new lump” in Christ. He makes us “unleavened;” this feat is accomplished “in the powerful working of God.”

Our part is to daily “put off” the old leaven, the old earthly self. This also is accomplished through the “powerful working” of God, the Holy Spirit. Hence, Paul admonishes his beloved children, not to shame them but to prod them towards the prize, the goal of their salvation.

2010
02/10
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“You Therefore Must Be Perfect” (Matthew 5: 43 – 45, ESV) by Carley Evans

Jesus acknowledges that under the old covenant, hating one’s enemy is expected. Retribution is the rule, not the exception — ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ (Matthew 5: 38) Today, Islam lives under this same rule of retribution. But, under the new covenant which Jesus introduces to His disciples and followers, Jesus calls them and us to “love [our] enemies and pray for those who persecute [us], so that [we] may be sons of [our] Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 43 – 44)

Jesus calls us to perfection. In us there must be no evil intention, no thought or act of hatred or revenge. If we only love those who love us, “what reward do [we] have?” (Matthew 5: 46)

How do we love the man who murders our child? How do we love the woman who steals our husband? How do we love the drunk driver who totals our car? How do we love the colleague who cheats on his taxes? How do we love the neighbor who plays music so loudly it makes our floors vibrate? How do we love the driver who cuts us off in traffic and nearly causes a needless accident? How do we love the person in the grocery store who drops a jar of jelly and walks away without a thought?

I maintain we don’t. I maintain that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Living God, loves these individuals through us. Hence Jesus asks us to “be perfect, as [our] heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5: 48)

2010
02/09
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“Idols Do Not Profit” (Psalm 97: 10, ESV) by Carley Evans

The Lord commands us — those who love Him — to hate evil. The evil we are called to hate by the psalmist is idolatry, the worship of any thing other than God.

“All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols.” (Psalm 97: 7)

“All those who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?” (Isaiah 44: 9 – 10) The ironsmith and the carpenter make “figures of men, with the beauty of a man” from iron or wood. The wood “becomes fuel for a man. He takes part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes an idol and falls down before it.” (Isaiah 44: 13, 15)

Idolatry is the ultimate wickedness and folly — worshiping something made by man himself.

God “preserves the life of His saints” whereas an idol created by man has no power to preserve, has no power to heal, has no power to love, has no power to save.

The psalmist proclaims, “Fire goes before [God] and burns up His adversaries all around.” (Psalm 97: 3)

2010
02/08
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“God Is Kind” (Proverbs 21: 21, ESV) by Carley Evans

“Whoever pursues…kindness will find life…”

We speak of God being loving, but how many of us ever say, “God is kind?” The kind person is considerate first. Do you think of God as considerate? As Jesus is the “exact imprint of [God's] nature,” we might be able to imagine God the Father as considerate. Jesus is certainly considerate of the crowd when He tells His disciples to “give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14: 16)

“And great crowds come to Him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at His feet, and He heals them, so that the crowd wonders, when they see the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. Then Jesus calls His disciples to Him and says, ‘I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.’ ” (Matthew 15: 30 – 32)

Jesus, the Son of God, is kind. He feels compassion.

Jesus says, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him, and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” (Luke 11: 5 – 8)

Jesus tells us to pursue kindness and find life.

Jesus tells of the persistent widow who keeps coming to a judge “who neither fears God nor respects man.” (Luke 18: 2) The widow is seeking justice, and comes to the judge repeatedly. Eventually, to rid himself of her, he grants her justice. “And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? I tell you, He will give justice speedily.” (Luke 18: 8)

God, the Father, is kind. He gives us righteousness and life.

2010
02/07
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“This Is Love” (Psalm 18: 1 – 2, ESV) by Carley Evans

“I love you, Lord,” sings the psalmist.

David proclaims his love of the Lord boldly. He recognizes the Lord as his “rock and [his] fortress and [his] deliverer.” He knows the Lord is “[his] shield, and the horn of [his] salvation, [his] stronghold.”

The author of 1 John writes, “In this is love, not that we love God but that He loves us and sends His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4: 19) God the Father sends His Son “to redeem” us “so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because [we] are sons, God sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ ” (Galatians 4: 5 – 6)

So, God the Holy Spirit loves God the Father through us, from within us. Our proclamation of love of God is a natural outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God’s Son. Our love of God is not of ourselves, but of God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit as a Helper, a Counselor — He is the Spirit of God who calls us to the Father through the Son, who gives us faith, who intercedes for us in ways we are barely able to imagine.

We love God because He first loves us.

2010
02/06
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‘Sing To The Lord A New Song’ (Psalm 33: 4 – 5, ESV) by Carley Evans

“Shout for joy in the Lord!” (Psalm 33: 1) Our joy is in the Lord. His Word “is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness.” How can we not be joyful, knowing that our God works in faithfulness and righteousness? God “loves justice.” And, “the earth is full of [His] steadfast love.”

“Therefore the Lord wants to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are [we] who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30: 18) God’s mercy to us emerges directly from His sense of justice! He promises, “You shall weep no more.” God promises that “at the sound of your cry — as soon as He hears it, He answers you.” (Isaiah 30: 19)

Therefore, rejoice! “Sing to [God] a new song!” (Psalm 33: 3) Leave your sad dirge behind. Remember, as David does: “You [O Lord] are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance.” (Psalm 32: 7)

We are blessed for our “transgression is forgiven, [our] sin is covered.” God “counts no iniquity” against us. (Psalm 32: 1)

Therefore, rejoice! “Sing to [God] a new song!”

2010
02/06
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“The Evil Man Has No Future” (Psalm 59: 16, ESV) by Carley Evans

David knows Saul is seeking to kill him. Yet, David sings, recognizing God is “a fortress and a refuge in the day of [his] distress.” David sings, “God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 59: 10)

Jesus says, “You who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.” (Luke 6: 27 – 29)

David asks God not to kill his enemies, but to “make them totter by Your power.” (Psalm 59: 11) He asks that they “be trapped in their pride.” (Psalm 59: 12)

Solomon strongly advises, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away His anger from him. Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” (Proverbs 24: 17 – 20)

Paul writes, “Repay no one evil for evil.” (Romans 12: 17) “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 19 – 21)

Do not be afraid of your enemy. God is your strength and fortress. Do not take revenge. God is in control and this is His realm, not yours. Do good to those who hate you; and so overcome evil through good. Do not envy the wicked; for his lamp is of darkness and he has no future.

2010
02/04
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“The Torn Curtain” (1 Corinthians 2: 9, ESV) by Carley Evans

God reveals what He has prepared for us, who love Him, through His Holy Spirit. “For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2: 10)

The Spirit testifies with our spirits that “we are the children of God.” (Romans 8: 16) As children of God, we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8: 17) The Holy Spirit also “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…according to the will of God.” (Romans 8: 26, 27)

What God prepares for us is our transformation — that we “be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8: 29) Jesus says to His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I Am you may be also.” (John 14: 1 – 3)

God swears that we are “heirs of the promise.” (Hebrews 6: 17) He takes an oath that His purpose is unchangeable. God Himself gives us “strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6: 18) Remember that “it is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6: 18) “Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6: 20) The curtain between us and the Holy Place of God the Father has been torn, and Jesus has entered for us. There He awaits His bride, which is you and me — the children of God.

2010
02/03
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“So Shall God Rejoice Over You” (Isaiah 62: 4 – 5, ESV) by Carley Evans

Do you imagine God rejoicing over you? Do you see and hear Jesus rejoicing over you as He hangs on the Cross? Do you see Him crossing pastures in search of you, His lost sheep? Do you feel His crook against your neck?

God is your maker; He is your bridegroom. He desires you to be beautiful, adorned with His glory for you are His bride. He washes you Himself, and fills you with His Holy Spirit. He marks you on the forehead and the hand with His Promised Seal.

He says to you, “You shall no more be termed Forsaken.” You are found by Him, and carried in His strong arms. He keeps you safe from all harm, giving you only what is ultimately perfect for you. He calls you: “My Delight Is in Her.”

Let us thank our God who loves us so.

2010
02/03
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“God Is One” (Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 5, ESV) by Carley Evans

God is One. We are to “love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our might.”

God is three persons: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Each person of God is equal to the other; we worship God as One.

Jesus says, “I know where I come from and where I am going.” (John 8: 14) “My judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me.” (John 8: 16) “If you know Me, you know the Father also.” (John 8: 19)

“For God so loves the world that He gives His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16) So, “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.” (Hebrews 3: 6)

Jesus says, “I send [the Helper, the Holy Spirit] to you. And when He comes, He convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me, concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you see Me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16: 7 – 11)

Jesus prays, “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. I manifest Your Name to the people whom You give Me out of the world. Yours they are, and You give them to Me, and they keep Your Word.” (John 17: 5 – 6)

The prophet Joel writes, “And in the last days it is, God declares, that I pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters prophesy, and your young men see visions, and your old men dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I pour out My Spirit, and they prophesy. And I show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below… And it comes to pass that everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord is saved.” (Acts 2: 17 – 19, 21)

2010
02/02
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