LifeLink Devotions

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

The battle to protect the life of an unborn child has become rather nasty. Recently, a television host made this outrageous statement about the Supreme Court decision to uphold a Mississippi abortion law.

“Do any of you men have any eggs or the possibility of carrying a fetus? How dare you talk about what a fetus wants! You have no idea.”

I do not intend to engage in debate about the total stupidity of this statement that in its substance actually discredits abortion. However, it is true that men are not capable of carrying a baby. However, it does not mean that men are not capable of knowing what its like to give birth to new life.

I had the wonderful experience of watching my wife go through three pregnancies. I watched as my daughter and my two daughters-in-law carried a total of eleven children. I marvel at the wonder of conception and birth, as God uniquely creates from His infinite mind the precious babies that we love and cherish.  But I do not claim in any way to know what it is like to carry life inside of me. I can only observe the expressions on the mother’s face as she feels the baby move, yet that is only a glimpse of the awe they must be feeling in their hearts. As a man, we cannot know what it is like to give birth to a new life. Or can we?

Luke 1:35 “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”

The angel’s statement to Mary declares the details of the miraculous birth of Jesus – God Himself in the flesh. But Mary is not the only one who gets to experience that. His statements are true for all of us who experience the spiritual birth of Jesus Christ in our lives. Mary understood the problem of sin and her unworthiness to bear the Holy One. She also understood her physical limitations to be pregnant, for she had not been in an intimate relationship with a man. We are also unworthy and unable to physically bear the likeness of Christ. Our sin has kept us from an intimate relationship with God that would produce any physical seed capable of birthing good works. But God has an answer for Mary and for us – The Holy Spirit will come upon us and the power of the Most High will overshadow our sinfulness so that the Holy One can be born within us.

When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”  Paul says it this way in Titus 3:5-7, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” The Apostle John describes it this way, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 

The same power of the Holy Spirit that came upon Mary and created the physical life of Jesus Christ in her womb is the power that each of us experiences when by faith we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. The power of the Most High overshadows all of our sin, and the Holy Spirit creates in us the spiritual life of Jesus. Paul calls this an explained mystery in Colossians 1, where he says, “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Jesus Christ has been birthed in us, and that experience is to be more precious to us than any physical birth.

So the next time a woman says to you men that you don’t know what it’s like to give birth, use it as an opportunity to witness. Tell her that you have given birth, and that the wonder of spiritual birth far exceeds the wonder of natural birth.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

It’s been over seventeen years since my first grandchild spoke his first word. It wasn’t long until the questions started rolling off his tongue. His first question was, “Wha dat?“ He would ask it about everything he saw, and he fully expected an answer. Then the question became “Why?” and he would ask it over and over and over again. I would do my best to give him answers. I love the natural curiosity of children who need to know what things are and how they work. I love being the one who can tell them.

When God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit and as we read His Word, it is not wrong for us to ask questions. We must, however, ask the questions from a position of faith and not doubt. The Christmas story contains examples of both. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer, questioned the angel Gabriel after being told he would have a son. His question asked for proof before he would believe. “How can I be sure of this?” The result of his faithless question was the  discipline of God expressed as a speech impairment until the son was born. Then there was Mary, who also asked a question but clothed it in faith. 

Luke 1:29 – 34  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.“ ^“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?“

Mary did not doubt the angel’s words like Zechariah did by asking how she could be sure of it. She affirmed the angel’s promise by asking, “How is this going to happen?“

We have two options for the kinds of questions we can ask God when He speaks to us: we can ask questions that seek faith or questions that affirm faith. We have the same two options when life’s circumstances change. We can ask questions that express doubt that God is really in control, or we can ask questions that state our faith in God’s promises. There is a huge difference between asking, “God, how is this ever going to work out?” and “God, how are you going to work this out?“

God hears both questions, but only one carries consequences. Questions of doubt will extend and deepen our suffering. But rest assured that suffering is God’s way of deepening our faith. Questions of faith also deepen our faith because God the Perfect Father loves to answer them and show us the how and why so we can know Him more deeply and trust Him more fully. I don’t know about you, but I am going to assume that you want to grow by asking the right questions instead of the wrong ones. So ask questions that spring from faith. God wants to show you even more than He already has.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions 

Monday, December 13, 2021

Every year my wife and I travel to North Dakota to be with family for Christmas, and ever time I go I am struck with the immensity of God. After traveling from the beauty of the forests and hills of northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, the topography changes radically to flat and almost treeless plains where one can see for miles. As we drive the next farm is barely visible and the horizon seems unattainable. I imagine what is beyond, and my mind swirls as it swims in the depths of infinity. My limitations overwhelm me in the attempt to visualize the limitlessness of God.  

That is the way my mind is responding to the incredible grace of God as the angel Gabriel converses with the soon-to-be mother named Mary. 

Luke 1:26 – 28 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  he angel went to her and said, ”Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

The great and overarching theme of Christmas is the grace of God. There is nothing that overwhelms our finite thoughts more than an attempt to comprehend the wonder of God’s grace. Our minds are befuddled when we try to qualify that which qualifies us. We who measure others and ourselves by qualifications cannot fully comprehend the unconditional qualification of imperfect people by a perfect God, yet that is what God does by grace.

Have there ever been sweeter words to the ears of any person than to be told that they have found favor with God? Mary was puzzled by this greeting, as are all of us when we are told that we are fully and unconditionally accepted into relationship with God. Yet those are the words that we long to hear. It is the deepest desire of our hearts to be accepted and to know that our lives have purpose and meaning. Yet we doubt the authenticity of the message. We are troubled by the thought that God can draw that close to us because we know the depths of our sin and unworthiness. But can you think of anything you would rather hear than the voice of God calling you His child, His heir, and His friend?

Why should we believe that God’s favor rests on us when the message was delivered to Mary? When God directed Gabriel to tell Mary that she was highly favored, He chose a word that in the Greek language is used only one other time in all of Scripture, and its use is very significant for all of us. It is found in Ephesians 1:6, and literally translated says, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” We have found, in Christ Jesus, the same favor of God that was proclaimed to Mary. We have been accepted into the beloved. 

Hallelujah! 

What a great message of encouragement for not only us but for all of those millions of people still seeking acceptance. We have the Gospel of Grace. We have experienced God’s unconditional forgiveness and acceptance. Let’s go tell the world that they too can be forgiven and accepted, and it’s FREE!

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions 

Friday, December 10, 2021

Acts 11:25-26 “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

The term Christian is used only three times in the entire Bible, and yet it has become the world’s primary term of identification for those who have chosen to be followers of Jesus Christ. But so many people use the term loosely and do not understand the personal implications of such an identity. I think it would be good to be reminded of what the term Christian really means and what should be true in the life of a person who is so identified.

In the very front cover of the Bible I have been using this week from my youth, on a page nearly disintegrated by the acid from ink, I found this acrostic of the word CHRISTIAN, and want to share it with you. Every one of these titles is given to you by God.  They are your identity.

Child – John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Heir – Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Redeemed – 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20a “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”         1 Peter 1:18-19 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Instrument  – Romans 6:13 “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”

Soldier – Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  2 Timothy 2:3 “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Temple – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Influence – Galatians 2:20  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”   1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Ambassador – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Isn’t that refreshing? For the past two weeks we have been studying Christian maturity and successful Christian living. This puts a wonderful cap on it. I hope you have been encouraged and challenged to grow in your faith. Growing in faith is important, because even though little faith will bring your soul to heaven, great faith will bring heaven to your soul.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions 

Thursday, December 9, 2021

I get a great sense of satisfaction from completing a project. When I know I have invested my best in an assignment and can stand and see the results it fills me with joy. That same feeling of gratification can be ours in our spiritual lives as well when we become fully invested in the assignment we have been given.

Jesus Christ has commissioned all of us as His followers to be witnesses of His saving power and to go into the entire world and make disciples. The Apostle Paul fulfilled the commission of Jesus Christ in its entirety. He not only went with the message but he passed on the disciplines of the faith so that others were equipped to live faithfully for Jesus. Sometimes our fears keep us from doing this. We are either afraid to begin a conversation about Jesus with an unbeliever, or we are afraid of the commitment level it takes to disciple a new believer. But if we are going to be considered successful at living the Christian life then both of these actions must be active in our lives.

2 Timothy 1:7-14  “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”

Paul reminds us of several things that serve as the foundation for fulfilling the commission to be a witness and a discipler. First he tells us that the Holy Spirit has provided us with what we need to witness – power, love, and self-discipline. He specifically states that the fear we experience when we are put in a situation to be a witness is not from God. If sharing our faith scares us it may be because we have chosen to listen to Satan who is empowering our pride to be brought to the top priority position of consideration. We must make a choice at that point to surrender to the Spirit of God who gives us the self-discipline to say no to self-serving solutions, the power to conquer the influence of Satan’s deceptions, and the love for the lost that reflects the heart of Christ. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.

Second, Paul reminds us of our previous condition before our salvation, that we were unable to do anything about our sin, and that God initiated a plan to save us that has now been revealed in Jesus Christ. We have been brought into the light of the Gospel by the grace of God. We did nothing to deserve it. We did nothing to earn it. Death has been destroyed for us. Immortality has been granted to us. What have we to fear? It is only as we live in the gratitude of this gift that we will be willing to suffer any loss for the sake of serving the one who saved us.

Third, Paul encourages us to become convinced of our faith and of the faithfulness of God to keep us secure. This assurance will result in confidence so that we will not be ashamed of Jesus Christ in any area of our lives. When we are convinced of the outcome we can endure any difficulties encountered in the process. We must keep our eyes on the finish line.

Finally, Paul tells us that we are personally responsible to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in making the most of what we have been taught and to teach it to others. There has been a good deposit made to our spiritual bank account, and we are given the responsibility to guard it. This is not referring to our salvation, for we are kept by the power of God as the children of God. It refers to all of the teaching that was given to us by the people who discipled us for the purpose of bringing us to maturity in the faith. It is our responsibility to choose what to do with that mentoring. We can guard it and live it, or we can turn from it and live according to the old nature. The most significant part of this decision, I believe, is that we have the opportunity to choose. Someone has invested himself or herself in us. That is a great thought, isn’t it? Paul invested himself in Timothy. I have invested myself in you. In whom are you investing yourself?

 I wrote down a quote in my old Bible. I’m not sure who authored it, but it is my challenge to invest my life into others so that they can mature as Christians. “Christian growth is most dependent upon an atmosphere in which Christian attitudes are present.” My friends, discipleship is not primarily about teaching, it is first and foremost about modeling. Let’s be unashamed to model Jesus Christ to the lost world, and to invest our lives into those who are being saved.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Yesterday I promised that I would teach you the way you can experience an abundant life. Here it is:

Isaiah 40:28-31  “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I think these verses give us a picture of how to get and maintain an abundant life in Christ. They describe a comparison between our lives and the everlasting God. The facts of our weakness are stated – we grow tired and weary to the point of stumbling and falling. The pressures of the world bring discontent and devaluation so that we turn to the world’s deceptive solutions for relief. We try hard for a while to remain holy and pure, but at some point our best efforts bring us to a point of weariness and we fall down into sinful responses and selfish relief efforts. The only way out is to break the cycle of self-dependence.

Therefore, the first step in achieving an abundant life is to realize that we are not personally capable of accomplishing it: it is not found in our strength. To find abundant life we must admit our weaknesses, because, as the Apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The next step is to put our hope in the LORD. The King James Version uses the words “They that wait upon the LORD.” The original Hebrew word used here is qavah, and literally means “to bind together.” It is used to describe the making of a rope by taking two stands and twisting them together so they become one. What an incredible picture of our spiritual lives. When we allow ourselves to be twisted together with Almighty God we become His strength. The Omnipotent (all-powerful) God joins Himself with us and makes us strong. To find abundant life is to become wrapped up in God rather than wrapped up in self and its sinful relief efforts. Turn from the twisted ways the world offers of seeking fulfillment and instead get twisted up with Jesus Christ. There you will find abundance.

Once we have done that, our Scripture verses teach us that the abundant life is guaranteed in 3 ways. First, we will be able to soar on the wings of eagles above the problems of life. It is not a guarantee of having no problems – it is a guarantee of rising above those problems and seeing them from the heavenly perspective that God is shaping, molding, and strengthening our faith. Second, we will run the race that is marked out for us by God and we will not grow weary in running. The word weary means “to gasp in exhaustion.” I have had a very difficult week so far, but each morning I awaken with a renewed strength because my life is twisted up with God and I can’t wait to run the next lap of the race. When we are doing the will of the Father in the strength of the Father we will not get exhausted while serving the Father. And third, we will walk and not faint. This word here for faint means to tire and be fatigued. Walking represents the mundane, everyday activities of life that get boring. But in the strength of the LORD we see all such duties as opportunities to serve Him and we do them without growing weary.

There is one more implication from this passage that is an essential part of the abundant life: when we are twisted up with God we will not stumble and fall back into continual sin. Nothing is mentioned about ongoing sin for the person whose hope is in the LORD.  The abundant life guarantees victory! Paul said it this way in Romans 8:37 after he has just told us all of the ways that this world will seek to defeat and destroy us – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Are you tired of living the roller coaster of a self-centered and self-satisfying life? Then untwist yourself from the world and get tightly twisted up in Jesus. He came that we might have life, and that life will be abundant.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Yesterday we started a devotional study on the fundamentals of successful Christian living, and as a basis for this study I am using notes I wrote in my Bible 53 years ago. I was a teenager at the time and these sermon and study notes were the foundation of my maturing process in Christ. 

As a teenager, anytime anyone mentioned abundance I tuned in. If a little of something was good, then a lot of it must be gooder (yes, I used that non-word on purpose). I wasn’t satisfied to just play 18 holes of golf in a day if I had time to play 36. I wasn’t satisfied to have just any old car; it had to be the nicest car around, and for sure it had to be the fastest. I looked for abundance in every area of my life. It was my immature attempt at significance.

Then I discovered that Jesus provides abundance of significance when fleshly life with its pursuits is put to death and the life of Christ is resurrected in its place. I discovered that entering into union with Jesus Christ brought 4 things that make up this abundant life:

1. Purpose:  Jesus gave my life meaning. He gave me a reason for existing – to honor Him by accomplishing His work which gave me significance. But purpose has no value without…
2. Possibility: With Christ all things are possible. I had a reason to try. The fear of failure was eliminated. Obstacles became opportunities. This was more than just cute verbal exercise; it was the reality of my heart, because Jesus Himself became my…
3. Pattern: Christ lives in me! Everything He ever accomplished became the reality of my life, as if I had lived it. Everything He ever said became the guide for each decision and action, because the Word was alive in me. Everything He ever willed became the objective of my life, so that my life would glorify Him in every way. This is more than simply choosing to follow a blueprint for living; it is having the blueprint indelibly stamped on my life so that it is all I know. It is Jesus Christ living in and through me, which is possible by the Holy Spirit’s…
4. Power: God has graciously granted to each of His children the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He provides us with dynamic power to follow the pattern of Christ. We have limitless power to accept the possibility that mountains can be moved by faith.  The purpose of Christ can be realized with visible power that glorifies the Father. 

These are the 4 elements of abundant living. Are they your current personal experience? If not, then come back tomorrow when we discover how to get this abundant life.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Monday, December 6, 2021

Last week I reached behind me into my bookcase and grabbed the Bible I was given by my parents for my 16^thbirthday. I was showing it to someone as an example of how students can study the Bible.  It is pretty well worn out, and I have had it recovered twice, but it has so many wonderful notes from my dad’s preaching and my own study. Later that day I spent some time looking through it. I wanted to look at some of the significant things God had taught me in my early walk with Christ. I discovered some timeless principles of successful Christian living. Over the next few days I want to share some of them with you. 

Let’s first define success. Success is defined as “a favorable result” in the Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary. The Cambridge on-line dictionary says that success is the “achieving of a desired result.” So the question we must ask is this – “What is the desired favorable result I wish to achieve with my life?” In other words, how will my life be fulfilled? 

For the Christian this question is answered in Galatians 2:20 when Paul says,  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Our lives are declared successful when Christ lives in us. The favorable result that is achieved by living life by faith in the Son of God is the realization of the fullness of the life-giver in us. All other worldly pursuits fail at this point, because only Jesus can give life. He said, “I have come that they might have life, and live it to the fullest.” (John 10:10) “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Only the One who is Life can give life. 

So if that is the desired favorable result of your life, how do we achieve that successfully? Here are seven fundamentals I learned in my youth and are a great starting point for all of us.  

1. Confess Christ daily in your life. Confess is defined as “to be in agreement with.” Every morning when you awaken, be in agreement with God that you are His child through your faith in Jesus Christ and that His blood has saved you from the penalty and the power of sin.

2. Make His Word your daily companion. Spend time meditating on the Bible and taking its principles with you into every area of your life.

3. Talk all things over with God in prayer. Open every area of your life to spiritual conversations with God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

4. Trust God to provide for all your daily needs. Stop worrying and fretting over all the material stuff. Focus on the spiritual ministry of your life to others and God will take care of the rest.

5. Surrender your life fully to God. Surrender the present and the future. Surrender the control of all outcomes to the control of God. Surrender who you are to whom God wants you to be.

6. Lay aside your gifts and offerings with thanksgiving. Specifically plan to give a generous portion of your income to the Lord as a worshipful expression of your love for Him.

7. Use the special gifts and talents God has given you to serve Him. Get involved in ministry. Do something that builds up the body of Christ and encourages others.

As I stated earlier, these are simple yet timeless truths, and they are a great reminder of the foundational principles that promote success. Do these things faithfully, and you will achieve the desired favorable result of Christ’s fullness, which is the fulfillment of life.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Friday, December 3, 2021

As you are reading this I am either preparing for surgery, in surgery, or recovering from surgery to repair the meniscus in my right knee. I appreciate your prayers as you read.

Do you remember the Bible passage that started this whole study on the behavior of mature Christians? Yes, this is a test. Do you remember? Did you take the Word of God into your heart and meditate on it? Have devotions become just an exercise in pleasing the pastor because you can say you read them or is it a true time of spiritual growth and development? I believe for most of you it is the latter, and that you do remember the passage from Ephesians 4 that goes like this:

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

As we have studied, we have grown. We have become more mature by being hearers and doers of the Word of God. We have taken on the personal responsibility of growth in the Lord. Growth is a choice for each of us.

1 Peter 2:2   “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation…”

2 Peter 3:18  “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

As we bring this particular study to a close, let’s focus on the progressive nature of our maturity. We have been given an indescribable gift – the gift of the indwelling presence and power of God Almighty in the Person of the Holy Spirit through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Savior. We have been spiritually born again, and in that context we are justified and sanctified – declared “not guilty” and made perfect forever. But our flesh is in conflict with our spirit. It is very important that you read Romans 8:1-14 as Paul describes this conflict:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you… Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.“

My main point for today is this – we are all a work in progress: a work that is able to be accomplished by the Spirit of God in us. He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Other than for purely selfish motives, there is no reason to remain in your sin and let it continue to control you. Bring it under the control of the Spirit of God and put it to death, and your mortal – your physical body – will have life.

Each of us is personally responsible for whether we live according to the standards of the flesh or the victory of the Spirit. Every day is an adventure in learning that. Every day is a part of the process of maturing and growing into Christ-likeness.  Make the most of this day. May it be said of your life as Paul said to the church a Thessalonica. “Your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions (Click Link for audio version)

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Today we come to the last in our series on the characteristics of a mature Christian. All of them have been significant, but the last two, taken along with today’s subject, are the true tests of one’s intimacy with Jesus Christ. We discovered over the last two days that God’s love is being perfected in us through all of the pressures and fires of life so that our lives reflect the brilliance and purity of His love through the forgiveness that we offer to others, just as we experience the fullness of God’s love through His forgiveness of our sin. But for that love to even be offered there had to be a sacrifice. Every act of true love is an act of sacrifice and giving.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 

John 10:17-18a “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”

Paul says, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” John says, “God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice.” Jesus says, “I lay down my life.“

I believe with my whole heart that the degree to which a person sacrifices self for the sake of serving others, including enemies, is the single most significant measurement of spiritual maturity in the heart of God. God does not measure our value by our doctrinal position or by our ability to defend it. He does not measure our intimacy by the social and moral issues we stand for or against in society. He does not measure our effectiveness as His servants by the quantity or even quality of the work we do for Him in the church or other ministries. He measures our maturity by this one thing- sacrifice: do we consistently and willingly lay down our lives for the sake of others? 

Two of my favorite yet most challenging Bible verses are found in Romans 12:1-2, and they say, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Do you see the three characteristics of maturity we have been mentioning the last three days? There’s forgiveness. It’s right there in God’s mercy. There’s love in our spiritual act of worship. And there’s sacrifice in the offering of our bodies to live holy and pleasing lives to honor the One who forgave us.

My friends, I repeat what I said two days ago: the world will beat a path to our door and then beat down our door to come in and experience the wonder of God when we begin to fully live these three characteristics of spiritual maturity: love will generate sacrifice resulting in forgiveness. Be prepared for people to come near to you and ask you about the incredible hope that is in you. Be prepared to tell them what you have been showing them – that God so loved the world that He sacrificed His own Son Jesus so that we could be forgiven.

Pastor John