Day 6
God Is On Your Side
Knowing that our sins set in motion God's laws, and therefore every sin brings negative
consequences, can make us very anxious. The power and inevitability of the operation
of God's laws revealed in the following scriptures can haunt us:
What happens if I don't get it right? What happens if I fail to catch every sin and have it
forgiven? We may feel alone and hopeless, and may be set into striving to make sure
we don't miss anything. We may then become discouraged when we fail to catch every
sin.
God Is Protecting Us
Fortunately for us, God is there to help us in this process. He loves us and does not
want us overwhelmed or destroyed.
He only allows us to experience what we are ready to handle, so that the experience will
bring about good in our lives.
Possible Purposes For Your Life
In reading the Bible it is possible to come up with quite a list of things that Christians are
supposed to do with their lives.
"The List"
This is an overwhelming list. Most of us have tried very hard to do much of this, and
we have not been very successful.
Jesus Kept The Whole "List"
Jesus kept the whole "List." How did He manage to do this? He did it because it was
His very nature, and therefore He did it effortlessly and perfectly. A fish swims and a
bird flies. They don't have to think about it, they just do it. It is their nature. Jesus
lived perfectly because he was without sin. Then Jesus says that we are to do the
same works as He did!
How Can We Possibly Keep "The List?"
How can we possibly keep "The List" when we find it so difficult to keep one or two of
the items? It sounds impossible. Jesus was able to keep "The List" because it was His
nature. That is also the only way we can keep it. We need a new nature. In our
"Honeycomb" we need to be changed into the image of Jesus. When we have been
changed, we too can keep "The List." As we are in the process of being changed into
His image, we will each gain His nature; and we will then behave as He does, step by
step. As each segment of our "Honeycomb" is cleansed and inhabited by Jesus, the new
"good root" (Jesus) will produce "good fruit." In that specific area of our lives, our
character has been transformed.
Why Does God Want This For You?
Being “Saved” Has Two Meanings
God Is Very Personal With You
The events that happen in your life as a Christian are not random. They are God's
personal, loving attention to your life.
Keep in mind that the Lord’s goal is to change you into the image of Jesus. Just as good
parents have to allow their children to suffer difficulties if they are to mature, so God
allows the trials you go through in order to bring about the transformation you need.
He knows each of us and carefully designs each of our training programs to fit us
perfectly.
Unfortunately, this process of being changed into His image is very difficult. If
everything in our life went smoothly, we would become spoiled, self-centered, and
greedy. We can see this in children who are not properly disciplined by their parents.
Therefore, each of us needs tests, trials, and discomfort to achieve God's goal for us,
because these things motivate us.
A Change Of Attitude Results From This New Awareness
Once you realize that God is active in all the troubles you face, your whole attitude will
change. Instead of fighting against what He is doing, you will tend to ask, "OK, Lord, I
don't like this at all. But I trust that You are trying to change me through this
experience."
If We Resist
It is true that if we drag our feet or rebel against the lesson He is giving us, it will be
harder for us. Then we will have to endure more suffering. Since He is determined to
heal us, He will persist in bringing trials until we do respond. On the other hand, if we
listen and obey, then the trial can end, because it has accomplished its purpose. This is
one very important reason why we must understand the purpose of our trials, so that
we will not fight against what God is doing. We can do it the easy way, or the
hard way.
God only expects us to deal with the areas of sin that He knows we are ready to work
on. In other words, He has a plan for our lives, He has our lives under His control, and
He only lets us pay the consequences for those sins that He wants us to deal with right
now.
Our living God will give us the guidance we need, when we need it. But we need to be
seeking His guidance and to be listening for His directions, because He speaks in many
diverse ways. Sometimes He will even direct our lives when we are not open to His
leading. His direction will always be specific to us for that time in our life, will promote
what is good for us, and will always be in line with His character.
The Christian Walk Is Not A Set Of Rules
It is important to guard against trying to reduce God to a formula, using the Bible as a
rulebook. I may think that if I can understand how God's system works, I can use the
Bible to get what I want. I then think that all I have to do is to find a scripture that says
what I want it to say, believe it, and I will have it. One reason I may fall for this trap is
because this puts me back in control. I want to be in control of my own life, because at
some level I don't trust God to take care of me.
Profoundly Different, But True!
The view I am presenting may be profoundly different than what you have believed. As
a new Christian, I was greatly interested in what my new life was all about, and I
wondered what I was supposed to be doing. I wanted so much to obey God.
Unfortunately, I heard preaching that confused me. From one teacher I would be told
that our main duty was to preach the Gospel. I tried that, but failed miserably. Another
teacher emphasized loving God. I tried that, but knew I was doing that inadequately. I
wanted so much to please God, but kept falling short.
However, as time went by and I began to see what God really wanted from me, I
experienced great relief. God knew I couldn't do those things in my own strength. He
knew that the only way I could obey Him was for Him to change me into the image of
Jesus.
Summary
By the operation of God's laws, when we sin we set in motion negative consequences
which will bring destruction in our lives. However, God loves His children and is on our
side. He has the power to protect us from these consequences, and He does so.
However, there are times when God steps aside and allows us to suffer consequences
of our sin.
When He does allow us to suffer, it is always for our good. Though the suffering is
painful for the moment, He allows it because He has a good plan for us. God wants to
change us into the image of Jesus (to remove the bad roots in our "Honeycomb").
God is personally committed to this process in each of His children.
Reflection:
Do you have a “List” of things that you, as a Christian (or as a believer), feel
like you are supposed to do? If so, what’s on the list?
Who is the only one who can keep “The List”?
Being saved has two meanings. Describe what this means to you.
Can you recall an experience where you felt like God was on your side? Describe
how this experience turned out.
God Is On Your Side
Knowing that our sins set in motion God's laws, and therefore every sin brings negative
consequences, can make us very anxious. The power and inevitability of the operation
of God's laws revealed in the following scriptures can haunt us:
- Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will
also reap (Galatians 6:7).
- For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same
measure you use, it will be measured back to you (Matthew 7:2).
What happens if I don't get it right? What happens if I fail to catch every sin and have it
forgiven? We may feel alone and hopeless, and may be set into striving to make sure
we don't miss anything. We may then become discouraged when we fail to catch every
sin.
God Is Protecting Us
Fortunately for us, God is there to help us in this process. He loves us and does not
want us overwhelmed or destroyed.
He only allows us to experience what we are ready to handle, so that the experience will
bring about good in our lives.
- The trials that you have had to bear are no more than people normally have.
You can trust God not to let you be tried beyond your strength, and with any trial
he will give you a way out of it and the strength to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13,
The Jerusalem Bible, underlining is mine).
Possible Purposes For Your Life
In reading the Bible it is possible to come up with quite a list of things that Christians are
supposed to do with their lives.
"The List"
- We are to:
• love God.
• worship God.
• love others.
• preach the Gospel.
• bring others into the Kingdom.
• live a "good" life.
• be a good witness to the world.
• be changed into the image of God.
• resist evil.
• pray for one another.
This is an overwhelming list. Most of us have tried very hard to do much of this, and
we have not been very successful.
Jesus Kept The Whole "List"
Jesus kept the whole "List." How did He manage to do this? He did it because it was
His very nature, and therefore He did it effortlessly and perfectly. A fish swims and a
bird flies. They don't have to think about it, they just do it. It is their nature. Jesus
lived perfectly because he was without sin. Then Jesus says that we are to do the
same works as He did!
- "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will
do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father"
(John 14:12).
How Can We Possibly Keep "The List?"
How can we possibly keep "The List" when we find it so difficult to keep one or two of
the items? It sounds impossible. Jesus was able to keep "The List" because it was His
nature. That is also the only way we can keep it. We need a new nature. In our
"Honeycomb" we need to be changed into the image of Jesus. When we have been
changed, we too can keep "The List." As we are in the process of being changed into
His image, we will each gain His nature; and we will then behave as He does, step by
step. As each segment of our "Honeycomb" is cleansed and inhabited by Jesus, the new
"good root" (Jesus) will produce "good fruit." In that specific area of our lives, our
character has been transformed.
Why Does God Want This For You?
- 1. He loves you. As a result of this love, He gave His Son to make it
possible for you to be set free from the just consequences of your sins. He hates
sin, because it causes His children to suffer.
2. You are here to be changed into the image of Jesus in order to be
prepared to rule and reign with Him in eternity.
3. He wants companions that have freely chosen Him. God made provision
for you not only to go to heaven and to live with Him for eternity, but He also
made provision for you in this life.
Being “Saved” Has Two Meanings
- 1. The first meaning of “saved” refers to the one time event that occurred
when you invited Jesus into your heart and made Him Lord of your life. From
then on, you belong to God. Because He loves you, whatever He does is always
for your best interest. He knows how to take care of those who belong to Him.
2. The second meaning of being “saved” refers to the ongoing process that
then takes place in which you are being changed into His image. We call this
process "sanctification," or discipleship. Remember, this transformation is a
lifetime process.
God Is Very Personal With You
The events that happen in your life as a Christian are not random. They are God's
personal, loving attention to your life.
Keep in mind that the Lord’s goal is to change you into the image of Jesus. Just as good
parents have to allow their children to suffer difficulties if they are to mature, so God
allows the trials you go through in order to bring about the transformation you need.
He knows each of us and carefully designs each of our training programs to fit us
perfectly.
- Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been
trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).
Unfortunately, this process of being changed into His image is very difficult. If
everything in our life went smoothly, we would become spoiled, self-centered, and
greedy. We can see this in children who are not properly disciplined by their parents.
Therefore, each of us needs tests, trials, and discomfort to achieve God's goal for us,
because these things motivate us.
A Change Of Attitude Results From This New Awareness
Once you realize that God is active in all the troubles you face, your whole attitude will
change. Instead of fighting against what He is doing, you will tend to ask, "OK, Lord, I
don't like this at all. But I trust that You are trying to change me through this
experience."
- My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
If We Resist
It is true that if we drag our feet or rebel against the lesson He is giving us, it will be
harder for us. Then we will have to endure more suffering. Since He is determined to
heal us, He will persist in bringing trials until we do respond. On the other hand, if we
listen and obey, then the trial can end, because it has accomplished its purpose. This is
one very important reason why we must understand the purpose of our trials, so that
we will not fight against what God is doing. We can do it the easy way, or the
hard way.
God only expects us to deal with the areas of sin that He knows we are ready to work
on. In other words, He has a plan for our lives, He has our lives under His control, and
He only lets us pay the consequences for those sins that He wants us to deal with right
now.
Our living God will give us the guidance we need, when we need it. But we need to be
seeking His guidance and to be listening for His directions, because He speaks in many
diverse ways. Sometimes He will even direct our lives when we are not open to His
leading. His direction will always be specific to us for that time in our life, will promote
what is good for us, and will always be in line with His character.
The Christian Walk Is Not A Set Of Rules
It is important to guard against trying to reduce God to a formula, using the Bible as a
rulebook. I may think that if I can understand how God's system works, I can use the
Bible to get what I want. I then think that all I have to do is to find a scripture that says
what I want it to say, believe it, and I will have it. One reason I may fall for this trap is
because this puts me back in control. I want to be in control of my own life, because at
some level I don't trust God to take care of me.
Profoundly Different, But True!
The view I am presenting may be profoundly different than what you have believed. As
a new Christian, I was greatly interested in what my new life was all about, and I
wondered what I was supposed to be doing. I wanted so much to obey God.
Unfortunately, I heard preaching that confused me. From one teacher I would be told
that our main duty was to preach the Gospel. I tried that, but failed miserably. Another
teacher emphasized loving God. I tried that, but knew I was doing that inadequately. I
wanted so much to please God, but kept falling short.
However, as time went by and I began to see what God really wanted from me, I
experienced great relief. God knew I couldn't do those things in my own strength. He
knew that the only way I could obey Him was for Him to change me into the image of
Jesus.
Summary
By the operation of God's laws, when we sin we set in motion negative consequences
which will bring destruction in our lives. However, God loves His children and is on our
side. He has the power to protect us from these consequences, and He does so.
However, there are times when God steps aside and allows us to suffer consequences
of our sin.
When He does allow us to suffer, it is always for our good. Though the suffering is
painful for the moment, He allows it because He has a good plan for us. God wants to
change us into the image of Jesus (to remove the bad roots in our "Honeycomb").
God is personally committed to this process in each of His children.
Reflection:
Do you have a “List” of things that you, as a Christian (or as a believer), feel
like you are supposed to do? If so, what’s on the list?
Who is the only one who can keep “The List”?
Being saved has two meanings. Describe what this means to you.
Can you recall an experience where you felt like God was on your side? Describe
how this experience turned out.
Divinely Designed
Being changed into the image of Jesus
A miracle can happen to you, like the transformation that
happens when a worm is transformed into a butterfly
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
Being changed into the image of Jesus
A miracle can happen to you, like the transformation that
happens when a worm is transformed into a butterfly
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
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