mistergillis

Follower, leader, husband, father

[mistergillis]

“If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! (2 Corinthians 3:9)”

The old way, meaning the ten commands. Laws etched in stone, that began with such glory. Now, the new way, we have the Holy Spirit which remains forever.

The apostle Paul (a Jew) goes on to talk about the veil that covers the minds when the old covenant is read, so they cannot understand the truth.

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

There’s the freedom word again. We are not bound by the law, even though it was good. The love and sacrifice of Christ is so much better.

I think Christ’s example of life on earth was not displayed as something we should do, but something we want to do. What we “should do” is the law, the way we want to live like Christ is freedom. It’s a privilege to live for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

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Some critics say that Christians are preoccupied with below-the-belt issues: promiscuity, homosexuality, abortion. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, explains that sexual sins involving the body are directly related to spiritual issues involving the soul.

The Corinthians seemed to hold a confused concept of spiritual freedom. They claimed that what they did with the physical body didn’t reallly hurt the immortal soul. It’s a intriguing argument - at least superficially. But Paul didn’t buy it.

Paul compared people’s hunger for sex with their hunger for food, arguing that those who are slaves to food misunderstand the purpose of the stomach. Those who are slaves to sex are equally confused.

When Paul talked about prostitutes, every citizen of Corinth understood. His main point, however, was something they may not have heard before. When you join yourself with a prostitute, the apostle explained, you make yourself one with her, this sinning against the body, which is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). In other words, what you do with your body does influence your soul. The two are related: physical sin corrupts the spiritual being.

Sexual sin matters. It’s not that believers are sexually uptight. It’s merely that we care about our souls and are well aware of the powerful impact sin has on both our physical and spiritual lives.

- Every Man’s Bible

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“So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you, whether Paul, or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).”

It seems we all gravitate to some sort of belonging. Whether, politically, to a particular church or even pastor, a group, a country, a town, school pride… where do you belong? What things do to champion on a regularly basis? Dare I ask if it even matters?

“So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. It matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgement in the point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide (1 Corinthians 4:1-4)”.

It is easy to promote your stance on worldly issues, but we are all followers of Christ first. Even the ones that don’t know it yet.

Lord, help us not to be passive to others. Share your name or your love. Eternity is a long time. Who wouldn’t want those they love on earth to be with them in Heaven?

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“Never pay back evil with evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.” (Romans 12:17)

But if we don’t retaliate they will walk all over us. That’s the worldly thinking that comes to my mind when I read this passage.

Being a parent for a while now, I’ve see bullying or kids picking on each other quite a bit. How does it stop? Many times I’ve prayed about it for my kids and others. After reading this passage and the ones following it, the remedy is action, not retaliation.

Verse 19 says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

The initial evil will continue long-term if no action is taken. Returning evil may stop the issue short-term, but the issue of the heart will never end unless there is repentance and healing. It’s not the person you’re trying to conquer, it’s evil. Only good can battle and win against evil, good non-fearing action and trust in the Lord’s righteous anger will win people and remove the evil from you and them.

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“ I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.” (Romans 12:1)

That’s a tall order for followers of Christ. For non followers “giving your bodies to God” I’ve seen this to be a repellant from Him. It’s a radical change. “Too radical from me” you might say. “I would have to give up so much.”

What about the last part of the passage “because of all He has done for you”? God sent Jesus to save you. He didn’t have to, nor did Jesus have to listen to His Father, but the plan went perfectly for you.

It’s a choice we can accept or deny. Proving the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ wrong, you will eventually die before that happens. Proving it right may only take days of reading the gospel(s) and possible eternal salvation is given because of all He has already done for you.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Can you handle something that is good, pleasing and perfect?

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“The longing in my heart and my prayer to God is for people of Israel to be saved.” (Romans 10:1)

What Paul says can translate to the entire world now. Christians or followers of Christ only want people to be saved.

Jesus says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”(‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬ )

That was the goal of Jesus and is the goal of His followers, to save people. Follow Jesus and repent of your sins. Sure! I’ll repent of the sin that has kept me in bondage. Why wouldn’t we?

“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news! But not everyone welcomes the Good News.” (Romans 10:15-16)

Unfortunately, the last part is true, but not for you!

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We’ll then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! (Romans 6:1)

We talked weeks ago about labels. How labels create identities in something. For example, Christian, Atheist, Gay, straight and so on. But they mean nothing. If we were to get rid of them, then we would be left with our actions. He/She follows Jesus or doesn’t, He/She is attracted to the same or opposite sex.

Same goes for the label of sinner, which many Christians label themselves or none followers of Christ. No matter who you are “sinner” is not your identity. If you sin you are acting in sin. Some people call themselves a sinners, because they feel they are bucking the establishment of God or rules. Really, it’s the people on earth they are rejecting and unfortunately distancing themselves from God goodness.

“Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin (Romans 6:12)”

Sin is bondage. You may have found comfort in certain sins you’ve acted on for a long time. If you have experienced God’s goodness, you’ll want to distance yourself from it as soon as possible. Sin is only meant to enslave you. Seek the Holy Spirit for guidance and comfort. Love to all!

[mistergillis]

Hitting below the belt - 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Some critics say that Christians are preoccupied with the bellow-the-belt issues: promiscuity, homosexuality, abortion. In this powerful chapter, Paul explains that sexual sins involving the body are directly related to spiritual issues involving the soul.

The Corinthians seemed to hold a confused concept of spiritual freedom. They claimed that what they did with the physical body didn’t really hurt the immortal soul. It’s an intriguing argument - at least superficially. But Paul didn’t buy it.

Paul compared people’s hunger for sex with the hunger of food, arguing that those who are slaves to food misunderstand the purpose of the stomach. Those who are soaves to sex are equally confused.

When Paul talked about prostitutes, every citizen of Corinth understood. His main point, however, was something they may not have heard before. When you join yourself to a prostitute, the apostle explained, you make yourself one with her, this sinning against the body, which is the “temple of the Holy Spirit”. In other words, what you do with your body DOES influence your soul. The two are related; physical sin corrupts the spiritual being.

Sexual sin matters. It’s not that believers are sexually uptight. It’s merely that we care about our souls and are well aware of the powerful impact sin has on both our physical and spiritual lives .

( Every Man’s Bible - NLT)

[mistergillis]

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ )

So much to say here, but my goal is conviction of the spirit if this pertains to you, not condemnation. Treating our bodies as a Holy gift from God, instead of the opposite is in crisis mode. Our grocery stores are mostly filled with luxury items not providing any nutrients to our bodies and sexual immorality is everywhere we look.

Treating our bodies as a Holy gift takes more intentionality now then ever before. I’m reminded of the 80/20 rule. 20% of the food in grocery stores is good for our bodies and 20% of TV/ads/internet promotes good choices for our mind and bodies with the majority being counter intuitive to our well-being.

If our minds are clouded and bodies malnourished how will our souls flourish on earth? Is the food we are buying and links we are clicking feeding the soul? Bad food leads to health problems, medications and most likely depression. Sexual immorality leads to addiction, divorce, and most likely depression. Both leading to a quicker death.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”‭‭ (Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬)

Lets clear any and all garbage that could be clouding or holding us back from experiencing God’s great gift of the body and spirit.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”‭‭ (Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬)

[mistergillis]

Only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law (Romans 3:31)

Yesterday I mentioned legalism and how it leads to bondage. The laws of Moses is not bad, but through the sacrifice of Jesus it is not our key to Heaven.

As what Paul wrote above, with faith we can fulfill the law. Faith meaning the belief and trust in and loyalty to God. If this is you having faith means it’s “easier” or you are more willing to fulfill the law.

If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it.

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses. (Romans 4:14-16)

We are not bound by the law, but the law is good.

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For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are (Romans 3:20)

Are you doing all of what the law commands? I doubt it. If you are whether voluntary (I can do it, because I’m a hustler) or involuntary (you’re a people pleaser and/or grew up under authoritative parents). Either way, my heart breaks for you. This is called legalism, which seems like the devil’s favorite tool to distance God’s children from Him. It makes you feel like you’re not good enough and never will be. Correction! You will never be God and you are already good enough.

How?

God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are (Romans 3:21-22).

I think this is why “god” is accepted, culturally, because people can make a god out of anything, but Jesus Christ is different. We known exactly who He is and what he did. He removed the bondage of legalism from ALL people.

If you have not, read the gospel of John to learn the how and why of Jesus’ mission for our Heavenly Father’s gift to us.

[mistergillis]

“The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you” (Romans 2:24)

This is the Apostle Paul speaking about the Jewish leaders. They were not practicing what they preach about the law. Thus, the gentiles rejecting God, because of their visible corruption.

Is it any different today? Are Christians practicing what they preach? Not in all cases. Sin is still very attractive and diverting our connection with God. This is called Hell. Knowing and experiencing the goodness of God, then we give into our sinful nature disconnecting us from His goodness.

What if you don’t know God? Then you are passive and you could be less susceptible to spiritual attack, because the devil already has you. The devil isn’t gaining anything by attacking you or working to pull you away from God.

As followers of Christ, let pursue the Holy Spirit to stay connected to God’s goodness and reflect that to others. Otherwise, we are doing them a disservice.

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There is no debate on God’s thoughts and previous actions regarding sexual sin. No more labeling sin as communities, especially in the church. No more transgender or LGBTQ. This is nothing new and is called out very clearly through the Apostle Paul two thousands years ago (read below).

Society is not burdening homosexuals as most people think. It’s God punishing this sin just any other. This is done through love like we punish our own children. We punish so they don’t do it again, because we know of the further destruction that lie ahead.

Repentance is the password to freedom and away from spiritual bondage.

“So they worshipped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”(‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭25-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

[mistergillis]

Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)

Why is it important to resist the devil? What is he really doing to me? Hopefully he already fled and is doing nothing. Sadly, we allow him to influence us to sin in a variety of ways.

Sin is the action of the devils influence. He starts by deceiving our thoughts to convince us that it’s okay to sin. This process could be short or he could deceive us over time and then pounce.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

That someone is us! Now, who wants a prowling lion next to them all day everyday? Sounds like hell. We don’t see this, but it begins to weaken our spirit and eventually leads to anxiety, depression, bipolar, fear and list goes on.

We can allow the devil’s deception and give him a reason to pounce or we can resist him from the start and eventually he will walk away giving us room for God’s goodness that He puts out generously.

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There is no such thing as LGBTQ, Christians, Muslims, Buddhist and so on. In the spirit these do not exist. They are only labels of the flesh that have no barring on the God created spirit that lives in every person

I watched a video of a preacher peaching fire and brimstones about accepting or embracing the LGBTQ community. This got got me mediating on all the labels the world has created to compartmentalize people as if that’s all they have to offer. They’re gay, so that’s all they are is a gay person, nothing else.

But I know what happened to me after excepting Christ as my Lord and savior, any and all labels were dissolved. White, athlete, nine to fiver, even Christian (there’s definitely more). Each person would describe each of these labels differently.

In the spirit, these mean nothing. Really, these are more distractions to move people away from God and Godly people away from them. I don’t want to talk to this person because they are ‘insert label’.

If we want to share Christ and the accurate history of the world (Bible) we should stop talking in worldly labels. “Let’s accept these people or those people.” How about just people? Let’s talk and love in people like a stealth fighter, being invisible to the radar of labels.

[mistergillis]

Christ is both God and man. He is both 100% God and 100% man.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (before coming to earth). “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

(‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1,14)

He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in Heaven for us.

Many know Jesus died, but few people understand the substitutionary significance of His death:

Our sins were laid on Christ

Our debt was paid by Christ

We receive the gift through faith.

So, let’s imagine that I am holding a book in my left hand, the hand represents me and God loves me, but the book represents my sin and God hates my sin and must punish it. To solve this problem, God sent his Son, Jesus. Now, imagine that my right hand represents Jesus. In Isaiah 53:6 we read, “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid upon Him (Jesus) the iniquity (or sin) of us all.” I move the book from my left hand representing me to my right hand which represents Jesus. So my sins have been placed on Jesus

Religion teaches “Do this,” Christianity teaches “It’s done.”

[mistergillis]

The Bible says we can know for sure that we have eternal life. “I write these to you, so that you may know you have eternal life (John 5:13).”

Have you come to the place in your spiritual life (or thinking) where you know for certain that you have eternal life?

If you stood before God and He were to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into My Heaven?’ what would you say?