September 27, 2006 - Isaiah 3-4 and Galatians 6
We can learn a great lesson from these two chapters of Isaiah. We bring evil upon ourselves when we choose to sin willingly and openly. (3:9) God has no choice. He has to punish us, so that we will cease our destructive behavior. Anything else would be unloving on His part. He knows that the wages of sin is death. He does not want us to die. Like any good parent God, the Father, hands down His punishment to turn His children away from the pain and anguish of sin. I urge you to take account of your own life. If God is punishing you, ask Him to show you the sinful behavior He is trying to eliminate. Then, repent of that sin, so He can bless you again. It is His way of leading us to grow to be like Jesus.
In Galatians 6 we are told to help those who are caught in sin. We must reach out to restore them to their relationship with the Lord. They are responsible for their own actions. (v.9) They will reap what they have sown in their lives. However, we can come beside them in love to help them to bear the heavy burdens and to get back on their feet. After all, we are all in debt to the cross of Christ. (v.14) We can't save ourselves. It is only by the power of the Spirit making us a new creation that we are anything. (v.15) Then, we need the Spirit's power each day to sustain us. Maybe, the Spirit wants to use you to encourage someone today. Maybe, He wants to empower you to reach out and take a hold of your brothers burden. Then, you can both pick it up and cast it upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the kind of love we need for each other in Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 5-6 and Ephesians 1.
In Galatians 6 we are told to help those who are caught in sin. We must reach out to restore them to their relationship with the Lord. They are responsible for their own actions. (v.9) They will reap what they have sown in their lives. However, we can come beside them in love to help them to bear the heavy burdens and to get back on their feet. After all, we are all in debt to the cross of Christ. (v.14) We can't save ourselves. It is only by the power of the Spirit making us a new creation that we are anything. (v.15) Then, we need the Spirit's power each day to sustain us. Maybe, the Spirit wants to use you to encourage someone today. Maybe, He wants to empower you to reach out and take a hold of your brothers burden. Then, you can both pick it up and cast it upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the kind of love we need for each other in Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 5-6 and Ephesians 1.