Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #013 |
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JESUS calls US to be |
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The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
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"For therein [in the revealed Gospel, Romans 1:16) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38; and Habakkuk 2:4)"I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it IS unclean. For if because of food [Paul's subject in this chapter is the eating of meat from animals which had been sacrificed to idols] your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.
"Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but [the kingdom of God] is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:12-17 NASB).
Three Kingdom Realities
From the beginning, the people of God have had to contend with distorted emphases. Early in the history of the Lord's church, some taught "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1 NASB).
The Spirit also warned of those who sought to bind extraneous matters on believers: i.e., "food or drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day" (Col 2:16). There were even philosophers who, through their esoteric prattling and vain deceit corrupted believers (Col 2:8).
Things have not changed. Today the church has been inundated with a variety of distracting religious influences -- all in the name of Christ. These are things that miss the target.
In our text for the day, the Spirit reminded those operating within their own agenda that God has revealed priorities. Christ did not die for people so they could eat the right food and drink the proper drink. Those supposing this to be the case are simply wrong. However notable strict dietary practices may be, they are not to be the means of destroying the people of God, or diverting them from the Kingdom of God. God's reign does not consist of enforcing proper diets. In fact, it is not in "meat and drink." That is not its focus.
God's beneficent Kingdom is revealed in "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." These are its essential elements, and are found in abundance in Christ Jesus the Lord. It is refreshing to consider them.
Righteousness
"Righteousness" is a condition of Divine acceptance, where the individual is "approved in Christ" (Romans 16:10). In this state we are "made accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:3-8). Our sins are removed from us as far as the "East is from the West" (Psalm 103:12), and God remembers them "no more" (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17).
Of those possessing this righteousness, it is written, "just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account" (Romans 4:6-8).
Peace
"PEACE" is a condition of the soul -- one in which stability and calmness are experienced in a tumultuous environment. It can "rule in our hearts," dominating adversity and enabling the child of God to stand in fierce and damaging moral gales (Colossians 3:15). This peace was purchased at great cost -- "through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20).
An awareness of Divine approval dominates over the threats of men and attacks of the evil one. In a time when men's hearts are failing them for fear, "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
The peace of God. What a precious possession! It keeps us from being swallowed up by fear.
Joy
"Joy in the Holy Spirit' is a most marvelous possession. This is a rational joy, not one which thrusts the individual into some form of holy convulsion disassociated from thought.
This joy is coupled with peace, and through believing ... results in an abounding hope. As it is written, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). Joy from God is so superior, you can possess it even in affliction.
As Paul once said, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4).
The churches of Macedonia had joy at the same time they were experiencing "deep poverty" (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). It is a joy that is intertwined with faith, and is therefore called "joy in the faith" (Philippians 1:25).
Earlier believers are said to have "received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
And what of you, dear reader? Do you have "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit?" If you do, you are experiencing the Kingdom of God. Take time now to thank the Lord for such valuable and indispensable resources!
In joyful expectation of glory, Given O. Blakely
Brief Bible Study #13 from Ray Downen. To go back to Viewpoint's first page, click < here.
Or here to go on to Viewpoint Study 14.
For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.