In Progress...
Aren't we all still in the works?Monday, December 3, 2007
When do we need God?
A great question that was brought up in our Bible study last night has had me thinking of other passages that speak to our great need for God. The answer to that question is, "ALWAYS." But the way we live our lives is a different story. Yes, of course we need God all the time, but then, why do we live our lives as if we only need him when things begin to go downhill?
We looked at James 1 last night to help us begin to see our need for God, and how to begin to think this way all the time.
Here are a few other passages that might help you develop your thinking and theology on this question.
1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Notice here that we are to be serving God (ministering to others) out of the well of his strength, and not our own, for the purpose of bringing God all the glory. In reality, this is the ways we need to live our lives, relying on the strength of God to live in such a way that will glorify God.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Again, notice that our strength should come from God, and not what we can bring to the game.
Philippians 3:7-10
7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
And again, whatever things we can count as pluses in our lives, should be considered nothing so that we can truly know Jesus. The key to this is in verse 9. If we think that we can bring something to the table that will somehow impress God, or get on his good side we are trying to add to our salvation. Paul understood here that nothing he did or who he was could affect any kind of change in his position with God. It was only through the righteousness that Jesus could give that Paul could get into right relationship with God. We need God. We need Jesus. We need him for salvation as well as for everyday living. Our confession at salvation is that we can do nothing about our sin apart from Christ, and that confession should never change even after we are saved. We can do nothing to please God apart from his power living through us, and transforming us into his image.
One last one that really reflects the heart of someone who recognizes their need for God. I know I have shared it with you before, but it is so beautiful, and I hope you catch the passion in this passage.
Psalm 63
1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.
We looked at James 1 last night to help us begin to see our need for God, and how to begin to think this way all the time.
Here are a few other passages that might help you develop your thinking and theology on this question.
1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Notice here that we are to be serving God (ministering to others) out of the well of his strength, and not our own, for the purpose of bringing God all the glory. In reality, this is the ways we need to live our lives, relying on the strength of God to live in such a way that will glorify God.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Again, notice that our strength should come from God, and not what we can bring to the game.
Philippians 3:7-10
7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
And again, whatever things we can count as pluses in our lives, should be considered nothing so that we can truly know Jesus. The key to this is in verse 9. If we think that we can bring something to the table that will somehow impress God, or get on his good side we are trying to add to our salvation. Paul understood here that nothing he did or who he was could affect any kind of change in his position with God. It was only through the righteousness that Jesus could give that Paul could get into right relationship with God. We need God. We need Jesus. We need him for salvation as well as for everyday living. Our confession at salvation is that we can do nothing about our sin apart from Christ, and that confession should never change even after we are saved. We can do nothing to please God apart from his power living through us, and transforming us into his image.
One last one that really reflects the heart of someone who recognizes their need for God. I know I have shared it with you before, but it is so beautiful, and I hope you catch the passion in this passage.
Psalm 63
1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.
Labels: For Discussion...
posted by Stripedgecko # 9:26 AM 
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