Three THEREFORES You Need to Know
While reading my Bible this morning, I was reminded of three THEREFORES I have noted in my Bible. I found these THEREFORES during a personal Bible study years ago. I am so glad I made note of them, because each time I see my notes I am reminded of the process necessary for the victorious life I live in Christ. These are three THEREFORES you need to know.
First, there is the THEREFORE OF MORAL PURITY.
James records,
Next, there is the THEREFORE OF MORAL CLARITY.
The writer of Hebrews teaches,
We are told, once again, to do away with our sin, we are told to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” That reminds us to rid ourselves of our sinful ways. And we are taught to do this by “looking to Jesus”. We must fix our eyes on Jesus. We look to Jesus as our example for moral clarity. Jesus is our example of moral clarity because the Bible says of Jesus,
These are three THEREFORE everyone needs to know. I challenge you this week to being your morning by re-reading and reminding yourself of these THEREFORES.
First, there is the THEREFORE OF MORAL PURITY.
James records,
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (underline and emphasis added).To live the victorious life in Christ, one must first rid themselves of “filthiness and rampant wickedness”. The Bible teaches that every human is inherently evil (Romans 3:23). We are born sinners. Even though we are sinful by nature, our sinful potential is increased by learned sinful tendencies. Whether inherited or learned, our sinful behavior must be put away. By the way, I don’t know about the rest of you who read this blog, putting “away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” is a full time job for me. That is why this first THEREFORE is central to my delivered life in Christ.
James 1:21
Next, there is the THEREFORE OF MORAL CLARITY.
The writer of Hebrews teaches,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (underline and emphasis added).
Hebrews 12:1-2
We are told, once again, to do away with our sin, we are told to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely.” That reminds us to rid ourselves of our sinful ways. And we are taught to do this by “looking to Jesus”. We must fix our eyes on Jesus. We look to Jesus as our example for moral clarity. Jesus is our example of moral clarity because the Bible says of Jesus,
Finally, there is the THEREFORE OF MORAL CONFORMITY.“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (underline and emphasis added).This THEREFORE teaches us, a third time, not to conform to the sinful standard of the world, but to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Isn’t it interesting to note each passage reminds us to reject the sinful ways of the world? The world desires to squeeze us into its mold. We must rise above the standards of the world by allowing God’s Word to conform us into genuinely devoted followers of Christ.
Romans 12:1-2
These are three THEREFORE everyone needs to know. I challenge you this week to being your morning by re-reading and reminding yourself of these THEREFORES.
No comments:
Post a Comment