“By revelation there was made known to me the mystery…” Ephesians 3:3. Paul was given special insight that he might communicate God’s purpose to us all. But was it to stop there? Yes and no! Certainly Paul was given sum of God’s truth, but we receive that truth by personal “revelation” ourselves. We’ll never “get it” without the Holy Spirit’s help in opening our heart and mind to “…all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding.”

We need to pursue truth by investing personal time with God. Only then will He reveal “…God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom an knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3.

“Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide Yourself in times of trouble? David writes in Psalm 10:1. What Paul describes as “momentary light affliction” in 2 Corinthians 4:17 never feels “light” and it is rarely “momentary” in our perception of time. Yet viewed from God’s perspective it is both.

Times of testing come in every Christian’s life. They are always bewildering, making us wonder if God is there and if He really understands. Ultimately, though, we find that He has always been present, watching and listening. Will we respond as He desires? After all, it’s all for our benefit, since the Scripture goes on to say that it is “producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” We need merely to “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (v.18).

“…you are not your own. For you have been bought with a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

When we think of worship, we often view it as singing together at a gathering, which can indeed be a powerful and fulfilling experience. But what is worship, really? Consider Romans 12:1. “…present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice…which is your spiritual service of worship.”

What a price God paid to purchase us, that He Himself might dwell within us–a living temple. Is it any wonder, then, that He goes on to say in verse 20: “…therefore glorify God in your body?” What might this mean for your life today?

What Christian doesn’t yearn to be free from the nagging presence of sin–the grinding reality of a redeemed life pitted against our self-serving flesh in this sin-riddled  world. Thankfully, God has made provision for our sin. The purpose of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice is to impart God’s own righteousness to us, in spite of our sinful nature.

Because we now belong to Him, we don’t need to earn God’s favor. We already have it! God showers His grace on us, making His righteousness our own. By His grace alone we are given the unbridled capacity for intimacy with God, in spite of the weakness of our flesh.

What is our life in Christ really all about? It’s about being as opposed to doing. God created us in His image to be someone. So if our relationship with God is all wrapped up in doing stuff for Him we’ve missed the point. A life lived in a manner pleasing to God must begin with intimacy with Him, pursuing Jesus in a way that builds our one-on-one relationship with Him. Yes, doing is very important, but it should always stem from first being what God intended.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the Lord you His angels, mighty in strength, you who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word. Bless the Lord all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord all you works of His, in all places of His dominion, bless the Lord O my soul. (Psalm 103: 19-22)

The prime theme of the entire Bible is not only God’s glory–that has eternally been established throughout all creation–but that we are to be about glorifying Him with every aspect of our lives. Live in a manner worthy of Him, the Apostle Paul says. Bless Him. Pursue the Lord Jesus Christ, you His chosen ones!  

As for man, his days are like grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children. To those who keep His covenant, and remember His precepts to do them. (Ps.103: 15-18)

Do you ever feel like your life is going nowhere? The days pass and you wonder if it all means anything? I think this is what David was experiencing–his life just blowing away like dead grass. Yet he knew that his Savior lives, and that his ultimate reward would be amazing. Hang on to God, serve Him with all the obedience and fervor you can muster. Your reward will be great!

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on His children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. (Psalm 103: 11-14)

Are any of you parents? When your child messes up does your love shut off? Of course not! Knowing that he or she is simply immature, your compassion and devotion come to the forefront–even though you may need some time to simmer down. So it is in our relationship with God. He realizes that we are “but dust” and takes our nature into consideration as He goes about the process of molding our character to His image. He has removed our faults and weakness–our sin–as far away from Himself as can possibly be imagined. Now that’s a deal! 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:8-10)

Here we clearly see God’s compassion for us once again. It is limitless and unquenchable. And what about this idea of lovingkindness? What does that mean? From the Hebrew, hesed, it is often translated as steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; and devotion. It is impossible to translate this concept meaningfully with one English word, since all these attributes come into play.

But does this mean God won’t punish sin? To believe that we would have to ignore everything else in Scripture. No, it simply means that He fully understands us, as we will see in upcoming verses. Free from the Power of sin–The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself brings this hard-to-understand truth–His absolute provision for the weakness of our flesh–sharply into focus.