If there is any one thing that the Lord has shown me as I have almost closed out what I labeled six months of "lessons in depravity", it is the need for 2008 to be a year that I can look back and say "I lived my life ON PURPOSE!" Part of what He used to seal that deal in my heart was my study of Romans 4. I have been attempting to be disciplined enough to study verse-by-verse through Romans. Months ago I started in Matthew 1:1 and have been going through the NT, after being in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations for most of last year. Great to close and begin the year in Romans!!
Anyway, there are some verses there that really solidified "purpose" for me, the absolute necessity of it, and how it all starts with an understanding of what "belief" is. We have this idea in our Western evangelical church that "believing" in Jesus is the same thing as "thinking" about or "pondering" Jesus, or even just thinking about believing. It is so much more than that and true purpose for me cannot begin until I fully understand the biblical definition of "belief".
So, since this is the first day of blogs for me, I will keep this short and attempt to post daily on this topic. For now I will say that many of us, myself included have it all wrong about believing in Jesus, what that is all about, what it means and what it produces! Paul says in Romans 4:24 that the righteousness of Christ "will be counted to us who believe", but spends verses 16-23 defining the word "belief". When he takes Abraham as the example and makes statements like "he did not weaken in faith", "no distrust made him waver", "he grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God", etc. All of these appear to define belief and faith!
My heart will be to study these passages and communicate that here, hoping for your posts and comments as I do! This has been a major eye opener for me. I have read this portion of Scripture, studied it in school and now desire to see it take up residence in my life! Will be back tomorrow I hope to actually begin the study! philip
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1 comment:
Phil,
I miss reading your emails. I am looking forward to reading your blogs and to keep posted on your life. How are you these days? Do you have a facebook? Shoot me an email.
David Evans
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