. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.---------------
This whole chapter is very powerful. I really like it. But this one verse stood out to me, not only because I first read that Andy chose it this morning, haha... but because I've really been thinking about how God has called us to live a holy life! What's the purpose of that...well, it shouldn't be our trying to get to heaven...it shouldn't be our trying to look good in God's eyes, or other peoples' eyes....the sole purpose of our living a holy life is because God saved us and the only thing he asks for is for us to live a holy life. It's the least/most we can do for God...if that makes any sense.
Yesterday during D-group we watched a video that reminded us that there is nothing that we can do to repay the price it took Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of man...NOTHING....so, even though we owe him EVERYTHING....the only thing we can do/he wants us to do is to turn our lives over to him as living sacrifices! What a beautiful thing.
9 [God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began...
ReplyDeleteWe have been saved by grace through faith for a purpose. Are we living out the purpose for which we have been saved, a holy calling? We have been set free precisely so that we can begin to fulfill the purpose for which we were originally created. In what ways do we, by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, need to change our lives in order to begin walking as we were commanded to walk? What sins, idols, desire, dreams, and pursuits do we need to cast off so that we may run the race with endurance(Hebrews 12:1-2)?
We need to be aksing ourselves these questions and then earnestly seeking God for the strength to actually change!
7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing God we call our Lord. Paul hits it right on the head in this verse (as well in infinitely many verses). God gives us spirit of power and love, not of cowardice or timidity or anything of that nature. He gives us strength and the tools we need to spread his love, not things that will prohibit us from doing so. We need to use the tools for what they were designed for and not mistake the flaws that we have for the tools God has given us to expand His kingdom.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI like this verse because Paul not only clearly states in whom his identity lies, but also from whom he gained this identity. Paul know that his identity lies in Christ alone and he would be nothing but for the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Also, he makes sure that this is the first and only identifying statement he makes. He doesn't "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus and part-time tentmaker".
God wants all of us, not just bits and pieces. I hope that I might be able to call myself a follower of Christ and nothing else.
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
ReplyDeleteThis ties ion so well to what we were discussing in d group yesterday. We are to be bold in our faith. Scripture tells us to be bold and here it is again explaining how we to not become timid when we have faith. It gives us power love and self discipline.
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
ReplyDelete(2 Timothy 1:14 ESV)
I'm sure this has many applications. First..."By the Spirit...so by His power, not mine. Thank you Lord!
Second, "guard" which would mean that there is action on our part. I most quickly think of not grieving the Holy Spirit. Meaning watch what we meditate on, do not open our thoughts or minds or eyes to anything impure.
Third..."entrust" We have the ministry of reconciliation. We were given the Spirit in order to accomplish God's work on the earth.
"Father...I want to live according to the fruits of the Spirit. Keep me from evil and temptation to guard my heart and mind."
2 Timothy 1:3
ReplyDeleteI remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
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Is anyone else beginning to recognize a pattern? He spends every day and night in prayer for pretty much everyone that we have records of him writing letters to. If he legitimately prays for everyone that he says he does every single night, this guy must spend hours on his face before God. When was the last time you spent hours on you face before God? Paul did it every single day and night. Think about that the next time you feel proud of praying for five or ten or even thirty minutes.
2 Timothy 1:9
ReplyDelete"who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace."
This verse is an important reminder from Paul that God CHOSE to send his son, and Jesus CHOSE to die on the cross out of his own plan and grace, and ultimately his INFINITE love for us. We dont deserve this grace at all, and we cannot earn it. It is always human nature to reflect back on self, but Paul is again telling us that God deserves all of the glory from us, and we should pray for the attitude of total humility
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
ReplyDeleteThis is telling us that we need to be BOLD about our faith. We because of joy should be telling everyone about the life and teachings of Jesus. We need to spread the Gospel to this broken world because Jesus is the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
All is good at the Campanile
12b Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
ReplyDeletePaul is not ashamed to suffer for the Gospel of for Jesus. Neither should we be ashamed. We entrust our lives to God and we should be able to have confidence and faith that he knows what's best for us.