June 18th, 20

JUNE 18,  Don’t Miss the Point

Today’s readings are II Kings 1 - 3, Psalm 82 and I Timothy 1, and are being read from the New Living Translation.

 ere so prone to miss the point when we look at the law.  When we misapply the law it can lead to a life of pride and arrogance or self-loathing and despair.  It can become a colossal exercise in missing the point when we seek to justify our life by keeping the law or becoming experts in the law. We can miss the point.  That’s what Paul says to Timothy in verse 6.   

But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. (I Tim 1:6 NLT)

They had turned away from the simple gospel received by faith, that fills our heart with love, cleanses our conscience of guilt and makes us new.  He tells him again, 

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. (I Tim 1:5 NLT)

This, my friends is the real deal.  This is the point.  This is the work that God can do now that his Spirit abides in his people.  It brings about a new heart, a clean conscience and a new life.  That’s a gift, not something to be achieved by a mastery of the Word and the Law.  The changes comes from  the Master who now abides in his people through the Spirit.  God is seeking to reinhabit that which was lost. 

That’s the gift and power of the Gospel that Paul says he is not ashamed of. 

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile. (Rm 1:16 NLT)

It’s not a mastery of the law, but letting the Master master us.  This happens when we come to Christ coming by faith, with a surrendered heart that’s willing to let God be God in us.  

Don’t miss the point by making it about you and not him.  Surrender your whole life, body and soul, to Him,  and live in the reality of Christ in you.  Then you won’t miss the point. That love, generosity and peace that you long for, will be yours and you will have something to offer the world.

You are loved!