Not Measuring Up ??

This post is from my notes as Pastor Allan ministered Sunday morning at Open Door church.

 

I said, "Measure Up"

God gives us a promise and it is up to us to reach out and receive it.  As we stand by Faith on that promise, it becomes easier to apply it to our lives; then we continue to receive and walk in it.

 

There are times God has to move our theology around.  You may have been raised in a church that caused you to fear that you could not measure up. 

The Law is no longer over us but Christ is.   I John gives us a new way of thinking.  Jesus said He did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill the Law.  Jesus cared about people and loved us enough to die for us.

Don’t embrace the doctrine of legalism, but hold on to Grace and be the person God desires you to be.  Take care not be come a wishy-washy person in what you allow. 

 

Understand that God demands we walk a righteous and holy life before Him. 

God will grant you the strength to overcome as you simply come and make that quality decision and choice to serve God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind.

Put away self righteousness and receive the New Wine of the Holy Spirit.  I do not mean the wine that comes in a bottle, but the spiritual wine from heaven.

Watch the spirit of rebellion that rises up to do it your own way.

Be cautious to understand that “Rules” and “Steps,” (the Law) will not save you.  You are not under the “Law” to please everyone else, only to be sensible and please Jesus. 

What about showing up every time the doors of the church are open?  Allow God to lead you for the meetings that will help you build a relationship with God and others. 

I am reminded of the Scripture that says NOT to neglect the assembling of your-selves together as believers and even more so as the Time of Christ’s return approaches.

You have seen, the sign: WASH YOUR HANDS posted, and in some places it is law, but actually it is common decency and good common sense.

Love God and love people, think of others and not always of your-self.

Begin to take the Bible to another level. 

I John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Jesus gave us the Law of Love:  To love God with all our strength, with all our soul and all our mind , and to love others as much as you love yourself.

I John 4:9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

The Old Testament Law is heavy and perhaps more than you can do to measure up.

Paul said in Acts 15:  "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from defilements of Idols, and from Fornication, and from eating things strangled, and from blood.

Paul was versed in the Law, but the Law of liberty is to be led by the Holy Spirit and observe what is written in the Bible.

It is time to stop the nonsense of Judgment and Condemnation.  We are our worst critic.  Break the hold of what you may have been told that “You are no good, and will never amount to anything.”  You were worth Jesus dying for you.

When you receive Jesus you also receive His righteousness and He has made you worthy, now walk in it.  Begin anew to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  Then line up with the Word of God.  If you say you are a Christian, can others use you as their example?

The big question is:  Are you pleasing Jesus? 

The New Testament says if you sin, repent quickly and go on, - - don’t give up by believing all the lies you are listening to. 

Don’t take one scripture and make it law; but compare and see the entire setting to catch the complete meaning.

Paul asks the question - - in Romans 6   What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  

Romans 3:28, 31  Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Jesus came to save you from Sin, so let him do that for you.

I John 3:9  No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Pastor said: I must be honest with you.  There are some things I can no longer do because doing so will break my relationship with God.  If I disobey, automatically condemnation sets in and I repent and go on.

Some think they can have a beer - - however in doing so - - are you a stumbling block to others?  Are you tired of justifying some things you do; when God is asking you gently to stop.

So if you sin - - Repent and get up and serve Jesus.