If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from Heaven. For he who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace. – Thomas A Kempis
In this chapter we begin a discussion of the battle we find ourselves in every day. God will work in you to make you the man He wants you to be. I pray that God will continue to build you guys up and bring His work to completion in you.
The detailed notes can be found in the 1st comment below.
1 comment:
The Battle to Fight
If we would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from Heaven. For he who giveth us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace. – Thomas A Kempis
Page 141 – Last paragraph, The discussion revolves around the critical primary call of God in our life. It is the transcendent call that will pass through the valley of the shadow of death.
Page 142 – Even Churchill, if he was a Christian, had a primary call that transcended his call to lead in WWII. Os Guinness warns about the protestant tendency to elevate our work to the place that only Christ can occupy.
Page 142 – Vision, our vision statement comes from Scripture –
Philippians 3:13-15 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Php 3:13-15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society]
Page 143 – Cunning, Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. [The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (Mt 10:16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society]
Page 145 – Jesus tells us to be ruthless in our war against our flesh (false self), Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. [The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 5:29-30). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society]
This is our synergist work of sanctification, Page 149 – we need to be cautious since in the lives of others a particular thing might be important. Joe and Micah with contemporary music.
Page 150 – MacDonald, “Without Christ a man must fail miserably or succeed even more miserably.”
Page 151 and prior pages – We do need to be real. Hypocritical behavior is false, it lying. Love must be without dissimulation.
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ro 12:9-21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society]
Page 152 Flesh or the Devil – Acknowledging Satan’s reality, taking his opposition seriously, noting his strategy, and reckoning on continual war with him, is not a lapse into a dualistic concept of two gods, one good, one evil, fighting it out. Satan is a creature, superhuman but not divine; he has much knowledge and power, but he is neither omniscient nor omnipotent; he is not omnipresent; and he is an already defeated rebel, having no more power than God allows him and being destined for the lake of fire. [New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) Nashville: Thomas Nelson.]
Post a Comment