Righteousness

Whole Day 13 The Hope Of Wholeness

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Corinthians 5:1-7
Revelation 22
Psalm 34
Luke 11:33-36
Psalm 19:7-14

Whole, Day 13

Hope.
Trusting in, waiting for, and looking for.

Those who are broken hope for wholeness.
And aren’t we all broken in some way, big or small?

In seeking wholeness, we easily find ourselves looking for healing from wrong sources.
The Bible talks about our misplaced gazes so we can recognize them and reject them.

We look to idols such as
money (Luke 16:13),
popularity (Galatians 1:10),
politics (Matthew 22:21),
and possessions (Luke 12:16-21).

We try to heal ourselves through things like
willpower (Romans 7:19-20),
sex (Hebrews 13:4),
ambition (1 Corinthians 8:2),
and a host of others (Colossians 3:5).

Do any of these actually heal our brokenness?
Absolutely not. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

We look everywhere but the one true place to fix our eyes and be made Whole.
Only one place exists where our hope for wholeness can be perfectly fulfilled.

The apostle John described it like this,
“Then he [an angel] showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse.” (Revelation 22:1-3)

Of this place where Wholeness knows no end, Jesus said to His disciples,
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Where was Jesus going?
Do we know the way to where He went?
Absolutely!

He was going back to His Father, Our Father God, in heaven.

Heaven, where we will be…
wholly united with God.
wholly worshiping Him.
wholly free from fears, tears, and suffering.
wholly unbroken.
(Isaiah 25:8-9)

This is the place we long for as we suffer many things in our “earthly tents”.
2 Corinthians 5:2 says, “Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling.” We groan because here we are broken and not whole.

Yet, we are not without hope for Jesus is our Living Hope.
(1 Peter 1:3)

Through His sacrifice on the cross we are able to enter Heaven, despite the load of brokenness and sin we carry. His blood paid the price for our sin, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the key to turning over our brokenness and allowing Him to usher us into wholeness.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.” (Revelation 22:14) Our dirty robes of sin and death are washed clean by the blood of Jesus, “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

We live today with our brokenness while focused on the guarantee of wholeness in Heaven. But how do we live today, while longing for eternity? Scripture gives us direction, if we’re paying attention.

Truthfully, I’m not always paying close enough attention. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own brokenness and the sharp edges of those around you. Add in the broken world we live in and we become even more distracted from Scripture’s clear commands that light our paths. (Psalm 119:105) But the Bible is our lighthouse, our beacon, our “you are here” map with the star planted squarely on heaven as our destination.

Psalm 19:7-14 tells us these things about the Word of God, the Bible:

  • The perfect Word of God revives our souls
  • The reliable Word of God makes us wise
  • The “rightness” of the Word of God should cause us to rejoice
  • The pure Word of God enlightens us
  • The fear of the Lord (as we read the Word of God) is cleansing and proves eternal
  • The rules of the Lord (found in the Word of God) are true and righteous
  • The Word of God is worth desiring more than anything on earth
  • The Word of God should cause us to read, study, memorize, apply it to our lives and share it with others

This is what we desire so deeply at Gracefully Truthful. We want every one of those statements to be true for everyone’s life. We take this verse to heart as we study alongside you, “If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.” (Luke 11:36)

We want the Word of God to shine so brightly in and through you that people are drawn to it and gain their promise of wholeness through faith in Christ. We want it for ourselves, for each person in our ministry, each of you reading this today, and for every person we encounter.

God came to save all (2 Peter 3:9) and He invited us to be part of that effort. (Mark 16:15-16) What a privilege that He would make us co-laborers with Him in His redeeming work. (1 Corinthians 3:9) We cannot neglect this incredible opportunity!

Bless and praise Him always.
Boast in Him, not ourselves.
Proclaim His greatness, not ours.
Seek Him when we need rescuing.
Have reverential awe of Him.
See that He is good.
See that He is Provider.
Keep our tongue from evil and deceit.
(Psalm 34:1-13)

“Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)

Do all these things, not alone, but by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us.
This is how we live broken with an eye on wholeness.
We boldly share this Hope with others so the nations, each incredibly broken on earth, can be healed by the leaves of the tree of life in Heaven.

I want us all to rejoice on that day. So, shine forth your light from your beautiful, broken lantern and give His light to the world!

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Whole Day 9 Identifying The Oppression: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Identifying The Oppression!

The Questions

1) Who is Jeremiah addressing in these verses as he relays the Lord’s message?

2) What does verse 3 mean?

3) What house will come to ruin in verse 5?

Jeremiah 22:3-5

3 This is what the Lord says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from his oppressor. Don’t exploit or brutalize the resident alien, the fatherless, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you conscientiously carry out this word, then kings sitting on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses—they, their officers, and their people. 5 But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by myself—this is the Lord’s declaration—that this house will become a ruin.’”

Original Intent

1) Who is Jeremiah addressing in these verses as he relays the Lord’s message?
Context matters significantly when studying Scripture and it keeps us “in bounds” for making follow-in right application to our lives. Studying a whole passage by considering its surroundings keeps us tied tightly to Scripture, allowing truth to shape our understanding instead of our own biases. Asking questions like who, what, why, and when helps broaden and deepen our understanding of any passage. In order to know who Jeremiah is addressing in this passage, we must look backwards just a couple of sentences to Jeremiah 22:1-2 where we read of God sending Jeremiah to speak to the king of Judah. This king would have been a descendant of King David and sat on David’s same throne. Jeremiah was a prophet, speaking as God’s mouthpiece to God’s people; in this instance his message was directed to the reigning king of Judah. The message also extended beyond the king of Judah to the Israelites under his rule as they were directives on what it looked like to “be” God’s people. These words were spoken to the king so he would model God’s justice and all of Judah would also walk in the Lord’s ways.

2) What does verse 3 mean?
Jeremiah began by telling the king he must administer justice and righteousness; the burden of wisely leading and shepherding God’s people fell to Judah’s king. This administration aligned not only with God’s heart, but also mirrored how King David had led God’s people. (2 Samuel 8:15) Judah’s kings had drifted far from the pattern of righteous justice modeled by King David, and Jeremiah’s message was a clarion call to return to the ways of the Lord which He had manifested in David’s kingship. Jeremiah then instructs all Israelites to actively come to the aid of the vulnerable. In specifically calling out resident aliens, fatherless, and widows, the Lord was shining a spotlight on the weakest, neediest group of people of Judah. Israelites knew exactly how they were to treat resident aliens as God had addressed this issue centuries prior during the time of Moses in Exodus 22:21-22. By including this group of people in His message, the Lord emphasized how far Judah had strayed from His instructions and was calling them back to what they already knew. He reminded them to carry out righteous justice with the essential component of humility as Israel herself had once lived as resident aliens in Egypt. Next, the Lord reminds Israel to protect the fatherless and widows, another group of often overlooked and neglected people which God had also addressed in Deuteronomy 14:29 during Moses’ leadership. God had commanded Israelites to diligently care for and give special attention to the widow and orphan. These weren’t new commands, but they were instructions Israel had long ago disregarded and set aside. God’s deep compassion is revealed by his firm call to the king and his subjects of their duty to care for the vulnerable, ensuring that all were protected and given care.

3) What house will come to ruin in verse 5?
Jeremiah’s message was a warning of God’s coming judgment against Judah’s king and the Israelites if they chose, again, to disobey God’s command and reject His ways of justice. They would be found in ruin. Sin’s rule would continue oppressing them while they continued oppressing the weak and vulnerable, even if it was simply by ignoring that a problem existed. Sin’s gravitational pull would continue increasing until eventually they would lose everything. This was not a quiet, casual command that was really more of an optional activity, this was a matter of life and death. Jeremiah continued to describe their ruin in verses 6-9. If they chose to ignore the Lord’s command, Judah (and Jerusalem) would soon lie in ruins. A direct result of their choice to place something else, anything else, before the Lord would be their fall. Judah, and therefore Jerusalem, would cease to be an amazing nation and city and would be turned over to an enemy. Graciously, God, through Jeremiah, not only provided the Israelites a choice, but He also provided a clear call to return. Life and death were in their hands, and their choice carried significant, wide-sweeping consequences.

Everyday Application

1) Who is Jeremiah addressing in these verses as he relays the Lord’s message?
Jeremiah’s message to Judah’s king on how to live in a way that reflected God’s righteousness and justice is ancient to us in the 21st century. Still, its meaning and significant implications are just as relevant to God’s people today as they were in ages past. The Word of the Lord is always relevant, enduring for eternity! (1 Peter 1:25) God’s message through Jeremiah carries meaning for believers today where they live out being Christ’s Body in every culture in every nation and city around the world. Everywhere oppression and injustice exist, Jeremiah’s words still carry the authority of the Lord God. We are not exempt simply because we live in 2022. How will we live out the rest of today differently because of Jeremiah’s relevant message? How will we shift the direction of our lives tomorrow? Not sure? Commit to reading just these brief verses every morning and praying for the Lord to convict and shape you as you take in His living and active words. (Hebrews 4:12)

2) What does verse 3 mean?
Just as Jeremiah’s message to administer righteous justice is relevant to us today as Christ-followers, so also are the carefully selected recipients of this protective care. Jeremiah specifically called out the weak and vulnerable in Judah, and we must consider who these groups of people are within our own cultures and cities. Here is where we are to begin our work of administering righteous justice. It should not come as a surprise to us that these same groups are among the most vulnerable in our modern time as well. Single moms, orphans, and immigrants are among the neediest and vulnerable of our world and should be the first ones the church humbly runs toward to protect and love. Regardless of our location on the globe, I’m confident we each know someone who fits one of these categories. Our call is to refuse to exploit them or ignore reality when they are exploited or overlooked. We must not puff ourselves up and think less of them because of society’s label. Christ calls us, just as He did to Judah’s king, to love and care for those who cannot care for themselves, for in so doing we are loving and caring for Christ. (Matthew 25:35-40) All over the world, people are displaced from their homes, children grow up without parents, and widows struggle in many cultures to provide for themselves. Our call toward each of these is to extend justice, act righteously, and love them with the humility of Christ. (Micah 6:8, James 1:27) When we actively live out this kind of love, we are reflecting Christ’s humble, generous sacrifice when He gave His life for us. Living with justice for the oppressed is one way we live out of the overflow of Christ’s love for us.

3) What house will come to ruin in verse 5?
Just as Judah was unable to prosper if they did not heed the Lord’s call we will never prosper as the Church if we do not heed His same call to leave our sinful patterns and embrace His ways of living righteously. The Global Church is the hands and feet of God, intended to actively show love to those often seen as the least lovable, most-likely outcast, and exceptionally vulnerable. When we do not choose to take on His mission in our everyday lives as believers, our lives end up in ruin, wasted and ineffective for the Kingdom. We allow sin and conflict to gradually take the place of love in our lives and it poisons everything. (James 1:14-15) We can never live up to our calling in Christ if we allow sin and disobedience to fester instead of humbly pouring out the love Christ has demonstrated to us. (Romans 5:8) If I am honest with myself, I can think of people I interact with daily who fall into these categories of unlovable, outcast, and vulnerable. I must ask myself if I am heeding the call of the Lord toward each of these individuals. I challenge each of us to think carefully about those we interact with regularly, and those around us who need to be seen and loved by us; are we pouring out the same love Christ has lavished on us? (1 John 3:1)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Identifying The Oppression!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Whole Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 14 The Unexpected Presence: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Unexpected Presence!

The Questions

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)

1 Timothy 2:3-7

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Original Intent

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)
Paul, writing to his disciple, Timothy, declared “there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (verse 5) In this passage, Paul explains the reason God sent His Son, Jesus, to the world, calling Him our mediator. Jesus came as a bridge to bring people to God after sin separated them from God in the Garden of Eden. (Galatians 3:19) Matthew Henry asserts, “Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace.” (Ephesians 2:14) It is Jesus who made a way for sinful man to access a Holy and sinless God (John 14:6) by coming to earth as a man and taking our sins upon Himself, though He Himself was sinless. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Erik Raymond explains that “Jesus had to be a man so that He could identify with us, suffering in our place and sympathizing with us in our weakness . . . [and] Jesus had to be truly God so that He could satisfy God’s wrath and secure for us true righteousness and life.” When Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 2:24), He made direct communion with God possible by becoming the “mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15) Because Jesus mediated a new covenant between man and God, we are able to stand before God with the righteousness of Jesus (Romans 3:22) and cleansed of our sins because of His sacrifice.

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)
Paul claims in verse 6 that Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” He refers to Jesus as a testimony to God’s redemptive plan for humans. (John 3:16) God sent Jesus to earth to reconcile humans with God by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:18) It was this testimony of the Good News of Christ as Mediator and Redeemer that Paul was appointed to share with both Jews and Gentiles for the remainder of his life. (2 Timothy 1:11) The proper time to share this message of salvation to all had come. (Romans 5:6) Albert Barnes explains that the testimony was “a doctrine of revelation that redemption was to be provided for all people, and that it was intended that the testimony to this should be afforded at the proper time. It was not fully made known under the ancient dispensation, but now the period had come when it should be communicated to all.” God’s people had been waiting to hear this Good News for generations (Isaiah 9:6), and now that Jesus had come to earth and fulfilled God’s plan (Galatians 4:4), it was time for Paul and other believers to spread the Gospel message to everyone. God wants us to do the same by sharing God’s message of love and forgiveness with those we encounter in our daily lives. (Matthew 28:19) It is our joy and privilege to share Jesus and spread the Gospel to those within our reach.

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)
Paul’s letter to Timothy declares that God appointed Paul as an apostle and teacher of the Gospel, punctuating the statement with the assertion of his veracity, “For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth”. (I Timothy 2:7) He may have wanted to support his claim as a preacher of the True Gospel because he had formerly persecuted Christians until God compelled him to follow Jesus and preach the Good News. (Acts 9) Albert Barnes suggests it “probable that there were those in Ephesus who denied that he could be an apostle, and hence his solemn declaration affirming it.” God chose Paul because of his formerly violent treatment of Christians so he could testify of the life-changing power of God’s Son. Not only was it hard to believe that the staunch Pharisee could become a genuine Christian, but the content of the message was also hard to accept. (1 Corinthians 1:23) Matthew Poole emphasizes, “it was not easy to persuade the Jews that God had sent any to reveal the way of salvation to the Gentiles.” Paul makes it very clear in his letters that the freedom and forgiveness of Christ is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. (Romans 10:11-13) Charles Ellicott asserts that Paul’s words “were uttered solely in view of the surpassing magnitude of the message with which he was charged—solely to bear a weighty and imposing testimony to the truth of his assertion, which so many were ready and eager to dispute—the assertion that the gospel of Jesus Christ was a message of glad tidings, was an offer of salvation, not to a people, but to a world.”

Everyday Application

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)
A friend of mine was embroiled in a property dispute with a family member over how to use land bequeathed in joint ownership to two parties. Eventually, the relationship was strained by the conflict and all communication was at a standstill. They were forced to call in a third party to mediate the terms of their dealings with the property, agreeing to accept the mediator’s recommendations. Through his work they were able to compromise about the property, repair their relationship and move forward. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus came to earth in a similar capacity to act as Mediator between God and humankind. The sin of God’s people made a separation between God and humanity that could only be repaired by God’s Mediator, His Son. (Hebrews 8:6) Because our sin keeps us from God, Jesus made a way for us to reach the Father, taking our sins upon Himself so we could be presented as blameless before God. (Colossians 1:22) Because God’s perfect Son took our place, exchanging our sins for His holiness, He sees us as holy (Hebrews 10:10) for He has imputed His righteousness upon all who trust Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) God still wants us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48), but not in our own strength. Kristen Wetherell suggests “God expects you to be perfect, yes. But not because you can be—because Jesus has been, is, and always will be perfect. He imputes his holiness to you as a beloved child of God.” Jesus took our punishment for sin, but not so we can continue to sin freely without consequence. He desires us to “be holy as He is holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) He gives us the grace and power to obey His commands. He does not leave us to struggle in our own strength; God Himself makes us holy as He shapes us into the image of His Son! (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Romans 8:29)

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)
In one of my favorite novels, Sense and Sensibility, the main character, Elinor, hides a difficult secret. She learns that the man she loves, Edward, made a regrettable engagement at an impressionable age to a woman he does not love, but his integrity compels him to honor the engagement. Elinor cannot relieve her heart by confiding in her mother or sister because she promised Edward’s fiancée to keep their secret. When Edward’s family discovers the unsuitable betrothal and publicly disinherits him, the time has finally come for Elinor to seek solace from her family for her broken heart. While she desperately wanted to discuss her pain with someone who could comfort her, she had to wait until the proper time. The apostle Paul discusses a long-awaited event that finally could be shared with the world when he declared that Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time”. (I Timothy 2:6) The coming of the Messiah and His kingdom had been long anticipated by God’s people (Isaiah 53), and Paul was appointed to share with everyone that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and the law as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. (Romans 8:4) Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was the testimony Paul preached to anyone who would listen. Ephesians 1:9-10 tells us God “made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.” (emphasis mine) God chose just the right time in history to send His Son to earth to bring freedom from sin to the whole world, and He wants everyone who knows the Truth to share this perfectly timed message!

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)
I started a new high school my senior year. Coming from a small Christian school to a large public school, I looked like a bewildered freshman instead of a confident senior at new-student orientation. Unaware that class officers circulated to help students, I was surprised when a gregarious young man offered his assistance. He introduced himself as the senior class president, but I was incredulous. I assumed the class president would look more official, but he was just some guy in blue jeans, cracking jokes and swigging a soda. I voiced my disbelief, assuming he was joking. Flustered, he sputtered, “No, really, I AM the Senior Class President! I’m here to guide you around campus.” I declined his help that day, but it turned out he was, indeed, who he claimed. The Apostle Paul likely faced significant disbelief when he announced that God chose him, who had fiercely persecuted the Church, to proclaim the truth of Jesus to the world. (I Timothy 2:7) Paul had once “intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. [He] advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among [his] people, because [he] was extremely zealous for the traditions of [his] ancestors.” (Galatians 1:13-14) When God revealed Jesus to Paul so he could preach Christ among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16), Paul’s entire life changed direction. Instead of persecuting Christians, He was preaching Jesus and converting people to Christianity. Some people doubted God could do this. (Acts 9:26, Acts 22:19-21) Paul wanted to convince people that He genuinely encountered the Jesus he preached, and his encounter had changed the course of his life forever. As true as this was for Paul, it is just as true for us today. We are forever changed when the Savior reveals His Truth to us and we surrender to following Him!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Unexpected Presence!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Champion Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 9 Fearful Made Fierce: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Fearful Made Fierce!

The Questions

1) How do we “keep on growing” in knowledge and discernment? (verse 9)

2) How do we “approve the things that are superior”? (verse 10)

3) What is the “fruit of righteousness” that comes from Christ? (verse 11)

Philippians 1:3-11

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Original Intent

1) How do we “keep on growing” in knowledge and discernment? (verse 9)
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we recognize warmth and respect shared between author and recipients. Writing to thank them for support of his ministry and to commend a fellow laborer, he admonishes them to continue to press on to be ever more like Christ. What then was he speaking of as he referred to growing in knowledge and discernment? He was encouraging them to focus on the teaching of Jesus and knowing Him deeply, which would result in growing in His love apart from a performance tied to keeping the Old Testament law. The Bible is divided into two central teachings, Old Testament and New Testament. All Scripture is God-breathed, meaning it is inspired by God and is useful for teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Before Christ, the instructions were centered around the prophets’ Old Testament laws and instructions. After Christ’s resurrection, the laws concerning sacrifices and rituals around cleansing and food restrictions were no longer relevant for Christ came to perfectly fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17) Paul encouraged the Philippians to grow in their knowledge of Christ, but how were they to do this if all they knew were Old Testament laws? He urged them to watch out for those who claim the old laws were the only way to salvation. (verses 2-3) He instructed them to recall the new knowledge they had learned about Christ. (verse 10) Finally, Paul directed them to grow in wisdom and discernment by increasing their love for Christ and one another, which naturally comes from knowing Him more fully. (verses 9-11)

2) How do we “approve the things that are superior”? (verse 10)
Christ came to fulfill the law on our behalf because it’s impossible for sinful humans to be perfect or somehow attain righteousness on our own (Romans 3:23); we need Someone Perfect to be righteous for us. (Matthew 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21) In Jesus’ day, all the laws found in the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21) and animal sacrifice, were regularly practiced by the Jewish community. Until the ministry of John the Baptist, the Law was the guidepost, or guardian, for what holiness looked like, but when Jesus came, He opened the door to access God through faith in Christ. (Galatians 3:22-26) From that point, the gospel of freedom from sin and eternal hope has continued to be shared. (Luke 16:16) Christ was the perfect sacrifice who died and was resurrected from the dead in order to save sinners from the eternal condemnation of death deserved for sin. (Romans 3:21-26, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Timothy 1:15) How does all this relate with approving the things which are superior in Philippians 1:10? Later in his letter, Paul names the superior thing as knowing Christ, “I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. […] My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death […].” (Philippians 3:8, 10) Christ is the fulfillment of all things superior. Everything of excellence carries His mark, which is why Paul closes his letter with the reminder, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8)

3) What is the “fruit of righteousness” that comes from Christ? (verse 11)
Jesus often taught by using parables, which were stories His audience could easily relate with because of common knowledge and cultural norms. Christ cursed a fig tree (Mark 11:12-25), spoke of winnowing wheat (Matthew 3:12), and the true vine and vinedresser (John 15:1). While some parable-language may not carry much significance to our modern ears, the idea of farming and fruit still resonates with us. To help His audience understand how righteousness is evidenced in a person’s life, He used the analogy of fruit. The tree bears fruit, and so do our lives, but we must not miss the small details, “[T]he fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” A Christian’s righteousness cannot come from themselves, only Christ, and it is grown by the work of the Spirit who lives within all who belong to Christ. Paul purposed in his letter to explain this cultivating work of the Holy Spirit and what it looks like. The fruit, although displayed in various “flavors” or attributes in life, are each a manifestation of the Holy Spirit who is given to all who have trusted Christ as their personal Savior. The Spirit’s fruit “is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. (Galatians 5:22) Christ perfectly lived out each of these evidences of the Spirit of God throughout His earthly ministry.

Everyday Application

1) How do we “keep on growing” in knowledge and discernment? (verse 9)
When Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, there was no longer a need to sacrifice animals to absolve transgression. Christ took the punishment, which is death and separation from God, for each of our sins on the cross. To grow in knowledge and discernment is the goal of every Christ-follower. Those new to the faith should seek wisdom from Scripture and from other believers who have long walked with the Lord. Those who have lived many years with Jesus in their heart should continue to grow in their understanding of Scripture and engagement in biblical community. First, we must recognize we are new creatures when accepting Christ; the old ways of thinking have gone, and new life has appeared through Christ. (1 Corinthians 5.13) Next, we must learn to study the Bible correctly. (2 Timothy 2:15) In studying the Bible’s context, we learn how to worship (Psalm 100), why we have forgiveness for our trespasses in Jesus (1 John 1:9), practical ways for living in God-honor ways (Psalm 1:1-2), how to prepare for battle against Satan, our enemy (Ephesians 6:10-17), and much more! The Bible is the inspired Word of God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), containing everything we need to grow up in Christ (2 Peter 1:3). We were once held in the bondage of sin’s slavery, but in Jesus, we are called to walk in the freedom offered us by the love of Christ. We can only do this as we study the One who was the Word (Jesus) so that we may know Him and that He may dwell in us. (John 1:1)

2) How do we “approve the things that are superior”? (verse 10)
The Bible describes the human heart as deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9) If we use our hearts, emotions, or fleeting desires as the measure by which we approve what is superior, we will constantly be in error. We must choose to look to Christ, not the heart, to determine not simply “better”, but to clearly understand what is “best”. This kind of discernment is the wisdom James writes of in his letter, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) As Paul taught the Philippians to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, there is no more excellent example of superiority than Jesus. (Philippians 4:8) Jesus, the Word, is Truth. (John 17:17) His actions were honorable, His reasons just, His motives pure, and His actions commendable. Jesus moved men’s hearts from obeying the law for the sake of obedience to showing love to all peoples no matter their gender (John 8:1-11), ethnicity, (John 4:7-39), or economic status (Mark 12:41-44). The more we lean into knowing the Lord Jesus Christ through studying His Word, prayer, and engaging in biblical community, as Paul modeled for us, the more we view everything through the lens of the Superior One, Christ Jesus!

3) What is the “fruit of righteousness” that comes from Christ? (verse 11)
At the click of a button, the television comes on. With the swipe of our fingers, we can find almost any piece of information we desire. We can purchase items and have them delivered with the tap of a finger. Satellites take pictures of places on earth where we will never travel. It seems we can have our wants satisfied and our desires fulfilled, yet many live with loneliness and despair. None of the convenient pleasures mentioned above were meant to bring joy. For a time, they may bring happiness, but to find joy, we must learn to live like Christ, whose delight was doing the will of his Father through the work of the Holy Spirit. (John 5:19, Hebrews 9:14) We can follow in the steps of Jesus in three specific ways. First, we must desire to be covered by Christ’s righteousness, which requires us to acknowledge our state as sinners eternally separated from God. (Matthew 5:6, Romans 3:23) When we ask God to cover us with the righteousness of Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, beginning His work of making us new. (2 Corinthians 5:21, John 14:26) Secondly, we must offer our bodies as living sacrifices as we surrender to the Spirit who cultivates His life in us! (Romans 12:1-2) Finally, we must never be lacking in zeal as we follow the Lord; He is to be the focal point of our everyday lives. (Romans 12:11-13) All of this is impossible on our own merits and efforts. Jesus came to perfectly fulfill the law on our behalf, so that He can now fill us with all the fullness of God and His power. (Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 3:19) Then, we are free to live for Christ based on love, not laws. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Fearful Made Fierce!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Champion Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 1 The Barren And Broken

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 15:1-6
Genesis 15: 17-18
Genesis 18:1-15
Galatians 3:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Champion, Day 1

Abraham is introduced in Genesis 11 as Abram, the son of Terah. (Genesis 11:26) He is a descendant of Shem, residing in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans. Abram and his relatives did not know the Lord, yet the Lord called to Abram and told him to go to the land of Canaan. God promised He would make him a great nation and give his descendants the land of Canaan as their possession.

“I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you […] all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you [. . .] To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:2-3, 7)

God’s promises of blessing, land, and offspring pointed toward a hopeful reversal of the curse of sin. (Genesis 3) The true Hope and true Champion of this story is not Abram, but Christ. Jesus is the Promised One through whom all the peoples on earth will be blessed. (Galatians 3:14)

God chooses ordinary people to fulfill His plan of redemption. At the time God called Abram, we aren’t told why he was chosen, but we are told Abram’s obedience was credited to him as righteousness.

God said to Abram,
“‘Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then [God] said to [Abram], ‘Your offspring will be that numerous.’ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6, Galatians 3:6)

To establish this promise, or covenant, it was custom for animals to be cut in half and the two persons of the covenant could walk between the halves, binding them to the terms of the covenant lest they become like the animals. Rather than Abram walking between the split animals, God put Abram into a deep sleep, and God himself passed between, assuming the full burden of fulfilling the terms of the covenant. (Genesis 15:7-21)

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many,” and expounded on the promises and requirements of the Abrahamic Covenant. (Genesis 17) Although God’s intent to establish Abraham’s lineage was clear, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was old and barren, so she doubted, “But the LORD asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Can I really have a baby when I’m old?”’” (Genesis 18:13)

Abraham and Sarah were only human. They saw limitations. They feared. They doubted. For example, when Abraham let Pharaoh believe Sarah was his sister, he essentially gave her as a sex-slave to Pharaoh to protect himself, proving he still had much to learn about fully trusting God and His promises. (Genesis 12:10-20)

Furthermore, Abraham and Sarah assumed that since she was barren, the promised offspring must come through a different woman. 

“Sarai said to Abram, ‘Since the LORD has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.’ And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” (Genesis 16:2) Their attempt to fulfill God’s promise themselves caused immense suffering.

Abraham and Sarah aren’t the heroes of the story here. There is One Hero, the Almighty One. “Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year [Sarah] will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)

God did not choose Abram to be the father of the nations because He saw Abram as capable, wise, and strong.
No, quite the opposite.
Abraham was old, his wife was barren, and he was incapable of fulfilling the covenant requirements.
No human is.

“Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world–what is viewed as nothing–to bring about what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence.

It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us–our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption–in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

The Bible is full of weak, foolish, sinful people God used to fulfill His plan of redemption. God didn’t choose Abraham in order to give him a platform to be a hero. Rather, God chose Abraham to show God is the Hero.

To show God is able and wise and loving.

He alone could redeem His children; just as God alone traversed the split animals in Genesis 15, Christ alone could fulfill the requirement of the law and bring us salvation.

Galatians 3:8 tells us the gospel was preached to Abraham when he was given the promise. This is the Gospel: on our own we are weak and foolish, but God has sent us His Own Son to be our strength and wisdom. We, the Gentiles, are blessed in Him if we repent of our sins and have faith in His finished work on the cross.

Let that sink in.

Thousands of years ago, God declared His Gospel promise. If we become His daughters through faith, we will be redeemed through Christ, the Promised Seed of Abraham.

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Worship X Day 4 Unshaken & Secure: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Unshaken & Secure!

The Questions

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)

Isaiah 43:1-7

Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place. 4 because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?
Isaiah 43 begins as a continuation of chapter 42, where we read of Israel’s disobedience to the Lord (Isaiah 42:21-24) and of His righteous anger regarding that disobedience. (Isaiah 42:25) Chapter 43 begins with the signal word “now” indicating a transition from spelling out the reality of Israel’s sin to the reality of God’s character, which He provides like a resume. He created and formed these people He called His own, (verse 1) He had redeemed them (verse 2), and rescued them from Egypt and the likes of King Sihon of the Amorites, King Og of Bashan (Numbers 21:21-35), and the Midianites (Judges 8:1-21) to name a few. God was always with them, even when they did not honor Him as they should. God promises to protect them in every situation (verse 2), and then He reminds them of His character and authority by which He can make these statements. “The three titles for God in verse 3 give a comprehensive understanding for the people. The term YHWH (Lord) evokes the exodus, the burning bush of Moses, and the giving of the teaching at Sinai (Exodus 20:2). The title “Holy One” refers to God’s distinctiveness. The first part of Isaiah uses this title (Isaiah 1:4). “Savior” alludes to God’s protection for Israel and Judah.” (Working Preacher) It was the One True God, the God who claimed Israel as His people and who Israel had claimed as their God and the Savior who had saved and would save, who was making these promises. Despite what Israel had done, God would rescue and protect His people, His prized possession, because He loved them.

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)
It’s important to note that this passage was written before Israel went into captivity in Babylon. This was a prophetic message to the Jews who would be in captivity, afraid the Lord had abandoned them. But God promised long before this, through Moses, “The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) In Isaiah’s prophecy, God was telling the Israelites He would not only be with them, but He would ransom them with other nations! (verse 4) “To prove His love for His people, God was willing to give Egypt, Cush, and Seba as a ransom for Israel.” (Enduring Word) God had promised the Israelites their own land. (Deuteronomy 1:8) Here, He was reiterating that this promise still stood. They had no reason to fear, but every reason to hope. Because God loved them so dearly, He would gather the people from every far corner of the world to be with Him and to live out His promise to them.

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)
When we bear someone’s name it means we are part of their family. God has created us and called us to be adopted into His family. But why? “For My glory”, says the Lord. The Israelites were created for God’s glory. He had a plan and a purpose for them right from the start, even before they knew Him. John Piper says, “…He created us to display His glory, that is, that His glory might be known and praised.” For the Israelites that played out by Him bringing them out of captivity in Babylon and returning them to their land. It was God who sent them there to discipline them and it was God who would free them. “God uses everything, even human sin, for his own glory” (Global Study Bible) Israel was created for God’s glory to be displayed to all the nations. In their sin and subsequent rescue and redemption, God showed His love for them and His power over all to utterly save.

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of the three names of God in verse 3?
When we are in trying or dark times, it’s hard to see a way out. We wonder how things will get resolved. Isaiah 43:3 gives the solution. In the original context, God was reminding Israel He was their rescuer, their Savior. “God referred to Himself as a Savior in the Old Testament before Jesus arrived and became our Savior to forgive our sins.” (Never Thirsty) Now, as adopted daughters of God’s family, through the blood of our Savior Jesus, we too are rescued and redeemed. (Ephesians 1:5) We think of this on a spiritual level, but it is practical as well. God is more than able to help us in every situation. When He lists His names, they show the fullness of His capabilities to do what He says He can do. The first name, The Lord Your God, is listed as Yahweh in other translations. Yahweh is God’s holy name, evoking profound reverence. “Most Jewish people decline to pronounce this name lest they accidentally profane it.” (Sermon Writer) Beginning with this name alone, we know we are dealing with the same God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. (Exodus 3:1-17) He is the same God who parted the Red Sea, the River Jordan, and brought down the walls of Jericho. The Holy One of Israel is the same God who promised to redeem not just Israel, but all people who would believe in Him. (2 Peter 3:9) It is this same God who became our Savior by sending His son Jesus to die for our sins and then resurrect Himself to conquer the grave and set the stage for His return to gather His people (Matthew 24:30-31) and establish the New Heaven and the New Earth. (Revelation 21:1-5) Whatever we face, this God can handle it. Trust Him.

2) Why were the Israelites told not to fear? (verse 5)
The Israelites had a history of forgetting Who was with them and for them. (Numbers 13:25-14:10, Judges 6:11-24, 1 Samuel 12:6-15). Even though God had demonstrated His power and His unfailing faithfulness and love for them, they still forgot. We are much the same. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Instead of pressing into fear and doubt, we should focus on the faithfulness of God. Gill’s Exposition puts it this way, “The Lord is the covenant God of His people, holy in Himself, and the sanctifier of them, and their Saviour in time of trouble; and therefore need no doubt of His presence and support amidst all their afflictions; and besides they should call to mind past experiences of his goodness, to encourage their faith in him, as to present help and assistance” Has He been faithful before? How did He come to your aid, your rescue? Did He carry you through deep waters or the fire? If He has, which I am sure is true, then what have we to fear of the future? God has been faithful through the ages (Psalm 119:90) and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). So we lay down our fear and hold fast to the faithful love and care of our God.

3) Why did God create us? (verse 7)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” God created us with a purpose in mind. We were made to glorify God. But make no mistake, this is not about God being vain. It is about us reflecting His glory to others. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1), but God’s people are expected to make it known as well.  Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel. (Joshua 7:19) David ordered, “Declare His glory among the nations, and His marvelous works among all the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:24). (Sermon Writer) Cooperating with the Holy Spirit within us (God with us), we are able to reflect His glory to those around us by serving, praising, worshiping and sharing the Word, and we, in turn, benefit. “..[W]hen we are glorifying God, we are fulfilling the purpose we were created for, and will therefore be the happiest and fulfilled.” (Enduring Word) When we operate out of God’s faithful love for us, we offer that love to others so they too may glorify the One True God. This is the purpose for which we were created!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Unshaken & Secure!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship X Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Eden Day 14 Exiled For Good: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Exiled For Good!

The Questions

1) Does God’s grace give a believer the freedom to sin recklessly and consistently? (verses 15-16)

2) How can those in Christ be set free, yet at the same time be enslaved? (verse 18)

3) What prompted the apostle Paul to use the analogy of human freedom and slavery? (verses 19-20)

4) What are the contrasting results and outcome of choosing to depend on grace rather than law to save us? (verses 22-23)

Romans 6:16-23

15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, 18 and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness. 21 So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death. 22 But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Original Intent

1) Does God’s grace give a believer the freedom to sin recklessly and consistently? (verses 15-16)
Since the original Koine-Greek didn’t provide punctuation, the translators supplied it as they saw necessary within the context. It is crucial to understand that Paul was emphatic in verse 15. Paul’s point of emphasis was essential to understanding God’s grace. Especially in an epistle, this kind of examination of the writer’s tone is vital to correct interpretation. When reading a letter we have received, we may repeatedly review the written words. We want to know if there is a hint of something more than what is evident. Punctuation is helpful as we assess tone. To understand Paul’s whole tone, we refer to his questions introduced in Romans 5:20-6:2. His question in verse 15 is not simply a repeat of those questions, but rather it evidences he is building his case. The verb tense in the Greek makes it clear that in the previous verses he is referring to continual sinning, while here it’s the act of a particular sin. (preceptaustin.org) Though Paul never indicates sin will completely lose its appeal, he makes it clear that a sinful lifestyle and specific acts of sin will be loathed by a professing believer. The Greek phrase mē genoito (“may it never be”) is the key to knowing how to punctuate these verses. It is why every reliable translation for verse 15 adds the exclamation point. Verse 16 stresses the importance of the believer’s slavery to obedience leading to righteousness, not to slavery to sin leading to death. “Having presented himself to God in dedication, the believer needs to obey Him. Obligation always follows dedication whether the dedication is to sin or to obedience. The outcome of dedication to sin is death, but the outcome of dedication to obedience is righteousness.” (studylight.org)

2) How can those in Christ be set free, yet at the same time be enslaved? (verse 18)
There is such a beautiful gospel paradox in verse 18! Only in God’s reality is there a freedom and a slavery that exists concurrently. The freedom to obey is a concept beyond our human comprehension. It requires faith in God’s word and in His promises, and a radical reconstruction of our view of sin and righteousness. Our human tendency is to see boundaries as restrictive, not freeing. A fish is restricted by water, while also alive in that water. It seems impossible for self-denial to be a demonstration of grace received. Yet it is this tension that is at the core of the entire book of Romans. The life of a Christ follower is one of continual, internal war between competing desires. Paul himself knew the struggle well. (Romans 7:18-23) The difference between genuine obedience to righteousness and attempting an obedience to the law is in our heart motivation. These believers obeyed “from the heart.” In verse 17, Paul expresses his thankfulness for their good choice to sincerely obey. Paul reminds the reader that “being enslaved to righteousness” is a position and a decision. We become slaves to righteousness when we come to Christ; it is our position as believers. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) But we must choose to declare that freedom when temptations arise that would take us captive to sin again. (Galatians 3:21-27) Dedication to God’s way and God’s will does not provide an automatic assurance we will always do the right thing. Paul understands that not every believer will access his or her freedom (verse 16) from sin’s oppression and choose slavery to righteousness. Yet, righteousness obtained inevitably leads the people of God to desire to live in obedience to Him.

3) What prompted the apostle Paul to use the analogy of human freedom and slavery? (verses 19-20)
Jesus also spoke of being a slave to sin in John 8:34 because His hearers understood the relationship between slave and master all too well. They were keenly familiar with the circumstances in which serving as a slave necessitated yielding to the one in control. Paul also used this comparison because the understanding of its gravity was so common and readily understood by the masses. He wrote that he was “using a human analogy” (Romans 6:19) by comparing the believer’s situation to that of a free person on the one hand and to a slave on the other. Paul did this to help his readers grasp the critical importance of the message. He felt compelled to be extremely explicit due to their past relationship with sin. Paul wrote in verse 19 that he used this analogy “because of the weakness of their flesh [human nature]”. They were sinful humans needing God’s saving grace. (Romans 5:8-12) Now he reminded them that the saving grace they had initially experienced would be the same grace that produced the righteousness in them on a regular basis. Bible scholars call this process of choosing which way we’ll be enslaved “progressive sanctification”. Though we possess the righteousness of Christ and eternal life at the moment of our salvation (John 10:28-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5), believers are a work in progress even now as His Spirit makes us more like Christ. Paul said that each time we choose righteousness over sin, sanctification is taking place. (verse 22, see question 4) “[This] refers to the process in our daily lives by which we are being conformed to the image of Christ. It is the process of becoming what we are in Christ. This involves the putting off of the old habits of lying, stealing, backbiting, etc., and putting on the Christ-like qualities of honesty, mercy, and love.” (Bible.org)

4) What are the contrasting results and outcome of choosing to depend on grace rather than law to save us? (verses 22-23)
Paul consistently though of the law in terms of its commands, so when he speaks of righteousness not being attained through the law, he has this in mind. For more of Paul’s teaching regarding the law, his letter to the Galatians is helpful. Check out our accompanying Journey Theme: Freedom. Paul says in verse 15 these believers were “not under the law but under grace.” The Law had provided for the people the habits of holiness, but it could not change their sinful nature. It lacked the power to change the desire of their hearts. Paul’s concern was that this newfound grace would wrongly lead them to sin more by completely ignoring the Law as if it no longer mattered. He was astonished at this response. Since the fruit of their failed attempts to keep the Law was shame, why would they take for granted the grace that had freed them from that?! Sin had held them captive to an eventual death. BUT NOW (verse 22) there was different fruit that would be produced through God’s Spirit! No longer would the fruit be shame, it would be life! This new life generates fruit that glorifies God and creates lasting joy, where the ultimate outcome is eternal life. Paul equates being a slave to righteousness with being “a slave to God.” (verse 22) Their now-Master is God Himself instead of Sin. Paul had explained in Romans 1:28-32 that sin was serious and that the wages were fair. All sinners “deserve” to die. Now he repeats the important outcome of sin and the contrast that must be acknowledged, “The wages of sin is DEATH.” (verse 23) But under grace – that is, the gift of God – the outcome is eternal LIFE! (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Everyday Application

1) Does God’s grace give a believer the freedom to sin recklessly and consistently? (verses 15-16)
Maybe you’ve heard someone say, ‘freedom isn’t free’. That’s likely accurate when it comes to a nation, but when it comes to God’s grace, what sounds too good to be true is a believer’s reality! This sets up a believer for a lifelong fight against the craftiest enemy to ever exist. Because Satan hates us and he hates God, he will constantly whisper in our ear, “Did God really say?”(Genesis 3:1) His whispers can tempt us to either distrust someone who gives us an expensive gift with no strings attached (John 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9), or take advantage of their generosity. Paul worried about the readers doing the latter. From a purely natural viewpoint, grace is scandalous. That’s why the enemy’s scheme is a devious one. “Did God really offer you HIS righteousness for free?!” Everything Paul reminded the reader of in verses 3-9 is true for us as believers. Though the non-believing person is free from righteousness, when we experience grace we have no desire for that kind of freedom. Our response to God’s grace should not be to live a life of rebellion, void of submission and thankfulness. May that never be, my sweet sister! We are free from the penalty of our sin, and are now both required and free to say no to sin on a daily basis and free to follow Jesus into life everlasting. It’s not too good to be true, it’s delightfully freeing!

2) How can those in Christ be set free, yet at the same time be enslaved? (verse 18)
Sister, this is everything! Do you remember the story Jesus told of the generous father and ungrateful son in Luke 15:11-32? The son wanted freedom from boundaries and obedience, so he asked for his inheritance and left home. But his choice didn’t lead to freedom at all, but into deeper slavery. He became entrenched in slavery to his selfish desires and eventually became someone’s servant who took care of pigs. He wanted to free himself but he enslaved himself in the process. It was only when he came to his senses, realized the love he had abandoned, and humbly returned home to his father that he found grace and real freedom. We are that son in so many ways. We think freedom is found in living a life centered on ourselves, our desires, and our happiness. Maybe you’ve experienced the anguish of choosing a life free of righteousness only to find it led you to despair and desperation. Often, this choice involves so much pain and sorrow. It is certainly true that we will not be completely free from our sinful desires until Jesus returns. There will be a never-ending battle to walk in that freedom until He does. Even as people who bask in our righteous condition, from time to time we will give into sin which we must confess. (1 John 1:8-2:2) But once we’ve tasted and digested the good grace of God, we will desire to stay away from what displeases Him.

3) What prompted the apostle Paul to use the analogy of human freedom and slavery? (verses 19-20)
The history of humanity is deeply embedded with the element of slavery. Many Bible scholars believe slavery in biblical times was very different from the wicked slavery that has plagued our world. For one, it was rarely based exclusively on race. In Bible times, slavery was based more on economics and social status. People often sold themselves to pay their debts and provide for their families. Some actually chose to be servants of others. This is helpful as we attempt to comprehend Paul’s analogy because he intentionally chose it to illustrate his point. Let’s consider the picture he paints for us as it points us to the way of salvation. The slavery Paul writes of had nothing to do with society or the reformation of a social system, but it had everything to do with the reformation of a person’s mindset. When we experience God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, God reforms our soul. It is then we realize that the slavery Paul speaks of is tied to an allegiance. We are no longer bound to sin that drives us to obey unrighteousness. We are now bound to a better Master, God Himself! This kind of slavery actually offers freedom for life. It’s a glorious paradox that shouts: Emancipation Day! You’re all free to obey God and live in His righteousness!

4) What are the contrasting results and outcome of choosing to depend on grace rather than law to save us? (verses 22-23)
Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-20 that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. It is through Him we are no longer responsible to perfectly keep the regulations we find in the Law for our salvation. We couldn’t if we tried! Understanding the grace of God in Christ helps us to keep Him precious in our souls, sweet friend. We see His beauty and we are drawn to it. Sister, it is this glorious grace He offers that compels us to obey. We have the freedom to reject this offer, but once we understand the value of this free gift we are overwhelmed with gratitude. It is by God’s grace, through faith in His promise, we are saved from death. (Galatians 3:21-26) It is this grace that also attracts us to our Savior. (2 Corinthians 4:6) John Piper offers an excellent insight, “[There are] people whose Christianity is a group of ideas about Christ, not an experience of the preciousness of Christ. Their Christianity is all truth and no treasure. All ‘choice’ and no cherishing. All logic about Christ and no love for Christ. All ‘decision’ and no delight. Oh, that we would all pursue the preciousness of Christ. And the preciousness of justification by faith. And the preciousness of being under grace, not under law. He came under law and satisfied the law, so that we might be redeemed from law and become children of God.” The outcome of choosing our own righteousness by trying to keep the law is death. BUT the outcome of choosing Christ’s righteousness through His grace is LIFE FOREVER!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Pray Together!
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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Eden Week Three!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Groom & His Bride!

The Questions

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Original Intent

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The phrasing in verse 10, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with” refers to the scene from Genesis 3 when the curse is laid on Adam as a result of his sin in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:17-19) The curse details how, even though Adam had previously been given work as a gift, now the work would carry a burden, it would be difficult, and produce only a fraction of what it would have before the effects of sin. The work God intended to bring us life and satisfaction in the doing of it, will now be twisted with sin and death. The Genesis passage also references life itself, which was a gift given to humankind, but now because of sin, all life will return to dust. If this were the end of the story, life itself is utterly meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
Verse 11 immediately follows up the meaninglessness of verse 10 with hope, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”, which also references the finishing of Creation in Genesis 1:31 when God declared that everything He had made was very good. All of creation, in its original design, was very good, flawless without a hint of imperfection, but man chose sin, destroying the beauty. (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 3:6-7) Yet, the God who made everything beautiful at creation’s inception, is not impotent when it comes to sin and its decay. The same all-powerful God who formed atoms at the beginning of time and space, is the same all-powerful God who “has put eternity into man’s heart”. There is more beyond the “now”, there is eternity, and an eternal God who, in His own creation, shaped the heart of all people to long for eternity, to seek out the eternal God…to look for HOPE beyond themselves. This is the heart of a Groom who longs for His Bride. This is a picture of a pursuant God who intentionally designed His Beloved to hunger for Him, to ache to be made whole.

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
The teacher of Ecclesiastes notes that “whatever God does, endures forever” (verse 14) His purposes are sure and His plans cannot be thwarted, even in spite of our sin! The teacher further goes on to explain that this eternality of God and His immutability, is for our benefit. He set up creation that humanity would perceive the character of God (Romans 1:20) in order that we might fear Him (meaning to stand in absolute stunning awe of Him), come to know Him, and call Him Lord for ourselves. He is the pursuant Groom, and we are the ones He is seeking that He might call us His Bride! “God seeks what has been driven away.” (verse 15)

Everyday Application

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The “business” God has given is the gift of work. Whatever your work is, this is the gift of God. How do you spend your days? What fills them? What is your work and when was the last time you saw it as a gift? What makes our work a gift, even now living in a fallen world with the effects of the curse pervading every aspect of life, is Who we do the work for. Work is redeemed when we see it as a means to glorify God and love others. (Colossians 3:17) Verse 12 notes, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.” Enjoy your work (Ecclesiastes 3:22), honor the giver of work, and love others well (Psalm 34:14, Psalm 37:3).

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
As you consider your everyday life, your work, your relationships, your joys, and your sorrows, where are you longing for Hope? What would begin to shift in your perspective and your heart when you consider that God intentionally designed for you to seek and know and be found by Him and He uses your everyday scenarios to draw you closer to Himself? What if you began to see your everyday, real life situations as invitations from the Almighty to come to Him, to seek Him, and be known by Him? Would you reach for Him more willingly? Would you call out for His help more frequently? Perhaps your heart would even become more quickly stirred to aching for His return when He will make all things new and beautiful once again. (Revelation 21:5)

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
I’m a mom of 7; nothing I do lasts for 5 minutes, let alone for eternity. Laundry, dishes, tidy beds, or a stocked pantry last only moments, but what God does never fades. God Himself is eternal, and because He loves His Bride, He has created a future for her to dwell with Him for eternity. His Church, the Beloved, made up of all those special and unique lives that have surrendered their all to Him, will finally find fullness and sweetness as it was designed to be from the beginning. We will inherit a life of purpose, a life of productivity, a life of intimacy with God, a life that will last for eternity! This kind of hope will never fail!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Groom &His Bride!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Bride Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sacrifice Day 3 Two Sacrifices

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 18:9-14
Matthew 19:16-30
Luke 11:46-53
Amos 5:20-24

Sacrifice, Day 3

Jesus loved flipping worldviews upside down.
Sometimes He flipped literal tables.
Most often, He pierced the darkness of ordinary, self-applauding human nature with the blinding brilliance of God’s love.

In Jewish religious culture, no human was more highly lauded than the Pharisee. They had political power, money, pedigree, clout, and oh, the most important? Righteousness. These were the holy, the elite, and highly favored as God’s “super-players.” To a Jew, a Pharisee’s prestige was unsurpassed.

On the flip side, tax collectors were “most despised” within Jewish culture as the poster-children for Roman control and unbridled gluttony. Overtaxing to pad their own pockets, tax collectors were extremely wealthy; their arrogance and greed were undeniable. The swagger of their steps, the bulge of their food-ridden bodies, and the luxury of their clothing garnished disdain from every Jew. If anyone would never enter the kingdom of Heaven, it would be a Roman Tax Collector.

So Jesus, intent on penetrating the hearts of His hearers so they might see Him as the God who sacrificed Himself on their behalf to pay their full debt of sin, began His story. Perhaps He paused along the road, allowing a wide field and smooth rock to be His amphitheater as listeners pressed closer under the hot Judean sun.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray,” He began, and instantly all eyes affixed on His.
The temple to pray? These were holy men desiring God; this would be a good story!

Jesus inhaled, making eye contact with several sprawled before Him.
Spirit, bring their hearts to us. Open their blind eyes to see the Salvation before them!

“… One a Pharisee and the other?” Jesus paused, eyebrow raised. Would they hear Him this time? Would they understand He was their sacrifice and their “righteousness” could never earn them favor with God? “… a tax collector,” He exhaled.

The shudders were visible across the crowd as they recoiled at His inclusion of a tax collector in His story.

Animated, Jesus jumped atop the rock and called out, “The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself…” Jesus raised His hands with mock humility and grand sweeping gestures before continuing, “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people–greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” Jesus pointed His finger with the full theatrics of a condemning Pharisee.

The audience was hooked. Jesus nailed it. This is a Pharisee!
How right of the Pharisee to elevate himself to God.
Get that tax collector out of here!
He’s not like a righteous Jew, and certainly not like the righteous Pharisee.

Jesus’ demeanor instantly changed as He prepared to “flip the tables” of the peoples’ understanding. Gone was the façade of swagger. Tears pricked His eyes, and though He bowed His head and began beating His chest in the common motion of humility, His voice of authority carried across the warm field,

“But the tax collector, standing far off,
would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but kept striking his chest and saying,
‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’”

Silence.

Even the bees and locusts couldn’t be heard as Jesus paused,
looking again at each face before Him,
pleading with the Spirit to light darkened hearts
with the the truth of His Perfect Sacrifice
for their utter dearth of righteousness.

His people were trapped in their sin without escape. Oh how they tried to be good enough on their own, but they must see their “goodness” was nothing more than bloody menstrual rags. (Isaiah 64:6)
Rottenness accosting the Holiness of God.

How desperately they needed a Savior!
One to part the Heavens (Psalm 18:6-19),
pay the debt they owed in full (Hebrews 9:26),
die the death they could not escape (1 Corinthians 15:3),
and rise again to conquer death and sin forever (Revelation 1:18)
on their behalf.

Here was God in the flesh standing before them.
The perfect Sacrifice.
To do exactly this.

All through the ages His people had turned against Him, rejecting His perfect love in exchange for idols (Ezekiel 14:3), pride (Jeremiah 50:31), and unabated evil bringing death to everything.

Abel offered the best of himself.
Cain clutched his pride.
(Genesis 4:4-7)

The widow held out the smallest coin, representing the entirety of her possessions.
The wealthy dropped money by the bag-full.
(Luke 21:3)

The tax collector beat his breast with the agony of his wretchedness.
The self-sanctioned Pharisee touted his “good deeds” to a perfectly Holy God.
(Luke 18:12)

Two Offerings.
Only one was acceptable before the God who took the debt of sin upon Himself. (1 Peter 2:24)
The humble heart of contrition.

Only Abel’s offering was acceptable.
Only the widow’s poverty was made much of.
And our tax collector?

Jesus lifted His voice again,
“I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other,
because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Only the humble are brought near to God, for only the humble recognize the utter disgrace of their wretched sin against the flawless perfection of Holy.

Only the humble are positioned to receive the offering of life held out by the God who Sacrificed Himself, that His people might come home to Him.

“Be miserable and mourn and weep [over your sin].
Let your laughter [of prideful arrogance] be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:9-10)

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Sacrifice!