Taking Another Look
At times we discover that our beliefs that are not always accurate or complete. Our thoughts often do not line up with scripture. Because of this our lives are lacking in the maturity we need to become imitators of Christ.
Haven’t we believed that happiness comes when we experience what we want or desire? However, James 1:24 shares an unexpected source of happiness. "Dear brothers is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete." Amazingly as we develop patience we open a wonderful door to personal satisfaction for happiness comes from the inside out. We simply can’t ignore our failings and be happy.
How many of us believe our outward appearance, social position or education reflects our value? Let’s see what God’s word says. "You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you. In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing, whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all." Colossians 3:10,11
Should a believer still live under the Old Testament law? "...this system of law was to last only until the coming of Christ,... If we could be saved by his law then God would not have had to give us a different way to get out of the grip of sin- until Christ came we were guarded by the law, kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could believe in the coming Savior." Galations 3:19, 22, 23 "So don’t let anyone criticize you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating Jewish holidays or feasts or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these were only temporary rules that ended when Christ came. They were only shadows of the real thing- of Christ himself." Colossians 2:16,17 Friends, lets take another look at what we believe to be sure our convictions accurately represent the Word of God. As we examine our faith we can rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us closer to our greatest teacher, Jesus Christ.