courage..

I've been working through the book of Romans, because I have to teach it for the first time soon. I didn't know why God decided that this was something I could do, but here it is and here I am; praise Him for His ability to empower me to speak truth! But the best thing about teaching something is what it teaches you in the process. I can almost never get past the first chapter without getting on my knees and begging my Lord to give me the kind of heart Paul has for people.

Romans 1:16 states, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." This verse cries out to me every time I read through Romans; however, this last time when preparing to teach it (and with missions conference in the not-so-distant past), it hit me in an even bigger way. In the past, I have been so struck by the courage of Paul, how he could so boldly share the Gospel to those he came in contact with. Why was he not afraid of rejection, of persecution, of scorn? However, the power source of his courage is what became so beautifully prominent this time as I read:

"For it is the power of God unto salvation..."

The Gospel saves! IT IS the power! Of course Paul was excited to proclaim this message - the message that brought him life is the message that brings life to all who call upon Him! How could he be ashamed of that truth? How can we be ashamed of this truth? This message brings life and courage - it changes lives, and makes new; it brings death to life, heals the broken, and fills the empty. Christ died for all, and in accepting His gift through faith and repentance, the Holy Spirit fills us and makes us His own, as joint-heirs with Christ. Life eternal... what a gift!

What a beautiful message - what a beautiful Savior. I am not ashamed.

Isaiah 55:1-2

being godly..

"Be ye holy as I am holy"
~ I Peter 1:16

Sometimes we make our Christian lives so complicated. We draw up our 3-point outlines, wax eloquent about our theological pontifications, and create our petty notions of what's really important. We don't argue over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin anymore, but sometimes I think we disguise it in other topics of daily "Christian" conversation. However, I was sitting in church, finding my mind doing its own dancing with the theological ramifications of something or other and complicating the situation further with my own "wisdom," when God, in His still small voice, said to me so clearly, "Be godly, Sarah."

So often we try so hard to sound spiritually intelligent to ourselves as we struggle through understanding situations in our lives (at least I find myself doing this more often than I'd like to admit). But the point isn't to sound godly - the point is to be godly. It was so refreshing to be reminded from Scripture that what God wants from His children is holiness. It's not an easy task, but it is a simple command. Around all our other elaborate theological efforts lies this founding truth - Be like Him. Be godly. Live as He would live, in His standard, for His glory.

And the even more refreshing thing about it? It's GOD'S work in us! Our responsibility as His children is to surrender control, and then He does the rest. The Holy Spirit provides the power and the ability to do right. He wasn't sent to DO our Christianity for us, but to CONTROL our lives for His purposes. We are simply His vessels, His workmanship. Then when it's His work, it's effective and it's powerful!

While still sitting there in church, I was reminded of a leadership retreat I went on back in high school. We were all sitting around the campfire and our teacher asked us what plans we had for life, where we saw ourselves going and/or what we wanted to do. When the question came to me, I remember saying that I wasn't sure what God had vocationally for my future, but I did know that I wanted to be a godly woman. I wanted Christ to so reign in my life that people could see His reflection in me. That is still my prayer. I want to be godly. Every day, step by step, His power of righteousness should abound in me (John 14:17b; 2 Tim. 2:20-25), and the other things, while I still actively pursue the truth, will be founded in His righteousness as I act out His will for my life.

My one focus is to follow Him, wholly and unreservedly. Everything else works out for His purposes as I reflect Him, my all in all. As I am filled with the Holy Spirit's empowering ability, I walk in godliness.

Simple.

2 Corinthians 5:9 May I please Him in all I do and say.