Isaiah 9:6 - It's Kinda a Big Deal

 

Isaiah 9:6

NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

NLT

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

The Child had to be born.  God could have come in any form to serve as the Messiah.  But He came as God the Son to add humanity to His deity.  Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is fully God and fully man, functioning with two natures in perfect harmony. 

 

“That Jesus is both God and man tells us that man really is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and that perfect humanity is more compatible with deity than we imagine. It says that our problem is not our humanity, but our fallenness. To say “I’m only human” is wrong because Jesus was fully human yet perfect. It is more accurate to say, “I’m only fallen.” But remember that the humanity that Jesus added to His Divine nature was not the sinful humanity we commonly know, but the perfect humanity of Adam and Eve before the fall.” (Enduring Word Commentary)

 

All of the above is pretty churchy.  I read this and am again reminded of my value to God.  All of these names of Christ and He chose me to come down here for you and me.  For God so love the world….I’m the world and you’re the world. 

For God so loved (your name here) that He gave His only begotten Son, that if (your name here) believes in Him, (your name here) will not perish but have everlasting life. 

 

In the worlds grand scheme of things, we’re pretty small parts.  To quote a movie; “Look at all the stars.  You look up and you think ‘God made all this and He remembered to make a little speck like me.’  It’s kind of flattering, really”  ~ Morgan Earp (Tombstone)

 

But God, thinks we’re kinda a big deal!  We’re to die for.  Are you living like you’re a big deal to God?

 

Big deal,

cej

Luke 1:26-38 You are Valued

 

Luke 1:26-38

NKJV

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

NLT

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

 

This verse starts out with the angel calling Mary the “highly favored one”; saying that the Lord was with her and that she was blessed.  And then we read that Mary was troubled (or confused and disturbed) by what was said.  Mary shows her humility here, maybe surprised by the words.

 

Do you know that’s how God see’s us as believers?  And it’s always a surprise to us because we don’t really understand our value.  Our value was defined by a God who came to this world to experience everything as a man.  Jesus Christ was born in a manger, not a pretty clean, well lit little barn.  But a dirty smelly little lean-to that was built against the side of another building.  There was everything you would expect to be in a barn….animals and all the by-product that comes along with them.  It’s wasn’t the pretty little nativity scene that we all have at our house.  Urine and manure covered straw; animals right on top of them….I hope you get the picture because this is part of the value God sees in you.

 

Jesus could have come to this world as a grown man and started His ministry.  Instead, God chose to experience everything that we experience, from birth to death and all the moments in between.  If you’re asking yourself why….I’ll tell you.  Because God values you enough to do it.

 

God chose a dirty little lean-to and a cross to show us our value.  Jesus came to serve and love and tell us truth.  He gave up the glory of heaven to come and say “I love you”  No greater sacrifice can be seen than the one where a birth in a manger and a bloody death on a cross are in the details.  God loved you that much. 

 

Do you understand your value yet?

 

Valued,

cej

Mathew 1:18-25 / Just a Man or a Just Man?

 

Mathew 1:18-25   Just a Man or a Just Man?

NKJV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

 

NLT

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel,

which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.  But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

As I read these verses, I not really thinking about Mary or even Jesus.  I was thinking about Joseph.  Here was a man who had probably been engaged to Mary for quite some time (generally set up by the parents at a very young age), so he probably knew what kind of person Mary was.  He most likely had been around her as they grew up.  They then reached this period of betrothal (this was official and binding, could only be broken by divorce), so there probably was this time of getting to know each other deeper than they did when they were young.  Joseph and Mary were known as husband and wife for about a year before the marriage. 

 

Joseph found out that the woman he was to marry was pregnant.  For the times, this could have been a huge scandal.  Joseph could have done a lot of things at this point.  By appearances, she had been unfaithful.  To the world, divorce or worse was what was due her. 

.

But the bible calls Joseph a just man.  That’s what is on my mind when I read this today.  Being just.  The word is defined as guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness: done or made according to principle; equitable; proper: based on right; rightful; lawful: in keeping with truth or fact; true; correct. 

 

Joseph had spent probably close to a year in the betrothal stage with Mary.  He know her person, he knew her beliefs and personality.  He had time to get to know her in that year.  So when she said she was pregnant, he was already invested in her.  It wasn’t going to be easy to make a huge deal out of what appeared to be a person who made a mistake, or bad choice.  He cared enough about her to not make this a public scandal.  He was guided by truth, reason, justice and fairness; He wanted to handle this with as much tenderness as possible.  And then the angel spoke to him and changed everything for him.

 

But I want to talk about being just for a minute.  Am I guilty of blasting somebody because of a poor decision they might have made?  Certainly, I’m just a man.  But did I consider how I was given a gift of grace and forgiven all of my sins as a believer, was that what I deserved?  No, but I’m just a man.  But do I want to be just a man, or a just man?  We are made to be just men (or women).  As believers we are empowered to rise above what the world says is the right thing.  Spurgeon said, “When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner.  Maybe we shall not have to do it at all”  Our call is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul; and to love one another.  If our first reaction is anger and self righteousness, then we’re not showing love to anyone, including ourselves.  Let’s remember where we were standing when Christ was put on that cross….in the crowd…shouting…crucify Him!

Everybody makes poor choices and mistakes (sometimes we willingly do it), let’s not lose the chance to share the love of Christ with people.  We were all the woman at the well at some point.  Share truth for sure…but love on people when their unlovable.

 

A just man today,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:7 - Be Different

1 Corinthians 4:7
 
NKJV
For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
 
NLT
For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
 
Paul was addressing the Corinthians pride by asking three questions.  The same three questions can apply to us too.
 
What makes us different from others?  That would seem to be a simple question, wouldn’t it?  Believers are different because the blood of Christ was shed for us…right?  But wait, wasn’t the blood of Christ shed for all?  If you don’t know the answer to that, it is yes. 1 John 2:2 tells us “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”  So back to the original question, what makes us different?  Sadly, as Christians, a lot of times we don’t look any different the rest of the world.  Maybe it’s time for a change in your life.  It’s time to show the world the same love that we as believers were shown that day on Golgotha.
 
What do we have that God hasn’t given us?  If we believe that God is the great provider, then surely we believe that He has given us all we have.  And if all we have was given to us, what do we really own.  I’m not just talking about things here, cause we know He already owns all of that (Psalm 50:10 for every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.)  But lets consider our talents and personality traits, didn’t God give us those too?  How often am I wasting my talents and gifts, because I believe they are mine.  They’re part of who I am, but they’re not mine.  Maybe it’s time to examine ourselves and use what God has given us for the purpose of the gift?
 
Final question, if we are meant to be different from the world and all we have has been gifted to us from God; then what right do we have to brag about it? 
 
Let’s spend our time using what we have been given and learn to apply it like Jesus did.  Speak in love to others; speak in truth to others and love them despite how they present themselves to us.  We can’t change people, we can only tell them about Jesus and love on them where they are.
 
Be different,
cej

 

1 Corinthians 4:6 - Learnin' More

 

Photo Credit:  Judy Deist

 

1 Corinthians 4:6

NKJV

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

 

NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.

 

Paul is telling the Corinthians that they should not put one leader over another, that their focus should be on God and the written Scriptures.  The Corinthians were caught up in the celebrity of their leaders and not what the word of God said.  Aren’t we as people, guilty of that at times?  We judge our pastors on humor, his appearance and how marketable he is (to name a few).  We walk away from sermons and leave churches because we “weren’t getting fed” by that pastor (something I’ve actually said).

 

Sola Scriptura, or Scriptures alone are what we should base our opinions of everything being spoken from the platform.  I wonder how often I have heard something that I disagreed with, from the pulpit, and I never verified its truth in the Scriptures?  I remember listening to a guest pastor once and he said a bunch of stuff that I disagreed with.  There were so many folks that felt the way I did, that what he said was wrong.  So, what did we do?  We complained to our pastor about this guy.  How jacked up is that?!?!

 

If we are waiting to be “fed” by the pastor, then we are going to starve to death!  We have access in multiple forms to God’s Word.  We should spend time in them daily, we need to get beyond milk and start eating meat.  Test what your pastor says by holding it to the light of God’s Word.  Does it stand up?  If it does, then maybe…just maybe, you should encourage your pastor.  If it doesn’t stand up, then maybe a conversation with your pastor for clarification of what he said.  The point here is, don’t just talk the talk.  Study God’s word.  Sola Scriptura.

 

Wouldn’t it be really cool if we all were biblical scholars?

 

Learnin’ more,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:5 - Win for Chrst

 

1 Corinthians 4:5

 

NKJV

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

 

NLT

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

 

This verse sounds like a warning, doesn’t it?  I believe we are all capable of judging others just because they don’t think like we do.  I know I’m guilty of that.  I think when we consider judging others, we should look at what the Word says about that first in Romans 3:23 (all of have sinned and fall short of the glory of God).  We were all in the same boat at one time or another.

 

The verse above says God will bring our darkest secrets to light.  What in the world?  Didn’t He already forgive me for those?  The answer is yes, but here’s my thought on this.  Typically, as believers, when we’re judging others, we are choosing to ignore our own issues, things like sin we’re hiding from everyone that we keep returning to.  Things like our anger when that hot button issue comes up and we throw our judgement out like a knife.

 

Should we ignore an untruth, when it comes to God’s word?  Certainly not!  But how hard is it to speak the truth in love?  Jesus spoke truth and said go and sin no more.  He didn’t waste His time is useless arguments.  So, let’s not waste our time speaking anything but truth.  Remember God made every person we come in contact with, regardless of if we like them or not.  Our judgement is coming, just the same as everyone else.  Arguments don’t win anyone to Christ and He died for everyone….not just the people we like.

 

Win for Christ,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 Doin' Better

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

NKJV

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

NLT

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.  My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

 

Paul here is saying that it doesn’t matter what the world thinks of him, that he doesn’t even judge himself; the Lord does.  Don’t take this the wrong way.  We should care enough about what the world thinks to show them what Jesus looks like in each of us.  But as believers, our judgement is by the Lord….that’s a whole lot scarier judgement than anything the world can heap on us.  Understand what Paul understood, just because our conscience is clear…doesn’t mean we’re right. 

 

I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “I don’t care what others think about me”.  In the past it was used as an excuse to do and say what I wanted, regardless of the feelings of others.  As I came to the Lord, my attitude about this changed.  I believe as a Christian, I have a responsibility to show love to others (speak the truth of Jesus but do it in love).  For example, a while back I had a good friend pass away and I made the comment that “God has a plan for each of us that we don’t always understand”.  His wife proceeded to tell me how mad she was at God in that moment.  Was there truth in my statement? Certainly.  Did it need to be said at that moment?  Absolutely not!  What his wife needed was for someone to cry with her in that moment.  Words we say in every situation have an effect, our application of those words will tell what the effect is.

 

How will you use your words today?

 

Doin’ better,

cej

 

1 Corinthians 4:1 -- Microscopic View

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

 

NLT

So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.  Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

 

Paul uses the word “hyperetas”, which describes a subordinate servant functioning as a free man (Enduring Word Commentary).  It isn’t the lowliest word for a slave, but it is just above the status.  This hyperatas (servant) did what he was told and asked no questions.  He also says he is a steward, meaning he has responsibility in the house; that it was important to be faithful.

 

I believe as we grow in our relationship with God, drawing closer to Christ; we see more and more how far these bodies we live in are from Him.  How things that at one point weren’t a big deal, are now a much bigger thing.  It’s like looking through a microscope at enamel.  To the naked eye, it appears smooth and slick.  But when we look thru the microscope, we can see large canyons and deep gouges.

 

I don’t say any of this to drag us down.  I say it so that we don’t get to far ahead of ourselves.  Our world of performance orientation can lead us to think we have it going on and that tends to get us to the point of letting our guard down.  And when our guard is down, the devil and our flesh work in tandem to trip us up. 

 

We should never let our flesh or satan have a foothold in our lives.  As believers in Christ, we have the ability to overcome those things, but we have to effort to do that.  John 16:33 says “I have told you all this so that you may peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world”  We are co-heirs with Christ; we have the Holy Spirit living in us; we can overcome the world too.

 

My microscopic view,

cej

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 -- Open Sight

 

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

 

NKJV

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

 

NLT

So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

 

“Paul has just pointed out that some human efforts won’t stand the fires of God’s judgement (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).  Scripture also clearly warns of the dangers of false teachers (Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Peter 2:1).  But when teachers of truth differ only in name, or style, or emphasis, it’s counter productive to bicker about which one deserves more loyalty.”  ~ bibleref.net

 

When I worked for a cutting horse place, we had some pretty famous people that came to the shows.  Some of the others that I worked with were a bit awestruck.  Maybe, at a certain level I was too.   But the one thing I remember most about those famous people was how poorly they rode their horses.  This wasn’t what they did for a living, so I believe they put minimal effort into knowing how to do it right.

 

I think there are a couple things to learn here. 

 

First, in my book anyway, how much effort do we put into our walk with Christ?  Are we relying on our pastors to “feed us” on Sunday and then we don’t think about Christ again until the next Sunday?  The verses today say that “everything belongs to you”, meaning that once we accept Christ; everything we need to learn about the bible is ours.  Everything is ours because Christ is in us, we have the freedom to learn; the freedom to overcome what the world throws at us.  We are not slaves to our flesh!

 

Secondly, and this ties right into it, let’s not glory in men.  Not even in Godly men, because they’re just men and they will fail us.  Only God cannot fail.  Are we more excited about being with the influential and famous of this world than about being with God?  Our answer to this question should bring us to our knees.  If we answer yes, then we should hit our knees and put Christ first in our lives.  If the answer is no, then we need to hit our knees and thank God for His presence and His leading.

 

Can you accept the freedom that living in Christ brings?

 

Seeing with open sites,

cej

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 -- Not That Smart

 

1 Corinthians 3:19-20

 

NKJV

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

 

NLT

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” (Job 5:13) And again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.” (Psalms 94:11)

 

How often do we think we are the smartest guy in the room?  For me, more often than I care to admit on certain subjects.  At the times I open my mouth to prove just how smart I am; invariably there is someone else there that is a whole lot smarter than me…it ends up being a “open mouth, insert foot” kinda moment.  I hate the taste of foot!  It reminds me of that old saying, “better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth a prove it”

 

I wonder if we can admit how often we think that our wisdom is greater than God’s? Because, you know, God doesn’t have all the details.  I believe our situations would improve immensely if we spent more time leaning into Godly wisdom and less time leaning into our own understanding.  Wisdom from the world has limits; it is limited by what man already knows.  I know that my wisdom has limits.

 

Let’s lean into God’s wisdom, because to be honest…we ain’t that smart!

 

Not that smart,

cej

1 Corinthians 3:18 -- Be a Fool

 

1 Corinthians 3:18

 

NKJV

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 

 

NLT

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 

 

What!?!?!  To be wise I have to be a fool.  Sounds confusing, doesn’t it?  When you read this in context with the verses around it, Paul is talking about rejecting worldly wisdom as the beat all to end all.  Worldly wisdom will tell you a lot of lies and we must capture each thought that comes into our head and look at it through a gospel lens. 

 

For example, living together before marriage.  The world says go ahead and try it before you buy.  What a lie!  God says that is sin.  We must examine everything that comes before us through the gospel filter and reject the things that are contrary to what God teaches us.  That’s the application of wisdom.

 

Fact is, we can have a lot of worldly wisdom; and there is nothing wrong with that.  It’s important for us to know stuff, to have knowledge.  But what’s more important is for us to have Godly wisdom.  Godly wisdom is the seeking to know God better.  The more revelation we have of God’s Word, the more the world will consider us fools.  I personally think I would rather be a fool to the world than in agreeance with it.

 

Be a fool,

cej 

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 -- That Kinda Love

 

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

 

NKJV

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 

NLT

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?  God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

 

I believe it is important for us, as believers, to understand, accept and believe that Christ is in us.  We are the temple of God!  1 Corinthians 6:19 says “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” How awesome is that!  Christ dwells in us individually and corporately. Corporately means He dwells in us as a people too!  2 Corinthians 6:16 says “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people."

 

Here is something to think about, God choose us!  An all knowing, all powerful, all present God chose us as His dwelling place.  Think about that the next time you willingly step into your sin!  I know I will.  His blood has made us able to turn away from all of that, to step into the light and live there.  Choose today to live differently.  Because there is joy in that kinda love!

 

OMNIPOTENT

om·​nip·​o·​tent | \ äm-ˈni-pə-tənt  \

having virtually unlimited authority or influence or one who has unlimited power or authority.

 

OMNISCIENT

om·​ni·​scient | \ äm-ˈni-shənt  \

having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight or possessed of universal or complete knowledge

 

OMNIPRESENT

om·​ni·​pres·​ent | \ ˌäm-ni-ˈpre-zᵊnt  \

present in all places at all times

 

 

likin’ that kinda love,

cej

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 -- Keystone

 

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

 

NKJV

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

 

NLT

Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

 

The last two posts seem to have a theme, and I’m going to continue that theme. Verse 10 brought to my mind the Cornerstone, Jesus who shows us how to be level and straight in our lives as believers.  Verse 11 brought to my mind the  Capstone, Jesus is who we are to strive to be like; the “top” of our lives.

 

Today is the keystone.  This is the central stone at the top of an arch that locks the whole thing together.  Jesus Christ is also our Keystone; the One who holds it all together for us as believers.  I think this also means that we must rely on Him and let Him hold us together.  We are not capable in our own power to pursue a life in Christ.  The Holy Spirit reveals that to us and all we have to do is lean into that belief.  I believe that everything we do as followers of Christ; from serving other to studying the Bible holds us together.  It proves that Christ is, and should be, the Keystone of our lives.

 

Held together,

cej

1 Corinthians 3:11 -- CapStone

 

1 Corinthians 3:11

 

NKJV

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

 

NLT

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

 

Capstone
cap·stone [ káp st-n ] cap·stones- Plural (NOUN)
1. Top stone: a stone used at the top of a wall or another structure

Verse 10 brought to my mind the Cornerstone (Jesus Christ), which we should line our lives up with to be sure that we are level and straight with the truth of Jesus Christ.  Today with verse 11, I’m brought to mind a capstone.  According to the definition above, the capstone sits at the top of a structure.  Isn’t that who Jesus should be for us?  The One we put at the top of our lives, the place we are looking to?  If we have Jesus as both our cornerstone and our capstone, then we would be able to stay level with and under His truth and teaching.  That seems do-able…right?

 

I don’t know, that felt a tiny bit rambly!  I guess what I’m saying is that if we keep Jesus as our foundation, the place we get our teachings; in addition to keeping Him as the finishing touch for us (our salvation)…how can we go wrong?

 

Capstoned,

cej