So... I passed a very hard test this last week, that now qualifies me to design "green" architecture. Feel any different? no... but I got some letters behind my name now, and I'm a professional in something. Getting hired by a firm should be easier as well, now that I am LEED AP. I still have the feeling that it counts for nothing in eternity. When I die and am resurrected with Christ, I am pretty sure that being LEED AP will not count for much. So if you are reading this, know that knowing God is what counts in this life. Everything else pails in comparison. Knowing who God is and what he requires of us is all that matters.
It's a good thing that Christ has died for us then because otherwise we would have to use our lives to meet God's requirements. The God of the bible is a holy God, a righteous God, who hates sin. How are we to be reconciled to him then if we have sinned. No one has lived a perfect besides God himself. Consider: have you stolen? have you lied? have you thought sexual thoughts towards someone other than your spouse (this goes for singles too)? have you hated your brother in your mind (remember that 'brother' is anyone you come in contact with)? Just doing one of these once cancels your contract with God. In other words you fail his requirements.
Thank Christ that he has come and died in our place. Where death was required, God's son died for us, so that there is no condmenation for us. It's amazing Grace! Amazing love! the GREAT exchange! the substitutionary sacrifice! and why would I not worship this God? especially, when he has claimed to be the only God.
I find that being LEED AP is good for me in the fact that I may provide for my family. I also think that putting myself in these positions allows me to plant seeds in places that may never see the sight of Christ.
Rachel and I have seen in the word that we should practice hospitality to anyone, understanding that to practice an activity includes thinking and doing. So we are thinking of ways that we may be hospitable to others, while at the same time being sure to put this into action.
I am looking forward to november, and the birth of my first born child (and yes that is the same 'child' that is used in proverbs, exodus, and matthew). I cannot explain the joy that fills me already. Only parents could know this feeling. I see how God has blessed me with this Joy already, even before my child is able to be held by me!
listening to right now: Brandon Heath
favorite band right now: LeCrae
favorite color: orange
verses I read this morning: Luke chapters 6 & 7
memorization verses right now: deut 17:19 1 John 2:28 Heb 13:22 2 Tim 3:16
project working on right now: condominiums on Jarnigan St in Starkville
looking forward to: bible study on wed, being off friday (& midwife visit), biking with my dogs
hoping: that I get some quality time with my wife tonight
most enjoyed in the past little bit: reading Ruth with Rachel
just thought I'd clue ya'll in ony life! Have a great day!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
On 1 John 1:9
Forgiveness and Confession
We should always confess our sins to him and each other, but his forgiveness is there even before we confess our sins:
“II. The apostle then instructs the believer in the way to the continued pardon of his sin. Here we have, 1. His duty in order thereto: If we confess our sins, v. 9. Penitent confession and acknowledgment of sin are the believer’s business, and the means of his deliverance from his guilt”
(not from God’s condemnation because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ – Romans 8:1. We are not condemn by God if we believe on Christ. Therefore there is no need for asking forgiveness). – my insert
“And, 2. His encouragement thereto, and assurance of the happy issue. This is the veracity, righteousness, and clemency of God, to whom he makes such confession: He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, v. 9. God is faithful to his covenant and word, wherein he has promised forgiveness to penitent believing confessors. He is just to himself and his glory who has provided such a sacrifice, by which his righteousness is declared in the justification of sinners. He is just to his Son who has not only sent him for such service, but promised to him that those who come through him shall be forgiven on his account. By his knowledge (by the believing apprehension of him) shall my righteous servant justify many, Isa. 53:11. He is clement and gracious also, and so will forgive, to the contrite confessor, all his sins, cleanse him from the guilt of all unrighteousness, and in due time deliver him from the power and practice of it.”
~blueletterbible.org / Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 John 1
Here is the Greek for “we confess” @ 1 John 1:9:
Homologeō
1) to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent
2) to concede
a) not to refuse, to promise
b) not to deny
1) to confess
2) declare
3) to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of
3) to profess
a) to declare openly, speak out freely
b) to profess one's self the worshipper of one
4) to praise, celebrate
Here is the Greek for “forgive” @ Matt 6:12:
Aphiēmi
1) to send away
a) to bid going away or depart
1) of a husband divorcing his wife
b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
c) to let go, let alone, let be
1) to disregard
2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic)
a) of teachers, writers and speakers
3) to omit, neglect
d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
a) in order to go to another place
b) to depart from any one
c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
d) to desert wrongfully
e) to go away leaving something behind
f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
i) abandon, leave destitute
It’s the peace of Christ that is seen by knowing that if we believe “on” Christ our sins are forgiven already & always!
Galatians 6:2 admonishes us to bear each other’s burdens. I believe that through confession to each other we are able to do that. There is no need to ask forgiveness because we have already been justified by Christ before, so therefore, know that God has forgiven you and that you are free from sin and sinning to live as free people!
Also, note that to love Christ, believing “on” him and abiding in him, we must keep and abide in his word (John 14:23). This is one way to know that we are believing on Christ and not just claiming a belief in Christ, a belief that doesn’t produce fruit.
We should always confess our sins to him and each other, but his forgiveness is there even before we confess our sins:
“II. The apostle then instructs the believer in the way to the continued pardon of his sin. Here we have, 1. His duty in order thereto: If we confess our sins, v. 9. Penitent confession and acknowledgment of sin are the believer’s business, and the means of his deliverance from his guilt”
(not from God’s condemnation because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ – Romans 8:1. We are not condemn by God if we believe on Christ. Therefore there is no need for asking forgiveness). – my insert
“And, 2. His encouragement thereto, and assurance of the happy issue. This is the veracity, righteousness, and clemency of God, to whom he makes such confession: He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, v. 9. God is faithful to his covenant and word, wherein he has promised forgiveness to penitent believing confessors. He is just to himself and his glory who has provided such a sacrifice, by which his righteousness is declared in the justification of sinners. He is just to his Son who has not only sent him for such service, but promised to him that those who come through him shall be forgiven on his account. By his knowledge (by the believing apprehension of him) shall my righteous servant justify many, Isa. 53:11. He is clement and gracious also, and so will forgive, to the contrite confessor, all his sins, cleanse him from the guilt of all unrighteousness, and in due time deliver him from the power and practice of it.”
~blueletterbible.org / Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 John 1
Here is the Greek for “we confess” @ 1 John 1:9:
Homologeō
1) to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent
2) to concede
a) not to refuse, to promise
b) not to deny
1) to confess
2) declare
3) to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of
3) to profess
a) to declare openly, speak out freely
b) to profess one's self the worshipper of one
4) to praise, celebrate
Here is the Greek for “forgive” @ Matt 6:12:
Aphiēmi
1) to send away
a) to bid going away or depart
1) of a husband divorcing his wife
b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
c) to let go, let alone, let be
1) to disregard
2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic)
a) of teachers, writers and speakers
3) to omit, neglect
d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
a) in order to go to another place
b) to depart from any one
c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
d) to desert wrongfully
e) to go away leaving something behind
f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
i) abandon, leave destitute
It’s the peace of Christ that is seen by knowing that if we believe “on” Christ our sins are forgiven already & always!
Galatians 6:2 admonishes us to bear each other’s burdens. I believe that through confession to each other we are able to do that. There is no need to ask forgiveness because we have already been justified by Christ before, so therefore, know that God has forgiven you and that you are free from sin and sinning to live as free people!
Also, note that to love Christ, believing “on” him and abiding in him, we must keep and abide in his word (John 14:23). This is one way to know that we are believing on Christ and not just claiming a belief in Christ, a belief that doesn’t produce fruit.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
life and Christ
It’s been a good week. I have seen that the grace of Christ is sufficient in my life. I downloaded ReSound’s new album for free! (A Mars Hill Band) The album comprises mostly of hymns done in my generation’s fashion. Rachel and I listened to them last night while I studied for the LEED exam. AGHHHHH! I am taking the exam in a week’s time and have only studied, thoroughly one section of six in the past two nights.
I bought an audio guide to the reference manual for this test in hopes that it might sink in subliminally.
I have seen in God’s word today that Christ has died for our sins and has bore them on the cross. Isaiah 53:5 says that God was pierced through our transgression, crushed for our sins; the chastening for well-being fell upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We are studying Romans 8 in bible study over the summer, and we are on verses 9-11 which tell more of the story of Christ’s sacrifice: (my paraphrase) If you are a believer in Christ, then you do not focus on your desires, but you focus on God’s. You who belong to Christ must have the spirit of Christ. You are to be free from sin (not from sinning) and focused on God’s will. If your focus is on the spirit of God, you will be given life. What good news!
This goes back to Matthew 5:48, “therefore, be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.” Of course we are imperfect beings, but we are Justifide by Christ!, for those who believe on him. I imagine us before the throne of God, at our time of judgement, but instead of our sins, all God sees is his son, Christ, the spotless and blameless lamb of our atonement!
Man I get all fired up talking about this!.. but I digress… I am on Lunch break, writing and my break is coming to an end. I’ll finish with a little image of something Roger Pryor & I design, that’s being constructed later this month:
But just like everything else in life, this too shall pass. All of Man's glories will deteriorate and fall! Come to Christ who is unfailing and eternal!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
My life right now
I am soon to be a father for the first time. I hope to teach my children God's word and live in such a way that his word is glorified.
I am a husband. I hope to wash my wife in the word of God, following the admonishing of Paul in Ephesians 5.
I am a brother in many ways, two of which include, being a help and encouragement to my sisters and brother in my family, and being an encouragement to my brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere.
I am disciple. I study the word of God trying to learn all I can from his word. I am a teacher. Making disciples of those who will listen.
I am nameless. Christ is the only good in me, and it is his name I would have for me, my wife, my children, my family, and any who would have him as well.
I am a husband. I hope to wash my wife in the word of God, following the admonishing of Paul in Ephesians 5.
I am a brother in many ways, two of which include, being a help and encouragement to my sisters and brother in my family, and being an encouragement to my brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere.
I am disciple. I study the word of God trying to learn all I can from his word. I am a teacher. Making disciples of those who will listen.
I am nameless. Christ is the only good in me, and it is his name I would have for me, my wife, my children, my family, and any who would have him as well.
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