Tuesday, May 31, 2005

A Powerful Return

[Christ] will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:21

Today’s verse assures us that Jesus Christ has the power to do the amazing things He has promised us. Since He can subject the entire universe to His sovereign control, He certainly has enough power to raise our bodies and make us like Him. He has the power to providentially create natural laws and to miraculously overrule them. He has the power to give life and to take it. The apostle Paul said, “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15:24-25).

The same power that will recapture the entire fallen universe and give it back to God is what makes it possible for us to become like Christ. Where is your focus? I hope it is on heaven and that you have not been distracted.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 168). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Monday, May 30, 2005

A Foretaste

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Presently we don’t live in heaven physically, but in a sense we do live in the heavenly realm. Though we are not in heaven, we are experiencing heavenly life. We have the life of God within us. We are under the rule of a heavenly King, and we obey heaven’s laws.

As a result, we experience “a foretaste of glory divine,” as Fanny Crosby noted in the hymn “Blessed Assurance.” We are living in a new community, enjoying a new fellowship that will fully come to fruition in a place called heaven.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 167). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Sunday, May 29, 2005

Motivated By Christ's Return

From which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

Anticipating Christ’s return is the greatest source of spiritual motivation, accountability, and security. It provides tremendous motivation in pursuing Christ because you will want to be ready when He comes. You will want to have been faithful in serving Him. You can find motivation in the hope of one day being rewarded by Christ and hearing, “Well done good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Mat 25:23).

Christ’s return provides accountability because that’s when “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12).

And His return will make you secure, knowing that Jesus said, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day” (John 6:39).

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 166). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Saturday, May 28, 2005

Our Home

Our citizenship is in heaven.

Philippians 3:20

Christians are not citizens of this world. The Greek word for “citizenship” in today’s verse refers to a colony of foreigners. In a secular source, it is used to describe a capital city that kept the names of its citizens on a register. Indeed, we are registered citizens of another place—heaven. Our names are there, our Father is there, our brothers and sisters are there, and our inheritance is there—it is our home.

The Israelites taken into the Babylonian Captivity give us a historical parallel to the contemporary church. Their home was still the Promised Land even though they lived for so many years in a foreign company. But when it came time to return, many had become so entrenched into the Babylonian culture that they didn’t want to leave. When the Lord says it’s time to go to heaven, we fight it as if it were the worst thing imaginable because this world has become everything to us. That’s why we must always be reminded that our citizenship is in heaven.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 165). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Friday, May 27, 2005

Where's Your Treasure

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:20

Leaving this earth and going to heaven is not a popular thought in the contemporary church. The increasing emphasis on success, prosperity, and personal problem–solving reflects our earthbound perspective.

It’s also hard for us to comprehend a future heavenly reward. In this materialistic age, we rarely experience delayed gratification. Almost anything we want, we can have immediately. We don’t even need money—we can use a credit card. We don’t have to build anything—we can buy it. And we don’t have to go very far to get it.

The lack of interest in heaven is the other side of the preoccupation with this world. Heaven is virtually ignored by modern evangelicals. There is little preaching or teaching on the subject, but there are mammoth amounts of material available on prospering in this life. To pursue Christ with the same passion as Paul, we must focus on the world to come.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 164). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Thursday, May 26, 2005

An Expectation Of Heaven

Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1

The apostle Paul was preoccupied with heaven; he knew few earthly comforts. He was beaten, stoned, left for dead, deprived of necessities, and frequently disappointed by people. But he had no concern for pleasant feelings: he wanted only to live a productive life in pursuit of his heavenly goal.

We must have the same focus if we are going to pursue our heavenly reward. Christ is from heaven and in heaven. Heaven is His place, and because we are His, heaven is our place as well. If we are preoccupied with being like Him, we will naturally be preoccupied with heaven. What happens there should be more important to us than what happens here.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 163). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Soldiers In A Holy War

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.

Ephesians 6:14

Our society is not conducive for people becoming like Christ. We live in what has been termed a sensate culture because most people are more concerned with pleasant emotions than with productive efforts—they’re more into comfort than accomplishment. Such a perspective has affected even the church, which suffers from an appalling apathy. We have forgotten that we are soldiers in a holy war.

As today’s verse indicates, the first thing a soldier put on before he went into battle was a belt around his waist. He would tie it as tight as he could and pull the corners of his tunic up through the belt so that he could have complete freedom of movement in hand–to–hand combat. The belt of truthfulness is not a piece of armor, for it cannot protect us directly. But it does indicate that we are to be serious about the battle and devoted to achieving victory.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 162). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Enemies Of The Cross

Many walk, of who I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18

The most dangerous enemies to the cause of Christ are not those who openly oppose the gospel, but those who pretend to be friends of Christ, claim to identify with Him, and in some cases, reach positions of spiritual leadership.

Being on guard against hidden enemies is a constant theme in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Mat 7:15). He also predicted that in the last days “many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Mat 24:11).

The apostle Paul was constantly dealing with the influence of false teachers. He warned the Ephesian elders: “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31). Do you want to know how to acquire the ability to discern enemies of the cross? Know the Word. If you don’t know the Word, you are open to being misled.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 161). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Monday, May 23, 2005

No Secret To Success

No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62

I have never met a successful, influential person in any realm of enterprise who was not committed to reaching goals. The people who influence the world are pursuers, competitors, and winners, preoccupied with goals rather than having their own needs met. All I have learned about the lives of great Christian leaders has made one thing clear: there is no secret to success—they all put out maximum effort to reach spiritual goals and ignore personal satisfaction during the process.

It’s amazing to discover what great preachers, theologians, and missionaries have suffered in the process of reaching their goals. They were far more concerned with following Christ than with their own condition. Can you say the same about your own commitment to Christ?

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 160). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Sunday, May 22, 2005

Avoiding Man-Centered Theology

From among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Acts 20:30

Many forces hinder our understanding of this basic truth: the goal of every Christian’s life is to become more like Christ. Humanistic psychology is one such force. It teaches that man exists for his own satisfaction—he must have all his perceived needs and desires met to be happy. As a result, in many churches spiritual growth is often equated with ironing out life’s problems and finding personal fulfillment.

That kind of mentality ultimately leads to a man–centered theology, which is diametrically opposed to what the Bible teaches. The goal of salvation and sanctification is that we be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). It’s been well said that faith looks out instead of in, and the whole of life falls into line. The more you know Christ and focus on Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. But the more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 159). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Saturday, May 21, 2005

The Failure Of Leaders

I have no one like–minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

Philippians 2:20

Church history may record ours as the era of disastrous collapse within the leadership of the church. The standards for leadership have been lowered, and many thousands have tragically lost their way.

Where are the godly and truthful men? Where are the humble, unselfish models of virtue? Where are the examples of victory over temptation? Where are those who show us how to pray and overcome trials or adversity?

We have a sick and distorted church because we’ve lost sight of Christ, His Word, and the Spirit. We’ve lost sight of our clear pattern for growth in the life of the apostle Paul. And we have tolerated a lower standard for leadership than the Bible allows. The essence of Christianity is becoming more like Christ. Matters such as right relationships, service, and evangelism will be taken care of if we just pursue that one holy goal.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 158). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Friday, May 20, 2005

Godly Leaders

Note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Philippians 3:17

Godly leaders are vital to the church because we need to see Christianity lived out before us. Paul told Timothy, “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). A spiritual leader must live an exemplary life because he is to show others the path. People can see perfection in Christ and can read about Paul, but they also need someone they can watch and talk to. They need to see virtue, humility, unselfish service, a willingness to suffer, devotion to Christ, courage, and spiritual growth in the life of someone close to them.

A great burden on my heart is that pastors and elders in every church will be the kind of examples God commands them to be. It is extremely important to teach the truth, but it is equally important for that teaching to be undergirded by a virtuous life.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 157). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Thursday, May 19, 2005

An Excellent Example

Join in following my example.

Philippians 3:17

There is no better historical example of a Christian than the apostle Paul. He’s a dominant figure in the New Testament, so we can conclude that God wants us to pattern our lives after him.

Paul is a model of virtue, worship, service, patience, endurance through suffering, victory over temptation, and good stewardship over possessions and relationships. He shows us how a godly man deals with his fallenness—something Christ could never do because He was sinless (Heb 4:15)

Paul’s life is a marvelous pattern for ours. That’s why he told the Corinthians, “Imitate me” (1 Cor 11:1). He also commended the Thessalonians, saying, “You have become followers of us and of the Lord” (1 Thes 1:6). Paul is my own personal example in ministry. I look at how he handled situations and try to respond the way he did.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 156). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Wednesday, May 18, 2005

A Helpful Mountain Guide

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

1 Corinthians 4:16

Since all Christians are imperfect, we need the example of someone who also is imperfect but knows how to deal with imperfection. Perhaps this illustration will help. Suppose I decide to embark on a dangerous mountain–climbing expedition. A helicopter drops a leader on top of the mountain, and he looks down on me and says, “This is the top. Just climb up here—this is where you want to be.” He would not be as much help as someone climbing up the path ahead of me, saying, “Follow me. I know the way up.”

Christ shows us the goal we need to achieve, but we also need someone to model the process of reaching the goal. Only by overcoming sin can we become more like Christ, so we need to find another Christian who is also battling to overcome sin. A godly human example can show you how to deal with all of the products of our fallen flesh. Begin to search for and follow a godly guide.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 155). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Tuesday, May 17, 2005

All We Need

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44

The apostle Paul lived a complex life before he became a Christian (Phil 3:4–6). He tried to keep all the laws and traditions of Judaism. He tried to accomplish various works that he hoped would be credited to his account. But in all his pursuits, he was seeking something he couldn’t find. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he was confronted by the living Christ and realized He was everything Paul had been looking for.

Paul describes the exchange that was made: “What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8). When Paul met Christ, he realized everything in his asset column was actually a liability. He found that Christ was all he needed.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 154). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Monday, May 16, 2005

He's In The Book

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

1 Peter 2:2

To become more like Christ you need to know the Word of God. You need to know how Christ lived when He was on earth, and the only place to learn that is the Scriptures, which are the revelation of Christ. The Old Testament sets the scene for Him, creates the need for Him, and predicts His coming. The gospels record His arrival. The Book of Acts describes the immediate impact of His ministry. The epistles delineate the long–term significance of His life and ministry. And Revelation details His future return and judgment of earth.

Christ is the focus of the entire Bible, and you need to study it to know what He is like. Too often we study the Bible for the sake of theological arguments or to answer questions. Those things are important, but the main point of Bible study is to know more about Christ so that you can be like Him.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 153). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Sunday, May 15, 2005

Understanding Our Goal

He who says He abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 John 2:6

The Christian life is simply the process of pursuing Christ’s likeness, theologically described as sanctification. Jesus said, “Follow Me,” and that simple command has not been replaced or improved on. Following Christ involves learning from Him so we can be like Him (Luke 6:40). Romans 8:29 says God saved us so that we can become “conformed to the image of His Son.” Therefore, our one pursuit is to become more and more like Christ.

Now some people may argue that glorifying God or evangelizing the lost are more important priorities. But being like Christ glorifies God, and if we are like Christ we can’t help but reach out to others. After all, He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). All that is needed in the Christian life will flow out of a pursuit of Christlikeness.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 152). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Saturday, May 14, 2005

Be Consistent

Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Philippians 3:16, nasb

You can’t win a race without a consistent effort because Christlikeness is an ongoing pursuit. The Greek verb for “keep living” speaks of walking in line. Paul was saying that we need to stay in line spiritually, to keep moving forward by the same principles that got us this far.

Are you moving forward? Or are you standing in one place looking backward and defending yourself? Perhaps you need to refresh your commitment. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, then you start growing by receiving Him as Lord and Savior. If you do know Him but have not been growing spiritually, ask God to forgive you and help you move toward perfection. May we all be committed to the goal of becoming as much like Christ as we can until we see Him.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 151). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Friday, May 13, 2005

Depending On Divine Resources

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Philippians 3:15

Unfortunately, in every church some Christians are content with their spiritual state. Instead of recognizing their need, they expend their energies justifying the level they have attained.

Today’s verse basically says that if some believers don’t yet understand the importance of pursuing growth, God will have to reveal it to them. I pour my heart out in my messages, but I realize that some of my listeners will continue to live uncommitted lives. When you reach that point with someone you’re ministering to, you just have to ask God to reveal Himself to that individual.

In pursuing Christ, we all need to depend on divine resources. There will be times in the race when you don’t have the proper attitude, and God will have to reveal that to you so you can move on.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 150). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Thursday, May 12, 2005

Spiritual Motivation

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

The apostle Paul’s goal was to be like Christ. He knew that he would receive his reward when God’s upward call came. Like Paul, we won’t reach the goal of Christlikeness in this life, but we will receive it instantly in the next: “It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

The upward call of God is our motivation to run the race. We should live in light of being called out of this world at any time into the presence of God, where we will receive our eternal reward. We were vile, godless sinners on our way to hell when God sovereignly chose us for salvation that He might eternally make us like His own Son. What grace! What motivation to reach for the goal!

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 149). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Concentrate

I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Philippians 3:13

An athlete running a race must fix his eyes on something ahead of himself. He can’t watch his feet or he’ll fall on his face. He can’t be distracted by the other runners. He must focus on the goal straight ahead.

Paul’s remarkable concentration was the result of two things. First, he chose to forget “those things which are behind.” That includes both good and bad things. It means we should not dwell on past virtuous deeds and achievements any more than we should think about past sins and failures. Unfortunately, many Christians are so distracted by the past that they don’t make any current progress.

Instead of looking at the past, Paul focused on the future. “Reaching forward” pictures a runner stretching every muscle to reach the goal. To do that he has to eliminate the distractions and concentrate only on the goal ahead. Do you have that kind of concentration in your desire to become like Christ?

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 148). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Maximum Effort

I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Spiritual growth is not an intermittent exercise—it should be all consuming. In fact, the Greek word for “press on” was used to describe a sprinter and speaks of an aggressive, energetic endeavor. Paul was running with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize (cf. 1 Cor 9:24-27). He also said we’re to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12)

This perspective was not limited to Paul. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1).

Our lifelong pursuit is to be like Christ. Running that race takes maximum effort using the means of grace God has provided for us.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 147). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Monday, May 09, 2005

Not What I Should Be

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected.

Philippians 3:12

We are not yet what we should be, what we can be, or what we will be when we see the Lord. Our spiritual race begins with a sense of dissatisfaction. Paul started his race with the awareness that he had not arrived.

I can echo Paul’s testimony. After many years of walking with the Lord and being involved in ministry, I am acutely aware that I am not what I ought to be. Like every other believer, I am still in the process of growth. People who become content with where they are spiritually have reached a dangerous point. They are probably insensitive to sin and will tend to defend themselves when they should admit their weakness and seek help.

Spiritual growth begins like any race—the runner knows the distance he has to run and puts forth maximum effort right to the finish line. Paul’s goal was to become perfect, but knowing he hadn’t reached it yet didn’t deter him. And neither should it deter you.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 146). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Sunday, May 08, 2005

Is Perfection Possible?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.

1 John 1:8

The false doctrine of perfectionism teaches that there is some point following conversion when the believer’s sin nature is eradicated. But according to today’s verse and especially in the apostle Paul’s treatment of the subject in Philippians 3:12-16, perfection in this life is only a goal, not an achievement. We must pursue it, but we’ll never attain it while on earth.

Paul denied perfectionism by calling us to pursue a prize that can be fully obtained only in heaven. He confessed that he himself had not reached perfection—and he wrote to the Philippians nearly thirty years after his conversion! He was perhaps the most committed Christian who ever lived. If after thirty years he wasn’t perfect, certainly none of us should claim to be.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 145). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Saturday, May 07, 2005

The Blessings Of Growth

That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Titus 2:10

Since Christians are already entitled to heaven and will attain perfection one day in God’s presence, why is spiritual growth necessary? There are a number of reasons.

First, it glorifies God.

Second, it verifies salvation. External change demonstrates an internal change of heart.

Third, it is a good testimony. Spiritual growth puts the truth of God on display for others to see.

Fourth, it provides assurance. When we progress spiritually, we see God at work in our lives, and that helps our confidence in our salvation (2 Pet 1:10).

Fifth, it spares us unnecessary sorrow. Lack of growth toward godliness results only in pain and sorrow.

Sixth, it protects the cause of Christ from reproach.

And last, it makes us useful for serving in the church.

So continue to grow and be a blessing to those you meet.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 144). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Friday, May 06, 2005

Abundant Comfort

Just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5, nasb

When we suffer, Christ is with us to comfort us during our heartache. The degree to which He has already experienced the same suffering, and even more, is the reason He is able to comfort us.

The test of your character is your response to the severest times of suffering and persecution. When suffering becomes too intense, the easy response is to get angry and blame God. When persecution becomes too severe, the easy way out is to compromise your faith. To respond in either manner will cause you to miss out on the richest fellowship available to you. That’s because the deepest moments of spiritual fellowship with the living Christ are the direct result of intense suffering.

Suffering always drives us to Christ because we find in Him our merciful high priest who sympathizes “with our weaknesses” (Heb 4:15) and who “is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). So view your sufferings as opportunities to be blessed by Christ as you find comfort in His fellowship.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 143). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Thursday, May 05, 2005

Resurrection Power

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.

Philippians 3:10

Jesus Christ’s resurrection most graphically demonstrated the extent of His power. That’s the kind of power the apostle Paul wanted to experience because He realized he was helpless to overcome sin on his own.

The resurrection power of Christ deals with sin at our salvation. We experience His resurrection might at salvation. We were buried with Christ in His death, and we rose with Him to “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

But to defeat sin daily, we need His resurrection power to be our resource. We need His strength to serve Him faithfully, to conquer temptation, to overcome trials, and to witness boldly. Only as we build our relationship with Christ and tap into His might will we have victory over sin in this life.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 142). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Wednesday, May 04, 2005

The Right Righteousness

Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.

Philippians 3:9

To know Jesus Christ is to have His righteousness, His holiness, and His virtue imputed to us, which makes us right before God.

Throughout his earlier life, the apostle Paul tried to attain salvation through strict adherence to the Law. But when he was confronted by the wondrous reality of Christ, he was ready to trade in all his self–righteous and external morals, good works, and religious rituals for the righteousness granted to him through faith in Christ. Paul was willing to lose the thin and fading robe of his reputation if he could only gain the splendid and incorruptible robe of the righteousness of Christ.

This is the greatest of all benefits because it secures our standing before God. It is God’s gift to the sinner, appropriated by faith in the perfect work of Christ, which satisfies God’s justice.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 141). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Intimate Communion

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:27

The apostle Paul taught the Ephesians that one of the functions of the church is to build up the people in “the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph 4:13). The word knowledge refers to full knowledge that is correct and accurate. That is the knowing of which Jesus spoke in today’s verse. He was not speaking of merely knowing their identities but of knowing them intimately, and that is the way He wants His people to know Him.

Paul’s desire is for every believer to develop this deep knowledge of Christ by building a relationship with Him through prayer and faithful study of and obedience to God’s Word. Growing in this deeper knowledge of Christ is a lifelong process that will not be complete until we see the Lord face–to–face.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 140). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Monday, May 02, 2005

Leading Us In Triumph

Thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14

There are many possibilities that arise out of unjust suffering for Christ’s sake. God may use your suffering to lead someone to Christ. He may use it to help you triumph over demonic persecution, or it may enable another who sees your godly response to persecution to respond in the same way.

Whatever the triumph of your suffering, you may be sure of one thing: if you suffer for Christ’s sake, God will lift you up and exalt you into His very presence. Christ will always cause us to triumph even though we suffer unjustly. Don’t underestimate the potential of unjust suffering for Christ’s sake. So endure whatever suffering comes your way in the light of your coming triumph in Christ!

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 139). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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Sunday, May 01, 2005

Reigning Supreme

[Christ] has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

1 Peter 3:22

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, the right hand of God is affirmed as the place of preeminence, power, and authority for all eternity. That’s where Jesus went when He had accomplished His work on the cross, and that’s where He rules from today.
Romans 8:34 says, “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” His position at the right hand of God gives Him authority over all created things.

Christ assumed His position of supremacy “after angels and authorities and powers” had been subjected to Him (1 Pet 3:22)—that is, when Christ declared His triumph to the demons in prison. The cross and the resurrection are what subjected the angelic hosts to Him. When He ascended into heaven, He took His rightful place and is supreme over all.

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 138). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
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