Productive.
.finished western civ study guide cards.
.studied New Testament.
.studied Western Civ.
.turned in speech paper.
.read for counseling.
.picked out books for Extra credit paper in New Testament.
.22 pages and done with counseling paper! wooo! Just have to edit.
Sorry I like my lists! It's been a very productive day! Not to mention a trip to Bellevue Square Mall with Carley to wander around and have a study break! Had some delicious Chai tea... amazing! (a sample) Chai tea is diffidently my favorite!
Realizing that my right eye's vision isn't as good as it used to be. Not good considering I rely on that eye to see! haha But not bad enough where a contact change won't fix the problem!
This morning's God time... Romans 3:9-20
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,[c] are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”[d]
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”[e]
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[f]
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”[g]
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”[h]
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
So my thoughts on this. Here in Romans Paul is talking to the church about how Jews are not automatically saved because of their Jewish heritage. He establishes that all men are sinners. The only way to be saved is to not follow the laws, but to be in right relationship with God who saved us through his son! Even after people in the church are in right relationship with God, Paul criticizes them for putting to much emphasis on the law (circumcision, food laws, festivals) and how our faith doesn't come through works.
Though God provides us with the ten commandments and the Fruits of the Spirit, our relationship with Christ, our salvation does not come through works. We are saved through righteousness with Christ. which means through the relationship. Our actions will reflect Christ when we stop focusing on the laws (or right things to do) and focus on our relationship. Surprisingly I think our walk in the Christian faith get's easier that way. We no longer are trying to do these actions to stay in salvation, but they are a result of living in the Spirit and having God shine out of us!
I think that churches today focus too much on you must live your life like this, follow these commandments. Why yes, those ARE essential to living our life like Christ. But how do we follow those commandments and become like Christ? By following Christ and putting our entire focus on Christ, not in those rules.
It's like if we are trying not steal things. And it's a huge temptation. And you see God as way in front of you in the store and your trying to get to him. But that candy bar isle is just to temping. You are really trying to not sin and steal so you can catch up with God, but that temptation to sin over powers you. But INSTEAD if you were linked arms, realizing that when in relationship with God, God is always with us, then you would just automatically follow in the direction God has for you, not necessarily realizing you were walking strait past your favorite isle, the candy isle. I don't know if that made any sense at all... but it did in my head.
Just my thoughts. Walking with Christ should overpower our desires just to do actions so we can be with Christ. I don't think people realize how often they focus on following the laws, because it's how you get to Christ. I mean, I know that something like that has gone through my own head. We're human. But Christ saved us, so now we can really live like Christ because we can constantly walk with Christ.
Ok,
goodnight all
erose
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