Thursday, August 4, 2016

Day 13 - Are You a Castaway?

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 196
         
Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859       www.abidinglife.com

Notice:  this email is part of a BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”Why a blog?  So that many can receive these thoughts in an easy manner. 


There is a big difference in passages that speak to, or of, an unbeliever versus ones that speak to, or of, a believer.  Obtaining Christ’s righteousness (salvation) is different from operating in Christ’s righteousness (abiding).  That is why different verses can be misconstrued so quickly and easily by well-intending bible readers.  Michael points out one of these instances in this day’s writing…


Day 13

Are You a Castaway?

How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way? --Matthew 26:54

There are many passages concerning the exemplary lifestyle of the believer. “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments: You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother; you shall love your neighbor as yourself . . . sell your possessions and give to the poor.” “But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property.” (Matthew 19:16-22)  The young man would have been even more disturbed had he hung around to hear a little more of Jesus’ teaching, for he would have discovered that his statement that he had kept the commandments was a bit premature. “For if you think it in your heart, you have done it!” (Matthew 5:28)   In the end, who is guiltless? Can anyone stand the examination? This leads us to wonder: Did Jesus come in order to exclude men? It would appear so. However, He clearly teaches that He does not want to exclude but to include, yet His teaching does exclude, and often Paul’s does, as well. What is going on? Something simple! When man sees that his own behavior and work have excluded him, he can cast himself on Christ and His forgiving love that includes. Yes, something must be cast away, and it must be man’s efforts, so that he can throw himself on Him.

Things have to happen a certain way. One Scripture must be read in light of all others and never taken alone. God is multifaceted; if He is putting a believer out on one count, it is only so He can bring him in on another. This is the love of God! We must lose our righteousness daily to be able to accept the Lord’s. We must admit what we are not and then, like Abraham, move out of works and into faith for our justification. 

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory



Beautiful!  Lose to gain…  That’s a challenge for man.  Be a “not” to become justified.  Hooooo-boy!  Listen to the legalists scream.  The “works” folks.

After one becomes Born Again and “understanding” has come…it is interesting that one of the first questions that surfaces is this: how come everyone else doesn’t see, hear, and understand this!?! 

How come the young man in Michael’s illustration doesn’t grasp the Truth of Jesus’ words?  How come there are so many “ways” that man tries to think of how he will “stand in the examination?”  How come so few ever really “see, hear, and understand?”  Well, for one reason the Lord told us it would be that way.  And another reason is that possessions can get in the way.  There are other reasons.

Suffice it to say, let us stick with Michael’s final words:
“What is going on? Something simple! When man sees that his own behavior and work have excluded him, he can cast himself on Christ and His forgiving love that includes. Yes, something must be cast away, and it must be man’s efforts, so that he can throw himself on Him.

Things have to happen a certain way. One Scripture must be read in light of all others and never taken alone. God is multifaceted; if He is putting a believer out on one count, it is only so He can bring him in on another. This is the love of God! We must lose our righteousness daily to be able to accept the Lord’s. We must admit what we are not and then, like Abraham, move out of works and into faith for our justification.”

Let us “cast, throw ourselves, lose, accept, admit, and move” on Christ.  He is our only hope.



To access ALL past weekly blogs, go to Living Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com 

NOTICE: another blog on Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the Wilderness.  You can access by logging onto www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com


Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
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P.O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, TX 75963                               936-559-5696

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