Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 196
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
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
P.O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 936-559-5696
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