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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Progressive Sanctification

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

“As you received from us how you ought to live, and to please God, . . . do so more and more.”

Warring against the sin that remains in us and putting on Christ-like character is usually called sanctification. But because the term definitive sanctification is used to describe the point-in-time decisive deliverance from sin’s dominion, it’s helpful to speak of Christian growth as progressive sanctification. The word progressive indicates positive change. To use the tug-of-war analogy, it assumes that though the rope may move back and forth, over time it moves in the right direction until finally at the end of our lives we win the tug-of-war against sin.

There’s no doubt this rope must move in the right direction. The New Testament writers assume our growth and continually urge us to pursue it. We’re to pursue holiness “more and more,” and to love each other “more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1,9-10). We’re to possess the qualities of Christian character “in increasing measure” (2 Peter 1:8, NIV). However, we can always expect resistance. To stay with the tug-of-war analogy, although the Spirit who dwells within us is stronger than the sinful nature, that nature continues to “dig in its heels” every step of the way. And sometimes it will pull the rope in the wrong direction.

What is it then that will keep us going in the face of this internal conflict? The answer is the Gospel. What will motivate us and keep us going—even in the midst of the tension between the Spirit and the sinful nature—is the assurance in the Gospel that we have indeed died to the guilt of sin, that there’s no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus, that the Lord will never count our sins against us, and that we’re truly delivered from the reigning power of sin.

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Building up the Church

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11-14

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 1:2

I had a friend who decided to paint his car, but about halfway through he got busy with something else and didn’t finish the job. Month after month, there it stood, half green and half something else, looking terrible. A job half done.

Now, when you and I think of our involvement in the Great Commission, we need to think of finishing the job. And that involves two things–winning the lost and building up the saved. We want those who turn to Christ to become strong, robust, dedicated, mature disciples. We want to see them built up in the faith, so they can reach out to others with the gospel and begin to build up those new ones in the faith.

That is what Paul was pleading for in 1 Corinthians 14:12, where he told the Christians in Corinth to “try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” It is imperative that you and I know how to help people grow in their Christian lives. Why? Because if a person comes to Christ and does not go on to become a mature disciple, the job is half done.

One of the most helpful things anyone ever did for me as a new Christian was get me started in Scripture memory. It has become a lifetime habit of memorizing God’s Word. Over the years, I’ve started scores of other people in Scripture memory. You see, that’s how it works. You take the things others have used to build you up, and you use them to help others. That’s the only way to fulfill the Great Commission and keep it from being a job half done.

Prayer

Lord, show me how I can more effectively use my spiritual gifts to build up others in the faith. Amen.

To Ponder

Every Christian should be built up in the faith and equipped to minister to others. How far are you in the building process?

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Word of His Grace

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Today’s Scripture: Acts 20:32

“I commend you . . . to the word of his grace.”

We need to get beyond the “how-to’s” of Scripture—how to raise children, manage finances, witness to unbelievers—and all other such utilitarian approaches to Scripture. Such practical instruction is indeed valuable, but we need to go beyond that. Our practical age has come to disparage a firm doctrinal understanding of Scripture as being of no practical value. But there’s nothing more practical for our daily lives than knowing God. Only in Scripture has God revealed to us the truths about his person and his character.

But the Bible is more than merely objective truth; it’s actually life-giving and life-sustaining. “It is no empty word for you, but your very life” (Deuteronomy 32:47). Growth in the grace of God requires growth in our assimilation of the Word of God. In the biological realm, assimilation is the process by which nourishment is changed into living tissue. In the spiritual realm, it’s the process by which the written Word of God is absorbed into our hearts and becomes, figuratively speaking, living spiritual tissue.

How do we know God’s grace is sufficient for our particular “thorns”? How do we rightly understand what it means to live “by the grace of God”? How do we learn about the “throne of grace” where we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need? Where do we discover that God is the gracious landowner who gives us far, far more than we deserve? The answer to all these questions is the Scriptures. That’s why Scripture is called the Word of his grace. God uses Scripture to mediate his grace to us. R. C. H. Lenski said, “God and the Word of his grace always go together; God lets his grace flow out through that Word.” (Excerpt taken from Transforming Grace)

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Word of His Grace

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Today’s Scripture: Acts 20:32

“I commend you . . . to the word of his grace.”

We need to get beyond the “how-to’s” of Scripture—how to raise children, manage finances, witness to unbelievers—and all other such utilitarian approaches to Scripture. Such practical instruction is indeed valuable, but we need to go beyond that. Our practical age has come to disparage a firm doctrinal understanding of Scripture as being of no practical value. But there’s nothing more practical for our daily lives than knowing God. Only in Scripture has God revealed to us the truths about his person and his character.

But the Bible is more than merely objective truth; it’s actually life-giving and life-sustaining. “It is no empty word for you, but your very life” (Deuteronomy 32:47). Growth in the grace of God requires growth in our assimilation of the Word of God. In the biological realm, assimilation is the process by which nourishment is changed into living tissue. In the spiritual realm, it’s the process by which the written Word of God is absorbed into our hearts and becomes, figuratively speaking, living spiritual tissue.

How do we know God’s grace is sufficient for our particular “thorns”? How do we rightly understand what it means to live “by the grace of God”? How do we learn about the “throne of grace” where we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need? Where do we discover that God is the gracious landowner who gives us far, far more than we deserve? The answer to all these questions is the Scriptures. That’s why Scripture is called the Word of his grace. God uses Scripture to mediate his grace to us. R. C. H. Lenski said, “God and the Word of his grace always go together; God lets his grace flow out through that Word.” (Excerpt taken from Transforming Grace)

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Motivating One Another

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 8-10

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. – Romans 1:11

From time to time I’m asked what I’ve found to be the most important principles of Christian living. Of course, the answer could be approached from many angles, but when it comes to our daily walk of discipleship, I usually talk about three principles of living from Hebrews 10 that begin with the two words, “Let us.”

First, there is Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” This has to do with our fellowship with God. We can call it quiet time, personal devotions, or whatever. The important thing is to set aside time each day to draw near to the Lord.

Verse 23 gives the second “Let us”: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” This deals with our outreach to the lost through personal witness. We are to hold the confession of our faith high like a banner, never growing silent, and never denying the Lord who has bought us for Himself.

Verse 24 gives the third principle: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” We are to encourage and motivate each other in the Christian life. And, of course, one of the best ways to do that is to meet together regularly to worship God and get instruction from His Word.

The Christian life is personal, but it is not private. We are an interdependent body. And this call to be a spiritual motivator is given to all of us, not just the church leadership or full-time Christian worker.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the encouragement You give me through my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

To Ponder

Let us draw near to God; let us hold up our witness; let us encourage one another.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Christ’s Power, Not Ours

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

We are not to wage this warfare against sin in the strength of our own willpower. Instead, just as we by faith look to Christ for our righteous standing before God, so by faith we’re to look to him for the enabling power to live the Christian life. This power comes as a result of our vital or living union with him. Jesus referred to this union in John 15:1-5 when he called himself the vine and us the branches. Just as the branches derive their life and nourishment from the vine, so we are to receive our spiritual life and power from him.

All believers are spiritually united to Christ in such a way that our spiritual life comes from him. We’re not completely passive, however, in this relationship. Rather, we’re to abide or remain in him by faith. We’re to actively rely on Christ for the enabling power we need to wage war against the sin that remains in us, to put on the positive virtues of Christ-like character (called “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23), and to serve Christ effectively in all that he calls us to do.

The apostle Paul had in mind our union with Christ and the power that comes from him in such Scriptures as Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (NIV), and Colossians 1:29, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (NIV). Paul waged war against indwelling sin, and he worked hard in ministry, but he did both in dependence on Christ and the power that comes through a living union with him.

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Christ’s Power, Not Ours

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

We are not to wage this warfare against sin in the strength of our own willpower. Instead, just as we by faith look to Christ for our righteous standing before God, so by faith we’re to look to him for the enabling power to live the Christian life. This power comes as a result of our vital or living union with him. Jesus referred to this union in John 15:1-5 when he called himself the vine and us the branches. Just as the branches derive their life and nourishment from the vine, so we are to receive our spiritual life and power from him.

All believers are spiritually united to Christ in such a way that our spiritual life comes from him. We’re not completely passive, however, in this relationship. Rather, we’re to abide or remain in him by faith. We’re to actively rely on Christ for the enabling power we need to wage war against the sin that remains in us, to put on the positive virtues of Christ-like character (called “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23), and to serve Christ effectively in all that he calls us to do.

The apostle Paul had in mind our union with Christ and the power that comes from him in such Scriptures as Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (NIV), and Colossians 1:29, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (NIV). Paul waged war against indwelling sin, and he worked hard in ministry, but he did both in dependence on Christ and the power that comes through a living union with him.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Discouraged by His Discipline

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:5

“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”

Another improper response to God’s discipline is to “be weary” when he reproves us. We tend to lose heart when we think God is disciplining us out of anger instead of out of love. Hebrews 12:6, however, explicitly states that “the Lord disciplines the one he loves.” I acknowledge it’s often difficult to sense God’s love when we are undergoing his discipline, but we must by faith accept the testimony of Scripture.

The Puritan Samuel Bolton (1606?654) wrote, “God has thoughts of love in all he does to his people. The ground of his dealings with us is love (though the occasion may be sin), the manner of his dealings is love, and the purpose of his dealings is love. He has regard, in all, to our good here, to make us partakers of his holiness, and to our glory hereafter, to make us partakers of his glory.”

When the writer of Hebrews told us not to lightly regard the Lord’s discipline or be wearied by his reproof, his purpose was to encourage us. A good part of that encouragement must come from the realization that the hardships we encounter come from a God who is not only in sovereign control of every circumstance of our lives, but who also loves us, and who deals with us only on the basis of love. He’s not only the sovereign ruler of his universe, but also our heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

So in times of adversity, don’t lose heart under it by failing to see his love in it. (Excerpt taken from The Discipline of Grace)

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – No Pain, No Gain

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Today’s Scripture: Romans 4-5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

I have a friend who says that physical conditioning is simply a matter of how much pain you’re willing to endure. And I believe it. But all those people who voluntarily exercise and abstain from hot fudge sundaes are convinced that their ultimate gain is worth their present pain.

I wonder if we have that same attitude toward our life of daily discipleship. Are we willing to endure pain when it comes to growing in our lives as Christians? In Romans 5:2, the apostle Paul wrote, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” But he doesn’t stop there. Notice the next words: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The hope spoken of in Romans 5 is much more than keeping our fingers crossed and wishing for the best. It’s a confident, joyful expectation.

While all of us want this God-given hope, very few of us get excited about the process by which it is produced. There is a definite progression here: suffering, when taken in the right spirit, will produce patient endurance. Over a period of time this persistent obedience to God produces character. And out of integrity of spirit emerges hope.

We can’t skip over any part of the process. One of the clearest teachings in the New Testament is that God wants His children to grow up to be strong disciples and not remain spiritual babies. He wants us to be mature, godly people with staying power in our walk with Him.

Prayer

Lord, as You shape me into a fit vessel for Your use, help me to realize that the pressure You put on me will make me strong. Amen.

To Ponder

When a clay pot emerges from the fire, it has beauty, strength, and color not possible without the heat.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Like Armies in Battle

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Today’s Scripture: Matthew 26:41

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

William Romaine (born 1714) was one of the leaders of the eighteenth-century revival in England, along with George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers. In his classic work on faith he wrote, “no sin can be crucified either in heart or life, unless it be first pardoned in conscience, because there will be want of faith to receive the strength of Jesus, by whom alone it can be crucified. If it be not mortified in its guilt, it cannot be subdued in its power.”

What Romaine was saying is that if you do not believe you are dead to sin’s guilt, you cannot trust Christ for the strength to subdue its power in your life. So the place to begin in dealing with sin in your life is to count on the fact that you died to its guilt through your union with Christ in his death. This is an important truth you need to ponder and pray over until the Holy Spirit convinces you of it in both your head and heart.

Meanwhile, to make progress in the Christian life, we must acknowledge the continuing tension between our sinful nature and the Spirit of God within us.

Observing this “internal conflict,” George Smeaton noted, “and the strange thing is, that in this conflict the power and faculties of the Christian seem to be occupied at one time by the one, and at another time by the other. The same intellect, will, and affections come under different influences, like two conflicting armies occupying the ground, and in turn driven from the field.”

With any two opposing forces, the direction of movement often goes back and forth until one eventually prevails. This is the way it will be with us until the Holy Spirit finally prevails.

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Out of This World

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Today’s Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

For this world in its present form is passing away. – 1 Corinthians 7:31

Over the years, I’ve traveled through numerous countries in Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, preaching the good news of Christ and conducting discipleship and leadership seminars. I don’t speak the languages in those countries, and no matter how hard I try to fit in, the fit hasn’t been exact. What I’ve worn and the language I’ve spoken tell everyone I’m a foreigner.

This is much like our life in Christ. We are foreigners in this world, because our citizenship is in heaven. Although we’re instructed by God, “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (1 John 2:15), He also has appointed us ambassadors to carry His message throughout the world. How do we put these two commands together?

The answer is found by studying the life of Jesus Christ. He did not find His identity or purpose in this world. Instead, He carried out His Father’s redemptive plan. His pleasure was in doing the will of God. And so it should be for us, Christ’s ambassadors. We must see ourselves as pilgrims on a mission. We are to model the life of Christ as we seek to communicate to the unbelieving world around us.

I urge you to pray that God will show you the best way to share Christ with the unbelievers you know, and count on the leading of the Spirit as you live a life of daily discipleship in this world but not of it.

Prayer

Lord, keep my eyes focused on the mission You’ve given me–to explain Your saving grace to a world that doesn’t speak Your language. Amen.

To Ponder

What would your life look like if you gave top priority to sharing the message of salvation with unbelievers? What would you loosen your grip on, and what would you take hold of?

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – The Only Objective Authority

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Today’s Scripture: Acts 14:3

“The Lord . . . bore witness to the word of his grace.”

We don’t understand just how the Holy Spirit interacts with our human spirit, but we do know he most often uses his Word. He brings to our mind some Scripture particularly appropriate to the situation. He may do this through a sermon, a Christian book, the encouraging words of a friend, or our own reading or study of Scripture. In my case, since I’ve memorized so many Scriptures over the years, he often brings to my mind a memorized verse.

In Acts 20:32, Paul said to the Ephesian elders, “now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Earlier in verse 24, Paul had referred to “the Gospel of the grace of God,” the good news of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. In verse 32, however, as he speaks of “the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up,” the reference is to the ongoing use of Scripture in our daily lives to build us up in the Christian faith. Paul specifically called this “the word of his grace,” the Word through which we come to understand and appropriate God’s grace in our daily lives.

The Bible is not merely a book about God; it is a book from God. “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV). The Bible is God’s self-revelation to us all. He wants us to know about himself and his provision for our salvation and our spiritual growth. It is God’s only objective, authoritative communication to us. (Excerpt taken from Transforming Grace)

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Overcoming the World

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. – 1 John 5:4

Most people have heard about OCD–obsessive compulsive disorder–that can manifest itself in all kinds of phobias. Some people are so afraid of germs and viruses that they can’t even shake hands with people for fear of being contaminated. And that’s a mild case of OCD.

Friend, I’ve seen that happen in the spiritual realm. I’ve seen people get so frightened by the power of the Devil or the dangers all around us in this world that they become immobilized by fear and isolate themselves. Now, it’s certainly true this world is a powerful enemy. We don’t want to be naïve about that. But sometimes it lures us rather than repels us. Just look what happened to Demas. He was one of Paul’s fellow laborers, along with such stalwarts as Mark and Luke. But something happened, and Paul wrote to Timothy, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:10). If the pull of the world is powerful enough to cause a colaborer of Paul to leave the cause of Christ and give the rest of his life to living for the world, we’d better watch out!

There are people out there–false prophets–who would lead you astray. But you can overcome them and the lifestyle they propose, not by sealing yourself off from the world, but by staying close to Christ. Remember the words of the apostle John: “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Prayer

Lord, I praise You for Your victory over sin and death–and the world. Amen.

To Ponder

Although we no longer have to fear what the world can do to us, we do have to remain wise to its lures.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Making Light of God’s Discipline

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:5

“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord.”

We’re warned in Hebrews 12:5 not to regard lightly the Lord’s discipline. It may be difficult for us to conceive of doing this, but one way is when we count his discipline of little value—as something only to be endured rather than as something for our profit.

We also despise God’s discipline of adversity when we fail to see God’s hand in the hardships we encounter. Instead of acknowledging them as from God, we tend to view adversities as chance occurrences; we don’t seek God’s purpose in the discipline, but instead focus entirely on finding relief.

The Scriptures tell us, however, that adversities are not chance occurrences; like our so-called blessings, they all come from the hand of God. This truth is scattered throughout the Bible. “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14). “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?” (Lamentations 3:38). “Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” (Amos 3:6).

Some Christians have difficulty with this truth and even deny it, because they cannot believe that a “God of love” is responsible for either the individual or public disasters that come to us. But the clear testimony of Scripture stands against all our protestations. So we need to recognize the hand of God in all the adversities we encounter and not make light of his discipline.

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Our Calling

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. – 1 Thessalonians 4:7

One Sunday evening, our church was giving a special concert, and my wife and I went early. We located a couple of seats in the balcony and settled in for a fifteen-minute wait until the concert began. Right behind us sat two young men engaged in a conversation that it was our unfortunate experience to overhear.

They were discussing the single young ladies in their Sunday school class. There was no mention of the quality of teaching that went on in the class or the worthwhile projects the class sponsored, just the large pool of girls from which to choose. Their interest in these young ladies was less than honorable. Their motives for membership in that class were unholy.

The Amplified version of 1 Peter 1:14-16 reads, “Live as children of obedience to God; Do not conform yourselves to the evil desires that governed you in your former ignorance when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Now just what is a holy life? It is a life that is surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ, controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and lived to the glory of God. The apostle Peter referred to people who live that way as “children of obedience.”

Prayer

Lord, I want to be a child of obedience and have my lifestyle reflect Your holiness. Amen.

To Ponder

A holy life boils down to obedience to the Word and will of God.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Unquestionable Love

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Today’s Scripture: Psalm 145:17

“The Lord is . . . kind in all his works.”

The apostle John said, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This succinct statement, along with its parallel one, “God is light” (1 John 1:5; that is, God is holy), sums up the essential character of God, as revealed to us in the Scriptures. Just as it is impossible in the very nature of God for him to be anything but perfectly holy, so it is impossible for him to be anything but perfectly good.

Because God is love, an essential part of his nature is to do good and show mercy to his creatures. Psalm 145 speaks of his “abundant goodness,” of his “abounding in steadfast love” and being “good to all,” of how “his mercy is over all that he has made” (verses 7-9). Even in his role of Judge of rebellious men, he declares, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11, NIV).

When calamity after calamity seems to surge in upon us, we’ll be tempted to doubt God’s love. Not only do we struggle with our own doubts, but Satan seizes these occasions to whisper accusations against God: “If he loved you, he wouldn’t have allowed this to happen.” My own experience suggests that Satan attacks us far more in the area of God’s love than either his sovereignty or his wisdom.

If we’re to honor God by trusting him, we must not allow such thoughts to lodge in our minds. As Philip Hughes said, “To question the goodness of God is, in essence, to imply that man is more concerned about goodness than is God. To suggest that man is kinder than God is to subvert the very nature of God. It is to deny God; and this is precisely the thrust of the temptation to question the goodness of God.” (Excerpt taken from Trusting God)

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – The Separated Life

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Today’s Scripture: James 4:4

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2

If you were to announce a lecture on “The Separated Life” before an average audience in, say, New York City, some might think it had to do with troubled marriages. Even Christians are vague about the biblical teaching on a separated life. It means a life set apart for God, no longer swayed by the pull of worldly attractions and ambitions. In my discussions with Christians across America about the concept of living a separated life, most people have strong opinions on the subject.

I know a man who advocates the idea of having a drink with nonChristians to show them he can be their friend and perhaps to gain an opportunity to witness to them. As a matter of fact, he’s had the opportunity to lead people to Christ along the way. He cites the Scripture passage that speaks of becoming all things to all men that by all means we may save some (1 Corinthians 10:22).

The late Paul Little had a different approach. Paul practically lived on the college campus. He was always out there with his shirtsleeves rolled up, mixing in lively discussions with nonChristians. And when one of them would invite him down to the bar to have a drink, he simply thanked them but said he really didn’t enjoy that. Would the person like to go to a game the next night–his treat? He kept the lines of communication open, didn’t condemn the person, yet didn’t participate in something he’d separated himself from.

We don’t need to enter into questionable practices with people to show them we’re not crazy-headed fanatics. There are many ways to build friendships with nonChristians without doing things we’re against.

Prayer

Lord, show me how to follow Your lead of loving sinners without compromising my walk. Amen.

To Ponder

God wants us to show His love to the ungodly.

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Do Not Let Sin Reign

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Today’s Scripture: Romans 8:13

“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

We have died not only to sin’s guilt but also to its reigning power in our lives. Although sin as an active principle is still with us, it can no longer reign supreme in our lives. We’re united to Christ, and his Spirit has come to reside in us. We’ve been delivered from Satan’s power and given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 26:18). However, as believers we experience a tension that’s like a tug-of-war. Paul described it in Galatians 5:17: “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

We must acknowledge this tension if we’re to make progress in the Christian life. Indwelling sin is like a disease that we can’t begin to deal with until we acknowledge its presence. But in the case of sin, we must also count on the fact that, though it still resides in us, it no longer has dominion over us. As Paul said, “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

Because we have the assurance that sin shall not be our master, we are not to let it reign in our mortal bodies so that we obey its evil desires (Romans 6:12). Rather we are, by the enabling power of the Spirit, to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13) and to abstain from sinful desires, which war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11). We’re called to an active, vigorous warfare against the principle of sin that remains in us.

 

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The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Warning Signs

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Timothy 3

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. – 1 Corinthians 7:23

If you heed a warning sign, you can usually save yourself a lot of trouble. For instance, when the little red light flickers on the dashboard of your car, indicating that the engine is low on oil, you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you add some oil.

What are the danger signs that tell you you’re not living a holy life and that you’re slipping off the straight and narrow path onto the broad road that leads to destruction?

One of these danger signs is set forth by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3, where he speaks of people who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Now let me state right up front that God does not frown on His people enjoying a little pleasure. Of course not. But here are people who love pleasure more than they love God. You’ve probably seen them. They’re more interested in talking about sports or some motion picture they’ve seen recently than they are about spiritual things. They may even show signs of boredom when the Word is taught.

The apostle Paul, in that same chapter, gives another sign of moving away from a life of holiness. He speaks of people who are “lovers of self.” The burning issue of their lives becomes what is best for them rather than what is best for the work of Christ and His Great Commission. Paul described them as people whose god is their belly and whose glory is in their shame.

Do you recognize any of these warning signs in your own life? If so, you can save yourself some trouble if you face up to it, repent, and get back on track.

Prayer

Lord, when my thoughts and attitudes would lead me off the track of holy living, lead me back to Your Word and renew my mind. Amen.

To Ponder

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

 

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The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Something to Believe

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Today’s Scripture: Romans 4:8

“Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

We’re free from both the guilt and the reigning power or dominion of sin in our lives. But of what use is this information to us? How can it help when we’re struggling with persistent sin patterns and see ourselves giving in to sinful desires? Here’s where Paul’s instructions in Romans 6:11 can help us: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Paul isn’t telling us to do something but to believe something. We’re to count on, or believe, that we’re dead to sin.

We’re dead to its guilt. God no longer counts it against us. We’re no longer under condemnation (Romans 4:8; 8:1). This is not make-believe. You are indeed guilty in yourself, but God no longer regards you as guilty, because the guilt has already been borne by Christ as your substitute. The sentence has been served. The penalty has been paid. To use Paul’s expresion, you have died to sin’s guilt.

When we’re painfully conscious of sin in our lives, it’s difficult to count on the fact that we’re dead to its guilt. All the more reason to hold steadfast to the promise of God. Just as it seemed incredible to Abraham that he could have a son when he was nearly a hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was dead, so it often seems incredible to us to believe that we’ve died to sin’s guilt when it appears so ugly in our own sight. But just as Abraham did not weaken in faith, but believed the promise of God, so we must believe what God says to us. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We have died to sin’s guilt.

 

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