bible lesson

Who You Are

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ - Colossians 2:8

Who do you say you are? If asked, what would you say? Some would say their gender; their profession; their name; etc… Your friends or family may say the same, or they might say who you were when you were younger. If you played sports they might say you were fast, good or talented. On the other hand, they might say you were no good, a failure or a weakling. The people around you may call you a winner one day, and a loser the next. Your boss may call you a good worker one day, then a lazy un-motivated dead-beat the next. The government, the people, the nation, the media, friends, family may have told you that you are nobody and a failure. The opinion of the world concerning you will change from day to day based on how they see you. A scientist says we are small and insignificant, but God made the world and everything in it for us. He created everything in the world with you in mind. God does not see you as an after-thought. God’s view of us does not change from day to day. He sees us through the finished work of redemption of Jesus.

The world has told you who you are from the time of birth, but just like Paul, God said Paul was chosen before he was born. Jeremiah said God knew him before he was conceived. God told Joseph in a dream who he was. Joseph’s brothers hated him for it and were jealous of him. God said David would be the next king. David’s brothers said he was a young runt & thought he should just tend the sheep. God told Abraham who he was and what he would do, and Sarah laughed. The prodigal son’s brother was mad and said his brother was a reprobate. His dad said he was still a son. They said Jesus was just a carpenter’s son. God said He was well pleased with His son.

God says you are an over-comer; more than a conqueror; you can do all things through Christ. God has created you to be a champion. Whatever you do you can be the best you can be in who God created you to be. God says you are blessed! He says you are prosperous; you are strong in Him. You are valuable. You are worth it. You are significant. Begin to search the scriptures and find out who God says you are. Then, through the saving grace found only in Jesus Christ, become the person God says you are.

God says you are fearfully & wonderfully made – Psalm 139:14

God says you are the apple of His eye – Psalm 17:8

God says you are:

a friend, His child, justified, united, chosen,

redeemed, complete, established, anointed, sealed, appointed;

you are His workmanship, adopted, bought with a price, free, His temple,

an heir, a new creation, reconciled, an ambassador, a saint, righteous,

the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a living stone, a priest, a king,

saved & triumphant...

God is constantly at work, thru the Holy Spirit, to get us in touch with who He says we are. Be who you are in Gods eyes, according to Christ Jesus. Jesus is the word made flesh. Be who the Word says you are, not who the world thinks you are.

Renewing Your Mind

Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge,

to make you know the certainty of the words of truth?...Proverbs 22:20-21 NASB

As Believers, if we are going to truly live in victory each and every day, we are going to have to make a choice to renew our minds every day. We will have to choose if we believe the Word of God or not. Decide if God in fact, is the truth and every man a liar. Decide if His promises for us are real, or just words on a page.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and perfect.- Romans 12:2 NASB

There is a warning in this passage of scripture that the way the world thinks and perceives things is always contrary to what God says in His Word. Be not conformed to this world. Tradition or religion would normally use this scripture to start putting the "Do's and Don'ts" on people, for example "Don't act this way" "don't talk that way" "don't do this, don't do that..." In fact it is just the opposite. If we would spend the time reading the Bible and meditating on God's Word, pretty soon our minds would start being renewed by the promises of God's Word. Our inner spirit man would be strengthened by the "spiritual food" of the Word, and we would change our way of thinking. The way we think about ourselves, the way we think about world affairs, the way we act and react; we would literally be transformed by the Word of God - no longer being conformed to this world, or wordly thinking. And, as we read the truth of that Word more and more, we would understand what the will of God is, and more importantly be able to prove what that will is by being able to find it in the written Word of God.

You would know what God's will is about health, prosperity, salvation, blessing, etc. We need to start seeing ourselves by who God says we are. For instance, we are not the poor trying to get ahead, we are the rich who the devil is trying to keep poor. We are not the sick who is trying to get well, we are the healed who the devil is trying to make sick. We are not the depressed trying to be happy, we are the joyful who the devil is trying to keep depressed. Start seeing yourself as Jesus sees you. After all, poverty is nothing more than stolen wealth. Sickness is nothing more than stolen health. Depression is nothing more than stolen joy. Fear is nothing more than stolen faith. And who steals other than a thief? And who does Jesus say the thief is? It's the devil.

When we truly get the revelation, wisdom and understanding on what the will of God is, we will no longer be wasting our time sending up countless, worthless prayers of "...if it be your will, God." There are only a few instances when you should ever pray about what God's will is for a situation. He has already given us what His will is regarding salvation, health, prosperity, provision, protection, security, love, fear, faith and numerous other things in His Word. We just need to renew our minds to what God says, and not what the world says or anyone else says. The Bible should be the final word and authority in the life of a Christian.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ. - Col. 2:8 NASB

Don't be someone who bases their beliefs about things based on what tradition has said, or by someone else's experience, or what happened to some other Christian brother or sister who you thought was super spiritual. Don't do that. Instead, fix your eyes upon Jesus, who is the Word, and believe what the promise says, no matter what happens. This scripture gives a warning that there will be many who will try to sway you away from the promises of God based on traditional thinking. There is an example of this in the Bible in Numbers 13:25-33. God told Moses to send a group of men to spy out the land that God was giving them. The land was flowing with milk and honey, but there were giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb, based on what God had said, spoke by faith saying "We are well able to seize the land". But the rest of the men gave what the Bible calls an "evil report", saying we are not able to overtake them and we saw ourselves as grasshoppers in their sight.

These men gave a report based on what they could do in their own power. This is what traditional thinking is. It is based on what we are able to do or not do by our own strength or thoughts. There is too much preaching in too many churches based on this type of thinking. It all has to do with what we perceive is possible. But God is a God of the impossible. What is impossible with us, is possible with God. Faith is not doing what we think we can achieve. Faith is based on what God has said. Joshua and Caleb gave a report based on what God said they could do and what He said was theirs.

Make up your mind today. Are you a grasshopper or a giant killer? Renew your mind to the "giant killer" way of thinking. Renew your mind to the promises of God. Live by what He says about you, and who He says you are in Him. And then, see yourself that way. God said in Isaiah 43 "Behold, I am doing something new - can you not perceive it?" The Bible says without a vision, the people perish. Develop a new vision of yourself of who God says you are, and renew your mind to that every day.

Spirit Led Works

Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? – 1 Cor. 3:12-16

I’ve heard this passage preached in traditional ways, generally by how we as humans value “things”, but today I want to look at this passage in a different light, according to 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Colossians 2:8. This will be our “theme” for all future devotionals and lessons.

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,

but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ - Colossians 2:8

As I study the Word and the Holy Spirit gives me “revelation” (revealed knowledge) of the Word, I learn more and more that the Bible confirms itself. As Keith Moore always says – the answers to Bible questions are always found in the Bible. So let’s dive into this and let the Word of God be our guide for what this passage really says.

First of all, we know that the foundation is Jesus Christ. We also know that this is a spiritual foundation, not a physical foundation. John 1 teaches that Jesus is the Word. So Jesus Christ, or the Word of God, must be the foundation on which we base everything we believe, hope for, base our decisions, etc. Just as God chose us, and no one calls Jesus “Lord” except by the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:3) God has also planned works, or has a “calling” for each one of us. (Eph. 2:10) So how do we know what those works are, or what that calling is? By the Holy Spirit. Jesus said when he left, God would send the Holy Spirit, and He would teach us all things. (John 16:13-15)

We should not base our “calling” or the spiritual things we are involved in based on peer pressure or feelings of guilt brought on by church leaders, or even by our own selfish desires. We should pray about everything we do, everywhere we go and every commitment we make. Then follow peace. (Col. 3:15) Ask the Spirit of God to lead you in all things and make known to you the things you are to be doing.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. – Romans 8:14

The subject passage describes works as “building” and building with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw. This is traditionally preached as the wood, hay & straw being bad works, or works that don’t matter. The gold, silver and precious stones are typically preached as being the works that will stand the test of fire, or the “good works”.

I present to you today that by the Word of God, every one of those things are works that don’t matter. Some just appear to be of more value than others. You can be involved in things that are obviously of no eternal value. That could be classified as wood, hay or straw. You may also be involved in things that are of great significance, but you were never led by the Spirit of God to be involved in them. These could be classified as gold, silver or precious stones. They look like great things to be doing or be involved in, but God never meant for you to do them. There are many people who are always working at the church building “putting in their time” or “putting in their good works”, but have never prayed about what God’s will is for them, or what their real “calling” is.

Let me put it this way. I’ve known people who had their whole house burned to the ground. Though they searched through all the rubble, they never found any of their jewelry. Because when the fire is hot enough, gold will be destroyed; silver will be destroyed; precious stones and diamonds will even be destroyed.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar

and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat,

and the earth and its works will be burned up. – 2 Peter 3:10

Your good works will not gain you favor with God, or help you get into heaven. Only works planned by God and led by the Holy Spirit (even though they can't save you) are of any importance or eternal value.

Let’s look through the Word of God and see what it has to say about gold, silver and precious stones.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than jewels; - Proverbs 3:13-15

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. – Proverbs 16:16

So we see that by the Word of God, it is better to be led by the Holy Spirit by faith, and “build” upon the foundation of Jesus Christ with wisdom and understanding, rather than what appears to be the “right thing to do”. If you are led by the Holy Spirit, then you will always be doing the “right thing”. He will give you wisdom and understanding and lead you in every aspect.

…that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable,

even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ; - 1 Peter 1:7

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time,

because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish,

but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15-17

Then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. – Job 22:25

You can be saved and do good things only to have it all burned up in the end because it wasn’t led by the Spirit of God. Verse 15 does not mean that some folks will come so close to going to Hell, they’ll smell like smoke when they get to Heaven. That’s non-sense. That’s self-righteous garbage that someone made up. The Bible says you’re either saved or you’re not. You’re either going to heaven, or you’re not. There is no gray or “luke warm” area. But we can get to heaven and sadly not have accomplished any of the works that God planned for us because we were too busy doing our “own thing”, instead of being led by the Spirit of God.

The good news is that you can be led by the Spirit of God, because the Holy Spirit lives in you. You can get wisdom and understanding on what the will of God is for you, because the perfect place to be is right in the middle of the will of God. Exactly where He wants you. That is where the path of blessing is. You can be doing all the right things, be involved in every function there is at the local church, be at every meeting in town, just busy, busy, busy. So busy that you can’t hear what the Spirit of God is trying to tell you. You can arrive at a place where it appears you’re doing all the right things in the eyes of man, but be missing out on the Blessing of God. Stop – get still – listen to God and get His wisdom and understanding.

The Rock

And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros--a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra--a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. - Matt. 16:18 -Amplified

This verse of scripture has been inaccurately quoted and explained countless times. So it's time we do some research and get down to the real meaning in Matthew 16:18.

First of all, let's look at the real meaning for the Greek word "Petros". The Amplified Bible gives a short definition of petros, which is "a large piece of rock". When in fact this is an incomplete definition. Petros in the Greek actually means "a piece of rock, or stone; detached; a moveable stone". So we can see why Jesus gave Simon the name of Simon Petros, which we translate to "Peter". Peter is a piece of rock or stone, and when assembled with other "stones" can form an assembly of stones or "building".

You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:5

So, Peter is not the foundation rock of the church. He is only a piece of stone. So just who or what is this rock that we have always heard preached that it was Peter? We don't have to look very far. I have chosen three examples from the book of 1 & 2 Samuel:

"There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God."

- 1 Samuel 2:2

He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; - 2 Samuel 22:2

"For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? - 2 Samuel 22:32

So we see that the Lord God, in the person of Jesus Christ is the only true rock. The "Petra" - the immovable rock. One important thing to remember is that scripture always confirms scripture. One verse interprets another. Answers to Bible questions are always found in the Bible. Again, in the book of Psalms we can see there is no doubt of who the real rock is:

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, - Psalm 18:31

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation, - Psalm 18:46

Jesus is the ROCK. He has always been the rock. He will always be the rock. He didn't say that we should build our lives on Peter, He says that we should build our lives on Him - the Word, the ROCK! Peter is not the foundation of the church. Peter wavered and denied Jesus three times. That is not an example of a solid foundation. Peter was human as we all are, and eventually was put to death and buried. He perished. Jesus Christ is everlasting and lives forever!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. - Matt. 7:24

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Cor. 3:11

" Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. - Isaiah 26:4

Jesus was the rock in the desert that poured out water for Moses and the Israelites to drink. That's why Moses could not enter in to the Promised Land. He was told to strike the rock the first time, symbolizing Christ being struck by the Roman guards. The second time Moses was told the speak to the rock, symbolizing our new covenant relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, the risen savior. Moses struck the rock twice and could not enter in to the promised land where the New Covenant would later be established.

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud

and all passed through the sea; ...and all drank the same spiritual drink,

for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them;

and the rock was Christ. - 1 Cor. 10:1;4

There are so many more verses in the Bible that tell of who the rock is. I hope this has set the record straight once and for all of who our rock is. The solid rock that the church is built upon. The solid rock of Jesus Christ and the revelation by the Holy Spirit that causes us to confess that HE IS LORD! That is the rock!

"BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." - Romans 9:33

Jesus or Judgment

If anyone sins deliberately by rejecting the Savior after knowing the truth of forgiveness, this sin is not covered by Christ's death. - Hebrews 10:26 - TLNT

We are living in the age of grace in which we, the sinful human race, can receive mercy and forgiveness of everything we have ever done, or will do. God had a plan for salvation before the foundation of the world. There will never be another sacrifice for sin. Jesus has paid the price, once for all. Many preachers like to use this verse to control and manipulate their congregations into believing that salvation can be lost by our actions. But, what God is really saying here is that once we have been presented the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ and we reject it, we have rejected the only way to heaven and eternal life. When we get to heaven we won't have a second chance to get into heaven by pleading our case of how we were a "good person" here on earth. This life is the only chance to receive God's free gift of salvation.

Many people have been taught wrong to believe that this verse says that if we commit a deliberate sin after becoming a Christian that we are condemned to hell. That is impossible. This verse actually says just the opposite. This verse actually says that because we keep deliberately sinning after RECEIVING the salvation and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, those sins ARE covered by His death! Think about it. If it says that a deliberate sin is not covered after REJECTING the forgiveness, it must mean that a deliberate sin is forgiven if we have RECEIVED the free gift of forgiveness. Friends, it simple. You and I, and everyone around us commit deliberate sins every day. We choose to say the things we say. We choose to do the things we do. We choose to think the things we think. It doesn't happen by accident. Every sin we commit every day is not done without our knowing about what we're doing. God isn't stupid. He knows our condition and the sinful nature of the flesh. He certainly knew long ago that the final sacrifice for sins would have to be a living sacrifice that stands for all time. Simply because we can not be perfect in this flesh. That's why God sent His son Jesus to be judgment for us, because He knows we can't do it. He knew that Israel could not keep even 10 simple commandments. But because of their pride, arrogance and self-righteous attitudes, He had to give the commandments to prove it to them. Some folks are so puffed up in their minds today that they actually believe that we can somehow still keep those commandments. God spoke through Paul in Galatians 2:21 and said:

...if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. - NIV

Trying to keep the 10 commandments will never put you in right standing with God. Matter of fact, it will put you under the curse! (Galatians 3:10). You see, salvation and forgiveness is all about what God does and nothing about what we do, except receive it. When we think it's up to us to perform, that takes the focus off of God and puts it back on us. God says no. Salvation is not about works so that none of us can boast. (Ephesians 2:9)

So, what's it going to be friends? Salvation through Jesus Christ, or judgment on your own? I think I'll let Jesus take my judgment at Calvary - 2000 years ago.

Freedom In Christ

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. - Galatians 5:1 NLT

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:6 that we are servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The life we have in Jesus Christ is a life of freedom from our old self. A life of freedom from the Law with it's ordinances and rules and regulations. Not a freedom to serve the desires of our flesh, or our feelings and emotions, but a freedom to serve one another by the power of the living God, in the law of Love.

So, as you live the life of freedom in Jesus Christ, don't get caught up again in slavery to rituals and religious rules and requirements. The only requirement in this new blood covenant, is to repent, confess Jesus as Lord of your life, believe in your heart that He rose from the dead, and let Him lead you by His Holy Spirit each and every day. Remember, the Law made no one perfect. We'll never enter into heaven by keeping the 10 Commandments. It is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Because...

we are under the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant

Not under Law, but under Grace

Not under condemnation, but conviction

Led by the Spirit, not the Law

Not an old sinner, but a new righteous man

Not under guilt, but under forgiveness

Not under judgment, but under God's Love

Not under the curse, but under the Blessing

Not dependence on myself, but dependence on God

Not by works, but by Faith

Not self-serving, but serving others

Not living my way, but living God's way

Not under religion, but set free

It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily. - Galatians 2:20-21 The Message

Holy & Blameless

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. – Ephesians 1:4

Do you have a revelation on this verse? Do you realize that as a child of God that He sees you holy and blameless? I believe there are many Christians who need to really study and meditate on this verse of scripture. There are so many of you who have a low self-worth, and because of your past or circumstances in this life, you feel second rate and carry around a constant burden of failure and a negative can't-do attitude. You need to realize that God does not see you this way, but in fact sees you as a new creation, holy & blameless! This is confirmed in at least two other scriptures:

…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Eph. 4:24

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. – Col. 1:22

God sees you according to the spirit. He has cleansed us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus. Many of us can’t get a grip on this because it is the exact opposite of what we constantly see, hear and experience here on earth in the world’s system. We are impressed at a very early age that we must be “good enough” to be accepted.

In sports, for example, we have to try out for the team and be judged on our performance as to whether or not we are good enough to make to team. We are even judged further as to who will be a “starter” and who will be a “bench warmer.” This is true in every facet of society. We must be good enough to be on the honor role at school. We must be good enough to get a driver’s license. We must be good enough to hold a job. We are constantly judged in life in regards to how well we perform, how well we look, how well we act, how well we talk, how well we dress, and how well we conform to society's idea of "acceptable" to be accepted in society and to maintain that acceptance.

Everyone wants to be accepted. Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to feel they are worth something. This is where the world’s logic ends and God’s plan and wisdom begins. We are all accepted, all loved and all worth it:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? ¹³And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. ¹⁴In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. – Matt. 18:12-14

None of us are good enough to get to heaven on our own, but that is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ – we don’t HAVE to be good enough! The devil will constantly try to tell you that you have to be good enough. He’ll tell you that you aren’t good enough to fulfill God’s plan for your life. He’ll tell you that you’re not smart enough, not talented enough, not gifted enough. Do you feel cursed, unable and not good enough? Listen – quit relying on yourself and start standing and relying on God’s word and His promises.

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. – Jeremiah 17:5

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. – Zechariah 4:6

God has a great plan for your life and wants to do great things through you, but it will only happen if you quit depending and focusing on yourself, your abilities, your ideas, your logic, your finances, and your righteousness, and start trusting in Him. God has made you holy and blameless by the blood of Jesus Christ. He that began a good work in you WILL see it through to completion. – Phil. 1:6

Let God take you through to completion. It’s not up to you to carry out God’s promises. It’s up to Him. It’s not up to us to try to be good enough; otherwise grace is no longer grace. (Romans 11:6). God says you’re more than a conqueror, an over-comer, that He meets all your needs, gives you perfect peace. He says He has planned your steps and ordained your path. He is your supplier, your provider, your comforter, your counselor, your Shepard, your strength, your shield, your fortress, your strong tower, your rock, your salvation, your strong hold, your deliverer, your hope, your guide, your teacher, your king, your Lord, and your God. Let Him prove it.