For His Name's Sake

Oh for this heart to feel free before Him. To be able to stand blameless and feel good for carrying His the robe of righteousness upon us. Nothing else will do...nothing else can compensate. Doing the right thing and being right before Him is the inward cry of every heart. And for the trials and temptations that come our way to challenge us in this life's path. Oh for the courage and grace to do His will is the greatest privilege that His Spirit can bestow...

Praise be to His name
Praise be to the Lord for His strength and grace

May we be able to cry out in every circumstance

Psalm 23:3 (NASB)
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Recognizing God's Children

"To live the best for Him and bring glory to His name is what I am called and chosen for..."- is the motto of every child of God who walks close to Him. These are some of traits which we can see in a true child of God...

Every action, deed, speech, behavior, ambition and goals are backed by this motto. Anything contrary to this motto is abandoned willfully without regret.

Self-centered gratifications and selfishness are something that are crucified at the cross on a daily basis. Not limiting to that... anything that is contrary to the nature of Christ is quickly identified by the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit, quickly repented and rectified.

Walking in transparency and inward cleansing is most sorted after with the Spirit of God. Knowing that without the Spirit of God's indwelling and His help it is highly impossible to live a life pleasing God ...which is something not just a known fact but a deep living realization.

A child of God is not perfect in everything yet sincere and honest enough to see his/her inner self as is. A humble and a contrite spirit. A willing and yielding spirit. A soul which is teachable and correctable.

Recognizing as a clay in the potter's hand yet walking with power of the Spirit to live blamelessly in this highly corruptible generation - an essential trait.

Being like the Master when it comes to facing criticism, accuse and blame.

And above all to live is Christ and die is gain (dying everyday to build one's own kingdom and glory) as the crux of life...

Colossians 1:10 (Amplified Bible)

That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].

Holiness not an option - 2

The other day we said that people who are close to God thought more about His holiness than any other attribute of God. One may wonder why? Rev. Selwyn Hughes state that the very nature of God is holiness and light of God reflects so much in a person's heart that he/she becomes consciously aware of his/her sin or inward depravity. Perhaps, it could be because of this insight a person has because of which the holiness of God illuminates one's mind enormously.

No man or woman of God can say that they are holy like God. But they make every conscious effort to live blamelessly before Him. They hunger more to be like Him, run away from sin and temptations and hold on to His grace to live right in His sight. To please God and to bring glory to His name is the top most priority of people who cling close to God. They yearn for the Holy Spirit's sanctification and inward dwelling more than His power or gifts. This is the first essential step to live holy before God as what the Word of God exhorts us to do...

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

...dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

The Mark of Believers

Renowned theologian Stephen Charnock says that sincerity is the mark of a Christian. Unless we are sincere with God, ourselves, family and others we cannot help ourselves but are headed down the hill...

The opposite of sincerity is hypocrisy. When we lack sincerity to look deep into our hearts, we are deemed to reflect hypocrisy in everything. In relationships, at work, our speech, actions, attitude and service. All our Christian outwardness will be masked by a 'big hypocritical self' which God knows. And as the Word of God says that we are accountable to Him for what we are...

Hebrews 4:13 (New Living Translation)

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

May we be people who are sincere to God, ourselves and others. Otherwise we cannot consider ourselves as a human being with perfect consciousness.

Holiness not an option

Rev. Selwyn Hughes states that 'people who were close to God thought more about His holiness than about any other nature of God.' "Holiness is the distinctive nature of God" says theologian J.Mulienburg.

And people of God cannot approach the throne of grace by forgetting/being casual about this nature of God. Our God is holy and He has called us to holiness.

1 Peter 1:15 (New American Standard Bible)

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

Holiness is not an option for Christians (born-again believers). Without holiness we cannot relate to God. We cannot become holy ourselves. We will be made holy only when we live with integrity and seek God to make us holy and more like Him.

Hebrews 12:14 (New American Standard Bible)

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

May we never take holiness casually or consider it optional assuming that we can go on in our relationship with the Lord without it...

Irrespective of what others say...

Apostle Paul, a strong man of God never considered himself strong enough to subdue people through his communication. We all know that his letters speak powerfully to this day, ministering to the people of God. Yet we can see how he considered himself and his ministry...

1 Corinthians 4:10 (New Living Translation)

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

It never bothered him even when others looked down on him as a fool. For Christ's sake he was ready to become anything- weak, fool, dishonored, etc. Yet he made sure that he never forsook the way to be, behave and communicate Christ-like.

Job 17:9 (New American Standard Bible)

Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way,

And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

By being, talking and behaving Christ-like we will only be doing right what is right in God's eyes and as the Word of God says we will only grow stronger...

Walk the talk

We all live in an age where knowledge has greater power and influence. People who display knowledge in their speech gain popularity and better control of the hearers. However, mere knowledge profits to no one. Unless we are able to demonstrate and live what we speak it has no meaning. People who gain fame through their knowledge display will soon lose their crowd of hearers and even earn some back biters.

Believers in Christ too are following this pattern these days, believing that display of their biblical knowledge may benefit the hearer. However, the world is watching our life and conduct without our realization. Unless the world sees that we are people who walk the talk, our knowledge display has no significance to others. At the same time we may be portraying a wrong picture about ourselves and the faith we follow...

Let us be like Apostle Paul who was always cautious to follow what he preached, whose letters edify and build the Church even to this day...

1 Corinthians 9:27 (New American Standard Bible)

but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Child-like heart

When we read God's word everyday, the Lord speaks to us directly many a time. Sometimes it is word a of encouragement, hope, faith, comfort, empathy, and sometimes it is words of correction, discipline and learning. When we are confronted by words of correction, discipline and change, the Spirit of God gently convicts us of our shortcoming and prompts within us a need for repentance or willingness to yield. It is at those times, our minds play the trick by justifying what we do as right.

Our mind is a powerful entity which the Lord has created us with. And the Lord has given the mind its power in forms of intellect, wisdom, knowledge, discernment and discretion. When we are convicted by the Lord through His Word and Spirit, our mind may not be ready to immediately accept it. Our mind uses all its power to justify our thoughts, actions, behaviors, motives and attitude. The reason for the mind to work this way is...

The heart is deceitful above all things

and beyond cure.

Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9 (New International Version)

It is easy for our heart to accept words of encouragement, hope, faith, comfort and consolation. But it is difficult for the heart to accept correction, discipline, change and transformation.

That is why the Lord emphasized,

Matthew 18:3 (The Message)

2-5. For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom...

We need to have a child-like heart to accept words of correction, discipline and change. Younger children do not justify for their wrongs. They are simple and straight forward. They accept and learn more readily than adults.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me a heart like that of a child. So that I accept every word that you tell me whether of correction or encouragement in the same manner. I am willing to go back to square one. In Jesus name. Amen.

Adding to our faith - 7

2 Peter 1:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

5.Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6.and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7.and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

The the final thing that Apostle Peter sums up in this scripture asking God's children to possess is - love. The whole gospel is summed up in this... Every child of God knows about the unconditional love that the Bible talks about. We as God's children have experienced this agape (unconditional) love from God and know the depth of it. Yet to walk in that love as God's child among people is often a challenge. The whole world knows that the main attribute of anyone who claims Christ is love and yet the world fails to see that love in Christians.

Why? The challenge for us is to show the love to those who are indifferent to that unconditional love. We know that the Lord asks us to love our enemies and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We may read these scriptures time and again. And know deep within us that it is difficult.

It is difficult, yet not impossible. Though at times we may fail to express that unconditional love of God to those who may be indifferent to us or talk bad about us, we can for certain pray for them. And it is only the love of God (flowing through us) which can truly make people respond to our love...

Adding to our faith - 6

2 Peter 1:5-7 (New American Standard Bible)

5.Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6.and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control,perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7.and in your godliness, brotherly kindness

Brotherly kindness is the warmth, care and concern which needs to be shown to the household of faith. Many believers in Christ hesitate to show acts of help, provision and care to other believers because of being cheated or taken advantage of, by others. There are many instances, where men and women of God have moved to do good to believers in Christ and have had bitter experiences. These kind of instances do happen in Christian circles. However, a believer should not be disheartened to show acts of brother kindness to fellow believers.

Many of us need to understand that we need to indulge in acts of brother kindness when moved by the Holy Spirit rather by emotions. It is quite challenging to differentiate between emotions and the Holy Spirit's prompting. During such times it is always better to pause, pray and seek the Lord's guidance to decide on things to be done. We need to ask the Lord for discernment, so as to minister to genuine needs rather than fake ones...

Galatians 6:10 (New American Standard Bible)

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have the discernment when I need to move with the acts of brotherly kindness. For what I do should result in edification of others and bring glory to your name. In Jesus name. Amen.

Adding to our faith - 5

2 Peter 1:5-6 (New American Standard Bible)

5. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6. and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

We all know that godliness is not putting on a mask of piety, rather it is having Christ-likeness in us. The very image of the Lord brings to our mind the meaning of the word godliness. For love and piety was something that reflected on His face, His speech, actions, behavior and attitude. Godliness cannot be developed in us. It has to be imparted. It will be imparted only when we become more of Him and less of us...

Many of them think that they are godly by doing a lot of spiritual things such as ministry, spiritual talks, fasting, being prayerful, etc. However, these are outward things which cannot sanctify a human heart. Sanctification comes when we yield to the discipline and changes that the Lord brings within us. It is an inside out transformation...And it can happen only when we are ready for such a process...

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me become more of you and less of me. More of you in the way I think, react, speak and behave. Help me yield to a change required in me. I am willing now...In your precious name. Amen.

Adding to our faith - 4

Peter 1:5-6 (New American Standard Bible)

5.Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6.and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,

The Amplified version of the same scripture denotes 'steadfastness (patience, endurance)' for the word perseverance. Patience and endurance are two characteristics which mark the image of a matured person. As we endure various kinds of trials and temptations in this Christian life, we need to work on to develop these two attributes in us. And again patience and endurance cannot be developed by our own self-efforts, but with the help of the Holy Spirit. As we learn from our mistakes by accepting correction and discipline from the Lord, these two characteristics will develop in us...

The Message translation uses the word 'passionate patience' for perseverance. Passionate patience is a rare virtue and it can develop in us only when we allow sovereign control of our lives in His hand. And to do thus in times of storm is a challenge. May we never weaken or quit to develop this virtue in us.

Prayer: Lord, I see that you will never be satisfied unless you develop in me the qualities that mark me as your follower. I too decide this day to persevere in this goal. In your precious name. Amen.

Adding to our faith - 3

2 Peter 1:5-6 (New American Standard Bible)

5. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6. and in your knowledge, self-control,

The next attribute we are asked to add to our character is 'self-control'. According to the world self-control is an attribute which requires self-effort to attain it. But as per the spiritual law, self-control is the fruit of the Spirit. As we seek diligently in prayer asking the Spirit of God to build this fruit in us (or any other fruit for that matter), we will see that the fruit will become a natural part of our being. We will realize by our daily experience that we are able to have self-control in the areas of life where we lack self-control, such as in expression or outburst of anger, gossip, back biting, slander, accusation or judging. Self-control is also an attribute required for preventing indulgence in sensual and sinful habits.

Self-control cannot be attained by efforts alone, it requires the Spirit of God's help to bring changes and transformations in us. And for this to happen gradually we need to diligently seek and pursue the fruit, until it wholly takes root, grows and manifests in us...

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may the Spirit of God build self-control in me, so that in areas where I lack self-control I may be more of a Christ-controlled person. In your precious name Jesus. Amen.

Adding to our faith -2

2 Peter 1:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

As we continue meditating on this scripture, Apostle Peter exhorts us (believers in Christ) to add knowledge to moral excellence. What exactly is the apostle referring here as knowledge? Is it a biblical knowledge, knowledge of God or knowledge of good and evil. Though it may refer to all this, it also refers to the knowledge or realization of our fallen self before God, the significance of our salvation, the kindness of God towards us and the continuous faith and patience the Lord has on His children...

Sounds a little introspective isn't it? Yes, it is. After we are saved, the Lord looks at us as righteous children, he looks at us as saints (under sanctification), he looks at as His heirs. Yet, many a time, we fail to be His children...by being or behaving worldly, unlike Christ in attitude or thought process. All this does not nullify He being our Father. His kindness towards us does not change. His faith and patience in us does not falter. And His love unchanging...

A deep knowledge and realization of this truth develops in us a deep desire to be like Him. It drives our heart to know Him more, love Him better each day and please Him by our life and being. Walking in this knowledge or realization is what Apostle Peter is exhorting here...

The more we get to know Him, we have a clear picture of His holiness and clear image of our shortcomings before Him. We get to realize how small we are before this awesome holy God and we get to know the price He paid the Cross. A true knowledge of the Cross makes us linger more at the Cross saying..."Lord, you cross is my glory. It is where I need to stay till I come home".

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to grow more in you. Not in just biblical knowledge or with regard to my service to you. But to know you more passionately and your love for me. In your precious name Lord. Amen.

Adding to our faith -1

2 Peter 1:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence...

Our faith will shine before the others, only if people can see moral excellence in us. Moral excellence is something which every human being is aware of. Since the first man Adam, man has gained knowledge of good and evil and knows the difference between right and wrong as clear the difference between the right and the left.

Apostle Peter, exhorts us to add moral excellence to our faith. The English synonyms of the word 'moral excellence' is 'virtue' or 'integrity'. Writer Jon Quinn calls it as 'strength of character'.

Our faith is pure because our God is Holy. And when exhibiting our faith in Christ i.e when we claim ourselves as Christians, our character should exhibit moral excellence. If people accuse our faith in spite of being a good character, then it is a honor for us. Hence let us make every effort to add moral excellence to our faith, so that we bring glory to our God, and for the faith we profess...

Whole-hearted devotion

One place where we often falter in our Christian walk is to remain loyal in our relationship with God. Being loyal in our relationship with God, calls for living blamelessly and being consistent in seeking Him (to know Him, love Him and do His will).

If we perceive God's will as burdensome and being in His presence as an obligation, then our knowledge and understanding of Him is not right. God wants us to enjoy His presence and do His will not with forbearance, but willingly with understanding (out of love).

While living in a relationship with God, we should go God with eagerness, longing and joy and not out of fear or obligation. At the same time living right before God should be more like a goal which we should do joyfully and willingly. This explains what whole hearted-devotion is all about...

1 Chronicles 28:9 (New International Version)

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you;

God is passionate about us and expects the same from us. He expects that we love Him, seek Him and do His will as an outflow of our love for Him. And only when we are devoted to Him wholeheartedly, will we be loyal to Him always...

Living blamelessly...

A true child of God is aware that he/she has to continually depend on God's Spirit to live right before God. For the temptations of the flesh and the pleasures of the world are quite deceptive. As we live a life depending on God's Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord alerts us when sin and temptations lurk near our hearts door. Grace is there until we make a choice. A wrong choice or move can stop the grace flowing in our lives. Many a time the Holy Spirit of the Lord do not give up on us so quickly. His gentle reminders, warnings and cautions are always there for us. He leaves us only when we continuously avoid Him, ignore His promptings and behave indifferent to Him. When He leaves us we are on our own, though we may wrongly assume that we have the grace of God and God's favor for us...

That is why the psalmist prayed...

Psalm 19:13 (New International Version)

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

This need to be our constant prayer if we are to live blamelessly in our everyday life. There was once a man of God who prayed everyday during his prayer time, "Lord, is there anything in my life which is stopping your grace to flow in today? Please show it to me Lord." If the Spirit of God gently showed him any form of sin, wrong attitude or choice, the man would quickly and sincerely repent (and take the right action where required). This helped him to live right before God.

May each one of us too make it a habit to live right before God- blameless...

Steadfast in Him

Living blamelessly often is a challenge. To guard our hearts and minds well, we need to do only one thing. Our heart should be steadfast towards God. Many assume that they are strong enough to live a Godly life. However, that is a deception. Only God can help us live blamelessly as we depend on Him, and seek His help to live thus.

Psalm 51:10 (New International Version)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

King David was one person who was aware of this truth. That is why he prayed the above prayer...

When our heart is steadfast toward God, we will make every conscious effort to live a life blameless before God, for we realize our God is Holy and He will not tolerate sin. As His child, we will not do any wrong deliberately which will make us fall from His grace and presence.

Walking blamelessly

Living a blameless life before God is not considered as an important aspect even among many Christians. But a true child of God know that living blamelessly is not an option. Let us take a day to consider how to live a life blameless before God. We have a quick answer in God's Word.

Psalm 11:109, 112 (NIV)

109. My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.

112.I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, even to the end.

It is true that we have our life in our hands. The decisions we make, the priorities we establish, our likes and dislikes, our choices and the way we handle our life is in our hands. However, we need to notice that the Psalmist says that he inclined his heart to God's statutes meaning to shape his life as per the God's Word. He also made a determination to stick to it till the end. The choice was his...

If we could only shape our life's choices, decisions, priorities, likes, perceptions and attitude as per God's Word, then our life would sure to be blameless in His sight.

We are an example

It is very challenging for us to live like our Lord Jesus Christ by setting an example like the way He lived and the way He was. But the Word of God exhorts us to follow the Master. Each one of us are aware of our shortcomings and our faults. And we know that in life we have constant lessons to learn. The purpose of our life here on earth is to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ and that we do by living as a proper witness.

Many assume that being a witness is confessing Christ or preaching Christ. That may be possible and even easy for some. But being the right witness for God is by reflecting Him. Though this may be challenging, it is not impossible.

That is why Paul exhorted Timothy in his first letter to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:12 (New International Version)

...set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

If we can exhibit the above traits then we cannot be helped from being noticed. Though people may not appreciate it (and we don't follow these traits for people's praise but to glorify God), it will be deeply impressed in their hearts and for sure we will prove to be His witness that He lives...