22 August 2017
Upward Mobility
Romans 8:32
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Give us everything else... What do people think “everything else” means? It means that God is not withholding anything good from us. Some people mistake God for a magic genie and wonder why they don’t have a million dollars if God is not withholding anything from us. But is God really withholding money from us? Don’t we have our own free will in how to spend it? How about someone from a poor country born into a low station in life with no hope for upward mobility? Does that mean God is withholding? It is vital to remember that the ol’ “American Dream” is not what God shares with us in His Word. Here’s what He actually does share...
1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
I love this passage! Slaves are actually free in Jesus, and free people are slaves to Him.
Remain as you were when God first called you doesn’t mean things are never going to change and opportunities are never going to arise. It means to keep my heart like it was when I met Jesus and decided to be his “slave” by following Him and keep following.
If you get a chance to be free, take it. If you get a chance to be healthy, do it. If you get a chance to go on a missions trip - go! If you get a chance to help someone, help like crazy. Do everything you do with Jesus and access his power, wisdom, compassion, and all the things he gives generously because he doesn’t withhold good things from us. And if it’s something He wouldn’t do, don’t do it.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
He gives me all the strength I need and doesn’t hold back. Life has nothing to do with a million dollars or a big house or even perfect health. Those might be options for some, but the only upward mobility God cares about is for His children to end UP in Heaven with Him forever! And He gives us everything we need to get there - starting with His Son, Jesus, whom He did not withhold from us!
Dear God,
Thank you for always giving me exactly what I need exactly when I need it. Help me to teach my kids by example that material possessions and status is not what life is about because none of those things are eternal. Thank you that you don’t withhold anything from us that would keep us from eternity with you and with each other. I love you so much and I’m so glad your Word tells us exactly what is true, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Upward Mobility
Romans 8:32
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Give us everything else... What do people think “everything else” means? It means that God is not withholding anything good from us. Some people mistake God for a magic genie and wonder why they don’t have a million dollars if God is not withholding anything from us. But is God really withholding money from us? Don’t we have our own free will in how to spend it? How about someone from a poor country born into a low station in life with no hope for upward mobility? Does that mean God is withholding? It is vital to remember that the ol’ “American Dream” is not what God shares with us in His Word. Here’s what He actually does share...
1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
I love this passage! Slaves are actually free in Jesus, and free people are slaves to Him.
Remain as you were when God first called you doesn’t mean things are never going to change and opportunities are never going to arise. It means to keep my heart like it was when I met Jesus and decided to be his “slave” by following Him and keep following.
If you get a chance to be free, take it. If you get a chance to be healthy, do it. If you get a chance to go on a missions trip - go! If you get a chance to help someone, help like crazy. Do everything you do with Jesus and access his power, wisdom, compassion, and all the things he gives generously because he doesn’t withhold good things from us. And if it’s something He wouldn’t do, don’t do it.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
He gives me all the strength I need and doesn’t hold back. Life has nothing to do with a million dollars or a big house or even perfect health. Those might be options for some, but the only upward mobility God cares about is for His children to end UP in Heaven with Him forever! And He gives us everything we need to get there - starting with His Son, Jesus, whom He did not withhold from us!
Dear God,
Thank you for always giving me exactly what I need exactly when I need it. Help me to teach my kids by example that material possessions and status is not what life is about because none of those things are eternal. Thank you that you don’t withhold anything from us that would keep us from eternity with you and with each other. I love you so much and I’m so glad your Word tells us exactly what is true, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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