1 John 3:10 "Perfection Cannot Coexist With Sin"

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. ~1 John 3:10

God in all His perfection cannot abide sin. The very fact that He is pure love and purely just means that He will not tolerate sin to be in His presence. The two opposites are incapable of existing on the same plane.

Since we are sinful people, how then can we be in relationship with God? How can He accept us into His presence with a pall of sin hanging over us? In the Old Testament, we see that God instituted the method of animal sacrifice for man’s sins. Someone had to pay the price for atonement, so the animal gave their life for our sins so we would be made clean again. In the New Testament, we are given the final sacrifice that ever needs to be made in the person of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Himself so we could be in perfect relationship once again with Him. We simply must accept His amazing gift and once again be welcomed into the throne room.

Further Thoughts:

1. What Old Testament examples do we have of God’s holiness separated from man’s sinfulness? (Hints: Former Hebrew slaves and The Promised Land…. The tabernacle….. The Priesthood.)
2. What is repentance?
3. Are there any unrepentant sins that are hindering your relationship with God? If yes, what are they?
4. If you have sins to confess, take the time right now to confess and repent.

Father, I praise You for Your holiness and thank You for making it possible for me to have a relationship with You even though I am a fallible being. Show me where I fall and cleanse me from all sin. Amen.

Hebrews 4:12-13 "Laid Bare"

Read Hebrews 4:12-13.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." NIV

Do you think we will ever fully understand the enormity of these verses? We are told that through obedience we enter into His rest and and then, bam, hit with these verses. God knows me inside and out. He sees every dirty crevice and grimy indentation. He knows not only my thoughts, but my intentions. No corner of my mind or heart is hidden from Him. Every action He sees me make, He also sees the purpose in my heart. I can hide from others and even try to fool myself, but my complete being in all its imperfections covered in some vaguely good deeds is an open book to my Creator.

And here lies the rub, He's also my Savior. I can't hide anything from Him, but then He still loves me. He knows exactly where I fall and where I attempt to shine. He sees ever corner of my heart, and still He loves me. My imperfect being He now views draped in His amazing grace.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you thinking you can hide from God or are you just fooling yourself? Why?
2. If we know we need to hide from God, why don't we just confess and rid ourselves of the things that are sin to Him?
3. We are all imperfect beings -- some of us are just forgiven. What verses prove that?
4. Read the words of this amazing hymn. (suggestion: mute the sound.)

Colossians 3:1-2 "Check Out the View"

Read Colossians 3:1-2.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." NIV

Wow, chapter 3 is so chocked full of information. We don't see the rules of man, but now we are simply looking at God's laws for how we live our life.

First of all, we have to get the right perspective. We live here on earth in the muck and mire, joys and celebrations that is called life. Everyday we get up, go through a morning routine, go to work or school, interact with others, meet challenges -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We come home, again interacting with others, this time family -- sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. We go out with friends or to evening activities or meetings. Come home, unmask, and go to bed. Those are the bare bones of most people's existence to some degree or another. Now in there are interspersed many joyful times and some tragic. Some messy relationships and some amazing friendships. We face temptations and fight discouragement. We experience creative moments that overwhelm us and views of stars and vistas that leave us in awe.

But through all these events, minus a few airplane rides, our perspective is firmly grasped in an earthly view. We see all things linear -- in time and space. There is a beginning to all things and an end. We work, we go home. We cook a meal, eat it, and clean it up. We start projects and finish them. We live, we die.

But God is calling us to a higher perspective -- His view. He's telling us to separate ourselves from this earth, and it's trappings and limitations, and see life as He sees it. We are children of the King and the King is telling us to take a look from the throne room. The view is much different from that angle. The foggy places are clear. The darkness is seen darker, and where the light shines, we are blinded by its brilliance. He's saying that we should see ourselves and our simply little lives from His perspective and embodied in the His view of who we are and what our purpose is. The Almighty invites us to look through His eyes to a hope and a future -- to a better way that rises above the complexities of this earth so we can live in it but not be of it. Will you take a look? The view is amazing.

Further Thoughts:

1. Compare and contrast Paul's life before Christ and after. How did his perspective change?
2. Why do we get stuck in the earthly perspective? What breaks down to make that happen?
3. When are the times that you have seen as God sees?
4. What view do you have right now? Why?

Joseph: Genesis 50:15-26 "Finishing Well"

Read Genesis 50:15-26.

"But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?'" NIV

After all they had been through with Joseph, the brothers were still afraid of him and the retribution he could wield. I'm amazed that they hadn't seen him for who he really had become. But they had seen his dreams come true. I suppose that would bring fear to anyone. They also probably suffered from a lot of guilt over what they had done to Joseph and their father. Now that Jacob's protection was gone, Joseph could use his power to get revenge. But he didn't.

Joseph had found amazing forgiveness and healing over the years. He chose to see the situation for what God had done with it rather than dwelling in the midst of his suffering. How easy would it have been for Joseph to have all his brothers thrown in prison for the remainder of their lives? He'd have not only gotten rid of them, but gained all their wealth as well. But Joseph was not the man they thought he had become. The scars remained, but the heart was pure.

How often do we choose to hang onto the scars and bitterness of our past? The damage that causes affects so many aspects of our lives -- physical well-being, relationships, most importantly the hardness of our hearts and our relationship with the Father. Forgiveness sets us free from the bondage of our hurt and allows us to move in step with the Father, not with the past.

Further Thoughts:

1. Are you hanging onto bitterness in your life? 
   
2. How does Joseph reflect Jesus and his future suffering?
   
3. How was Joseph a big-picture thinker?
   
4. Write down some thoughts about Joseph's life and how his example can help you grow?