Bible Study - Something More (2) - I Am a Child of the King - Galatians 4:1-7 - January 28, 2018

Bible Study – Something More (2) – I Am a Child of the King – January 28, 2018

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Made for Something More.”

Our focus scripture is Galatians 4:1-7.

JESUS makes us full members of HIS family.

The Apostle Paul likely wrote this letter to the Galatians from Syrian Antioch after his first missionary journey. After he departed the area, Judaizers came in trying to convince these new Christians, especially the Gentile Christians, that faith in JESUS was not sufficient for salvation. The Judaizers would tell these new converts to Christianity, if they truly desired the right relationship with GOD, they needed to convert to Judaism and follow the Jewish law e.g. to be circumcised and follow the Jewish law, rituals, etc. 

The Apostle Paul’s profound message was “that faith in JESUS alone makes Christians full members of GOD’S family!” Christians do not need to do anything else.

To drive this point home for these new converts, Paul compared salvation, through faith in JESUS, with a child who will inherit his or her father’s estate. However, there were slaves who also lived in the household with the child. In the Jewish hereditary system, the Jews established an age for the child to inherit that which the father left to the child. In the Roman hereditary system, the father determined when the child received the inheritance. Let’s explore!
Addendum:

In the Advanced Bible Study, Winter 2017-18, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175, page 115, Dr. Bob Bunn wrote [Paul used a relatively simple example to illustrate this misunderstanding of our relationship with GOD. He pointed out that when we fail to embrace the full privilege of our standing in Christ – and allow the law, rather than grace, to dominate the relationship – we cannot live up to our full potential as Christ-followers. If we are trapped by the dictates of the law, we struggle to realize who we are made to become – full owners, rather than children living under the restrictions of a trustee. Paul noted as long as the heir is a child, he (she – my addition) differs in no way from a slave. Despite being the owner of everything, the heir gets to enjoy none of the benefits that go along with ownership because he is held in check by the power of the law.]

How many Christians remain in bondage by failing to take ownership of their inheritance GOD has given them through their faith in JESUS? Christians are under GOD’S Grace and are full citizens in the Kingdom of GOD but they choose to remain outside looking in. Father here I am, as I am and only YOU can help me to embrace the inheritance you have given to me. Help me to live as the child of the King of Heaven and earth. I am no longer under the authority of “guardians and trustees” who guide my life. My life is guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit because of the inheritance I received through faith in JESUS and being made the Son or Daughter of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. This does not mean that I will test YOU but obey YOU as YOU guide my life. Amen.

 

Let’s read Galatians 4:1-3:

1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world.

The Apostle Paul used the example of a wealthy family that has children and slaves to illustrate GOD’S love for all people upon earth. The child is GOD’S chosen people, the Jews, and the slaves are the Gentiles/non-Jews. The father is GOD and the father determines when the child will be declared of age to receive the inheritance. Until that time, chosen by the father, GOD, there is no difference between the child and the slave. They are both, the Jews and the Gentiles, under the influence of “elemental forces of the world.”

These “elemental forces” are the false gods, evil spirits, idols, even GOD’S law that became a substitute for worshiping GOD in Spirit and truth. GOD’S desire is for all people to worship HIM according to the Spirit of the Law rather than the letter of the Law.

Let’s read Galatians 4:4-5:

4 But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

When we study the Bible, we know that timing is vital to GOD’S purpose and plans. It is vital that we know that GOD makes history. The happenings upon earth are not random probability but orchestrated by GOD. GOD knew that all had been completed and it was time for GOD’S only Son to come to earth and be born 100% human.

GOD, Who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent decided when HE would send HIS Only Son, JESUS, to earth to be born, 100% human, yet 100% GOD. GOD stated in Genesis 3:15 when Eve and Adam sinned:

15 I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve/the mother of all living), and between your seed and her seed. He (Satan) will strike your head, and you (Your offspring or the offspring of woman/Virgin Mary/JESUS) will strike his heel.

The “seed of woman” is the seed from which JESUS would be conceived and result in JESUS being 100% human came from the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit Who energized the “seed of woman” came from GOD, thus 100% Divine. JESUS left HIS Glory in Heaven to come to earth and to live as 100% human to be tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin. The “seed of woman”/JESUS will crush the head of Satan but Satan will strike the heel of the “seed of woman”/JESUS. Striking the heel would not result in permanent death, whereas, crushing the head would be a fatal (permanent) blow to Satan.

JESUS would accomplish this when HE gave HIS physical life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin, which is eternal death, by the shedding of HIS blood. The permanent blow to Satan was when GOD resurrected JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive and gave HIM HIS Glorified body to prove that JESUS had conquered both sin and eternal death. GOD gave JESUS full authority to grant eternal life to everyone who will place his or her faith in JESUS.

The inheritance from GOD for all who place their faith in JESUS is eternal life through the miracle of rebirth. This takes place the instant a person places his or her faith in JESUS!  WOW!!! GOD LOVES ALL OF US!

As we read in verses 1-3, the Apostle Paul wrote about the “child and the slaves” living in the same household. He related the child to the Jews. But how would the slave/Gentile be included? It would be through adoption, thus all people are included in GOD’S plan for salvation Jew and Gentile through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Galatians 4:6-7:

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Faith in JESUS triggers an instant/permanent miracle of Spiritual birth in every person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The person, male or female, instantly becomes a Son or Daughter of GOD, thus the born-again person can approach GOD as HIS Son or Daughter calling GOD, “Abba, Father/Daddy!”

JESUS came to earth and established the Kingdom of GOD. All who place their faith in JESUS not only are born into GOD’S family but become citizens of the Kingdom of GOD. Christians  are ambassadors as written in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Yes, all Christians are the Children of GOD and chosen to obediently serve HIM. GOD gives to every Christian the Holy Spirit Who indwells him or her to guarantee the Christian that he or she is GOD’S child. Romans 8:14-16 captures this fact:

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Do you know that you are a child of GOD? If not, settle that matter now by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life believing that JESUS gave HIS life just for you. If you are not already in a Bible believing, teaching and believing church, then pray and ask GOD to lead you to where HE wants you to be fed Spiritually.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Madefor More (1) - I Am Wonderfully Made - Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 - January 21, 2018

Bible Study – Made for More (1) – I Am Wonderfully Made – January 21 2018

This is lesson one (1) in a six-week study entitled “Made for Something More.”

Our focus scripture Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18.

Every life counts – including mine.

Yes, every life is important to GOD. JESUS gave HIS life for all people in the hope that every person will place his or her faith in HIM and acknowledge JESUS as his or her Savior and make HIM the LORD of his or her life.

Our focus scripture, Psalm 139, was written by King David. He expressed and acknowledged GOD’S intimate and personal involvement in his life. Do you think GOD knows you intimately and personally?

Knowing GOD and GOD knowing each of us is a two-way path. GOD already knows all about each of us intimately but do we know GOD intimately and personally?

The Prophet Jeremiah recorded these words in Jeremiah 1:4-8:

4 The word of the Lord came to me:

5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

6 But I protested, "Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am [only] a youth."

7 Then the Lord said to me: Do not say: I am [only] a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you.

8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. [This is] the Lord's declaration.

You may say, “Well that is nice but I am no prophet.” That may be true but you are vital to GOD. Notice, what the Apostle Paul recorded in Ephesians 1:4:

4 for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love

JESUS chose us before the foundation of the world. HE chose us to be what? HE chose us to be Holy and blameless in HIS sight, in love. How is it possible for us to be “Holy and blameless in HIS sight?” It is only possible through the shed blood of JESUS and each of us placing our faith in HIM.

How is this possible? It is possible because, we are all sinners as recorded in Romans 5:8 - 8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

How does faith in JESUS make us acceptable to GOD?

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:21: 21 For our sake he (GOD) made him (JESUS) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

JESUS, The sinless lamb of GOD, became sin for us so that all who place their faith in JESUS “Might become the righteousness of GOD.” GOD, The One Who made the rules which governed the Garden of Eden and declared the eternal death penalty upon Adam and Eve and their offspring, made JESUS to be sin and take the eternal death penalty upon Himself. Thus, in doing so, GOD gave all of mankind the opportunity to be redeemed from eternal death and receive eternal life through faith in JESUS. GOD placed our sin upon JESUS. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life for that purpose, just for you. GOD then places the righteousness of JESUS upon all who place their faith in JESUS. 

That is personal, individual and specific.

What are you to do to receive this free gift from GOD? Accept it by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life as Savior and make HIM The LORD of your life.

The love of JESUS compelled HIM to leave HIS Glory in Heaven and willingly come to earth, as 100% human/100% Divine and subject to sin, yet without sin, to give HIS sinless life just for you and me to have the opportunity for salvation. GOD did not make us robots but gave us the freewill to choose. All are chosen but only so many will freely choose JESUS as their Savior. Yet, all are chosen.

This makes every person special in the eyes of GOD and JESUS. The desire for GOD and JESUS is for every person to come to a saving knowledge of JESUS and obediently live for GOD in HIS Kingdom, now.

Many of us know that GOD has been very much involved in our lives e.g. where we live, directing our career, keeping us from trouble, leading us to our mate and the list goes on.

Some may think, “If GOD has been in my life, I would hate to see my life if HE had not been involved.” We must keep in mind GOD did not make us robots. All people have the freedom to choose. GOD does dispatch HIS angels, who are under HIS direction, to come to our aid. GOD is also working in our behalf to make the best out of our messes.

I know some may be thinking, “Where was GOD, GOD’S angel or HIS angels when such and such happened to either me or to my loved one?” I understand. I had that question when our eldest son fell on a flight of steps and was killed just over 5 years ago. That is when we have to trust GOD’S decision. The hurt is there and will never go away. But the joy of knowing that our family will be joined with him one day in Heaven is our comfort.

As Christians, are we building an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS?

You are important to GOD as recorded in Matthew 10:29-30:

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The trinity of a person is body, soul and spirit. The spirit is the essence of life. It takes the spirit to give the body life. It is the spirit that needs to be born-again through faith in JESUS. Once the spirit of a person is born-again, it becomes Spirit and receives eternal life as a child of GOD. Once the Spirit is born into the family of GOD, it will never, ever become unborn. It is eternal. Heaven is that person’s destination. When a Christian dies, he or she exits his or her earth suit and steps into Heaven in the presence of JESUS and GOD for eternity. That is a guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Who rules our lives is the key. Do we allow our born-again Spirit to rule our lives under the authority of GOD or do we allow the body or soul to rule? Our life styles will reflect huge differences depending upon who rules our lives. Every Christian has the freedom to choose who rules. Ask GOD to help you make the Spirit to rule your life while you are upon earth. The choice is ours to make. You are important to GOD, as we read Matthew 10:29-31:

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

GOD values each person and knows each person intimately. Thus, every person must know that he or she has great self-worth in the eyes of GOD. GOD made you and GOD does not make junk.

John 3:16-17 - 16 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.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The “whoever” in verse 16 is every person who has ever been born or will ever be born.

Let’s explore!  

Let’s read Psalm 139:1-6:

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

1 Lord, You have searched me and known me.

David begins with “LORD” which refers to YAHWEH, the covenant name of the One True GOD. This is the name GOD gave to Moses after HE called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away.

3 You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord.

5 You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me.

6 [This] extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to [reach] it.

GOD did not know David in a cursory way but in an intimate, personal, loving way. GOD knows you in this intimate way as well.

David expressed such an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD. 

They had such an intimate relationship that nothing was hidden by David from GOD and neither did GOD hide anything from David. They were completely honest with each other. David was a man after GOD’S own heart, yet, David sinned mightily. Never ever think you are beyond sinning. If you ever think that you cannot sin, don’t walk but run to get counsel from a trusted friend and reveal it to GOD.

We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace.

GOD knows us intimately. When HE flashes warning signs you had better pay attention.

What a Savior! HE never leaves us or abandons us. HE chose us and when we choose HIM; that bond that is never broken. Believe it, not because I say it, but because it is true. Once you were conceived could you become un-conceived? NO! The same is true once you have been born-again in your spirit/Spirit.

Ephesians 1:4:

4 for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love

Let’s read Psalm 139:13-16:

13 For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb.

Today, we have ultrasound that reveals what takes place in what used to be a very secret place.

14 I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well.

15 My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all [my] days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.

The Bible reveals to us in Ecclesiastes 3:2:

2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

GOD knew who your parents would be, where you would be born, the schools you would attend, your friends, your mate, where you would live, your career, your children and the list goes on. So, if GOD knew all of this why is my life in chaos? We must keep in mind that GOD made us with the freewill to choose. Have we looked to HIM when we had decisions to make? Did our parents? Do our or our parent’s poor decisions surprise GOD? NO!

Let’s read Psalm 139:17-18:

17 God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me [to comprehend]; how vast their sum is!

18 If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You.

Father, I know that you know me but I also know that often I make decisions according to what I think is best for me and not according to your desire for me. Yet, in spite of it all, YOU lead and guide my life and make the best out of my poor decisions.

I realize that even when I do not make decisions according to YOUR plans and purpose, even then YOU are at work in my life to help me to learn of YOU and nudge me to building the right relationship with YOU.

Thank you LORD for YOUR patience with me and your unfailing love!

I want so much to walk in step with YOU as YOU and I journey through life 

arm in arm. Help me to build such an intimate relationship with YOU that I will know YOUR thoughts and be guided by them. Nothing is hidden from YOU. My desire is to do your will upon earth as it is done in Heaven. Amen! Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Everything (7) - JESUS Corrects - Mark 7:5-15 - January 14, 2018

Bible Study – Everything (7) – JESUS Corrects – January 14, 2018

This is lesson seven (7) and the final lesson in this series entitled “JESUS Changes Everything.”

Our focus scripture is Mark 7:5-15.

JESUS calls us to a higher standard.

JESUS calls all Christians to a higher standard at the instant they accept HIM as their Savior. The good news is that Christians are equipped with the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower, enlighten, guide and assure them as they encounter the issues of life.

This is our final lesson in this series of study “JESUS Changes Everything.” 

Christians have a will that needs to be brought under the authority of JESUS. 

The key is, when we accept JESUS as our Savior, we must allow HIM to be the LORD of our lives. That takes courage and Satan/the Devil will place every road block and barrier in your path to attempt to prevent you from allowing JESUS to be the LORD of your life. It is no longer my will but YOUR will.

Taking such a step of faith is the step needed to build the right relationship with JESUS and GOD. Will it be easy? NO! But one thing certain, JESUS will never abandon you or leave you. These past six lessons are foundational for our daily walk with JESUS.

JESUS stills calls us to be HIS disciples

JESUS still teaches us through GOD’S Word and the Holy Spirit as we encounter the issues in life. Certain issues we encounter in life translate to a parable as the Holy Spirit enlightens us.

JESUS has the power to heal, give life to both the physically and Spiritually dead and so much more.

JESUS has power over the physical, Spiritual and Satanic kingdoms.

JESUS was born 100% human and 100% Divine, tempted as human’s are tempted, yet HE remained sinless. How do we know that? Because GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to receive HIS eternal Glorified body as an example of the covenant GOD makes with each and every person who accepts JESUS as his or her Savior by faith. HE gives to each person who accepts JESUS as his or her Savior the Holy Spirit to indwell him or her as the guarantee that this will take place. HE gives each Christian eternal life through the miracle of rebirth in his or her Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is not dormant in the lives of Christians but active to the extent we relinquish our will to HIM. Yes, the Holy Spirit is a person; the third person of the Trinity and dwells in each Christian, as such, every Christian is the temple of GOD. Every place a Christian steps is Holy ground because of the presence of GOD. Awesome and carries a huge responsibility which can only be accomplished because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let’s explore!

The religious leaders of JESUS’ day nitpicked over ceremonial things and failed to look beyond the letter of the law and tradition to the Spirit of the Law. It is easy for Christians to get bogged down in the mundane.

Let’s read Mark 7:5-8:

5 Then the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why don't Your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean hands?"

Traditions are both good and bad. It this case the tradition was simply washing your hands before a person ate a meal. When the religious leaders washed their hands they washed up to their elbow. If you didn’t include up to the elbow, they considered a person’s hands unclean, that is ceremonially unclean. The religious leaders of JESUS day pointed this out to JESUS. HIS disciples were not cleaning their hands according to tradition. This was a teachable moment for these religious leaders as we read on ----

6 He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

Going through the motion of worshiping or honoring GOD is a futile exercise. 

The key to worshiping GOD is, “What is HE leading or telling you to do as an act of worship or honor?” Ritual or following tradition does not cut it. We are to worship GOD in truth (Being honest with GOD! GOD already knows our true feelings and attitude toward HIM. Being honest with GOD forms the basis upon which GOD and each of us can work together to build the right relationship with each other.)

7 They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.

When we attend a worship service, are we being fed Spiritually or do we attend because it is the thing we have always done? Of course, being fed Spiritually is a two-way street. Are we seeking truth? Is truth being presented? Is it our attitude toward JESUS/GOD that we get little from attending a worship service? Or is it un-confessed sin? If that is your situation ask GOD to reveal the truth to you. Why am I not being fed Spiritually? You may need an attitude adjustment or change where you attend to be fed Spiritually.  

8 Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men."

Religious institutions today and Christians have to be careful not to embrace the traditions of man as coming from GOD.

I still eat black-eyed peas, collards, pork and sweet potatoes on New Year’s Day because I like them. But in my upbringing, this meal had lots of tradition for good fortune for the coming year, which was and is non-sense. But often such traditions take on life controlling status – rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover and the list goes on.

Let’s read Mark 7:9-13:

9 He also said to them, "You completely invalidate God's command in order to maintain your tradition!

To drive HIS point home, JESUS gave them a “for instance”----- as we read on --

10 For Moses said: Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.

11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or mother: Whatever benefit you might have received from me is Corban' " (that is, a gift [committed to the temple]),

12 "you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.

13 You revoke God's word by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things."

JESUS cited an example that these religious leaders knew was true, which was the great reveal of the hypocrisy of religion. Simply, Moses, who they greatly respected, honored and paid attention to, instructed them to honor their father and mother. Yet, according to the teaching of that day, if a person’s father and mother needed a financial helping hand and the adult child chose not to help his or her parent or parents all the person had to do was to declare their resources “dedicated to GOD” or “Corban.” Therefore, supposedly their resources were not available to be used for their parents. This was a sham.

The child or children had full use of their resources which had been dedicated to GOD even though they were “Corban.” It was their way out of having an excuse NOT to take care of their parent or parents. Yet, if they needed access to what they had placed in “Corban,” they had access to them.  

JESUS had an afterthought, oh, one more thing regarding tradition---- as we read on---

Let’s read Mark 7:14-16:

14 Summoning the crowd again, He told them, "Listen to Me, all of you, and understand:

15 Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things 

that come out of a person are what defile him.

16 If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!"

JESUS had another thought while teaching the religious leaders regarding ceremonial versus regular hand washing before eating. Did these religious leaders think that touching food with ceremonially unclean food defiled the food and thus the food defiled the person eating the food?

Again, this was a teachable moment for the religious leaders. JESUS wanted these religious leaders and those who followed them to use common sense. Nothing a person ate defiled that person. Defilement went deeper than what a person ate.

JESUS challenged them to ponder what HE had just told them.

So what was HIS message? Let’s continue to read as JESUS elaborated upon what HE had stated to HIS disciples because they wanted to understand what JESUS was teaching --

Let’s read Mark 7:17-23:

17 When He went into the house away from the crowd, the disciples asked Him about the parable.

JESUS’ disciples didn’t understand what HE had just told the religious leaders. They had likely been raised knowing about or possibly observing many traditions that didn’t make a lot of sense to them. They wanted to get it straight in their minds from JESUS.

18 And He said to them, "Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don't you realize that nothing going into a man from the outside can defile him?

JESUS, in essence, told HIS disciple, guys put on your thinking caps. It is not what you eat or the ceremonially clean nature of your hands that defiles a person but what you think and comes from a person that is important. Physical food is just that it sustains your physical life but Spiritual food is different. What you feed or allow into your mind is vital to your walk with GOD and Spiritual health – GOD’S Word, scripture memorization, praying and pondering Spiritual issues with GOD versus dwelling upon what the world offers – addictions, cravings, hatred, sexual fantasies, lust for riches and fame and the list goes on.  

19 For it (physical food) doesn't go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated." (As a result, He made all foods clean.)

20 Then He said, "What comes out of a person-that defiles him.

21 For from within, out of people's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,

22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, lewdness, stinginess, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.

23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person."

The Jews were very careful about what they ate. There is nothing wrong with being careful about what we eat to sustain our lives but when what we eat takes on Spiritual purposes then it becomes problematic. JESUS, in essence, was saying don’t get hung up such nonsense because it leads you to focus on food and not on what GOD has provided.

As you may recall, GOD led the Apostle Peter to deal with the issue of food this in his life before he could move on from ministering to the Jews to ministering to the Gentiles as recorded in Acts 10:9-23:

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance

11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.

12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.

18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.

20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"

22 And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you."

23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Often, our traditions can hamper our freedom to obediently serve GOD.

JESUS had already taught Peter and HIS other disciples regarding the food they ate. It was not what a person eats that defiles a person but it is what they feed into their minds and their thought life.

What is your thought life? If our thought life were broadcast on a big screen for all to see, would we be proud of what we think? If not, ask JESUS to bring your thought life into obedience with HIS will and purpose for your life and service for HIM. 

All Christians are being renewed in their minds through the indwelling and power of the Holy Spirit as written in Romans 12:2 - 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Blessings!!!