Living as a “Adopted” Siblings of Jesus

Scripture Study for January 1, 2012

Living as a “Adopted” Siblings of Jesus

Galatians 4:4-7: “…God sent his son, born among us of a woman, born under the condition of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience your rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into your lives. Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.”

Hebrews 3:12-14: “So watch your step, friends. Make sure there is no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure things we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul. These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear....”

Luke 6:41-42: “It’s easy to see smudges on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you,” when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-Know-Better-Than-You mentality…, playing a Holier-Than-Thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and your might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”

Hearing and trusting that God loves us and wants to bless us we in faith lovingly and intentionally expose our darkness and sin to the Holy Spirit for supernatural removal, simultaneously greeting and experiencing God’s mercy, grace and presence into our whole lives that fills the vacated areas with light, love and virtue thereby and thereby becoming and being God’s people in and to the world.

“No longer kidnapped by the law, but rather now living in the love!” As a rescued person we must avoid all things that will make us return to our kidnapped existence. We need to avoid whatever weakens our reason, impairs our tenderness of conscience, obscures our sense of God, or takes off our relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of our body over our minds, however innocent it may appear, must be avoided. It is sin to us. More specifically: Although all transgressions of God’s will need God’s forgiving grace, a sin is a willful transgression of a know law of God. We want to be filled with Jesus!

Self-examination is a historic practice for Holy Spirit growth. It invites an honest evaluation of one’s self and the creation of a plan to move deeper into Holy Living. Keeping your own heart, head, and body pure is important before attempting to mentor others.

Suggestions:

1. Develop the habit of reflecting daily on the self- examination questions.
2. Befriend an accountability partner and/or group of no more than five (5) persons that you can openly and honestly discuss your responses to each question with.
3. Dedicate time each week with your accountability partners or group to discuss a question or two.
4. Ask God what other disciplines, practices, acts of service, etc. will help you grow in Jesus’ love and in holy service to others.
5. Participate willingly in your church’s ministry.