‎Jim Vining‎ to Understanding the Times SS Class

3 hrs · 

Luke 8:14 "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Often we try to combine well-being and purpose to our confession of faith without ever understanding the imperative of ‘death to self’ – our relationship with Jesus will never exceed simple emotional attachment unless we submit to the, often difficult, cleansing of our spirit, soul and body. We live in an age where salvation is too often reduced to little more than acknowledgement. We have separated Christ’s Lordship from His reconciliation – holiness is seen as a gift; reducing it to little more than wishful thinking and good intentions rather than our humble obedience to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Many believers place a priority upon changing everything around them while carelessly neglecting the transformation our Lord wants to do within. We have accepted the gift of the Gospel but often ignored the command to passionately apply its truth to our lives. We are shocked by the wickedness all around us and blind to the rebellious nature within us. We see the lack of shame in others and ignore the need for heart rending repentance within. Brokenness is defined in terms of emotional distress when our personal rights or needs are not met. We will carry a sign to defeat injustice and never open God’s Word to challenge our un-holiness. We are so careful and cautious to preserve what we have that we have all-but-lost our passion for what God has purposed. 

Read through the Bible in one year – April 30/ Luke 21:1-19; 1 Kings 8,9