2020-03-23
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV
Here’s an amazing and life-changing truth. The God who made His sinless Son to “be sin” takes unrighteous people like us and makes them “righteous.” How does it happen? By works? No, by faith! “People are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners” (Romans 4:5 NLT). This righteousness isn’t about behaving the right way – it’s about believing the right way. You can’t become righteous in God’s eyes through human effort or keeping the law. You become righteous only through faith in Christ, and trusting in His finished work on the cross. You say, “But I feel so guilty when I sin.” And you should; it’s a good deterrent! But Christ took away all your sins; therefore He took away all your guilt. So what are you feeling? Inner conflict! Your regenerated spirit lives in your unregenerated body, and it reacts the same way your natural body reacts to something harmful. Sin feels foreign to the new you, and when you indulge in it, the pleasure is brief and the aftermath is bad. In essence, your spiritual boundaries have been violated, and your regenerated spirit is telling you that you can’t indulge in sin anymore. That’s not who you are! The old you could have indulged in sin and enjoyed it, but the new you can’t, because you are “a new creation in Christ” (See 2 Corinthians 5:17). So rejoice! Today God sees you as “righteous,” therefore you can approach Him at any time with complete confidence (See Ephesians 3:12).
Soul food: Job 15-17; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 55:1-11; Prov 8:17-18
2 Korintiërs 5:21 NLV
Hier is ‘n wonderbaarlike en lewensveranderende waarheid. Die God wat sy sondelose Seun ‘sonde gemaak’ het, neem sondige mense soos ons en spreek hulle vry. Hoe gebeur dit? Deur dade? Nee, deur geloof! ‘Daarteenoor staan die saak heeltemal anders met daardie mense wat geen prestasie het waarop hulle kan staatmaak nie, maar wat glo in Hom wat die goddeloses vryspreek – hulle word op grond van hulle geloof vrygespreek’ (Romeine 4:5 NLV). Hierdie vryspraak gaan nie daaroor om op die regte manier op te tree nie – dit gaan daaroor om op die regte manier te glo. Jy kan nie deur menslike pogings of om die wette te onderhou deur God vrygespreek word nie. Jy word net deur geloof in Christus en deur vertroue in sy voltooide werk aan die kruis, vrygespreek. Jy sê: ‘Maar ek voel so skuldig wanneer ek sondig.’ Jy moet; dis ‘n goeie afskrikmiddel! Christus het egter al jou sondes weggeneem; dus het Hy ook al jou skuld weggeneem. Wat voel jy dus? Innerlike konflik! Jy het ‘n nuwe gees in jou ou liggaam, wat op dieselfde manier as jou natuurlike liggaam teenoor iets skadeliks reageer. Sonde voel vreemd vir die nuwe jy en wanneer jy in sonde verval, is die plesier kortstondig en die nadraai daarvan sleg. Jou geestelike grense word oorgesteek en jou nuwe gees sê vir jou dat jy nie meer kan sondig nie. Dis nie wie jy is nie! Die ou jy kon sondig en dit geniet, maar die nuwe jy kan nie, omdat jy ‘n nuwe skepping in Christus is (sien 2 Korintiërs 5:17). Wees dus bly! God het jou vrygespreek, dus kan jy Hom enige tyd met vrymoedigheid nader (sien Efesiërs 3:12).
Sielskos: Job 15-17; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 55:1-11; Spr 8:17-18
2020-03-22
Efesiërs 4:32 NLV
Hier is ‘n verhaal wat elke ouer moet lees en onthou. “Een dag het ek en my man in ‘n argument betrokke geraak en op mekaar begin skree. Ek het huilend op die stoep met my kop in my hande gaan sit. Ons twee-jarige het die argument aangehoor. ‘Ek is lief vir jou, Mamma,’ het sy gesê toe sy langs my kom sit en haar arms om my slaan. ‘Ek is ook lief vir jou,’ het ek geantwoord. Sy het haar kop op my skouer gerus en my ‘n harde drukkie gegee. ‘Ek wens jy was ook vir my pappa lief,’ het sy gesê. My hart het uit my borskas geskeur! ‘Maar ek is lief vir jou pappa. Ons het net met mekaar gestry.’ My dogter het geglimlag, opgestaan en weggeloop. ‘Waarheen gaan jy?’ het ek haar gevra. Sy het geantwoord: ‘Ek gaan vir Pappa vertel dat jy lief is vir hom!'” As jy jou kinders aan jou woede blootstel, moet jy seker maak dat hulle teenwoordig is wanneer julle genade en vergifnis aan mekaar bewys. Leer hulle hoe om die probleem te hanteer, sonder om die ander persoon aan te val. Leer hulle dat ‘n verskil in opinie tot ‘n besluit kan lei wat dinge vir almal beter maak. En dat jy verkeerd kan wees oor ‘n saak en steeds gerespekteerd en geliefd kan wees. Dikwels beteken dit dat jy hulle moet leer wat jy nooit geleer is nie. As dit die geval is, leer uit die foute wat jou ouers gemaak het en dra daardie kennis aan jou kinders oor. Vergewe wanneer jy seergemaak is en moenie jou wrokke bed to neem nie (sien Efesiërs 4:26). Jesus het gesê dat jy moet vergewe sodat ‘…julle hemelse Vader ook julle oortredings vergewe’ (Markus 11:25 NLV). Onthou, jou kinders sien jou!
Sielskos: Matt 5:5; Num 12:1-15; Ps 37:1-11; Fil 2:5-11
Exodus 2:2 NLT
In Exodus 2, we read about a mother who was brave and persistent. Her name was Jochebed and she was the mother of Moses. At the time when Jochebed gave birth to her son, Pharaoh had put out an order that all Hebrew boys who were born had to be killed. ‘Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live”‘ (Exodus 1:22 NLT). This was because the Egyptians were worried that the Israelites would rise up against them and escape from slavery. Jochebed showed immense bravery by keeping her son hidden for months after he was born. We don’t know whether God had shown her who her son would grow up to be, and the amazing things he would do, but the Bible says Jochebed ‘saw that he was a special baby.’ When she couldn’t keep him hidden any longer, she put him in a basket and placed him among the reeds in the river, where he was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and brought up as a Prince. Jochebed may not have raised Moses, but her determination to give him a life meant that he became one of the heroes of the Old Testament. Whether we were brought up by our parents, or by others, we should never forget the things they did for us while we were growing up. Often people make sacrifices to ensure that we have a good future and can fulfil the plans God has for us. We might not see those sacrifices at the time, but looking back we can remember with gratitude those who have helped us become the people we are today.
Matt 5:5; Num 12:1-15; Ps 37:1-11; Phil 2:5-11
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Here’s a story every parent needs to read and remember. “One day my husband and I got into an argument and ended up yelling at each other. I retreated to the porch and sat with my head in my hands, crying. Our two-year-old overheard the argument. ‘I love you, Mom,’ she said, as she sat beside me and put her arms around me. ‘I love you, too,’ I said. She rested her head on my shoulder, hugging me hard. ‘I wish you could love my daddy too,’ she said. Talk about ripping your heart out! ‘But I do love your daddy. We just had a disagreement.’ At that, my daughter smiled, got up, and walked away. ‘Where are you going?’ I asked her. She replied, ‘I’m going to tell Daddy you love him!'” If you expose your children to your anger, make sure that they’re around when you extend grace and forgiveness to each other. Teach them how to deal with the issue, without attacking the person. Let them know that a difference of opinion can lead to a decision that makes things better for everyone. And that you can be wrong on an issue and still be respected and loved. Often that means teaching them what you yourself were never taught. If that’s the case, learn from the mistakes your parents made and pass that knowledge on to your children. Forgive when you’re hurt, and don’t take your resentments to bed (See Ephesians 4:26). Jesus said you must forgive so “that your Father…in heaven may forgive you” (Mark 11:25). Remember, parent, your children are watching you!
Soul food: Matt 5:5; Num 12:1-15; Ps 37:1-11; Phil 2:5-11
