Category: Authenticity

Lose the Log

“‘Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.’” Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV) We tend to judge others by a different standard than we judge ourselves. When we look at ourselves, we tend to use a filtered lens that makes us look pretty good. When we look at others, we tend to utilize the most powerful microscope to examine their lives. We can be rather selective by choosing someone who will make us look good. The truth is, everyone looks good from a distance. Proximity affects accuracy. Jesus is giving us a new lens to view ourselves and others. Instead of bypassing the reality of a massive log in our own eye in order to identify the speck of sawdust in our brother’s eye, Jesus wants us to examine our own life first. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3 (ESV) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (ESV) Introspection paves the way for realization of God’s impartation of grace in which we live and breathe. God already knows about the log. Be quick to remove it and be slow to critique the speck in your brother’s eye. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

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Authenticity Faith Hypocrisy

Authentic Faith

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Tim 1:5 (NIV) What kind of faith has been handed down to you? Maybe you had a godly upbringing where Christ was honored in your home and where the Christian faith was modeled consistently. Perhaps the environment in which you grew up was not characterized by Christian values. When you look into the rear view mirror of your life you may see a perpetual flow of spiritual markers or you may be stunned by the absence of authentic faith. Paul recognized the sincere faith that was modeled before Timothy by his grandmother and his mother. Timothy had the privilege of being taught the Scriptures from infancy (2 Tim. 3:15). Though his daddy was not a follower of Jesus Christ, Timothy observed the authentic faith exemplified by his grandmother and his mother. Regardless of your upbringing, the wonderful news is that you can become the conduit through which authentic faith is demonstrated before a watching world. God can use you to model Christ in your conversation and your conduct. You can grow in your faith and allow your sincere, un-hypocritical faith to impact others. Is your faith the real deal? Have you experienced saving faith in Jesus Christ and given evidence to that faith through practical faith and obedience to God’s Word? Genuine faith will draw others to Christ. Repent of those things that neutralize your faith. Identify those attitudes and actions that prevent your faith from being authentic and sincere. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Authenticity Identity Sealed Trinity

Real Deal

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13-14 (NIV) If you believe, you will receive. At the moment of conversion, you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is an instantaneous experience, not a subsequent event. The indwelling presence of Christ, the Holy Spirit, comes to live inside of you. Having believed on the gospel of Jesus Christ, you were marked in Christ with the seal of the Holy Spirit. The seal speaks of authenticity. The seal speaks of identification. You belong to God. You are His creation. You became His child and were adopted into His family when you placed your faith in Jesus alone for salvation. You were marked with a seal. That seal is the Person of the Holy Spirit. Did you notice the Trinity in these two verses? God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are expressed in verses thirteen and fourteen. Look closely and you will see “Christ” and then “Holy Spirit” and then “God” which form the Trinity which means three in one. God created you. Jesus redeemed you. The Holy Spirit inhabits you. Your conversion is the real deal which has been sealed. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor