08/29/2023
The goal of every believer, according to GOD's Word, is to be conformed to the image of CHRIST's character. To be like JESUS CHRIST is the highest and most noble condition for mankind to be in because CHRISTlike character is the highest and most noble good, meaning JESUS CHRIST is the source, embodiment, and standard of righteousness.
If the world understood this, believed this, and lived by this knowledge, then humanity would be living in paradise! But the sad fact is that, mankind's sinful nature, resulting in the cumulative fallenness of civilization, and of course, the presence of satanic control prevents this reality from coming to pass.
But a taste of this possibility is given to the privileged few, the Church of JESUS CHRIST, who have been redeemed from the three curses of sinful man: the sinful nature, the fallen world's system and the deceptive control of satan.
The question we must continually ask ourselves is: Are we truly willing to taste the experience of paradise on earth when a group of redeemed creatures created in the glorious image of GOD, dedicate themselves to be filled and empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT, and guided by Holy Scripture seek to be conformed to the image of CHRIST?
Today's Bible thought focuses our attention to the goal of life change.
Read and be amazed!
Pastor Gideon Gaitano
New Life Community Church
August 29: Becoming a Saved People
Isaiah 60:1–62:12; Luke 22:63–23:25; Job 13:13–28
For Luke, Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah’s message. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, according to Luke, Jesus opened the Isaiah scroll in a synagogue and proclaimed that the words in Isa 61 are about Him (Luke 4:17–19): “The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives and liberation to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and our God’s day of vengeance, to comfort all those in mourning” (Isa 61:1–2). This moment defines what Jesus’ life would mean—and He was immediately persecuted for claiming the authority rightfully given to Him by God (Luke 4:20–30).
Luke’s message—an extension of Isaiah’s—is played out further near the end of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ claim to authority resulted in His being sentenced to death (Luke 23). It is easy to view the events of Jesus’ life as proof that He was the figure that Isaiah prophesied—that He was exactly who He said He was. But if we stop there, we miss the larger picture. Luke has an agenda: He draws on Isaiah and uses the story of Jesus reading in the synagogue because he intends for our lives to be changed by Jesus. We are the oppressed receiving the good news. We are the captives being liberated. We are meant to be a people called out to follow Him (Isa 40:1–2; 53:10–12).
When we look upon Jesus—the Suffering Servant, Messiah, prophet, and savior—we should be confronted with the reality that we’re still so far from what He has called us to be. We should be prompted to put Him at the center of our lives. We should be prompted to change. We must realize our place as the people He has saved and respond with gratitude.
How is Jesus’ sacrifice changing your life?
John D. Barry
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