Category Archives: Living

Man in orange jacket clearing rubble as a woman holds her child in ruins
Bible, Family, Humility, Living, Romans, Sacrifice, Scripture, Service

NOT FOR OURSELVES

ROMANS 14:7

“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;”

I never knew what it meant to live for someone else until I got married and had children. Now, as a man who pursues the Lord’s will, I know my life comes second to my wife, children and grandchildren. My role as provider and protector is paramount. It is no longer about what I want. It’s about what is best for them. Even that has changed as my children have grown and have children of their own. My wife and I are empty nesters, but my priority is still my family.

Paul brings out a major teaching for these Roman believers and for us. As followers of Christ, our life is not our own. Albert Barnes says, “The meaning of the expression is, that no Christian lives to gratify his own inclinations or appetites. He makes it his great aim to do the will of God; to subordinate all his desires to his Law and gospel;” That is exactly right. Because Jesus gave His all for us, we are expected to do the same for others.

APPLICATION

I am currently taking a man in Belize through our Every Man A Warrior curriculum. We are in book 2 which is about Marriage and Children. I made the remark this week that I believe applies to our verse today. I said, “Isn’t it interesting that almost every husband would give his physical life to protect his wife but won’t die to himself for her?” Isn’t that right? We say that we would die for Christ, but we won’t lay down our own rights for Him.

Perhaps no other passage in Scripture says it better than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.”

Are you loving that way? Are you living that way? Read those verses again. After each “love is” ask yourself if that describes your life and your love for others. We are to live for others, not ourselves. We should not hold our lives so tightly that we are not free to let it go. Jesus can give you the strength you need to die to yourself. Not I, but Christ!

I praise You, O Lord, for giving me the strength and humility to die to myself daily. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Hosea, Living, Restoration, Romans, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

CHILDREN OF THE LIVING GOD

ROMANS 9:26

“‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, “YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,” THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.’”

When my mom and dad were alive, my relationship with them was very different than it is now. My mom has been with Jesus for over 15 years now and my dad just over 10. Hard to believe. I am still their son, but they are my late parents. They are no longer alive in this world. Our view of being alive differs greatly from God’s view. Let’s see what Paul says today about this.

Paul quotes again from Hosea 1:10. You have to remember that Israel’s great sin was forfeiting their worship of the living God for dead idols. They forsook their birthright as His children and pursued other gods who did not exist and had no power. They had witnessed firsthand His mighty acts on behalf of their nation, but that did not matter. The term “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” fits them perfectly. Why did Paul quote from Hosea here?

APPLICATION

Because just as God restored a fallen Israel, He has restored a fallen mankind through His Son Jesus. We just have to turn to Him, believe in Him and follow. Then we too have that relationship as children of the Living God. John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,…” It really is that simple. Why can’t we believe that?

When Paul and Barnabas said these words to the people in Lystra, they were urging them to turn to the living God. “‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,’” (Acts 14:15) Aren’t we doing the same today? Aren’t we urging those chasing manmade idols like money, power and success to do the same? They need the living God!

Psalm 42:2 cries out with the same desire. “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 84:2 speaks the same. “My soul longed and even yearned for the courtyards of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Is this your desire? Do you long to be in the presence of the living God? Well, you can. Every day! Just lean into Him. He is there, waiting for you. He was and is and will always be!

I am so thankful I serve a living God Who reigns eternally.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Living, Romans, Scripture

IN ACCORD WITH

ROMANS 8:5

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

You may have heard the expression, “If you lie down with dogs, expect to get fleas.” Paul even hints at that in 1 Corinthians 15:33 when he writes, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” What you spend your time doing and thinking about is sure to affect how you live. You can choose to think about good things and hang out with good people, or you can choose the opposite which will surely bring your down. Your choice.

Paul speaks now in comparisons to further explain what he has just been talking about in 8:1-4. There are no hidden messages in today’s verse. It is self-explanatory. If you live according to the flesh, it is obvious your thoughts are on the flesh. If you live according to the Spirit, then you must be thinking spiritually. You are what you think. I heard a quote recently that said, “Thoughts Become Words, Words Become Actions, Actions Become Habits, Habits Become Character, Character Becomes Your Destiny.” I believe Paul would have agreed with that.

APPLICATION

There is probably no better explanation of this verse than Galatians 5:19-24 where Paul compares flesh and Spirit. “19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Anyone can read those verses and understand the difference between the two, right? Then why do so many Christians struggle with the flesh, me included? I may not be involved with a sexual sin, but I can sure let my anger loose. That’s not of the Spirit. Do you see anger listed as a fruit of the Spirit? Nope. But Carl, I can’t help getting angry. Untrue. If you are a follower of Christ, the Spirit in you can rid you of it.

I choose today to set my mind on things of the Spirit and not things of the flesh. I have to make that decision every day. If I don’t, that old angry man will rise up. Today name your sin of flesh and give it to the Lord. He will purify you and give you the strength to walk in the Spirit.

Father God, I will choose Spirit over flesh today. Help me guard my lips.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conduct, Living, Scripture, Walking

WHERE YOU WALKED

COLOSSIANS 3:7

“and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”

Wow! When I think back to where I walked as a teenager, it’s a miracle I made it out. There is no need to go into detail here. Let’s just say I was walking in darkness and not light. Oh, I would step into the light when it promised something good for me. But I didn’t stay there long. Darkness seems to hide our sins much better, doesn’t it?

Paul uses the Greek word for “walked” to imply a manner of living, one’s conduct. But, for me, the key word in this verse is “once.” This little Greek word pote means in the past or formerly. This means this was past behavior. It’s not their current conduct. But it also reminds them of where they came from.

APPLICATION

Look back for a minute at your life before Christ. Do you remember those days? How was your conduct? It wasn’t too bad, Carl. Not too bad? It doesn’t have to have been real bad. If it wasn’t in line with Christ, then it was still bad. But the glory of our salvation changes everything. What was once true about us is not any longer.

Our past conduct does not determine our future position! Aren’t you glad? Ephesians 2:1-2a says this about this issue. “1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world,” WE WERE DEAD! What changed? God didn’t wait for you to clean yourself up before He changed your position. No! He sent His Son to die for us while were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

I am reminded of that old hymn, “Just As I Am.”

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come

Thank You, Lord, that I am not now what I once was.

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