WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR
Hi friend! Welcome to the blog!
I hope you have been having an amazing week! I hope that you have been spending time with Jesus this week- because literally the most important thing we should do everyday is spend time with Abba!
This week, we’re going to be doing something a little different! We are just going to be reading the Bible together! Reading the Word of God is crucial in our faith- Jesus is the Word made flesh (John ch.1) so we can’t actually know Jesus if we don’t read His Word! So grab your Bibles, and maybe your journal and some pens! Let’s read Luke chapter 12 together! The Lord has really been laying this chapter on my heart and ya’ll it is absolutely FIRE (the whole Bible is absolutely fire :))! I think how we’re gonna do this is I just read (or type) it and then we talk about different sections! We’re aren’t going to dive deep into every single portion in this chapter today; otherwise we would be here for a very, very long time and I don’t know if all of our heads would retain all of that goodness at once. But I really encourage you to go and read it for yourself, take your time, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and journal what He says/reveals to you! So, without further ado- let’s begin in Luke chapter 12 verse 1!
Also, I am reading/typing out of the NLT translation, so if your Bible is a different one they will sound a little different but that is ok! :) I will also include the headings that are in my Bible!
Luke 12:
A Warning against Hypocrisy
“Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to His disciples and warned them, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees- their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear.”
Let’s pause here for a moment. Wow- already just wow. Ya’ll, the truth always comes out. It does. Lying and gossiping will always come to the light- it is better to just be honest and control our tongues. It actually says in Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates- no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.” It’s one of the Ten Commandments y’all- don’t lie. That is not exemplifying Christ with our actions. The Lord literally, HATES and DETESTS lying! Even if it’s just a “little lie,” it’s still lying. And gossip? When I read the “what you have whispered behind closed doors” portion, I immediately think of gossip. Gossip tears people down, it “separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28). If who you are talking to someone who can’t fix the problem with so-and-so, then that is gossip! As the body of Christ, we are supposed to be building each other up, serving each other with both our actions and our words. We are supposed to be there for one another, and helping each other grow in the Lord. Gossip, does none of these things. I have been on the receiving end of gossip, and boy does it hurt. It made me feel so much more insecure and horrible about myself. Let’s not make anyone feel this way! Yes, we are all imperfect; we all mess up and fall short of the glory of God. And when we gossip about these shortcomings to others (who can’t help fix anything), then that is not showing them grace. Jesus has given us His perfect, undeserving grace- let’s extend some of that to others too. Also in this portion, Jesus is talking about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. For some context, the Pharisees were religious leaders back in Jesus’ time- and they would go around preaching all these traditions and rules that the Israelites had to follow in order to be in good standing with God. But at the same time, they were themselves sinning- only caring about themselves and not genuinely to the people they were leading. When I read this- I always think of a quote that my pastor says. “The Scripture you live out is the Scripture you believe.” When you genuinely believe in the Lord and in His ways, then that is what you will live out. But if you are saying that you believe in Jesus and in His Word, but then don’t live like you do- that means you don’t actually believe. Heart inventory check moment- what does the fruit of your life say about what you believe? The Pharisees didn’t actually believe in the real message of the Gospel- otherwise they would have accepted Jesus.
ok, let’s continue in verse 4 :)
“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body, they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the one to fear. What is the price of five sparrows- two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man, will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at the time what needs to be said.”
wow. wow. wow.
ok, can we just let that sink it.
pause, take a breath, maybe take a second to journal. cause fam this is good- we need to take this to heart.
Fear of man is something that a lot of people struggle with. I struggled with it, and still have those days when the enemy tries to throw it at my face. But God should be the only One we are fearing! And when it says “Fear God”- it doesn’t mean like being the kind of scared where you want to just go run away under the covers in your bed. No, it means being afraid of being eternally separated from God. It means living in respect, awe, and reverence to Him. It means recognizing that He is the Almighty Powerful God; King of Kings, Lord of Lords. It’s not a cowering fear, but a deep awe of His holiness and submission to His Kingship. It is honoring and respecting Him. It is recognizing your need for Him; your inability to do anything good or truly live without Him. It is longing to never be separated from Him.
Just like the verse says- people can’t kill more than your body. People can’t touch our soul-only God can. So why do we keep trying so hard to get everyone to like us? We do we stop ourselves from telling someone about Jesus or from jumping around in church? Because we are putting people’s view of us over God’s. We are more concerned with pleasing people, rather than storing up eternal treasures in heaven, and cultivating the one relationship that can actually last forever- our relationship with God. Y’all people can’t determine your eternity! They can’t! And humans opinions and views are flawed! When Jesus was standing trial, it was the people who got to choose whether Jesus- the literal King of Kings, Messiah, Son of God, or Barabbas- a murderer, would get to be free and who would be crucified. Guess who the people chose? Barabbas?!
Jesus has already died for you! He already has died for YOU!! He already loves you so much so, that He died for you while you were still a sinner! (Romans 5:6-11) Why would we live for someone who hasn’t died for our salvation, when there is already One who has?! Don’t neglect what Jesus has already done for you and what He will continue to do. Don’t neglect what the perfect Person says about you! (that’s Jesus!!) What people think of you doesn’t matter- we are called to look to Jesus and seek the approval of only Him- our perfect Father! And you will see the fruit of your obedience to fearing God and Him only- you are storing treasures in heaven when you say yes to God! Even if it’s just feeling 10 times closer to the Lord; that’s fruit! Even if it’s just the Lord saying “well done, my good and faithful servant,” that’s fruit! The fruit will come, even if it dosen’t come immediately, it’s coming!
Also, you are SO VALUABLE to God! Let’s look back at verses 6-7. You are the Lord’s precious child! Let that sink in- you are HIS PRECIOUS CHILD! He loves you; He legit knows how many hairs are on your head I mean come on now! And let’s talk about when He says, “So don’t be afraid.” He says this while talking about fearing only God and facing persecution. When I read that, I just feel like God is saying: “Don’t be afraid of loosing the approval of man. Of actually being hated by people because you follow Me. Don’t be afraid when people persecute you because you love Me and are living for Me. You are so precious and valuable to me, and I am taking care of you. And you are actually making the better choice. Choosing Me- that is the best choice; no matter what people may say.”
Oh, I can just hear His say it!
Now let’s go back to verses 8-10; about acknowledging God. When you live for Jesus, you are going to stand out. You will, because the Kingdom of God is different than the kingdom of this world. And when you are 100% sold out for Jesus, you need to talk about Him! Your words show the inward commitment of your heart. If you never talk about your faith in Jesus, then 1. you are denying the call He has given you to go and make disciples, 2. you are fearing man more than God and 3. you aren’t actually living for Christ! If you were, you would of course be talking about Him! Because whatever is in your heart determines the words you speak. And this shouldn’t be a portion of Scripture to scare you- but it does show you the reality of the situation. It shows you how important it is to talk about Jesus! And, we shouldn’t do it just for the reward of “ Son of Man, will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels” part. No, we should do it just because we are madly in love with Jesus and want to share His love with everyone around us. We should do it because we just want to glorify God and serve the people around us with our words and actions.
For verse 10, I want you to read this commentary by Enduring Word; it is so good and I couldn't say it better.
“c. Speaks a word against the Son of Man: This probably refers to a moment of weakness (especially in public testimony), which could be forgiven. In contrast, he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is in a settled rejection of God’s truth, which will not be forgiven.
i. Jesus said this when it seemed He was more popular than ever (Luke 12:1). Yet Jesus knew that being regarded as popular wasn’t the same as truly being confessed and trusted. Even as He called His hearers to make a choice, He warned against making the wrong choice.
ii. The Holy Spirit’s main ministry is to testify of Jesus (He will testify of Me, John 15:26). When that testimony of Jesus is fully and finally rejected, one has truly blasphemed the Holy Spirit and essentially called Him a liar in respect to His testimony about Jesus. Those who reject Jesus in a settled sense are guilty of this sin.
d. It will not be forgiven: The eternal consequences of this sin force us to regard it seriously. How can one know if they have in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit? The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows that they are not guilty of this sin. Yet continued rejection of Jesus makes us more hardened against Him and puts us on the path of a full and final rejection of Him.
i. Some people – as a joke or a dare – intentionally say words they suppose commit the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. They think it a light thing to joke with eternity. Yet true blasphemy against the Spiritis more than a formula of words; it is a settled disposition of life that rejects the testimony of the Holy Spirit regarding Jesus. Even if someone has intentionally said such things, they can still repent and prevent a settled rejection of Jesus.
ii. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven – not because it is a sin too big for God to forgive, but because it is an attitude of heart that cares nothing for God’s forgiveness. It never has forgiveness because it never wants forgiveness God’s way. It may want forgiveness on its own terms, but never God’s way.
iii. The way to not blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to receive Jesus Christ, and to put one’s loving trust upon Him today. It means to stop rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing us to Jesus.”
Yeah- I can’t say it any better.
Y’all the Lord is our defender and the Holy Spirit is our helper! Look back at verse 11. It says; “And when you are brought to trail in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
There are going to be times, when you are going to have to stand firm in your faith in the midst of oppression. There are going to be times when you have to defend the Truth, (in love) and explain it to others. In these moments, it can be hard to know what exactly to say. Esspecially when you can feel the spiritual warfare going on- sometimes your mind just goes blank. But let this encourage you today. God is your defender. He wants to fight for you! Let Him be your Dad! A part of being a Father is fighting/standing up for/defending your children. Let Him be that for you! You aren’t a burden, He WANTS to Father you! Make room for the Holy Sprirt to speak, don’t try to do it on your own. Just pause, breathe, pray, and let the Holy Spirit speak through you. He is always faithful to be there when you need Him- He will never forsake or abandon you. So step into these circumstances with boldness, with “power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Rely on the Holy Spirit- because then what is going to come out of your mouth is going to do so much more than any words you could have ever thought of yourself. Let Him speak for you!
Well fam, I honestly thought we might be able to get through the whole chapter, but I don’t think we can get past verse 11 today! I hope that this was good today! I hope that you learned something and were encouraged by God’s Word today! Next blog post, we will hopefully finish up the rest of the chapter!
so stay tuned for the next blog post! Coming out on March 1st!!
I hope ya’ll have an amazing week! Let me know if you want to see more blog posts like this in the future! I love y’all so much and JESUS loves you more! Let’s show some people how amazing Jesus is today!
