Romans 1:17 says, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
This passage written by the Apostle Paul changed Martin Luther forever. After he finally understood the phrase “righteousness from God”, Luther said, “I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of scripture took on a new meaning … This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to Heaven.”
Our brother Matt Sullivan preached his last message to our church last Sunday entitled, “Falling.” One of his points was “Falling in love.” I believe that Martin Luther had fallen in love with God in a deeper and more meaningful way then he ever had. God has always wanted us to love Him back the way He demonstrated His love for us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ ied for us.” Jesus died on the cross knowing that many people from that time on would never even
take time to notice of the sacrifice he made for their sins. But he also knew that many would.
Are You In Love With God?
Do you know what that means? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 tells us, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” Once a person understands what a “righteousness from God” really
means and it hits their heart, they are never the same person again. They now live for the will of God not themselves. Does this sound like you? Are you sold out in every area of your life for God? As disciples of Christ, do you gladly offer your time to God in worship? Are the meetings of the body a number one priority before anything else in your life? Are you compelled to be at worship service early? Would you be late if Jesus invited you over for dinner? Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” You can see that the 1st century Christians understood what the “righteousness of God” meant to their lives. The word devoted translated in the
Greek has a meaning of being “steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing.” As a church, let us be devoted to worshiping God together. Let us be devoted to one another in love. Let us be devoted to seeking out the lost souls to bring them the hope of salvation. In Hebrews 10:23-25 we read, “Let US hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let US consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let US not give up meeting together, as some are the habit of doing, but let US encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Falling Out of Love
Don’t let yourself drift from your relationship with God. Isaiah 40:28-31 reads, “Do you not know? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Why do so many relationships fail? Because it takes effort to have a great marriage. It takes the effort of both people in the relationship. If only one wants to make their marriage great, and the other doesn’t really care, the relationship will suffer. To have great friendships it takes the effort of both people involved to make it a great friendship. Well, we see from the verse in Isaiah that God has given us the promise of giving 110% to us. Are we giving the same back to Him? My grandparents were married 60 plus years. They had a very loving, devoted marriage. It was obvious to anyone who was around them that they loved each other deeply. I would ask my grandmother how they built such a great marriage. She would tell me that each of them would give 110% to their marriage. Not 100%, but 110%. They stayed married for 60 years and they stayed in love for 60 years. My grandfather died or they would have been married even longer. Today many couples will stay married for convenience sake only. They can’t afford a divorce or they don’t want to upset the children, or a number of other reasons. But a married couple who is together because they still see each other as their first love is what makes a great marriage. But it takes 110% on both parts. In Revelation 2:3-5 it says, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” God expects us to love him back and make him first in every area of our lives. He will not tolerate a distant unloving relationship. He gave his only son Jesus to die for us. He has gave us 110%. Revelation
3:15-16 says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” We don’t appreciate a lukewarm marriage, why should God?
Give God 110%
In Psalm 119:10-11 it says, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” David is a great example of what it means to love God with all your heart. At our leaders meetings I give out a memory scripture each week. I expect us to know the scripture by heart the next week. I want us to have it hidden in our hearts. I encourage each of you to make an effort to memorize a verse a week. And not to forget the ones you previously memorized. Get a partner and hold each other accountable. You will be amazed how holding scripture in your heart will deepen your faith and love for God.
Life is short, then we get to go to Heaven,
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
