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In a comment at the bottom of the page, answer some or all of the questions below: (Some of this content is taken from the study guide. For more in-depth personal study download the study guide here: STUDY GUIDE ) Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. We began this series confronting the question of whether or not an Old Testament psalm applies to us today. And what we see here is that it clearly does. God has led us in paths of righteousness by way of his Son, Jesus Christ. But he does so for a specific reason. What does verse 3 list as the reason for the Lord’s shepherding care? In John 10 we see how Jesus leads us to righteousness. He provides us with a perfect right standing before God, and gives us the fuel to pursue righteous behavior. John 10:11-18 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” God isn’t after our white-knuckled discipline. He wants to set us free. Our righteousness comes about not by our own efforts, but by the obedience of Jesus Christ. And by faith, his righteousness is counted as our own. That’s what sets us free and fuels our obedience—the free gift of God’s grace. In what ways have you found yourself resorting to white-knuckled discipline? How should the truth that Christ purchased your righteousness on the cross change the way you think about obedience? Many think that grace encourages licentiousness. How does a true understanding of God’s grace fuel obedience? How has the Lord led you in righteousness? How has your life changed as a result of coming to know Christ? Where do you find yourself discouraged today? What is fueling that discouragement? What ought the gospel fuel in you today?
11 Comments
4/6/2020 12:31:47 pm
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Renee Stebbeds
4/8/2020 08:15:52 pm
I love all those verses you quoted James. Such truth and encouragement.
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Stephanie Bolme
4/8/2020 04:27:56 pm
I was raised Mormon until the age of 13. “Doing” was almost a part of my DNA, and it persisted even after I saved. During my early adult years, I was a part of a church choir. One year, the music pastor decided that we, as a choir, would memorize John 15. Verse 5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Learning this truth was the beginning of switching from “doing” to “being.”
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Eric Rossman
4/8/2020 04:53:58 pm
If we look at the argument that grace fuels licentiousness, I think we can see that behind that argument, is a belief that God’s commands are rules that he has imposed on us simply for us to earn something in following them. That argument does not see that all commands are summed up in the command to love. For the person then that has this love, the commandments are a joy and a helpful guide in how we better love others and love God.
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Renee Stebbeds
4/8/2020 08:22:52 pm
Thank you Eric and Stephanie for those words....
Renee Stebbeds
4/8/2020 09:37:59 pm
This verse particularly spoke to me in the place I am in life at this time.....not a place I would have chosen or guessed I would be in at this age or stage in my life yet....as Matt shared....
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Eric Rossman
4/13/2020 02:16:18 pm
Thanks for sharing Renee. I also keep learning how we can be so thankful for the things that God brings us through trials, even though we don't at all enjoy the trial.
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Jessie Litchfield
4/9/2020 02:47:43 pm
I love how Stephanie sums up sanctification and how the Lord changes us, the more we look at Jesus and understand who he is and who we are, the gospel comes into clearer focus and changes our desires and goals. To pursue sin no longer makes sense.
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karan Malpass
4/12/2020 02:15:33 pm
I white knuckle it when I don’t really want to do something he calls me to do, particularly in the area of my idol of comfort. Because I have put my hope in finding comfort, I don’t find joy in exercising, even though I know he’s told me to exercise because it’s a blessing to my body and soul. I struggle to believe that on most days. White knuckling flows out of my unbelief and disordered desire.
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Eric Rossman
4/13/2020 02:23:21 pm
Sometimes it is hard to understand David's phrases about God's commands, like in Psalm 119:131 where he says:
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4/14/2020 10:03:03 pm
I'm a week late, but needed to respond to these questions because they are so relevant to my struggles!
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