Recap: Truths 13 - 17

We intended on completing our study of the Lies Woman Believe last night but after some great discussion it was apparent an additional week was needed to wrap-up the key points. Here's the five Truths we discussed: 

13. I am responsible before God for my behavior, responses, and choices 

"Yet you say, 'Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?' When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die, The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the inquiry of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 

"But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Non of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. - Ezekiel 18:19-22

There are things in life we have no control over such as the home we were born into, our overall physical appearance and our upbringing. Fortunately, by God's grace we can control how we respond to the circumstances He has allowed in our lives. Therefore, we must assume personal responsibility for our behavior and actions.

Parenting ties into this passage from Ezekiel. Parents feel an internal pressure to raise their kids right.   God wants parents to raise their kids in a loving Christian home and present the Gospel to them but ultimately, it's up to the children to make their own personal choices. Parents can pray that their child will  continue down the right path when they leave the nest but in reality it is up to the child to make the personal decision to follow Christ.

14. I will reap whatever I sow

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  - Galatians 6:7-8

We are the result of the choices we make. We need to flee from sinful, selfish choices and turn our hearts towards obedience to God. For if we are obedient, we will reap a harvest of blessings. With obedience comes patience as well. The harvest we reap is rarely immediate. Therefore, we must strive to be persistently obedient to our Lord. 

15. The pathway to true joy is to relinquish control 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 16:25

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:38

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

We must let go of the reins to relinquish all control to God. It is very difficult to put our whole trust in God. We as humans are full of pride. We think we can go about our days without Him and everything will be fine. Refusing to let go and let Him be in control shows that we are competing for His job. Why do we possibly think we can do better than God? It's a crazy question to ask ourselves but it's needed. The next time you are faced with a tough decision stop and pray. Ask God for help and tell Him you trust Him. Let Him into your life and be in control. 

16. The greatest freedom I can experience is found through submission to God-ordained authority

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:21

God created us under authority so we are under His protection. We are more vulnerable to Satan's attacks when we resist authority. Therefore, we must submit ourselves to Him.

17. In the will of God, there is no higher, holier calling than to be a wife 

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to either husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. - Titus 2:4-5

The purpose of marriage is to glorify God. God designed women to unite with a man through marriage and become his helper. Her calling is to be a bearer and nurturer of life; raising kids in a Christian home surrounded by the Gospel.