Price

 Few things in our physical lives are gained without some kind of cost. Many events in this life represent a transaction of cost/benefit decision, and the exchange may be money, services, or other efforts. At some time, each Christian has realized their actions produced a debt that was impossible for them to repay for they do not have the proper method of payment. The cost for repayment of this debt was a gift, yet it was extremely expensive: a person’s life who was unflawed, yes, Jesus’ life. Christians are not expected to pay back this gift, but inform others about it out of appreciation and concern. There have been some, however, who have exchanged this precious gift for something of less valuable, earthly concerns. This is precisely what we find in Rom. 1:25. Paul uses a word for “exchange” which was usually applied to financial transactions, when he said they, “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Rom. 1:25 (ESV). They made a poor purchase transaction.

Love revisited

In Hebrew, one prominent meaning of "love" includes 'commitment.' Have you ever been associated with an intense discussion or argument? Have you ever had a friend or a loved one who was involved in such an encounter that their lives might be in danger? Sometimes those people having such a discussion cannot speak rationally due to other personal issues and it is best to leave the situation and let tempers "cool down" some. The persistent Paul found himself in such a situation once. Yet when he went away, the Holy Spirit continued to work on these people in his absence. While his efforts were productive, Paul was not the point, it was the Holy Spirit promoting Jesus. "And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase." - Acts 9:29-31 (NASB) 

The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling Place

Jews in the first century believed that God dwelled in the holy of holies in the temple at Jerusalem. They were very protective of this area since they thought God had asked them to defend His dwelling place. In an argument with some Freedmen Jews in Jerusalem and before his death, Stephen pointed out that the places to worship God had moved around to different places in the past and now, that “God dwells in heaven, not in temples made with hands.” (Acts 7:48-50). No, God’s presence was not limited to the one temple area. Speaking by the Holy Spirit, Stephen spoke of the ultimate dwelling place of God, within humans. If defaming the earthly temple was an action worthy of death, what of defaming the present dwelling of the Holy Spirit, our bodies? Not so long ago, a group of people set fire to a church and it burned to the ground. Perhaps they were disappointed or angry with God, but God does not live in church buildings. This is appalling. What do we think when some people attack the present dwelling of God the Holy Spirit, our bodies? Many Christians don’t have the same shock when it comes to harming the present temple of the Holy Spirit--their own bodies. Some people destroy efficient bodily function with drugs, food, or drink. Another group burdens the body with stress and exhaustion. Many people justify these abuses as their right to treat their body as they want. But, that is not true for Christians. The Corinthians had worshipped idols which allowed them to act without any control. When they accepted Jesus and received the indwelling Holy Spirit, they needed to understand that what they did to their body was important to God for personal health and their influence on others. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:19-20 (NASB). Christians need to allow the Holy spirit to guide them along their unique independent spiritual journey and glorify God with prudent choices for their bodies.

In the physical world, we can do nothing apart from our physical body. Since it is the only body we were given in this life, we should do our best to keep it in good condition. Believers should also recognize their responsibility to treat the earthly body like the sacred and special dwelling place that it is. People cannot reach their full potential while neglecting the proper care of their bodies. What good is education, talent, and gifts if we’re too tired or sick to complete our desired tasks well?

Expectations:

In hindsight, it seems evident that the many Jewish people of the first century did not expect or understand the message Jesus brought. They desired and expected a different form of Messiah. They expected physical freedom, but were offered spiritual freedom. The leaders did not recognize God walking among them, and could not believe the words He spoke. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 'But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.'" - Jn. 10:22-25 (ASV). Let's decide to pursue and evaluate God's desires as revealed in His word and expect great blessings. If we will, a unique individual spiritual journey awaits.Expectations: In hindsight it seems evident that the many Jewish people of the first century did not expect or understand the message Jesus brought. They desired and expected a different form of Messiah. They expected physical freedom, but were offered spiritual freedom. The leaders did not recognize God walking among them, and could not believe the words He spoke. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 'But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.'" - Jn. 10:22-25 (ASV). Let's decide to pursue and evaluate God's desires as revealed in His word and expect great blessings. If we will, a unique individual spiritual journey awaits.

Jerusalem

When Abram entered the land of Canaan around 2000 BC, the city of Jerusalem was called Salem (Genesis 14). After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. - Genesis 14:17-20. Melchizedek’s city was called Salem, or Shalem, which is also the name of the God whose worship was centered in the city. The full name of this God was “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth” since he was the God of creation. That the name Salem refers to Jerusalem is evidenced by Psalm 76:2 which uses "Salem" as a parallel for "Zion", the citadel of Jerusalem. Acts 15, uses the statements “up to Jerusalem; down from Judea”, or essentially Jerusalem. To the Hebrews, Jerusalem was located in an elevated area, both physically and spiritually. The city of Jerusalem is certainly on a raised area, so this is literally true. But, there are other spiritual meanings as well. The word comes from Hebrew, Yerushalayim, literally "foundation of peace," or a place that indicates peace with God. God directed that a temple be built on this plain to remind those who believed in Him that He loved them and would protect them, so long as they were faithful to Him. Jerusalem came to represent the presence of God on earth, especially in the Holy of Holies within the temple. It was the place King David established the capital of the promised land. The location also reminded those to whom it was precious, they no longer needed to fight against God. It was here, at the temple, that their sins were not “removed,” but “covered,” or “pushed forward” each year. Removal would wait for Jesus’ sacrifice. He displayed what God wanted from His servants, but those of the religious firmament in Jerusalem, killed the messiah, the promised King. When Jesus came to earth, he was Emmanuel, a visible indication of “God with us.” When Jesus returned to heaven, believers were given the Holy Spirit to indwell them. Because of this, we now experience “God within us.” In the first century, the reminder of God’s presence was so strong the Holy Spirit led John to use a concept supplied by Ezekiel as he described the future relationship with God; it was a New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1ff.). New leadership was being installed. This indicates a promise to enjoy continued peace and fellowship with God -  over, under, around, and through our being for eternity. As we travel our unique individual spiritual journey, this is the promised destination, being with God.

Spiritual children

When we speak of children, we generally are thinking about people who are physically young and immature. They have much to learn about so many things in life. It is clear from working with children, that they learn by repetition and corrected mistakes. Children and adults learn similarly in this aspect. Some experts advise that adults repeating the name of a person just met 7 times verbally, will help them not forget those new names. Although actions of children are more perceptible, have you ever observed how people who are repeatedly taught a series of new or different facts about a new topic and seem to lack comprehension until one day, the “Aha moment” arrives. At this time, they have realization of the data repeatedly presented and begin to understand most of the concept. In the spiritual realm, gaining understanding is similar to this, at times. We read and study the Bible, then pray, but the clear answer just escapes our minds. Then one day, as we read or reflect on a topic, it begins to make more sense. Jesus enjoys the times people are trying to learn about Him; He and had encouraging words regarding children. He once demonstrated this, “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mk. 10:13-16). Children usually accept they have much to learn and try very hard as they are motivated. This is good since Isaiah says there is a time when children should be responsible to a degree for their decisions, “By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey,” (Isa. 7:15). People usually forgive children easily for their mistakes because they realize there are many things the children do not yet know and children learn best by mistakes made; there are many mistakes they have not yet made. The best learning arena for children is a place where they can learn from their mistakes, but the mistakes they are allowed to make are not harmful to their physical or mental health. As children grow older and their arena for protected mistakes expands to a point where suitable protection is no longer in place and they must depend on their earlier experiences to guide further decisions. As people become adults they move through the periods of social law to a point when there are few limits to their actions without life changing results or severe penalties for actions from poor judgment. Adults are expected to gain knowledge and apply it to their physical life practices in the physical world, This observation can also be applied to our spiritual lives. All who come to accept the gift Jesus offers begin like children when we begin to learn about what Jesus wants for us. When we become adults, the life arena becomes much larger with greater availability to make good decisions and succeed and praise God or bad decisions that disappoint the indwelling Holy Spirit. There is also a progression to greater understanding of God. We must first believe He exists. Once this happens, the Holy Spirit can begin to put things in our pathway that allows greater understanding, leading to a decision to follow Jesus. When we make the decision to have faith in Jesus’ work and become a Christian, we are given the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. At this time God lives within us and provides greater understanding of God’s ways. Those who have been Christians longer need to both offer encouragement, and expect mistakes as the infants in Christ learn, but we are expected to try and learn. Peter states the goal very clearly, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1Pet. 2:2-3). Paul addressed an opportunity for growth with the Corinthians, “"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly -- mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.  You are still worldly.  For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?  Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?" 1Cor. 3:1-5 (NIV) This is but one of many opportunities the family at Corinth had to learn. Let us who are expected to be more mature in Christ understand that there may be many opportunities for us to continue learning more about what Jesus wants for us and others. Let us provide a safe arena for grace and forgiveness for mistakes made while attempting to grow as the Holy Spirit leads each person according to His words in scripture. Christians grow as they follow thier unique individual spiritual journey, led by the Holy Spirit.

Commitment

Sometimes men and women look outside their long term relationships for something different. They become tired of a person who has known me them so long that much of the mystery is depleted. When they look around for another person who doesn’t know so many of their faults, they can seem like a different person. A difficulty is that when the new person begins to know many of the idiosyncrasies that make a person unique, they may choose to exit the new relationship, also. Such hopscotch behavior leaves people denying that what they need most is a friend who will remain with them regardless of surrounding events and share their life experiences. This is also true for our spiritual lives, we need someone who will never leave and has the ability to encourage us whatever lies ahead. That person is the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus's gift, we are given a lifelong commitment of someone who will never leave. We gain stability from such commitments - for eternity.