What do YOU Know?

The Law

The purpose of any law is to instruct people in the right way.

The outcome of that law is that people will know when they are doing right and when they are doing wrong.

When we break a law, we are convicted--not always publicly or in front of a judge, but we always know that we've done something wrong.

Recognizing that we did something wrong doesn't make us better people. Obeying the law in the first place makes us better people.

But none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. We all suck at obeying the laws--because they're hard to follow

Flashback

When God created the world, the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, were absolutely perfect and living in an absolutely perfect world.

They only had one law.

It wasn't to dress a certain way. It wasn't to eat certain things. It wasn't even to love God.

The law was to NOT eat the fruit of the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil."

The outcome of that law is that people will know when they are doing right and when they are doing wrong.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed that one law, they introduced the effects of the law into the rest of the world.

• Knowledge of Good
  Knowing that we've done something good makes us proud
• Knowledge of Evil
  Knowing that we've done something bad makes us ashamed

God knew that it would be impossible for us to live within the standards of the law. So what did He do?

He took away the effects of the law by GIVING us righteousness--making us morally right.

Justice and Mercy

God is supremely just AND supremely merciful. That means that no one in the world cares more about crimes being punished than God does, and no one in the world wants to set guilty people set free more than God does.

This would be quite a quandary--if it wasn't for Jesus.

Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life according to the law. At age 33, he died by crucifixion--a Roman torture method for murderers and severe criminals.

In the moment of His death, Jesus received from God every ounce of wrath that would have been unleashed on us for breaking God's law.

God's justice was satisfied, because the death penalty for disobeying the law was met, AND God's mercy was satisfied, because by taking the punishment on Himself, we do not have to experience death.

God gave us righteousness--costly to Him, free to us. We no longer HAVE to meet up to His standards.

• Knowledge of Righteousness
  Knowing that you have been made righteous before God gives us peace

 #WeeklyReading Romans 3:19

The Story

It all began with a hunger.

The founders of UnitedRefuge were discussing the general lack of spiritual support for their age group. They tried different Bible study groups, only to come back feeling empty.

Recognizing that their ambitions were quite different than those of previously established groups, they bonded together and determined to support and encourage one another--whether or not anyone else joined.

As word spread about the group, it became evident that others felt the same need in their hearts.

Creating the Frame

After a couple of weeks, there was a general unrest among the group members. They sensed the purpose in being together but lacked direction.

At the right time, God knit them together with a leader who could establish direction and provide godly counsel.

One session later, the group had established its frame:

1. Know God through reading the Bible and purposeful prayer every week,
2. Support and encourage one another in the difficulties of living a biblical walk in a world that disagrees, and
3. Reach out to friends and members of the community with God's love and power.

Beginning to Accomplish Goals

Over the course of a month, meeting weekly, four members turned into twelve. Guests began to stay in the group and brought their friends.

In addition to the growth in members, the spiritual growth of the group was incredible.

Members of the group began to minister to each other from their own testimonies, from the concepts God was illuminating to their hearts in the Word, and in the power of the Spirit.

Lives began to be changed.

The story has only begun.

Find us on Twitter: @UnitedRefuge

A Dialogue in Design

Test 1 - Myers-Briggs Personality Test

(c) Myers-Briggs

*Clarification: Prefer is a harsh term. It doesn't mean that if you are an (I) you hate people or are selfish. Your (I) or your (E) will determine if you get re-energized and feel most like yourself when you are spending time by yourself (I) or others (E).

 

Test 2 - Love Languages Test

1. Physical Touch - You feel most affirmed when someone touches you.

2. Quality Time - You desire quality time, quality conversation, and quality activities.

3. Words of Affirmation - You thrive when people compliment you, your motivations, and your heart.

4. Receiving Gifts - You love it when people give you little things to show that they care about you and were thinking about you.

5. Acts of Service - You feel like someone really loves you when they do something for you or help you with something you're doing.

Test 3 - Motivation Country Test

 

Fun Country

People from FUN country smile often, are VERY sociable and need to go out and do something with people instead of staying home alone. (1)

Control Country

These people are very direct and to the point when they talk. It’s difficult for them to listen if they feel someone isn’t getting to the point. They are results driven and put great value in accomplishment. They are often great leaders…when others choose to follow them. (2)

(c) Sheri Bertolini

Peace Country

These people avoid conflict at all costs and want very much to get along with everyone. You can identify these people easily because the expression on their face rarely changes. PEACE people are happier with a quiet evening than a night on the town. (3)

Perfect Country

No, they are not “perfect.” Everyone from PERFECT country is still “human” but these people are in the endless pursuit of perfection. Perfect country residents NEED sensitivity to their feelings. (4)

(1), (2), (3), (4) Direct Quotes from Larry Bilotta: http://www.marriage-success-secrets.com/recipe-for-a-happy-marriage.html