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Biblical Imputation

What Is It – Why Does It Matter?

Philippians 3:9 ESV

“….and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”

What Is It?

IMPUTATION The act of reckoning a legal debit or credit to an account. The term was used in Graeco-Roman legal language and was understood in secular commerce as “enter into the books” (Balz and Schneider, 355). The concept is also used in a religious sense in the Old and New Testament. Protestant Christians recognize imputation in three doctrinal areas: original sin, atonement, and justification [The Lexham Bible Dictionary].

The act of reckoning a legal debit or credit to an account. The term was used in Graeco-Roman legal language and was understood in secular commerce as “enter into the books”. The concept is also used in a religious sense in the Old and New Testament. Also: Impute [Logos Fact-book Search].

Why Does It Matter?

Imputation Applied In 3 Arenas1.

Imputation & Sin – In Leviticus 17:4, the guilt of bloodshed is reckoned to the guilty man’s account. Second Samuel 19:19 describes a penitent Shimei throwing himself on the mercy of King David, begging him not to “count” his sin against him. In Psalm 32:2, David considers a person blessed if the Lord does not impute his own iniquity against him.

Imputation & Atonement – Leviticus 7:18 teaches that a person’s sins could be charged to the account of an animal that was properly sacrificed burned; then that person’s account received a credit. Isaiah 53:6–12 records that people’s sins would be placed on the suffering servant for him to bear. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross fulfilled these precursors, with the result that the sin, guilt, and condemnation of believers is transferred from their account to His.

Imputation & Justification – In exchange for the human sins that have been imputed to Jesus’ account, Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to the accounts all who believe in Him as Savior. In Protestant theology, this act is called justification; it is accomplished by God’s grace and is not based on any goodness or worthiness of the believer (Rom 3:24; Titus 3:7)

Take your study deeper. Journal your THANKFULNESS because Christ’s shed-blood has erased your guilt!

  1. 1Miller, J. E. (2016). Imputation. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.]
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5 Insights to Finishing Well

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Understanding that so few leaders finish well and the insights to hedge this reality is what this post is about. 

In comparative studies of those leaders that have finished well what are the insights that can be learned. To begin, listen to the writer of Hebrews 13:7-8 NLT; “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Heb 13:7–8). Tyndale House Publishers.}

Here are five (5) insights that can be learned and implemented from leaders who have finished well.

#1 – Perspective – We need to have a lifetime perspective on ministry. Effective ministers view present ministry in terms of a lifetime perspective. That perspective is gained from the Hebrews 13:7-8 passage. 

#2 – Renewal – Special moments of intimacy with God, Challenges from God, new vision from God and affirmation from God both in personhood and ministry will occur repeatedly to a growing leader.

#3 – Disciplines – Leaders need discipline of all kinds – especially spiritual discipline. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT; Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 9:24–27). Tyndale House Publishers.]

#4 – Learning Posture – The single most important antidote to plateauing is a well-developed learning posture. Such a posture is also one of the major ways through which God gives vision.

#5  – Mentoring – Leaders who finish will have 10-15 significant people of which the leader has made a significant deposit of development and growth in not only knowledge, but in power.

Take your study deeper. Do these five (5) insights challenge your current way of thinking and influencing? Journal what God is saying to you at this moment. What is your first step to change your current posture of learning and influencing? 

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6 Barriers To Finishing Well – Part 2

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

In a high-level overview of what Biblical leadership entails, there are four (4) key observations that emerge. 

  1. Observation #1 – Few Leaders finish well
  2. Observation #2 – Leadership is difficult
  3. Observation #3 – God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful     leadership
  4. Observation #4 – Spiritual leadership can make a difference

In this post we will look at the remains three (3) of six (6) Barriers to Finishing Well. Dr. Robert Clinton from Fuller Theological Seminary having studied over 1300 cases of leadership with approximately 50 Bible Leaders and 100+ historical leaders and the rest being contemporary; his research focused on the WHAT and WHY of leaders not finishing well. It is not some mysterious covert work. In fact there are items that are knowable. Consider Proverbs 22:3 (NLT); A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Pr 22:3). Tyndale House Publishers.]

Barriers con’t

#4 – Sex – Illicit Relationships. Illicit sexual relationship have been a major downfall both in Biblical and western cultures. Joseph’s classic integrity check with respect to sexual sin is the ideal model that leaders should follow.

Example: David’s sin with Bathsheba was pivotal from which his leadership never fully recovered.

#5 – Family – Critical Issues – Problems between spouses, children, can and will destroy ministry. Biblical family values are to be pursued and lived out. 

Example: David’s family. Ammon and Tamar. Absalom’s revenge.

#6 – Plateauing. Leaders who are competent will tend to plateau. However, your strength as a competent leader is also your weakness. They can continue ministry without there being a reality of Spirit empowered renewing.

Example: David in the latter part of his reign just before Absalom’s revolt.

Take your study deeper. What have you learned from the Six Barriers to Finishing Well? What changes do you need to implement

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6 Barriers To Finishing Well

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

In a high-level overview of what Biblical leadership entails, there are four (4) key observations that emerge. 

  1. Observation #1 – Few Leaders finish well
  2. Observation #2 – Leadership is difficult
  3. Observation #3 – God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful     leadership
  4. Observation #4 – Spiritual leadership can make a difference

In this post we will look at six (6) Barriers to Finishing Well. Dr. Robert Clinton from Fuller Theological Seminary having studied over 1300 cases of leadership with approximately 50 Bible Leaders and 100+ historical leaders and the rest being contemporary; his research focused on the WHAT and WHY of leaders not finishing well. It is not some mysterious covert work. In fact there are items that are knowable. Consider Proverbs 22:3 (NLT); A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Pr 22:3). Tyndale House Publishers.]

Here are the first of three Barriers to Finishing Well

#1 – Finances – Their Use & Abuse. Leaders who hold power positions that allow for decisions to be made regularly regarding finances  can in fact encourage bad practices and wrongful use. Impropriety is the resulting behavior.

Example: Gideon’s golden ephod; Ananias & Sapphire

#2 – Power – Its Abuse. Leadership at times require the use of various power bases in order to accomplish goals. There is a strong tendency for abuse to feel you are untouchable as a leader.

Example: Uzziah’ usurping of priestly privilege.

#3 – Pride – Which Leads to Downfall. Pride is the inappropriate self-centeredness  that can and will lead to a downfall. Never forget where ministerial authority originates – GOD ALONE!

Example: David’s unauthorized numbering of his army and resources.

Take your study deeper. What is God saying to you regarding these first three barriers to effective ministry?

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Characteristics of Finishing Well as a Leader

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Continuing with the Characteristics of finishing well as a leader from our previous post…..

#4 – Truth is lived out in their lives so that convictions and promises of God are seen to be real

Example: see Joshua 23:14 where at the close of his speech Joshua declares God’s promises have never failed him. Paul in the N.T. weaves in many truths to Timothy in his two letters – see Acts27:22-25.

#5 – They Leave behind one or more ultimate contributions. Consider the following:

Category Explanation

Saint A model life that others desire to emulate

Stylistic Practitioners A ministry model that others desire to emulate

Mentor Extensive personal ministry: end product changed lives

Public Speaking Extensive public ministry: end product changed lives

Pioneers Start new works: end product is new churches, new   movement, new works for God

Crusaders Those who correct wrongs: end product, changed institutions, societies which reflect justice, fairness

Artists Those who introduce creative ways of doing things

Founder Pioneers who start new christian organizations

Stabilizers Those who can work within churches, organizations to

keep them alive and consistent – revitalization

Researchers Those who discover why things operate the way they do

efficiency in christian work

Writers Those who capture ideas in writing to assist others

Promoters Those who motivate and inspire

Example: Daniel embodies saint, mentor, writing, stabilizer. Paul embodies saint, mentor, crusader, writer, promoter

#6 – They walk with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and see some or all of it fulfilled

Definition: A sense of destiny is an inner conviction arising from experience or a series of experiences in which there is a growing sense that God has his hand on a leader in a special way

Take your study deeper. How do these las three characteristics impact you?

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6 Characteristics of Finishing Well as a Leader

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

In a high-level overview of what Biblical leadership entails, there are four (4) key observations that emerge. 

  1. Observation #1 – Few Leaders finish well
  2. Observation #2 – Leadership is difficult
  3. Observation #3 – God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful     leadership
  4. Observation #4 – Spiritual leadership can make a difference

Because these observations are not just limited to Spiritual Leadership, it is equally true of any contemporary leader. That being said, I would offer characteristics of leaders that finish well with biblical illustrations. In the next post there will be additional characteristics.

#1 – They maintain a personal vibrant relationship with God right up to the very end.

Example: Daniel in the O.T. and Peter, Paul, and John

#2 – They maintain a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources – life especially.

Example: Daniel is the classic O.T. leader – see Daniel 9; reveals Daniel’s confession of how Israel has acted wickedly and Gabriel’s visit about the 70 weeks. Peter in the N.T. – see 2 Peter 3:18 grow in grace and knowledge of God. Paul in the N.T. – see 2 Timothy 4:13 – Paul’s final instruction to bring the books and parchments (for learning purposes).

#3 – They manifest Christ-likeness as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives

Example: Daniel in the O.T. shows us how to appeal unto authorities when challenged to go against their faith. Paul in the N.T. shows us how the roughness of his personality was transformed into tenderness – read about three runaway slave in Philemon and his care for him.

Take your study deeper. Journal your thoughts on how to improve your spiritual leading.

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Finishing Well as a Leader

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Professor of Leadership at the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, has made great contributions to the study of Biblical leaders that finish well and also the barriers of finishing well. Dr. John Maxwell has stated that everything he has ever learned about Leadership originated in his study of the Bible.

As we enter 2024, prognosticators suggest this year will be a year of social chaos and conflict that potentially will scar the American landscape permanently. The vacuum of quality leaders in all areas of our nation is creating a phenomenal pressure on leaders to finish well. I want to be clear, finishing well as a leader is not an impossibility. At the same time Finishing Well is not a passive exercise – deliberate focus is required.

Dr. Clinton’s studies on Biblical Leadership has revealed the following observations from scripture.

  1. Few Leaders finish well
  2. Leadership is difficult
  3. God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful leadership
  4. Spiritual leadership can make a difference

These observations cross-over into contemporary leadership in society. Pause for just a minute to realize these four observations started in the context of the Bible. Research reveals there are approximately 800+ leaders mentioned in the scriptures. Yet, many do not finish well at the end of their tenure. What can be learned from this fact? What does a successful leadership conclusion look like? Why are there only a few that finish well? I will explore this in upcoming posts.

Take your study deeper. What are your thoughts about finishing well as a leader? Do you recognize the correlation between a national vacuum of leadership and what effective biblical leadership looks like?

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Holy Spirit Praxis con’t.

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

To continue the discussion regarding the Holy Spirit Praxis, consider a case study from scripture that begins in Acts 1:8; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Luke is careful to order this narrative to show movement in three societal spheres; Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth.

Hit a hard pause at this moment! The Gospel of the Messiah had become lost in religion and had to break out of religion in order to accomplish God’s plan of redemption to “whosever will…” This narrative now moves to Acts 10, 11, and 15, this is the story of the conversion of Cornelius. There are five distinct elements to this story. Consider…

  1. Acts 10:1-2; “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and continually prayed to God.”
  2. Peter is now being challenged to act in a manner entirely foreign to his concept of mission. Consider the mission in Acts 10:11-48.
  3. Cornelius’ conversion and yet on another level Peter and his whole community were also being transformed.
  4. Peter’s report to the council in Jerusalem. He clearly had stepped well outside the framework of acceptable Jewish behavior in Acts 11:1-16
  5. The Jerusalem Council’s watershed moment. Acts 15:1-35. The Gentiles were included into the church of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, the Messiah’s message went beyond the bounds of Jewishness.

Study the Praxis Model of the Holy Spirit below. The Word and Spirit Define this model by Peter Roennfeldt in his writing of: Holy Spirit Praxis: “A Frame For Contextualization.”

Take your study deeper. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you and the church today given our political, social, and religious climate in our nation. What change is the Holy Spirit attempting to work through you or challenging to return to biblical anchor points?

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Holy Spirit Praxis

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

We have examined a number of biblical facts regarding the Holy Spirit according to John The Baptist, grammatical insights, and The Day of Pentecost. Now it is time to look  at the Praxis of The Holy Spirit. Praxis by definition is the process in which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, realized, applied, or put into practice as a new norm. This is a 16th century term that originates in Greek Culture and later became influenced in Medieval Latin culture. Notice the Illustration below by Peter Roennfeldt in his writing of: Holy Spirit Praxis: “A Frame For Contextualization.” 

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Holy Spirit Praxis

We have examined a number of biblical facts regarding the Holy Spirit according to John The Baptist, grammatical insights, and The Day of Pentecost. Now it is time to look  at the Praxis of The Holy Spirit. Praxis by definition is the process in which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, realized, applied, or put into practice as a new norm. This is a 16th century term that originates in Greek Culture and later became influenced in Medieval Latin culture. Notice the Illustration below by Peter Roennfeldt in his writing of: Holy Spirit Praxis: “A Frame For Contextualization.” 

Take your study deeper. What actions have you taken while remaining to biblical mandates that have resulted in new behaviors and comprehensions?

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God’s Presence With Us – Acts 2

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

In my previous post I realize that I left much to be discussed regarding the ignition point of the Holy Spirit coming to the first century church. However, I am not ignorant of the discussion in various theological circles. I do want to focus more upon what God did and not so much on detailed grammatical arguments.

Let’s remind ourselves that Christ was preparing to leave the Disciples and reiterated John the Baptist’s words that he baptized with water, but one is coming that will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. Step number one is to see God’s very presence came to indwell the church corporately and Christians individually. His presence is what draws us into the very life of the triune God.

What was promised was not merely spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit, he came at Pentecost to dwell within us. John 14:23(ESV), “Jesus answered him, ‘if anyone love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Do not miss that fact, God’s presence trumps all discussion.

Now turn your attention to Acts 2 where we read Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost that resulted in 3,000 converts. While there are many points of theology proper that Peter addressed, we have to return to the ultimate reason for the Spirit’s indwelling – God’s very presence by means of the Holy Spirit indwells the church and individuals. Notice the question of the audience at the end of Peter’s sermon; “…Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37ESV). Answer: Repent, Be Baptized, Receive The Holy Spirit.” This process opens the gateway for God’s abiding presence to begin in the actual lives of people. RECONCILED INTIMACY takes the place of Temple worship. The church is now the “Living Temple”, a spiritual house that testifies of God’s presence.

Take your study deeper. Is God’s presence needed among the churches and worshippers today? Do we realize that His presence among us now is to equip and facility the Second  Coming of the Messiah?