Tag: Faith

25.e. “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness”

 

2 Corinthians 5:6   So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 Philippians 1:20-24    as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Matthew 25:21    His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

 2 Peter 3:11-12   Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,  waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

To be present with the Lord: This is what makes heaven really heaven, so we long to be present with the Lord. Heaven is precious to us for many reasons. We may long to be with loved ones who have passed before us and whom we miss so much. We may want to be with the great men and women of God who have passed before us in centuries past.  These may be true, but the true test of your faith, trust, obedience is not for your satisfaction in these bonuses of eternal life, it is for the honor, glory, and praise of Jesus Christ.  The longing to be in His presence is what gives us purpose in this life.  Longing to see departed loved ones is not the reason, though it is a reality and outcome of love this side of eternity. It is not wrong to want to see and be with loved ones who have departed and are in the presence of the Lord, however, anything that lessens the honor, glory, and praise to Jesus Christ should not be a reason for wanting to be in His presence. 

Therefore we make it our aim… to be well-pleasing to Him: Since what we do right now has eternal consequences, our goal and longing to be in His presence must persistently be to honor, glorify, and praise Him.  This is our aim, our goal.  What is it then that is pleasing to Him?  If we were to list all that is pleasing to Him I fear the list would be quite long because there are so many aspects in our lives that we can please Him.  To give you a place to start understanding what is pleasing, I think it is best to start with a humble surrendered heart with an abundance of continuous longing to be in His presence and growing in knowledge, understanding, and trust in the grace, mercy, and love He has, does, and continues to grant us in this life, and a heart and soul-deep desire to honor and glorify Him in all we say, think and do.

25.d. “In quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling”

2 Corinthians 5:6   So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 1 Chronicles 29:15    For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow

 Isaiah 36:4    And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours?

 Hebrews 10:35   Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

 Isaiah 30:15    For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

 Hebrews 10:38     but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Paul is bold enough to say, “We know.” “Not we think, or hope only, but We Know. Paul thinks of our bodies as tents – temporary structures that cannot be thought of as the whole person. If the tent is destroyed, we still have an eternal hope: a building from God, a house not made with hands. “Many people are in a great fright about the future, yet here is Paul viewing the worst thing that could happen to him with such complacency that he likens it to nothing worse than the pulling down of tent in which he was residing in for a little season.” (Spurgeon)

 Salvation isn’t just for the soul or spirit, but for the body also. Resurrection is how God saves our bodies. We have a glorious new body to come. “The righteous are put into their graves all weary and worn; but as such they will not rise. They go there with the furrowed brow, the hollowed cheek, the wrinkled skin; they shall wake up in beauty and glory.” (Spurgeon)

It is hard to realize a body that does not fade away, or hurt, get sick, or die.  Yet, this is exactly what happens to these mortal bodies (tents).  If this was all there was to life, what a miserable life it would be.  If this was all the hope we had was to live and then die what is the purpose, where is the meaning for our existence?  There are certainties to remember about our bodies and how we live our lives: 1. The physical body will die; 2. The physical body will be raised again. 3. Everyone will face the judgment seat of Christ. 4. Those who by faith trust in Jesus Christ will live in eternity forever and ever with Jesus. 5. Those who have rejected Christ will be cast into eternity in hell. 

Delaying to trust, follow, and obey Jesus Christ is to risk eternity in hell.  Flat out rejection of Christ is certain eternity in Hell. This tent of a body will fade away and when Christ is rejected while this body is alive there is no hope of salvation. 

24.w. “How you ought to walk and to please God”

 

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 2 Peter 3:14    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

 2 Peter 1:4-9     by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

 Psalms 78:8   and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

 Philippians 1:9    And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

 1 Thessalonians 4:1   Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

What keeps us from being “Steadfast”, “Immovable”, and “Diligent”?  Has the definition of these words changed? Loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true, constant, unwavering, unswerving, resolute, determined, adamant, firm, unshakeable, unfailing, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, careful, thorough, constant, persevering, persistent, zealous, dedicated, committed, driven, active, tireless. The meaning of these words has not changed so it be in our application of God’s Word in our lives.  If we are not in His Word there is little chance it will have influencing application.  If we allow ourselves to be consumed with what the world has to offer, how can we be steadfast, immovable, and diligent?  It takes work, commitment, and determination to be steadfast, remain immovable, and ever diligent in things of God.  Do not allow the allure of this word rob you of the grace, mercy, and blessings of God now and in heaven.

22.m. “Now there are varieties of gifts”

1 Corinthians 12:4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Each of us is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good of God’s plans and purposes.  Wisdom, Knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, ability to distinguish be spirits, etc…. these are given not earned.  

We can’t will them into our being.  They are all for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.  No gift is better than the other or is to be thought higher than the other.  We don’t get to pick and choose what gift is given to us.  But for certain, we are to use them at the spurring of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.  These gifts are not to build us up in pride but rather to humble us in thanksgiving, worship, and honor of, for, and to Jesus Christ.  These gifts are not for show, but will surely show the power of God.  We may be given one gift that dominates our being, but at other times the Holy Spirit will come upon us and give us wisdom, faith, etc… for a special moment in time.  We may be given the gift of teaching but need the blessing of wisdom or faith for a time or situation in our life.  God does not withhold these gifts and in these times of our searching, needing, and seeking He will empower us with our desire to rightly use the blessing of one of these gifts.  None of these gifts are to be used outside of the will and purposes of God.  We will never know all the plans and purposes of God for His ways are higher than our ways.  We can know the plans and purposes He has revealed to us in Scripture.  Spending time in His Word will enable the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives according to His plans and purposes.  Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Spend time in His Word. Live to be used by the Holy Spirit for His honor, glory, and praise.

22.l. “I urge you, then, be imitators of me”

 

 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

 Philippians 3:17     Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

 2 Thessalonians 3:9   but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

 Hebrews 6:12    so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 1 Corinthians 4:16    I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Paul knew he followed Jesus, so he did not hesitate to tell the Corinthian Christians to imitate his walk with the Lord. He knew the Corinthian Christians needed examples, and he was willing to be such an example. Paul simply told Timothy what to do: Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity..  How few today are willing to say what Paul said! Instead, because of compromise and ungodliness, we are quick to say, “Don’t look at me, look at Jesus.” While it is true we must all ultimately look to Jesus, every one of us should be an example of those who look to Jesus.  How many times do we actually want people to follow our example?  We might be quick to say “follow me when I am following Christ but, don’t follow my example when I am not.”  We choose to follow Jesus Christ.  We choose to think, do, and act so that He will be honored and glorified.  Yet, the question we all should ask is “Am I?”  If we commit to being an example of what it means to live so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified, it is highly possible that people would see the light of Jesus Christ in our example.

22.f. “I could not address you as spiritual people”

 

1 Corinthians 3:1  But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

 1 Corinthians 14:20   Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

 Ephesians 4:13-14    until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

 Hebrews 5:12-14    For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,  for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Surely, Paul is telling us that there should be a “spiritual growth” realized in each of us.  It is written in Isaiah “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”  Throughout our lives, we are to be spiritually growing.  This growth requires watering and feeding in the Word of God.  It does not come through osmosis.  Time must be spent both reading it and thinking about it and applying it.  The fruit of the Spirit does not grow without being watered and fed.  Do you have peace, joy, love, long-suffering, kindness, patience, gentleness, rest, courage, hope….?   The world will offer everything under the sun to replace what God will give to the hearts and minds of those who seek and desire to humbly surrender fleshly desires.  Spiritual maturity comes with constant watering and feeding in the Word of God with a heart and mind choice to grow and live to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

21.k. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,”

 

 

Romans 15:4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1 Corinthians 10:11    Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,

 2 Timothy 3:16-17    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 2 Peter 1:20-21    knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 Hebrews 6:11-12   And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,  so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Word of God teaches us that there will be trials, troubles, uncertainties, testings, and things that hurt us physically as well as emotionally.  Why else would scripture tell us that God is our Rock, ever-present in times of trouble, He is our refuge, In Him we find strength, Come to me all who are heavy laden with burdens and I will give you peace, all things work together for good for those called according to His purpose, Stand fast, be strong, etc…..? 

For those who trust in, cling to, and rely on Jesus Christ – faith and hope mature.  When we face trials, troubles, and uncertainties, is when scripture seems to have more meaning and where God’s power, might, strength, control, grace, mercy, and love is more relied upon, and where we find hope, peace, and rest for our souls.  Things do not happen by chance.  God is in control.  And, though we do not know why something has happened or how it will end, we find a peace that passes all understanding.  Faith and hope are what sustain us (those who believe in, rely on, trust in, and cling to Jesus Christ), and give us the courage and endurance.  

We do not have to look very far into our present world to understand the hearts, minds, and souls of those who do not have faith or hope.  In the absence of faith and hope they fall into despair, hopelessness, worry, fear, confusion, anxiousness, hate, etc….. There is no place for God in their lives and in the absence of God in their lives, there is no refuge, hope, peace, joy, assurance, strength, and confidence.  They are left alone and without hope to face the trials and troubles that are experienced by all of mankind.   

There is one God and in Him alone will we find true peace and rest for our hearts, minds, and souls, through faith and hope, in Him alone.

21.h. “As for the one who is weak in faith”

 

 

 

Romans 14:1  As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Herein lies the problem; “to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials” of Faith.  Do you ever wonder how much baggage we add to the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  How many times do we allow our opinions and thoughts to give ourselves the freedom to live as the world does? How many times have churches split and friendships lost because there was no way found to reconcile between essentials and non-essentials?  There are those who establish their walk by faith in ways that do not make sense to us.  They refrain from certain things we do not.  Paul is saying do not look down on them.  In the essentials they are solid.  In the non-essentials, they have differing opinions and thoughts.  This brings us to points about how we live and grow in faith – “eating solid food and not just milk”, “Unity”, “allowing ourselves to be wronged”, “Keeping your eyes on Jesus”, “honoring and glorifying Jesus”, “letting no unwholesome talk come from your mouth”, “not causing other to stumble”, etc…. It is in our ability to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials where divisions, arguments, disagreements, and separations occur. Society will try to invade this space as well. It is very good at making arguments (by twisting selected scripture) to allow certain acts or actions into the essential space.  We should be able to distinguish these and call them out.  Abortion, LGBTQ, Pornography, Sex Trafficking, Rioting, Drunkenness, All paths lead to heaven, There is more than one God, etc…. are all creeping their way into being allowed into the Christian walk.  This should never be and it should be called out as neither good for the soul or God-honoring.  

Being able to discern and allow distinguish non-essential acts takes wisdom and understanding given to us by God.  As we grow in our faith we come to the understanding and knowledge that all things are acceptable to mankind (in their own eyes), but not all things are acceptable in the eyes of God.  He has given His written Word to us so that we might know Him and grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of what it means to humbly honor, glorify, follow, trust, and obey Him.  If you are not growing in this ability to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials they will forever become a cloudy fog in your mind.  James said that you will become like a ship tossed this way and that way by stormy waters.  Think about how much you have grown in your wisdom and understanding by the working of the Holy Spirit in your life since you first believed.  (If there is not much difference – there should be) Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little you have grown in understanding and knowledge and being able to more clearly see what it means to follow God.  Essentials become rock solid, non-essentials become malleable clay, and though they are recognized they do not cause your faith to turn or your mind to judge others but rather keep you thankful for how God has given you understanding, growth, and has put light to His plans and purposes for your life.  We are not all alike, nor are we all at the same level of faith in our walk with God.  Some are old, some are young, and many in between.  Tolerate the non-essentials that do not dishonor God but be ever intolerant of those which are and those who wish to apply them to the things of God.

20.r. “Let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.”

 

Romans 11:20   They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness.

 James 2:19     You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

 Hebrews 3:12     Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

 Revelation 3:17     For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

 Hebrews 3:19   So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

 Hebrews 4:6     Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,

 Hebrews 4:11   Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

 Isaiah 66:2    All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

 Hebrews 4:1     Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Paul said, “note the severity and kindness of God”.  We have a natural thought that clings to God’s kindness but sidelines and thoughts to His severity of judgment, wrath, and anger.  We cling to “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” but we give little thought of His wrath and anger against unbelief, trust, faith, and obedience in/on Jesus Christ.  Paul saw how easy it was for believers to fall into disobedience.  He saw how they became complacent and neglectful of things of God.  They became lukewarm towards seeking and desiring to honor and glorify Him.  Over and over again Paul urged people to remain steadfast and to not forget the grace, mercy, kindness, and love of God.  Paul had to be dismayed when he would return to towns he had once been and had seen great numbers of people believe in Jesus Christ, only to find they had become neglectful and complacent in their devotion to God.  Paul so how easy it was for the heart of man to fall away from being fully committed and living for God every moment of every day.  God’s kindness and severity remain true and steadfast.  We do well to our hearts, minds, soul, and our daily lives in line with the Word of God at all times lest we become disobedient through neglect and complacency.

20.l. “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Romans 10:17  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

 Luke 16:29-31   But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

 1 Corinthians 1:18-24   For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

If salvation is so simple, available to all who trust in the person and work of Jesus, then why do so many reject, deny, or neglect it? Saving faith comes through hearing by the word of God. Though people hear or read about the Gospel of Jesus Christ they do not exercise saving faith in Christ – making them (and us) all the more responsible. How much more responsible is a person for their rejection of the Gospel once they have heard it?  This is a bit of a dilemma for me.  On one hand they hear it, but unless their heart is open to receiving understanding and wisdom from God about it it will be just words on paper or sounds in the air.  On the other hand when their heart is open to the gospel God exposes their hearts, minds, and souls to the Gospel (hearing or reading) something utterly changes – they understand sin, their sin and separation from God, and God’s plan and purpose of salvation, redemption, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  This point in a persons life is where they will either humbly surrender all self-reliance and self-worth and believe in/on Jesus Christ.  In their hearts, minds, and souls they are changed.  They have gone from being condemned to redeemed, unforgiven to forgiven, guilty to innocent, hell bound to heaven.  This is what the Gospel will do to a person when they act on the wisdom and understanding given by God to them.  It is true to many good people never see the need for Jesus Christ.  They have determined in their heart that they are good enough and worthy of heaven.  The destiny of all people, both good and bad, is eternal hell.