Master – Page 2 – Praying Pint

34.m. “‘Well done, good and faithful servant”

Matthew 25:14 For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 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.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 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.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Christian’s liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer’s servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. Those who know not the day of their visitation, shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. Here, as in what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour goes out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and this serves as a key to the whole. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions. (Henry)

The manifestation of the grace of God in believers is for the single purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ. Though this manifestation might be in the form of helping others, giving, kindness, generosity, serving, proclaiming the Gospel, works of the hands, or wisdom of the mind they are all singularly for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. Any intent we have to keep some of this glory for ourselves robs its intended glory and honor from Jesus Christ. From Him, the talents are given and to Him, they belong with all their accumulated interest.

Pray that God would open your eyes and ears to your heart, mind, and soul to the talents He has given to you, and then be a workman that uses these talents for His honor and glory. Anything kept for our own glory and honor is stealing from the King of Kings.

34.d. “Let no one deceive you with empty words and leads you astray”

Matthew 24:3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Jeremiah 29:8    For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,

2 Corinthians 11:13-15    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Ephesians 4:14     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.

Ephesians 5:6    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Colossians 2:8    See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:18    Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

2 Peter 2:1-3   But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.  And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

1 John 4:1   Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

When shall these things be? – There are three questions here: When those things should take place? What should be the signs of his own coming? What should be the signs that the end of the world was near? To these questions He replies, not by noticing them distinctly, but by intermingling the descriptions of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the end of the world, so that it is sometimes difficult to tell to what particular subject his remarks apply. The principle on which this combined description of two events was spoken appears to be, that “they could be described in the same words,” and therefore the accounts are intermingled.

Why didn’t Jesus simply say it so clearly that there was no possibility anyone could misunderstand Him? One reason why prophecy may seem vague or imprecise is that God wants every age to have reasons to be ready for Jesus’ return. We should not think of Jesus’ return as an event far off on a timeline, but as something we have been running parallel with since the day of Pentecost. Though some prophetic interpretations are different, we are sure of this: He is coming again, and we must be ready.

The pretended wisdom of the heathen philosophers; and vain deceit — Sophistical and delusive reasonings, and unprofitable speculations will come in every generation by men or women who are led astray by demonic influences. We should not deny or condemn sound philosophy, but the kind of it which had no foundation in truth; and, being formed merely from imagination, aided by the pride of human reason, was supported by tradition; that is, by the affirmation of the inventors, handed down or built upon from one to another. There is a philosophy that is vain and deceitful; and while it pleases men’s fancies, hinders their faith: such are curious speculations about things above us or no concern to us. Those who walk in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ. Opinions, speculations, philosophies, and traditions are used by Satan to corrupt the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is danger in being swept away by them and led down paths in life away from following, obeying, trusting, serving, worshiping, honoring, and glorifying Jesus Christ.

What kind of workman or servant does not study and learn what is expected of them? Are we not to study God’s Word with a seeking and desire to be taught and led by the Holy Spirit, rightly dividing the Word of Truth? When we spend more time listening to what others think scripture says than reading it for ourselves we are exposing ourselves to being led astray. There are many fine pastors and teachers who are able to unpack scripture. I love to read or listen to them on scripture that seems unclear or to see if what I am understanding it says, is in line with godly teachers. There are many times I am in line just as there are times when I am not. This is called “Studying”. When we only rely on what others think and say we are weak and shallow in our understanding and leave little room for our own growth by the hand of God through the Holy Spirit. I am not saying we should not listen – God uses men of God to proclaim truths that we should be fully grounded in and reminded of. What I am saying is that when all of our studies are based on what others have interpreted from Scripture we are not working through the efforts of study that grow us spiritually, establish our faith-roots, waters and feeds our souls, fixes our eyes on Jesus, softens our hearts, quickens our minds, or produces fruits in line with what honors and glorifies Jesus Christ.

34.k. “Do you begrudge my generosity?”

Matthew 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

God does no wrong to any, by showing extraordinary grace to some. See here the nature of envy. It is an evil eye, which is displeased at the good of others, and desires their hurt. It is a grief to ourselves, displeasing to God, and hurtful to our neighbours: it is a sin that has neither pleasure, profit, nor honour. Let us forego every proud claim, and seek for salvation as a free gift. Let us never envy or grudge, but rejoice and praise God for his mercy to others as well as to ourselves. (Henry)

“My last word to God’s children is this: what does it matter, after all, whether we are first or whether we are last? Do not let us dwell too much upon it, for we all share the honor given to each. When we are converted, we become members of Christ’s living body; and as we grow in grace, and get the true spirit that permeates that body, we shall say, when any member of it is honored, ‘This is honor for us’…If any brother shall be greatly honored of God, I feel honored in his honor. If God shall bless your brother, and make him ten times more useful than you are, then you see that he is blessing you — not only blessing him, but you. If my hand has something in it, my foot does not say, ‘Oh, I have not got it!’ No, for if my hand has it, my foot has it; it belongs to the whole of my body.” (Spurgeon)

34.h. “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

We read in Matthew 18:15 what we are to do if a brother/sister sins against us. We are to go to them alone and tell them of the offense and what to do if they are not repentant. Here, Jesus explains further how forgiveness is to be applied to a repentant brother/sister. There is no limit on how many times forgiveness is to be applied to the repentant heart of the offender no matter how big the offense or action. We can come up with hypothetical situations where our forgiveness to others seems impossible. This is true until we see the great price that was paid for our sin (offenses) against God. We reject His worthiness of having an active presence in our lives. We neglect to honor and glorify Him in all we say thing and do. We want to please ourselves more than please Him. We display greed, lust, hate, anger, pride, self-worth, self-reliance, and worldly desires giving no thought to Jesus Christ whom we are to serve, honor, and glorify. We limit our forgiveness, withhold our kindness and generosity, and we display no want to and make no attempt reconcile with our offender. Contrast this with while we were sinning and giving no thought to our actions and how they might be offensive to God, or how they might hurt others, or how they might lead others to do the same, God, sent His Son to pay the debts of all of our individual sins. If we were to try to count the number of our sins they could not be counted, for they are more than we can know. And yet, God sent His Son to redeem us by paying a high price for our sin, His sacrifice, suffering, and death on the cross. If we were to stop right here one would think the debt is paid and I am forgiven. However there must be a repentant heart, a recognition of an inability to pay the debt of our sin, and belief, trust, faith, and reliance in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross has not only redeemed them, but that all of these sins are forgiven by this act of grace and mercy. Repentance, turning away from all worldly lusts, desires, and hopes, and clinging to forgiveness in Jesus Christ alone will result in a restored relationship with Him.

This is our example of applying forgiveness to brothers and sisters who have done offense against us and have a repentant heart. We certainly will come up against those who do offense against us and do not repent of it. Let our heart be pure in these matters. Though they might not repent our heart can remain pure for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. When Paul said to allow ourselves to be wronged for the unity and reputation of the church rather than to continue to harbor ill thoughts and cause division, he was saying that there is a place in our heart for forgiveness toward another person even though they do not repent. We do not need to continue to dwell on the offense for in doing so it will only rob us of joy, peace, and rest. In these occurrences I think it is best that we try to reconcile and then place and leave it all in the hands of Jesus Christ. As hard as this may seem to do, it is what honors and glorifies Jesus Christ and will give rest and peace to your soul.

There are other times our offense will come at the hands of someone who is a brother or sister in Christ. In these matters we need to look at them like Jesus Christ did while being mocked, spit upon, whipped, and nailed to the cross, when He said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”. How can we expect them to act like a follower of Jesus Christ when they are not? Their thoughts and actions will be that of the world and of Satan the influencer of it. We can expect nothing different. However, what we can do is to look to the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in our thoughts and actions so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified through the grace, mercy and love we are empowered to show.

32.z. ” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour”

Matthew 13:24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Matthew 25:1213    But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

1 Timothy 5:24   The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

Isaiah 27:11   For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor.

Ezekiel 15:7    And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

Malachi 4:1   “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

John 15:6   If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of hell. And the reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of hell.
So that it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, and does not resent it, that he does not let loose his hand and cut them off. God is not altogether such a one as themselves, though they may imagine him to be so. The wrath of God bums against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them. It is no security to wicked men for one moment, that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances. The manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages, shows this is no evidence, that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The arrows of death fly unseen at noon-day; the sharpest sight cannot discern them. God has so many different unsearchable ways of taking wicked men out of the world and sending them to hell, that there is nothing to make it appear, that God had need to be at the expense of a miracle, or go out of the ordinary course of his providence, to destroy any wicked man, at any moment. All the means that there are of sinners going out of the world, are so in God’s hands, and so universally and absolutely subject to his power and determination, that it does not depend at all the mere will of God, whether sinners shall at any moment go to hell, then if means were never made use of, or at all concerned in the case. Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security; he flatters himself in what he has done, in what he is now doing, or what he intends to do. Everyone lays out matters in his own mind how he shall avoid damnation, and flatters himself that he contrives well for himself, and that his schemes will not fail. They hear indeed that there are but few saved, and that the greater part of men that have died heretofore are gone to hell; but each one imagines that he lays out matters better for his own escape than others have done. He does not intend to come to that place of torment; he says within himself, that he intends to take effectual care, and to order matters so for himself as not to fail.

But the foolish children of men miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow. The greater part of those who heretofore have lived under the same means of grace, and are now dead, are undoubtedly gone to hell; and it was not because they were not as wise as those who are now alive: it was not because they did not lay out matters as well for themselves to secure their own escape. If we could speak with them, and inquire of them, one by one, whether they expected, when alive, and when they used to hear about hell, ever to be the subjects of misery: we doubtless, should hear one and another reply, “No, I never intended to come here: I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind; I thought I should contrive well for myself — I thought my scheme good. I intended to take effectual care; but it came upon me unexpected; I did not look for it at that time, and in that manner; it came as a thief — Death outwitted me: God’s wrath was too quick for me. Oh, my cursed foolishness! I was flattering myself, and pleasing myself with vain dreams of what I would do hereafter; and when I was saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction came upon me.” (Jonathan Edwards)

32.h. “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven”

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

Matthew 10:32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Being a follower of Jesus ( a faithfully surrendered humble, repentant, reliant, trusting, and obedient, heart) has brought persecution to millions of his followers. They have been driven away from their homes, banished from families, every material thing taken away, beaten, despised, murdered, slandered, lost jobs, laughed at, etc… There are those right now in countries around the world where this is commonplace. They truly are physically and mentally persecuted. There are people in these countries who honor and glorify following Jesus Christ in the face of persecution every single day. Their love for Jesus Christ and obedience to Him is greater than life apart from Him, no matter the physical or mental cost to them this side of eternity. There is nothing like persecution to weed out true followers from those who are not.

It is hard to fully understand this type of faithful trust, surrender, and obedience in what we call civilized countries where persecution is nothing more than a strange look or comment from unbelievers. This is not persecution. When life is somewhat easy and prosperous and there is no challenge to a person’s faith, it is easy to be very complacent and neglectful in our Christian walk. In fact, there is little evidence we are even Christian. Are we so blinded by cultural and social norms that we are not even aware that we outwardly deny Christ by the way we live?

Each individual Christian life should supply enough evidence – evidence that can be seen by the world – that they are indeed Christians. It is to be feared that many modern Christians if arrested for the crime of following Jesus and tried in a court, would have the charges dismissed for a lack of evidence. (Guzik)

We should examine our hearts and minds in light of, does my life honor and glorify Jesus Christ in such a way that if obedient following Him became a crime punishable by death, I would be the first arrested? Or, is it more than likely they would just pass me by not even giving me a second look? How shameful would this be? How many will enter eternity saying Lord, Lord, only to hear in response, “depart from Me, I never knew you”?

28.c. “Working as to the Lord and not to man”

Ephesians 6:5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

All our work is really done unto the Lord, not unto man. “Grace makes us the servants of God while still we are the servants of men: it enables us to do the business of heaven while we are attending to the business of earth: it sanctifies the common duties of life by showing us how to perform them in the light of heaven.” (Spurgeon)

I have to say my father did a great job of raising us. He taught us to work. I am not quite sure how he did this because at the time we certainly were not saying thanks dad for making us do what seems meaningless. At ten years old he stopped our ten cents per week allowance and said you are old enough to work for your own money. This meant a 7 day per week morning paper route, mowing lawns in the summer, raking lawns in the fall, and shoveling snow in the winter. I certainly did not think all of this was fun when friends of mine were out doing kid stuff. But over my life, I have seen both those who love to work and those who do not. It is good to have a mind that enjoys work. There is no task too big, no work too hard, no weather too bad. It allows us to face work with desire rather than dread. But still, there is something missing. Work as if onto the Lord. We have all had jobs that seemed to suck the life out of us – why is that? The task, the supervisor, our attitude can all rob us of the joy we can find in work. Yet Paul says even if you are a slave you should work as if it is onto the Lord and in this, you will have the right attitude, inner peace, and a reward. With the right attitude/reason all work can be rejoiced in.

25.t. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him”

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

1 John 2:26   I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

Jude 1:4     For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:2   Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Galations 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Titus 1:10-11    For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers,

When a person encounters Jesus, it should be life-changing. They should be changed, born again, made new, a new creation. They were once in darkness but now they are in the light. They once stumbled around in darkness but now all that they stumbled around in has been exposed for what it is. The light of Jesus Christ has opened their eyes. In Christ, the Word of God will give light onto our path, a purpose for living, power to overcome works of darkness, courage to live in light, and strength to overcome influences of darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. When we choose to close our eyes to the light of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, we will stumble in darkness. We will not be able to discern works of darkness. We can not discern the works of darkness we are easily influenced into believing they are proper, right, and ok to do. We need to stop living in the darkness. “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46. Study God’s Word, and apply it to your life. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105. How can you follow the light if you don’t turn it on? The Holy Spirit lives in each and every Christian. He is our guide in following God’s instructions, but we can hinder him. “Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19. Don’t let the Light of God be dim in your life. Stand firm on His Word every day. Do not become complacent or neglectful in His Word. I fear many are walking in darkness because of this. The light of God’s Word should be bright in your life, exposing all of it to His holiness and righteousness. It is in this light we are able to find purpose and meaning – living to humbly serve, follow, obey, trust, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ every “Light-Filled” moment of our lives this side of eternity.

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.

21.d. “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Romans 13:11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Matthew 16:3   And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Matthew 24:42-44    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3    Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Revelation 22:12   “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

Revelation 22:20   He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Matthew 25:5-7   As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

Mark 13:35-37   Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—  lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

1 Corinthians 15:34  Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31   This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short.

2 Peter 3:13-15   But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

Because we know the danger of the times and we anticipate the soon return of Jesus, we should be all the more energetic and committed to a right walk with God instead of a sleep-walk with God. People talk in their sleep, walk in their sleep, hear things in their sleep, and even think in their sleep (dreaming). We can do many religious or things that seem right in our own eyes and still be asleep toward God, it is important for every Christian to make sure they are truly awake and active in their life before God. (Guzik)

It is a very dangerous state of mind to be in, seemingly being awake. People who see you might even think you are awake. You do things that would give the appearance that you are awake. You say things that sound like you are awake. But in all truth and reality, you are asleep in and to things of God. When we sleep we are resting our bodies and mind. While we sleep we are not aware of things that happen or that have happened. We can wake to find a severe storm has come and gone in the night. How many times have you heard, “I slept right through it”? “Didn’t hear a thing.” We may even say that it was a good night’s sleep. We may say that we slept like a baby. Though our mortal minds and bodies need sleep and rest, our spiritual should never be in that state. From the morning to evening our spiritual awareness should never be found asleep. “Study God’s Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night…”, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.” “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”

What are the signs of being asleep? Neglect, complacency, paying little to no attention, disregard, ignore, set aside, lazy, self-worth, self-reliance, pride, contentment, carelessness, self-contentment. When we are asleep to things of God and the Word of God we become more and more spiritually unaware. What we do, what we say, and what we think looks like those who, for all practical application, are in a comma concerning things of God and His Word. Though our fleshly bodies and minds need sleep our spiritual lives do not and should not ever be in the state of sleep. Jesus gave warnings about being found asleep when He returns. Paul gave warnings about being found asleep and gave encouraging words to stand fast, remain true, every grown in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus, continually be looking and anticipating Christ’s return. The day is coming. Jesus is returning. Will He find you asleep?