"We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, 'I know Him,' but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him; Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:3-6 (NIV)
Although the particular audience was not identified, this general epistle written by the Apostle John, was a call to return to the fundamentals of their faith. His concern was with their obedience to God's commands.
It is easy to claim to be a Christian, especially today when there are no serious consequences beyond the effect on one's popularity. The challenge is to live like a Christian, not just saying that we are one. Avoiding or resisting the sinful temptations that we used to give in to. Holding our tongue instead of saying something hurtful. Demonstrating love for our fellow man when we are being shown something other than that. Sharing with others when we do not have very much ourselves. Being kind to someone even when we know that it is being mistaken for weakness. Telling the truth even when it makes us look bad when telling a lie would make us appear much better than actually we are. Speaking like our pastor is present when we are talking with our non-Christian friends. Taking the time, before we act or speak, to ask ourselves: "What would Christ do or say in this situation?" None of us is perfect, and we will never be, but we need to do a better job of walkng the Christian walk and not just talking the talk.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
We Reap What We Sow
"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please The Spirit, from The Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
In giving guidance to the Galatian Christians, the Apostle Paul told them that whatever they sow, that is what they will reap. If all they do is sin, then their sins will destroy them. Only those who's efforts are to please The Holy Spirit will enjoy the benefits of eternal life.
The choices and the lifestyle that we lead will determine how we will spend eternity. As we sow, so shall we also reap. When we continue to follow our sinful desires, what are we saying to God? How can we truly love Him and continually disobey Him? It is time for some serious reflection and alteration of our behavior. Don't just read the Bible, live it and do what it teaches.
In giving guidance to the Galatian Christians, the Apostle Paul told them that whatever they sow, that is what they will reap. If all they do is sin, then their sins will destroy them. Only those who's efforts are to please The Holy Spirit will enjoy the benefits of eternal life.
The choices and the lifestyle that we lead will determine how we will spend eternity. As we sow, so shall we also reap. When we continue to follow our sinful desires, what are we saying to God? How can we truly love Him and continually disobey Him? It is time for some serious reflection and alteration of our behavior. Don't just read the Bible, live it and do what it teaches.
Friday, October 5, 2012
The Days Of Our Lives
"All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away ... Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom ... Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble." Psalms 90:9-15 (NIV)
This psalm is the only one that was written by Moses. It is a prayer which primarily focuses on the wrath of God, and here he makes reference to the brevity of man's life because of God's wrath. He prays that God will help them to appreciate the time that they are alive that they may learn from them. Then he asks God to grant them as many days of happiness equal to the days they have endured suffering wandering in the wilderness.
Today, life is short, especially when compared to the life spand of seven, eight, and nine hundred years lived by the men in Adam's family. (Genesis chapter 5) Additionally, most of the of our lives we spend suffering from one thing or another. Anyway, the prayer is still appropriate, we need God's help in order to appreciate the days of our lives and to learn from them. As for his second request, God has already blessed us with this. We have more good days than we do bad days, we just do not always appreciate the good days or we take them for granted. So as the gospel song goes "... when I look around, and I think things over; all of my good days outweigh my bad days, I won't complain ... The Lord has been so good to me ... I just want to say 'Thank you, Lord', I won't complain."
This psalm is the only one that was written by Moses. It is a prayer which primarily focuses on the wrath of God, and here he makes reference to the brevity of man's life because of God's wrath. He prays that God will help them to appreciate the time that they are alive that they may learn from them. Then he asks God to grant them as many days of happiness equal to the days they have endured suffering wandering in the wilderness.
Today, life is short, especially when compared to the life spand of seven, eight, and nine hundred years lived by the men in Adam's family. (Genesis chapter 5) Additionally, most of the of our lives we spend suffering from one thing or another. Anyway, the prayer is still appropriate, we need God's help in order to appreciate the days of our lives and to learn from them. As for his second request, God has already blessed us with this. We have more good days than we do bad days, we just do not always appreciate the good days or we take them for granted. So as the gospel song goes "... when I look around, and I think things over; all of my good days outweigh my bad days, I won't complain ... The Lord has been so good to me ... I just want to say 'Thank you, Lord', I won't complain."
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Didn't Get The Position Or Promotion You Wanted?
"No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges; He brings one down, He exalts another." Psalms 75:6-7 (NIV)
The Psalmist makes the point that God is the judge. It is He that can exalt a man or put him down.
A lot of us complain because we did not get the position or promotion that we feel that we deserved. We fail to realize that God is in charge, that is who we are working for, and He is the one who judges us. He decides who He wants to promote or demote. Maybe we need to please Him more and "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
The Psalmist makes the point that God is the judge. It is He that can exalt a man or put him down.
A lot of us complain because we did not get the position or promotion that we feel that we deserved. We fail to realize that God is in charge, that is who we are working for, and He is the one who judges us. He decides who He wants to promote or demote. Maybe we need to please Him more and "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Our Words Can Condemn Us
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:35-37 (NIV)
Speaking directly to the Pharisees, and probably indirectly to the surrounding multitude, Jesus The Christ said good things come out of good men and bad things come out of bad men. On judgement day, all men will have to give an account for every spoken word, and by their words they will be justified or condemned.
We need to be very careful about what we say. Our words are very powerful, not only for their effect on others but also for their future effect on us on judgement day. Good people say good things to other people. If what we are about to say is not going to help someone, educate them, correct them (in a loving manner), or direct them to Christ, then we probably ought to be quiet.
Speaking directly to the Pharisees, and probably indirectly to the surrounding multitude, Jesus The Christ said good things come out of good men and bad things come out of bad men. On judgement day, all men will have to give an account for every spoken word, and by their words they will be justified or condemned.
We need to be very careful about what we say. Our words are very powerful, not only for their effect on others but also for their future effect on us on judgement day. Good people say good things to other people. If what we are about to say is not going to help someone, educate them, correct them (in a loving manner), or direct them to Christ, then we probably ought to be quiet.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
We Need Protection And Help
"Finally, be strong in The Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of The Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in The Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
Paul told the people that they needed God's protection and help because they were fighting against powers and evil spiritual forces that are much more powerful than they are. Only with the full armor of God and prayer will they be protected.
The devil and his demons are powerful and we cannot stand against them without God's help. We need God's truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and The Word of God in order to survive. And we need to pray and ask for God's help for ourselves and for others as we deal with our struggles as we stand for Him. We cannot make it without Him.
Paul told the people that they needed God's protection and help because they were fighting against powers and evil spiritual forces that are much more powerful than they are. Only with the full armor of God and prayer will they be protected.
The devil and his demons are powerful and we cannot stand against them without God's help. We need God's truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and The Word of God in order to survive. And we need to pray and ask for God's help for ourselves and for others as we deal with our struggles as we stand for Him. We cannot make it without Him.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Walk Worthy Love One Another
"As a prisoner for The Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of The Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Ephesus to let their behavior reflect that they were followers of Christ. He told them to be humble, to be patient with one another, and to live in love with all of God's people.
We should not only "talk the talk" but we should also "walk the walk." Our actions and speech should be consistent with our Christian beliefs. We are to demonstrate love one to another. I do not mean lustful "love"or romantic "love" (eros); or the "love" of family (storge); or the "love" of a friend (philia). I mean the kind of "love" that God shows towards us (agape), that unchanging, self-giving, sacrificial love that sets Christians apart from the rest of the world. Let us pray for His help to love one another as Christ loves us.
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Ephesus to let their behavior reflect that they were followers of Christ. He told them to be humble, to be patient with one another, and to live in love with all of God's people.
We should not only "talk the talk" but we should also "walk the walk." Our actions and speech should be consistent with our Christian beliefs. We are to demonstrate love one to another. I do not mean lustful "love"or romantic "love" (eros); or the "love" of family (storge); or the "love" of a friend (philia). I mean the kind of "love" that God shows towards us (agape), that unchanging, self-giving, sacrificial love that sets Christians apart from the rest of the world. Let us pray for His help to love one another as Christ loves us.
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