Follower of the Way

Thought for Today - Faith, Hope and Love

I Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Romans 5:1-5 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^[ have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

I John 2:5-6

but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

I John 2:15-16

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

I John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

I John 3:18

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth

I John 3:23

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

I Corinthians 13:4-8a

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends.

Matthew 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Thought for Today - May we set our minds on things above

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.   Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Readings for further study:

Matthew 6:19-34

I John 2:15-17

 

Thought for Today -- Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked

1 John 2:4-6 (ESV)
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

When we walk as Christ walked the fruit of the spirit will be evident in our life - love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Do we show patience with others?  Do we seek to show kindness in every action of our life?  Are our intentions the best for everyone we meet?  Are we more concerned about the needs of others over our own?

Christ is our example and our goal in life is to seek to follow the example of Christ.  May we seek to “walk in the same way in which he walked.”  May we show the love of God in our life, in every action we take.  When are focused on serving others and showing the light of God in our lifes our motives will be pure and actions will be those that will direct others to God.  May our constant prayer be that the light of God’s word will shine in our every action giving glory to God.

Thought for Today - Love Mercy

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

 

Matthew 9:13

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

 

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

 

James 2:13

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

Read Luke 10:25-37 and Matthew 18:21-35

Thought for Today - Pursue Peace

Romans 14:18-19(ESV) 

Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

2 Timothy 2:21-23(ESV)

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,^[a] he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

 

I Peter 3:8-17 (ESV)

 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.   Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;

 let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Reading for Today - Mark 15:1-20 - What evil has he done?

Mark 15:1-20 (ESV)
And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.  And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”  And the chief priests accused him of many things.  And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.”  But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.  Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.  And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.  And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.  And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”  For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.  And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”  And they cried out again, “Crucify him.”  And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”  So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion.  And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.  And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

Reading for Today - Acts 21:17-26 - What then is to be done?

Acts 21:17-26 (ESV)
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.  On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.  After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.  What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.  Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.  But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”  Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.

Paul was concerned about his example and how it affected others.  Paul would gladly give up his liberty to serve others due to concern for the soul and conscience of others as long as it did not cause him to go against the word of God.  We too should have the attitude of Paul and be willing to give up our liberty to serve others due to concern for the soul of conscience of others.

Reading for Today - I Timothy 4:6-16 - for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way

1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV)

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.   Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.  For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.  Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.   Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Let us never forget that studying God's word "holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come".  May we follow the words of Paul to Timothy and

1)  Set our hop on the living God

2)  Be an example in Speech

3)  Be an example in Conduct

4)  Be an example in Love

5)   Be an example in Faith

6)  Be an example in Purity

 

Reading for Today - Colossians 2:16-3:17 - whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus

Colossians 2:16-3:17 (ESV) Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.  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, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.  If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—  “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings.  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.   Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.   And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Reading for Today - Romans 12:1-21 - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice

Romans 12:1-21 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.   Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Submitting our lives to God is spiritual worship.  God desires for us to live our lives as a living sacrifice.  God desires that we live a life that is holy.  Paul urges Christians to not be conformed to the world, but instead to be transformed.  Christ came to this earth and lived a life of service, should we not be about the same?  Each of us needs to use the talents God has given to us for his service.  Each of us have different talents and abilities.  We should never feel ashamed if we have less talents than another.  We should only be ashamed if we are not using the talents God has given us to His glory.  As Paul closes chapter 12 of Romans he lists so very basic principles of living the Christian life;

1)       Live in harmony with one another

2)      Do not be haughty

3)      Never be wise in your own sight

4)      Repay no one evil for evil

5)      Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all

6)      As far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all

7)      Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God

8)      If your enemy is hungry, feed him

9)      Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Reading for Today - Romans 1:1-15

Romans 1:1-15 (ESV)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul looked forward to being with the Christians in Rome.  Paul wanted to encourage them, but he too wanted to encouraged by being with them.  Can you imagine the great challenges that face those who choose to be Christians in Rome.  Many in the Roman government and in Rome thought of Christians as trouble makers because they did not know the truth about Christianity.  When something bad would happen the Roman citizens would blame the Christians because they would not worship the local gods and this made the Romans feel that the gods were punishing them because the Christians would not appease them.  Yet in the capital of Rome, under persecution, the church grew.  Paul prayed for the brethren at Rome and was thankful for the example of their faith.  Paul noted that their faith was "proclaimed in all the world".

Our example can be a great encouragement to others.  We don't suffer the persecution that Christians suffered, but we are looked down upon by many because we will voice moral wrongs and stand up for truth.  The book of Romans addresses how we can be in the world, but not of the World.  There are many things for us to think about our example and Christian life in this world as we study Romans.  We should be thankful that we know Christ.  We should be thankful we can be counted as Christians.  We should be thankful for the examples of others and the encourage they provide in our life and we should seek to be an encourage to others as they seek to follow after Christ.

Let us Pray that we may encourage others and they we will have strong Christians in our life that will encourage us.

Let us Pray that are faith will be seen and that it will lead others to Christ.

Let us Pray that we will let God use us in the harvest.  May we seek lost souls.  May we preach and teach the word by our example and action.

Lights in the World - Reading for Today - Matthew 5:17-7:28

           We are to be a light to the world and the salt of the earth and Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount some very practical ways in which we should be different.  Christ did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it and in Him we have a new law of the heart.  Today the why of what we do is just as important as the what.  It is not good enough to just do right; we must also do what we do for the right reasons.  Christ illustrates this in several examples in the Sermon on the Mount.

            We should be those who share our faith and live daily as Christ would want us to.  Our faith should manifest itself in action.  The Pharisees were criticized because they appeared very religious on the outside, but inwardly were very cold — lacking mercy, justice and faith.  We need to be those who are different.  We should not have hate or have anger toward a brother, and if we do we should seek immediately to take care of getting rid of that hate.  God does not want us to come before him with hatred in our hearts.  Christ said that hating our brother is the same as murder and we know that no murderers will be in heaven.

            Our life in Christ should also cause us to think differently.   One example of this that Christ noted was that a man should not lust after a woman because if he did he had already committed adultery in his heart.  Additionally, our desires to do right, as well as our love for God, should cause us to do everything within our power to put those things which hinder us from living as God would want us to out of our life.  Christ emphasized this when he said, “if your right eye offend thee, pluck it out”.  This doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted.  An evil thought could come to our mind, but our trained conscience should confront it immediately and dismiss the thought as wrong.

            Our word should be true, our yes should mean yes and our no should mean no.  Christians should be the most honest people there are.  As Christians we should be those who are willing to go the extra mile, we should be those who pray for our enemies and who do good to those who wrong us.  You can see how very different our lives should be compared to the world.   As we do good, we do not do it to be seen by men, but we do it to please our heavenly Father. We do good because we love God, we do not do good to others because they have already done so for us.  We do not love men because they love us.  Today, the world does good to those who do good to them and loves those who love them, our lives in Christ should show how great our love is, by our compassion for the needs of all men. 

    God loves us and we should seek his will and remember that he has promised to see us through.  Christ reminds us that God takes care of the birds of the field and that he will care for us.  If our fathers on earth cares for our needs how much more will our heavenly Father?  We should not be those who build our storehouses on earth.  Our storehouse of treasure should be in Heaven; because, if we have laid up our treasure in Heaven no man can take that treasure from us.

            If we seek God’s desires for our life we will be blessed and can stand temptation and trial.  This doesn’t mean life will be easy as the world sees it.  It is promised that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  Seeking God in all we do we allow us to have the greatest inner peace, inner joy, and inner love on this earth and the reward of being in the presence of God for eternity in Heaven.  Our love for God should manifest itself in action.  Christ closes this sermon illustrating that if we hear and do God’s word we have a foundation that will stand the tests of time and weather, but if we do not the will of the Father we have no hope in time of trouble.  Let each of us build on the rock. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Are you rejoicing? Christians should have great joy and hope. To be in Christ. To have the hope of Heaven. To know the love of God. All of these things should give us great joy. We should be ever thankful that God sent His son to die for us. We should be grateful and in awe that God has called us to be his children.

Are you reasonable? We need to be thoughtful in how we deal with others. We shouldn't try others or be unreasonable in how we deal with others. Christians should be known for being even tempered and fair in their dealings with others. We need to reasonable about our expectations in life. We need to be reasonable in what we expect of ourselves and what we expect of others.

Are you anxious? We need to turn our concerns over to God. That doesn't mean we don't plan and that doesn't mean we do not take action. Christians are prepared people who are thoughtful. What it does mean is that when we are beset with things we cannot control and things that we do not understand the outcome we can trust that everything will be ok from a Heavenly perspective. God has promised us that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. God cares about us. God has told us that all things work together for good to them that love him and are called according to his purpose. In all this we should take comfort in challenging times. We should always be praying and when we are facing challenges we should be talking to our Heavenly Father about these. We should be able to be at peace even as we go through these challenges because of the many promises we have from God and our hope of Heaven.

Paul encouraged the Philippian brethren to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We are what we think. If we focus on bad things they will overtake our life. If we focus on that which is good it will fill our life. Many times how we think about a situation significantly impacts the outcome. How we view another individual influences our interaction with them. It is important for us to think about how we can influence others for good. How we can live a life that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If we both think on these things and practice these things in our lives we will bring honor to God and we can be at peace knowing we are doing what we can to live a life pleasing to God and living a life shining the light of God to others.

Our Citizenship is in Heaven

Philippians 3:17-21 (ESV) Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Is your citizenship in Heaven? We need to be those who are following the example of Christ. Paul urged the Philippians to imitate him as he followed Christ. People should be able to see Christ in us. The world follows after their fleshly desires and is focused on the things of this world. We need to be those who have our mind set on Heavenly things.

We have a lot to be hopeful and thankful for as Christians. Our goal and focus should be on Heavenly things. Our daily goal should be to grow to be more like Christ in every way.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:2-16 (ESV)

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 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— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Christ is our righteousness. We were unworthy and Christ paid the price that we could be redeemed. Our confidence should be in Christ.

Everything is worthless in comparison to knowing Christ. We should be willing to give up everything to gain Christ.

Paul had not obtained and was not already perfect. Paul realized that he needed to keep pressing on. If Paul had to press on how much more do we need to press on.

Reminders are good

Philippians 3:1 (ESV) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

How do you feel when someone reminds you of something? Are you glad to be reminded? Does it bother you to be reminded? Paul wrote to the Philippians that for him to write the same things to them was not trouble for him. In fact, Paul wrote that not only was it not trouble, it was safe.

We need to have the same attitude about reminders. We need to see that it is not trouble and it is safe for us. We need to hear God's word over and over. We need reminders that keep us safe. It is so easy to be distracted by the world. We need to be thankful when people take time to remind of things that will help us be better Christians and remind of things that will keep us from evil.

The next time someone reminds you of something remember what Paul said - that it "is safe for you".

Among Whom You Shine as Lights in the World

Philippians 2:12-18 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

How strong is your faith in God? Do you trust his goodness? Do you trust his love? Do you believe God wants what is best for you? Those of us who have children understand that our children don't always see things as their parents do. Parents want what is best for their children, but children don't always see this. God does want what is best for us. This doesn't mean life will be easy. This doesn't mean that God will stop bad things from happening to us. What is does mean is we need to trust God because he has promised us that all things can work together for good for those who love him and who are following his will.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We need to see every challenging moment as a way to build faith. We need to see every blessing as an opportunity to show gratitude to God and ask how we can use this blessing to be a blessing to others. Paul noted that all things should be done without grumbling or disputing. When things are hard, it is easy to grumble and fight. Satan wants us to give up when it gets hard and wants us to doubt. We need to be those who even in the hardest of times stand by our faith. In the hardest times we need to pull together. Our faith and Christian example will shine as a light to the world drawing them to Christ. Our example of faith will influence others to seek the faith that we have in Christ. We do not always know how our life can influence another life for good. We do not know the type of soil that another heart is. All we can do is sow the Gospel and allow the word of God to work in the hearts of men. All we can do is be the example to others that Christ would want us to be.

For to me to live is Christ

Philippians 1:21-26 (ESV) 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. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Paul had a desire to be with Christ, but Paul also had a strong desire to remain in this world so that he could build up the his fellow Christians and reach out to the lost. Paul wrote to the Philippians that he desired to depart, but for him to remain in the flesh was more necessary for them. We should feel the same way. The sinful ways of the world are so contrary to God. The world is no comparison to the glory God has prepared for those who love him. Yet, as Christians we should have the desire that Paul had to remain so that we can build up our family in Christ and be an aid in the progress and faith of others.

If we don't feel this struggle we need to stop and think about our priorities and what we value. Do we value this world too much? Are we too interested in the ways of the world? Do we care enough about others? Are we focused on serving others?

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more

Philippians 1:3-11 (ESV) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul in his epistles lists many things he prayed for the congregations he wrote. For the Philippians Paul prayed for many things. Paul prayed that their love may abound, that their love may abound with knowledge, that their love may abound with discernment. Paul prayed for these things with the goal that they would be able to approve what was excellent, that they would be pure and blameless, and that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness. We should want the same things in our life.

In all things we need our love to abound. The attitude of love should prevail in how we approach everyone. We want what is best for everyone. We are willing to sacrifice our needs for the needs of others. Our concern is for others ahead ourselves.

We need to show love based on knowledge and discernment. Sometimes love requires a gentle response while at other times it may require a harsher response. Sometimes love will cause us to do something for someone that they can do themselves and other times it causes us to allow them to do it. To be able to show love with knowledge and discernment we have to tune ourselves into the needs of the other person. To be able to show love with knowledge and discernment we need to be filled with the wisdom that is from above that comes from the Word of God.

We need to seek to live lives that are pure and blameless. Let us always check our motives and intentions. Let us always look at how what we do will be perceived. Let us always live our lives with God's Word as our standard.

Our lives should be filled with fruit. Our lives should be a blessing to others. Our lives should bring praise to God. Our lives should show the fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Philippians 2:4 (ESV) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that

James 4:13-17 (ESV) Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

We need to be careful that we put God first in our plans. It is good to make plans. James teaches his readers that as they plan they should say -- "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that". In Luke we read of the rich man who was not rich toward God. The rich man made great plans for himself, but forget to keep God in his plans.

Luke 12:15-21 (ESV)   And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Let us keep God first in all we do.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you

James 4:5-10 (ESV) Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

God loves us very much. God desires for us to be saved and to be with Him in Heaven. When we think about God giving his Son to die for us we should be impressed by the great love of God for us. Christ died for each and every one of us.

John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:10-11 (ESV) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We should always recognize that everything is God's. We should always be grateful and thankful for every moment of life. James notes several attitudes and actions we should have in our life.

We should be those who are humble. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

We should submit ourselves to God.

We should resist the devil. It is important for us to feed on the Word of God. Each time Jesus was tempted by Satan his response was "it is written". We should also remember Joseph's response when Potiphar's wife attempt to cause Joseph to sin -- "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9b). Sin always hurts our relationship with God and many sins hurt our relationship with our fellow man. May we seek to know God's word and will by studying the Bible so that we can seek to live a life pleasing to him and be ready to answer "It is written".

We should draw near to God. When we are seeking God it is harder to fall into sin. If we have put our focus on His word and his will. If we value our relationship with God more than anything else. If God's will is number one in our life we will be growing closer to Him.

We should purify our hearts. When we are seeking after what is good and desiring to follow in the way of God we will seek to avoid things that will distract us from this goal. There are certain things in this world that do not help us in living a pure life. There will be things we will not do. There will be things we will not watch. There will be things we do not want to listen to. We are in the world and we need to be in the world so that we can share the good word with others. God is not calling us to live a life of seclusion. We do need to be thoughtful of what we partake of in the world. We need to think about how things can affect our soul and how our example could impact other's lives. We need to live our lives as a living sacrifice and seek daily to renew our mind in the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere

James 3:13-18 (ESV) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Much of the book of James relates how we should be different from the World. God's ways and the ways of sin are opposed to each other. James lists several traits that we should have as a Christian -- peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, full of good fruits, impartial and sincere. These traits are in direct opposition to the evil characteristics that James mentions in this passage -- jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting and false to the truth. When those evil characteristics are in our life there will be "disorder and every vile practice" as James mentions.

Let us be those who seek peace. If we seek to have the good traits James mentions in this passage we will be promoting peace. Christians should be the best friends, workers, bosses, business owners, leaders, followers, and citizens. Our lives should be lives that people look up to as those who seek what is best for all those around them, selflessly giving themselves, concerned for others, and diligently seeking to lead a life that brings honor to God.

Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (ESV) 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. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,  so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:2-12 (ESV) For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

What we say matters. Our words can impact lives for both good and bad. Have you ever had a bad day or needed encouragement and someone said just the right thing to you and that made all the difference? Our words can make a significant positive or negative difference. We can encourage others to follow the path of Christ or we could encourage someone to do wrong. We can encourage someone who is down or we can make their situation worse by the words be choose.

Learning to control our tongue is very important. James says that if one "does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body". James is telling his readers that when we know how to control what we say we have reached full maturity. It takes a mature person to be able to think about what they say and choose their words carefully. Many times we may feel the urge to say something without thinking or feel the need to say something for our own benefit. It takes maturity to think about the other individual and what is most important for us to say for their benefit.

Let us be careful and thoughtful in what we say. Let us remember that our tongue can quickly get us into trouble. It is very difficult to fix the damage after we say something and much better to be thoughtful about what we say. James makes the comparison of the tongue to fire and provides the example of how a great forest is set ablaze by a small fire. Just a few words can cause a great fire. Our speech is also reveals the condition of our heart. If we find ourselves creating fires around us by our speech we need to stop an examine our hearts and speech.

May we seek to use our tongue for an instrument of good. One of my favorite versus in the Bible regarding our speech is Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." The apostle Paul encourages that our speech is gracious, seasoned with salt, and that we know how to answer. In this Paul was pointing out that we should speak with grace toward others and what we say should be useful to them. May our prayer for our speech be that we always show grace in our speech and that our speech builds up, encourages, and provides others what they need in the moment.

Proverbs 15:4 (ESV)

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

James 2:14-26 (ESV) What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

It we believe the promises of God our faith should result in action. James notes that "faith without works is dead". Our faith needs to be a working faith. James points out that even the demons believe. As an example of a working faith James describes that Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac on the alter. Our faith should manifest itself in works. You can't have a saving faith and not be living a life acceptable to God. Our faith should cause action in our life that is in alignment with that faith.

Romans 6:1-23 (ESV)

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 3:23-29 (ESV) Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ

James 2:1-9 (ESV)

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

God loves each of us. God doesn't show partiality and we shouldn't either. In this passage from James the examples of the rich and the poor man are both extremes. The man wearing the gold ring and fine clothing representing someone that would be very wealthy and the poor man such as a beggar. James warned of showing special attention to the rich and make distinctions.

All of us have been made in the image of God. May we never be those who show favoritism based on physical traits, status or outward  appearances.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves

James 1:19-27 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James is a very practical book on Christian living. When we read the book of James we are given many reminders that will help us in our Christian walk to lead a life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. James encourages us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. We need to be careful to follow this advice. Many times we quickly reach conclusions or have thoughts as we hear things. Sometimes we need to think through what we are hearing before we respond. Many times when we quickly react to something we hear our speech gets us in trouble.

James also encourages us to be slow to anger. We need to be patient with others. Anger does not put us in the right state with God. The anger James is referring to here is violent and uncontrolled anger -- something that should not be a trait of a child of God.

James also encourages us to be doers and not hearers only. It is not enough to hear what we must do. It is not enough to know the will of God. We must do. If we are hearers only James warns us that we are deceiving ourselves.

Let us be those who are quick to hear. Let us be those who are slow to speak. Let us think through what we say to our fellow man and make sure that it is true, kind and necessary. If what we want to say cannot make it through those three gates (TRUE, KIND, NECESSARY) we need strongly consider why it should be said. James warns that if we cannot control our tongue we deceive our heart.

James also encourages us to be those who are taking care of the needs of the orphans and widows. God desires for those who have been blessed to help those who suffered misfortune -- especially orphans and widows.

One other encouragement that James provides in this passage is to keep unstained from the world. We should be careful what we choose to participate in and engage in the world.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God

James 1:5-8 (ESV)   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.   But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

In approaching trials and gaining steadfastness to endure trials James encouraged his readers to ask for Wisdom. Many times it can be difficult to count our trials as joy. When we look at the experience through God's wisdom we can see how these trials can make us better servants for God.

God is no respecter of persons, loves us, and wants the best for us. We must at all times remember that all things can work together for good to for those that love God (Romans 8:28) and that God will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear (I Cor. 10:13). We must look at the experiences we face and seek to understand how God can use the trial for good and look for the way of escape in temptation.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God gives liberally. James writes that God gives "without reproach". God doesn't get upset that we ask several times. God doesn't remind us of a mistake we made with something that He has provided and deny our request. God is the loving father who cares about our needs. God hears and answers as needed in the moment. An answered prayers isn't always a yes. Answered prayers come in many different responses -- no, later, something different, and yes.

We don't always like to hear no. God knows our needs and sometimes the best answer to a prayers is no. We do not have the infinite wisdom of God to be able to see what we really need. We have limited vision and we must trust when God answers our prayer with no. Sometimes we need to wait and God's answers is to wait. Other times our needs are different than what we are asking and God answers our prayer as needed.  Sometimes God surprises us and the answer is even more than we could have imagined.  Many times looking back at answered prayers that were not yes we are able to see how God provided just what was needed at the time, even though in the moment we couldn't see that.

Let us always turn our concerns over to God. Let us trust his answers to our prayers and may we always seek the wisdom from above as we face life's challenges. Our Heavenly Fathers know our needs, cares about us greatly and desires what is best for us.

Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The trials that James refers to here are the outward trials of life that we face. We may be tested to stand up for what is right. We may be ridiculed for voicing the truth. When we face these outward trials and overcome them our ability to stand again increases -- it increases our steadfastness. Each and every test we face helps us to face another challenge.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world - I John 5

1 John 5:1-4

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

Do you believe God's word? Do you believe that God loves you? Do you love God?

If you answered yes to all three of these questions you should see results in your life that show you believe. If we love God we should love those who love him. We should love his word. We should seek to do his will. What God asks of us is not too heavy. God asks for our obedience. God asks that we love our fellow man. God asks that we are just, merciful, kind, and humble. God asks that we have faith, hope and love. God asks that we show forgiveness. God asks that we care for the souls of others.

Life provides us many challenges as we seek to live the life that is pleasing to God. We need to seek help through studying the Bible and seek help through prayer. Our faith in God can give supply the victory over doubt. Faith in God gives us the ability to look past the ways of the world and to take the higher ground. When we realize the love of God for us it enables us to show that love to others.

We must never lose sight of how great God's love is for us.

By this we know love - I John chapter 3

1 John 3:11-18 (ESV)

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

John wrote much about love - God's love for us, Christ's example for us, and how we should love others. We may not like everything that people do. Sometimes our friends will disappoint us. Sometimes people close to us will hurt us by their actions. Love doesn't mean that we accept or approve of those actions. Love is how we react to all situations. Love is a choice. It is important for the Christian to make the choice to show love. John emphasizes that our love shouldn't just be words, but should manifest itself in action and be true. Christian love starts with the realization first that God loves us.  We should also realize that all men are created in the image of God. God loves everyone, and I should love everyone as well. My love for God and my fellow man causes me to be concerned for the wellbeing all men. This love will manifest itself in many different ways.

When I am wronged. I will forgive.

When I see a need. I will help to the extent I able.

When I see someone doing something that will endanger their soul. I will correct.

When I see someone in sorrow. I will comfort.

When someone receives a blessing. I will rejoice.

When I know something I could do would cause another to stumble. I will refrain.

Like Christ I will put others needs ahead of my own. My goal is Heaven and my desire is that all men can share the joy of Heaven with our Heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)   Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (ESV)   So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.   Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)   For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:35 (ESV) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil - I John Chapter 3

1 John 3:3-10 (ESV)   And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.   Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.   You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.   No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him - I John

1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  

We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world.  Our strongest desires should be for the word of God, to Worship God, to have fellowship with those that Love God, and long to be in the Heaven.

Think about what your strongest desires and wishes are -- do they show your priorities are for that which is spiritual?  If not, I urge you to get into the word of God. 

We know from Romans 10:17 that faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.  It is God's word that will nourish us and help us to become more like his Son.  We should also take our concern to God in prayer and ask his help as we seek to follow His word and way for our life.  We should also seek the encouragement of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help us keep our focus on the right things.

Additionally, we should be focusing on helping others to follow Christ and subordinate our needs and desires to help others.  It is important to keep in mind that we do not live for the here and now but for the there and then.

John further wrote in I John 2:17 - "the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

God's word and will are eternal.  This world is passing away.  All that is in the world is decaying and one day God will destroy the entire world.  We must keep this in perspective.  Having this understanding will help us keep our priorities straight.  We need to make sure we truly desire God's word that will grow deeper in our faith and understanding.  We need to make sure our first desires are spiritual.  We need to make sure we aren't in love with the world.

We can't even begin to imagine or comprehend how great the blessings are that our God has prepared for us.  We need to make sure we are not fooled by the world into focusing on "having everything the world has to offer".  Our treasure is in Heaven and as such we can see past the glitter of what this world has to offer.  We know that what the world has to offer is worthless and foolishness in comparison to what God has promised us.  We know that worldly desires - "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life" are desires that we should flee from.  Only by filling our life with Christ and filling our life full of Godly desires can we overcome the world.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.   Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.   Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.   Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

James 1:14-22 (ESV)

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.   Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.   Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.   Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

The Love of a Christian - I John Chapter 2 and 3

1 John 2:7-11 (ESV)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:15-18 (ESV)

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

In John 15:12 We reach that Jesus told his disciples to love another,  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John in I John wrote that we should have love and not hate.    The Greek word for hate translated in I John 2 would mean any degree of hate.  We need to follow after the example of Christ in showing love to all men.  Christ gave himself for us when we were unworthy and lost in sin.  We were separated from God and yet Christ was willing to die for us to reconcile us back to God.  When we consider the grace and love that God has shown us we should be compelled to show grace and love to those around us.

My favorite passage when thinking about the attributes of the love of a Christian is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love is patient. Our love should endure all things and time does not change our love. Our love should allow us to show kindness to others. Our love should cause us to want the best for others and even want them to have the best. When we love someone we want to do everything we can for them, we want them to have our best. When we love someone we rejoice in their success. The success of the ones we love does not make us feel of ourselves or less for them, but rather joy and appreciation for them. Love doesn’t get irritated or resentful. Love doesn’t rejoice in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love allows us to bear all challenges. Love allows us to look for the best in those we love. Love for another allows us to give everything we have, expecting nothing in return, seeking the best for those whom we love. Developing this kind of love, the love Paul wrote about in I Corinthians 13 should be the goal for each of us in our life for everyone. When we show this type of love in our marriage, in our families, in the church, and to all those around us there will be “no cause for stumbling” in us as John wrote about. Christ was the ultimate example of a life of love in action. If we seek to have our love to imitate the love God and Christ have shown us we will be well pleasing to our Heavenly Father. When we are having difficulty showing love to others we should remember our Savior’s example. We should also turn to prayer when we feel our love challenged. At those times we should pray for strength and pray for those whom we are having difficulty showing the love of Christ too.

John 13:35 (ESV)  

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

"Walk in the Same Way in which He Walked" - I John Chapter 2

1 John 2:1-6 (ESV)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.   He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.   And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.   Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Walking in the Light – I John Chapter 1

1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Our God is light.  Truly God is awesome and wonderful.  Our God desires that we stay away from evil.  We cannot serve both God and man.  This does not mean we do not make mistakes.  In fact, John teaches us that is we walk in the light “the blood of Jesus . . . cleanses us from all sin.”  We need to seek each day to practice righteous living.  When we do make mistakes our conscience should bother us and cause us to repent.  We should be seeking each day to grow in Christ.

We should be grateful that we have such a loving God that will forgive us if we are willing to repent and following after his will.  We have a loving God that desires what is best for us and desires to see us living righteously.  We should take comfort in these words of John and may they spur us on to seek to live a life that bring glory to our Father in Heaven.

The Bible is the Inspired Word of God - II Peter

II Peter 1:16-2:3 (ESV)

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 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.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

The Bible is the inspired word of God.  We see from these verses in II Peter that the scripture was written as men were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  When we read the Bible it is important to recognize it is God’s word.

Peter warns that false prophets and teachers would come among the believers.  He mentions that they would secretly come in brining destructive teachings.  It is critical for us to examine what we hear others teach.  We need to be certain it is based on God’s word.  We need to be like those in Thessalonica mentioned in Acts that, “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

We need to be those who know the Bible.  The Bible is God’s message for us.  Because we love God we should be those who desire to read his message to us.  The Bible reveals God’s will and desire for our lives.  The Bible teaches us how we can be pleasing to God.  Let us always be sure that what we are being taught and what we believe is in accordance with the Bible.

 

II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

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.

Growing in Christ - II Peter Chapter 1

II Peter 1:5-11 (ESV) 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. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Because of the great promises that God has given us we should be working at growing. As Christians we should be constantly striving to grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, and brotherly affection with love. Peter tells us that if we possess these qualities and are growing in them we will be effective and fruitful in the Kingdom of God.

When we look at vs. 5 we see Peter's exhortation to make every effort. Yet, while we are making every effort to grow in these traits, what we do only comes along side what God has already done for us. We should always be humbled by the great love God has for us. Jesus paid the debt of our sin. Yet we must live after the example of Christ to be pleasing to God. There are many references in the New Testament teaching us to give our all in pursuit of the Christian life.

Faith is a key element in being pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)   And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

It is our active and living faith that shows we believe God and are following after him. The Hebrew writer noted that to be pleasing to God we must both believe in Him and believe that He rewards those that seek Him. We must be those who are seeking God according to His will.

Faith is the foundation for all of the other characteristics we should have in our life.

Virtue is the determination to do what is right.

Knowledge, as referenced in these verses, is the discrimination to know right and wrong. We need to be sure we are training our conscience to ensure that we hate evil and love good. Is important to note that while we hate evil and love good, we love the souls of all men. We may not like that actions that people take; however, we are all made in the image of God and we desire that all men would come to know God's word and will and seek to follow it. Because of our love for our fellow man we will teach them about God's word and we will bring sin to their attention. We do this because we love their souls. We will speak out against evil and sin because we care for the spiritual wellbeing of others.

Self-Control is keeping our actions and speech under control. We have the power to choose how we react to people, conditions, and events. When we use this power of choice we are exercising self-control.

Steadfastness is resistance to evil and bearing under evil, persecution and challenging circumstance. Steadfastness will build patience.

Godliness is humble reverence and deep piety toward God.

Micah 6:8 (ESV)   He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Brotherly affection is love for the brethren. One of my favorite scriptures describing the qualities of the love of a Christian is I Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

The qualities that Peter mentions in II Peter chapter 1 should be ever increasing in our lives. We need to be asking ourselves frequently -

Am I a stronger Christian today than I was a month ago, a year ago, five years ago, and when I first obeyed God's call?

Am I bearing fruit (Fruit of the Spirit)?

Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we are growing and living in these Christian graces we will be living in a way that brings honor to God and is pleasing to him.

I Peter 4:1-11

1 Peter 4:1-11 (ESV)  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.   Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Be a Blessing and Pursue Peace - More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 3

1 Peter 3:8-11 (ESV) Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it."

Peter mentions some very important traits we want to have in our life in I Peter chapter 3 -- "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind."

How do we create unity in mind? Unity in Christ can only be found when those that love him seek to know his word and live by it. The unity of the Bible is unity that is built upon the word of God. The unity that Peter writes of is a unity that is both united in mind and purpose. To build that unity of mind we need to be those who study God's word and study it with each other that we may grow into the Unity of mind based on what God has provided in his word.

How do we show sympathy? Sympathy is truly caring about others. It causes us to feel the pain and joy for others. It causes us to want to take action.

How do we show brotherly love? In Christ we are family. We are God's children. We should treat each other with the love we would show to a brother or sister.

How do we have a tender heart? Are we concerned when we see needs? Are we disturbed by wrong? Do we rejoice when good things happen?

How do we show a humble mind? When we realize every blessing we have is from God how can we not but be humbled. Christ gave his life for us. All that we have is from God. With that perspective we realize we are insignificant and unworthy -- yet God has shown us mercy, provided us blessings, and provided a promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his promise. When I think about all God has done for me and how much he loves me it should help me to have a humble mind. When I think about my Savior's sacrifice it should cause me to have a humble mind. With a humble mind I will put others first.

As part of showing a humble mind we should be those who bless. We bless even we have been shown evil. Peter writes, "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling". The way of the world is to get even and to get someone back. That is not the way we should live. Instead of getting even Peter encourages us to BLESS.

When we are working to have "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind" we will be better able to bless others and to pursue peace.

More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 2 - We are to be Different from the World.

We are to be different from the world.  Peter mentions in chapter two of I Peter that we are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession".  We have been called out of this world to proclaim the good news. Because we are to be different Peter urges his readers to abstain from the "passions of the flesh". We need to be careful how we live in this world. Peter sums up how we should deal with others by saying, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

Christians should be the best citizens, best neighbors, best friends, best spouse, best parents. Our example could impact others. How we react to others could either be a help or a hindrance to them. Peter mentions that we should "live as people who are free, not using . . . freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." Why is our example so important? Peter wrote, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Some commentators have suggested that the reference to them glorifying God on the day of visitation could be a reference to those in the world coming to know the truth. Many a preacher has commented that we are the only Bible some people will ever read. Our example may cause someone to come to a knowledge of God and his will. We should never underestimate how God can use us in someone's life.

Because of the importance of our example Peter tells servants to be subject to their masters and even went as far to say to be subject to both the just and the unjust. The ultimate example of suffering unjustly is our savior -- Jesus Christ. Peter reminds how we should follow after the example of Christ and "follow in his steps."

Paul also encouraged his readers to have the mind of Christ and to be concerned with others. Below are three passages from the epistles that emphasize the importance of looking out for others.

Philippians 2:1-16 (ESV) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.   Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Romans 15:1-7 (ESV) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 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.   Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)   Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I Peter is full of Practical Guidance and Thoughts for Living a Life Pleasing to God.

In I Peter chapter two verse one Peter encourages his readers to put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all slander.  Near the end of the first chapter of I Peter, Peter mentioned that we should love with a pure heart.  When you think about the list of feelings and actions that our listed in the beginning of chapter two we can see why Peter would encourage his readers to put away these things.  Malice, deceit, hypocrisy and envy are all things that would be contrary to brotherly love and loving from a pure heart.

As we think about how we can put this in practice it is helpful to define these feelings that we must guard are hearts and minds from:

Malice - Desire to injure another

Deceit - Craftiness

Hypocrisies - Deceptive and deceitful actions/attitude

Envies - Feelings of unhappiness because of what someone else has

Slander - Defamatory statements and Backbiting

These types of feelings and actions will destroy our relationships and will not allow us to maintain love.

How do we overcome these?  By feeding on the "pure spiritual milk" (I Peter 2:2).  We are called to be different.  Our life in Christ should be a process of constant growth.  Paul himself realized that we are constantly seeking to grow more in the image of Christ.

Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV) “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Paul pressed on because he was Christ's. Paul didn’t dwell on the past. He pushed forward. Picture in your mind the runner seeing the finish line ahead and pushing his body forward with all that he has to stretch across the line. Paul ran his Christian life giving all and fully focused on the prize. This should be true for us. If we are to grow in Christ. If we are to improve our desires -- we must desire the word. We must as Peter mentions desire pure spiritual milk as a newborn infant desires their mother's milk. Feeding on God's Word and putting our trust in Christ is required to be able to grow in Christ. When we are focused on "the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" we are better prepared to live the kind of life that is pleasing to our Father in Heaven.

The feelings and actions that Peter begins chapter two can occur when desires are not on heavenly things and we do not realize the great sacrifice that Christ made for us. One of the parables Christ taught is the parable of the unmerciful servant found in Matthew chapter 18:21-35. In that parable Christ tells of a servant that owed his master the equivalent of millions of dollars in our terms of money. The master could have delivered him for torture and sold his family to repay the debt. The servant begged his master for patience and his master forgave him. Later the slave found a fellow slave that owed him a debt that compared to the debt the master had forgiven him was insignificant. Instead of forgiving the debt as his master had done for him, the slave had his fellow slave thrown in prison. Jesus used this lesson to teach that we should be those who forgive others. This story should remind us of the great debt we owed to God and how he has forgiven us much.

God has done so much for us that we did not deserve. We were worthy of death and He gave His Son to die for us. When we realize how much God has done for us and we are feeding on His Word we can more easily react to situations in a way that follows after the example of Christ. When we lose our focus we are more inclined to react as the world with malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Those are traits that the Christian should strive to avoid.

We must desire and feed on the "spiritual milk" and we must "press toward the goal for the price of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Staying in the Word will help us to put our minds on things above helping us to display the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Dedication and preparation required:

Fix your hope completely on the grace (vs. 13)

Do not be conformed (vs. 14)

Be Holy (vs. 15)

Faith and Hope in God (Vs. 21)

Purify your soul (Vs. 22)

Fervently Love one another (Vs. 22)

I Peter 1:13-25 (ESV)

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.   Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Peter calls on us to prepare our minds for action. We are to be those who are "sober-minded" -- restrained, controlled and calm. We are to be those who have fixed our hope on the grace that we will be awarded at Christ's coming. Peters warns us not to follow after the world, but to "be holy in all . . . conduct". Our faith and hope should be in God. Our hope should not be in ourselves, not be in position, not be in power, not be in things of this world. We should also be those who show love from a pure heart to all those around us.

In the post yesterday we looked the many promises we have been given. Today we looked at several areas of our life that Peter encourages us to take action to follow after the life God would have us to live.

Christ told two parables to point out that something of great value is worth giving up everything for.

Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV) The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

It is important for us to examine our lives and ask ourselves are we willing to give up all to follow Christ? Are we willing to deny ourselves of things that would lead us a way from God and His will. Nothing we have in this world is worth the loss of our soul. Nothing in this world is worth sacrificing our relationship with God for. Blessings in Christ are worth everything. We face many challenges and distractions in life. Sometimes life provides us challenges and tough times. Sometimes life provides us abundance. In both of these situations we must be careful to trust God and to seek to follow after the example of Christ in all that we do. To grow in Christ we must be in the Word. The Word has the power to save us and to change us. We learn these similar lessons in the parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:20-23 (ESV) As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Some hearts choose not to hear the word. Other hearts are rocky ground that cannot endure tribulation and persecution. Other hearts are thorny soil which are distracted by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Notice how the hearts with rocky soil fell away because of the tribulation and how that the hearts with thorny soil were unfruitful because they were allured by the cares of this world. The good heart is the heart that "hears the word and understands it". The good heart bears and yields fruit.

The challenge for us today is to clear away the rocks and thorns from our life and to feed on the word of God that we might understand the great promises of God and understand how God wants us to live of our life.   We need to be as the one whom the Psalmist writes "delights in the law of the Lord" and "meditates day and night". When we realize how much God loves us we cannot help but delight in his word and desire to learn as much as we can so that we can be pleasing to him. Life can be challenging at times and in those times we have to focus on God's promise that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). When we are blessed abundantly in this life we need to make sure we are not distracted by this world. We need to ensure we are focused on the promises of God. When we are too focused on this life we miss the blessings of enjoying the peace and joy that can be only found in living a life trusting in the promises revealed in God’s Word and following the pattern found in his Word.

Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Great Promises call for great preparation

The book of I Peter starts with mentioning several great promises that are found for us in God's word:

Grace and Peace in the Fullest (vs 2)

Great Mercy (vs 3)

Living Hope (vs 3)

Inheritance (vs 4)

Protected by Power of God through Faith (vs 5)

Rejoice with joy (vs 8)

1 Peter 1:1-12 (ESV)  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

God has truly shown us great mercy. We read in Romans chapter five how that God sent he Son for even when we were unworthy.

Romans 5:6-11 (ESV) For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.   For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

We see through the sacrifice of the Son of God the great love of God for us.

John 3:16-17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

In addition to God's great love for us by allowing Christ to die on the cross we have a great promise that provide us a living hope and an imperishable inheritance. God has called us to be his children -1 John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." We have a promise of eternal life and an inheritance in Heaven. The inheritance is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading".   Imperishable - our inheritance will Last Forever, undefiled - our inheritance in Heaven is unstained and pure, and unfading -- our inheritance will not become less desirable than when we first receive it in Heaven.

We are protected by God through faith. That does not mean we will not suffer physical harm in this life. What this does mean is that God provides through faith what is needed to save and protect our soul. We know that Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God - Romans 10:17. We know that in all things for the Christian all things work together for good. Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Because of these great promises that God has given us we can have great joy in this life. We can have joy in trials and challenges. We can be filled with joy because we know the love of God and we have faith in the promises he has made us. Truly are God is awesome.  Tomorrow as we look at the remainder of the 1st chapter of I Peter we will look at some of the preparation Peter calls on those who follow Christ to do.

Is our focus on God and His Word?

The epistles of Peter and John both help us think about what is really important and where we should have our focus.

In I Peter Chapter 1 verses 13 through 19 Peter urges his readers the following:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

And John in I John Chapter 2 verses 15 through 17 wrote

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

We are called to be holy. We are called to be different in this world. Our focus needs to be on things above and on living in a way that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We have been bought with a price and the great love of God and the example of His Son should cause us to live as he would have us to live.

The August blogs will be focused around key thoughts in I & II Peter and I, II, an III John that will help keep our focus.

Do you love like Christ?

In the sermon on the mount Jesus said,

    You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say, love your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, who makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  If you love the ones who love you, what reward do you have?  The tax collectors do as much.  If you only greet your brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even Gentiles do the same?  You therefore be mature, as your heavenly Father is mature.  Mathew 5:43-48

When those of the world misuse you or others take advantage of you -- how do you react?  In considering your reaction it is good to consider Psalms 37.

The Psalmist wrote(Vs 1, 7-8):

    Do not be upset because of evil-doers.  Do not be envious of wicked workers. . . . Be still before Yahweh.  Wait patiently for him.  Do not be upset because of someone's success, nor because an evil-doer prospers.  Refrain from anger and leave off wrath.  No good comes from being upset.

What can help us in taking this course of action is following the Psalmists advice (vs3-5):

    Trust in Yahweh, and do good.  Dwell in the land, and seek truth.  Delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desire of your heart.  Commit your way to Yahweh.  Put your trust in him, and he will take care of you.

However, this doesn't always mean the path is easy.  It only means the Lord will take care of us.  The Psalmist further writes (vs 23-24):

    The steps of a righteous man are established by Yahweh, and he delights in his way.  Though he falls, he will not be cast off, for Yahweh supports him with his hand.

As we live our lives in this world we need to remember we are in the world, but we are not of the world.  We should be different.  Our lives should be different and they should shine as a light to the world.  As we face challenges we remember that "For those who Love God All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)

We are different -- as children of God we should shine in this world and the world should see we are not of this world.  They should see the light shining in all we do.  Our actions will cause those in the world to question themselves.  For some they will be like Pharoh and harden their heart and to others this will cause them to question why we are different and seek a new path for their life.

All we can do is sow the seed of God's word.  It will fall upon the hearts of man and God will give the increase.

Each of us should prayerfully seek to live the life that demonstrates we are God's children.

    Behold what manner of love the Father has showered upon us that we should be called the sons of God -- and we are!  I John 3:1.

 

“And I Pray This” . . . Philippians 1:9

. . . That your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.(Philippians 1:9)

Many of Paul's letter include a phrase regarding his prayers.  The Philippian letter includes the phrase "And I Pray This".  It is helpful to consider what Paul prayed about.  Many times he is either commending the brethren for the works or he is making a prayer for their deeper growth and understanding in Christ.  Below I have included segments of Philippians 1:9 and verses to help us think about this prayer of Paul's for deeper understanding and growth for his fellow brethern that can be an encouragement and lesson for us.

That your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

I Tim 1:5 – But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith

Ephesians 1:18-23 - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

In order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please  Him,  for he who comes to God must believe that He is and  that  He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Galations 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

John 17:20-21 - I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

We are the only Bible some may read

Collossians 4:5-6  Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

We don't always know who is watching us or how our actions may affect someone.  When I read the verses above I am drawn to the words that our speech should be "with grace as though seasoned with salt".  As much as possible I want every action I take and every word I speak to draw men to Christ and to honor my Father in Heaven.  Grace is delivering the message in a thoughtful and considerate way while the salt is providing the truth of God. 

If we keep a constant reminder that our every action could have an impact on those around us it will cause us to be more thoughtful in everything we say and do.