Message from Scripture: 12/21/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rom. 13:14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

 

What are we to be in Christ, once we’ve come in obedience to the gospel? Paul says we’re to put on Christ. The term for put on in the Greek is used to speak of one putting on a garment, to be clothed, to get dressed. It was used of John the Immerser, in speaking of him wearing a garment of camel’s hair (Mark 1:6). Such was practical for the work he was doing in the wilderness. Today, we have numerous options for what we wear, and dress ourselves in a way that speaks about how we feel, what we’re doing, how we want to be perceived, and other such matters. Here in this passage, we are to wear Christ.

 

But what does it mean to wear Christ, to put on Christ? It is to assume His qualities of life as our own, to reflect His image, to seek to follow His will in all we say and do. Paul would remind the Ephesians to “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:24). This spiritual garment is entwined with righteousness and holiness. He would also add, to do battle with Satan, we should put on the full armor of God as well (Eph. 6:11).

 

Scripture makes clear we shouldn’t stay in the garments stained by sin, but those that reflect the spiritual active and alive in us. They should see Christ in us, as the impression they get of us is that which the influence of Christ brings about in us. “For all of you who were immersed into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Being clothed in Christ, our new behavior that reflects Christ in us, makes us distinct from the world around us. Are you clothed with Christ? Can others see Him in you? Is He reflected in what you say and do? What a glorious thing it is to put on Christ and show His salvation working in us. Let others see the garment you wear, which is Christ in you. They will notice. God bless.

 

Robert

Message from Scripture: 12/20/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Jas. 1:14: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

 

James wants his readers to understand Satan is a master at the art of deception. Temptations have two elements that attract us to them. First, they carry one away, meaning to draw or drag out, as from the right way one should be in. In addition, they entice us by that which one desires. This carries the idea of entrapment, baiting one with what one covets or craves.

 

The image I take from this description is that of a fisherman, who uses baits that look desirable to fish, which entices them to strike it. The lure, however, only hooks them into something that looks good, but isn’t. Once taken, they are dragged out of their watery environment to another one, which typically ends in their demise.

 

In this imagery, Satan catches us with what looks like the best, only for us to realize we’ve been snared with something artificial, not real, and taken by that which harms us. Satan never reveals the truth about his designs on us, and what the temptation actually accomplishes. How many lives have been destroyed by the sin people have yielded to? How much hurt has been caused? How many come to discover yielding to it only brings sorrow, pain, grief, and if persisted in, destruction?

 

If I carried this analogy further, the only way to be set free, released from the sin by which Satan has hooked us, is to know the truth and live by it, as Jesus said in John 8:32. He would go further in saying, “Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). This is not what God desires for us! May we be committed to the truth of the gospel and remain free from the entrapment of sin, in the life Christ provides, which is the best way for us to live, now and eternally. Can you distinguish between the tricks of Satan, and the truth of God? Your soul depends on it. God bless.

 

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 12/18/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 2 Tim. 2:8: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel.”

 

Memory has been defined as the faculty by which the mind stores and recalls information. While accurate, it seems somewhat cold and distant. Memory is more than just information, it’s the events of life, the knowledge of people, places, and events that have had an impact on our lives. It’s those things from our past that still can impact our present and future. It is tragic that, as we age, we can lose some of the most precious memories we’ve had. More tragic is we just count things unimportant and let their memory go.

 

When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, it wasn’t that Paul thought Timothy had forgotten who Jesus is, or what Jesus had done for us all. Paul wasn’t reminding Timothy that the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead, but that he needed to have that in his mind constantly, and what that knowledge brought with it, the change of life it meant, the hope it offers, the promise of His return, all revealed in the truths of the gospel.

 

We can remember all these things because the Holy Spirit inspired men to write God’s word for us, and we are blessed to have access to it, to set it in our minds and hearts. The remembrance of all this should make a difference in us. It’s not just facts and random sayings, but living truths that guide us out of sin to a sanctified life, a better life, an abundant life. Peter tells us, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3).

 

Today, don’t forget what God has done for us in Christ, and who we are to be in Christ. In all you say and do, remember Jesus Christ as the reason for it all. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Beyond Rituals

 

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20).

 

Some of Jesus’ harshest remarks were directed to the Pharisees. At the outset, this seems unusual, as they had every appearance of righteousness, and were generally admired by the public at large as being righteous, more so than any other group of their day. Most at that time would have said it would have been very hard to do better in living righteously than the Pharisees. It just goes to show, sometimes we need to look deeper.

 

Jesus was direct and forceful in His remarks to the Pharisees, because the public persona they portrayed was just an appearance, far different from their inner character. He described them as hypocrites, because their righteous appearance was an act. They behaved quite differently when they were out of the sight of others. The motives of their hearts were as sinful as the people they condemned. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt. 23:27-28). In reality, they created their own righteousness, but it wouldn’t commend them to God. He wanted something better for them.

 

Pretending to be what you’re not has always been easy for people to do, compared to making real changes from within. How many people just go through the motions at their jobs, or school, or in their relationships with others? Changing the mind and heart, which changes our motives and actions, now that’s the challenge!  Although the sect of the Pharisees has long ceased to exist, their attitude is too easily duplicated today. For some, there is no problem acting holy on Sunday, but living worldly the rest of the week. Externals are important, but they must come from a genuine heart, from pure motives.

 

As Christians, we are challenged to examine the motives of our hearts. Our profession must be consistent with our confession. The term Jesus used for surpass means to be more abundant, conspicuous or distinguished. Pretending to be righteous was not enough. They were to be genuinely righteous, to seek God truly, sincerely. While people do sin, to desire a real relationship with God, to seek righteousness, one will desire and seek repentance and renewal.

 

What Jesus was teaching the crowds, and us today, is one must not “play act” faith. it must be genuine and real, otherwise our righteousness is no different than that of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. God knows the motives of our hearts; He knows the difference.  “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Rom. 6:17).  It’s easy to be complacent, but takes real commitment to be willing to examine ourselves and make course corrections in our lives. Since God knows our hearts, we do best when we meekly seek His righteousness.

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 12/17/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Eph. 5:29: “For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church.”

 

In this section of Scripture, Paul uses the analogy of husband and wife to illustrate the relationship between Christ and His body, the church. There are two essential elements of this he emphasizes to us. A person nourishes and tenderly cares for oneself, that our existence can be all it has the potential to be. This is the way a husband should provide for his wife as well. The greatest example of this is in how Christ provides for His church. He nourishes it, meaning to bring up to maturity, to train or educate so one can choose to make the best choices. Christ also cares for His church, meaning to cherish, to treasure and appreciate. It certainly speaks of the depth of love a husband should have for his family, and reminds us of how much Christ loved the church, that He gave Himself for us.

 

Since Christ is head of the body, the church, do we extend these qualities to Him in how we live? Do we allow Him to bring us to maturity through the training He provides in His word? As Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (1 Pet. 2:2-3).

 

Do we also love Him as He has loved us, to commit ourselves wholly and completely to Him, and to each other, as He offered Himself for us? “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14).

 

As we go through our lives, from beginning to end, we need to be nourished and cared for. Christ does this for us spiritually throughout our journey in the flesh, that we might be prepared to be with Him for all time. Do we help each other as we go along life’s way for this same goal? Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we can grow, and help each other grow, to eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 12/16/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rom. 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

Everyone experiences difficulties in their lives.  It's part of living in a world influenced by sin. That everyone has trials in life shouldn't be an issue. The real question to ask is how each of us face our trials.

 

Our Scripture for today is much easier to read when everything is going as we want, than it is when our world falls apart. Please note, however, Paul is not telling us everything that happens in life is good. He also isn't minimizing, or making light of, the problems we do face.  He is saying, however, that even from the midst of adversity, God can bring good.

 

Paul understood this principle as well as anyone. God told Ananias, when he went to preach the gospel to Paul, that He would show Paul how much he must suffer for His name (Acts 9:16). If we read 2 Cor. 11:23-29, we catch a glimpse of some of what Paul went through to offer this message of salvation to others. There were times God appeared to Him, to offer Him encouragement through these trials (Acts 18:9; 23:11), but he still had to face those trials. It wouldn’t be easy, but in the strength God provided he endured and offered many the opportunity to have a hope that reached to eternity.

 

What is the application for us? May we look at life through the eyes of faith, whatever our situation is, and find the good, even in times that aren't so good.  In Christ, no matter the situation, we have an abundant life.  Today, no matter what, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and find God's richest blessings, now and forever. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 12/15/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Eph. 5:1-2: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”

 

Do you remember the children's game, “follow the leader?” During the course of play, everyone was supposed to do what the leader was doing. Sometimes it got pretty silly following the leader, but after all, it was only a child's game, and that's what made it fun.

 

What would the results be if we played “spiritual follow the leader?” What I mean is, what would others say and do if they followed your example? What kind of life would they live if they lived like you do?  What would be their priority? Who, or what, would come first? What would the church be like if everyone acted just like you?

 

For example, where would they be, and what would they be doing, on the Lord’s Day? What about the good programs of work the church provides? Would they be involved in some way, doing the Lord's will, sowing the seed of the kingdom? Would they be helping others, encouraging others, and being encouraged? Or, would they have other things to do? Would television, or the internet, be too sacred, to spend time in prayer or Scripture reading? What do you do for the Lord?

 

Of course, “follow the leader” is only a game, a child's game, at that. But it would be interesting to see what others would do if they acted like we do. We each should ask ourselves, who is the leader we follow? “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (1 Pet. 3:15). Will you follow in the steps of Christ today, that He might welcome you when the time comes to enter the eternal? Let’s do what Jesus told Peter to do, to follow Jesus (John 21:19). Would we then lead others to Christ? God bless.

 

Robert