Tag: christianity

2 Corinthians 7:1

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

A fly has somehow entered my presence at this moment. With the pretty, pink and flowered, fly swatter in hand, I hate to destroy anything. So, I’m telling it where to go: “The air conditioning vents, under the door; just get out of here!” I’m experiencing it can be especially hard to put to death anything that is living, even when it is harassing me needlessly.

Nevertheless, the Bible tells us to put to death some harmful things that may be living within in us. These are things that seek to kill us, grieve God’s Holy Spirit, and hinder us from moving forward freely in our God-given purpose or enjoying a confident relationship with Christ.

As Christ has paid the price for our eternal life, we are now to kill those things within us that are clearly of Satan’s kingdom and replace them with those things of Christ’s.

Furthermore, though the Lord’s sanctification process is ongoing in our lives, the Bible clearly tells us that we are to do this ruining of certain things; making an effort to do the killing and not just expect God to do it for us. Thankfully, he’s given us the authority and tools to carry it out.

Colossians 3:5 tells us to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Therefore, at some point, we’ve got to take a serious look, specifically at what each of these things are, with an aim to recognize them when they surface from within us and put an end to them.

Therefore, we can start by realizing that God has given us weapons. One, I’ll highlight here, is the “sword of the spirit” which the Bible defines as the Word of God.  “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

When our human reasoning or excuses to behave in ungodly ways moves us closer toward sin, we must remember that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Though we’re instructed to kill those things within us that are harmful to us and others, God has graciously given us some things to put on. Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

These things make life beautiful for us and those we encounter. These things bring God glory. They are the things that speak loudly that we are of the Lord’s kingdom, one where there is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Interestingly, as I reach the end of my minutes with you, my annoying visitor is no longer buzzing. Quietly, it left without my killing it, for which I am truly grateful. Yet, any bad habits we’ve been allowing in our lives, won’t just go away on their own, but must be put to death. So, I’m so appreciative that we can ask our heavenly father, who gives wisdom liberally, to show us specifically how to successfully remove anything that he hates from our lives. We can rest confident his tools of weaponry for us work, and he is certainly faithful to do his part in these matters.

Luke 10:1

“After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”

Most of us are familiar with the 12 disciples Jesus chose to be with him, learn from him, and be sent out to preach, heal, and cast out demons. These disciples ultimately formed the foundation of his ministry and the early church. 

At this point in Luke 10 of the Bible, Jesus wanted to expand His ministry and increase in number, adding more disciples–in this case 72.

A few things I noticed, among other things that stood out to me, in this passage were:

• Jesus appointed the disciples. “Appointed” here in Luke 10, in Greek is anedeixen, the active verb anadeiknumi, meaning “to show forth, display, proclaim, or appoint.” Oxford’s language today would define it as assigning a role or job to or determining or deciding on. These people didn’t appoint themselves but were specifically chosen by the Lord.
• Jesus didn’t send them out alone, but two by two. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly state the why behind Jesus sending his disciples out two by two, it suggests that the practice served as a form of mutual support, witness, and training for the disciples’ ministry. Further, he sent them on ahead of him, into every town and place where he was about to go. So he approved their arrival to do their assignment before he would arrive.
• Jesus said he was sending them as lambs among wolves. The Greek root word from lamb in Luke 10:3 is arēn. The term refers to a ceremonially clean male lamb ready for slaughter but also infers personal weakness. “Wolves” in Luke 10:3 is “lukon,” the Greek plural form of a wolf, persons of wolfish proclivities, described as false prophets or teachers who are deceitful and dangerous to the spiritual well-being of believers. Wolves are often depicted as predators that threaten the flock, symbolizing those who seek to harm or lead astray the followers of Christ. Just as is written in Matthew 10:16, Jesus was warning them that they would face opposition and persecution for their faith, and he encouraged them to be both shrewd and innocent in their mission. In Matthew 10:16, the Greek word translated as “shrewd” or “wise” is phronimoi, meaning thoughtful, sagacious, or discreet, and the Greek word for “innocent” or “harmless” is akeraioi, meaning “unmixed” or “pure”. 

• Jesus told them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest field. He explained that the harvest was plentiful, but that workers were few. So, they should ask the Lord to send out more workers. Apart from Luke 10, the New Testament contains other passages that address the need for more workers in the Lord’s vineyard, including Matthew 9:37-38 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13. The first passage is repeated in Luke 10:2, while the second warns against idleness.
• Jesus instructed them to heal the sick and tell others the Kingdom of God had come near. Written initially in Luke 9:1-2 we see where, “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. We see these instructions were pretty important to Jesus as these tasks were done repeatedly in his and the disciples’ ministry. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus tells his disciples to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Then in Mark 16:18, after Jesus is resurrected and about to return to heaven, he mentions to the disciples the signs that would follow those who believe, including, “They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
• Jesus told them “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Moreover, as relates to rejection or persecution, I’m reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 10:24, which states “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.”
• “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” What a blessing it was that obedience to Jesus’ instructions produced successful results and joy!

Thankfully, I don’t see where this kind of ministry was told to cease. We have the Holy Spirit to continue working with and in us today, as He worked with the ever-increasing disciples then. “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:19-20) Though there is still some debate on the validity of this particular passage of the Bible, I simply reference the other parts that speak of Jesus and his disciples’ ministry toward others before and after his ascension.

Then, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words when healing two blind men, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored.”

Unfortunately, in Matthew 13:54-58, we find Jesus coming back to his hometown where people knew his family and his job as a carpenter, and upon his teaching in the synagogue, they took offense at him and “he could not do many miracles because of their lack of faith.”

In like manner, we may choose to believe; or not. Nevertheless, Jesus’s great commission is still valid: “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Jesus had a short time to do many great works and chose people as students to learn and do likewise. He said in John 14:12, “ Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” Not to mention, “ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

Lord, help us all as this is seemingly an impossible challenge. Nevertheless, at your word, may we let down our nets.

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The trials and tribulations of our lives may appear somewhat daunting if we forget God’s perspective on them. I am remembering that today, a trial can be defined as a test of faith, patience, or strength. While a tribulation is known as a state of great suffering of body or mind; distress, or misery. When facing these challenges, many of us might not wish to hear about how these attacks or setbacks produce in us perseverance, so that we’ll be mature and complete, not lacking anything as taught in James 1:2-6. Yet James tells us we should actually consider it pure joy (NIV translation) when we face these “trials of many kinds”. Then he goes on to tell us if we lack wisdom, we simply need to ask God who’ll give it to us generously. But when we ask we should ask not doubting.

There are many biblical references to keep in mind when our enemy and his cohorts launch their attacks on us. Thankfully, most of us remember when Jesus left the earth he told his disciples that he would never leave nor forsake them. That promise still belongs to us, the Body of Christ, living on earth today. That means the Lord is always and forever with us whether we feel him or not.

There are many Bible stories I love to read where the Lord shows up and shows out wonderfully for his dearly beloved children and saves them from harm in the Old and New Testaments. Yet we should not forget Romans 14:8: “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Not to mention: “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).”

Let’s recall when the Lord tells Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9, to be strong and courageous, and careful to obey the law Moses had given him so that he’d be successful wherever he went. God also promised to be with Joshua as he was with Moses, and we see how awesome that was. The Lord has not only given us promises and examples of the Old Testament, but his word in the New Testament to guard closely in our hearts. The Lord told Joshua that he should keep the law on his lips and meditate on what was written day and night. He also encouraged him saying he’d never leave nor forsake him as was told to his disciples much later.

We later see David crying out to God in Psalm 56:1-4, asking for God’s mercy as his enemies were in pursuit of him all day long and many were attacking him. Yet David encourages himself saying, when he was afraid, he would trust God as what could mere mortals do to him? After all the good, bad, and ugly we see David go through in the Bible, 1 Chronicles 29:28 tells us David “…died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.”

Later Paul enters the biblical timeline and is convinced after learning that even living his tumultuous life, nothing could separate us from God’s love–not death, life, angels, demons, the present, future, nor any power, heights, or depths (Romans 8:38-39). Paul had great confidence in God’s love for him.

Paul then reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 that we should not fix our eyes on what’s seen, but on what’s “not” seen, since what’s seen is temporary and the unseen eternal. He wanted us to remember that these “light” and “momentary” troubles were producing for us an eternal glory that far exceeds all of them. I’d say that’s great news. We just need the right perspective which is God’s perspective; the truth.

Moreover, we’re reminded in Ephesians 6:10-18, to be strong in the Lord and his power, and to put on the full armor of God, which isn’t an earthly armor against human bodies or weapons, but a spiritual armor necessary for use in our struggle against the rulers, authorities and powers of this world’s darkness and spiritual forces of evil. This armor I recall from top to bottom to help me remember them, includes our helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit (God’s word), the shield of faith, the belt of truth, and feet fit with the “readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” And we should “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” So there’s no need to worry that you are tiring the Lord with your continual prayers. He wants us to do it!

In addition, in 2 Timothy 4:3-7, Paul lets Timothy, his son in the faith and coworker, know that a time was coming when people wouldn’t embrace sound doctrine, but to please themselves would gather a large group of teachers who would only tell them what they wanted to hear. Sadly, they’d turn from truth to myths, which today are widely held, but false beliefs or ideas. Yet Timothy was to keep his head in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of his ministry. Paul, in this passage, also signaled the end of his own life being near, but that he had: (1) fought the good fight; (2) finished the race; and (3) kept the faith. By God’s grace, may we all be able to say the same.

Proverbs 3:1-2
“…do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”

A long life is a blessed life. Even though some Christians may have lived short fulfilling lives, the Bible still describes the long life as blessed. That is if we’ve not forgotten the Lord’s teachings and kept His commands in our hearts.

Remembering His promises and all the wonderful ways of living He’s taught us, brings peace, joy, and comfort as we navigate through life’s many chapters. In Psalm 91:14-16 we see the word of the Lord regarding his care: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

That passage shows us some of the rewards of loving the Lord and seeking His help in life. We don’t have to worry about being a bother to him. He tells us to come, to call on him.

The Bible also shows us in Deuteronomy 5:16 that long life and wellness are linked to treating our parents with honor, which Ephesians 6:2 says is the first commandment with a promise.

In addition, Proverbs 10:27 reminds us that the fear or reverence of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. So, in our quest to reach all of our career, relationship, or ministry goals, we can trust that if we, “Walk in obedience” to all that the Lord our God has commanded, we will “live and prosper and prolong” our days (Deuteronomy 5:33).

God is so good to us. The Bible he has given us is so rich with wonderful truths and promises that lead to many good things in our lives. And he tells us whoever has these commands and keeps them is the one who loves him and will be loved by his Father. Not to mention loved by Jesus himself and shown to them.

It’s also good to remember that “whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” We find from many of these scriptures that this lifestyle is quite different from what our culture may show us today. But this is why we don’t conform to the world, but renew our minds with the Bible’s truths so that our lives can be blessed by the wisdom it gives us. We must remember that God’s kingdom is not of this world, so if to others we seem out of touch by living as God tells us to live, that should never be a problem for us.

Choosing life through obedience to God leads to long life and blessings. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 assures us that he’s given us a choice between life and death, blessings, and cursings. But tells us to choose life, that we may love God, “listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” For the Lord is our life, and he’ll give us many years.

Now we may have known some awesome people who seemingly went to be with the Lord early, but God knows every circumstance of these situations that differ from others. Yet for the most part, God has made clear that long life is a blessing from God and has taught us ways to achieve it.

We also know that it is appointed to man once to die (Hebrews 9:27) and as spoken in James 4:14, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This speaks to the futility of boasting about tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the Bible still gives us some helpful tools for living a long and prosperous life on earth. Some of which I’ve repeated and paraphrased here:

• love the Lord.
• love your neighbor.
• love your enemies.
• walk in the way the Lord says.
• live righteously.
• fear, reverence, or respect the Lord.
• keep your lips and tongue from speaking evil.
• find wisdom and gain understanding.
• honor and obey your parents.
• don’t provoke your children but bring them up in the instruction of the Lord.
• keep God’s teachings in your heart; don’t forget them.
• be wise; get wisdom.
• serve the Lord.
• number your days, gaining a heart of wisdom.
• recount the deeds of the Lord.
• keep your soul well.
• be faithful to the truth.
• walk in the Lord’s ways keeping his statutes and commandments.
• dwell in the shelter of the most high God by living in his presence, praying, and saying and knowing the Lord is your refuge in whom you can trust.
• appeal to God and lay your cause before Him.
• receive the Lord’s correction and discipline.
• believe in and on the Lord.
• do what the Lord says; keep his statutes/commandments.
• receive the life Jesus came to give.
• live, and keep yourself, in peace by keeping the Lord’s commandments in your heart.
• trust that the Lord’s plans for you are good and not evil.
• accept the Lord as your Shepherd who takes good care of you.
• understand that the Lord knitted you in your mother’s womb and you are fearfully and wonderfully made. He knows everything about you and your entire life.
• listen to the Lord’s words and accept them.
• believe and stand on Jesus is the only way and no one comes to the Father but by Him.
• live a life of godliness.
• wait on the Lord.
• realize you can do all things through the Lord; accept His strength.
• believe in the Lord doing the same works he does. Ask the Father for what you want in Jesus name and you’ll have it.
• accept that nothing will be impossible with God.
• follow Jesus.
• receive the Lord as your Shepherd.
• hold fast to the Lord and know His name–don’t change your mind about Him.
• don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind with God’s word.
• realize life and death are in the power of your tongue and you’ll eat the fruit of either.
• keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully.
• pray.
• turn away from evil; do good.
• seek peace; pursue it.
• remember Moses was 120 and when he died his eyes weren’t dim, nor his vigor unabated. recognize the good things about Moses and the good things he did as an example.
• don’t be afraid. recognize God gave you a spirit of love, power, and self-control…you already have it!

Revelation 1:5-6
“…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Can you imagine being a king or priest to God? Well, this is what the Bible indicates God’s people are. First, as kings or priests, we’d fulfill the role of being a ruler, “especially one who inherits the position by right of birth,” and “someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God” (Merriam-Webster).

Rulership in God’s kingdom on earth involves many things including these few:

studying to show ourselves approved, those who don’t need to be ashamed as we rightly divide God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15); studying and meditating on the scriptures so that we know the Lord’s character and teachings;

articulating God’s vision of Luke 24:46-57, “Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” In addition, Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”;

making wise decisions through the Lord’s counsel. “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:1);

bearing with and forgiving one another, “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13); and

serving one another in love, “be devoted to one another in love…” (Romans 12:10),  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), and “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Though perhaps debatable to some believers, the Bible teaches us that Jesus has given us his authorization to do certain things as his family (i.e., pray, preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, etc., Mark 16:17-20; Matthew 6:5-7; Matthew 10:8; and Luke 9:2). I’d say those are some awesome duties. Apparently, God thinks a lot of us to trust us with the assignments He has given us.

Now what if we all treated one another like royalty or church leadership? Furthermore, it surely seems a stretch but, what if we treated even our enemies that way? What would this look like?

The Bible gives us clear directions on how we should treat one another. It tells us in Romans 12:3, “…to everyone who is among you, don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” So we should maintain an attitude of humility with one another. In doing this we can perhaps more easily carry out John 13:34-35, “…love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Moreover, this commandment to love one another actually fulfills the law (Romans 13:10).

How do we know we are loving one another? It’s when we show honor, respect, consideration, attention, and appreciation toward one another.

Regarding those who are in opposition to us, or offend us, Romans 12:20 tells us if our enemy is hungry, we should feed him. Further, Matthew 5:43-48 gives us some astonishing and seemingly impossible instructions on how we should relate to our enemies:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Forgiving our enemies is not a simple teaching to act upon. Nevertheless, it is one of the Lord’s commands. I’m convinced it is achievable only through submission to the Holy Spirit and prayer.

In any event, being included in such a special royal family is a privilege. Especially if its head is the creator of the universe and all things. Surely, the Lord is faithful to help us represent him and one another honorably as he is the author and finisher of our faith. As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us (James 1:5).