BECOMING LIKE-MINDED

“… make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:2-4

          The greatest enemy of Christian love is pride.  It is self-seeking, self-righteous and self-absorbed.  Pride seeks self-promotion, which is in direct conflict with harmony.  It is competitive in that it continuously tries to lift you above others.  Pride doesn’t come from God.  It comes from the enemy of our soul.

          Paul clearly states what is expected of believers.  If we are to have the benefit that comes thru Christ’s death, then we must resemble His life.  We are not being asked to accomplish this on our own.  We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.  To follow the example set by Christ, we first have to receive Him into our lives.  Once infused with His spirit, we will begin to have right, godly thinking.  Having right thinking is vital to right living.  The factor that controls right, godly thinking is a humble love that makes us able to consider the interests of others over ourselves.

       Humility will accept a position of serving, with the needs and interests of others as its main concern.  Humility cannot exist without love.  Paul speaks of unity of thought with Christ, which enables us to have unity with our brethren as well.  Becoming selfless is a wonderful, yet difficult characteristic to have. Allow Christ to infiltrate every part of your being so that you can become Christ-like to a lost and dying world that edges closer to hell with each passing day.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources:  The Reformation Study Bible, Matthew Henry Commentary of the Bible and The Asbury Bible Commentary.

BE EAGER TO DO GOOD

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14

       God’s grace is defined as His undeserved favor.  We deserve nothing but hell fire and damnation for the lives we’ve lived going against the grain of God’s standard. That’s not a popular message in a world where even some Christians want to see God as a genie in a bottle or a loving Lord who would never harm a flea. 

        I would like to point out several key thoughts in this portion of scripture.  First, it says salvation is offered to all people.  If something is offered it must be received. This flies in the face of the notion that all people are Christians just because they are Americans or just because they say they believe in God. 

        Next, the fact that God’s grace teaches us something would mean that we must perk up and listen, not just hearing but acting on what we have learned.  Lastly, it points out that Christ gave Himself so that we might be eager to do what is good.  What is good in the sight of the Lord?  We know we are called to live His good and perfect will (Romans 12:2).  He rescued us from all wickedness and purified us.  It stands to reason that the Lord didn’t do this so we could go play in the mud again.

        Take your faith in Christ seriously.  Too high a price was paid for your redemption to sleep walk through life.  Don’t look for loopholes in scripture.  God loves you and wishes you to succeed in all things.  Submit to His will for you and thrive.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BE A BALM NOT A BOM

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”   Ephesians 4:29

     There are many ways to shed the old nature and put on the new. Paul addresses some of them in his letter to the Ephesian church.  One sure fire way to show the world you have changed for the better is to not let unwholesome, unconstructive, undesirable talk come out of your mouth.  If you are in right relationship with God, there should be a guard at your mouths door; that guard is the Holy Spirit.  You should feel a check in your spirit whenever you feel you must cuss or make a derogatory comment.  Nothing positive comes out of unwholesome talk.  It cuts and stings and once it’s out there it can never be retrieved.  A hundred “I’m sorry’s” can never repair the damage.  The wound has been inflicted and the Lord must provide the healing.  Expedite that healing by at least vowing to curb your tongue rather than “tell it like it is” all the time. 

      One thing that is unhealthy for a Christian to do is berate themselves for slipping up regarding unwholesome talk.  I know this because I still do that to myself.  I know how I should act, yet do that which is wrong and then beat myself up over it.  Our maturation as a Christian is progressive.  It will take our entire life.  It’s how you recover from your stumble that counts.  Your slip-ups should gradually become less frequent.

          Like Paul in Romans, we do that which we know we should not do and don’t do that which we know we should do.(Romans 7:14-25)  Our only saving grace lies in the blood of Christ.  He will carry us thru to a place where our speech, thoughts and actions will be holy and righteous.  We are a work in progress.  Rather than coming down on others or yourself, always remember to build people up with encouraging words for your words can be like a spring of cool water to a thirsty soul.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

SAFE IN GOD

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” 1 John 5:18

“No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” (1 John 3:6)

    This verse isn’t speaking of occasional sin, for even a true believer will sin occasionally.  That’s because our growth in the Lord is progressive. The Apostle John is speaking about living in sin day in and day out.  Sin will cause a callous to form over your heart.  Sin will cause you to justify your thoughts, words and actions, no matter how uncharacteristic they may seem to others.  God works on the behalf of those who live for Him.  He doesn’t bless those who lie, are cheaters or are deceitful.  Though it’s never wrong to do right it is definitely never right to do wrong. 

       If we live for the Lord we are told that He keeps us safe from harm.  Investing in a deep personal relationship with your Creator will bring you to the place where you have every desire to please the Lord with your life.  It’s all part of the progressive action that takes place in the dedicated believer until he has passed on from this life. Our spiritual maturation comes from getting to know God as much as we possibly can.

       Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself: “Am I living for myself or am I living for God?” If the answer is for yourself, then you are sinning against God.  Shed your sinful ways as a snake sheds it’s skin and begin to live solely for God to the best of your ability with the Spirit’s help.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Reformation Study Bible.

LOVE IS A VERB

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16        

       This verse says a lot more than one might thing.  Let’s have a look.  First off, knowing and relying on someone can be two very different things. To both know and rely on someone you must almost know them better than you know yourself.  This is what God wants for us, to know Him deeply and rely on Him completely.

       Secondly, as we look around us we find that the word love has been significantly watered down and cheapened by improper use. It is not a passive word and it was never intended to be.  Love is a word that requires action.  As a means of proving this God sent His very own Son to die in our place.  This was an action that shows us without words how deep and abiding His love is for His creation.  How do we show our love to others?

       Thirdly, scripture tells us to love one another even as Christ loves us (John 13:34-35, 15:12).  This is because God lives in us in the form of the Holy Spirit, which is meant to transform us into individuals who imitate Christ by living in love.

       If you are going to declare to the world that you’re a Christian, are you truly prepared to live your life as a shining light in a dark and sin sick world or are you just speaking words?  Talk is valueless if it isn’t followed up by actions.  If we really know God in the truest sense of the word, we will rely on Him to be our everything.  God’s very nature is the definition of love.  Follow His example and make a lasting impact on those around you.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

INNER BEAUTY

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

         The Apostle Peter is writing to various churches in the Asia Minor area.  In the 3^rd chapter of his letter Peter is giving instructions to Christian women who have non-Christian husbands. He is speaking directly to a woman’s preoccupation with their outward appearance, yet not suggesting a blanket prohibition of modest adornment.  The Apostle is alluding to the fact that the hidden person of the heart will be the most effective witness to an unsaved spouse, rather then their fleshly outward appearance.

            Today many women, both young and old, adorn themselves with alluring fashion to get a man.  Their self-worth is tied up in their physical appearance.  They over-exercise, starve themselves to stay thin and submit to physical enhancements as a means to keep the man they’ve gotten.  Eventually everyone’s looks fade. However, a person who lives for Christ always looks vibrant and alive because of their inner person.  It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul* It is true especially of a Christian, for their spirit is alive within them and shines thru their eyes.  You can see a visible difference in a Christian or at least you should. 

            A woman who has a gentle, quiet spirit not only has great worth to God, but also to her husband.  A godly woman can be a stabilizing force in any marriage.  Her loving support and kindness makes it easy for her to submit to her husband.  The believing husband is to first love his wife as Christ loves the church and willingly gave His life for it.  His loving kindness will lead to her reciprocate in like kind.  With an unsaved husband, the wife’s humble spirit and supportive submission will give her the best chance of leading him to Christ; that along with earnest prayer for his soul.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Reformation Study Bible; The Asbury Bible Commentary.

* Unknown.

Another verse regarding this topic:  1 Timothy 2:9-10  “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

The recipients of Peter letter:  Peter addresses believers who make up several Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor. That these believers were predominantly Gentile in background seems clear from his description of their former lifestyle (1 Peter 1:14, 18; 4:3).

GOD IS WATCHING

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  Psalm 121

            I don’t normally post an entire Psalm, but this one is so good I had a hard time not using it all.  It is labeled a Song of Ascents. There are 15 of these found from Psalm 120 thru Psalm 134. The meaning of the term Song of Ascent has various interpretations; everything from singing these songs on an ascendant musical note to the Jews singing them as they ascended to the Holy Temple 3 times annually for their festivals. 

       We find in this Psalm just exactly where our help comes from in times of trouble.  It comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.  God continuously watches over His creation, never allowing harm to come to any of us.  There is nowhere you could ever go that the Lord cannot find you.  He sees all things and knows all things.  Because we are all painfully human, we become fearful of the unknown as troubles begin to unfold.  Depending on how vivid your imagination is, you can conjure up some pretty dicey, hair-raising scenarios, none of which will probably ever take place.  How many of you know that 9/10^th’s of all the things we imagine will happen never do. This is exactly why it is important to read this Psalm and take it to heart. God is watching. If you are a godly man, that is encouraging.  If you are not, you have every right to be afraid.  God doesn’t wink at sin. Conversely, He also doesn’t allow evil to harm His children.

       Living a godly life is the result of having a salvation experience.  It doesn’t end there.  You must then allow that experience to revolutionize your life.  God is with you and wants you to draw near to Him.  He desires to bless you, but you must surrender your will to Him.  Don’t wait, do it now.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!