Friday, October 7, 2016
False teachers
That there is false teaching in the world around us should come as no surprise. Since “the world around us” is generally understood to mean that which is apart from Christ and the community of believers is clear enough, so apart from Him what kind of teaching would we expect to find? The thing that has Jude writing a letter of this sort, is that these false teachers are within the Body of believers, passing themselves off as followers of Christ, while teaching people to rebel against Him.
Jesus died for all our sins
Jesus died for the sins of all Christians past, present and future sins. 1 Peter 2:24 says and He Himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to rightouness; for by His wounds were ye healed. Every sin you committed you were aware of as well as unaware of has been paid for by the Lord Jesus. God knows every sin you will commit in the future 1 John 3:20. In order for you to be saved every sin that you willl commit has been paid for by Jesus on the cross. 1 Peter 1: 9 says whosoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotton that he was cleansed of his former sins. This means, if a man does not have a sufficient knowledge of God in him, he is blind concerning the kingdom of God. He cannot see heavenly things. 1 Peter 5-8 describes these qualities as virtue, knowledge,self control, steadfastness, godliness with brotherly affection, and love. If these are qualities of yours and are increasing in you they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Pride
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Why would pride bring disgrace?; what is it about pride that could do that? Isn’t a little pride a good thing; don’t they say that you should have pride in what you do?
Maybe that is it, right there: Have pride in what you do.
There is more than one kind of pride, just as there is more than one kind of love. We can be prideful, or we can be proud of the way we do things, and these are quite different. To be proud of our work means that we are pleased to do our work the right way; with quality and integrity. To be prideful on the other hand, is not so good, for in that case, we believe that we are better than other people, that we are more worthy, that we are more privileged, and all too often that the rules do not apply to us. An attitude like this leads a person to trouble.
This is the attitude that cuts corners, makes crooked deals and is willing to cheat others; why not if we are better than they are? This leads to disgrace sooner or later when we are found out.
Humility on the other hand, leads a person in a different direction, for a humble man or woman does not believe they are more worthy or superior to anyone else. They go about their business fairly, openly and with justice before God and Man, and that is wisdom itself.
Why would pride bring disgrace?; what is it about pride that could do that? Isn’t a little pride a good thing; don’t they say that you should have pride in what you do?
Maybe that is it, right there: Have pride in what you do.
There is more than one kind of pride, just as there is more than one kind of love. We can be prideful, or we can be proud of the way we do things, and these are quite different. To be proud of our work means that we are pleased to do our work the right way; with quality and integrity. To be prideful on the other hand, is not so good, for in that case, we believe that we are better than other people, that we are more worthy, that we are more privileged, and all too often that the rules do not apply to us. An attitude like this leads a person to trouble.
This is the attitude that cuts corners, makes crooked deals and is willing to cheat others; why not if we are better than they are? This leads to disgrace sooner or later when we are found out.
Humility on the other hand, leads a person in a different direction, for a humble man or woman does not believe they are more worthy or superior to anyone else. They go about their business fairly, openly and with justice before God and Man, and that is wisdom itself.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Images
Even though we might justify our actions through reason or logic, if we are violating God’s clear commands, we are sinning against Him, and He will hold us accountable for those sins. God is not to be worshiped with images, because any image we make will draw more attention to the work of our hands than the God who made all things. Also, there is no way we can ever fully represent the holiness and awesomeness of God through an image. To attempt to do so will always fall short. On top of this, God is a spirit (John 4:24), and we cannot form an image of a spirit. We worship God by believing His Word, obeying it, and declaring His greatness to others.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Is there an argument for the existence of God?
Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel?
Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel?: Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel? What can we learn from the account of Cain and Abel?
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Testimony
The Purpose of a Testimony
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8
When you tell other people about what God has done for you, you are sharing your testimony. A testimony is when you share your story of how you came to faith. Every Christian has a testimony.
Some Christians have dramatic testimonies where they tell of being delivered from a life of drug addiction or crime or some sordid deeds. Other Christians don't have testimonies that are quite as dramatic—but they are just as significant.
I like to hear how people came to Christ, but I don't like it when people go into gory details about their past. Then there are testimonies where people tell how much they have given up for Jesus. They'll say things like, "I gave up this and that for Jesus. I have made such sacrifices for the Lord. I have done it all for Him!"
Your testimony is not about what you gave up for Jesus. It's about what He gave up for you. Don't share what you have done for Jesus. Share what Jesus has done for you. Jesus is the one who has done the work. It is Jesus whom we are proclaiming.
A good, strong testimony will lift up what Christ has accomplished. The fact of the matter is that all of us were sinners hopelessly separated from God, traveling in the same boat on our way to hell; and the same gospel came and transformed us. That is the testimony we all have.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
What does the Bible say about discernment?
What does the Bible say about discernment?: What does the Bible say about discernment? How can I learn to be more discerning?
What does the Bible say about self-discipline?
What does the Bible say about self-discipline?: What does the Bible say about self-discipline? Is self-discipline the same thing as self-control?
Monday, September 26, 2016
"If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." (Proverbs 17:13)
Skeptics and atheists often accuse God of being vindictive. They don't believe He exists, but they accuse Him of committing all sorts of atrocities, including killing men, women and children in a worldwide flood they don't believe happened.
While we have little idea of when and how God sends His judgments on the earth, we do know that if someone rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
It would be interesting to do a study of the house and lineage of Judas Iscariot, after he rewarded the ultimate good with evil.
While God does take vengeance on all those who are evil, and while He does sometimes judge humanity, skeptics never dare say “all of His judgments are righteous and true altogether.” But they are.
John 3:16 tells us that God sent His only son to die for the sins of mankind. In Matthew 7:21 the Bible says - Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of the father who is in heaven. None will go to heaven unless they do the will of the Father. Romans 12: 2 says for us not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewel of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect. We are to be sexually pure ( 1 Thess. 4:3-8). We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit ( Epehseians 5:17-18). We will suffer as Christians ( 1 Peter 4:19). We are to give thanks always ( 1 Thess. 5:18). Submit to the government ( 1 Peter 2:13-15) To transform your mind read the Bible, pray, ask other believers questions you may have, attend church if you can. God is working His will into the believer. He wants us to change ( 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:12-13: Hebrews 13: 21). God wants us to be like Jesus. None of us are perfect like Jesus was, but we are to strive to be like Jesus. God wants us to do His will like
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