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“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1 Timothy 4:7-9).

The fitness industry in America is a 22.4 Billion industry. Despite this fact, the obesity rate in America (BMI>30) is over 40% among adults.

What Paul wrote is true. Bodily exercise (and a good diet) does do some good. The problem is focus and priority. Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

In contrast to the good that exercise can do, to spiritually exercise yourself to godliness is far better and more important.  Why is this so? Jesus said it. It is because of the eternal nature of the soul!

Paul emphasized the same. It has “the promise of the life that now is (like physical exercise) and of that which is to come” (where it is uniquely helpful). That is why it is such a “faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.” Think about it!

Paul had a problem to solve when he wrote his personal appeal to Philemon. Philemon had a slave, the slave had become a Christian and was helpful to Paul, but Paul knew it would be wrong to impose his desire regarding the slave, Onesimus, without Philemon’s permission.

How was the problem solved? By all three men acting selflessly. Paul deferred to Philemon, Philemon deferred to Paul, Onesimus deferred to both men. All showed love, humility, selflessness, and the brotherhood that is seen in Christ. A circumstance that was fraught with potential tension and conflict was resolved because of the Christian attitudes that existed and were acted upon.

No doubt you, (as do I), have a problem with slavery. This article is not about that. It is noting this truth: You can make laws, compel or shame —  however, if one is not of a mind to treat others with love and selflessness, problems follow.

Instead, the way of the Lord is love, service and sacrifice. It is selflessness. If that is the way we all act, then God’s desires will be upheld and served.

This is the solution, though many refuse to follow it. This is the way of God, and should be our practice as well. Think about it.

The text of Ephesians 3 references the “fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ” (9). While it was hidden through the ages, it was finally revealed as first came John, then Jesus Himself, and then the ambassadors that Jesus sent into the world, inspired by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 15:13-15).

Those who lived faithfully toward God, but lived and died before Jesus, “did not receive the promise” apart from us (Hebrews 11). Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 3:15-16, “But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord the veil is taken away.”

Peter referred to the prophets who sought to know this mystery, but Peter made clear that the prophets were ministering to those of us who live in these last days, when the gospel of Christ would be preached, “things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).

So in the revealing of that mystery, we return back to our initial text in Ephesians 3. It has now been revealed “by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (5). This revealed mystery is encapsulated in the promise that all men, both Jews and Gentiles, “should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (7).

In our culture today, the word “doctrine” has a negative connotation. In effect, most believe that anyone who emphasizes doctrine in his teaching is divisive  and sectarian.  Add the word “sound” and now you can include judgmental to the stereotype.  In contrast, many claim that all we need to do is emphasize the love of Jesus and His Father, and solely trust in His mercy and longsuffering to ensure acceptance by Him.

Paul told Titus, his young evangelist friend, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).  Consider what this includes (as seen in his instructions).  Older men are to be sound in faith.  Older women as well, and also reverent in behavior. Younger women are to be obedient to their husbands, “that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (2:5). The younger men are to show integrity in doctrine.  Other things are mentioned, but these directly impact the idea of doctrinal teaching having importance and relevance.

We are to “declare the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Doctrine is in fact God’s instructions for man given through the words of inspiration. We should accept the reality that in any area where God has directed us, our options are only to ignore, rebel, or submit. Submission is God’s way. You may ignore or rebel at your own peril!

In John 5, we read of the healing of a man who had been lame for a long time. It is an interesting narrative, and one of the first times in Jesus’ ministry that He came under fire by the Jews, who were angry at Jesus for healing this man on the Sabbath day.

Our interest comes from verses 2-4. “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had” (John 5:2-4). Notice that the healing of an individual came if he was the first to step into the pool at the appointed time. Continue reading “Jesus and Healing” →

Back in 1979 the funny Peter Sellers starred in a movie called Being There.  It is a story of an uneducated gardener who is thrown into society for the first time and by his simple, cryptic allusions to gardening is taken to be a wise man. He eventually becomes a major advisor to the President of the United States, and is touted by some to replace him in the next term.

It turns out he was a fool. Inscrutable, but a fool. I don’t think I have seen the entire movie, but excerpts I saw showed a masterful performance by Sellers. The movie comes to mind when I read Proverbs 27:27-28, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”

A knowledgeable, but humble person sees no reason to flout his knowledge.  His words are few.  Reticence does not indicate ignorance as in the movie. But, conversely a man can be construed as wise if he keeps his mouth shut.

What doesn’t work is a fool, through his words, trying  to convince someone he is wise! As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:3, “…a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” Something to think about next time before we speak up and show our ignorance!

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul wrote, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

Nothing is surprising about this text. It relates an obligation that we have to support the Lord’s work in a systemic and regular way. It denotes the Lord’s day as the day when the collection will be taken. We know this to be the day that Christians came together to worship the Lord (cf. Acts 20:7). I states an obligation that we help those in our number (other Christians) who have a physical need (cf. Galatians 6:10).

This is the only place in scripture where there is a pattern established for this financial obligation we as Christians are given toward the Lord’s work. There are other places which give authority to practice benevolence, to support efforts of evangelism and to edify the church, but here alone is the passage that tells us how money is to be gathered in the local church.

What remains is for us to do our duty in a manner that the Holy Spirit prescribes. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). A simple statement, in this context indicating their need for avoiding fornication, and exercising self control.

For most, the sexual drive is very strong. This is how God designed men and women. The urge to procreate facilitates God’s instructions to mankind from the beginning to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).

However, God in his wisdom limited such an intimate thing to the marriage bed. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Some wonder, if God does not want us to have sex, why did he make us this way? The answer is, He does want this for us, but He wants us to be blessed, not cursed by such actions.

If sex is limited to a healthy marriage, there is the assurance of love, faithfulness and protection. There is a wholesome environment for raising children in the “training and admonition of the Lord” (cf. Ephesians 6:4).

But fornication brings regret, disease, abortion, rejection, objectification, and a host of other untenable problems.

God’s way is best. Men may think that they can ignore His directives.  But, they do so at their own physical and spiritual peril!

A Christian is not to have affection for anything characterized as worldly. It constitutes a conflict of interest. Worldliness and a love for God are antithetical. Hence John’s statement, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (15).

The threefold manner in which the Devil entices is through the lust of the flesh (an illicit desire to satisfy physical appetites), the lust of the eye (an illicit desire that reacts to beauty, sensuality, or anything that is alluring to the sight or imagination), and pride (of position, money, influence, race, etc. Whatever  pertains to self-glorification).

The question that must be answered is are you interested in the passing pleasures of sin? Or the greater joy of eternity? It seems a simple question to answer, but too many get it wrong. What this life has to offer, no matter how enticing, is but for a moment and then passes away. However, this life should be understood by every child of God as a life lived in preparation for eternity!

John 2:23-25 shows us an interesting side to Jesus’ deity, His ability to read our hearts! “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25). This is evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, because men aren’t capable of knowing the hearts of anyone save themselves (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11).

He knows the hearts of men, so He could safely avoid being misled by hypocrisy. Jesus did not commit to those who did not commit to him – an attribute of Deity, as God Himself noted in Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

We need to recognize that things have not changed. Jesus will judge us in the last day, and there is nothing we can hide from him. Any hypocrisy or falseness is exposed to the Son of God. It is possible to fool men, it is even possible to fool yourself, which is extremely dangerous!  It is not possible to fool our Lord.

Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

In John 15, Jesus begins in the chapter to use the allegory of the Vine and branches to establish both His help to His disciples, and their responsibility to faithfulness and fruitfulness.

In verse 11 of the text, he explains why He told them these things. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Two things to note here.  First, Jesus has a great deal of joy to share. “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns” (Isaac Watts). His entire advent on earth was to do what was necessary for man’s reconciliation with God.  This joy, if we abide in the Vine, is available to us!

Second, our joy can only be full if we have such a relationship with Him. Men fool themselves into thinking a life lived without our Lord can be a life equally full of happiness and joy. That is the devil’s lie!  How can a life lived without God have the same value and joy?  The very purpose of life, as established by wise Solomon, “Let us here the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

In John 17:13, Jesus prayed to His Father, “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

In the book of Philippians we see Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment. Things were dire. His continued life was dependent upon a capricious Caesar. He was under house arrest.

His brethren in Philippi rallied to his aid in sending by the hand of Epaphroditus necessities during his imprisonment.  It is this to which Paul here responds, “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

It was good and pleasing to God that the Christians in Philippi send aid to Paul.  For it, he was greatly appreciative.  However, the phrase “Indeed I have all and abound” is especially interesting to me.

No doubt their aid helped. Yet Paul was in prison, and still in danger of losing his life. Paul’s abundance did not depend upon physical aid, but his relationship with God.  Even facing death he wrote, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23-24).

What about you? Can you withstand any circumstance in life if you are guaranteed heaven? May we all look to eternity!

Consider carefully what the Bible says about itself:  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Inspiration — The term inspiration (theopneustos)means divinely breathed.  Since all scripture is divinely breathed, it is a plenary (complete) inspiration. None of this is merely the words of men.  In every sense these are the words of God.  (cf. 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Efficacy — A study of scripture is beneficial in every area.  What do we stand for? Our Doctrine? What do we use to convince others of God and His nature? Our means of Reproof? How do we get people off the wrong path?  Our Correction? How to we grow and mature Christians?  What is our means of Instruction in Righteousness?  It is scripture for all these.  It is all we need!

Maturity — Scripture is all we need to become all God wants us to be.  Perfection (artios) means fitted or completed. God’s word suits us, and is everything we need to be what God wants us to be!  We are “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Rather than making the mistake of establishing our own righteousness (cf. Romans 10:3), we have knowledge of the righteousness of God!

I have been considering the fact that the Christian faith is, by definition, countercultural. Consider the words of Peter, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12 ).

Christianity is not arrived at by birth or heritage. You aren’t Christian because your parents or grandparents are. And you aren’t a Christian if you do not adhere to the teaching of the Master, Jesus Christ. You must put Him on in faith, and remain steadfast in your life to attain the narrow gate and difficult way that leads to life.

That means there are “few” that find the way to heaven. This makes true Christians a subculture (a small group in a larger culture). But it makes true Christians countercultural as well.  The term defined: “a culture with values and customs that are very different from and usually opposed to those accepted by most of society” (Brittanica).

Too many Christians identify primarily as Americans, or Texans, or Republicans, or Democrats, or white, black, or brown, etc. All of these MUST take a back seat to our faith in our values and decisions we make!

The book of Haggai covers a time after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. The temple had begun to be built, but after a long period of time it had not been completed.  Why?  Because the personal lives of the people had interfered!  This is clear from the admonitions that come from the pen of the prophet in this short book.

Consider this famous reference at the beginning of the book:

“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).

The same problems exist in our time.  It is not that people do not love the Lord, or have their hearts set fully to do evil.  Often it is simply that living your life day to day gets in the way of serving God.  Regardless, it is never acceptable to put your agenda before the Lord’s!

As Haggai related from Jehovah, “Consider your ways!” (5,7). What you want and need from life will not be fully realized unless and until you put God first!