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“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!

It is an interesting question: Was John referring to an actual lady in 2 John 1, or was he referring to the church to which he was writing? I’m not sure the question is answerable, but it does not matter to his expression of love.

The word elect simply means chosen. So, the one to whom he wrote was either a Christian, or represented Christians. The little children are either actually the woman’s personal children, or referenced individual Christians in that church.

Regardless, there was a tender promise John made to her regarding God. “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth in love.” (3)

There was an admonition given to her that applies to us all. “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning; that we love one another” (5).

There was a universal warning concerning false teaching, given to her. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (10-11).

All these sentiments we too must heed!

This what the apostle Paul claims, when he wrote to the Romans about the failures of the Jews, “Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.  As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:32-33).

Paul here referred to Psalm 118:22-24, a clear reference to the Messiah of Israel, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:22-24).

And so we see Paul’s point.  The Jews, did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God.  This was predicted by the psalmist, so it was no surprise.  Yes, Jesus is the Savior, He is the King, He is a wonderful Teacher, He was God on the earth, He is our eternal Intercessor.

This is the means of salvation the Jew AND ALSO for the Gentile. Faith in Christ is what makes Jesus positive to you, rather than you being one who stumbles “at that stumbling stone.” Paul stated the “fragrance of Christ” was an aroma of death to those who reject, but a precious “aroma to life” for those who are being saved, (2 Cor. 2:15-16a). What is He to you?

In Ruth 2, Boaz came upon Ruth, and found out who she was. He encouraged her to stay nearby, promising protection, food and drink. He was a good man, and his mercy toward Ruth was commendable.

But Ruth, a stranger to the country, had a hard time understanding why he would be so kind to her, so she asked, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (2:10).

Listen to the answer Boaz gave, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge” (2:11-12 ).

Ruth’s kindness was rewarded by  Boaz with kindness returned. This does not always happen, but rest assured that good and decent people respond well to kindness on our part! And, more importantly, remember that if your kindness is not well received by men, it is nevertheless seen and accepted by God!

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High…” (Luke 6:35).

Paul’s letter to Philemon is an interesting example of proper diplomacy in accomplishing a desired response in another.  There is not doubt that Paul was trying to get Philemon to respond to his plea for Onesimus positively, some may say using flattery and other forms of manipulation. This, I think is unwarranted.

The Bible concept of flattery is praise that is insincere for false.  For example, “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet” (Proverbs 29:5). This means he is attempting to trap, or cause another to stumble.

This was neither Paul’s method nor motivation. First, Paul was sincere. Philemon was truly a good man worthy of praise. Sincere praise is an encouragement the recipient, and there are many examples of such in the Bible. Think, for example, of “Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement)” ( Acts 4:36).

It is also true that Paul’s request of Philemon to receive back his escaped slave Onesimus with love and understanding was also a righteous request, one that Paul had no doubt Philemon would honor (21). Onesimus had been converted by Paul (10), and was willingly returning to his master Philemon. He was now a brother in Christ, and it was appropriate to treat him as Philemon would any other Christian.

It is good to praise others.  It is also acceptable to make righteous requests, especially when you are interceding for someone else. What Paul did was defensible and a good example for us to follow!

In Psalm 24, David testified to the glory of the Lord —  the earth and all that is in it belonging to Him.  In verses 7-10 he proclaimed:

“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. ⁸ Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. ¹⁰ Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Psalms 24:7-10).

In establishing that the earth belongs to God, and His is the “King of glory”, the question is who will be accepted by Him?  Who will have a place of honor in the kingdom of the King of glory? This question was actually answered by David earlier in the Psalm, which in turn gives us a clear understanding of God’s values.  “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalms 24:3-4).

God requires loyalty and purity from those who He will allow to approach and serve Him. His own righteousness requires the same from us. We are to be holy, because He is holy! (cf. Leviticus 11:44-45).

Paul was a man motivated by love and concern for others, especially his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This is evident from his life of ministry, going to various congregations to preach to them, writing letters, and sending his companions when he couldn’t go himself to help them during trials or difficulties. One example of this is 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3:

“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.”

Can you imagine a love for your brethren so strong that concern for their well being troubles you beyond the point of endurance? So, Paul sent Timothy to help them by establishing them in the faith, and encouraging them.

He did not want their faith to be shaken. It is the lot of all of us to suffer tribulation. The help of our brethren can aid our maintaining faithfulness despite such trials.

To our point, do you have the same love for your brethren that Paul exhibited? We are spiritual family! (cf. Matthew 12:46-50).

The love letter that Paul wrote to the Philippians had a single sour note, revealed in Philippians 4. We know nothing of the circumstances, but in the midst of the righteous efforts of this faithful congregation, there was some kind of strife between two women of the number.

Paul wrote, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). Paul wrote with love and gentleness, but there was a problem of some type. It seems that if the problem were doctrinal, Paul would have arbitrated the issue by revealing God’s will on the matter. Most probably the strife that existed was something else. It may have been a matter of personality, perceived slight, or another inconsequential matter, though it may have seemed large to the ladies.

Regardless, it was something that could not rightly stand in the way of their unity. Paul had already encouraged the Philippians, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2). He now called upon those mature Christians in Philippi to “help these women” (3) gain a unity that was not present. The next time you think your issue is important enough to strive against your brother, think twice!