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One simple passage that shows the error of the Calvinistic doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints, and speaks to the need for continued diligence is Philippians 3:12.  “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Of any Christian in the first century who had the right (if it existed) to state he was guaranteed a place in heaven for what had already been done, it was Paul. He was both saved by the Grace of God, and amply demonstrated his faith in the “finished work of Jesus Christ.”  However, he did not conduct himself as one whose fate was guaranteed, but as one who had to “remain faithful until death” (cf. Revelation 2:10).

Notice the next two verses, (13-14), “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We, like Paul, must live our lives with the same point of view.  “Not that I have already attained”… “I do not count myself to have apprehended.”  We must “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We wouldn’t want to miss out on the crown that God has promised to the faithful! (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Do you ever think of yourself as a steward of Jesus Christ? Paul writes that we are! “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

The Greek word translated steward in the text is oikonomos, and is defined as “the manager of a household or of household affairs; especially a steward, manager, superintendent” (Thayer). It is used figuratively here to indicate a servant, but one who is given authority to accomplish important tasks. In other words, stewardship indicates service to Christ where we accomplish what he has given us to do.

Wayne Fancher said in a recent sermon that even the one talent man was given a lot of responsibility. One talent is a lot of money. When we think of servitude, we tend to think of someone as low as possible on the social ladder.  Not so with a steward.  He was certainly bound, but with responsibility, “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”

So think of study, prayer, meditation, the practice of pure religion (cf. James 1:27), attendance, evangelism, love, etc. as duties given my God.  Responsibilities for which you will be held accountable.

A sobering thought, isn’t it?

Paul told Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

This passage succinctly establishes the purpose and holiness of the Old Testament scriptures. Timothy was half Jewish (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5), and had been taught by his grandmother and mother from the Old Testament scriptures. These verses paved the way for the coming of the Christ. They prophesied His coming, described His kingdom, and established what constitutes righteousness before the Father. They were able to make Timothy “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The Old and New Testaments are both God’s word, coming through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Together they make the whole of God’s revelation to man. While we are under the authority of the new covenant, we must learn and familiarize ourselves with the entirety of the Bible.

“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).

The Psalmist in Psalm 26 asks for a personal examination to be vindicated. He claims to have “walked in my integrity”, “walked in Your truth.” Conversely, he has not slipped, has not “sat with idolatrous mortals”, nor gone “in with hypocrites.”

He recognized that the Lord’s “lovingkindness is before my eyes” and he was eager to “tell of all Your wondrous works” having loved “the place where Your glory dwells.” He prayed that God might, “Redeem me and be merciful to me” (Psalm 26:1-12).

In a more prosaic way, Paul also proclaimed that vindication comes only from the Lord. He wrote, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Simply put, it doesn’t matter what others think, or even what we think. We need only to know that our God will examine and vindicate us! It is a good thing that the one who will judge us wants our salvation! “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We need not worry about a capricious God. He loves us, and will treat us with mercy.

In his letter to Philemon, the apostle Paul made an appeal to his brother in Christ about an escaped slave, Onesimus, whom Paul had converted. This was a wonderful thing for Onesimus, but it came as a result of his disobedience and treachery toward Philemon. This short missive is not intended to examine the existence of slavery, nor the fact that the Christian Philemon owned at least one.

There had, though been a change. Once, Onesimus had been “unprofitable to” Philemon, and now Paul wrote was “profitable to you and to me” (11). However, Paul was not willing to defraud his brother. By law, Onesimus belonged to Philemon, and Paul wrote, “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” (14).

As a means of appealing to Philemon, Paul wrote, “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account” (18). This is a true case of going above and beyond based on love for another. It is the action of the Lord Himself, who died not for His own sins, but the sins of you and me.

How about you, are you willing to act in such a sacrificial way? It is one thing to say you are willing to help, but quite another to say, “put that on my account.” Typically, this might be something done for our physical families, but what about our brethren?

“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).

This is, of course, a passage that is close to the heart of every Christian.  It shows how God determined to reveal His will to men, through scripture.  God’s Mosaic covenant was to be followed by the Jews.  It supplied them everything needed to be prepared for the coming of Jesus (cf. Galatians 3:24-25).

In these last days God has spoken to us “by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).  The words of Jesus, spoken by Him while He was on earth, and given to the disciples (John 16:13) by the Holy Spirit when He departed, constitutes the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3); the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25); and “that which is perfect” (1 Corinthians 13:10).

This is clearly affirmed in Hebrews 2:1-4, and makes the words of Peter true when he stated, “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

God’s word is how we know His will.  We are so thankful for his omniscience and mercy.

In Matthew 3 John the Baptist had an interesting way of stating that the last days were upon them. He warned the Pharisees and Sadducees about their complacency and feelings of superiority. When they came to his baptism, he greeted them with the words, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (3:7). He also preemptively responded to their potential response. “And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (3:9).

What these Jewish leaders thought is that in their position as God’s chosen people, they would always have standing and protection. However, with the change in covenant in the coming of Jesus, everything is changed! As John stated, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry” (3:11). This coming One’s work is described, “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (3:12).

When would it happen? Soon! John was preparing the way.  Note his words:  “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (3:10). Today, the only protection we have is faithfulness, not position. So, bear fruit for the Lord, and avoid the ax!

Paul has an interesting thing to write about the Christian’s blessings, both because of Christ Himself, and the diligent ministry of His servants. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:

“You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!” (8-10).

We are so blessed because of our relationship with Christ. All spiritual blessings emanate from Him!  So, the hope of heaven and eternal bliss, as well as our opportunity to worship, communicate with Him and learn His will, all  enrich us, strengthen us, and help us to find value and purpose in our lives.

Too, we rejoice that others, His servants, are willing to sacrifice so much for our welfare. This is love. This is what Paul and the other apostles were always willing to do.  They were willing to die, be made a spectacle, called a fool, and be weak and dishonored, if only their brethren benefited. May others follow their example. As Paul wrote, he wished that the Corinthians would reign, “that we might reign with you!” (8).  We all benefit!

Tomorrow is labor day, a federal holiday celebrating those who work for a living, created and passed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1894. It is a result of tensions in the newly industrialized nation, as labor unions sought to improve working standards and practices for manual laborers.  Since then, every first Sunday in September is a federal holiday, with all federal government employees, and many private company workers enjoying a day off.

Interestingly, the Bible has much to say about the importance, value and significance of working for a living. Consider the following, among many verses:

(Colossians 3:23, ESV), “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:12-13), “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, ¹³ and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

(Ephesians 4:28), “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

(Proverbs 18:9) “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:10), “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”

I am writing this a few days early, but today (Sunday) is supposed to be another scorcher here in Fort Worth, with no chance of rain in sight. Some claim it is all because of man-made climate change, and others say it is just an out of the ordinary hot summer, but it has been as hot as I have experienced in North Texas, and some say as hot and oppressive as the summer of 1980.

I remember 1980. It was hot in West Texas as well, and I was employed in the oil field all summer. Time dulls the suffering from the event, but I think I can with confidence say that I took it better at age 18 than I am taking it today at 61.

This may be a bit obvious, but this serves as another reminder of the unpleasant nature of hell. “…It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched — where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mark 9:43-44).

Now, the worst part of hell is that one who goes there will be separated from God for eternity. It is a place of outer darkness, while heaven basks in the light and glory of our omnipotent Creator. But, the actual nature of the suffering of hell is experienced in a pale echo by the hot nature of our present summer.

Now, where do you want to spend eternity! I certainly want to avoid the fires of hell!

It has (rightly) become somewhat popular when patriotic Americans see a policeman, firefighter, soldier or other first responder, to let them know “We appreciate your service.”

This is by no means a universal sentiment, but it should be.  As we consider the work and danger they involve themselves it, and know that in the end it is to benefit us, we should be grateful and it is a good thing to let them know. There is so much more we could do for them, but at the least we can let them know we recognize and appreciate their work.

The same thing should be done for those who do for you spiritually.  Their desire is for you or your loved ones to grow, and so they spend much time and effort to help you. It’s not just the preacher.  Elders, teachers, and even those who clean the building each week, do so selflessly and for the purpose of helping you to grow spiritually.

It is easy to complain when things do not suit exactly, but it is not appropriate.  Instead, gratitude should be the sentiment of the hour.  There are many passages which deal with these issues.  Showing respect and expressing gratitude is the least that we can do.  Paul wrote, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:10).

When is the last time you told someone who helped you spiritually, “I appreciate you!”

One truth that is clearly established in scripture is that true wisdom is salutatory, pleasant, and does no harm. One such passage where this is established is Proverbs 9.

“Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars;  She has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table.  She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city,  ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,  ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.  Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding’” (1-6).

This is contrasted with foolishness.  The woman who personifies foolishness, “is clamorous, she is simple, and knows nothing” (13).  She does not make the same preparations as wisdom to welcome and benefit, but foolishness also wants to be heard.

Both wisdom and foolishness want the simple to turn to them.  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here” (4, 16), but while wisdom desires to enlighten, and to help, foolishness is manipulative and destructive. Consider foolishness’s words, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (17).

If you want favor, listen to and be entertained by true wisdom.  As for foolishness, “…her guests are in the depths of hell” (18).

What does God intend the Christian to be? As indicated in Colossians 3:9-10, we are to put off the old man and put on the new man.   The way this is done is described in Romans 6:1-4. It is the process of conversion. But, the two are described in our text of Colossians 3:1-17

So, what is this old man we put off? Consider the following, expressed in Colossians 3:5-9, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”

The new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Christ is described in verses 12-17, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Amen.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

A concise verse, establishing several important truths:

1. Judgment is universal. It says “we must all appear before the judgment seat.  The word “all” is inclusive. No one will escape judgment.
2. Christ is the judge. We are thankful that the one who “died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) is the one who judges us.
3. We will receive at judgment exactly what we deserve. “whether good or bad.”
4. The judgment has a standard by which we will be judged. “The things done in the body.”

Finally, Paul writes of the consequence of these truths found in this verse. Our purpose should be His.  We should make it our aim “to be well pleasing to him” (9). It makes no sense to offend the one who is our judge.  Our primary purpose in life it to please Him. Because we know the “terror of the Lord” we do as He desires. His desire is that we persuade men, cf. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15.

Seek to please Him in your life.  It matters!

Paul recognized that the acceptance of his exhortation was in part dependent upon acceptance of his person. He told the Thessalonians, “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit” (1 Thessalonians 2:3). Walton Weaver in his commentary on this book I think had it right when he said that this verse in Paul’s writing had to do with motive.  He basically states that he was not deceived (teaching error) nor did he seek to deceive. In addition he had no unclean motives in his teaching.

Paul was given his apostleship by God (cf. 2:4). He did not seek to please men, only God. So, the Thessalonians could accept and regard his teaching as pure.

Note that Paul stated this to make his exhortations effective, that they would be accepted by his readers.  However, it is incumbent upon a child of God to accept exhortation, admonition or criticism regardless of who gives it, or their motivation.

When anyone speaks to us, our first and most important question should be, is what they sat valid?  Regardless of motivation, slant, or personal integrity, is the criticism or exhortation just?  If so, it should be accepted because our desire is only to be right!

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17).