#biblical admonitions for obedience

[biblenewsprophecy]

#Philippians 1 #Philippians 2 #Philippians 1-2 #sermon #video sermon #audio sermon #love #grace #church governance #falling away #God will not give up on you #grumblers #building character #biblical admonitions for obedience #trusting God #suffering

[isaiahbie]

Civil Disobedience and Romans 13

In the 13th chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote what must remain for Christians the classic admonition of obedience to the government:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13:1-7)

This admonition, however, needs to be balanced with other biblical passages that suggest individuals will at times face a very clear choice between God and government:

(a.) The Old Testament prophet Daniel, rather than violate God’s law, was granted permission not to partake of the king’s food—though we must acknowledge, he took the minimum resistance necessary, even seeking a pagan official’s approval of an alternative action. (Daniel 1)

(b.) His friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went further risking their lives rather than worship pagan idols. (Daniel 6)

(c.) In the New Testament Book of Acts, Peter and John refused to stop preaching the gospel even as they recognized the state’s right to punish them. (Acts 4-5)

The biblical data suggests, it seems to me, that where the state either demands what God prohibits or prohibits what God demands, the believer is to obey God and graciously accept the state’s imposed consequences.

However, not all Christian thinkers have applied this principle in exactly the same way.

The Swiss Reformer John Calvin, for instance, held a somewhat narrow line, stressing the responsibility of citizens to fear and honor whatever ruler is placed over them, even “the most wicked ruler,” a Nebuchadnezzar or Belshazzar. Calvin is confident that God providentially works His will in all sorts of people, good or bad.

For the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas, on the other hand, God’s delegation of authority to civil authorities was linked to the fostering of virtue. When a ruler meets that test, when his laws and actions are in accord with the lex divina, and when human law promotes the tranqulilitas ordonis, then human law is just; but if it “runs counter in any way to the law in us by nature, it is no longer law but a breakdown of law.”

The evangelist Martin Luther King, Jr. cited Aquinas in defense of civil disobedience in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail in 1963: “A just law is man-made code that squares with the moral law of God. Unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.” We must observe, however, that King did not call for general disobedience or resistance to the state; only the unjust law, he argued in an important qualification, can be disobeyed.

In his classic work Lex Rex, the Scottish Reformer Samuel Rutherford, argued that the written law stands above the king, and when the king strays, his actions are unjust and may be resisted, indeed must be resisted. Rutherford was the inspiration for the 20th-century theologian Francis Schaeffer who wrote in his Christian Manifesto that “at a certain point, there is not only the right, but the duty, to disobey the state.” “The state,” he notes, “is to be an agent of justice, to restrain evil by punishing the wrongdoer, and to protect the good in society. When it does the reverse, it has not proper authority. It [has] usurped authority, and as such it becomes lawless and is tyranny.”

Indeed, I think, when a government perverts the ends for which it was established by God under Romans 13—ends such as justice, domestic tranquility, and the restraint of evil—that government would be acting ultra vires or in violation of its delegated authority. In such a case, lawful resistance is justified.

[ramon-balaguer]

I’ve always had money, Not boosting, just my reality. I was born into it, generated my own wealth and appreciate it but I don’t love it or anything else above GOD, family, Country(s), Ministry and Businesses.

You may have read or heard it said that “Money is the answer to EVERYTHING” in Ecclesiastes 10:19 but you have to read at least the two previous passages of scripture to understand the context and experientially and Biblically we all know Money is in fact Not the answer to everything and if poorly used or misused it will lead to greater problems, especially to those with expensive habits and living above their means. All that being said, money is useful and needed for just about everything but we must be good stewards of it in our wages, profits, investing, savings, tithing, offering, giving, gifting, loaning, borrowing, purchases, etc… So yeah, don’t get it twisted as some folks would have you to believe. There’s really Only One Answer to EVERYTHING and that’s GOD Who Created EVERYTHING❗️

We have all also heard folks say, “the Bible says money is the root of all evil.”  But that’s not what the Bible actually says. Paul wrote to Timothy about money and said:

“The LOVE of money is the root of all evil…”  1 Tim 6:10

Paul teaches that the LOVE of money [or anything else that you place or exalts itself (yes, you yourself too) above GOD] is the root of all EVIL.  In addition to money, it could be the love of status, jobs, possessions, family, hobbies, recreational activities, prideful or conceited (extreme self love or feeling of superiority) and much more…that can be the “root of all evil.  It is anything that we love and put above our love for God, that can become an idol in our lives.

So why does Paul say “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil?”  Because it is covetousness of something worldly. And that covetousness becomes a desire that controls us, demands our devotion, and, as Paul wrote to Timothy it causes some to “err from the Faith” and have “many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:10).

Paul’s admonition to Timothy was that children of God should “…flee from the coveteousness of worldly things, and desire to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Tim 6:11).  We are to “Fight the Good Fight of Faith, lay hold on Eternal Life” (1 Tim 6:12) and “covet earnestly the best gifts” (1 Cor 12:31), which are gifts from GOD.

Such focus, dedication, and devotion are mandatory for Christians if they are to live in the Spirit and honor God.  We are to:

* put nothing above Jesus

* keep our hearts devoted to Jesus

* renew our minds in the Word of God

* live in the power of the Holy Spirit

* and find rest, assurance, and security in Christ alone.

As Christians, our wealth is not found in money. Our hope and joy do not come from worldly possessions.  Rather, our hope, joy, and wealth come from our positional standing in Christ. We are redeemed and regenerated, and we stand as a child of God and a joint heir with Christ.

This short parable illustrates our immeasurable wealth.

A Parable of the Poor Christian and the Tax Collector:

One day, a tax assessor came to a poor Christian to determine his property and assess the taxes due to be collected. He asked the Christian, “What property do you possess to properly assess your taxes?”  The Christian replied, “I am a very wealthy man Sir, with possessions of great value.”

“What are they? Please list them for me,” responded the tax assessor.  And the Christian began to list all of his valuable possessions:

* First, I have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

* Second, I have a mansion in heaven. (John 14:2)

* Third, I have peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

* Fourth, I have joy unspeakable. (1 Peter 1:8)

* Fifth, I have love that never fails. (1 Cor.13:8)

* Sixth, I have a faithful, virtuous wife. (Proverbs 31:10)

* Seventh, I have healthy, happy, obedient children. (Exodus 20:12)

* Eighth, I have true and loyal friends. (Proverbs 18:24)

* Ninth, I have songs in the night. (Psalm 42:8)

* Tenth, I have a crown of life. (James 1:12)

“I have many more possessions,” said the Christian. “Should I continue?”

The tax assessor closed his book, and declared, “Truly you are a very blessed rich man. But your property is not subject to taxation.” Hallelujah and Amen‼️ 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼

<*}}}>< 🤔🙏🏼🌎 #REBTD 😇

A few years ago, I found myself in a pickle with the IRS and my creditors in the millions but my Bankruptcy lawyer and friend told he couldn’t help or rather he would only be able delay the inevitable after listing a balance sheet of all I possessed, all my profit and all I owe…and didn’t want to take my monies on top of all I would be legally liable for and telling me they’re coming after me and when they do it will be relentless and unforgiving.

In the end i did end up losing properties in DC, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Virginia. Still I remained Faithful, Prayerful and Hopeful and about a year or less later I received an Unrequested, Unmerited, Undeserved and UnExpected letter reading PAID in FULL. My entire debt, all amounts due, all accumulated interest and finance fees, and all legal fees paid off. At first I thought it was some mistake, error, or fake junk. But I contacted the financial institution and they couldn’t even find my account or record, finally the secretary of the CEO contacted me and said EVERYTHING is settled and completely legal, but couldn’t explain why or how except it was not an error, I OWE NOTHING‼️ 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼

I don’t have a pic of that letter handy but I did post it after using it in one of my sermons a few years back on how GOD will Bless you Unexpectedly and differently than how you think He might answer or even how you asked Him to answer your prayer. I Never Doubted GOD, I just didn’t know how or when. He Is my Great GOD❗️🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 Amen 🥰🙏🏼🌎 #REBTD 😇

[faithisdoubt]

The compassionate church?

I love big churches. I love it when great buildings are filled with thousands of people who have one agenda: worshipping the most high. I love it when people feel good and welcome in the church and find their second home there. But there's an serious issue our modern churches suffer with. We often depend more on compassion than on obedience. Let me explain you what I'm talking about. If you're reading your bible, you'll find many characters. Most of them had a mission from God. He wanted them to do something and most of them did not feel comfortable with it. Here are some examples: Moses wasn't comfortable to stand in front of the Pharoah. Gideon wasn't comfortable to beat the philisters. And even Jesus wasn't comfortable to die on the cross. BUT THEY DID IT ANYWAYS! We live in a society where everyone has to show compassion and nobody should get hurt. We live with a mask of false tolerance and denie ourselves daily. And don't understand me wrong; compassion for others is important but should never be more important than obedience to God. Jesus said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15 KJV That means to be obedient even if we don't feel comfortable. That means to be obedient even if someone else does not agree with our biblical values. Churches should not only be place of compassion. They should also be a place of admonition. A place of obidience.

[roxdajedi]

Verse Joshua 2:11 KJV The Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath Devotion This profession of faith comes from the lips of one of the most unlikely characters in the Bible -- a prostitute, a heathen, and a citizen of an enemy nation to God's people. But it is exactly the unexpectedness of her faith which makes her such a source of biblical comfort and admonition. On the one hand, Rahab shows us there is no valid excuse for unbelief in the one true God. Rahab's faith in the one true God was the reason she did not perish with the unbelieving heathen who surrounded her in Jericho, Hebrews reminds us. Also, James uses Rahab as an example of one whose genuine faith is shown by concrete acts of obedience and sacrifice. When Rahab heard the report of all that God had done for His people -- delivering them out of Egypt, drying up the Jordan, conquering powerful kings -- she trusted that this was the one true God in heaven and in earth. If Rahab could come out of such a conflicting and hostile society, to such a potent and unyielding faith, then it proves no circumstantial or cultural barrier is strong enough to overcome genuine faith in the one true God. There is also great comfort in the story of Rahab, particularly for those who are saved out of sinful lifestyles. Here was a promiscuous woman, with dubious connections, and a dark and pagan past who was used of the Lord to deliver his people and eventually even usher in the Christ. What a powerful witness Rahab is of God's ability to forgive, to cleanse, and even to use those who come to him by faith. May your faith lead you to courageous and sacrificial obedience today, in the knowledge of Christ's cleansing and healing power for your past.

[ivy72376]

CAN’T SAY ENOUGH - July 18, 2020

This has been a rather long day, but it was also very encouraging and uplifting.  As usual, during weekly grocery runs, we hear songs of praise and worship on the supermarket sound system.  Then in the afternoons, I joined and viewed online meetings on the closing ceremonies of Accountancy Week first with the National Federation, then the Cebu Chapter, then much later in the afternoon, an online talk from Husband-and-Wife Pastors on how to properly look at the situation the world is in now from a godly perspective, and how to manage everyday life with it, from a Biblical point of view.

 I must admit, attending webinars and online meetings and forums can be fun and very convenient.  We can view the same, and at the same time, do other tasks besides, although the latter shouldn’t be done during official online work meetings, if the one on the other screen is your boss.

 Anyway, what I realized from the things I heard today is that there is really no cause for despair, no matter the difficulties and challenges we may all go through, because there is always hope, and even if they are physically far from us, there is always a community, a non-blood related family we all belong to, and who are equally concerned about our wellbeing.  That is why, it is sad to learn that a well-known successful Japanese actor committed suicide today at the age of 30.

 It’s hard to accept that such young person, and many others who were actually younger than him who did the same, could lose such hope early on, that they had to take their own life.  One wonders where the problem lies.  We could not say if it was from family, career or relationships.  One can only hope and pray that for those who are feeling down and depressed, there is a chance to reach out to them and make them know that there are people who care about them, and who are very much willing to help them and support them with whatever they are going through.

 But I believe such support system really does start with the smallest unit in society—the family.  And that is why, the Word today in Ephesians 6, the first four verses are a favorite passage during children’s Sunday school classes.  We learn that obedience and honoring or respecting our parents and elders are the basic ingredients to having a long and truly successful life. But the fourth verse does set the foundation—where fathers (and mothers too) not provoke their children to wrath, meaning that they should not overly reprimand their children or abuse them, so that their mental and psychological state remain healthy, and they grow to be proper-minded, mature and psychologically balanced individuals.  The second part of the fourth verse lays down the parents’ ultimate responsibility: “…but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  This is not the carrot-and-the-stick, but nurturing (feeding the basic and supplementing with more) and admonition (instruction, responsible, reasonable teaching and discipline).

 Verses 5 to 9 are often quoted during bible studies dealing with work and career.  In it we are reminded to faithfully obey our superiors and masters, even when they are not looking at us.  We are reminded to be faithful and trustworthy in our work, and not be flatterers or “men-pleasers”, because even if the business owner pays us our salary, indeed our true master is GOD Himself.  Bosses and masters are also told to treat their employees and subordinates well, as equals who help them achieve the goals of the organization, and realizing that they too have GOD as their real master.  This is not the master-slave situation, but the apostle Paul is teaching us that in work and in any way we earn a living, it should be a symbiotic, partnership or team-based relationship.

 Then in verses 10 to 18, the apostle laid down the real purpose why familial and work relationships must be strengthened and managed well: because every day we battle against an invisible enemy, one that is so powerful that it rules over the world, and one that can kill not just our bodies but our souls. And so we have to put on “The Full Armor” of GOD: first, being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, not by our own strength and power; second, the girdle of truth; third, the breastplate of righteousness; fourth, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace; fifth, the shield of faith; sixth, the helmet of salvation; seventh, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD.  Our ammunition is prayer, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, “.  And our communication and monitoring system is to, “watch(ing) with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (GOD’s people),” meaning, we should look out for each other.

 In the last 5 verses, the apostle went on to ask that he be prayed for, being an ambassador in chains.  He also said that he is sending Tychicus, to apprise the brethren how he is doing, and to comfort them.  He then closed the epistle with a blessing on all GOD’s people.

 Here we know that human life is essentially one long process of obedience and readiness for battle.  The battle is not just for our health, our bodies, our resources or our nations, but for our minds and spirits.  And we get to prepare for this battle by starting in the home.  Our home is where our minds are molded, and our characters are built up.  If we fail to follow and not be able to put on the things mentioned above as part of our armor, any little dart or attack by the enemy could weaken us or make us lose self-esteem.  And that will be the death of our souls and our spirits.  Let it not happen to us.  The last part of the chapter tells us how we can be encouraged in spite of the attacks of the enemy, and even when we feel that our armor is getting rusted or broken.  We turn to GOD’s ordained shepherds and our brethren in the faith because they can both encourage us and we can also encourage them.  Like a master and a servant that does not operate on a system of slavery, we grow and increase in hope and knowledge if we work in partnership in a symbiotic relationship with each other.

 In these trying times and even in more challenging times ahead, doing our best to encourage and being encouraged, keeping our faith well, and strengthening our minds and spirits will always be the sure way for us to survive. And we really can’t say enough of that because it will take us to the last dying breath and beyond.

[frederickwiddowson]

Exodus 23:1-9 comments: laws against injustice

Exodus 23:1 ¶  Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3  Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. 4  If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. 6  Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. 7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. 8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. 9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

The context of this entire passage is about not mistreating the poor person or the foreigner, both politically powerless entities. Here begins with a warning not to bear false witness as stated in the list of ten earlier. Another admonition against following wicked and evil people follows. The book of Proverbs gives warnings against following the sinful ways of others. To wrest judgment is to pervert judgment, a corrupt thing to do. Here, in context it is referring to abusing the poor and backing the powerful in a way that perverts judgment.

James 2:6  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Verse 3 is difficult because of the archaic use of the word countenance as a verb. It does not necessarily mean, ‘to favor,’ as some commentators insist, stating that you should not support a poor man just because he was poor. In Baret��s 1574 dictionary, referenced earlier, you can find one meaning as to deny, refuse, or forbid. Other dictionaries at the same general time frame, and you can verify this by accessing the early modern English website previously mentioned, also suggest the possibility of the false pretense of justice by putting a good face on it but the reality not being so. So here it is forbidden to refuse a poor man equitable judgment and put a false, hypocritical honest face on it. This is an archaic meaning of the verb but one that is readily accessible to anyone interested. This meaning fits well in the context here and in the context of other Biblical admonitions against abusing the poor. It is not the proverbial ‘rocket science.’ Just look for the meaning of a difficult word used rarely in a particular form in the Bible around the time that this Bible was translated. The information is there. Do you really want to know what the Bible says?

Verse 4 mandates kindness, as taking it on oneself to return another’s straying beast back to him. Verse 5 requires one to render assistance to a beast struggling with a load he is having a hard time supporting even if the owner of the beast is someone they know doesn’t like them and they probably don’t like. This calls for compassion for an animal regardless who owns it.

Verse 6 reinforces verse 3 and 7 verse 1. Clearly, the context of these judgments is a fair and equal treatment regardless of someone’s social status and an attitude of mercy and compassion regardless of your difficult relationship with others. Verse 8 denies bribery or oppressing the politically powerless or weak.

These are important principles that are often not followed. It may be helpful to offer examples that are easy to understand. If you do not get along with someone or even have a feud going and their dog escapes from their yard you would return the dog regardless of your feud as an act of righteousness. Although we use mechanical ‘beasts’ of burden now in that time if a Hebrew were to see another man’s donkey struggling under a burden he would be compelled to ease the burden of the poor animal. The fact that these are listed under the Law given to Moses for the Hebrews shows us that matters of personal responsibility were coded into the civil regulations. You could be held responsible for not being a good neighbor even to a neighbor you didn’t like.

Bribery was forbidden.

Deuteronomy 16:19  Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Proverbs 17:23 ¶  A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Our government is corrupt today because of lobbyists for even good causes who put money, desirable vacations, and even luxurious homes in front of our lawmakers to pervert judgment.

There is a tie-in here with doing right regardless of another’s social status and following the law regardless of your relationship with another person. There is an absolute standard here that rises above your petty selfishness. There is compassion for the weak that goes beyond your hatred or contempt. The righteous man does right regardless of the enticement to pervert judgment or ignore the suffering of another. From the point of view of God another person’s social status or your relationship with them should not be affected by your doing what is right in obedience to God and not doing what is wrong.

[carlerinle]

Believers And Civil Disobedience

Thursday 18th June 2020

Ex. 1:17 – “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”

The emperor of Rome from AD 54-68 was Emperor Nero, a man who was not known for being moral or ethical. When the Great Fire of AD 64 happened, though he was suspected of being behind the arson, he put the guilt and inflicted horrendous torture on the group least willing to defend themselves, the Christians. Yet, it was during Nero’s reign that Paul wrote to the Roman church in Rom. 13:1-7 that they should submit to the government, even though one might expect him to encourage an insurrection. A godless and ruthless emperor regardless, Paul’s admonition, by the Spirit, was for the Church to be in subjection to the government. Peter also wrote the same thing in 1 Pet. 2:13-17, encouraged our civil obedience and submission to the king or the governor, because this is the will of God. Given this, however, is there any point where civil disobedience is required? Are believers meant to submit and obey the government no matter what is asked of them?

The Bible records several incidents of civil disobedience by God’s people. In our focal text, the two Hebrew midwives refused to obey the pharaoh’s order to kill all male Israeli kids born, choosing instead to lie that the women gave birth too quickly. Rahab hid the Israeli spies and let them down the wall from her window, against the king’s orders. She was redeemed from the city’s destruction because of her support for Israel (Jos. 2:9-15). The book of Daniel records the three Hebrew children refusing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, and Daniel disobeying the government’s order to not pray. The book of Acts records Peter and John’s disobedience to the command of the authorities of the time concerning preaching about Jesus (Acts 4:19-20), and in the book of Revelation, the tribulation saints will refuse the antichrist’s order that all worship his image (Rev. 13:145).

There are three general positions on the issue of civil disobedience. First is the anarchist, who feels a person is free to disobey the government whenever he likes and whenever he feels justified to do so. This is not supported by scripture. The second is the extremist, who says that a person should always follow and obey government, no matter what the instruction is. This is also not supported by the Bible. Sometimes, government commands may be immoral, as in the Nazi regime, and we must recourse to what is morally sound (Phil. 4:8) in such situations. The third view, which is the biblical position, is one of submission, where a Christian is permitted to disobey the government if the command is evil and/or obedience would mean acting in a manner contradictory to the clear teachings and requirements of the Word of God.

As much as Christians are required to obey and submit to their leaders, whether at work or in the nation, we should work nonviolently to change a government that permits, commands or compels evil within the laws that have been created to do such. Civil disobedience is permitted when a government’s laws are in direct violation of God’s Word. If you disobey an evil government, unless you can hide or run away, you should be willing to bear the punishment for your actions. Our Christian responsibility to our leaders is to pray for them to prosper in righteous leadership, not for their demise or destruction, acknowledging that they are ordained of God to rule over us. Let wisdom and love lead us in our response to our leaders, so that we are bold to do whatever God requires us to do for and about them.

Have a blessed day.

#Devotional DiligentBibleStudy GrowingInFaith TheDailyWord

[rjhamster]

The Berean - Hebrews 3:15-18 NASB

(15) while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." (16) For who provoked {Him} when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt {led} by Moses? (17) And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?

Hebrews 4:2

New American Standard Bible

In regard to faith, we must understand what the Bible means by its frequent admonitions to "hear." Paul writes in Hebrews 3:15, "Today, if you will hearHis voice." He is not pressing us to hear the sound of His voice, but to understand what God wants us to learn through what Paul, the preacher, is expounding in his epistle. Paul is urging us to take the time now to "get" it, to "see" or "grasp" what God is teaching.

Hebrews 3:17-18; 4:2 will help us reach a conclusion about what God intends regarding hearing. Whether a person physically hears the actual voice of God Himself is of little importance. Whether "hearing" in our personal reading or "hearing" the preaching of a minister, what is critical is that we obey the godly instruction, because unless we actually obey, we have not yet truly heard. If a person continues to sin, he has not really heard, in the biblical sense, what God has taught.

Put in another way, if a person continues to sin because God's Word does not motivate him to obedience to what He teaches, then he, in a worst-case scenario, either does not believe God or at this point his belief is so weak that he cannot bring himself to trust Him. Such are the ones who died in the wilderness. The weakness is not that people do not believe that He exists, but that they do not trust what He says because, in reality, they do not know Him. Thus, in the biblical sense, they have not yet truly heard.

In Hebrews 4:2, Paul uses the Greek word pistis for the first time in his letter. He will use it 31 more times. Pistis is translated either as "faith" or as "faithfulness." I believe that "faithfulness" is better here because that is what the Israelites lacked. Faithfulness is trusting God in continuous fashion as shown by conduct. God has given us a great deal, but it is our responsibility to hold firmly to His instructions by living them. Living them engrains them into our characters as habits, and this is good. Through habitual use, they become so entrenched in our behavior that we do not even have to call them to mind.

The unbelief that Paul is speaking of here is that our weak trust results in weak Christian living because we do not know and "see" God with the clarity that we should have. It can be rectified, but that is not always easy and at times may seem costly.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

[biblenewsprophecy]

Philippians 1-2: God will not give up on you

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of God in Philippi. In this first-part of a two-part sermon, Dr. Thiel covers each and every verse of the first two chapters of Paul's Epistle to the Philippians. He also includes a lot of commentary by the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God about these chapters. Topics covered include love, grace, church governance, the fact that God will not give up on you if you do not give up, falling away, grumblers, Timothy, Protestant errors of salvation, the gospel of the kingdom of God, who owns tithes, building character, why people die when they do, the Philadelphian work, biblical admonitions for obedience, trusting God, suffering, and speaking the same thing. Certain trials that the WCG and the Continuing Church of God have faced were also mentioned.

A written article of related interest is also available titled: ‘Comments on Philippians'

Sermon Youtube video link: Philippians 1-2: God will not give up on you

Related article:

Comments on Philippians

LATEST SERMONS

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 1, 2023 

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 27:11 (KJV): 11 My son, be wise and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. Proverbs 27:11 (AMP): 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me (as having failed in my parental duty).

                                        Thought for the Day

Solomon's admonition to his son expresses the desire of every good parent through the ages. Some younger generations are so full of rebellion, that many parents suffer reproach for their children. One cause of rebellion, even amongst Christians, is that homes are not in Biblical order. Absent or passive husbands and overbearing wives cause much strife. It is no wonder that homes are falling apart. One of the main causes of this rebellion is the evil spirit of female domination. This type of domineering spirit is termed a “Jezebel spirit” because Jezebel ruled her husband, Ahab, and usurped his authority (1 Kings 21:25). Many women today are guilty of the same sin. When a woman seeks to usurp a man's authority and rule the home, spiritual havoc results, leaving a family-wide open to Satanic attack. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead the cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths” (Isaiah 3:12).

Some of the dilemmas that women reap when not in the right relationship with men are, in addition to rebellious children, emotional and sexual problems, as well as divorce. Men who fail to take their godly position in the home are equally at fault for these issues. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3).

The husband is to be head of the house, the wife is second-in-command, and the children obedient to both (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:1). The Lord would have our homes to be examples of His love; parental authority should be exercised in love. When one has a "Jezebel spirit," it subtly manipulates the lives of everyone around them. (Men can also operate in this tyrannical spirit towards their family or undermine those in authority over them.) Let us ask God to deliver us from these evil tendencies if we should find ourselves guilty of being domineering and manipulative. Men should ask God to create within them a proper understanding of the use of authority, and women should ask Him to create in them a submissive spirit pleasing to the Lord. Of course, there are submission limits, as it should always be "as unto the Lord." No one is to submit to evil. We must first submit to God, and then He will resolve our problems involving submission to others. Submission is a heart attitude and the Bible tells us to submit to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for creating me as a man. May I function in the role You created me for and give me a submissive spirit, not only toward my mate but also toward each member in the body of Christ. Let me serve, and not expect to be served. Create within me a lamb-like spirit, even as Christ our Lord had. Give me wisdom in the role of a parent, so that my children might rise and call me blessed. May I love my mate and my children with Your love? I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. Respectfully,

From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ,  gatekeeperwatchman.org Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida., USA.  X ... @ParkermillerQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA, Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

[theopentable]

Equality in the New Life of God’s Grace

1 Peter 3:1-7

Peter, moving on from slaves, goes on to address wives (mostly) and husbands:

3 1-4 The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition.

4-6 Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated.

7 The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don’t run aground. (The Message)

Rachel Held Evans explains how jarring these household codes were for her with texts from Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, and 1 Peter 3 used to put Christian women “in their place” as subordinate to their husbands. That was before she studied the context of the epistles to the early church and learned about the way Peter and Paul provided radical remixes of the Greco-Roman Household Codes that would likely go unnoticed by modern readers[1]. It is absolutely worth quoting Held Evans at length here. She writes,

‘As far back as the fourth century BC, philosophers considered the household to be a microcosm, designed to reflect the hierarchal structure of the society, the gods, and ultimately the universe. Aristotle wrote that “the smallest and primary parts of the household are master and slave, husband and wife, father and children.” First-century philosophers Philo and Josephus included the household codes in their writings as well, arguing that a man’s authority over his household was critical to the success of a society. Many Roman officials believed the household codes to be such an important part of Pax Romana that they passed laws ensuring its protection.

Biblical passages about wives submitting to their husbands are not, as many Christians assume, rooted in a culture epitomized by June Cleaver’s kitchen, but in a culture epitomized by the Greco-Roman household codes, which gave men unilateral authority over their wives, slaves, and adult children. As Sharyn Dowd has observed, the apostles “advocated this system not because God had revealed it as the divine will for Christian homes, but because it was the only stable and respectable system anyone knew about. It was the best the culture had to offer.”[2]

And with Roman officials looking for every excuse to imprison Christians, to challenge the codes would bring even more unwanted scrutiny to the early Church.

The question modern readers have to answer is whether the Greco-Roman household codes reflected upon in Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Peter are in and of themselves holy and divinely instituted, or if their appearance in Scripture represents the early church’s attempt to blend Christianity and culture in such a way that it would preserve the dignity of adherents while honouring prevailing social and legal norms of the day.’

Held Evans adds,

“The Christian versions of the household codes were clearly progressive for their time ..., but does that mean they have the last word, that Christians in changing places and times cannot progress further?”

Rachel Held Evans goes on to describe the way that Peter and Paul give these Greco-Roman Household Codes a Christian spin:

‘While following a similar organizational structure, the household codes found in the Bible’s epistles differ significantly from the household codes found in the pagan literature of the day. In a sense, they present us with a sort of Christian remix of Greco-Roman morality that attempts to preserve the apostle Paul’s earlier teaching that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

Where typical Greco-Roman household codes required nothing of the head of household regarding fair treatment of subordinates, Peter and Paul encouraged men to be kind to their slaves, to be gentle with their children, and, shockingly, to love their wives as they love themselves. Furthermore, the Christian versions of the household codes are the only ones that speak directly to the less powerful members of the household—the slaves, wives, and children—probably because the church at the time consisted of just such powerless people.

To dignify their positions, Peter linked the sufferings of slaves to the suffering of Christ and likened the obedience of women to the obedience of Sarah (1 Peter 2:18–25; 3:1–6). Paul encourages slaves and women to submit the head of the household as “unto the Lord,” reminding both slaves and their masters that they share a heavenly Master who shows no partiality in bestowing eternal inheritance (Ephesians 5:22; 6:5).

“When addressing those without power,” notes Peter H. Davids, the apostle Peter “does not call for revolution, but upholds the values of the culture insofar as they do not conflict with commitment to Christ. He then reframes their behaviour by removing it from the realm of necessity and giving it a dignity, either that of identification with Christ or of identification with the ‘holy women’ of Jewish antiquity.”[3]

I cannot overstate the degree to which this remix—in which masters are reminded that they too have a heavenly master—would have been radical in the ancient world.  And this is important: Peter and Paul’s use of metaphor (the husband is like Christ, the wife is like the Church, suffering slaves are like the suffering Christ) is not meant to universalize or glorify the household codes themselves but rather the *attitudes* of those functioning within the hierarchal systems of the day. Again, we cannot argue that the Greco-Roman hierarchal relationship between husbands and wives is divinely instituted without arguing the same about the Greco-Roman hierarchal relationship between slaves and masters.  (See especially 1 Peter 2:18-23, where Peter provides an extended metaphor comparing slaves to Christ.)

Furthermore, if you look close enough, you can detect the rumblings of subversion beneath the seemingly acquiescent text. It is no accident that Peter introduced his version of the household codes with a riddle—“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves” (1 Peter 2:16 Updated NIV)—or that Paul began his with the general admonition that Christians are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21; emphasis added). It is hard for us to recognize it now, but Peter and Paul were introducing the first Christian family to an entirely new community, a community that transcends the rigid hierarchy of human institutions, a community in which submission is mutual and all are free.’

Rachel Held Evans concludes by inviting Christians to consider the inclusion the presence of the Household Codes in Scripture in light of Jesus, who made a habit of turning hierarchy on its head:

‘When his disciples argued amongst themselves about who would be greatest in the kingdom, Jesus told them that “anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

In speaking to them about authority he said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).

This aspect of Jesus’ legacy profoundly affected relationships in the early church, to whom Paul wrote: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5–8).

In the biblical narrative, hierarchy enters human relationship as part of the curse, and begins with man’s oppression of women—“your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you” (Genesis 3:16). But with Christ, hierarchal relationships are exposed for the sham that they are, as the last are made first, the first are made last, the poor are blessed, the meek inherit the earth, and the God of the universe takes the form of a slave.

What’s great about the Christian remix of the Greco-Roman household codes is that, when put into practice, it blurs the hierarchal lines between husband and wife, master and slave, adult parent and adult child. If wives submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:24),  and if husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25), and if both husbands and wives submit one to another (Ephesians 5:21)—who’s really “in charge” here?

No one.

Such a relationship could only be characterized by humility and respect, with both partners imitating Christ, who time and again voluntarily placed himself in a position of submission.’

Rachel Held Evans concludes by articulating the reality that women should not have to pry equality from the grip of Christian men. What characterises resurrection-communities who follow the way of Jesus is shared power, authority surrendered willingly, with the humility and love of Christ. If we cannot do this, Held Evans writes, “we miss the once radical teaching that slaves and masters, parents and children, husbands and wives, rich and poor, healthy and sick, should “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This is the shape of resurrection relationships. [4]

[1]“Submission in Context: Christ and the Greco-Roman Household Codes”

https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/mutuality-household-codes, June 5, 2012

[2] Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, Women's Bible Commentary: Expanded Edition - Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press -  1998, p. 463

[3] Peter H. Davids, “A Silent Witness in Marriage” in Discovering Biblical Equality, eds. Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis - Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2005- p, 238.)

[4] Held Evans provides here a list of additional resources: Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy,  edited by  Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis; Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire by Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmat; Women's Bible Commentary: Expanded Edition by Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe; The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder.  And as part of our Week of Mutuality, Harriet Congdon wrote a really great post on “The Dance of Mutuality  in Ephesians 5.”

#1 Peter #rachel held evans #relationships #humility #respect

[wutbju]

And finally, because of all the joy and comfort Jim Berg has spread into our lives, he’s back again with more of the same. Yes, the GRACE-censured, should-be-defrocked Jim Berg never lets a good crisis go to waste. He’s there, selling his crappy theology on BJU’s bandwidth. Here is his article in full. I will highlight his misleading Gnostic statements and point to actual biblical contrasts where God literally and unconditionally addresses our physical needs.

Anxiety and fear are familiar to all of us, especially in these uncertain times. We all have a heightened sense of vulnerability in the face of COVID-19. We sense that we are vulnerable physically, economically and socially and that certain important aspects of our lives are threatened and may never return to normal.

Our sense of vulnerability during a threat registers on a continuum from minor concern (stuck in traffic on the way to work) to worry/anxiety (about finances or health) to more disruptive fear (manifested by obsessions and compulsions) to panic and terror. The “fear factor” increases when the strength and the likelihood of a threat increases and when that threat touches something that is important to us.

So how should we think about fear, and how can we address it in our souls in a way that brings God into the picture, quiets our noisy souls, and honors Him? We need to know something about our God and what He has said to people facing uncertainty and vulnerability.

“What Do We Know to Be True About Our God?”

When our three adult daughters were in elementary school, they would often come home from school with some problem weighing on their little minds—a relational struggle, a homework problem or a tummy ache. No matter what the issue, the usual response was one of fear and anxiety. My wife would talk them through the issue and ask them,“What do we know to be true about God?” She often reminded them of Isaiah 41:10.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

In this verse God is calling His people to take comfort in who He is and what He has promised to them in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.

While the Scriptures record hundreds of references to “fear not,” we shouldn’t think of most of them as scoldings (i.e., “Now, you stop fearing! Do you hear Me!”). Rather they are tender invitations for anxious people to turn their faces to their great and loving God in trust and obedience.

Think of them as the comforting admonitions a father might give a child who has just awakened from a bad dream. A loving father would come into the room, sit on the edge of the bed, hold his child, and whisper, “It’s OK, Sweetie. Daddy is right here. You don’t have to be afraid.” In most cases, the child would settle down in Dad’s arms still whimpering a bit and eventually fall back asleep. The child was comforted by Dad’s words and His presence.

Dad’s presence in the room would not be a comfort to a child, however, if Dad were known to be impatient, angry, mean-spirited, or if he came into the room shouting, “Shut up! There are people in this house who need to sleep!” Dad is a comfort only if the child knows him to be consistently caring and willing to use his greater strength for the benefit of the child.

In times of uncertainty and vulnerability, God’s words will comfort us based upon our current perspective of God. It is not enough just to know what He has said to us in troubling times and repeat a Bible verse as a distraction from the more troubling thoughts in our minds. We must also know well the One who said them for our soul to trustingly rest in them. The pattern is clear from the passage before us in Isaiah 41.

The children of Israel were facing hard, uncertain times. They were vulnerable and anxious. God writes chapters 40-66 to comfort them by reminding them of who He is and how committed He is to them as His people. He shows them that He is amazingly powerful, wise and loving toward His people. Though some promises made in these chapters apply only to Israel, the chapters reveal the disposition and character of God that is a comfort to us today.

How Can We Use the Word of God to Quiet Our Hearts During These Times?

I have the students in some of my counseling classes do an exercise that you might find profitable during these troubling times. Below are my instructions for the assignment and several example verses. Add to them from your own study.

God in His Word points His people to aspects of His character or to His actions on behalf of His people when they face uncertainty and vulnerability. Write out the reference, text and summary for passages that you discover. The verses below have been provided as an example. Add to them from your own study.

God in His Word makes promises to His people when they face uncertainty and vulnerability. Write out the reference, text and summary for passages that you discover. The verses below have been provided as an example. Add to them from your own study.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (God is ever present, and God is my Comforter in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

Psalm 3:1-3 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me; many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. (God is my Shield and my Deliverer in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. (God listens to my cry in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (God promises to be with me and sustain me in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (God promises to be with me and protect me in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (God promises a crown of life if I withstand temptations that come in times of uncertainty and vulnerability.)

I have my students go through the same process for several other categories of trials that we face: (1) injustice, (2) suffering because of loss and adversity, (3) overwhelming situations, and (4) guilt, lust and temptation. These categories often overlap in our lives, but we must be asking ourselves these questions when we face any of these situations:

Did anyone in the Bible face uncertainty and vulnerability (or any of the other categories of trials listed above)?

What did God reveal about Himself by His words or actions when people faced uncertainty and vulnerability?

What did God promise to them when they faced uncertainty and vulnerability?

These are times to increase our dosage of study and meditation on God’s Word! As the threat increases, so must our knowledge of, trust in, and obedience to God increase. Let’s open our Bibles and discover afresh who He is and what He has promised to anxious souls.

During these troubled times Jim Berg’s books, “When Trouble Comes, God is More Than Enough: Foundations for a Quiet Soul” and his interactive discipleship program, “Quieting a Noisy Soul: Overcoming Guilt, Anger, Anxiety and Despair” may be especially helpful to readers.

#Bob Jones University #GRACEReport #Jim Berg #BJUIsNOTSafe #Gnostic #Heresy #When Trouble Comes #Money Changers

[standtoreason93]

Scripture vs. Self

By Alan Shlemon

Is the Bible your authority? Most Christians would claim it is. That’s what they’re supposed to say. We love the Bible. It’s God’s word, and we’re supposed to uphold it. But is it really an authority over you, or are you an authority over it?

What do you do, for example, when you’ve done something Scripture forbids? What if you’ve advocated something the Bible prohibits? Is your first inclination to correct your own thinking or to try to change the Bible’s meaning?

I realize very few people would say, “I don’t agree with the Bible on this point, so I’m going to do a line-item veto on this verse.” That makes our rebellion too obvious. I know I’m more subtle about my sin.

Often when we come across a teaching we don’t like, we think to ourselves, I wonder if there’s a different way to understand this passage. Then we start digging around to see if someone has provided a possible interpretation that neutralizes the teaching we don’t like. This impulse, though, might reveal something about our heart. It could be we’re unwilling to submit to Scripture’s authority when it’s not convenient.

The most obvious example is Scripture’s sexual ethics. God has made His intentions perfectly clear on this subject. Sexual activity is reserved for a married man and woman. Period. No sex before marriage (fornication). No sex outside of marriage (adultery). No sex with people of the same sex (homosexuality). No sexual fantasy about people you’re not married to (lust). No sex with animals (bestiality). No sex with close relatives (incest).

God’s design for sex is clear. His boundaries are clear. His Word is clear. Yet, sexual urges are powerful and can feel overwhelming when unfulfilled. That’s why the temptation to find an alternative interpretation to biblical guidelines for sex is so strong.

Of course, sexual ethics is not the only area where we’re tempted to disobey. There are many others. Do we submit to God with our finances? If we’re married, do we obey Scripture’s commands on how to treat our spouse? Do we follow the Bible’s admonition on loving our brothers and sisters in Christ?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I realize there are verses in Scripture where Christians genuinely disagree on an interpretation. Do we have free will to choose God, or does He unilaterally elect us for salvation? Is the Lord’s Supper symbolic or something more? How will the end times unfold? I could name many others.

I’m talking, though, about matters that the Church has been unified on for thousands of years. Are we yielding to Scripture on those issues, or are we subjecting Scripture to us? This is a matter of the heart. Let me offer three quick suggestions that might help if you find yourself tempted to make the wrong choice. Although there are obviously more, consider this a quick start guide.

Pray and ask God for help. It’s God’s intention that you follow and obey Him and His Word. Asking for His help, therefore, is consistent with His will for your life. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will renew a spirit of obedience to God and submission to His Word.

Meditate and memorize Scripture. By getting God’s word in our heart, it infiltrates our very being. It becomes a part of us, and our King’s commands are close at hand when we need them. Therefore, find a passage that relates to the area where you’re tempted to compromise on God’s command and memorize it. You can ask an accountability partner to hold you accountable to accomplish this. You don’t have an accountability partner, you say? Read my next suggestion.

Get an accountability partner. There’s nothing more humbling than a close friend who asks pointed questions about an area you’re struggling with. Accountability partners are great at helping us submit to Scripture when we’re tempted to make it submit to us. If you’re in a relationship with someone of the opposite sex (either dating, engaged, or married), this is an absolute must. You need someone to routinely ask you the hard questions no one else will: Are you honoring God with your relationship? Are you keeping appropriate boundaries with physical intimacy? You should give them explicit permission to feel free to ask you any question they want.

Submitting to Scripture is a matter of obedience, one that is essential to being a Christian. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey My commands” (Jn 14:15). Those commands, by the way, are found in Scripture. That’s why it makes no sense to profess faith in Christ but then to live like He (and His Word) has no place in your life.

[profbenonyeukwu-blog]

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: [phone]  E-mail: [email protected]

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT

Devotional Text: Matt. 5:16

Introduction:

The believer’s Moral Light is the good conduct of his life, which radiates in society, to the admiration of others and to the glory of God. In the words of Ben Onyeukwu, genuine Christians bear the light of good works. This is because they are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for such works, (Eph. 2:10). He further notes that, as light bearers, Christians should lead the way in every facet of human enterprise or endeavour, which implies that Christians should radiate God’s moral light in whatever they do.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The believer’s moral light is the life of Christ he radiates in society, (Acts 11:26).

(2)     The believer’s moral light is also the good life he lives by the grace of God, (Gal. 2:20-21).

(3)     The believer’s moral light is equally the godly sincerity he demonstrates on earth, (2 Cor 1:12).

(4)     The believer’s moral light is his righteousness based on the knowledge of God (I Cor. 15:54).

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT AT HOME AND NEIGHBOURHOOD

First and foremost, the believer should always let his moral light radiate at home, in keeping with the family rules. In this connection, if the believer is a father, he should not provoke his children to wrath, but should bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord, (Eph. 6:4). If he is a child, he should learn to obey and respect his parents, (vs. 1-2). If he is a husband, he should love his wife, as Christ loves the church, (Eph. 5:25). If she is a wife, she should always submit herself to her own husband, (vs. 22). If he is a servant, he should be obedient to his master, as well as serve in sincerity, Eph. 6:5-6, and if he is a master, he should be fair to all, (vs. 9).

Equally, the believer should shine as light in the neighbourhood. To this end, he should love his neighbours as himself. He should not seek revenge or bear grudges against them when they wrong him or plot their downfall, but should love them (Lev. 19:18), as well as pray and do well to them even when they persecute him, (Matt. 5:43-45). In keeping with the above, the believer should, therefore, beam his moral light at home and neighbourhood for people to see;

(i)                   his good works and give God the glory, (Matt. 5:16);

(ii)                 him as a living Gospel Epistle, read by all men, (2 Cor. 3:2-3);

(iii)                him as an example of the believers (I Tim. 4:12)

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT IN CHURCH AND SOCIETY

                       As already cited in previous sub-section of this lesson, the believer should always beam his moral light, by becoming an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity (I Tim 4:12), not only at home and neighbourhood, but also in church and the wider society. To this end, he should not allow corrupt word(s) proceed out of his mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it should impart grace to the hearers, (Eph. 4:29). He should equally be holy in all manner of conversation (I Peter 1:15), as well as be a person of charity, which people testify of (3 John 1:5-6).

Furthermore, the moral light of the believer should always stir him to walk in the spirit, with no desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh, (Gal. 5:16). As a just person, so as not to draw back from his good work for the Lord (Heb. 10:38), as well as maintain a life of purity, (I Tim. 5:1-2). By this, therefore, the believer should be:

(i)                   an example of believers in church and society, (I Tim. 4:12);

(ii)                 holy in all manner of conversation, (I Peter 1:15);

(iii)                a person that demonstrates his charity in church and society, (3 John 1:5-6).

THE BELIEVER AND HIS MORAL LIGHT IN SERVICE AND BUSINESS

The believer, as well, should beam his moral light in his service to God and humanity. If he is in public or private service, he should, like Daniel of the old, not be found corrupt or wanting, (Dan. 6:4-5). If he is in his personal business, he should learn to do it as commanded in the Word of God, (I Thess. 4:11-12). The above biblical assertion opens up the fact that most believers in both civil and public services, as well as those in business, do not beam moral light in their places of work or business, as they are often found culpable of crimes and corruption in their given assignments or work. But, this ought not to be so, as the believer in civil or public service/business should:

(i)                   shine as light in service, work or business, which people should observe and give God the glory, (Matt. 5:16);

(ii)                 shun any form of graft, but be contented with his wage, (Luke 3:14)

(iii)                demonstrate sincerity in business, work or business, in order not to allow the Name of the Lord be blasphemed among the Gentiles (Rom. 2:21024).

In conclusion, let the believer be reminded that he is the light of the world, and so, without fail, should manifest his moral light at home, neighbourhood, church, society, service and business, to the glory of God, (Matt. 5:14-16). PLEASE, SHINE!

[ministercarmelo-blog]

       Counseling Children As A Christian

       by Minister Carmelo Angel

   When counseling adults, Christian counselors will have there one on one session and build the repertoire with counselees. Its very different when counseling children. At times the Christian counselor will be involved with the children directly, but more the emphasis will be on parental guidance.# Counselors will need the help from parents and to help the guidance with the children. Parental guidance play key factor and partnership with the counselors. Children will look up to the parents for support and guidance through when dealing with counseling sessions. They already established a trust bond with the parent and when a child counselee works with a unknown counselor or mentor, it takes time to build the repertoire between the child and counselor. Counselors need to establish that trust with the children and with the parents support of counseling it creates a more of open atmosphere between the counselor and counselee.

  There are different factors go in the situation to find the problems with the counselees. One topic to take consideration when trying to find results from the counselee is to look at child-rearing. How, when, and where children are raised can be can an impact in development in child-rearing growth. The environment and culture can play a factor and can be also be used as an excuse in a behavior of children. So when educating, disciplining children, parents may use “time has changed since we were young” phrase but no matter what as Christians parents, getting biblical guidelines will never change.

   In going back to parental guidance, parents have to recognize that they play a big key factor in the session between the counselor and counselee. What Counselors expect in child-rearing from parents to children is that parents need to for fill their part in teaching, guiding and raising the children. The same goes with children interacting with the parents and how they treat their parents during child-rearing. Counselors will try to fill in the missing holes and show parents what needs to be adjusted between child-rearing.

   From what we expect from parents can be taken from Ephesians 6:4, “An you fathers do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the lord.”# Parents need to show love and respect for children as young adults. Be a good example and to model good Christian behavior. Parents need to keep Gods decrees and commands. Parents are role models, if they don’t obey, children will follow their steps.

From what we expect from children can be taken from Ephesians 6:1-3,

“1.Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise: 3. That it may be well with you and live long on the earth.”# Children need to show the respect to parents and show obedience.

  There are so many causes and effects that we find children in the stages of child-rearing. Its up to the counselors, with the support from parents, to try to figure what causes the children the way they are and what are the effects that can happen because of the way children are being raised in the child-rearing stages. During the beginning sessions and the time with creating repertoire with the children and parents, counselors can usually find what the problems are with the counselees. At times, children and parents do not even agree on what constitutes a problem. A parent may view disobedience as a source of family stress, but the child may not see this as a problem at all.#

  Counselors may recognize the cause problems within childhood development and psychopathology or problems that can come from root issues, examples would be retardation, depression, mental illness, etc. When counselors are able to find the causes, it will come clear to show and explain to the parents what the effects will be if the problem doesn’t come to a solution. Many effects can occur that can cause blame between parents, children, communities, societies, etc. It is important to recognize and for parents to cooperate in order to come to a solution.

  Cooperation and understanding from the parents are important. Even if it comes out that the results from the cause are coming from the parents or communities, societies, etc, parents need to understand and follow the counselors advice in the situation. Counselors can only do so much, with finding the problems and helping to resolve those problems before it gets out of hand. Parents need to become the responsibility of the children and take charge of the situation. This is when the partnership between the counselor and parents come into factor during sessions. The counselors can do their part with the parents support but the parents over all will be the ones who will take that next step in making a change for their children and the future of their lives and welfare.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling  (Tyndale House Publishers, 1996)

Holy Bible, New King James Version, (1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc.)