The Biblical Path of Life

Category: Picture with verse and blog

  • Watch

    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42)

    In some of Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples, He gave them a specific warning that we must heed today.“37. But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered into the ark, 39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. … 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:37-39, 42).

    Remember back for a minute to Noah. You can read the events in Genesis 6-8. “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God said He would destroy man and beast. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). We can read that God described him as just, and Noah walked with God. God told Noah to build an ark for his family and two of every animal. Noah obeyed. It took him 100 years to build that ark. That means that everyone around saw what he was doing. See what we can read in 2 Peter 2:5: “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.” This means that while he was building that ark, he was warning people (preaching) of what was coming. Notice that in Genesis, God revealed that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth … only evil continually.” Jesus helps us understand that in this wickedness “they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage” until the day that Noah entered into the ark. They were just living their normal lives. But God told us that they were living wickedly. And they had no idea that a flood was coming to destroy them and the whole earth. But Noah knew. And while he was building that ark, he warned people.

    Now, think of today. We know that when Jesus went back into heaven after His resurrection, we have the promise that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:11). Right before that promise, Jesus told those that had trusted and believed in Him to be witnesses. Christians are to proclaim the Gospel message (that Jesus lived a sinless life, died for sinful man, rose from the dead, and will one day take us to heaven with Him) to a lost world. A world full of people that eat, drink, are married and given in marriage — just living normal lives. But a life without Jesus is a life that God sees as one who is wicked, and that every imagination of the thoughts of the hearts are only evil continually (remember Genesis 6:5).

    What did Jesus tell us (Christians — those who belong to Jesus) to do?

    “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42). Watch means to “keep awake; be vigilant; awaken; figuratively to rouse from inactivity.”  From what are we to awaken? From what inactivity are we to rouse? In what are we to be vigilant? We must do just as Noah did. Wake up and become preachers of righteousness! How do we do that? A preacher in this context is just one who delivers a message. All we need to do is warn people of their eternal separation from God by sharing with them the Gospel message of Jesus. For we hold the truth that Jesus is the only Way to heaven! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 16:6).

    Are you watching?

    Have you warned anyone today?

  • How to Prepare for Living a Christian Life

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

    (2 Timothy 2:15)

    Timothy was a great Christian and Paul’s faithful friend. Although Timothy’s mother and grandmother had taught him about Jesus, Paul had led Timothy to Jesus (taught him how to be saved) and watched him grow in his Christian faith.

    Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to Timothy. After reminding him of his salvation, he encouraged him to step up to the task God had placed before him. Timothy was to not be ashamed of the Gospel message, but to be willing to stand up faithfully and teach the truths of that Gospel. And to even be proud if he suffered “afflictions of the gospel” (see 2 Timothy 1:8-10).

    Paul had taught him the importance of sound doctrine. “13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). See the following definitions to help you understand what Paul was telling Timothy:

    • Form: “a sketch, or concise, representation or form”
    • Sound: “sound doctrine, i.e.: true; pure; uncorrupted”

    Paul wanted Timothy to understand the importance of holding on to the sound doctrine – true, pure, uncorrupted – that he had been taught (that is now recorded in God’s Word for us to read). Paul followed this with a warning that there would be some who would turn away from him when he stood for the truths in God’s Word –  for Paul had already seen a departure from the faith, leaving him to stand alone in Asia (see 2 Timothy 1:15). Paul had already warned him this would happen (see 1 Timothy 4:1). But Paul also encouraged Timothy that he could endure this because the Holy Spirit dwells in us – He won’t leave!

    But how do you prepare for a life pleasing to God? “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Christians must study and know God’s Word. They must be able to discern between the truth of God’s Word and false teaching. This is just the first step in knowing how to live a Christian life. But it is a very important one.

    There is a child’s song that I am reminded of…

    “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow!

    Don’t read your Bible, or pray every day, and you will shrink, shrink, shrink!”

    Do you want to grow?

    Or do you want to shrink?

    The choice is up to you!

  • Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness

    “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6)

    We live in a world where it isn’t very popular to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

    What does that even mean?

    Have you ever been hungry? Everyone understands the feeling of hunger, and the satisfaction of eating a good meal to satisfy that hunger.

    Have you ever been thirsty? There is nothing quite like a cool drink of water after working in the heat. It refreshes you to continue in that work.

    Just as our physical bodies desire food and drink to sustain life, so too does the spiritual body. Only it is very easy to ignore that spiritual need.

    What is this righteousness of which we are to hunger and thirst?

    Righteousness means “by implication innocent, holy; just, right; specifically (Christian) justification.” No one can be considered righteous on their own. See what the Bible teaches: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That verse is referring to Jesus who knew no sin. He became sin for me, taking my sin and the penalty of that sin from me. If I believe that, I am made righteous before God.

    It is here that I would like to point out a warning that is found in God’s Word. “3. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:3-4). No one can do it on their own. Jesus is the only way anyone can stand before God as righteous. This shows us that we must put our faith and trust in Jesus to make us “innocent, just, or right” before God.

    But there is much more to it than that. After Jesus is in one’s heart, there is a continual hunger and thirst to become more like Him. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). And as you grow in your Christian walk you should also grow in your appetite. “13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).

    Are you unskillful in your Christian walk, still needing the simple milk?

    Or are you of full age, able to enjoy the meat of God’s Word?

    Remember the verse with which we started: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

  • Strait is the Gate, and Narrow is the Way

    Jesus taught what many call “The Sermon on the Mount.” In that sermon He taught the character qualities of the kingdom He would establish. The things He taught the people were many practical ways to live. As He came toward the end of this sermon, He presented a choice. Jesus always gives each person a choice that must be made. No one else can make that choice. But Jesus encouraged the right choice. “13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

    Notice that the way that leads to destruction (means “ruin or loss; death, damnation”) is wide and broad – and many go that way.

    But see that the way that leads to life (means “life; or to live”) is strait and narrow – and few find it.

    What is the difference?

    The Bible teaches that everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23). And the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). The only One who paid that penalty for us is Jesus (Romans 5:8). Jesus declared He is The Way (see John 14:6). What are we to do with that information? (See Romans 10:9-10.) We rarely hear this today. Many times we hear that as long as you are good, go to church, say a little prayer to God and try to live your best that you will go to heaven.

    What Jesus said after the invitation to choose the strait gate and the narrow way.

    Read what Jesus said after the invitation to choose the strait gate and the narrow way that leads to life. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). A false prophet (means “deceitful; wicked; liar; a pretend foreteller or religious imposter”) looks like the real thing (they come to you in sheep’s clothing). (See also 2 Peter 2:1-3.) They tell people try to be really good. They teach we are to do good works, make good decisions, to be kind to others, love one another, don’t break the law, and so many other “good” things. But is that the way to life? Can any person be “good” enough? A false prophet offers a religion of one who can come as they are, and just do good things. This is a false religion based upon works. A false teacher produces fruit just like him (see Matthew 7:16). If that person teaches a faith based upon works, not Jesus, they will produce a follower that looks like a Christian, but not like Christ. Religion based upon works promises heaven, but the path is destruction (death; damnation). Faith in Jesus promises life and one day heaven, but you must enter in by the straight gate and the narrow way. Take note that few there be that find it. 

    Jesus warned again of false prophets. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).

    We can also read something very scary. “21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).

    Many people are self-deceived.

    Make sure you are not.

    For there is a day when it will be too late. See what Jesus warned, “24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” (Luke 13:24-25).

  • Keep Your Heart

    “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

    The following definitions might help you understand this verse a little better:

    • keep:  guard; protect; preserve
    • heart:  the center; the totality of man’s inner nature; the place where wisdom and understanding reside

    There is so much going on in the world today – good and evil. With all the many choices of things to see and do, things to take our time, we are to be very careful of what we allow into our hearts and lives. We should not only protect our hearts, but be aware of the kind of wisdom that we allow into our hearts. Why? That is the source for the kind of life we live; the kind of person we become.

    The first and most important thing a person should have in their heart is Jesus. How can Jesus be in one’s heart? Remember the time we can read of in Mark where people brought their young children to Jesus. “13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16). Rebuked means to rebuke without bringing any conviction of any fault. When the disciples kept the children from Jesus, they did not mean anything, except to keep the children away from Jesus. But, Jesus was displeased. Suffer means allow to pass. Jesus told people to bring the children to Him. He then wanted the people to receive (receive means to accept an offer deliberately and readily) the kingdom of God.

    Understand the kingdom of God by the following: When the Pharisees asked Jesus when it should come, “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). The words not with observation means you cannot see it with human eyes. Jesus went on to say, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means it is located in your heart and affections; not external. That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into your heart.” You cannot see it with your eyes. The gospel message is very simple – one must just believe – just as a child. To children, things are simpler, less convoluted. In other words, simply believe and receive without question – just like a child. Remember also what Paul later wrote. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17a).

    Remember how simple it is to become a Christian. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-13).

    Be encouraged to consider your heart as the place a special treasure is kept – a place to be well guarded. Once Jesus is there, it would also be good to understand the importance of placing God’s Word into your heart (see Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”). It would be so much easier to make wise decisions if we would only take time to hide God’s Word in our hearts.

    “… whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

    Have you considered what you have allowed into your heart?

  • The Door

    Something has happened in my lifetime. When I was a young person growing up in church, everything was about Jesus. Jesus loved me. Jesus died on the cross for my sin.

    Sin?

    What sin?

    I learned that disobedience to any of God’s commands was sin. And that sin separated me from God. In church, I learned that that separation from God could be restored – but only by Jesus’ death on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. Once I heard this, I wanted to have that relationship restored. I didn’t want to be separated from God for eternity. Once I recognized that I had sinned, and wanted God to forgive me of that sin, I trusted Jesus was the only One who could take that sin away (see John 14:6).

    But something has happened in most churches. What Jesus did on the cross to take away sin is only mentioned once in a blue moon. Now the focus has turned to the thought that God loves everyone. He wants us to love everyone. The way to show the world that we love them is to bring them into the church, just as they are, and the church will minister to them. The church shows love by meeting any physical or emotional need they may have. Meeting those needs is a wonderful way to show the love of God – but only if one has first showed them that Jesus is that love of God. Remember “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s love is revealed in the death of Jesus on the cross to pay the penalty for individual’s sin in order to restore that broken relationship. By not making this the primary message in the churches today, many churches have in essence pushed Jesus out of the door and closed it. It’s almost as if many churches have made their own door (good works, meeting people’s needs) and replacing Jesus as the Door of the sheep. That is the condition of the church in the final church age, portrayed in Revelation 3:14-22.  They are doing so well, doing works, that they don’t even realize they are in need. Because the churches as a whole are so busy doing good works, they have forgotten to share the message of Jesus and His death to take away individual people’s sin as the Only Way to truly help anyone. Remember what Paul wrote: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). Remember that the “righteousness of God” is Jesus. This is a picture of what is happening.

    But as we see in Revelation 3:20, Jesus is still available to any one who will open the Door (for Jesus is the Door, see John 10:7) to allow Jesus inside. He will come inside, and there can be sweet fellowship. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

    Are you someone who has allowed Jesus to be pushed out, forgetting why He came?

    Will you be willing to open the door and let Him back in?

    Make sure that you find a church that still faithfully presents the Gospel message of Jesus, the only way to be saved. Make sure that He is the primary focus of your life.

    “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:22).

  • A Living Sacrifice

    “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

    There are some very important things we need to learn about how a Christian is to live.     

    Paul encouraged people who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus to understand the importance of living their lives in a pleasing manner. Romans 12:1-2:  “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Just as Jesus willingly died for each Christian, each Christian is then to present their life to Jesus as a “living sacrifice.” 

    What does this mean?  Living sacrifice means the physical life and existence, as opposed to death or nonexistence, always with some duration as a living and constant sacrifice. God expects His people to live a life, always, as if they belong to Him – acceptable to Him. That is the very least we can do (“reasonable service”). 

    Paul went on to remind us that because we are now spiritual creatures, we are not to be “conformed” to this world. 

    • Not conformed means to be fashioned alike; one is not to be molded by the external and fleeting manners or ways of this period of time, but to undergo a deep inner transformation that can only be brought by the Holy Spirit.  Instead of being conformed (changed to be like the world by outside influences), we are being transformed. 
    • Transformed means that invisible process that begins to take place in a Christian during his/her life here on earth.  To be changed from the inside out. How are we to be transformed?  By renewing one’s mind. 
    • Renewing means a renovation which makes a person different than in the past.  A Christian is not to think like they always have according to the world’s system.
    • Prove means to put to the proof or examine; the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not.  Once Christians know how to live, they are to implement those things into their life.

    A Christian is to live a life, not like the rest of the world, but different from the world! We are to always remember that our life is not our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)!

  • Stand Fast

    Have you noticed that the world has changed? Did you also notice that things are not like they once were?

    What is different?

    Because Christians have not faithfully stood up for the truths of what the Bible teaches and the convictions that it brings, our word has changed.  It doesn’t appear that we have a voice in this world anymore.

    What does the Bible tell us we must do?

    “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

    We must watch – stay awake and be vigilant.  The dangers, and sin, in our world are greater than many of us can bear. We have not been awake, watching, to prevent the godlessness of this world from becoming prevalent.

    Paul ended his letter to the Corinthian church with this warning.  He warned them to watch.  He told them to stand fast in the faith.  That meant he wanted them to be stationary, to persevere, in their convictions of the truth of God’s Word and the Gospel truth (their faith). They were not to compromise what God’s Word said.

    Is that an easy thing to do? Paul understood that many would not know how to do that. He encouraged them by telling them to be strong – much like a man has strength, and to use that strength to stand. Christians are to muster all of the strength we have deep down, take a stand, and not be moved from our convictions of what we know God’s Word tells us to do.

    Will you be one who will watch, not compromising, and stand fast in your faith?