The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Good Report

  • A Life of Faith

    “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

    Hebrews 11:1

    There are many people listed in Hebrews chapter eleven who lived in Old Testament times. These men and women believed that Jesus would come (because God had promised One would come, beginning in Genesis 3:15). They are examples of those who had faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

    • Faith means “a knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in certain divine truths, especially those of the Gospel, as produces good works.”
    • Substance means “confidence or confident expectation”
    • Evidence means “conviction. It implies not merely the charge on the basis of which one is convicted, but also the manifestation of the truth of that charge…”

    This tells us that one who has this “faith” has a confidence in divine truths. This kind of faith changes lives because it is centered in Jesus Christ. Although these people did not live to see the fulfillment of that promise, they had a “confident expectation” that He would come. Therefore, these people lived lives declaring they believed that promise. This becamethe basis of realistic hope. We recognize this is the “evidence”, for this truth manifested itself in their lives. They lived a life of faith. Because of this, read what is said about them. “For by it the elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:2). We recognize that “the elders” lived believing, by faith, the promises God made. Because of this, they are listed as examples for us today.

    Consider one of these listed as faithful: Moses. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment” (Hebrews 11:23). Amram and Jochebed were Moses’ parents (see Exodus 6:20). They were not afraid of the king’s commandment and spared Moses’ life. What an example these parents established for Moses!

    Moses was brought up in the house of Pharaoh, with all the privileges that came with living as the son of the Pharaoh’s daughter (see Exodus 2:10). “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” (Acts 7:22). Moses had a choice to make. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (Hebrews 11:24). Moses understood that he was not an Egyptian, but a Hebrew. “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). Moses could have basked in the wealth of Egypt, yet he chose to reject the “pleasures of sin for a season”. Moses understood the lasting importance of his actions. When Moses stood up for God and His chosen people, he forsook Egypt.“23. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25. For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not” (Acts 7:23-25). Moses recognized that God had a plan for his life: “God by his hand would deliver them”. Although it was forty years later when God sent Moses to deliver His people from Egypt, Moses had made a decision to help God’s people. “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:26). Moses believed that Christ would come. He recognized that being faithful to God, no matter what people thought or said about him, was worth more than all of the riches of Egypt. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). This is the same attitude the Apostles had. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

    Moses made an important decision to reject the treasures and pleasures of this temporary world as he looked forward to the eternal. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).

    Today we know that Jesus came – just as God promised. Our faith stands in the confidence of the divine truths of the Gospel Message of Jesus. However, do Christians today live changed lives, centered upon Jesus? Does the conviction of this truth manifest itself in our lives? Others should recognize that Christians have different lives because of faith. It would do Christians good today, to understand that we are living in a temporary world, and we are to keep our eyes above. “1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). There is a famous quote from a poem that may help us remember:

    “Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
    Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

    Do you live a life centered upon Jesus, with the conviction of this truth manifested in you, so that others recognize you are different?

  • Think on These Things

    “Finally, brethren, 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

    If Christians find themselves in a place where they become discouraged with what is happening in the world around them, there are many encouraging things to be found in the Bible. Paul recorded many upon which we are to rely.

    Paul called for Believers to “stand fast in the Lord”. He had already encouraged them to have the mind of Christ. He then gave a list of instructions they were to implement in their lives helping them become more Christ-like. Nevertheless, it was not always easy. One may want to just run and hide out away from the insanity that is often found in the world around one.   

    Yet Paul called them to action. “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1). Read the following instructions Paul gave to help them live with the mind of Christ; things upon which to think. There are some definitions in brackets to help in the understanding of these verses. 

    Philippians 4:4-9: 

    • “4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
    • 5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [Moderation means “clemency (means mercy; disposition to treat with favor and kindness; to forgive or spare; tenderness in punishing; opposed to severity; mildness of temper).”]
    • 6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Careful means “to be anxious or troubled.” Supplication means “prayer for particular benefits; petition for oneself.” Keep means “to guard or preserve spiritually.”]
    • 8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, [True means “true in conduct; upright; honest; just; sincere.”]
    • whatsoever things are honest, [Honest means “venerable (being consecrated to God and to his worship); reputable; dignified.”]  
    • whatsoever things are just, [Just means “used of dispositions (inclination; propensity; the temper or frame of mind as directed to a particular object); judgments; things to indicate their right or conformable relation to justice or righteousness.”]
    • whatsoever things are pure, [Pure means “innocent or blameless.”]
    • whatsoever things are lovely, [Lovely means “dear to someone; beloved; things that are acceptable or pleasing.”]
    • whatsoever things are of good report; [Good report means “well-spoken of; laudable; praiseworthy.”]
    • if there be any virtue, and [Virtue means “human virtue as in moral excellence; perfection; goodness of action.”]   
    • if there be any praise, [Praise means “something praiseworthy.”]  
    • think on these things.
    • 9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” 

    Paul simply listed the things they must do in order to stand fast in their like-mindedness with Christ.

    Not only did Paul teach what should be done, he was a living example: “which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do”. Although we cannot see Paul today, we can read the example of his life. These words recorded in Philippians should bring great encouragement, and when implemented, enable Christians to have the mind of Christ. Christians should avoid the bad and negative, but dwell upon the good things that Paul described.

    Have you been encouraged to take your eyes off of the world, thinking of the goodness God provides?