The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Instructions

  • Jesus is My Friend

    “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

    John 15:15

    On the last night before Jesus was crucified, He gave some important information to His disciples. Jesus knew He was about to leave them, and they would think that they were alone. Jesus wanted to comfort and encourage them. But more than that, He had some instructions for His disciples. One of the special things Jesus encourage them with was that He loved them, and that they were His friends. “13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15). Jesus was about to lay down His life (and then take it up again: see John 10:17-18). The disciples were to show that they were Jesus’ friends by their obedience. There is a great example of this in the Old Testament. Abraham believed God and obeyed Him (see Hebrews 11:17-19). “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). Abraham was the Friend of God.

    Christians are encouraged to do the same. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). Manifest means “to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words): – appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.” Jesus promises to make Himself known to those who obey Him. Remember how Paul described it: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28a).

    The following verses are speaking of Jesus.“16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:16-18). Jesus created all things, and all things are for Him. Understanding this, Jesus must have preeminence and be all the world to a Christian. There is an old hymn that puts this thought into words.

    Jesus is All The World to Me

    by Will L. Thompson

    “1. Jesus is all the world to me,
    My life, my joy, my all;
    He is my strength from day to day,
    Without him I would fall:
    When I am sad, to him I go,
    No other one can cheer me so;
    When I am sad, he makes me glad,
    He’s my friend.

    2. Jesus is all the world to me,
    My friend in trials sore;
    I go to him for blessings, and
    He gives them o’er and o’er:
    He sends the sunshine and the rain,
    He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
    Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
    He’s my friend.

    3. Jesus is all the world to me,
    And true to him I’ll be;
    Oh, how could I this friend deny,
    When he’s so true to me?
    Following him I know I’m right,
    He watches o’er me day and night;
    Following him by day and night,
    He’s my friend.

    4. Jesus is all the world to me,
    I want no better friend;
    I trust him now, I’ll trust him when
    Life’s fleeting days shall end:
    Beautiful life with such a friend,
    Beautiful life that has no end;
    Eternal life, eternal joy,
    He’s my friend.”

    Recognizing Jesus is my friend, I must be His friend. Jesus must be “all the world to me”. With this understanding, read the warning we find in the book of James: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

    • Adulterers and adulteresses means “one who is faithless toward God; used of those who neglect God and their duty toward Him and yield themselves to their own lusts and passions; a characteristic of infidelity; adulterous; faithless; idolatrous.”
    • Friendship means “to befriend; love; involving the adopting of the interests of the world to be one’s own.”
    • Enmity means “enemy; hatred; hostility.”

    One cannot be a friend of Jesus and a friend of the world. A choice must be made.

    Have you chosen to be a Friend of Jesus, making Him all the world to you?

  • Called to be Saints

    “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”

    1 Corinthians 1:2

    We most often call people who have trusted in Jesus for salvation “Christians”. This implies that the one who has given that heart and life to Jesus has become Christ-like. Did you realize that in the New Testament, the name “Christian(s)” is only used three times? (“… And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” Acts 11:26b.) Another name given for those who have chosen to follow Christ is “disciple”. They are called “disciple” (or disciples) thirty times. Two times they are called “Believers”. However, the most prevalent name is “saints”. We should remember when the Lord sent Ananias to speak to Saul (the persecutor of the new followers of Christ). “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Act 9:13). Those in Jerusalem who had trusted in Jesus were called “saints”. Many of the letters in the New Testament are addressed to the “saints.” (See Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.) Saints means “holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated; its fundamental ideas are separation, consecration, devotion to God; separated morally.” Even more interesting, the name “saint” is interchangeable with the word “holy” in several verses. In these verses, the meaning for saint and holy are the same. It is this definition of the word “saint” or “holy” that each Christian should attain.

    Why is it important to understand that those we call Christians are also known as “saints”? There are specific instructions to those called “saints” or “holy”. Because of this, it is important to know what these instructions are so that we can follow them.

    Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome. “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). Take notice that the declared that they were “called to be saints”. He does this again in 1 Corinthians. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Notice again that Paul declares that “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ” are “called to be saints”. Called means “called, invited, welcomed, appointed.; the called ones are those who have received the divine call having conformed to God’s saving purposes.” What is one who has been called to be a saint (holy) to do? “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). Note Paul wrote, “holy, acceptable unto God”. Remember, this means “holy, set apart … its fundamental ideas are separation, consecration, devotion to God; separated morally.” This kind of life is acceptable unto God. How is one to do this?

    Peter gave us instructions. “14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Remember, this “holy” is the same word as “saint”. Conversation means “behavior, lifestyle.” Once one has been called to be holy (a saint), that life is to change from the old lifestyle and be holy (live a life in devotion to God) in all behavior.

    Paul wrote instructions to the saints (holy) in the letter to the Colossians. “12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:12-17). This is a great listing for us as “Saints” today to use to transform our hearts and lives. This will produce a Christ-like lifestyle. We can then be Christians (Christ-like). It will allow us to be able to encourage other Christians as well. Paul gives a great listing to help us understand what kind of life Christ wants us to live and why (“see Ephesians 4:12-32).

    Have you been called to be a saint?

    Do you then choose to live a life that is changed, holy and acceptable unto God?

    Find out how to become a “Saint”.

  • Read Your Bible

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
    (2 Timothy 3:16)

    “Have you ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions? Was there arguing over unknown rules? Was it a peaceful game or was there much disagreement? Was it any fun?

    How about putting something together without instructions? Or making a trip without consulting directions? Living a Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do. The rules are God’s Word. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Understand it better by using the following definitions:

    • inspiration of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired
    • profitable: helpful; useful; advantageous
    • doctrine: instruction; not only the teaching but also the authority of the teacher
    • reproof: conviction; manifestation of the truth and the results
    • correction: set right again; correct
    • instruction: teaching that includes chastening

    Notice that 2 Timothy 3:16 builds upon itself in its instruction. They are interdependent (mutually dependant) upon each other. First we see it is a doctrine (used for instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth, convincing us of error), correction (morally correcting), and instruction (we see discipline to lead us to righteousness).”  (Excerpt from Y1Q4 – Lesson 6)

    As Christians read the Bible, they can understand the importance of seeking God with their whole heart and to not wander (stray) from God’s commands. It is good to hide God’s Word in your heart until it becomes a part of who you are. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It would be good to read all of Psalm 119. Let it be an encouragement to those who truly seek to know and please God; to seek God’s heart (remember David?). This Psalm was written by one who truly loved God and did not find His Word laborious. Reading the Bible to know God better must be our hearts’ desire in order to walk with God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) We should be happy to walk according to God’s Word. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140).

    Christians must read the Bible to remember what God has done, which leads to understanding the value of God’s Word. It is at this point we begin to recognize the importance of walking with God, obeying God’s Words, to live a life pleasing to and blessed by God.

    Do you love to read God’s Word?

    Does the Bible light your path?