The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Spirit

  • Barnabas

    “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”

    Acts 11:24

    In the early church, persecution came. When the persecution came, the new Believers scattered, taking the name of Jesus with them. As they told others about Jesus, more people became Believers. “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord” (Acts 11:21). These new Believers turned unto the Lord. They changed the course of their lives to a direction that pleased the Lord. This is the message Jesus sent with Paul:“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). The people needed to know the importance of turning from darkness to the Light (Jesus – see John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”)

    Once the people turned to the Lord, one needed to teach them how to live this new life in Christ. Word reached Jerusalem of the many who had turned to Jesus. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch” (Acts 11:22). Barnabas was sent. He was a man who lived out in his life the faith he had placed in Jesus. Remember what faith in Jesus is: Faith means “faith in Christ; the means of appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life – also called Christian faith.” Barnabas was the kind of man who would be able to help the new Believers learn how to live this new way of life. “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Barnabas saw the grace of God in these new Believers. Grace means “especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” Remember what Jesus taught. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33). This “good fruit” was already being revealed in the people’s lives. Barnabas recognized in the Believer’s lives what had happened in their hearts. This greatly encouraged Barnabas!

    Barnabas also exhorted (encouraged) them. The new Believers must intentionally, with purpose of heart, cleave to the Lord. They would cleave unto means “to adhere to, persevere in: abide still, be with, cleave unto, continue in (with).” Barnabas taught them the importance of persevering and continuing to walk with Jesus.

    The next verse is pretty special. It tells us much about who Barnabas was and how God was so able to use him to help new Believers. “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24).

    • Barnabas was a good man:There are not many men called good in the Bible. Barnabas was one. Good means “good and benevolent, profitable, useful.” Remember what Jesus taught: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). Whatever is in the heart is what comes forth. Barnabas obviously had good in his heart.
    • Barnabas was full of the Holy Ghost: When something is full, there isn’t room for other things. To be full of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) means one has emptied himself of the world and the things of the world and instead replaced them with the things of God. Christians are commanded to do this. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Most people tend to focus on the first part of that verse, but they forget the command of the second part. That is a pretty important thing to remember! Being filled with the Spirit will enable one to serve the Lord – much like Barnabas!
    • Barnabas was a man of faith: Remember that faith is “appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life.” Barnabas lived a transformed life. He had become more like Christ.

    Did you notice the result because of Barnabas’ life and conduct? We read that “much people was added unto the Lord”. What a statement! Because Barnabas chose to live a Christ-like life, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he was able to help many others come to know Jesus.

    Have you chosen to be good, emptied of self and filled with the Holy Spirit, and live a life of faith?

  • Who are You?

    “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

    Romans 8:1

    Are you a natural man? The natural man see the things in this earth. Decisions are based upon what is seen or felt. Usually, one considers the abilities one has to accomplish things. The natural man is in the likeness of Adam. “1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” (Genesis 5:1, 3). Did you notice something in those verses? When God made man, He made him in God’s image. However, after man sinned in the garden, his children were after his image – no longer perfect, but now sinful men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Everyone is born as a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, there is hope. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Adam disobeyed God, bringing sin upon all of mankind. God gave One who was perfect, His only Son, who was obedient to God. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus paid the penalty for sin – for anyone who would just believe. “16.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). That is the only work one can do to have the penalty for sin removed. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Believe on Jesus.

    Once one believes on Jesus, having the condemnation of sin removed, we are taught to do something different. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). One can no longer walk in the flesh as a natural man. We are taught to walk after the Spirit. There is a difference. When one has committed that life to Jesus, there is a change of thought and direction. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). This Christian chooses the things of the Spirit.

    Why is this so important? “6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God… 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:6-9). Each person must look into their heart and life to see if they have truly given that life to God by accepting Jesus. It is then one receives His Spirit, enabling one to live a life that is “spiritually minded”. Without Christ, one remains a natural man, unable to please God, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

    Once you know without a doubt you belong to Jesus and are “spiritually minded”, there is another question that must be asked. Are you a growing Christian? “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). One who is not a growing Christian can only understand the simplest things about the Bible and the Christian life. To grow, one must read God’s Word and exercise that Christian life. Remember what Paul told Timothy: “6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-8). Christians are to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” and exercise unto godliness which is “profitable unto all things”. Choose to be a spiritual Christian, nourished in faith and good doctrine, and then exercise unto godliness.

    Who are you? A natural man who cannot please God?

    Or

    Are you a spiritual man who is nourished on God’s Word and exercises unto godliness?

    How to become a spiritual man: How to be saved

  • A Witness

    “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

    1 John 5:10

    When Jesus taught as he walked on the earth, there were times that many followers left Jesus. One of those times, Jesus asked His twelve disciples if they were going to leave Him, too. Read Peter’s response to that question. “68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69). They recognized that Jesus was Christ, the Son of the living God who had the words of eternal life.

    The Apostles were eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. These eye-witnesses were commissioned to go and tell all of the world of Jesus and what He had done to bring salvation. Jesus gave them the following words just before he ascended into heaven after his resurrection. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). They boldly proclaimed the truth about Jesus’ life and why it was that He had come to earth. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). They not only believed God’s Word and who Jesus is, but they made it known to all. “10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12). They were true eye-witnesses of Jesus to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Even when imprisoned, see what the Apostles were told to do. “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). Many of their testimonies are recorded in the Bible for us to read today.

    What does this mean to me?

    Are there any witnesses today who can declare that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God?

    Remember that right before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers that they would receive power, after the Holy Ghost came upon them. This happened to all Believers all at once in the upper room at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-8). Today, when one believes in Jesus, by faith, God’s Spirit (the Holy Ghost) enters that heart and life. “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22). This Spirit from God is the witness in one’s heart and life that we belong to God. When one believes in Jesus, by faith (see Romans 10:8-13), that one has the salvation that the Apostles taught and is now recorded in the Bible. “14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16). It is then that we become the sons of God, having been adopted into His family. This Spirit confirms this to us. “6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:6-7). When we trust in Jesus, we have the witness of His Spirit in our hearts that we are sons of God.

    It is at this point (with the Holy Spirit in one’s heart) that that one becomes a witness for God – for we have His witness in our hearts. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son” (1 John 5:10). It is then that we are able to do what the Apostles did immediately after Jesus ascended into heaven – become witnesses of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is how the Gospel message of Jesus is spread throughout the world. From each Christian to those who live in this world apart from the saving message of Jesus.

    Have you trusted in Jesus, having His Spirit in your life, allowing you to be a witness to others of salvation?

    FInd out: How to be saved.

  • David

    “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.”

    1 Samuel 18:14

    Saul was the first king of Israel. Samuel declared God would remove the kingdom from Saul and his family because of rebellion and disobedience to God’s Word. “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1). God rejected Saul as the king of His people, but He had chosen one who would fulfill God’s will (see Acts 13:22).

    Samuel anointed David with oil. Up to this point in the Bible, the priests were anointed, and Saul had been anointed. Yet, we do not read that Samuel mentions to David why he has been anointed. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:13). However, notice that the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. It makes one wonder if at this point, David thought in his heart that all there was to that anointing was that the Spirit of the Lord upon him.

    In the next chapter of 1 Samuel, we read of David and his mighty victory over Goliath. See where David is in 1 Samuel chapter 18: “And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants” (1 Samuel 18:5). It is shortly after this, because the people ascribe the death of ten thousand of the enemy to David, “And Saul eyed David from that day and forward” (1 Samuel 18:9). Yet, understand the following: “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18:14).

    King Saul offered his daughter, Michal, to David as his wife if he would kill one hundred Philistines (the Israelite’s’ enemy). “… But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 18:25b). Saul wanted David to die at the hand of the Philistines. David killed two hundred Philistines to win the hand of Michal. “And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually” (1 Samuel 18:29). It tells us that David behaved himself more wisely than all of the servants of Saul (see 1 Samuel 18:30). David was just serving God and his king. We see nothing in David’s actions that reveal he had heard that he was to be the next king of Israel. Samuel knew, but up to this point we do not read that he had told David.

    During all of this, King Saul’s son, Jonathan became great friends with David. He helped David elude King Saul’s attempts upon David’s life more than once. David fled for his life from Saul (see 1 Samuel 19:8-17). “So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth” (1 Samuel 19:18). One cannot help but wonder if David had many questions for Samuel. Why did Samuel anoint him? Why did King Saul continually try to kill David? What is going on? Do you suppose that it is at this point in time that Samuel tells David that God had chosen him to become the next king of Israel?

    When King Saul heard that David fled to Samuel, he sent messengers to take David. Some interesting things happen. When the messengers came to take David, the Spirit of God came upon them and they prophesied. This happened three times, so Saul decided to go himself. Read what happened: “23. And he (Saul) went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24. And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 19:23-24). In this verse, stripped off his clothes means “he laid aside his armor and his royal vestments.” Do you suppose this happened to confirm to David what Samuel had told him? That one day, Saul would no longer be king, and that one day David would become the king of Israel? Wouldn’t that be like something God would do for David? To confirm that one day David would be king in place of Saul?

    At this point in David’s life, he began to flee. “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?” (1 Samuel 20:1). David had done nothing worthy of death by King Saul. However, as you read chapter twenty, there is a great covenant made between these friends: Jonathan and David. One can almost gather that Jonathan now understands that David will one day become the king of Israel. Moreover, Jonathan is fully supportive of his friend, David. David spends the next several years running from King Saul. Yet, one can recognize God’s hand upon David’s life. During these years, God was preparing David to become the great king of His people.

    Have you learned to behave yourself wisely (like David), even when you do not fully understand the plans God has for your life?

  • The Spirit

    “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

    John 16:8

    Before Jesus left this world, He made a promise to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God has specific jobs. Read what Jesus declared to His disciples. “7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7-8). The Holy Spirit has come to reprove (convict) the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Consider if you will: in the world’s court system, first there is a crime, and when it is proven, the judgment (punishment) is determined. I see no righteousness involved.  

    However, with God it is different. The listing in God’s Word says He will convict of sin, then of righteousness, and finally of judgment. God has put righteousness between the sin and the judgment. God has interposed the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, if you do not believe in Jesus – if you refuse the gift purchased by His blood, there is no righteousness between sin and judgment. The result of this is one will just receive judgment: death and hell. “13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:13-14).

    Remember: All have sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But those who believe in Jesus have a provision that only God could make by the death of His Son upon the cross. “24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:24). This places Jesus between the sinner and the judgment. Propitiation means “to conciliate; to atone for sin; to make reconciliation for.” If you refuse this propitiation, there is no righteousness between the sin and sinner. Read the description of God telling us what Jesus did for those who believe. “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). God makes Believers (Christians) the righteousness of God – because of what Jesus did upon the cross.

    We also understand that judgment will come to all. For Believers (Christians), Jesus took our judgment for us. For those who reject Jesus, judgment awaits them at death. “9. Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:9-11). God’s Spirit has come to reveal sin to man. God’s Spirit came to teach what Christ the Saviour’s provision is – righteousness. Notice also that Satan has already been judged. On that last week when Jesus faced the cross, He declared the judgment of the world. “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). When Jesus died on the cross, Satan lost the war. When it looks like Satan is winning the battle, remember that he has already been judged. All of Satan’s plans are destined for failure. His doom and destiny has been set. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). It was not prepared for people. However if one fails to repent, becoming conformed to the image of God’s Son, that one will be cast into that everlasting fire – the place we call hell. God does not want anyone to perish, spending eternity in hell. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He is longsuffering – for now.

    But recognize that God’s Spirit is the only one who can tell one’s heart of sin, righteousness and judgment. Moreover, the only sin that keeps one from heaven is the rejection of God’s Spirit that convicts the heart, revealing the need of Jesus. God forgives one who believes, giving what we need: righteousness “3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. … 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:3, 5). Recognize that faith is counted as righteousness. When one believes in Jesus, one becomes a new creature: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

    Have you heard the conviction of the Holy Spirit, recognizing your need to trust upon Jesus?

    How To Be Saved

  • Be Encouraged, and Do Not Fear

    “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

    2 Timothy 1:7

    God has called Christians. First, unto salvation offered by His Son, Jesus, and then Christians are called to walk worthy. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). However, many have quit with the calling unto salvation. However, read how a Christian is to then live. “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). Christians are called to live, not unto themselves, but for Jesus.

    Why have many quit, just being content to be “saved”? For many, it may be the fear of what may come with the change of life that true salvation in Christ brings. First, one must die to self. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is a life change. The old life is gone, and a new life has begun. One that is to be centered on Jesus. What encouragement can we read about this fear? “7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:7-9). God does not want Christians to be afraid, but to recognize that God has a plan “according to his own purpose and grace” for each person who belongs to Him.

    Do not think you are alone in this initial fear. Many are fearful – at first. However, God is good in that He encourages those who belong to Him. He reminds us that He will be with us, helping us accomplish the plan that He has for our lives. Read the small sampling of some encouragment found in the Bible.

    • God encouraging Jeremiah: “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:8).
    • God encouraging Moses: “And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain” (Exodus 3:12).
    • Moses encouraging Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
    • God encouraging Joshua: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).
    • Jesus encouraging Paul: “16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send the, 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:17).
    • God’s encouragement for Christians today: “5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).

    When a Christian walks with the Lord, fulfilling the plan He has for that life, God will not only encourage, but also help that Christian. One should not be afraid of what “man shall do unto me”. What encouragement can we find when things do not seem to be happening according to how we may think they should happen? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

    Do you walk with God, fulfilling His plan for your life, unafraid of what man may do?

  • Exercise

    “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
    1 Timothy 4:8

    Paul wrote a letter to Timothy helping him understand better the Christian life. Not only was he to know the truth’s of God’s Word, but he was to live them out in his life. His life was to be an example for anyone whom he met of a Christ-like life. It would not always be easy, but Timothy was to remain faithful.

    Paul wanted Timothy to understand these things – for he was in a warfare. “18. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). Warfare means “military service; dangers; trials; a warfare; hardships.” Paul wanted Timothy to understand that it would not be easy, but that it would take much work – as a soldier in a battle having to deal with trials, hardships, and dangers.

    • Faith means “good faith; faithfulness; sincerity.” 
    • Conscience means “the testimony of the Spirit in man’s heart concerning his obligation to God; i.e.: good conscience means ‘conscious of integrity.’” 
    • Put away means “to thrust away from oneself; repel; reject; cast off.”

    Paul drew attention to the fact that “some” had not warred a good warfare but had put away the faith – not remaining faithful or sincere. Timothy had to be sure that not only was he to be careful in his teachings (making sure he was true to God’s Word), but that he was to never forsake the truths of God’s Word (as some obviously had), living a contrary lifestyle. When one declares that he is a Christian, telling others about Jesus becoming a vocal witness, and then turns and rejects the truths of God’s Word living a life contrary to what it teaches, then they have “made shipwreck.” For it would have been better if they had never declared they were a Christian. It does much damage to the body of Christ.

    To live a right Christian life is a warfare – a daily battle that must be won.

    Part of living a right Christian life is to know what the Bible teaches. More importantly, a Christian is to be able to defend the truths of God’s Word. Paul warned that there would be those who would depart from the faith. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). Here we find a warning that in the “latter times” some would “depart from the faith.” Depart means “of ones who stood away from God, never having belonged to Him; they stood away from believing; those who refuse to believe, who stand aloof, alone.” Instead of believing in Jesus and the truths of God’s Word, they will choose to believe in false teaching. These false teachings are to be refused. But more than that, right things (good doctrine) are to be taught. “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6). Christians are to constantly know and remember the truths of God’s Word so that when false teaching is heard; “thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” For that Christian will recognize and reject the false teaching. 

    What Christians are to do in preparation? “7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

    • Exercise means “to train in godliness.” 
    • Godliness means “… reverence and love of God’s character and the exercise of these affections in obedience to His will and devotion to His service is the principal and foundational part. When applied to the Christian life, it symbolizes a life that is acceptable to Christ. This involves both the attitude of the believer toward Christ who saved him and a manner of life. “Exercise thyself rather to godliness” does not come automatically, but is something into which one must put forth much effort. It is contrasted to physical exercise for it has a far greater and wider usefulness while physical exercise has limited usefulness.”

    Paul wrote what must be done to accomplish this. “12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12-13). Paul encouraged Timothy to continue – and not to let anyone undermine the work God had for him – even when people said he was too young to do the work God had for him. Anyone can live for and serve God – no matter what the age. Timothy was not only to tell others about Jesus, teaching the truths of God’s Word, he must live them as well. That goes for every Christian. Remember that each Christian is to live a life so that any who see them will recognize Jesus. Christians who are faithful to the truths of God’s Word, especially in lifestyle, are imperative.

    Do you exercise yourself unto godliness, living out the truths of God’s Word?

  • Sanctified to a Christ-like Life

    “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
    1 Corinthians 6:11

    Many Christians today have not put forth much effort to grow in their Christian lives. They have remained immature, never taking the time to read or study God’s Word. When a Christian does not know what the Bible teaches, they cannot grow in their Christian walk with Christ.

    Paul understood the Christians at Corinth had not grown in Christ (they were still immature, not having learned how to live as a Christian); Paul dealt with their godless lifestyles. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Apparently, these Believers did not even understand that God’s Spirit lived within them. God would discipline any who did not take care of (i.e. live a life pleasing to God) their new life in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:17). The Believers (Christians) were to understand that they could no longer live according to the world’s ways. They were to live according to God’s ways. We can find these “ways” recorded in the Bible. Remember what we are to understand: “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (see 1 Corinthians 3:17-18). 

    Each person is accountable for his or her own life and the way he or she lives according to God’s Word. “1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Believers (stewards) were above all, to be found faithful as “stewards of the mysteries of God.”  Steward means “one who manages a house and is accountable to the owner.” Faithful means “servants or ministers who are faithful in the performance of duty.” Paul not only taught them, but he was an example to them.

    After addressing a particular problem that had remained in the church at Corinth, Paul listed more things they were not to allow. “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Paul is teaching them things that would help them in their Christian walk. Use the following definitions to understand these verses: 

    • Keep company means “to mix together; to mingle together; to have fellowship or keep company with.”
    • Brother means “members of the same Christian community.”
    • Covetous means “one who wants more; a person covetous of something that others have; a defrauder for gain.”
    • Idolater means “a servant or worshiper of idols.”
    • Railer means “railing (clamoring with insulting language; uttering reproachful words); or reviling (treating with language of contempt).”
    • Drunkard means “drunken; drunkard (an excessive use of strong liquor; a person who habitually or frequently is drunk).”
    • Extortioner means “rapacious (given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence or force); an extortioner (wresting anything from a person by force, authority, or by any undue exercise of power; illegal exaction).” 

    God will deal with the lost world who commits theses acts. “But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13). Put away means “to remove; to expel; to excommunicate.” Christians are not to keep company with people who behave in any of these manners – especially if they claim to be a Christian. See that it even included that we are “with such an one no not to eat.” Eating with someone is an intimate form of fellowship. (Remember the progression of sin in Psalm 1:1-6.)

    Why can we not hang around people like this? Paul explained to them why they could not. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Once one becomes a Christian, it is important to understand they are different. Sanctified means “to withdraw from fellowship with the world by first gaining fellowship with God.” Spending time with people living contrary to God’s Word will do harm to God’s church, instead of good, and especially in the lives of each Christian. We are to understand that because of Jesus, we are sanctified. Therefore, we must follow God’s Word, which is full of basic Christian principles of how to live a life pleasing to God. 

    Read what Paul reminded them of again. “19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If each Christian would just remember that they were bought with a price, and they are no longer their own, it would be much easier to live a life pleasing to God.

    Do you remember that you are sanctified, bought with a price, and you are no longer your own?

  • The Strong One versus the Stronger One

    “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
    Galatians 3:22

    Jesus was teaching the people. He wanted them to understand the power He held. The people were having a hard time understanding, so he explained. “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace” (Luke 11:21). This “strong man” he is referring to is the prince of this world, the devil. (See Ephesians 2:2: “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”) We are to understand something very important. However, in order to understand this, one must know the difference between one who belongs to Jesus and one who does not.

    One, who believes in Jesus by faith, belongs to Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Also, understand it by the following verse. “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Galatians 3:22). We then declare that a Believer (Christian) has Jesus in their heart.

    A person who does not have Jesus in the heart (an unconverted sinner) does not have Him in His rightful place. Instead, by default, Satan has taken up residence (“a strong man keeps his palace”). In this condition, the person sins willfully, which is a picture of Satan’s “goods.” This is the place where Satan dwells, where he works. This becomes his stronghold, the place of which he wants to keep away from Jesus. Satan then can continue to do his wickedness. That is the condition of all without Jesus in their heart. Moreover, all seems well in that life, until there is a challenge to this status quo. When Jesus is presented, the battle begins.

    As Jesus continued teaching them, He told them of a Stronger. “But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils” (Luke 11:22). Jesus is the Stronger One. Notice what He did. Jesus has invaded what Satan thought was his territory. Jesus has been (and still is) destroying Satan’s armor and claiming his spoils. [“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) and “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15.)] Understanding this, we can learn that one who has repented of their sin, asking forgiveness from God, has been freed from the strong one (Satan) and belongs to the Stronger One (Jesus). A decision has to be made by each individual, for there is no neutral ground in this conflict. If one thinks they can remain neutral and stay out of the conflict, this is what Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth” (Luke 11:23). A side must be chosen.

    When one believes in Jesus by faith, that heart is now clean. The difference (of the decision) is whether the individual has accepted Jesus into that heart, making His residence permanent. Remember the following must happen: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This decision has to be made. The danger of trying not to make a decision is pictured in what Jesus told them immediately after explaining all of this.

    See what happens when one does not become a “new creature” in Christ (believe in Jesus by faith). When one cleans up, lives good for a while without actually having a nature change that is required to live as a true Christian, read what happens. “24. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26). When one cleans up, lives religiously, or just in their own righteousness without the true righteousness that comes from Jesus’ finished work on the cross, the last state of the person is worse than the first. That person is left with no hope and will suffer the wrath of God that is yet to come.

    “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Once sealed, always belonging to Jesus (the Stronger One).

    Are you one who has cleaned up your life on your own (still bound by the strong one),

    or

    Have you become a new creature in Christ (belong to the Stronger One)?

    How to be Saved

  • Nicodemus

    “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
    John 3:17

    Jesus had many personal encounters with different men and women – some who committed themselves to Him, and Jesus to them; and some, who did not.

    “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1). The Pharisees were a part of the religious leaders of the day. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues and the Temple. When Nicodemus had a question about Jesus’ teachings, he went to Jesus, Himself, by night for the answers. “2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:2–3). See that Jesus knew the heart of Nicodemus. Nicodemus did not come to challenge what Jesus taught (as we know many religious leaders did), but he truly wanted to understand who Jesus was and why He had come. Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter. Unless a man gives up his old life, being born again, he cannot “see the kingdom of God.” See the following verse to understand “the kingdom of God”: “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.” The kingdom of God cannot be seen with human eyes. That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into one’s heart.” Jesus began to explain this to Nicodemus.

    “4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… 9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:4-6, 9-10). Even when Nicodemus did not understand, Jesus patiently explained.

    Jesus had often taught the people of things they knew, yet often they still did not understand. Nicodemus, a “master of Israel”, did not understand. Jesus took him back to the Old Testament Law that Nicodemus knew. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Remember: After the people spoke against God in the wilderness, fiery snakes bit them. The people were dying because of snakebites. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent. This serpent was to remind them of their sin against God. Moses held it up, and anyone who looked upon that serpent held high did not die, even though the poisonous snake bit them. (Numbers 21:4-9 to remember the events). Because of this faith, they were physically saved. Jesus reminded Nicodemus of that event, for it took the same kind of faith to be saved from sin – faith in Jesus – for He would take the sin of man upon Himself as he was hung on the cross to die (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

    Jesus explained this with the following: “15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:15-18).

     Jesus explained it simply to Nicodemus: Jesus was the teacher from God who came to teach the world how to be saved from sin – to believe in Jesus, God’s Son, for by unbelief, they were condemned to eternal death. See John 3:19-21 to understand that Jesus was the Light who came into the world, and He acknowledged that man loved darkness (their sin) more than the Light (Jesus). As you try to understand Jesus as the Light, imagine a very dark room – with absolutely no light. In that room, one cannot see anything. However, if you turn on a flashlight, you can see the area where the light shines, revealing what was previously hidden. Jesus is just like that – He reveals what is hidden “because their deeds were evil.” Jesus came to drive that darkness away, revealing the sin that had to be removed – but only by the Light, Jesus.  

    We understand that Nicodemus at some point believed in Jesus by the following verses: “Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them)” (John 7:50). Nicodemus was one of the two that took Jesus’ body and buried it after His death upon the cross (John 19:38-39).

    Nicodemus became a Believer of Jesus.

    Have you chosen to receive the gift of salvation (life) by believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved