The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: watch

  • Good Work

    The only good work one can do in and of themselves is explained simply by Jesus, Himself, when He was asked by the people. “28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). So the only good work anyone can do is to believe on Jesus. And when someone believes on Jesus, their life is forever changed. A new life in Christ begins. One begins to learn what the Bible teaches and applies those things to their life. Titus chapters two and three are a great place to read to understand some of the ways a Christian is to live. And as we choose to life a life pleasing to Jesus, we are to watch for His coming. “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Notice that not only did Jesus come to redeem us, but we are to be zealous of good works. Remember what the only good work is that we can do? Believe upon Jesus, God’s Son. Any other good we do is because we have done that – for it is an outflow of appropriating our faith in Jesus into every aspect of our lives.

    God sent Jesus into the world to “seek and to save that which is lost” (see Luke 19:10). Who is lost? Anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh to pay the penalty for man’s sin with His death on the cross. Why is this so hard for people to believe? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

    The grace of God that brings salvation is available to anyone.

    The invitation is simple. But it must be received.

    Are you ready to do the work of God?

  • The Time Will Come, and May Already Be…

    Paul wrote encouraging words to Timothy, for he was to never forget the faith instilled within him or to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. But he also wrote Timothy words of warning that are relevant – especially today!

    Paul told Timothy to “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). The word sound here means “sound doctrine; as in true, pure, uncorrupted.” Timothy was encouraged to hold on tightly, or possess, the pure doctrine that Paul had taught him. The same sound doctrine that we have recorded in God’s Word, the Bible. But in order to know what that sound doctrine is, we must read and study God’s Word. That is why Paul taught Timothy to “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). It was important that Timothy understood that he had to not only study the Bible, but he must “rightly” divide the word of truth. One must compare Scripture with Scripture. He had to understand and know the true doctrines written within the Bible in order to recognize false teaching and stay away from it.

    Paul warned, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). He wanted Timothy to understand that times would become difficult and dangerous. Paul went on to warn: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5). Times would come when things would look and sound good, having the form of something real, but it would deny the power that would make it real – faith in Jesus. By having a form of something real or true, many could be deceived or tricked into believing they had something real. Most people (or churches) are prepared for an attack on them from the outside. But when it comes from within, people are surprised – caught off guard. There is something to be said about “conquering from within.” We are prepared for the enemy outside of the camp, but woefully unprepared when the enemy comes from within. False doctrine is often able to creep in unaware until it is too late. True doctrine must be known in order to defend it against false doctrine. The only way to know the difference is to study God’s Word and know it.

    “3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5. But watch thou in all things …” (2 Timothy 4:3-5a). Today it is too easy to listen to teachers (or preachers) tell us what good people we are and what good things we are doing for the kingdom of God. They sound so nice and make us feel so good about ourselves. But words like these turn ears away from the truth of God’s Word; for there is nothing good in mankind – unless one has given their heart and life to Jesus, living according to the Bible and its teachings. Any other teaching is a fable – fiction, not real. Knowing this would happen, Paul warned Timothy to “watch” in all things. He was to be ready by knowing the Bible and its true teachings.

    Do you hold fast to true doctrine?

    Have you studied to show yourself approved and not ashamed?

    Do you endure sound doctrine or have itching ears?

    Be sure to watch!

  • Be Prepared

    “16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

    What amazing words! Jesus promised Christians that He would one day descend from heaven, where we will be caught up together, meeting Him in the air! And we will be with Him forever! The next verse tells us: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). We are to remember that Jesus has not forgotten us, He is coming for us, and we should strongly encourage one another with these words.

    When will this happen? “1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). No one knows. But if we pay attention, we will be able to tell when that day is getting closer! As long as we are cognizant as to what is happening in the world and in the church, that day should not take us by surprise. Even though a thief does not call ahead to warn you when he will break into a home or business, we know the most opportune times for a thief to break into a place. And we prepare. We watch. We make sure that we will not be caught off guard. We take precautions to keep us from an unexpected break-in. Just in the same manner, we should live our lives prepared. We know that day will come suddenly, as a surprise. We need to watch. As Christians, we should be living as if that day could be today. The day the Lord will come, and each Christian will stand before Him to give an accounting of his or her life, and what that person has done with that life to please the Lord. It is important to keep in the forefront of our minds that we represent Jesus in this world — for we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Remember the warning Paul gave to us. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

    Throughout the New Testament Paul encouraged Christians in what they were to do. Each Christian needs to remember that we are to become more like Jesus everyday. We must be aware of the temptations that surround us, that try to prevent us from living right. We must make a conscious effort to live a faithful Christian life, pleasing Jesus all day every day, never becoming tired of the Christian life. We are always to be on guard, awake, and ready for Jesus to come again at any moment! And we are to encourage others with this message! Remember the words of Galatians 6:9: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

    Watch!

    Be prepared!

    Don’t be weary in well doing, remembering that Jesus could come today!

  • Our Blessed Hope

    “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)

    Have you ever been discouraged in your Christian walk?

    Do you feel like you are standing for the truths of God’s Word on your own?

    Have you shared the Gospel message with someone only to have them reject the offering of Salvation?

    Does that mean it is pointless to continue living a life pleasing to the Lord?

    No! This world is a dark place (and becoming darker by the day!), but we are to be a light in this world.  Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6: “5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” The first thing to remember is that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5). Because I trusted in Jesus, I am now one of the “children of light.” The darker the world gets, the brighter my light should shine. To watch and be sober are key words here. To watch means “a mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps it from slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.” To fully understand this, we must remember what faith means. Faith means “to appropriate what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life; a firm belief in Jesus and His Gospel.” Sober in this verse means “to be watchful.” In other words, we are to be alert and watch out for threatening dangers in this world that will keep me from allowing my life and character to be transformed revealing Jesus in my life. Notice the confirmation to be watchful (remember sober in this verse means to be watchful). I must be diligent in my awareness of things that will come into my life that will keep me from becoming more like Christ. I am instructed to not allow those things into my life.  Instead, I am to be ready always to give an answer to anyone when they have a question as to why I live my life as I do. The Gospel message of Jesus should always be near to my heart and mouth, sharing with this lost world how they, too, can become a Christian.

    Telling someone how to become a Christian should be an easy thing.  Remember the following:

    • One must first recognize they are Lost (having committed sin – disobedience to any of God’s commands): Lostness: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
    • One must then understand the consequences, Penalty, for that sin (punishment / or eternal life by Jesus): Penalty: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23), 
    • What is the Price for this eternal life? Price: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 
    • What Response should be made? Response: “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” (Romans 10:9-10). 
    • What Security do I have of eternal life if I ever commit another sin? Security: “38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
    • How do I live this New Life, free from sin? New Life: “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). Don’t live like the world lives anymore. Read God’s Word and you will learn how to please God.

    Each Christian has a hope that the lost world does not have: Jesus promised to come back and take us home in heaven to be with Him for eternity. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)

    This world is not my permanent home, and I am only passing through. But in the meantime, I must be a “light” warning this world, so that they can have the same hope I have. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)

    Do you have this hope?

    Will you be ready to share your hope?

  • 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?

  • 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?