Biblical Meditation is about renewing our minds and application. When we renew our minds with scripture, we are transformed from one degree of glory to another! (2 Corinthians 3:18). If you want to learn about meditation, you can look at my repentance piece on this webpage. Today’s verse is
Philippians 2:3- “doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
After memorizing this verse, the question becomes, how do we apply this verse? I believe there are many categories and applications for this verse as follows:
Financial
Be a giver. Save to give to others. Save to give to the church and His kingdom. Our finances aren’t primarily for ourselves. Even if you only give a small portion, be someone that establishes a pattern of giving to others.
Social
Be an inviter. Invite others to group gatherings that you think would benefit. Going to group events isn’t about just having fun for yourself. Try to be a blessing to others in this area.
Speech/Texting
Ghosting is prevalent in today’s culture. People send texts and don’t respond back. Be a listener. Interrupting others communicates that what other people have to say is not important. In fact, it’s so unimportant that you are willing to cut them off to say what you think is important. Listen well. And encourage others for their benefit, lifting and edifying others every day. (Ephesians 4:29).
Thinking
Part of looking out for the interests of others is thinking well about them. We invariably can tend to think that our thinking has no impact on our actions. But it does. When we start to think unwell of people, our speech and actions subconciously follow. Develop patterns of thinking well of others so that you can love and serve others well.
Specific Possible Actions to follow this week-
Text everyone back- This shows that you care, are communicative, and trustworthy.
Listen before talking- Value what others have to say
Watch your thinking and repent if necessary
Take initiative to love and serve others out of heart that wants to follow God’s commands and this verse. Look for opportunities.
How would you meditate on this verse? We can’t do it by ourselves. As God’s people, we strive to meditate. It is the Godly man who meditates and is directed toward the righteous path (Psalm:1). The young man meditates and keeps his way pure (Psalm:119). Scripture calls us to dwell on God’s Word. Colossians 3:16- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.” Joshua 1:8- “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it” In fact, the very meaning of repentance is mentanoia, a change of mind. Finally Paul exhorts us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.” We meditate by God’s grace, by memorizing God’s truth, and applying it to our lives.
Sanctification doesn’t happen by itself. As believers, we need to meditate. Scripture call us to it. We are transformed by it. It is God’s will and we should delight to be in His law. Look to Christ and conform to Him. The veil has been removed for believers.
2 Corinthians 3:18-
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Happy wedding photography of bride and groom at wedding ceremony. Wedding tradition sprinkled with rice and grain
Andrew strolled into his counselor’s office in tears. Twelve years of torture. Andrew wanted out of his marriage. What was his reason? Initially, the marriage was going well. Over time, however, Andrew proclaimed that he finds himself truly unhappy in his marriage and has come to the conclusion that he married the wrong woman. She wasn’t what he wanted. He exclaims, “I have really nothing in common with my wife: conversation interests, political, religious, hobbies, nothing. Recently, we had to separate due to my work, and I was bored one evening, and spent some time with another woman, who I am now having an affair with. Does this make me a horrible man?”[1] At the heart of this story is selfishness. As a counselor, people will come into our office wondering whether or not they should marry for a variety of reasons. Generally speaking, marrying another person should be done wisely. When a couple is trying to make a decision for marriage, they should look at heart motivations, spiritual maturity, and chemistry.
Many people in the world marry for the wrong reasons. People desire someone for what the other party can provide. And once that person can no longer provide, they are thinking about divorce. For example, people marry others because of fame, social status, finances, good looks, boredom, happiness, charm, fun, etc. However, the heart of the Christian is to marry to be a witness for His Gospel. In Ephesians, Paul talks about how the Husband loves his wife just as Christ loved the church- “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” [2] In addition to being a witness for the Gospel, the Christian man marries for companionship (Genesis 2:18)[3] , children (Psalm 127:3-5)[4], and sexual fulfillment (1 Corinthians 7:9)[5]. Marriage is a beautiful thing. Marriage is valuable because it gives glory to God. While we wait for the eternal marriage, we get married on Earth as a representation of Him and what He has done in our lives. Marriage is a covenant of companionship in which each party promises to provide companionship to the other person, leaving and cleaving to their spouse. Children are a blessing, sex within marriage is a good thing and it needs to be pursued within that context. It is not good for man to be alone. Men need an Ezer to be on mission with them and help them accomplish God’s purposes. These are the heart motivations of a Christian man. Marrying someone is not about fulfilling desires only God can meet. Marrying someone is about being a witness for His Gospel and serving the spouse. Just as Christ came not to be served but to serve, we emulate him by showing an Agape, Phileo, and Eros love toward a spouse.
Maturity is the most important aspect of choosing someone to marry. Scripture calls us to abandon childish ways. Paul talks about how “When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” (1 Corinthians 13:11). [6] We move on the spectrum of love from an immature to a mature love that emulates Christ. And that’s skillful living or Chokmah- skillfully living out the principles of the Bible in daily living. When does a boy become a man? According to Al Mohler, there are 13 marks of manhood that exude maturity and readiness for marriage.[7] These marks include: Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband a father, economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and money, physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family, sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God’s purposes, moral maturity sufficient to lead as an example of righteousness, ethical maturity sufficient to make moral decisions, worldview maturity that understands what is really important, relational maturity that respects others, social maturity that contributes to society, verbal maturity that communicates like a man, character maturity that demonstrates courage under fire, and Biblical maturity sufficient to lead in the church.
In addition to these marks of manhood and general maturity, we should look for patterns of spiritual maturity specifically. Anyone can profess Christ but it is the Man or Woman that has proven faithful to Christ over time that we should pursue. Some marks of spiritual maturity include committing to Christ, striving for sanctification, fellowshipping with other believers, being in the Word, consistent prayer life, serving others, being Gospel-centered, discipling others, having the humility to be corrected, exuding fruit, putting off sin, putting on Christ, being involved in ministry, showing patterns of loving and serving others, and primarily living for The Gospel and God’s Kingdom.
When choosing a life partner, Chemistry is important. Being able to talk about life together and being interested in the same activities will direct the course of the relationship. For example, a huge conflict has just emerged if someone wants to be a missionary in India and the other party wants to serve in the local church. Going on, both parties should be attracted to each other. Solomon describes the sexual relationship and how both spouses delight in each other. The author of proverbs states that “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” A mature man has eyes and a heart for the wife of his youth only. He takes steps to avoid deep emotional bonding with other women and is above reproach in this area. He speaks well of his wife and serves her all his days even if she doesn’t provide anything in return. This is the sacrificial love that God requires. It’s a lifetime commitment that emulates the commitment God has to us. If we are his, we will be with Him for all of eternity. We couldn’t provide anything to God but He still loved us. All we could provide was our detestable sin and filthy rags. In the same way, we are to show the same type of God-honoring love to the cherished wife of our youth. It’s an opportunity to love and serve others greatly!
More specifically, the situations of teens, age gaps, and widows need to focus on specific aspects of maturity. Most teens aren’t financially set to support a partner and they marry for the wrong reasons. An age gap of 13 years puts the partners in different places in life. A 40 year old and a 27 year old may have similar physical energy right now, but when the couple gets older, they will be in different places. There is nothing Biblically speaking that prohibits couples from getting married with an age gap unless, obviously, it’s illegal. Going on, widows may have children or ex-husbands who are still in the picture. Whatever the situation, the most important thing to look for are marks of maturity. The other issues may be hard to deal with, but aren’t nearly as important as marks of maturity from boyhood to manhood, and from being a girl to being a woman. There’s a visible transition from being spiritually immature to spiritually mature.
In conclusion, couples should generally get married if their motivations are pure, are on a trajectory of spiritual maturity, and have chemistry. Marriage is a great picture of the eternal marriage we will experience and is a wonderful gift. As the author of Ecclesiastes put it- “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.” We serve Christ and Him crucified together for His glory and being a witness to His Gospel. Marriage is God-centered and doesn’t last forever. But we continue toiling under the sun all of our days until we enter into the eternal marriage with our Savior. Keep on toiling.
Dr. Stackhouse, author of Partners in Christ, holds to an Egalitarian view. He states that the “very arguments used to support female clergy are now used to support homosexuals in the pulpit as well.” [1] He argues that a Bible believing Christian can be a feminist. Going on, Stack house defines feminism or egalitarianism as “someone who champions the the dignity, rights, responsibilities, and glories of women as equal in importance to those of men.” Stackhouse believes that there are arbitrary, ungrounded distinctions between men and women. What is at stake? Some people argue that genuine Christians can not be feminists. The stakes couldn’t be higher. God’s glory is at stake because when we obey correctly, God is glorified. Historically, Israel experienced curses for disobeying God. Today, we may experience chastisement from a loving Father if we indeed are his children. The inerrancy and infallibility of scripture is at stake. Some egalitarians hold the view that people can’t dogmatically tell others what the Bible says. Some would say we can also rely on scholarship, spiritual experience, and Christian tradition to inform our thinking and actions. They are just expressing their own personal opinion. However, scripture is clear on what God’s Word says on this topic. In the following paragraphs, I will talk about the egalitarian view and the complementarian views of the Bible.
How does one get to an Egalitarian view of the Bible? Essentially, this view comes from a false hermeneutic of the Bible that doesn’t rely on Scripture as authoritative, inerrant, and infallible. The Egalitarian relies on many other sources besides the Bible to inform their view including God’s inner leading, tradition, and spiritual experience. Generally speaking, Egalitarians and Complementarians interpret the Bible and get their convictions from very different sources. In the book Partners for Christ, Stackhouse exclaims that he uses spiritual experience, tradition, scholarship, Christian art, and scripture to make a final decision on matters of importance. On the contrary, Graham Beyon exclaims the exact opposite. In his book embracing complementarianism, Graham exclaims that “any other authority we have-such as human reason, traditions or our experience- needs to be secondary to what God says in the Bible.”[2] For Stackhouse, it’s not enough to say the Bible says it so and that’s the end of the matter. In his view, “it is deficient theology to say the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.”[3] Apparently, Stackhouse doesn’t believe in 2 Timothy 3:16 which says “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
If Egalitarians have a false hermeneutic, it makes sense that they would come to different conclusions about the Bible. Egalitarians view Patriarchy as part of sin that resulted from the fall. Questions arise such as- “Why would God limit authority if women are perfectly capable of leading?” The idea is that Patriarchy was only for a temporary time but feminism was always the trajectory of the Bible. Egalitarians will use Galatians 3:28 which says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Egalitarians will interpret this verse not in the context of salvation but in the context of all of life. They will say that male and female are equal in roles and responsibilities because of this verse. They say that men and women are equal in co-creating (Genesis 1:26-27). In addition, we see a co-partnership in (Genesis 2:18-25). We see that spiritual gifts and church functions are for both sexes (Romans 12:6-8). Lastly, we see women leading in the church as deacons (Romans 16:1-12). The overall perspective is that complementarians are living in the past of the sin of patriarchy and the fall in the midst of a changing culture that was always destined for feminism. Patriarchy was just temporary. God originally intended men and women to be coequal partners with no subordination. In addition, we should be living in light of eternity and glorification. The last days have arrived (Acts:20) In glorification, all barriers are removed. There is no more suffering and fellowship is perfect. Going on, Paul mentions that Christians have freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:13-14). We have liberty and freedom from gender discrimination and oppression-Christ is the reason for this victory.
The complementarian view has a high view of scripture. Complementarians primarily go to 1 Timothy 2:11-12 “A woman must learn in quietness, in all submission. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” In addition, Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35- “The women are to keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.” Women can teach other women but the authority for public preaching belongs to the men. Some churches will invariably say that a woman may teach if they are under the authority of the elders. However, by this very action, the elders are saying that it’s okay for women to function as an elder or overseers in their teaching roles. Men and women are different and have different roles that God assigned. Submission does exist and is part of God’s plan for his purposes and His glory.
How are men and women different? This may seem like a ridiculous question. But the culture today is blurring the lines between men and women to the point that men can identify as women anytime they want and vice versa. We sure do live in a Romans:1 culture! Good is being called evil and evil good. The culture thinks we can essentially become our own Gods by declaring what we are instead of acknowledging what the real God created us to be. The culture is trying to take control and dismiss the foundational truth of people’s lives- I am a man or I am a woman. If the foundational truth of their own existence is denied and people can be their own Gods by declaring whatever they want, then there is no truth. Man declares what is true instead of God. This is the path of the culture- there is no absolute truth but only subjective relativism exists. If anyone tries to be dogmatic about anything, they are labeled as arrogant. What is my point? Truth does exist, men and women are different, and it is declared by God’s Word. In scripture, we see how women are to be submissive to men in Ephesians:5. Even Christ is submissive to the Father in the great trinity of the Godhead. Men are to honor women as the weaker vessel in 1 Peter 3:7. The weaker vessel in this verse is talking about being physically weaker. It’s interesting to note that even this is being denied in our culture. We see transgender women who are actually men competing in women’s sports and achieving world records. Foundational, obvious, rational, and basic truths are being denied in the culture.
In conclusion, I do acknowledge that women have been historically oppressed in certain areas including pay and compensation. However, oppression doesn’t mean we change what the Bible actually says. Patriarchy is not a sin and is not a result of the fall. Egalitarianism wasn’t always part of God’s good design and patriarchy wasn’t temporary. God’s Word is enough. I don’t need to go to my own spiritual experience, traditions, or Christian art to make a determination of what the Bible says. I don’t believe that the Bible changes based on the current state of the culture. Stackhouse clearly said by his own admission that homosexuals are in the pulpit because of the same hermeneutics egalitarians use. It is possible to be dogmatic about what the Bible says if it is clearly expressed in scripture. Scripture clearly states in 1 Timothy that there is a separation of authority. Teaching is reserved for men and women are to remain quiet. Scripture is a blessing and is integral to the life of a Christian. We are to meditate on God’s Word day and night so that we can conform to Christ, be sanctified, and live out God’s plan for us on Earth. What is at stake? God’s Glory, the authority of Scripture, sin, and the Gospel. The Christian culture is on a slippery slope- Once we start deviating from what scripture says, scripture becomes irrelevant. God starts to become irrelevant. We start conforming more to ourselves, what we want, and sin rather than Christ and Him crucified. This debate isn’t just about Egalitarianism versus Complementarianism. This debate is about preserving the Gospel message. The foundations of human life have been dismissed. Men deny they are women and women deny they are men. The foundations of the Gospel message will be denied next. Because once one part of the Bible is dismissed, the rest follows including the foundational Gospel message. Stay faithful.
[1] Stackhouse Jr., J. G. (2015, November 8). Partners in Christ: A Conservative Case for Egalitarianism. IVP Academic.
[2] Beynon, G., & Tooher, J. (2022, October 1). Embracing Complementarianism: Turning Biblical Convictions into Positive Church Culture.
[3] Stackhouse Jr., J. G. (2015, November 8). Partners in Christ: A Conservative Case for Egalitarianism. IVP Academic.
These are the words the roll off the tongues and go through the minds of many, many members of the church. If you are assured of your salvation, this blog is for you. Others need to be blessed by your counsel! If you are not sure of your salvation, this blog is for you as well for obvious reasons. Many young men that I have talked to struggle with this topic. I’ve struggled with this topic. I’m sure young women do too but I don’t talk to them as much! In this short article, I’ll talk about why we doubt, evidences of salvation, and the great hope that we have.
Why do we doubt?
Christians doubt their salvation for many reasons.
Lack of trust/wrong theology – Christians doubt their salvation because they don’t fully trust that Christ paid for their sins in full. They think their is something they have to do in order to be saved. In our individualistic society, this thinking process makes sense. We strive to work toward the top of the totem pole to realize the ultimate prize we worked so hard for. But Christianity is not about relying on ourselves for salvation. The beauty of Christianity is that it isn’t works based. We can rely on what Christ did on the Cross. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our transgressions, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7) Christ paid it all. It is finished.
Example- I once had a friend that said he was struggling with assurance of salvation. He didn’t think there was enough fruit in his life to possibly be saved. Sometimes there won’t be any fruit in our lives for a time. But true Christians will produce some fruit generally speaking. There are exceptions (The thief on the cross didn’t have time to produce any fruit.) If one started to try to produce fruit in their life to convince themselves they are saved, it would be to no avail. Moral unbelievers exist. But a true Christian is one whose heart has been radically transformed (Ezekiel 36:26) They have a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Their desires have changed 180 degrees (Deuteronomy 6:4). Instead of living for oneself, ones own advancement, and this world, the Christian lives for God, His purposes, and advancing His kingdom.
2. Unrepentant sin
Someone who is in unrepentant sin should indeed question their salvation. The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20) In 1 John, John exclaims that not one born of God makes a practice of sinning (1 John 3:9) This is not to say that believers don’t sin. Believers do sin but they are on a path of repentance and growing more like Christ every day.
So how does one know if they are saved?
If someone has completely trusted in Christ and Lord and savior, they are saved. It’s that simple. What does scripture say?
Romans 8:1- There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.
This is the verse that someone at my church called TNT. It packs a punch! T- ten N-nine T-ten (Romans Ten- Nine-Ten)
Romans 10:9- because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Evidence of fruit in our life
Confessing Christ as Lord and savior is unnatural. It’s a work of the Spirit that comes about out of the transformed heart that we have been given! The fruits of the Spirit are listed in Galatians :5 including Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Self-Control.
Love– To be a Christian is to love for God is love. The Apostle John says “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers.” (1 John 3:14). Love is expressed in action. To love God is to keep His commandments. As we grow in our faith, the Spirit will be working in us. We will love others well not because they benefit us or because it’s a duty but because it truly is a delight to love others as an expression of our love for God!
Source of Love– 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us
We are becoming more like Christ– The Spirit is working in us if we are becoming more like Christ every day. Some sanctification verses include 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Philippians 2:12.
We establish patterns of Godliness as w11e wait for the eternal hope of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ- Titus 2:11-13
We don’t live for self but for God and put other people’s interests first (Philippians 2:3)
Our love is not a faux love but an Authentic love for God and others- We don’t love others because of what we can get from them but we love and serve others regardless of what they can provide. We look for ways to love and serve others because we are other oriented and ultimately God centered. Thinking of others first is a priority. It’s a sacrificial, agape love emulated in us.
Tests of Salvation from 1 John
1 John 1:2-3 Sensitive to sin
1 John 1:5- 1 John 2:1 Obedience
1 John 2:3-5 Reject the World
1 John 2:15-17 Love Christ
1John 3 :1-3 Decreasing patterns of sin
1John 3: 5-10 Love other Christians
1 John 3:14-17 Experience answered prayer
1 John 3:22-24 Keep His commands
1 John 4:1- Ability to Discern between spiritual truth and error
1 John 3:13- Experiencing persecution because of your faith
Love emulated is the test of Diven life working in you
How do we make our calling and election sure (Our salvation)
2 Peter 1:4-11
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your fatih supply moral excellence….knowledge….self-control….perseverance….godliness…..brohterly kindness, love……For in whom these things are not present, that one is blind, being nearsighted, having forgotten the purification from his former sins. Therefore, brohters, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble.
Conclusion
If you have truly believed and repented of your sins, you are saved. That’s it. Believers will have evidence of the Spirit working in their lives. It’s humbling to know that there isn’t anything we can do to be saved. We can’t produce more fruit or do a bunch of external actions to ensure salvation. We rely totally on what Christ did on the cross. Our transformed heart of regeneration will produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. As our lives conform more to Christ, we can know with certainty that our calling and election is sure. Fruit is not the root of salvation but the evidence and stamp of authenticity of salvation. We know what someone truly believes by the life that they lead. Today is the day of salvation. There are 2 doors. One to Eternal fire and one to Eternal Heaven. Believers go to the Bema seat or the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:13-15, 2 Cor. 5:10). Unbelievers go to the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Christ is the door to heaven (John 10:9). He is the only way. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Unlike our culture, the Bible calls us not to have more works than bad but to trust In Jesus Christ alone by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). There is absolute truth, one way, one salvation, one Bible, and one truth. How blessed are we to have God’s Word and know the truth, being part of His Kingdom all the days of our life! We are just sojourners here on Earth, passing through. Are you ready?
The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky of Brighton, England. Rays glistened from the ancient sphere illuminating every object in sight. Darkness became light. Night became day. Bottlenose grey dolphins whistled squeakily as their steam-lined torpedo shaped bodies propelled themselves forward in and out of the turquoise-colored ocean. Tides oscillated back and forth like the pendulum of an ancient clock. A new day meant new opportunities for Terry. Enzymatic coffee flavors permeated the breezy air from the local shop. Terry sauntered steadily through the beige warm fine-grained sand. Hunting. Searching for something of great value. Astonishingly, Terry heard a vehement noise as he was holding on tenaciously to his metallic metal detector. A brown coin surfaced amongst the 1,000s of grainy sand pebbles along the beachy coast. This was the start of a new journey. A new hobby. Terry didn’t know where the coin was from or the implications it would have on his life.
Quite a time later, Terry settled near Hammerwich, UK. And found the Staffordshire Hoard. These items are worth millions of dollars and are a unified collection of Anglo-Saxon items from warriors, princes, and Kings. Below is a link to the Anglo-Saxon Hoard.
Little did Terry know that the greatest treasure he actually dug up was not in the Gold or 4 million dollars worth of valuables. Terry actually dug up God’s truth! Above is part of the Staffordshire Hoard’s treasure. This is the opening of the Gospel of Mark. God’s eternal Word. God’s Truth. It contains the truth of salvation, judgment, God’s promises, blessings, and commands to Worship Him and Him alone. The Bible is so valuable the many martyrs found it worthy to die for.
Pictured Above- William Tyndale was promised to be able to print an English Bible from King Henry VIII’s abode. However, King Henry VIII wanted to print his own version. Tyndale was eventually convicted of Heresy for believing in the forgiveness of sins and that the Gospel provided mercy and was enough for salvation. He was sentenced to death for his beliefs in Christian Doctrine and was betrayed by King Henry VIII.
Why is the Bible Valuable?
Hebrew Word- Chokmah
Above is the Hebrew Word for Wisdom or Skillful living. As we live the Christian life and mature, we gain the ability to discern or know what is good or evil. Sometimes this means standing alone even in the midst of a culture that professes Christ. Everyone is professing Christ nowadays. The mature man has convictions before trials or temptations arise. He knows what he is going to do in certain situations before they happen. The immature base their decisions on the culture. Their mentality is that since everyone else is doing it, the action must be okay. Let me tell you something. The culture and professing Christians are diving into sin. They will say that homosexuality is okay, it’s okay to go to clubs, sleep with your boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. We need to be prepared to walk worthy of the Gospel message of Christ (Philippians 1:27-30). We need to be prepared to move from children to Fathers in maturity (1 John 2:12-14).
What are you convictions about the following situations?
Can Christians go to nightclubs?
Smoke hookah?
Drink at a bar?
Gamble or play poker in a casino?
Live with members of the opposite sex?
Play games with sexual words such as Cards against humanity?
Kiss your girlfriend?
Make out with your girlfriend?
Have sex with your girlfriend?
Live a homosexual lifestyle?
Go to festivals/concerts like raves, stagecoach or coachella?
Where do we go for Wisdom in these situations? We go to the Word of God and Christ who is the personification of Wisdom. Professing Christians will tell you that all of the above are okay. Not all professing Christians but some of them. Again, everyone is professing Christ nowadays and indulging in clear sins. How would one go about making a conviction on the above categories?
What does the Word of God say? Is this a clear sin or a grey area?
If it’s a grey area, what are the principles?
Get counsel from Godly people.
How does participating in one of these activities affect my witness for Christ and His Gospel?
Would people get the sense that I’m of the world or of the kingdom of heaven?
Is participating in any of these activities necessary?
Is my decision to participate based on the fact that everyone is doing it? That all of my friends are doing it and I want to be social? Or is my decision based on the Word of God and a love for his commandments?
Would I be able to comfortably participate in this activity in front of an elder at church? If no, why? If you can’t participate in front of an elder, why do you think God would approve who sees everything at all times? He’s everywhere. (Psalm:139)
People are wasting away their time in light of Eternity
Clearly, people are spending most of their time on social media platforms. What you spend your time on the most is what you love. It’s what you care the most about. It’s what you believe will bring you the most satisfaction. We don’t need more passive men. We need men that have convictions and live for Christ with pure motives. Men that know what they are doing and why they are doing it. Men that are willing to stand up for the truth in the wake of a perverse and crooked generation. Most men aren’t spending time in the Word or value it as they should. They are on social media looking at what Kim Kardashian is up to or the next video Mr. Beast has put out. A feeble love for the Word of God produces feeble Christian living. Being in the Word is important.
Get Hungry
There is no such thing as a believer who hates the Word of God. Loving the Word of God is a mark of a true believer. (John 8:31)- “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples'”
For it is the truth of the Word that has transformed the believer’s life to a new disposition and a new direction. Everything for life and godliness in contained in the Word of God! 2 Peter 1:3- “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” We are called to a full knowledge. Our works are not the root of salvation but authenticate our salvation and make our election and calling sure. We can have assurance of salvation!- 2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure, for in doing these things, you will never stumble”
Genuine affection and faithful love for the Word of God will mold a heart that is captivated by Christ, unweakened by temptation and unwavering in resolve- Seth Kniep
You cannot Worship the God without using His Word. True worship gives your affections, desires, thinking, volition, and praises to the only One and true God! Being in the Word is part of worshipping Him. The Word informs us how to think, act, and praise Him for what He has done! God wants true worshippers that are wholly dedicated.
In the New Testament, the Shema is quoted and uses the word mind. So it reads “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. True worship is about our mind, affections, and desires. The Psalmist cries out in Psalm 119:17 “And your Law is my delight.” He longs to understand the valuable Word of God!
A child of God who neglects the scriptures can not please the Lord of Glory- Robert C Chapman
It is possible to know about the Bible but not love Christ. Believers love the Bible and Christ as the focal point of their lives.
-This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book
The believer pants for God’s word like the deer in Psalm 42:1- “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pant for you O God.” I love how the Psalmist in Psalm:119 exclaims Let! Let me understand your word. It is all by God’s grace that we can even understand His word. We can’t understand the word by our own strength.
Conclusion
Martyrs died for the Word of God to be translated. Jesus Christ died for the Word. There are bloodstains all over the valuable Word of God. The Word transforms hearts and sanctifies us. Being in the Word is a mark of a true believer. Believers pant for the Word like the deer and rely on God’s grace to understand. Believers live for the Word and it dominates their lives to live for Him and His purposes. We want to know our God, keep His commandments, protect ourselves from the evil one, and walk worthy of the Gospel message. Being in the Word is about true Worship to the only one who is worthy of that kind of affection. It’s about living out the Shema with all of our Heart, soul, and mind. Terry thought that he found the greatest treasure in the 4 million dollars he undug. But the true treasure was in the scriptures that provided the truth of eternal life. Encourage each other to be in the word. To go to seminary, to take Bible classes, to take Biblical Counseling. For the man that is feeble in the Word probably lives a feeble Christian life. There is no such thing as a believer that hates the Word of God. Encourage others to pursue it with zealousness at all costs. To be a Christian is to love the Word of God, live for the Word of God, and know our creator. The world is filled with too many passive men that spend their time fruitlessly. Remember this- what you spend the most time on is what you love. Do you love the Word of God? Be in it. Love it. Live it. Eternity is coming.
A life well Spent 