"Now the Spirit expressly (or explicitly) says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:1-5)
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; GIVE YOURSELF ENTIRELY TO THEM, that your progress may be evident to all. TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF and to the doctrine. CONTINUE IN THEM, for in doing this you will save both YOURSELF and THOSE WHO HEAR YOU."
(1 Timothy 4:12-16)
Recognize the fact that Timothy is "a true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2), an overseer of the Ephesian church, yet must continue in the doctrine of Christ for his own salvation. I would consider the "latter times" discussed a type and shadow of Christ's temptations noted as He approached the cross. Many people surrounded Him when He was teaching, healing and delivering but at the culmination of His testimony: the cross, just a few.
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
(Matthew 7:13,14)
There are few who find it because they depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits (of man) and doctrines of demons. They give heed because it appears more comfortable, gathering fellows accordingly. "Paul, and apostle of Jesus Christ, BY the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope," (1 Timothy 1:1) sends this letter to son Timothy to remind him stand fast lest he fall in the challenges that will make or destroy the testimony of our Lord within him.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Saturday, September 21, 2019
God Brings the Charge! Receive His Command
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things? Who shall bring a CHARGE against God's elect? It is God who justifies."(Romans 8:31-33)
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment (CHARGE) is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm."
(1 Timothy 1:3-7)
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent (violently arrogant) man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. HOWEVER, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ MIGHT SHOW ALL LONGSUFFERING, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This CHARGE (commandment) I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by themyou may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:12-18)
This is the purpose of the commandment, or God's charge: blasphemy, persecution and violent arrogance against the truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ, be refined out of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. The salvation for sinners.
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment (CHARGE) is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm."
(1 Timothy 1:3-7)
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent (violently arrogant) man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. HOWEVER, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ MIGHT SHOW ALL LONGSUFFERING, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This CHARGE (commandment) I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by themyou may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:12-18)
This is the purpose of the commandment, or God's charge: blasphemy, persecution and violent arrogance against the truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ, be refined out of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. The salvation for sinners.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Esau: He Found No Place for Repentance
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." (Hebrews 12:14-17)
Esau was the grandson of Abraham; a son of Isaac and Jacob's brother.
"The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 'I have loved you,' says the Lord. 'Yet you say, ''' In what way have You loved us?''' 'Was not Esau Jacob's brother?' Says the Lord. 'Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated, and laid waste his mountains and his heritage for the jackals of the wilderness.' "
"Even though Edom (the sons of Esau) has said, 'We have been impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places,' thus says the Lord of hosts: 'they may build, but I will throw down; they shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, and the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever.' Your eyes shall see, and you shall say, '''The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.''' "
Esau was the grandson of Abraham; a son of Isaac and Jacob's brother.
"The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 'I have loved you,' says the Lord. 'Yet you say, ''' In what way have You loved us?''' 'Was not Esau Jacob's brother?' Says the Lord. 'Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated, and laid waste his mountains and his heritage for the jackals of the wilderness.' "
"Even though Edom (the sons of Esau) has said, 'We have been impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places,' thus says the Lord of hosts: 'they may build, but I will throw down; they shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, and the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever.' Your eyes shall see, and you shall say, '''The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.''' "
(Malachi 1:1-5)
Although raised around the testimony of living for God, Esau made a mockery of it by his embedding himself with other peoples and their gods. Much had been made available to him through his grandfather and father; his brother also a testimony.
"And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."
Although raised around the testimony of living for God, Esau made a mockery of it by his embedding himself with other peoples and their gods. Much had been made available to him through his grandfather and father; his brother also a testimony.
"And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."
(Luke 12:47,48)
Surely, backing up all the way to Genesis, we see that Esau had been afforded every opportunity to walk the walk, but neglected it. Because he did, he was afforded no right to the blessing, no repentance was available to him. It is imperative that we pursue peace and holiness in the Lord, for our own and so others may see.
"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they DID NOT ESCAPE who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more SHALL WE NOT ESCAPE if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven."
Surely, backing up all the way to Genesis, we see that Esau had been afforded every opportunity to walk the walk, but neglected it. Because he did, he was afforded no right to the blessing, no repentance was available to him. It is imperative that we pursue peace and holiness in the Lord, for our own and so others may see.
"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they DID NOT ESCAPE who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more SHALL WE NOT ESCAPE if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven."
(Hebrews 12:25)
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