Walking With Jesus

What Needs Does God Supply?

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NLT)

Have you ever asked God to supply what you considered a desperate need, but He didn’t? What was your takeaway? What did you learn through that experience? There have been many times in my life when I was desperate, but God has never not supplied a need. So, what have I learned?

Fundamentally, I’ve learned that desperation doesn’t equal need. Often my “need” centered on my lack of money or energy or time. But in most cases my “desperation” wasn’t because God wasn’t faithful to provide, but because of my misallocation of the resources He generously provided. If I make the decision I “need” a new TV, but by buying that TV I don’t have enough money to pay rent or buy groceries, that’s not desperation, that’s stupidity.

A few days ago I saw a shirt an elderly man was wearing that said: “Life is hard. It’s even harder if you’re stupid.” Unfortunately, as I recounted many very “unwise” (aka “stupid”) decisions over my lifetime, I could relate. The point is, God WILL supply our needs, but He doesn’t promise to meet our wants. To the extent we’re willing to live within our means, to that extent we’ll find that God is always faithful to meet our needs.

Photo by Anastasia Lashkevich on Pexels.com

But what if I’m just not making enough money to meet the demands of my lifestyle? That, of course, is a double-edged sword. If I’ve bought a house I couldn’t afford, then ran up bills buying new things for the house, and now I can’t pay the utilities, that’s painting yourself into a corner that God has no obligation to get you out of.

However, it’s a different issue if I’ve found an affordable apartment, but the continuing increases in my rent are now making it impossible for me to keep up. In cases like that, God will make a way. It may not be a way to stay in that apartment, but He will open doors of opportunity for you to have your needs met.

Elizabeth Elliot wrote: “God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.” One thing I’ve learned about God’s provision. The more I invest in making much of Him in and through my life, the easier I find it is to live within my means. When I was younger, I often spent money for things I didn’t need just because I had the money.

Now, in my gratitude to the Lord for His bountiful provision, I understand He’s given me some surplus money, not to waste it on myself, but to invest in His eternal Kingdom by using it to help others. God is generous and I thank Him everyday for how well He’s taking care of me. But I also stay on the lookout for ways to help others who are genuinely seeking to honor and glorify Him, but just need a “grace” gift from God through me.

Jesus wasn’t exaggerating when He said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Some of the greatest blessings I’ve received are those given by the Lord because of my generosity when I couldn’t “afford” to give it. And I’m not speaking simply of financial gifts or blessings. The most valuable “gift” the Lord has given any of us is the gift of time. To be so tired you can hardly see straight, but still go when someone in need calls you, pays unimaginable “dividends.”

So, what needs does God always supply? All of them!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Some Things Are Worth Waiting For!

“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.” (Job 14:14 NLT)

Thinking about something that’s already happened, what comes to mind when I ask you: “For what have you waited with greatest anticipation?” For me, one of the things I looked forward to most was getting my driver’s license. I thought I’d never turn 16. Then, being married, being a parent, serving as a Pastor, having a grandchild, finally retiring.

In this season of your life, what is it that you most anticipate? Of all the things for which you’ve waited in your lifetime, what is it now that you most look forward to?

As a Jesus follower my most highly anticipated event of my life is death! I want to see Jesus, kneel at His nailed-pierced feet, and worship Him. Knowing that when that day comes, I’ll never have an unmet need. I’ll live in absolute confidence that I’ll never get sick, never want for anything, never have to wonder what to do or how to honor my Lord most effectively.

I won’t have an unanswered question or a disappointment of any kind. I’ll never question whether my friends are lost or saved, or how best to express my love for my family and friends. Worship will be genuine and involuntary; prayer will be turned into everlasting praise and adoration of my now visible Savior.

I will finally be perfect, as only the Lord is able to see me now; I will be the new creation the Lord envisioned me to become before the foundation of the world. My new, perfect body will be able to function in ways I can’t even imagine now, carrying out my Father’s will with precision.

Think about it. Can you hear the angels singing? Can you close your eyes and hear the song of the Savior’s Bride as we join in an everlasting chorus of worship, praise, and devotion. View the redeemed from every tongue and tribe living and serving our Beloved in perfect harmony and unity.

Wait! Do you see him? Isn’t that . . . YES! There’s Moses and Isaiah and Joshua and David and Paul and on and on as we spend all eternity getting acquainted with the men and women of the Bible, not to mention the saints of old. We’ll finally be able to know as we are known! We’ll understand without flaw the words of the Sacred Text.

There will be no misunderstanding of theology and we’ll not have to take sides because everyone will believe and understand without question or variance. We’ll live and work and fellowship with absolute, unbridled joy and delight.

The One of whom in this life we’re seeking with all that is within us to make much of, will then make much of us. He’ll reward us in ways we can’t comprehend. Like the saved in the Bible, we’ll wonder: “Lord, when did we ever see You hangry and feed You? Or thirsty and give You something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give You clothing? When did we see You in prison and visit You?” (Matthew 25:37-39)

With no desire to sin or disobey our Master, we’ll live in freedom and joy and peace, the likes of which we can’t yet imagine.

We’ve planted the proverbial “seeds” of faith. Now we wait, faithfully living with expectation and anticipation of our soon coming Messiah! Wow! What a day that will be? It will be well worth the wait!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Love for Everyone!

“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33-34a NLT)

It’s no accident that Peter, as he outlines the “path” to living a holy life, culminates the process with love. Love is the context out of which everything of eternal value is accomplished. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 seeks to paint a picture of love and lists a lot of remarkable things that we can do, but if we do them without love they are “useless.”

Love is the language of heaven, thus, the language of Jesus followers. Love is the evidence that what I say I believe about Jesus is true. Love includes, it doesn’t isolate or divide. As Christ followers our heart is to embrace other believers as family. God loves diversity, so if you can’t open your heart and arms to those in the Body of Christ who are different than you, you probably won’t like heaven.

The children of Israel were a small group whom God chose to be His people. It was through the lineage of King David that the Messiah came, and God’s love for His chosen people was a “shadow” or “type” of the love He had in mind for Christ’s Body, the Church.

God’s design and desire was for the nation of Israel to be unique in the sense that the nations of the world could view the Jewish people and see clearly who He was through the way they lived and treated one another. That’s God’s desire as He views the Church today.

The people of the world who don’t know Jesus should be able to view our lives as His followers, individually and collectively, and catch glimpses of who Jesus is. That’s the value of living a holy life. The more closely our lives can resemble the life of our Savior, the easier it will be for those who don’t yet know Him, to recognize their need of Him.

But when professing believers live like the devil, treating each other with hatred and disdain, it not only breaks the heart of God, but it also defiles the blood spilled for our salvation. John writes in 1 John 3:14-15: “If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.”

Love can be hard. It’s not automatic. It doesn’t flow out of filthy vessels, that’s why our longing and heart’s greatest desire must be to magnify God’s glory through our love for others. Love gives and forgives; it seeks to make much of Jesus and less of ourselves, by putting others’ needs ahead of our own.

There’s a line in a Christian song I hear on The Message that says something to the effect: “We’re supposed to love our enemies, but we don’t even love our friends.” That’s a sad commentary on the state of the Church in America.

Years ago, I read a headline that gave a man’s name and said: “’He was elected Husband and Father of the Year.’ His wife and children were the judges.” I want more than anything else to please my Father in heaven, but if in my urgency to please Him I lose my family, I’ve failed miserably to love like Jesus.

Our pursuit of God and determination to live a holy, separated life, should cement us to our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that together we can magnify the glory of our Savior. Not by pretending we’re better than those who don’t yet believe, but by offering such an inviting and inclusive love for everyone, that they find it easy to see and love Jesus. That is my prayer.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Brotherly Affection?

“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive – anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT)

Saul, who was Israel’s first king, had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan was in line to become king upon his father’s death, but he recognized that he was not God’s choice. David was. Still, he and David became friends, in much the same way as what Peter was seeking to illustrate in his 2^nd letter. David and Jonathan became a picture of what brotherly affection should look like.

The word that Peter used in 2 Peter 1:7 is the Greek word “fil-ad-el-fee’-ah” (Philadelphia), which is often translated “love” or “brotherly love.” It’s far more than a mere acquaintance or even a deep friendship, it’s a relationship characterized by deep trust and commitment. It’s the kind of relationship that developed among the original disciples and those who became part of the early church.

Fueled by the Holy Spirit’s infilling, they became selfless and Christ-centered. Their concern wasn’t simply for themselves, but for their new eternal family and for those they were commissioned to reach. We see what this kind of love looked like in Acts 2: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Later in the chapter it speaks to some practical implications of their love for one another, and the environment that resulted.

“Reverence and Awe” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47)

What can we learn from these first century believers? First, they were devoted – to Jesus, the Apostles, and to each other. There’s a lesson here for us. If our devotion to Jesus stops with us, we have no real devotion to Jesus. A closed, selfish heart does not a Christ follower make! So, lesson one – love within the Body of Christ must be Christ-centered and selfless. Devotion to Christ equals devotion to His Body, the Church.

To claim allegiance to Christ and yet close yourself off from His eternal family is a contradiction. Say it with me – Body of – whom? Body of random people? Body of friendly, really nice people? No, it’s not about the people themselves. So, who’s it about? The Body of CHRIST! On some levels the presence of God on earth is no less significant as He’s seen in His Body, the Church, as it was as seen in His Son’s body when He walked the pathways of this earth.

There’s a sense in which Christ = His Church! At least that’s how it should be and, I believe still is in many parts of our world. We, as His children on earth, exist to do His bidding. We exist to love each other within His eternal family. Why is that so critical? Because, according to Jesus, our love and devotion to one another is designed to paint a picture of the unity that exists in the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A family that prays together stays together. But another way to think of it is a family who serves together sticks together! What’s my point? A fighting, malicious, venomous family isn’t giving the light of Christ, but the darkness of the enemy, and should repent or close their doors. They’re doing more harm than good.

To the extent we pray and “stick” together as members of His Body, the Church, to that extent we’ll see His Kingdom expanded. And by “together” I’m not just referring to people in a local church, though that’s a good start. I’m referring to reaching across racial, ethnic, denominational barriers and theological differences to work together to serve our cities and communities with the love of Christ.

There’s so much more we can do together than any of us can do as a single church body. The key is, we can’t care who gets the credit, except Jesus! That’s what the Bible means by “brotherly affection.”

Blessings, Ed 😊

Godliness Can’t Be Counterfeited!

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

Godliness, like character, cannot be taught. It must be learned through association with godly people who love Jesus more than they love themselves. I was told early in my walk with the Lord that Christianity is more “caught” than taught. The power and effectiveness of the original disciples wasn’t because of what Jesus taught; it was what they became because they persevered in His presence.

Judas exemplifies many in our churches today; people who “hang out” with Jesus, but never commit to love and serve Him. They want the “fruit” of a relationship with Him, without the commitment. They want to be respected and held in high esteem for their contributions or positions, but their commitment to live a godly life is an inch deep and a mile wide. They can “talk the talk,” but they don’t “walk the walk.” Paul refers to these people as having “depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.”

In the verse at the top of the page, Paul is warning young Timothy that in the last days, the days in which we’re now living, “people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.”

To whom is Paul referring? Professing believers who were a part of the church. They learned how to look and act like the real thing, but their heart was empty and their faith shallow. They wanted to be accepted and recognized as “faithful,” but had ulterior motives and desires. They desired to win people’s attention and affection for what they could get out of them. Enough of that. You get the picture.

“Holy in our conduct” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

What is “godliness,” and why is it so essential in our lives as a Jesus follower? It’s reverence, respect, and piety towards God. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “reverence” as “honor and respect mixed with love and awe.” It’s how Jesus taught us to pray when addressing our Father: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…”

These are attributes of a godly person that can’t be taught. We’re empowered by God’s Spirit to have insight into who God is and why we should honor and revere His holy name. It’s how we recognize that Jesus is God in human flesh. It wasn’t because He looked any different than any other Jewish man. It was and is God’s Spirit that draws us to Him and what creates in us the conviction that we’d rather die than deny Him or live without Him.

“Patient endurance” is supplemented by “godliness,” because there are some things that can only be learned through pain and suffering. Troubles and trials don’t create godliness, they reveal it. The pressures of life will either push us away from the Lord or cement us to Him. When we’re forced into the proverbial “corners,” of life, seeing no way out, and having nothing left but Jesus, that’s when we learn He’s all we need.

Godliness is desiring Jesus plus nothing. He’s all we want! He’s all we need! Now and forever! There’s no counterfeiting that conviction! It’s who we are…in HIM!

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Spiritual Rest?

“Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.” (Psalm 121:4-5 NLT)

In Genesis chapter 2 the Bible says: “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.”

What do you envision when you read those words? Is God just chilling in His heavenly hammock, catching a few winks? Another translation for “rested” is “cease” or “desist.” The verse from Psalm 121 let’s us know that God never sleeps or slumbers, so what are the implications? If God didn’t slumber or sleep, what did He do, and why?

God was establishing for us a precedent that He knew we would need in this life. The Jewish teachers of their religious law took God’s words to extremes I don’t believe He ever intended. Obviously, Jesus healed often on the Sabbath or “shabath,” which was against the Jewish laws they’d made, but didn’t violate God’s intention.

Perhaps 2 Chronicles 32 gives us a better understanding of God’s desire. King Hezekiah was a godly king who sought to be faithful to God in his leadership of Judah. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had a vast army against which Judah was no match. But King Hezekiah said to his people: “’Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!’ Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.” Another translation says: “the people rested themselves.”

For us today, the Sabbath isn’t only a time of literal rest from our week of labor, whatever that may look like for you, but a day of worship and contemplation of the power and might of our God. On many levels the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s fear. Like the children of Israel, fear can cause us to lose hope, which limits our ability to hear from God and/or to follow Him.

Spiritual rest, to me, speaks of placing our full confidence in our Savior. It paints the picture of relaxing by a bubbling stream as it meanders down it’s chosen path. It’s not being frightened by the week to come, knowing the Lord is with us and for us.

In thinking of this it reminded me of how I envision heaven. Think of driving on crowded highways with never a thought of an accident. Or leaving your home with no locks on your doors because there’s never a thought of someone breaking in. Or letting your small child ride their bike with friends without a concern that someone will harm them in any way. Or having someone say they’ll do something for you and you don’t give it another thought, never doubting that they’ll do exactly as they said they would.

You see, that’s how we can “rest” in God, because He’s all those things and a million more. The Sabbath is a day of rest to contemplate and become more and more grounded in the beautiful Savior to whom we’ve pledged our lives. We’re never alone and we never need to be afraid – “for His rod and His staff protect and comfort me.” Why? Because they’ll never be used against me, only for me against my enemies.

I can rest in that thought! Nap anyone?

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Long, Treacherous Road to Patience

“By standing firm, you will win your souls.” (Luke 21:19 NLT)

Early in my walk with the Lord, an older saint reminded me to never pray for patience unless I was serious. When I asked why, they simply said: “Because He’ll answer you!” Patience is described in Strong’s Concordance as: “the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” And who comes first to mind when you read those words? Our dear brother Job!

Jesus describes in Luke 21, from which the verse above comes, a time just prior to His return to earth. In verses 10-12 He says: “Then He added, ‘Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution.”

When you read these words what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? What came to my mind was: “Lord, I’m fine with you taking me home before all of that begins.” But you want to know the staggering reality? It’s already happening all over the world!

Families feuding, neighbors bickering, cities collapsing, nations warring! We live in a time of turmoil, anger, and pain. Satan is having a heyday as he deceives, lies, steals our joy, kills our desire for God, and destroys anything that hints of holiness or righteousness. And amid all that’s happening, what is God’s desire for us? Patience! Why? Because we know how this story ends!

When my son was still in diapers, my wife’s parents took us to lunch after church. As you might expect, we waited a long time to be seated, then longer to receive our food. Finally, the server began to place our orders on the table. I’m not sure if it was the smell of the food or just bad timing, but I could see my son’s little cheeks turning red as he seemed to be straining to do something. Yep, you guessed it. The smell wasn’t pleasant, and his dirty diaper was really ill-timed.

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Patience is “on-the-job training.” Strangely, we can’t learn patience in any other way, yet, once we stop fighting the Lord and begin to learn to flow with His “object lessons,” it enables us, as James implores us, to rejoice in our troubles. Why is that so vital? Rejoicing is an act of worship. It illustrates dependence and trust in the only One we ever need, but whose presence is so invited and cherished when we’re at the end of ourselves.

Jesus, as He stands before the crowd, shortly before He’s murdered, is a picture of patience. What can we learn from His example? First, patience isn’t learned by words alone, but by example. God’s Word tells us multiple times to “be patient.” “Ho, hum. Will someone pass the popcorn?” It just goes in one ear and out the other! We’re deaf to instruction we don’t know how to follow.

Unfortunately, for us, the only way to learn patience is to see it in action, practice it in our own lives, then learn to endure it. One of the most important lessons the Lord is seeking to teach me in this season of my life is to stay calm, especially in trying times.

Years ago, I had a little VW Rabbit with a diesel engine. I loved it for many reasons, but it was the most underpowered vehicle I’ve ever owned. I was slowly passing a huge semi on the Interstate, but apparently, he didn’t see me, so he started moving into my lane. I honked, to no avail, but he wasn’t changing his mind. I had to stay calm and figure out what to do in about three seconds. I could panic and yank the wheel to the left and fly off the road, or I could slowly and deliberately move to the berm and let him pass.

Patience moves slowly and waits for God to instruct. He will. How do I know? Because He loves us and is always with us. No One wants us to learn to trust Him and follow His directives more than our Father in heaven. All He wants for us is to love Him and let Him walk with us through troubled times, but if we get impatient and run ahead of Him trying to find our own solution, it becomes a treacherous road to travel.

I know this post is a little longer than usual, but please be patient with me.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Trying to Get “Self” Out of Self-Control

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:23 NLT)

On many levels I believe it’s safe to say that for many of us when we first come to Jesus, we’re out of control. Our passions and lusts drive us in directions that rule our lives and can become very hard barriers to cross as we’re seeking to grow in and serve the Lord.

The word used that’s translated “self-control” means “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his/her sexual appetites.” (Strong’s) It can also be translated “temperance,” which means: “habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions; especially moderation in or abstinence from the use of intoxicating drink.” (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Two of the most predominant desires or passions of a human being are sex and alcohol/drugs. We have basic human needs that center on air to breathe, food, and water, that, when we’re deprived of those things, can give rise to survival instincts that can drive us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. But that’s not what “self-control” is addressing in this passage.

Desires and passions first and foremost are a battle in our heart and mind. Whether we ever act on them or to what extent, depends on our willingness to submit the authority of our heart and life to the Holy Spirit. Notice in the verse at the top of the page, the Apostle Paul says: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit…self-control!

To say it’s humanly impossible to curb the desires and passions that torment and ravage our lives may be an exaggeration, but not by much. Jesus said in John 10:10 that the devil’s goal is to “steal, kill, and destroy,” and the primary ways that he seeks to accomplish that is by distorting our desires and passions.

Our “bent” as humans is selfishness. We want what we want when we want it. James writes in 4:1-3: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” And these scathing words are written to “believers!”

It reminds me of Paul’s dilemma in Romans 7:24-25 when he wrote: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!” He’s our only hope of deliverance and freedom to be all He died to enable us to become.

Remember, Peter is outlining the road to living a holy life, more specifically, he says we must “supplement…knowledge with self-control.” What’s the point? Biblical knowledge without self-control is valueless. Unless and until we can allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to harness our desires and passions, our lives will simply mock our efforts to live a holy life.

It doesn’t matter “what” we know or what we seek to teach others. It only matters “Who” we know. Only through the priceless blood of Jesus can we be cleansed and purified and enabled to live a holy life. It’s always and only by faith – in Jesus!

Blessings, Ed 😊

What We Don’t Know Can Hurt us … and others!

“What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” (Luke 11:52 NLT)

The last few days we’ve been looking at what it means to live a holy life. We’re using 2 Peter 1:5-8 as our guide and today we’ll look at the role of knowledge in God’s plan to enable us to live a separated life. In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul wrote: “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

The role of knowledge is critical in walking in a way that honors and glorifies our Father. Paul instructs Timothy to “work hard,” but how? The context suggests that he must study carefully so that his understanding of the truth will guide him as he shares his faith with others, especially in what and how he teaches.

Whether you like it or not, as a Jesus follower, virtually every conversation we have with someone reflects our knowledge of God’s Word or lack thereof. To the extent that what we share aligns with the truth of Scripture, to that extent we’ll guide others to Jesus. But how will we know that unless we know what God’s Word says?

In Scripture “knowledge” refers to our general intelligence or understanding as it relates to the Christian Faith in general, but it also signifies our “moral wisdom” that is evidenced in right living. What is the implication? Right knowledge is reflected in right living. That’s why it’s so critical we read and study God’s Word for ourselves.

Yes, of course, it’s helpful to listen to godly men and women who have studied the Scriptures for years. Read their books and listen to their sermons, but understand that they have drawn their own conclusions, which is what they’re sharing with you. But God doesn’t hold us accountable for understanding what someone else believes. He’s more interested in what WE believe, because ultimately, that’s what will guide our steps and spill out of our mouths to others.

Knowledge involves much more than learning facts about a subject. It entails applying what we learn to the way we live, which becomes a reflection of who we are, and Whom we are following, or not. And it’s important that we understand that we don’t have to “make” that happen, it’s a biproduct of being a human being.

Whether we realize it or not, what we learn either gets discarded or applied to what we think about, which becomes what we talk about, which becomes what we base our lives upon, which ultimately becomes the lifestyle we adopt and follow. That’s the “view” of ourselves others see and hear when we speak with them.

As a Christ follower, our knowledge must align with what is true as defined by the Bible, thus leading us to live a life that honors and magnifies Jesus in everything we think, say, and do. The teachers of religious law to whom Jesus spoke in the verse at the top of the page, were very intelligent and were well versed in religious law. But their brilliance blinded them to the Truth, which was and is Jesus. When that happens, we not only miss heaven, but we also lead others away from Jesus, instead of to Him, as is God’s will.

That’s why we must supplement our knowledge with self-control, which is our topic for tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Does Holy Living Look Like?

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)

In yesterday’s post we began looking at the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s life in us. It matters little what we believe in our mind in comparison to what becomes “believable” in and through the way we live. John Piper wrote: “You can embrace a system of theology and not even be born again.“ What does that mean?

It essentially means you can have full confidence that you believe all the right things, and still not have a relationship with Jesus. Until what you believe translates into “shoe leather,” and you begin to walk your talk, all you have is knowledge about Jesus. How can you know the difference? Who’s leading your steps?

When you’re walking in submission to the Spirit’s authority, the “fruit” of that submission will be evidenced, as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:5-8, by your “moral excellence,” “knowledge,” ”self-control,” “patient endurance,” “godliness,” “brotherly affection,” and “love for everyone.” Let’s look at each of these more closely.

What is “moral excellence?” It means virtue, which means “conformity to a standard of right: morality.” (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) It means: “a virtuous course of thought, feeling, and action,” evidenced in “modesty and purity.” (Strong’s) Where do we learn these things? From the Bible. That’s why daily reading and study of God’s Word is foundational for any child of God.

Bryan Loritt,s, who is one of our teaching Pastors, wrote: “God is after so much more than our happiness. He’s after His glory.” God is glorified by our moral excellence. By choosing God’s Word as our “moral standard,” we begin to understand how vitally important it is to live righteously, in a manner that glorifies and honors the Lord. How do we do that?

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

In how we present ourselves. People make decisions about us before we ever say a word. How so? How are we dressed? Do we draw undue attention to ourselves by the clothes we’re wearing? Are we dressed appropriately? Are things showing that should be covered? Are our clothes too tight? Do our clothes exude purity of heart and mind, or do they cause others to think inappropriate thoughts about us?

From the moment I met my wife, she’s always dressed modestly and appropriately. She’s beautiful and she wears current fashions that allow her to feel and be attractive, but not in a lustful or inappropriate way. Most of the women at our church, young and old, dress modestly. What’s appropriate? In my mind if what we’re wearing, whether a man or a woman, draws people’s attention to us and away from Jesus, it’s inappropriate.

Purity means much more than virginity. A person can be a virgin and not be living a life defined by purity. And someone who has lost their virginity can be pure in the sight of God when their sins are forgiven, and their hearts and minds are pure. Purity, as a measure of moral excellence, has reference to how we view life.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8-9: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Holy living begins in our mind, our thought life, then must translate into how we live and treat others. We’ll look at this more closely in tomorrow’s post.

Blessings, Ed 😊