Category: New Testament

Don’t Stew in Bitterness, Rage and Anger

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Scripture Commentary: Bitterness, rage and anger are the path that leads to Satan

God, in His grace and mercy, has forgiven us for our past and for our sins.  He has given us new life.  If we are His, then we can forgive others as He has forgiven us.  If we can’t say anything good about a person, then we are to say nothing.  We are to go to God and let the Holy Spirit that is in us work in us, then we will see and feel the bitterness, rage and anger peel away.

The Bible doesn’t tell us that we shouldn’t feel angry, but we shouldn’t hold onto that negative emotion.  Anger will destroy and give Satan a hold on us.  Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships.

God forgave us!  We shouldn’t let a day end without working to mend our relationships.  We are to mirror God’s love to others.

God acted in love by sending His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.   He was raised from the grave on the third day to give us a way to be with Him and His Father for eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians 4

Salvation Is a Gift of God That Cannot Be Earned

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Scripture Commentary: God, through Jesus Christ, has given us the gift of salvation

How do we respond to this gift?  We should respond to the gift of salvation with gratitude, praise and joy.

We became christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part.

If we are grateful for this free gift, we will naturally seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness.  We won’t work to merely please ourselves.  No action or work we do can helps us obtain salvation.  God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service.

We are not saved merely for our own benefit but in order to serve Christ and build up His church.

Go out and encourage others who are struggling.  Show, through action, the love of Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2

Forgiveness Means No Payment Is Needed

Scripture: Ephesians 1: 7-8

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

Scripture Commentary:  Forgiveness wipes the slate clean

When we forgive a debt or offense, we don’t require a payment or settlement.  If we did, that would be the opposite of forgiveness.  If repayment is made for what we lost, there’s no need for forgiveness.  We have our due.

Forgiveness assumes grace

If you hurt me, grace lets it go.  I don’t sue you; I forgive you.

Grace gives what you don’t deserve.  That’s why forgiveness has the word ‘give’ in it.  It’s not about getting even; it gives away the right to get even.

When we repent, not only does God forgive, He forgets.  This is what God gives us when we trust Him.  This is why Christ suffered and died.

Forgiveness costs us nothing

Our obedience is the fruit, not the root of being forgiven.  This is why it’s His grace.  This grace cost Jesus His life.

How precious is the news that God doesn’t hold our sins against us.  Christ’s death on the cross made it right for God to forgive our sins.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians 1

Yea Lord, You Know I Love You

Scripture: John 21: 15-17

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Scripture Commentary:  It’s one thing to save you love Jesus, it’s a different thing to show it

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.  When Peter answered yes, Jesus told him to feed his sheep.  When you tell Jesus you love Him, what do you do to show it?  It’s one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is your willingness to serve Him.

Jesus led Peter through an experience that removed his denial.  Peter had disowned Jesus three times.  How many times have you disowned Jesus?  Each time you knowingly do wrong, you are denying Jesus.

How would you characterize your relationship with Jesus?

Peter repented, and here Jesus was asking him to commit his life.  Peter’s occupation changed from fisherman to evangelist; his identity changed from impetuous to rock; and his relationship to Jesus changed.

Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus confronted him.

How would you respond if Jesus asked you?

Do you really love Jesus?  Are you really His friend?

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 21

Now About Food Sacrificed to Idols

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8: 1-9

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Scripture Commentary:

In this scripture, Paul addressed believers who weren’t bothered by eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols.  Although idols were phony, and the pagan ritual of sacrificing to them was meaningless, eating such meat offended Christians with more sensitive consciences.

Therefore, Paul said that if a weaker or less mature believer misunderstood their actions, they should, out of consideration, avoid eating meat offered to idols.  We must be careful not to offend a sensitive or younger Christian or, by our example, cause them to sin.

When we love others, our freedom should be less important to us than strengthening the faith of a brother or sister in Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Corinthians 8

As Christians, We Are All One Body, One Spirit

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 1-8

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Scripture Commentary:  It is an awesome privilege to be one body and one spirit with Christ

God has chosen us to be Christ’s representative on earth.  In light of this truth, Paul challenged us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received.  It is an awesome privilege to be called Christ’s very own.  And all who are called are one body and one spirit with Christ.

This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful.  Often differences among people can lead to division but this should not be true in the church.

No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth so we must accept and love other Christians

When we see faults in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle rather than dwell on a person’s weakness or look for his faults.  Pray both for that person and for yourself.

All believers in Christ belong to one body.  All are united under one head – and that is Christ himself.  Each believer has God-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body.

Your special ability may seem small or large, but it is yours to use in God’s service.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 4

You Can Overcome Temptation with God

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10: 12-14

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Scripture Commentary: Paul gives us guidance on how to resist temptation

If we acknowledge our human weakness and let God in our lives to guide us, we will see that the only way is His way.  God can help us through any trial and temptation if we lean on Him.

Today’s pressures make it easy to ignore or forget the lessons of those who have gone before us.  This is why we must study the Bible.  It tells the mistakes and lessons that those who have gone ahead of us have learned.  Through them, we can avoid repeating the same mistakes.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gave us strong encouragement about how to resist temptation.  He tells us that by turning to God, we will make it through our trials and temptations.

We must give Jesus Christ our full allegiance.

When God is the guiding force of our principles, then everything we do is glorifying God.  He has saved us, so we now can serve Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Corinthians Chapter 10

 

Live the Rest of Your Life for God

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 1-6

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

For  this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Scripture Commentary:

Some people will do anything to avoid pain.  As Christ’s followers, we should live the rest of our time willing and prepared to do God’s will, and suffer for it if necessary.  Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do.

When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly.  Sinful pleasures seem less important.  If anyone suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a clean break with sin.

The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus but the basis for judgement is how we have lived

Believers, however, have nothing to fear because Jesus will be the final judge of all.  In the end, we will all stand before God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 4

These Things I Have Spoken Unto You

Scripture: John 16: 1-4

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.  But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus tells us many things so we will be prepared

Jesus told disciples things that will come after He is gone.  This message is still pertinent today.  We hear news stories of people being killed because they are following Jesus Christ.  As Christians, we know that there will be continuing tension with an unbelieving world.

Satan is not finished; His goal is to destroy our faith

He is going to use anybody or anything he can to battle God.  Satan and his forces are motivated by bitter hatred for Jesus Christ and His children.  And we are His children.

Jesus warned His disciples and us of persecution, punishment and even death in His name.  He knew what was to come and He did not want the disciples, or our faith, to be shaken or destroyed.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to convince the world that they are living in sin, reveal the true way to live a Godly life, and demonstrate Christ’s judgement over Satan.

God is telling us that we are not alone

We have the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to teach us the truth, and to help us.  This is a comfort to those who are persecuted.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 16

You Will Die in Your Sins If You Reject God

Scripture: John 8: 21-30

Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.  Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.  And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Scripture Commentary: Your sins separate you from God; accepting Jesus is the key to eternal life

You will die in your sins if you reject Christ.  Jesus rescues you from your sins.   Sadly, many people are taken up with the values of this world. They are blind to the priceless gift Christ offers.

Where are you looking?  Don’t focus on this world’s values and miss what is the most valuable thing of all: eternal life with God.

Jesus is the truth that sets you free.  He is the source of trust, the perfect standard of what is right.  Jesus frees you from the consequences of sin and from Satan’s deception.

As you seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect trust frees you to be all that God meant for you to be.

Accept Jesus!

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 8