Category: spiritual immaturity

‘Twas the Sunday Night Before Christmas

Sunday, December 24, 2023

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV).

Let us not be so sidetracked by religion and commercialization that we miss the reason for the Christmas Season….

During the Christmas Season, we wonder how many people are visiting church for the second time this year (the other being Easter Sunday). How many will be going to church today—the Sunday before Christmas—just to feel “religious” or “holy?” How many really know Jesus Christ? For many, visiting a church building is just an obligation; they do not have faith in God’s Word and have no interest in God’s Word.

We do not go to church to “feel closer to God,” for if we have trusted in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we cannot be any closer to God than we already are in Christ! “[Before salvation, we were] without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh [close to God] by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12,13).

Furthermore, we do not go to church in order to get God’s blessings, for God has already given us “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We go to church, not because we are keeping Israel’s Sabbath day, since we are not obligated to observe Israel’s religious days (Colossians 2:16). We go to church to fellowship with like-minded believers and hear sound doctrine… more than twice a year, by the way.

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy that whenever he would assemble with fellow Christians, certain behavior was acceptable and other types of behavior were not (described throughout the epistle of 1 Timothy). Recall that when the Bible refers to “the church,” it refers to the body of believers, not the physical building in which they meet.

As we get opportunities, let us make an effort to reach these dear souls misled by all the vain religious tradition and Christmas commercialization, and may we tell them of the wonderful Christ Jesus whose name is found in Christmas!

*Based on the poem “‘Twas the Sunday Night Before Christmas.”

In Every Thing Give Thanks

Thursday, November 23, 2023

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).

Dear saints, take a moment this Thanksgiving to learn a valuable lesson from the Holy Scriptures!

God wants “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). To be “saved” here means you have been rescued from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire), and that you have a home in heaven, because you have trusted the death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for your sins. To “come unto the knowledge of the truth” is when a person who has trusted Christ, begins to understand why God saved him or her, and how God will use him or her for His glory. Although soul salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity is a life-long process (that is especially true regarding handling difficulties, the grace way!).

It is human nature to avoid difficulties and stress, to flee them, rather than confront them. This self-preservation is advantageous, particularly in “life or death” situations. However, running from troubling circumstances is not the way God has designed our life in Christ to function. Today’s Scripture says, “In every thing give thanks,” not “For every thing give thanks.” We do not thank God for our troubles; we thank God while we are enduring those troubles. This is tough, I know, but it takes time for us to learn it. Even the Apostle Paul had to learn this.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Be thankful in every thing. God’s grace is sufficient for you, dear saint, in all of life’s circumstances. When you learn this, you are “[coming] unto the knowledge of the truth.”

*Excerpted from our Thanksgiving 2012 Bible study with the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see, “What are our spiritual blessings in Christ?”

Know Your Apostle

Sunday, October 1, 2023

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:…” (Romans 11:13 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know your Apostle?

Read Hebrews 5:11-14. Though they possessed the Hebrew Scriptures for over 1,500 years (Romans 3:1,2), ancient Israel did not reach spiritual maturity because they did not follow God’s pattern for development. They should have progressed from a diet of spiritual “milk” to “strong meat,” growing from spiritual “babes” to “them that are of full age” (adults). The writer of Hebrews laments how although Israel should be able to teach the Word of God to the world, stunted growth requires Israel must first be taught again the very basics. They had not listened to God’s spokesman to them (especially Moses’ ministry)!

As concerning us, Paul is our apostle (today’s Scripture), the Lord Jesus Christ’s “sent one” or spokesman to us (Acts 26:16-18). If we reject Christ’s messenger to us, we refuse Christ Himself, and we thus refuse Father God who sent Christ as His messenger (see Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20). Also consider the Holy Spirit’s instructions through Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:37,38.

Paul is the “wise masterbuilder” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11) for this “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1,2). His inspired writings of Romans through Philemon are the blueprints for God’s current building project. The foundation is Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (1 Corinthians 3:10,11; cf. Romans 16:25), which is Christ as presented in the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Unless we build on Christ according to mystery, it is not what God is doing today—and it is “wood, hay, stubble” (worthless). Returning to the Jesus Christ of prophecy (outside of Paul’s ministry) is to preach and use “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another gospel” (see 2 Corinthians 11:3,4).

Read Romans 16:25,26. Father God will “stablish” (stabilize) us spiritually according to: (1) Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3,4), (2) the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon), and (3) the Scriptures of the prophets (all of the Bible in light of Pauline revelation). Knowing God’s messenger to us, we know His will for us. Knowing God’s will for us, we can now have faith in it, and accomplish it with Him!

A Lost Love #6

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Emotions are untrustworthy because they can be easily manipulated. They change according to the situation. Yet, most unfortunately, because of sin, they tend to govern our lives by forming the basis for our decisions. Those choices might turn out to be our worst mistakes ever, but they “felt” right or acceptable when we made them. As opposed to relying on subjective data (personal opinions or feelings), we need an objective standard (facts). It is impossible to eliminate our emotions, but the renewed mind can overpower them.

We take sound Bible doctrine and think and live according to it, regardless of emotions (!). Our life and ministry should be founded on faith in Bible truth we hear or read (clear, faithful words of God applicable to our circumstances). This is the only safe path: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). A mature Christian thinks a specific way and conducts his or her life according to the facts of Bible truth. Here is the proper course, for God originally designed mankind (prior to sin and Adam’s fall) to use the mind rather than the heart (emotions) to make choices. The alternative is to be a babe in Christ or a lost person, depending on feelings or hunches to evaluate life….

Living With Others in Mind #8

Monday, July 3, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

It was by the Lord’s design that Paul stayed on planet Earth as long as he did, for Paul’s earthly sojourn would not conclude until he had written his last epistle, preached his last sermon, and visited his last city. Paul would be a living, breathing example of Christ’s grace life manifested in human flesh… for the advantage of the Philippians and other saints. Therefore, Paul resolved to seek their wellbeing instead of his own. Essentially, it would be summed up as: “Yes, to be with Christ is far better with myself in mind, but it is more needful to stay here with you in mind.”

How sad it is that, despite the Bible’s clear explanation, ignorance flourishes! Christians will ask, “Why has the Lord not yet come? Why are we still here? What is God’s will for me?” While we want to be gentle, we must be frank too: these are truly dumb questions. If we are still in doubt about such basic matters, it is a testament that our pastors, teachers, and churches have failed us miserably. We really have no idea what the Christian life is all about. It is just as unknown to us as if we had no Bible at all.

Dear friend in Christ, if you have not already been in the predicament of today’s Scripture, you will surely be in it one day. You need to have that right answer before you face the question and wonder how to handle it. Read Philippians 1:21-26. Instead of having a pity party for ourselves, whining, “I want to go on to Heaven and leave this wretched place!,” we can remember, “But God wants me here to manifest Christ’s life here, to reach others for His glory here, so any attendant afflictions are light and momentary in the grand scheme of things.” (See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.) It really is that simple, and we do not need to complicate it with endless speculations and worthless denominations. Mature grace living is living with others in mind! 🙂

Living With Others in Mind #7

Sunday, July 2, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24). Such an admonition was particularly useful in Corinth, where spiritual childishness and selfishness were running ever so rampant. Instead of “What can I get out of the Christian life to profit and please myself?,” the mature saint inquires, “How can Christ’s life in and through me benefit others?”

When addressing the believers in Philippi, Paul offered the same spiritual counsel: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). He then mentioned the Lord Jesus Christ’s example of self-sacrifice in verses 5-8, which you should re-read. If someone were to object, “But Brother Paul, Jesus Christ was the perfect God-Man who had no sin problem whereas we still struggle with sinful flesh, so for us to ‘put others before self’ is easier said than done!” The Holy Spirit through Paul had anticipated and already countered that complaint in the opening chapter of Philippi.

The two verses subsequent to today’s Scripture are as follows: “[25] And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; [26] That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” Putting others ahead of self is exactly what Paul himself decided to do—and did—with the Philippians! When faced with the choice of going to be with the Lord in Heaven and escaping his dire circumstances on Earth, or staying and ministering to the Philippians (whom he had hoped to see in-person once released from Rome); the preference of sinful flesh gave way to the renewed mind! “I shall abide and continue with you all for your [!] furtherance [!] and [!] joy [!] of [!] faith [!].” Paul sought their spiritual profit, their spiritual wellbeing, for like their Lord, he also was living with others in mind….

Living With Others in Mind #6

Saturday, July 1, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

Re-read today’s Scripture in context: “[19] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation [from hopelessness, discouragement] through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Instead of traveling abroad and preaching the Gospel of Grace in foreign lands, Paul was now under house arrest, possibly facing death. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot [apply wisdom/wits] not” (verses 21,22). To continue in his physical body was to remain restricted in Rome. Now, today’s Scripture: “For I am in a strait betwixt two [compressed, in a quandary or dilemma], having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better….” Paul knew being with Christ in Heaven was infinitesimally more enjoyable than a Roman confinement. This was self-centeredness because he wanted to escape his earthly problems. Still, he recognized the better option was self-sacrifice, for, “…Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Paul’s stay on Earth would be more profitable for these saints. Let us see what he ultimately chose….

Living With Others in Mind #5

Friday, June 30, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

Before the Acts period ends, Paul finally reaches Rome (Acts 28:16). Having intended to visit this ancient world capital as a free man (see Acts 19:21), now he is a prisoner appealing to the Roman Emperor for help (a Roman citizen’s right). In the concluding verses of Acts, Luke narrates: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30,31).

During that two-year period of house arrest in Rome, Paul wrote four Books—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Note their “bonds” or chains references (Ephesians 6:20; Philippians 1:7,13,14,16; Colossians 4:3,18; Philemon 10,13), the shackles of Acts 28:16-20. Here is the context of today’s Scripture. The Apostle of the Gentiles, confined in Rome, is writing to the saints of Philippi, souls he won to Christ back in Acts chapter 16 roughly a decade prior. Doubtless, he would have visited them in person if he were able, but he was literally detained while awaited his meeting with the Emperor in Rome. This inconvenience restricted the work of the ministry, for he could not travel at will as in years prior.

Read the verses just before today’s Scripture: “[19] For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, [20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The operative word here is “Christ… Christ… Christ.” Paul knew what the Christian life entailed, and therefore sought the Lord’s glory regardless of his circumstances….

Living With Others in Mind #4

Thursday, June 29, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

Dear friend, as you have already surely noticed, this is a lost, cursed, broken, dark, dying world. It is not perfect and it is not fair (and, also, thankfully, it is not forever!). Due to sin, the Bible titles it “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). While it may be hard to believe, it is true: our world could be even worse than it already is. How? Remove the Christians in whom the Word of God dwells, or just take away the Word of God. The Holy Spirit has no more vessels to utilize to slow down Satan’s policy of evil. So, maybe we should be thankful God has bothered to use us undeserving sinners for His trophies of grace at all?!

The Apostle Paul was no super-human. He had his weaknesses, limitations, fears, and doubts like the rest of us. Try doing what he did for 30 years in ministry and see if you could handle just a few days before quitting entirely! “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes [lashings] above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods [caned], once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep [stranded at sea]; In journeyings often, in perils [!] of waters, in perils [!] of robbers, in perils [!] by mine own countrymen, in perils [!] by the heathen, in perils [!] in the city, in perils [!] in the wilderness, in perils [!] in the sea, in perils [!] among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).

Now, reflect on his terrible predicament in today’s Scripture, and the two available options come into full view….

Living With Others in Mind #3

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

The Lord Jesus Christ did not have to leave Heaven and come to Earth. He could have decided to remain with Father God, avoid Calvary’s cruel cross and its attendant sufferings entirely, and let us all go to Hell forever dead in our trespasses and sins. Yet, someone objects, “Oh, but that is not how events turned out, for Christ came to do His Father’s will!” We reply, “Precisely, according to Philippians 2:3-8, Jesus Christ did come and die in obedience to His Heavenly Father, and if God is our Father, is it not only reasonable for us to remember how we are on Earth to fulfill His will rather than our own?” See, again, the Christian life is Christ’s life. It is His mindset carried out in actions. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (verse 5).

Stating it more bluntly, Jesus Christ thought of others: He had Father God foremost in His thinking. As He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane during those tense moments just before His arrest, the Scriptures inform us how He “began to be sore amazed [Greek translated ‘affrighted’ in Mark 16:5,6], and to be very heavy [distressed]” and that He stated His “soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (Mark 14:33,34). He was beginning to realize just how much rougher life would soon become for Him, and how He would die via the worst form of torture. However, instead of backing out, He proceeded (as we know full well) with the literal sacrifice of Himself!

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (Matthew 26:39,42). There, dear friends, is adult Christian thinking….