Category: sin

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….

Living With Others in Mind #2

Tuesday, June 27, 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?

When anger is coupled with self-pity, depression is the only outcome. Feeling sorry for self is, frankly and literally, selfish. “I have it so rough and I do not want to be here anymore!” This is immature. We need to shut our mouths and do some Bible study and adult spiritual thinking before we say anything else.

Firstly, if we are willing to look hard enough, we can find someone far worse off than we are. Our troubles do not compare to their difficulties. In fact, we can be quite sure they would love to trade places with us in the snap of a finger, the blink of an eye, the beat of a heart. Having undergone the exchange, we would wish we still had our so-called “problems!”

Secondly, we absolutely (!) must (!) understand the Christian life is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself—not futile attempts to mimic His life (works-religion!), but His very life. It is the Christian life… the Christian life… the CHRISTian life!

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:3-8).

Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to take us out of this present evil world, Earth is right where He wants us to be. Therefore, perhaps we should assume God knows more than we do, and has a purpose for us here before we get to Heaven….

Living With Others in Mind #1

Monday, June 26, 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?

Just a few days back, a ministry friend of mine lost a dear friend who had been suffering a brief illness. (Both are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.) In a recent phone conversation, he expressed how he had mixed emotions about her relocation to Heaven. On one hand, he was thankful because he took comfort in knowing she was free from her disabled, frail body. On the other hand, he said how he was deep in grief because she was absent. Yet, as I listened to him, it was more than just mourning her loss. He had become the victim of self-pity, especially since he wanted to leave this sin-cursed world like she did, thereby escaping his own trials and tribulations (failing health, aching body, the death of his wife many years earlier, and so on).

I counseled with him by sharing some information he already knew as a Christian. Those simple Bible truths were forgotten because he had set aside his renewed mind and was now allowing his emotions to dominate him. What I heard from him was, “I am tired of the pain and suffering. I do not want to be here anymore. I want to leave this world.” After hearing his complaints, I posed one question, “Do you know more than God?” There was silence, so I continued by quoting today’s Scripture and its context: “[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.”

Let us compare and contrast selfishness and selflessness, and use the renewed mind to identify and choose the needful….

The Understanding Darkened #5

Friday, June 16, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

With Israel’s temporary fall and God’s salvation and blessing coming to us Gentiles via the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-14), the “Dispensation of the Grace of God” has been given to us in the 13 Pauline Books of Romans through Philemon (see Ephesians 3:1-11). This information is designed to bring us out of the darkness of our ancestors (Acts 17:30,31). See also Colossians 1:25-29, Colossians 3:1-17, Philippians 1:9-11, Philippians 2:14-16, and even the context of today’s Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-24).

Titus 2:11-14: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

As suggested in today’s Scripture, and Romans 1:19-32, the dear people of our world languish in a gigantic spiritual trap. Wherever the Lord’s ministry through Paul has penetrated these last 20 centuries, the response has been overwhelmingly negative (as in, refusing to believe the Word of God’s Grace—or, if initially receiving it, failing to keep it pure and continue with it uncorrupted). Even lost souls acknowledge human society is increasingly deteriorating each and every day. Though they struggle mightily to identify the causes and try to correct the situation with additional manmade solutions (works-religion, philosophy, science, politics, and so on), they are wasting their time without the renewed mind we have in Christ. Their only hope of making sense of this sinful world and escaping it, is if we who know the truth then share it with them (2 Timothy 2:2,24-26). Life apart from the God of the Bible is certain ruin… the understanding darkened.

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 29, 2023

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

The Case for Right Division #9

Sunday, May 28, 2023

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Can today’s Scripture deliver someone from absolute stupidity before he or she literally perishes in it? (Yes!)

Ephesians 3:1,2 relays the following: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:…” The “dispensation” (Greek, “oikonomia,” “house rules”) the Lord has in effect today was given to the Apostle Paul (cf. Colossians 1:25-28). This is the body of truth applicable to us, and it is located in the 13 Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Through Paul’s ministry, the mystery program, God is manifesting His grace—His unmerited favor—to mankind in a new way. By faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, we as Gentiles outside of Israel and her prophetic program can be made righteous in God’s sight. God the Holy Spirit is taking us believers in Christ and forming the Church the Body of Christ, separate and distinct from the nation Israel (see Ephesians 2:13–3:12).

Alas, denominationally-minded people are either unintentionally or deliberately blind to dispensational truth. To exclusively follow the Lord’s heavenly ministry through Paul means they must forsake their denominational system (built on Christ’s earthly ministry!). They would have to admit their preacher or teacher lied to them. In fact, those who wish to keep their church traditions have resorted to disparaging dispensational Bible study as a “cult,” “heresy,” and so on. That is their choice. If they are determined to stay in their chaos, we respect their free will and let them remain in that ignorance. They can continue claiming their physical healing, dying because they refuse to visit doctors and receive medication. They can keep their starvation by fasting, holding out and holding on for “answers” from God as to why this or that never came to pass.

Dear friends, in the wake of non-dispensational Bible study, billions are left perplexed, hopeless, and even spiritually, doctrinally, and physically dead. Here is the heavy price that must be paid for failing to apply today’s Scripture. Above all, here is the case for right division!

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 14, 2023

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 35 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”