He Who Built All Things

Hebrews 3:4

He who built all things is God.

No Aid to Angels

Hebrews 2:16

He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

He gives aid to us who believe!

The Captain of Their Salvation

Hebrews 2:10

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Jesus was made perfect through sufferings.

Man Over God's Work

Hebrews 5:6-8

“What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

We see Jesus, God who was made a little lower than the angels!

We have been put over the works of His hands!

The World to Come

Hebrews 2:5

He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

Speak of the world to come!

Granted to You

Philemon 22

I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Paul trusts that through Philemon's prayers he would be granted to Philemon.

Paul is a man who is ready to be used for others.

Love Exceeds

Philemon 17-21

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

Paul leaves room for Philemon to do more than Paul asked.

No Longer a Slave

Philemon 4-16

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

The wisdom of Paul here is great. He does not command; he appeals. He leaves room for Philemon to act out love. If Paul did not, Philemon would only be obeying the authority of the command.

Now Is Profitable

Philemon 8-13

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

I am sending him back.

You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

Adorn the Doctrine

Titus 2:9-10

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

A Prophet of Their Own

Titus 1:12-16

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

This testimony is true.

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Manifested His Word

Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

To Titus, a true son in our common faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

To: Titus
From: God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior

In Season and Out of Season

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

But you 

• be watchful in all things, 
• endure afflictions, 
• do the work of an evangelist, 
• fulfill your ministry.
  

Wise for Salvation

2 Timothy 3:10-17

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured.

And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

He Cannot Deny

2 Timothy 2:13

If we are faithless, He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

To the Point of Chains

2 Timothy 2:8-9

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

Among Many Witnesses

2 Timothy 2:1-2

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

The Pattern of Sound Words

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

He Is Able

2 Timothy 1:7-12

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Great Gain

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Cannot Be Hidden

1 Timothy 5:24-25

Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.

Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

In the Presence of All

1 Timothy 5:20

Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

No "private sin, private rebuke" there.

It does imply an active continual sin pattern, however.

No Opportunity to the Adversary

1 Timothy 5:14

I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Neglect Not the Gift

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers 

• in word, 
• in conduct, 
• in love, 
• in spirit, 
• in faith, 
• in purity.
  

Till I come, give attention

• to reading, 
• to exhortation, 
• to doctrine.
  

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 

Take heed 

• to yourself and 
• to the doctrine. 
  

Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Some Will Depart

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 

• speaking lies in hypocrisy, 
• having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 
• forbidding to marry, and 
• commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
  

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Without Wrath and Doubting

1 Timothy 2:8-10

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Men: pray
Women: adorn

The First Second Coming

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

In other words, Jesus will not come until someone comes proclaiming himself to be Jesus in the temple.

It will look like the second coming. That's what it means to be deceived: it looks right. That's why it's so important to know from 2 Thessalonians that Jesus will not really have come back until after it first looks like he has come back.

2:5-12

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Your Love Abounds

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Despise Them Not

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Do not despise prophecies.

Peace and Safety

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

That You May Lack Nothing

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

We urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire 

• to lead a quiet life, 
• to mind your own business, and 
• to work with your own hands, 
  

as we commanded you, that you may 

• walk properly toward those who are outside, and 
• that you may lack nothing.

Our Crown of Rejoicing

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?

Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Our eternal reward is people!

Approved by God to Speak

1 Thessalonians 2:4

As we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

We speak as pleasing God. How?

2:7-8

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

That should please men, too, shouldn't it?

Jesus, who delivers

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

May the word of the Lord sound forth from me, not only in Arlington and Alexandria, but also in every place!

May I turn from my idols to serve the living and true God and wait for His Son.

Tim
11,512 days

The Book of Laodiceans

Colossians 4:15-16

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

We don't have Paul's letter to the Leodiceans today.
God didn't want it to be part of His Word in the Bible.

Tim
11,511 days

Fully Assured

Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Lord, may I be an Epaphras, always wrestling in prayer for those in my life!

Tim
11,511 days

The Bond of Perfection

Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on

• tender mercies,
  
• kindness,
  
• humility,
  
• meekness,
  
• longsuffering;
  
• bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

An Appearance of Wisdom

Colossians 2:16-23

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

It may look wise to physically abstain from certain consumables, but that is no guarantee against indulging the flesh.

Is the reward food or drink, then? No, the substance of the reward is Christ!

Tim
11,511 days

Warning Every Man

Colossians 1:24-28

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Usually whenever "warning" and "riches" come up in the same context, it's usually a warning against riches. However, in this context, the riches are Christ, and the warning is to know and gain those riches!

Tim
11,511 days

Partakers of the Inheritance

Colossians 1:3-23

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask

• that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
  
• that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

All things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

A minister or a deacon is an attendant, a waitor ... to a king.

Don't move away from the hope which is laid up for you in heaven!

Tim
11,511 days

Supply and Supply

Philippians 4:12-23

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Not only do we look out for the interests of others in addition to our own interests, but we best look out for our own interests by looking out for the interest of others. That's when the fruit abounds to our accounts.

When we do that, our God will supply all of our need ... according to our need? No! Our God supplies all our need according to His supply of riches by Christ Jesus!

This is basic economics turned on its ear.

• Basic economics: subsistence living consists of survival and needs.
• Next up: luxury living and instant gratification of our every want.
• Eternal economics: Jesus supplies according to what He has to supply.

When we get to heaven, our account will abound with fruit based on how much we gave, not just to those in distress, but to share in their distress.

Whose distress have I shared in lately?

Tim
11,510 days

Interest Groups

Philippians 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Follow up note: right on the heels of saying it does not matter if Christ is preached through selfish ambition, Paul tells us to "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition." They're both true. In other words, don't preach Christ through selfish ambition, but if Christ is preached through selfish ambition, don't condemn it, but celebrate it.

Here, the point is, it's not about how you look or making yourself look good when others see you.

Then, Paul tells us we are to look out for the interests of others. This is in addition to looking out for our own interests ("not only ... also"). Our own interests come naturally, so he does not need to remind us of that. Although, just because our own interests come naturally doesn't mean it's always easy.

Two two are not mutually exclusive. It's possible to look out for both yourself and others.

Looking out for the interests of others is the essential to good leadership. And just as it's not always easy to look out for our own interests, it can be even more challenging to see things in the lives of others that most people including themselves simply easily overlook.

That is, when something doesn't affect me, as a leader, I can't stop there and say, "I'm safe." I have to continue the thought process and run it through additional filters of other groups things might affect. It's a lot of work!

Tim
11,510 days

Take No Prisoners

Philippians 1:12-18

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Who is Paul?

According to this, he's the defender of the gospel.

The defender of the gospel tells us that it does not matter of some preach Christ from envy, strife, selfish ambition, affliction, and even without love (though the latter may not be any credit to them), he will rejoice because Christ is being preached and that's what matters!

As the old media adage goes, "There's no such thing as bad publicity," and as far as Paul is concerned, the exact same thing is true of Jesus as well.  As long as people are talking about the truth of Jesus, there is great cause for rejoicing.

What provokes Paul to make such a claim?

His chains.

What happens when you're in chains?  You have nothing.  You also have nothing to lose.

Paul is bolder than ever in prison.  He talks so much about Jesus, the whole palace guard knows who he is.  They all see that he's no prisoner in their prison.  Paul has made it clear, he is in chains so they can hear about Jesus.

His boldness is so contagious that he's got everyone talking about Jesus.  He doesn't care what motives they may have, as long as their reaching the objective of preaching Christ, that's all that matters and he's going to celebrate.

Preach Christ!  Celebrate the proclamation of the Gospel no matter what form it comes in.

Defend the Gospel by proclaiming it!

Tim

11,509 days

Creator Jesus

Ephesians 3:8-13

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

There's a lot in this one little paragraph.

I mainly wanted to post it because it points out that the person of the Trinity who created everything was Jesus.  We have the entire physical world, all that is in it, and all that is outside of it (all things) thanks to Him!

This paragraph also raises a couple questions for me as to what certain things mean.

It is the church which is to make known the manifold wisdom of God, not to the world (at least not from this passage), but to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places--with boldness and confidence no less!  How do we do that?

The other question this raises at the end is, how are Paul's tribulations for the Ephesians glory?  I can see how they would be for his glory on behalf of the Ephesians, but for their glory?

Tim

11,509 days

Called to Liberty

Galatians 5:13-16

You, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

It's so easy to fulfill the lust of the flesh.  It's the default position.

And yet, we are also called to not fulfill those lusts.  We can, and we are free to fulfill those lusts, but God wants us to understand and choose the alternative.

We can be consumed by one another, or we can give ourselves away to one another.

Walking in the Spirit is all about serving one another through love.  It's a shift from things and consuming to a relationship and doing things together, like walking.

Tim
11,507 days

Time for the Gospel

Galatians 2:1-5

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

As I was reading this today, I was first struck by Paul's immediate timing in dealing with "false brethren" not "even for an hour."

Then, as I was seeking to go back and pull in some context for posting here, I was struck even more by this following a 14-year wait before coming to Jerusalem.

Paul had a laser-like focus on clearly presenting the Gospel that was both immediate and enduring.

As we wait a long time for things in life, may we be just as ready to immediately have no tolerance for yielding to the slavery of what is not true.

Tim
11,506 days