Living with believers

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

The “For Dummies” book collection includes a plethora of titles concerning things like football and sports, to cars and auto mechanics. The purpose of these books is to simplify the understanding of a specific area of interest, so that the reader will gain better knowledge and understanding of each area. For example, if a person is interested in learning how to cook, then there’s a book called, “Cooking for Dummies”, which they can glean knowledge from, and enhance their culinary abilities. For those who may have a strong interest in sailing on the high seas, there’s “Sailing for Dummies”. I was shocked to discover that there’s also a book called “Christianity for Dummies”, written by Richard J. Wagner, that was purposed to help people get to know the beliefs and practices inspired by Jesus Christ, and discover what it means to be a Christian, and follow the Gospel. I’m not one for calling people dummies, but I get the author’s desired intent.

Reading is fundamental, and learning about things is an adventure in itself, but studying and understanding Gospel truths takes adventure to another level. Our text provides us with more rules, or commands that Christians should live by. The apostle Paul never gave advice that wasn’t first approved by God, so that all his words would be edifying to the body of Christ, and provide spiritual insight, enrichment, and build faith in all who took his teachings to heart. Paul and his companions advised their Thessalonian audience to consider those who were set to be head over them, including apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, and other ministers. Those who work diligently in these positions are not only to be respected, but should be highly esteemed as well. It’s not easy walking the path of righteousness wearing a title, because it’s almost as if you’re signaling for satan to attack you on sight (that’s only for those who actually fulfill the duties of the title they bare). The devil wants nothing more than to silence the mouths of those who proclaim the Word of God, and encourage others to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, because this is when salvation comes.

Not only are believers accountable to those who are in authority, but we must also hold each other to a certain standard as well. The apostle Paul strongly encouraged the church to warn them that are unruly, or bring to light those who are not performing their Christian duties. We all have a responsibility to love, and portray those things found in the character of God (love, joy, peace, goodness, meekness, temperance, faith, long-suffering, patience). When you see someone struggling to love, or has shaky faith, it’s your duty to help them get back to the place where they were once strong. The body of Christ is a union of many members, and we all need each other to function at our best. Paul concluded his admonitions with comfort the feebleminded (those who lose heart), support the weak, be patient toward “All” men, render good for evil, rejoice always, pray continuously, and give God thanks in everything, because if you’re living through a thing, God can still bring you out of it.

Walk in love,

Ell

Living with neighbors

Leviticus 19:11-18

In the Old Testament, God usually laid down strict rules for His people to abide by, in order that they remain holy, righteous, and separate from the world. Our text presents a list of do’s and don’ts that were very effective in keeping the righteous right, and identifying the children of God with their Father, which could also be applied today to yield positive results as well. I wrote concerning how believers are to live amongst other Christians a few lessons ago, and this lesson will be more of the same.

The 22 social, and religious commands mentioned in our text includes; do not steal, do not deal falsely, do not lie, do not swear falsely by God’s name, do not profane the Lord’s name, do not defraud your neighbor, do not rob your neighbor, pay wages respectfully at the end of every day, do not curse the deaf, do not cause the blind to stumble, fear God, do no unrighteousness in judgment, do not dishonor nor disrespect the poor, do not honor a man because he is mighty, judge your neighbor righteously, do not gossip, do not endanger the life of your neighbor or interfere with justice if he or she is guilty, do not hate your brother in your heart, do not allow your neighbor to sin if a rebuke will keep him from committing it, do not seek revenge, do not hold grudges against your people, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. The vibe I’m getting is, this is one of those “need I say more” situations, because the Word spoke for itself, but I’ll elaborate on a few of those commands.

Loving others as we love ourselves should be an easy task for the believer, because as I often mention, love is their motivation. So lying, gossiping, and causing others to fall would only be possible if love is replaced with selfishness. When God is in us, and we in Him, we are no longer in control, but we move at His command. This is why it’s important to set aside time daily to pray, and listen to God as He speaks to us through His Spirit. Put your trust in the God who knows all, sees all, was from the beginning, and is eternal. Let His Word guide you on the path of righteousness, and continue to walk in love as you show that same love to your neighbors.

Walk in love,

Ell

Handling temptation

Mark 9:42-48

Receiving salvation freely from God is one of the simplest, and best decisions a person will ever make in their entire lives, but maintaining that same salvation is even more important. The value of Jesus’ sacrifice for all mankind is immeasurable, and no one else has the capacity to love us as He does. Just as men lock away and keep valuable items in a safe please, so that no one can steal them, believers are to guard their salvation and keep it protected, so as not to lose it by falling into temptation. Our adversary, the devil, knows full well that the only way to enjoy eternity with God is by being born-again of the Spirit, so he makes it his business to distract all who seek righteousness with various temptations and wicked schemes. Jesus Himself said that anyone who puts a stumbling block or impediment in the way of a child upon which they could trip and fall, or cause them to begin to distrust and desert the one whom they are to trust and obey, were better off dead. In His own words, Jesus said, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea” (verse 42). From my limited understanding, this was a reference to Greek and Roman punishment. In any case, it’s a dangerous thing for anyone, including satan, to cause men to turn away from God.

The world we occupy now is a temporary destination, whereas the new Heaven and earth are eternal, so we should not allow anything to keep us from arriving at that eternal place of glory. Even in instances where we have to cut some things off that seem to be important to us, if those things will keep us from seeing God, then they’ve got to go. If a relationship with someone causes you to lose focus on godliness, then it’s got to go. If what you watch on television is unhealthy to your soul, it’s got to go. If the music you enjoy on a regular basis distracts you from communing with God, then it’s got to go. If your job has you stressed to the point where you are unable to even pray consistently, then it’s got to go. If the church or religious organization you attend is teaching false doctrine, and leading you away from what the Bible teaches, then it’s got to go. There’s not one thing on this planet that’s more precious than your soul, so it’s essential that you protect yourself from all things that are not in favor of your salvation, even it hurts to do so.

Walk in love,

Ell

Obey judicial rulings at once

Deuteronomy 17:8-11

Settling disagreements amongst Christians should never be a hard thing to accomplish, because if love is the believer’s motivation, then all things should be done decently, and in order. But what measures should be taken when church folk just can’t get along? I’ve yet to understand how a man or woman who claims that God abides in their heart, can fight and bicker against the very people they were commanded to love. Well, not everyone lives in love the way Jesus taught us to, and some people choose to settle their disputes with higher authorities. I think most people are unable to effectively settle disputes because they are too stubborn to try and understand the other person’s point of view. When love is in charge, all things usually work out good for all parties involved.

Since the beginning, the world has kept a close watch on how people who claim to be Christians conduct themselves, and lately, they aren’t impressed with what’s presented. Courthouses handle countless cases involving issues concerning church folk and their petty differences. It’s embarrassing when the church has to go into worldly arenas to find solutions to issues God already told us how to resolve.

In our text, God assigned men suitable to render fair judgment to those involved in certain controversies. God is love, and the judgments on His people are intended to make them better. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:6-7). God wants us to resolve issues amongst ourselves, so that our disagreements and differences won’t embarrass us in the eyes of those we intend to reach. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18a), so that you’ll know when to use discernment to recognize how to properly handle differences among the brethren.

Walk in love,

Ell

Jesus teaches about fulfilling the law

Matthew 5:13-20

In this lesson’s text, Jesus compared those who follow after righteousness to salt and light. Naturally, salt serves a number of purposes to man including balancing fluids in the body, assisting with nerve transmission and muscle functioning, and is also used in tanning, dying, and bleaching. The most common use of salt in today’s society is in flavoring and preserving food. What’s also interesting to note is, salt can also kill. It kills weeds, corrodes, dries up and can make water undrinkable. What an interesting compound to be compared to. Jesus’s purpose in comparing believers to salt was to give a more vivid description of the purpose and effectiveness of the works of those who love God, and keep His commandments. When we live according to God’s way, our works add flavor to life that influences men to grow, develop, mature, and get closer to God. But when we lose our effectiveness by giving in to worldly standards, or rebellion, we become as useless as salt that has been exposed to the natural elements, thus causing it to lose its savor, and is deemed ineffective and worthless. Is your life worthless in God’s eyes? Are you living to add flavor to the earth, or are you more focused on satisfying your own selfish desires, instead of seeking first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness?

All those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and have received the free gift of salvation, become lights of God’s knowledge and wisdom in the social system of men (the world). Light is easily recognized in dark places, and usually sparks curiosity in the minds of those not use to its array. For example, a Christian who works amongst unbelievers, usually stands out from those who partake in unholy and unhealthy conversations, practices, and activities (well, they should stand out, but many blend in with the world until it’s hard to tell the difference between them). The character of the believer is opposite of those who walk in darkness (lack of the knowledge of truth). When a Christian lives as they should, their lives will expose the works of darkness in unbelievers, just as a flashlight reveals what’s hidden in dark areas of a room.

Jesus died to fulfill the law, but we live out the law of love every day in the way we treat others. Think it not strange when men view you differently, because your life is intended to convict them of their sinful ways, in hopes that they’ll eventually give their hearts to God as well. The purpose of our good works is not to bring attention to ourselves, but to glorify the God of all creation. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (vs. 16).

Walk in love,

Ell

Deliverance from the law

Romans 7:24-8:4

During my journey through life, I often heard some say before they accepted Christ Jesus as their savior, they lived a miserable life of sin. Most of them were only repeating what they heard someone else say, because if the truth be told, they actually enjoyed their former lives of lavish living and sinful activities. The reason it’s hard for some people to turn away from sin is, the devil presents things that are attractive, appealing, and enticing to the eyes. In the same way Adam and Eve were presented something seemingly worthwhile in the Garden of Eden, is how we are approached today. Very rarely will a man be tempted with something that isn’t favorable to his eyes and offers wealth and prosperity, but at the end of every temptation is a snare awaiting to capture all who carelessly walk into it. Even the apostle Paul realized how lost and wretched men are when they’re not connected to God. After his conversion, he came to the realization that only through Christ, was he freed from the law of sin and death, and was no longer condemned by the law and its judgments, and sin could no longer keep him bound.

In Christ, we walk after the Spirit. In other words, our thoughts, motives, ideas, and actions are all motivated by what God’s Spirit prompts on the inside of us. We never jump ahead of God, and make attempts to do things without first acknowledging Him concerning the matter. Our deliverance from sin also gives us access to spiritual strength that helps us overcome the lusts of the flesh, and all things that tempt us to do evil. Although we live in flesh bodies, we are free to use our bodies to live righteously, because Jesus condemned sin in all flesh, and made a way whereby no flesh had to continue in sin.

The full benefits of being a Christian are only experienced when the believer truly commits themselves to following Christ, and walking after the Spirit, and not the flesh. The following are 33 blessings that are guaranteed to those who are in Christ: Redemption, freedom from condemnation, Spirit of life, love of God, truth, unity, faith, sanctification, wisdom, righteousness, hope, security in death, resurrection, joy, establishment in God, triumph, uncorrupt Word, law abolished, new creation, simplicity, liberty, all spiritual blessings, power, heavenly places, nearness to God, eternal purpose, self-humbling, high calling, perfection, eternal life, grace, salvation, and preservation.

Walk in love,

Ell

Applying the law in new ways

Luke 6:1-11

One thing I admire most about Jesus as He walked the earth was, He always made situations better. Whether or not everyone agreed with His methods, He never hesitated to do the right thing, regardless of who was watching. As the only begotten Son of the true and living God, one would assume Jesus’ greatest foe would be satan, but majority of His confrontations and attempted road blocks came from religious folk. The Pharisees often found themselves the topic of Jesus’ conversations, because He would expose them, and their evil works, in order to reveal to the people the difference between living holy and unholy. Rather than stay away from wherever Jesus went to avoid shame and embarrassment, this wicked group of men couldn’t help but follow Him, in hopes of causing Him to stumble.

The Pharisees held true to their religious traditions, even though they weren’t mandatory for salvation. The traditional sabbath prohibited any activity that “creates” or that exercises control or dominion over one’s environment. Some of these activities included weaving, sowing, grinding, sifting, and reaping. When the Pharisees saw the disciples of Jesus plucking and eating ears of corn on the sabbath, they immediately judged them for doing what was supposedly unlawful. Jesus kindly reminded the shallow-minded men of the time when king David was hungry, and ate what was set aside only for priests. He then brought to their attention that He was Lord of the sabbath, or the one that gave it to Israel to commemorate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. What Jesus was trying to get the men to understand was revealed on another sabbath, when He was presented the opportunity to heal a man’s withered hand. Those same Pharisees, along with a few scribes, were waiting and hoping Jesus would make a mistake so they could accuse Him of breaking the law a second time. One thing man could never do was fool Jesus, because He is God in the flesh, and knows their thoughts. Because He knew the intentions of the wicked men, Jesus threw a perfect curve ball He knew they couldn’t hit when He said to them, “I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save a life, or to destroy it? As the sound of crickets filled the room, and no response was given, Jesus proceeded to heal the man’s hand. This made the vile men so upset until they were literally filled with madness, and thought of ways to do away with Jesus. Even today, the good deeds of some irk the nerves of those who are still stuck in tradition, and don’t allow God’s love to flow freely. In modern religion, breaking a church law could even cause you to lose your membership. What has the church become? Believers are to walk in love, not in tradition. Although some traditions are good, if they hinder the works of the Lord, then they should be placed to the side, so that God’s will can be done.

As you live daily, let God’s love go before you, and never allow anything or anyone to block you from doing what God has placed in your heart to accomplish. The world needs to see real love, and with God’s help, we’ll deliver it to them without conditions attached.

Walk in love,

Ell

Living humbly

Matthew 23:1-12

Trying to live under corrupt leadership can at times be a difficult thing to do. Most people know to be good by default, but when they see those in authority living the alternative of what they preach, it makes them hesitate to trust in their words. Jesus commanded the people in our text to obey the words of God, even if they’re delivered from the mouths of hypocrites, because although the leaders refuse to live by them, God’s word remains true. Jesus continued to teach, and point out the signs of hypocrites. The following is a list of those characteristics: hypocrites demand respect as teachers, demand service, but don’t render it, teach, but don’t practice it, seek praise of men, flaunt and puff up their religion, desire only the best sets in social gatherings and church, glory in personal attention and titles, rob men of the truth and life, while rejecting that same truth and life, take advantage of innocent widows, give looooooong prayers just to impress, strive to win men to their sect, rather than to God, try hard to convince men that their hypocrisy is truth, but not God’s word, glory in bodily cleanliness, but live in moral filth, and pretend to be religious by exhibiting outward religious acts, while ignoring inward holiness in life and conduct. It’s a dangerous thing to purposely steer men away from the truth of God’s Word, because there’s a special judgment awaiting them in the end, which includes the second death. Christians are to live holy, while denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. We should also live soberly, righteously, and godly, so that when Christ returns, we’ll be found without a spot or wrinkle, and appear before our Savior holy and without a blemish. Learn God’s truth for yourself, to avoid being deceived by men’s lies and evil manipulations, and to be found humble in the sight of God, and men.

Walk in love,

Ell

Christ’s sacrifice for all

Hebrews 10:1-10

Does racism still exist? If so, why? Why do people feel that because of the color of someone’s skin, or their ethnic background, they should be treated differently from their own race? According to modern definitions, racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. It’s also viewed as the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. I’ll never understand why people are judged and criticized by being something they played no part in. We were all products of the union between our parents, and it’s a blessing just to be alive, no matter what race a person is.

For years, many have speculated what race Jesus actually was. Some paint pictures of a man with fair skin, blue eyes and long hair to portray what Jesus possibly looked like. Others construct portraits of a more dark-skinned fellow rocking an afro. In my opinion, it matters not what race Jesus was, because He only borrowed a body so that He could fulfill His heavenly assignment. In the beginning, God made one race, the human race. Although we may differ in certain features including skin color, hair texture, and other things, we are all the same on the inside. Say for instance, Jesus was purple, and He was racist to all other colored people. It would be impossible to receive salvation, because He’d only look out for His own purple people. Fortunately, the sacrifice Jesus made was for every person who ever existed, no matter their race, color, background, or anything men judge each other by.

Take pride in knowing that God considered you, even before you were a twinkle in your father’s eye. Despite the fact that many people are being treated unfairly by those who are unable to appreciate the diversity in God’s creation, it’s good to know that no man is prohibited from receiving salvation, and all are welcome to join God’s race of born again believers.

Walk in love,

Ell

A light to the nations

Isaiah 42:1-9

Does God have feelings? Can the very one who spoke all things into existence, and framed the entire world care enough to concern Himself with the affairs of billions of people who, at times, don’t acknowledge His relevance? God cares for all of His creation, and pays attention to every detail of the life of everyone who walks the face of the earth. Not only does care about men and women, but He daily provides for the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, and the fish in the sea. There’s not one thing God made in vain, because everything He does has love attached to it. Even after the fall of man, rather than hit the delete button and start all over again, God sustained a remnant of people, and initiated His already prepared redemption plan.

Sin brought darkness into the world, that separated man from God, which in turn allowed for the uprising of unbelief, discord, disrespect, and lack of love and appreciation for the God who made all things, and made them initially good. The most influential and prominent piece to God’s plan is Jesus. God loves His Son so much until even His very soul delights in Him. God has a soul? Sure He does. How else could we be made in His image and have a spirit, soul, and body, but He be different? In any case, God sent Jesus to earth fully loaded, and prepared to shine His light (emblem of knowledge, instruction, and truth) in a world that had been overtaken in darkness (sin, unbelief, blinded from truth). Just as a flashlight reveals those things hidden in the dark, Jesus was the light that revealed the sin that kept men bound from the truth of God’s Word, and His salvation. The same God who created the heavens, stretched forth vast lands full of life and splendor, and made a being in His image and after His likeness, set His Spirit upon Christ to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles, to be a covenant and a light to the people, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness.

The are many today who are struggling to find their way, because they have no light to reveal which path they should take. Only in Christ can men find their true purpose, and recognize that it’s only available in God. The light of the Lord will expose all things fake and phony, that easily beguile innocent people into falling in snares of sin. God’s Spirit also assists believers in trying spirits to see whether they are of Him, or not. The body of Christ shares the same light of the knowledge of the Word of God as the Savior Himself, so as Matthew mentioned in his Gospel, I also admonish all believers to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Walk in love,

Ell