But (Jesus), 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 2:7-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.” JFB In His incarnation: ” …when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou would not, but a body hast thou prepared me. Hebrews 10:5 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same” Hebrews 2:14 John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. “ Jesus took…
Category: <span>Walk, for Christians</span>
Jesus, throughout His earthly stay spoke often of the coming dispensation which would ultimately put an end to the then current one. The parables of Matthew 13 hint the Apostles and all of mankind to what was coming. Not a time where mere moral precept would need constant explanation and exercise, but instead, coming was a battle between light and darkness. Jesus, the Light Himself, and Way, Truth and Life represents the Kingdom of heaven, Satan and His armies, the opposition. Jesus starts with a parable in Matthew 13 –“Behold, a sower went forth to sow; “””some seeds fell by the way side, Some fell upon stony places, some fell among thorns, other fell into good ground.” In explanation Jesus speaks to the Apostles only, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in…
“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15 “This effect often occurs. In the gratification of their desires, in great temporal success and prosperity, individuals, churches, nations, often forget their dependence on God; lose their sense of the value of spiritual privileges and blessings: are satisfied with their condition; become self-confident and proud, and forfeit the favor of God.” Barnes Psalm 106:13-14 teaches, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. “ “Of how many of us that has to be said! We remember pain and sorrow longer than joy and pleasure. It is always difficult to bridle desires and be still until God discloses His purposes. We are all apt to try to force His hand open, and to impose our wishes on Him, rather than to let His will…
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:9 Our word for labor is spoudazo. A Greek word meaning: To enter is like gaining admission to the theater and then driving to the theater and going in. Just getting a ticket is not the same as entering. When we enter for instance a theater , we are there to view a movie. If we have a ticket for the World Series, we have not entered until we redeem that ticket, enter the stadium and view the game. It is the same principle with the swimming pool and the skating rink. When we enter in to His rest as described…
2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. We adjust to God’s state of triumphant authority and give thanks. We let go of a grudge by forgiving, and let go of resentments and perhaps hurts which were inflicted. We refrain from yoking up with those who insist on such fallen wisdom, bitter envying or strife. These may be zealous in their retaliatory spirit, separating; faction making. They are failing the grace of God; see Hebrews 12:15. Their wisdom is earthy, sensual, devilish. see James 3:15. But, wisdom from above is spoken of in James chapter 3. Pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy — these qualities characterize wisdom from God. Let’s look at them one by one. The…
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything. 1Corinthians 6:12 ” …but not all things build up.” 1Corinthians 10:23 ESV The King James Bible uses the word “expedient” here instead of helpful. Or in other words, all things do not ease, encourage, urge, stir, or quicken. These synonyms for expedient , are the unspoken realities behind what must comprise our value systems. Otherwise words, quotations, commentaries, concepts or ideas are not to be placed at the ‘highest’ of a man’s soul. Friends, second Corinthians chapter 5, verse 14 uses this word, “constrain.” the word is used in relationship to love, in fact, the love of Christ. Friends, knowledge is said to puff up; however, Love builds up. 1Corinthians 8, verse 1. So, love, the very character and nature of God, is the essential…
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. Job_3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. We can surmise , that like faith, fear sets a course. For faith to operate, fear must be dispelled. They cannot co-exist. Job’s fear apparently was hidden, at least to himself. When the answer of fear came, Job knew what happened. Did fear cause his calamity? ” There is a bona fide fear that is not sinful because of our human frailty. Then there is a fear that comes because we do not believe. The fear that comes upon us when we hear something is not a sinful type of fear. It is very normal, and by God’s grace it will not last long if we…
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2 Colossians chapter 3 teaches us where to aim and what spirit to catch. In both cases the goal is “above” and quite frankly, “those things which are above” marks the target. Jesus taught us that as we seek we will find. If we knock on a door, it shall be opened to us. If we ask, it shall be given to us. So with the expectation of a staunch fisherman, we carefully throw our line. But in our case we have the hope born in a promise. We will find , we will receive we will catch. Paul, in a parallel passage, teaches us about understanding a thing, and then placing our confidence in that…
Whom He loves, He chastens. What of it? Chasten is from the Latin “castus”, “pure,” “chaste ;” and to chasten is, properly, to purify. Originally meant “to bring up a child, Hence, to instruct; To discipline or correct.” The word is not synonymous with punish, since it always implies an infliction which contemplates the subject’s amendment” Vincent “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:3 He that endured is Christ. As we consider Christ in his dying, suffering on our behalf, suffering for us and as us: it is a picture of love. It is a picture of justice, but justice suffered by another on our behalf. Christ was our substitute, dying in our place. And taking us with Him not only in death but in burial, resurrection, ascension and session. Our consideration of Him is…
I do not set aside, disesteem, neutralize, violate, cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, or reject the Grace of God. I do not, and I must not. ” frustration must be properly understood. A word from JA Pike helps us here. “What we do within the given limitations, brought about by our own fault, the fault of others, or otherwise, does have to do very definitely with the will of God. And the reason we have gotten the impression that God wills the evil is that the Saints have generally made such a good show of turning sow’s ears into silk purses, have produced such amazing goodness out of evil situations , that we have turned around and credited God with the evil that made possible so much good. But this is to bring God in at the wrong point. He is to be credited with the grace…