Wednesday, September 30, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:26

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1 Thessalonians 5:26

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26 Greet [aspazomai] all [pas] the brethren [adelphos] with [en] an holy [hagios] kiss. [philema] KJV-Interlinear


26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. NASB


There are several words used for ‘kiss.’ In the Old Testament ‘neshiqah,’ and ‘nashaq’ are used to refer to the common greeting, or symbol of friendship between persons who are friends or have been introduced.

Similarly, in the New Testament, in Pauls day, the common act for greetings is the kiss, ‘phileo,’ or ‘kataphileo,’ which is a more passionate (but not an intimate) style of kiss, such as when the feet of Jesus were kissed, ‘kataphileo.’

The kiss if referred to in several passages, Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, just to name a few.

The kiss was traditionally used in greetings and/or as a demonstration of subordinate respect for ones higher position in society, such as kissing the ring or hem of someone's garment.

There are many in society who desperately desire the respect, adoration, or approbation of others, however, God is the one who promotes, not man, and to whom God promotes, respect and honor are real and true, and permanent.

The respect or adoration that is typically not permanent, but rather a flash in the pan so to speak, is the type of approbation desired by celebrities, or those who desire to be regarded as experts or professionals in their field, without earning it. They lust for attention. They go through all of the formal, but phony, greetings of admiration or approval, but resent anything that is not directed in their direction. They manufacture honorable titles to satisfy selfish ego’s, and elevate themselves above the common rabble of humanity.

The believer who is advancing in his spiritual life, is completely different. The positive believer, if he is genuinely positive, desires no recognition, but that which is given him by God.

The kiss then is a show of respect between two persons, as we would show respect with a handshake in our current day. Some handshakes are weak and feeble, while others are firm and sure.

Your greeting and show of respect should not vary from one person to the next. Thus bias, self-righteousness, even prejudice should never enter into your mind or thoughts. Each believer is equal with the next, and should not presume an appearance of aloofness.

And that is exactly what holiness is. Perfect righteousness (Gods righteousness), and perfect justice (Gods justice), which add up to holiness, the perfect state of sinless function, and residence and compliance within His will, not ones own undeserved agenda.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:25

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1 Thessalonians 5:25

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25 Brethren, [adelphos] pray [proseuchomai] for [peri] us. [hemon] KJV-Interlinear


25 Brethren, pray for us. NASB


This is not a prayer for Paul and his companions, beseeching God to help them in some way in their personal life. Such a request would be somewhat self serving and selfish.

Most folks, when they ask others to pray for them, are hurting in some way. They are suffering from some form of mental anguish, or from some physical ailment, or just simply don’t have enough money to pay bills or do the things they need or want. And so, ‘Pray for me! Pray for me!,’ emanates from their mouths. It is really sort of a whining attempt to get someone else to get Gods help for them.

But here, Pauls request is for others to pray to God for doctrine. To make it available. To never take it away. To keep all those who teach or disseminate doctrine on top of their spiritual game (healthy, well off, objective, etc.), such that you, personally, will have access to doctrine at all times.

2 Thess. 3:1
3 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; NASB

2 Cor. 1:11
11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many. NASB

Eph. 6:19
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, NASB

Col. 4:3
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, NASB

Without Bible doctrine, your life is worthless. Without Bible doctrine, you would have no future, no destiny to look forward to. Without Bible doctrine, your life will have no meaning or purpose.

Without the mechanisms for teaching, distributing, making doctrine known to you, you would have no access to the Word.

Therefore, pray and always pray to God the Father (who is the recipient of all prayer), that Bible doctrine will be always available to you and others, that those who teach or instruct or convey doctrine, will be allowed to do so, objectively, and without interruption or distraction or hardship, such that your life and the lives of others may be fulfilled to their maximum potential, and beyond.

And by the way, this prayer includes yourself and all believers, because as believers, then by default, we are all ambassadors of the Word, whether we know it or not, whether we function in doctrine or not, whether we care about it or not.

It is far better to have the opportunity to learn and grow up in your spiritual life, while life is relatively stable and trouble free, and access to doctrine is easily available, rather than it is to learn and grow under troubled or more difficult circumstances.

The one and only answer, to whatever your problems, needs, wants or hopes might be, is Bible doctrine. With doctrine, you will always be led to a solution. Without it, you won’t.

Monday, September 28, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:24

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1 Thessalonians 5:24

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24 Faithful [pistos] is he that calleth [kaleo] you, [humas] who [hos] also [kai] will do [poieo] it. KJV-Interlinear


24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. NASB


Faithful means true, authentic, real, exact, certain, and that is exactly what God is.

God the Father authored the divine plan. Jesus Christ executes that divine plan to the letter. The Holy Spirit sustains and discloses the details of the divine plan.

That plan looked down through the tunnel of time and saw all who would believe, to the last generation, and the plan will continue through history until that last generation is reached.

Through history, God has divided up segments of time, segments which have definite and distinct divisions. We call these segments or divisions of time, dispensations. This word you will never find in the scriptures, however, Paul has made them clear through the mystery doctrines he has taught.

God has a plan. God has a plan for human history and God has a plan specifically for you.

Just as history has had its unique and specific events and purposes, so too, God has a unique and specific purpose for you. Whether you fulfill that purpose, which God has laid out for you, depends entirely on your attitude toward your spiritual life.

God uses prepared believers, and leads them through His plan for their life. Your plan is the ultimate and best plan that you could never accomplish on your own, even if you lived a thousand lifetimes. And no matter what your circumstances, no matter what your handicaps, no matter what your advantages or disadvantages might be in life, nothing can prevent Gods plan from unfolding and fulfilling itself in your behalf, if you pursue your spiritual life in accordance with his will.

Through doctrine, God called you. Through doctrine, He is able to set you apart, to sanctify you. Through doctrine, God is able to accomplish anything.

The world depends on human power, on human ingenuity, on human technology, on human will, or an endless array of sensual experiences. God depends on only the words written within the scriptures, and your spiritual life which you cannot even see or detect. And there is no contest between the two (God and the world).

God has made you promises. The world has made you enticements. God is able to accomplish His, however, the world, despite all of its physical attributes, cannot accomplish its promises.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:23

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1 Thessalonians 5:23

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23 And [de] the very [autos] God [theos] of peace [eirene] sanctify [hagiazo] you [humas] wholly; [holoteles] and [kai] I pray God your [humon] whole [holokleros] spirit [pneuma] and [kai] soul [psuche] and [kai] body [soma] be preserved [tereo] blameless [amemptos] unto [en] the coming [parousia] of our [hemon] Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear


23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. NASB


Therefore, if you are not a trouble maker, do-gooder, crusader, or practitioner of evil. If you do not suppress the fire of the desire within you, for learning. If you do not despise the scriptures, but pursue them with an insatiable vigor. If you have come to an understanding of the vast magnitude of the things which God has done for you, and has prepared for you.

If you have maintained an open mind and objectively test the instructions from the scriptures, discerning them from the vast array of messages that many out there would have you believe. If you have behaved in an honorable fashion, with integrity and honesty, with poise and courteous diplomacy.

If you have been obedient to the mandates of the scriptures and have lived within the fellowship sphere of the spiritual life.

Then, the peace of God, which means, the total completion of the spiritual growth and productivity process, and spiritual life, will sanctify (set you apart) you wholly, ‘holoteles.’ Which means totally and absolutely and completely. Not by a portion, not by piece by piece, not a little here and a little there, but a complete separation from this world.

The spiritual life, and the carnal or temporal life, are mutually exclusive. From within our physical bodies we may have to occupy the same space for a while, but the spiritual aspects of our being, are non-physical.

The only link to the physical world is through the connection between our soul and brain. How that connection functions, no one knows. No one has ever been able to capture a soul or extract it from the human body. All we can do is monitor the biology aspects of the human body. Physical access to the spiritual side is beyond human capabilities.

In the spiritual life, the human spirit, our filter system of spiritual information, links with our soul, which links with our physical body. The three, body, soul, and spirit, are three separate and distinct things. They are held together here and now, through our physical life.

But our physical body houses the sin nature, which if allowed to go unchecked, will rule and ruin our soul, where our real identity resides.

Bible doctrine places the sin nature in check and therefore allows the Holy Spirit to rule in place of the sin nature, but only if we live within the fellowship sphere of our spiritual life. This, we studied in great detail in 1, 2, and 3rd John.

The sin nature is a rotting influence. Everything deteriorates as rotten meat or unpreserved foods.

Bible doctrine is the perfect preservative and sustainer of life. The Holy Spirit is the hidden power (kind of like the ‘Force’ in the Sci-Fi movies), only the Holy Spirit is very real, while the movies are not.

Bible doctrine preserves you, excluding the rotting influence and work of the sin nature, holding you complete and deterioration or blemish free.

And this is how you are to be when you meet Christ, either at your death, or at the Rapture. In perfect working order, so to speak. Not handicapped by the imperfections of the sin nature, allowed to work, through the permission of your own misguided, selfish, lustful, even self-righteous thoughts.

The sole objective of your life, is to be prepared for your meeting with Jesus.

You have an appointment with Christ. It is already on the calendar. And even though you do not know the date or time, Christ does. And He will collect you on schedule and on time, in accordance with His plan, not yours.

Therefore, your time is short. Whether minutes, hours, or decades, all time in this life means your time is short.

You can continue in indifference or some form of modified study habit, or lack of one, or you can wake up and discover that pursuing Gods plan for your life is far better than whatever it is that you have been doing thus far.

Either way, your entire destiny, the entire story of your life sits in your hands. Will you keep that control to yourself, or you can give it over to God, Christ, doctrine, and your spiritual life.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:22

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1 Thessalonians 5:22

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22 Abstain [apechomai] from [apo] all [pas] appearance [eidos] of evil. [poneros] KJV-Interlinear


22 abstain from every form of evil. NASB


In this world, there are forms of evil which are unquestionable and obvious. But too, there are often times morals or standards of conduct that may seem to border on the thin line of sin or not sin. These activities may not be obvious as sin, but may be considered as sin by some aspects of society, and therefore frowned upon.

The obvious sins are theft, murder, gossip and such activities. Of these types of conduct, the question of sin verses good, is clear.

However when you enter into the realm of fashion and culture, even social behavior, then the areas of conduct become more subjective and unclear. In these instances, courtesy and thoughtfulness should come to the forefront of your conduct.

To insult another because of their dress, for example, is impolite to say the least. And when you insult someone, then they will have a tendency to ignore your views on Christianity. And losing someone to spiritual failure is by far much worse, than your opinion on how they dress.

Not only are you to avoid evil in your life, but you are to avoid even the appearance of evil, if in some case, others may hold such values as dear to their way of life.

Now, for a better and more personal example. Suppose you are a missionary and you go to the native population and meet the chief. He has several wives. What would you do concerning those multiple wives?

Well, some might suggest that the chief be made to get rid of the many wives and keep only one. Would that be the right thing to do?

What of the many wives? What would they do? Where would they go? How would they live? Would you condemn them for their role in a society over which they may have had no say in the matter?

Or, would you consider the multiplicity of wives as a lesser evil and the teaching of doctrine of greater importance. With doctrine, the social norms will sort themselves out, in time. The chief will still assume responsibility for the wives. No one will be thrown out onto the street, or into a society that would reject them, and life will eventually stabilize as it should for everyone.

And what of other differences that you might encounter? Some might want to wear black all of the time, push sticks through their cheeks, wear lots of ear-rings, and this list can go on and on.

What of contemporary issues like global warming, or abortion or such issues that might be clear in your mind, but not in someone else's? Do you win arguments by forcing your views? Probably not.

The teaching of Bible doctrine is the primary objective of the Christian life. With truth, everyone will eventually come to the understanding of truth, given time.

An adversarial approach, even if you are right, only hinders that process and in fact may set someone's spiritual life, back.

So, in your spiritual conduct, do not purposely do things that may cause others to stumble in their spiritual lives.

Even when you are right, a subtle form of arrogance may cause you to fail in your interactions with others.

The objective of your spiritual life is to not be right all of the time in order to force others to see your point, but often times you have to use finesse and diplomacy, in other words be polite and courteous, so that others will see God, Christ, doctrine, and their spiritual lives, rather than being put on the defensive by your, ‘being right.’

Friday, September 25, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:21

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1 Thessalonians 5:21

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21 Prove [dokimazo] all things; [pas] hold fast [katecho] that which [ho] is good. [kalos] KJV-Interlinear


21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; NASB


The Christian life mandates that you examine and question everything. Truth will make itself evident in due course. Untruths, deceits, lies all will fail the examination sooner or later.

In fact, all untruths, deceits, lies, the world in general and such, go overboard in order to prevent you from examining them.

Politicians do not want you to see the details of their legislation. Fast talking salesmen do not want you to read the fine print or make comparisons. Religions want you to take their word as gospel, without examination.

But Christianity hides nothing. It puts truth out in front of humanity and all of the world for all to see and examine.

Your examination must approach any and all subjects from a position of objectivity, and not from personal bias.

When a person wants to believe something, then finding proof comes easy. They simply start with their conclusion or preferred conclusion, and then fill in the details of convenience to support their desires. This is not careful examination.

In this verse, the test of truth is worded in such a fashion as to proving the worth of metals. Metals are proved through the use of high heat, a blast furnace of sorts. The test is objective and accurate and produces accurate and consistent results every time it is applied.

Christianity does not require people to abandon their instincts, their logic, their reason, but to apply them when hearing the scriptures, to reaffirm them as truth, from within their own minds. Christianity does not require blind faith, or to be gullible, but to approach their spiritual life through educated faith, based on facts, which is based on truth.

This approach to life and truth, also places a governor or check and balance on the motives of organizations, or governments, which would have you comply with their rules and opinions without question.

Prejudice, error, tyranny, fanaticism, political views and such, attempt to repress examination, discussion, debate, or even independent oversight. They demand compliance or enforce it through intimidation or even social ostracism.

Christianity, offers truth and receives its followers through voluntary belief. Truth manifests itself and when truth is discerned, then it should be held on to, as one would hold on, to vast riches.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:20

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1 Thessalonians 5:20

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20 Despise [exoutheneo] not [me] prophesyings. [propheteia] KJV-Interlinear


20 do not despise prophetic utterances. NASB


The word for prophesying, ‘propheteia,’ certainly refers to one who speaks of future things to some extent, but it also refers primarily to an inspired speaker, or one who speaks of truths. And truth here refers to Bible doctrine, or the general content of the scriptures.

Our dispensation, the Church Age, does not have any prophecies within it, except the final event of our era which is the Rapture. In Corinthians, Paul states that everyone should prophesy, and therefore this refers to thinking in doctrine, not making predictions.

In Pauls day, there were also certain men who were given very specialized gifts. Some were referred to as speaking in tongues, which means languages not babbling, or the gift of healing, and similar gifts.

Those gifts were very specialized and they were, more important, very temporary and only specific to that initial generation of Christians. Those gifts do not exist today.

When we get to Corinthians, we will study the principle of the temporary gifts.

1 Cor. 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. NASB

1 Cor. 14:19
19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. NASB

In these two verses, Paul states that it is far better for you to be able to speak doctrine, ‘that ye may prophesy,’ than to speak ten-thousand (endless) words within the framework of a phony act, ‘tongue.’

Back in Pauls day, there were those who had gifts. Naturally it would be for some to envy or to desire those same gifts. However, God gave those gifts for the purpose of establishing credentials of the ministry of the Apostles and others, and not for their own personal gain or approbation.

Even today, you will see examples of tent evangelists, or television evangelists, or even some denominations that promote the idea of these special gifts. They go as far as incorporating them within their program in order to gain followers, to entertain, or to make money. Fundamental teaching of Bible doctrine takes a backseat, if it is even included at all.

But up-beat music shows and spectacular tricks and deceit, do not establish ones spiritual life or spiritual growth. Only doctrine in the soul, establishes and completes ones life.

Therefore, do not despise doctrine by either ignoring it, scoffing at it, or attempting to duplicate or re-invent it through some gimmick.

There is but one way to grow up in life, and that way is to learn doctrine, to understand it, to use it within your daily life, and to repeat this learning cycle (the cycle of wisdom), throughout your life. Gimmicks and magic formulas for elevating your life, may tweak the emotions at best, but they are false concepts.

There are no shortcuts to growing up. Just as a person has to learn to crawl, to walk, to speak, to read and write, to learn social skills and to learn responsibility in life, during the course of many, many years, so too, spiritual growth does not come to you during a summer camp outing.

The spiritual life is a life-long commitment and never ends. It is not for Sunday’s or holidays only, or for when you happen to be in the mood. It does not stop when you go away to school, when you retire, when you are sick, or when you go on vacation. Your spiritual life should be your number one priority for every day of your life.

No exceptions.

God has a plan for your life. In Gods plan, phenomenal things await you, both for this life and the next. But that plan in which God gives you much, God expects much from you. That ‘much,’ is your commitment to your spiritual life.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:19

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1 Thessalonians 5:19

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19 Quench [sbennumi] not [me] the Spirit. [pneuma] KJV-Interlinear


19 Do not quench the Spirit; NASB


There are two concepts used in the Bible to refer to the dysfunction of ones spiritual life. Here is the reference to the ‘quenching’ of the Holy Spirit, and in Eph. 4:30 is the reference to the ‘grieving’ of the Holy Spirit.

Eph. 4:30
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NASB

Grieving is a reference to the function, of ones spiritual life. Or rather the improper function of ones spiritual life. When you have so much given to you in the form of spiritual resources, and choose to sin or otherwise live in the carnal sphere rather than in the spiritual sphere of life, then that is a form of grieving, or an act of disappointment to the one who supports you in this life.

The Holy Spirit is your support mechanism. This is like a child, you, who is given much in order to have a great life, but the child, you, squander or do not appreciate the gifts given to him. The parent in effect is grieved or disappointed because of the phenomenal indifference.

And to quench the Holy Spirit, means to pour water onto a fire thus putting it out. Your fire is the burning desire within you, pursuing, rushing, anxious to learn and understand and to grow up in your faith. To pour water on that desire, in effect is putting it out by indifference or some misdirection you have taken in life.

You can see a lot of children fail in school and in life, simply because they do not want to learn. They do not want to make the effort to learn. They are indifferent and/or unconcerned about the subject matter. They do not see the relevance of the subject to their daily life, so they ignore it. They are not concerned with the consequences, because they haven’t yet occurred, or life hasn’t been bad enough yet to teach them the lesson, or life is already bad or boring, so they figure, ‘Why try at all?’

And what do we learn from those kinds of kids? They end up in gangs, in low paying jobs, living a life in miserable conditions, they end up in jail or worse, they discover too late that their whole future has been compromised because they didn’t care, when they had the chance to design and define their life.

And so, the spiritual life is far greater and has far greater consequences than your temporal life in this world.

If you choose to ignore responsibilities in this life, then what should you expect from the next life.

And pretending that the next life doesn’t matter now, is not a very smart plan for your life either. After all, how many folks do you know that are still alive from the beginning of the world? None. How many folks born in the 1800’s are still alive? Probably none, if not just a very few. Even most folks born in the early to mid 1900’s are now dead.

So since Adam and Eve, many billions and probably trillions of folks have left this world. None could manage to keep themselves here, alive.

And as for you? What plan do you have to make yourself live forever in this life? None.

So, you will have a next life. The only question is, are you going to design your own future, or are you going to let the world erase your future for you because of your apathy toward life. Are you not defeating yourself by this attitude?

So, again, we say so, do not pour water on the fire that should be burning within your own heart.

Remember our study in Colossians, about the journey through life to discover or write your own song or story.

Somewhere within yourself, you need to find that spark and feed the fire of learning desire for doctrine, such that you will advance through life and grow up in your spiritual life, and be built up by God, such that you will be able to deal with any situation that might be brought into your life, in this life, and come out a spiritual hero with a song and story about yourself, second to none.

One of the many objectives of your spiritual life is to grow up and become independent from this world, and autonomous from the many troubles that will certainly enter into your life.

By default, since you are alive in this world, you will face difficulties. You can face them alone, or you can face them with God. The Holy Spirit is the driving force and power, that holds you up in all matters. And no, you cannot see, feel, or detect Him in any way, but through doctrine in your soul, you will have access to all of His abilities, which He uses to serve your life.

Ponder that last thought for a moment.

So again, you can go it alone and lose, because you will lose, or you can approach life with God, and win.

The difference between the two? Your attitude, or the lack of it, for doctrine.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:18

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1 Thessalonians 5:18

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18 In [en] every thing [pas] give thanks: [eucharisteo] for [gar] this [touto] is the will [thelema] of God [theos] in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous] concerning [eis] you. [humas] KJV-Interlinear


18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. NASB


You as an individual, owe God a debt, for which He executed a plan that gave you life, that recovered you from eternal destruction, and that will provide you with the greatest life beyond your imagination, if you will simply trust Him.

In this world, there is nothing certain, nothing that you can depend on, ever.

In your spiritual life, God is certain, and certainly greater than this world.

And on that, you can, depend.

If you expect great things from this world, then your expectations are unreasonable. Sure, there are folks who are very well off. Sure, there are folks who seemingly are godless, and doing quite well in life. But life does not begin at birth and end at death. Your life will go on forever and ever, and ever. And if I haven’t missed anything, that forever business is a very long time.

Your toughest challenge, is to get through life by relying on faith.

The world is a battle ground in the fight between Satan and God. And though we won’t see bullets and rockets whizzing by our heads, we will see economic stresses, social stresses, emotional and loneliness stresses, rude and mean people who have nothing better to do than to make our lives miserable.

For some there will be the enticements of the world, even some successes to a degree, that are there to distract us from God and our spiritual life.

Everywhere you look there will be unfair situations, bias and prejudice, and favoritism, and all sorts of things that are there to separate us into groups, and make us envious or angry or resentful, or sorrowful, or uppity toward others.

Evil has an unlimited supply of challenges to your life. All designed to make you indifferent, angry or otherwise drive you away from your one sure success – Bible doctrine.

In war, often times the enemy will use loud speakers or radio broadcasts to demoralize our side. Only the fool will not see their attempts and lies, and believe their accusations, usually from self-pity. The spiritual battle field is no different. Evil will do anything to get you away from your only true ally – God and doctrine.

Life is a very serious matter. Don’t focus on your wants and needs of the moment. Look beyond the end of your nose and focus on the greater picture of your life.

God certainly knows what your needs are, but God more than that, knows what will best get you to spiritual maturity and the greatest life you can ever imagine.

Look at life as a testing ground, a preparation stage, for getting you ready for something much, much better.

Focus on the objective of designing and defining your eternal life, rather than on what you are going to do or not do, this weekend.

Before you were born into this world, you had nothing to say about your life.

But being born again, you have everything to say as to how your next life will be. Most folks want their next life to be better, and by getting down to your Bible studies, on an daily basis, realizing that you will be tested perhaps to beyond the limits of your physical and mental strength in this life, you can for a certainty (because God is helping you) get prepared for the greatest life beyond imagination.

Look at the structure of life in this world. Do you want a life of depressing poverty, or of fabulous wealth?

This world gives you many examples of how life is. Bible doctrine gives you the opportunity to be at the top and beyond all things good and great and fabulous, and more.

Why would you throw away that opportunity?

So, get with a study program for yourself, and thank God every moment of the day, for giving you the opportunity, regardless of how this world treats you. Because it is not the world that will reward you, it is God.

Don’t look to the world for anything better. Look to God for a tough period of life’s trials, and the great reward when it is all over.

The world offers money, marketing and enticements galore, but most never attain them.

God offers you Bible doctrine, and faith only. And anyone and everyone who pursues it, will be winners gaining the desires of their dreams and more, in eternity. And, by the way, God will bless you in this life as well.

Monday, September 21, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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1 Thessalonians 5:17

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17 Pray [proseuchomai] without ceasing. [adialeiptos] KJV-Interlinear


17 pray without ceasing; NASB


To most people, the word ‘pray’ means to ask, plead, implore, to call upon, to urge. It has been given the meaning of making a request to someone who is in a position to grant your petition requests. Requests that you yourself cannot attain.

But prayer is more than just making requests. It is a form of ongoing communication, or engagement, that ties or bonds a relationship together.

Prayer is a proactive act, that brings the thinking of the one who is praying, to the one to whom he is praying. Prayer serves to cause your mind to focus on the recipient of your prayer and the whole purpose for which you are praying in the first place.

But, prayer is also a static state or presence of mind, wherein you may not be making any specific or formal requests, but are simply functioning within the sphere in which prayers are efficacious. And in that respect, prayer is a form of worship, or a linking with God.

So, prayer is more than just asking God for this or that, prayer is also your ongoing state of fellowship, wherein you are to live your moment by moment life.

Where fellowship is the state of righteous perfection, the environment in which your spiritual life functions properly, so too, prayer is the action of conscious thinking, which causes you to think about God, Christ, doctrine and so forth.

When you are thinking doctrine, then you are not thinking evil. When you are in a state of fellowship, then you are not in a state of carnality. When you are making requests of God, then you are not engaged in carnal activities.

In this fashion, prayer is a form of self discipline that helps you to focus on your spiritual state, and remain there, lest you lose ground in your spiritual life by pondering the carnal things of this world.

You are commanded to pray and to pray often. You are commanded to be in fellowship and to be in fellowship all of the time. You are commanded to be alert as to your spiritual state, so that you can correct your errors and recover your spiritual status.

Why?

Because your spiritual life functions only when you are in fellowship. Your spiritual blessings function and your relationship with God exists only while you are in fellowship. And more than that, prayer helps you to circulate the doctrines in your head, so that you can gain even more understanding of them while you use them or consider them during your thinking processes. Prayer helps you to review, evaluate, and to keep in the forefront of your thoughts, the doctrines and things of God.

Prayer gives you a good check and balance system for monitoring your life.

And, prayer is your only mechanism of communication with God, from within your fellowship sphere, in this life.

Prayer includes your confessions to God the Father, your studies and thoughts while in fellowship, that are ongoing in life. It includes your expressions of thanks, as well as your requests for yourself and for others.

Your spiritual life is your most valuable possession. It comes to you courtesy of God. The more that you invest in it, the greater your life now, and especially in eternity, will be.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:16

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1 Thessalonians 5:16

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16 Rejoice [chairo] evermore. [pantote] KJV-Interlinear


16 Rejoice always; NASB


Rejoice, means to be grateful, to be thankful, to be appreciative, to be happy.

After all, you were once nothing and then God created you into existence from nothing.

For a short while, you have to endure this world. But that can be turned into a positive thing, as it teaches you, and prepares you, and builds up your character.

God brought you into this life for the purpose of living in heaven with Him, for all of eternity. And as the angels can navigate this universe and between heaven and earth, so too, one day, you will possess even greater abilities than they.

With spiritual growth to maturity, your future will be beyond your comprehension and beyond your imagination. Just ponder that thought for a moment.

God has taken you from nothing, literally, to be united with Him as an heir to the universe. And better than that, as an heir to the new united heaven and universe. An environment that will be even more perfect than the original creation of our current universe. Even more perfect than the Garden of Eden.

The source of your good fortune is Jesus Christ. Unfortunately most folks do not recognize that they even have a good fortune to look forward to, even though they have many real time examples in this life for comparison.

On the one hand, there exists absolute poverty and misery in this world. That represents a life without doctrine. And on the other hand, there are examples of phenomenal wealth and beauty and talent. That represents a life with doctrine in spiritual maturity.

You, who were once nothing, have the opportunity to become mind-boggling wealthy and a great deal more. And all you have to do for it is grow up in your spiritual life. That requires very little effort, but a great deal of faith, on your part. You have in effect, a spiritual lottery ticket. All you have to do is fill in your name. But most folks won’t even do that.

You have a great deal, to justify great rejoicing. Learn of it, understand it, and grow to possess it, and appreciate it. Your other option is to lose it all.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:15

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1 Thessalonians 5:15

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15 See [horao] that none [me] [tis] render [apodidomi] evil [kakos] for [anti] evil [kakos] unto any [tis] man; but [alla] ever [pantote] follow [dioko] that which [ho] is good, [agathos] both [kai] among [eis] yourselves, [allelon] and [kai] to [eis] all [pas] men. KJV-Interlinear


15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. NASB


Distinguish the meaning of evil here. Evil is anything that not aligned with the principles taught in the scriptures.

Good includes due process, the legal court system, the arrest and conviction and sentencing of someone for crimes. This system is not an application of returning evil for evil.

War, likewise, when there is a clear distinction between good defending itself against evil. War is also a due process, only on a much greater scale, for the purpose of defending freedom and such.

Political debate, athletic competition, and such things, when there is no deceit or unfair play, are all applications of good.

Evil for evil is generally referring to a social or business setting, whereby a person attempts to defraud someone else, or where social or published gossip, or maligning or revenge take root in the thinking and motivation of a person.

You can see a lot of this type of behavior on the internet, these days, as it is very easy to transmit jokes or propaganda, or even bad publicity about someone, with no real good intention, only ill intent, behind the communication.

It takes greater self discipline in ones self, to avoid things, that can come easy, like this.

One on one social interaction, can easily lead to campaigns or crusades of harassment and harm against others.

You cannot advance or promote yourself, or even gain any advantage in life, when you have to accomplish it by means of evil. When you sow evil, you will only harvest evil back to yourself. And just like weeds in a good field, when you keep on sowing evil, you eventually destroy the field (meaning that you destroy yourself).

It is not your place to judge others socially, even if your evaluation of them is correct.

You are herein commanded to treat others with respect, tolerance, and poise. Whether you like them or not, whether they are jerks or not, are all irrelevant.

Friday, September 18, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:14

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1 Thessalonians 5:14

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14 Now [de] we exhort [parakaleo] you, [humas] brethren, [adelphos] warn [noutheteo] them that are unruly, [ataktos] comfort [paramutheomai] the feebleminded, [oligopsuchos] support [antechomai] the weak, [asthenes] be patient [makrothumeo] toward [pros] all [pas] men. KJV-Interlinear


14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. NASB


We have been studying the role that God has prepared for those who teach the scriptures, and the role that God has prepared for all people, in general.

God has laid out a role for everyone who has ever lived in history, and certainly for everyone who is alive today.

In so doing, God has made provision for the needs and wants and situations for every human being. Bible doctrine being their primary provision, and logistical support for the needs of life through their personal spiritual growth, or indirectly through the principles of divine establishment.

At some point in everyone's life, there will come a time when they will wish or hope that they could have something more, in order to give help and comfort to all who are in need of help. Some wish for it. Some pray for it. Some strive for it.

But remember, this is the devils world. Suffering exists by default because of that principle. But also, all people possess by default, a basic intuition or instinct regarding good and evil, and everyone knows of God and the possibilities of what God has to offer humanity. Most folks simply disregard God in their life. Thus the suffering of the world takes precedent over their lives.

God has a plan for everyone. It is a good plan, but most reject that plan. Your wishing or wanting to superimpose your views and aid for those in need, if taken out of context from Bible doctrine, serves as a direct insult toward God and an application of your own self righteousness toward life.

Here is a simple example. Remember our study of Moses a very long time ago. Moses was the Crown Prince of Egypt and was to be the next Pharaoh. He had at his disposal all of the wealth of Egypt, and more, almost within his grasp. He knew of his heritage and he intended to use his role as Pharaoh to help his people.

But that was not Gods plan. If the worlds resources of evil were used to help people then they would in effect be getting no help at all. The world and its resources can never help anything or anyone.

So, God placed Moses in a situation whereby Moses killed an Egyptian and was forced to flee from Egypt. Moses was gone for forty years, in order to teach him Gods will, and not Pharaohs.

Moses returned not with wealth and power, but with a rod of wood, and nothing more. And the power of God freed the Israelites, not a decree of Pharaoh.

Government regulations, welfare disbursements, social programs, good intentions, never help anyone.

God provides doctrine, but people must work for their blessing. That work, defined in James, is called learning, and understanding, and applying, growing up, and being responsible. And from that, God provides everything a person needs in this world, in order to survive, and to prepare for eternity.

So, if you inherit or win or earn the big bucks, do not get it in your head that you will solve the worlds problems with your wealth. You won’t do anything but set yourself up for disappointment.

Our country has been giving away money by the trillions, and yet unemployment has doubled in the last year and foreclosures have shot off the charts. If the wealthiest nation cannot solve the basic problems that have existed in human history forever, then what could you possibly do?

The answer is not through carnal systems, but through spiritual resources. God is the ultimate provider and God has unlimited and infinite resources.

Charity and generally helping people is a good thing, but that is only a band-aid until the real solution, Bible doctrine, enters into their life.

So, Paul here commands that we admonish and warn the fainthearted and weak, and encourage them.

Who are the unruly, the fainthearted and the weak? These are spiritual terms for those who lack spiritual resources.

The unruly are those who lack arrangement within their souls. Doctrine is the only information resource that can arrange the soul. Without arrangement within ones soul, means insubordination toward truth and toward God. Therefore, the spiritually deficient person is unruly or rebellious toward truth. They pursue their own ideas, whether good or bad.

The fainthearted and the weak are those who lack spiritual stamina and strength. This comes from a lack of spiritual growth.

Therefore be tolerant, be patient, be uncomplaining with those who lack proper perspective in life. Without spiritual resources they are their own worst enemies. But hopefully time, doctrine and perhaps mistakes will teach them the error of their ways and direct them toward better times in life.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:13

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1 Thessalonians 5:13

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13 And [kai] to esteem [hegeomai] them [autos] very [huper] highly [ek] [perissos] in [en] love [agape] for [dia] their [autos] work's sake. [ergon] And be at peace [eireneuo] among [en] yourselves. [heautou] KJV-Interlinear


13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. NASB


‘To esteem,’ means to respect, regard, appreciate, to prize as in hold dear as you would prize something of value.

‘In love,’ is ‘agape,’ which is the content of the scriptures, the principles, mandates and such by which you are to live your life. Your respect for others is viewed through the framework that Bible doctrine provides us, for life.

Because of ‘their works sake,’ means the function that each person has in life, as defined by God. Whether they function properly in life, or not, is irrelevant. God has given each and every person in life, a function. Some pursue their spiritual life and they function within the framework of Gods plan with near perfection.

Most folks ignore God, Christ, doctrine, and their spiritual lives, and they do not function as God had intended for them, with respect their own personal lives, however they may still function within the framework of their occupation.

For example, and doctor may be a spiritual jerk or a greedy, selfish and self centered person, but he still functions as a doctor. Gods objective for him was for him to advance in his spiritual life, but he still can function as a doctor and help others even if he is greedy and over priced and so forth.

The same principle can be applied to nearly every person in this world. How many are honest and hard working and unselfish people? Not many. But whether politicians, celebrities, or just common folk, Gods objective is for all to have complete lives. Their failure, does not negate Gods plan or design, in any way.

Nor, should the failure of people in this world, cause you to be discontented or disillusioned about life. God defined roles for everyone across the entire planet. God is pretty smart. And even knowing that most would reject Him, His plan for life and history still functions with total perfection.

So, your respect should approach awe, that someone (God), is able to put together such a highly detailed and complex plan for humanity even in the face of overwhelming opposition to Him. And through that respect for Gods provision, your respect (understanding), should extent to each and every person, with regard to their role in life, whether they realize it or not.

Then with this understanding, with your advancement in your own spiritual life, with the development of wisdom which you develop from your growth, then you begin to see and understand just how life all fits together, and knowing that God is still in command. That is peace, or a relaxed mental state for yourself, despite the world chaos.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:12

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1 Thessalonians 5:12

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12 And [de] we beseech [erotao] you, [humas] brethren, [adelphos] to know [eido] them which [ho] labour [kopiao] among [en] you, [humin] and [kai] are over [proistemi] you [humon] in [en] the Lord, [kurios] and [kai] admonish [noutheteo] you; [humas] KJV-Interlinear


12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, NASB


Within every generation, God provides people to whom He has given talents and abilities, which are to be used for the benefit by others.

God placed everyone in this world for the purpose of good. Not for evil.

God placed everyone in this world for the purpose of advancing to a point of completeness. Not to finish life, incomplete.

God placed everyone in this world for the purpose of living with Him in heaven in eternity. Not for living in destruction in the Lake of Fire.

So, God, and God is pretty smart you know, but anyway, God placed many resources in this world for your use.

To some He made lawyers. To some He made doctors. To some He made nurses. To some He made secretaries. To some He made mothers and fathers. To some He made coaches. And this list will go on and on until it includes everyone, including you.

For everyone has a role in life, and their role is not to serve themselves, but to serve God first and others second. And this service begins in only one way, your study of the Bible and your growth to spiritual maturity.

Paul mentions those who are in the service of the Lord. Most folks believe that this means pastors or instructors. And well, it does to a degree, but it also means all people who are advancing in their spiritual lives, and therefore are functioning in the service of the Lord, from within their residence in their fellowship sphere.

And because all blessings come to this world from God through positive and advancing believers, then all believers possess an elevated role in life, over all others. Not as superiors or managers or sovereigns and the like, but because of their relative place in life through their spiritual relationship with God.

The easiest example of this is to compare a believer to an unbeliever. The unbeliever has no relationship with God, and yet the unbeliever receives blessings in this world, because God blesses the believer. This is blessing by association. God provides air for the believer to breathe, therefore the unbeliever receives this blessing indirectly.

This applies to the laws of establishment, and to nearly every biblical principle that you can imagine, which apply to all of humanity. God may even give an unbeliever business talents in order to provide some believer a job. So the unbeliever received their talent not because of anything they did, but because God chose to support some believer (and others) through that unbeliever. The believers job was the objective, not the unbeliever.

God gave doctors the talent to heal. This talent they apply to others for the benefit of others.

God gave farmers the talent to grow, to be patient, to endure hardships. This talent is applied for the benefit of others, as others enjoy the foods produced by the farmer.

Likewise, God gave talents to some of the purpose of teaching the Word of God, of whom it is implied here, but Paul is really including all who serve in the Lord, by means of their God given talents through their spiritual growth, no matter what those talents might be.

This entire world functions by means of the grace of God, and for no other reason.

God placed people into history, at the proper time and in the proper place, for the purpose of developing their talent or ability, such that life for others might be more enjoyable, and for making the advance to spiritual maturity, easier.

‘To appreciate,’ is how some of the texts of the many versions of Bibles are printed, but what this means is that you need to be able to ‘recognize,’ ‘to know,’ this truth, to appreciate the talents that God has provided, and more than anything, to be thankful to God, for them all.

Every person with a talent or ability, is in effect a superior to you, with respect to their ability. You are superior to others with respect to your ability, as well as being subordinate to others because of theirs. This is not a command superiority, but a relationship through social interactions and such. If you need brain surgery, you don’t ask advice of the shoemaker. The expert is the surgeon.

All believers are in the service of the Lord. Granted most are spiritually dysfunctional and their service is more or less, offline. But the greatest impact that society can have, comes only from the blessings that come to society, through advancing believers, as well as the many indirect blessings that come through the many talents and abilities that God gives to all people in general.

Your greatest response to this principle, is to understand it, and then to acknowledge it through your day to day living habits.

This is your admonishment, to learn, to take warning, to understand the relationships of people in the world, how God has applied their talents for your benefit (whether a positive benefit or a testing benefit), and how all of history fits together for the ultimate conclusion of history, as well as your own role in life.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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1 Thessalonians 5:11

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11 Wherefore [dio] comfort [parakaleo] yourselves together, [allelon] and [kai] edify [oikodomeo] one [heis] another, [heis] even [kathos] as also [kai] ye do. [poieo] KJV-Interlinear


11 Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. NASB


Comfort and build up. Edify, means to build up as you would construct a house, piece by piece, stick by stick, nail by nail, and so forth. The house comes together by means of adding one piece of material to another, to another, to another, until it is completed.

And then, once the house is completed, it has to be landscaped, and furnished, and lived in, and maintained, and cleaned and kept up.

That is the spiritual growth process, verse by verse, precept by precept, learning, understanding, applying, and then doing it all over again and again, for the rest of ones life.

Once you have an understanding of many of the fundamental Christian principles, then your thoughts center on the things of truth rather than the things of this world, which are not truth.

Your life becomes more fulfilling and contented, unlike the folks who are preoccupied with the world, are anti-Christian, and grow to hate Christianity because of their empty lives.

Fullness produces contentment and happiness. Emptiness produces anxiety, frustration, anger and hate.

And even though this world is full of trouble, the spiritually advancing believer is able to overcome the miseries of life (which none of us can escape from), because they know with certainty, that Christ is going to return, and one day soon. And then there will be an evaluation and blessing and it all gets better and better from there on.

In this life, we just have to tolerate the whims of the world, be responsible in our daily activities, sponsor, promote and adhere to the causes of righteousness (Gods righteousness, not ours), and most of all, stick with our daily studies of Bible doctrine, no matter what.

This is the devils world. Satan, opposes God and wants to be better than God, but instead of doing things better, he tries constantly to tear down all that God has provided, and remove all of the blessings that people have received. Satan is the ultimate liberal (one who opposes). He is self-centered, speaks with great eloquence, but has no substance or good intentions. Consequently, we all suffer as a result of his policies.

Our suffering is temporary, however. Therefore, keep on doing what you have been doing, (or should be doing), namely pursuing your daily studies, listening, learning, and utilizing the greatest asset that God has to offer – His Word. Through it, your life will be tolerable here and now, and beyond phenomenal when you get to heaven.

Monday, September 14, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:10

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1 Thessalonians 5:10

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10 Who [ho] died [apothnesko] for [huper] us, [hemon] that, [hina] whether [eite] we wake [gregoreuo] or [eite] sleep, [katheudo] we should live [zao] together [hama] with [sun] him. [autos] KJV-Interlinear


10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. NASB


Paul mentioned this subject earlier.

There is no advantage to being alive as a part of the Rapture generation, verses those who have already lived their lives and passed on into death.

It has been well over 1900 years since this letter was written, and over sixty generations of peoples, since then, have been born into this world and have died.

Their lives were no lesser than yours or mine. And, if the Rapture does not occur for another century, then all of us will be gone from this world as well.

Christ went to the Cross for all people everywhere, regardless of when they lived in history, or where they lived in the world.

Just as your earthy talent or abilities, or disabilities do not give you any advantage or disadvantage with regard to your salvation or spiritual growth, so too, the date in history in which you live gives you no advantage or disadvantage, either.

Our technological age does not make us any better people than those who lived in ancient times. And those who make the comment, ‘Well, it is the twenty-first century!’ implying that our latter date in history has some maturing affect on humanity, have no concept of reality or the role of technology in history.

If anything, having technology and the easier life gives us even less of an excuse for not advancing in our spiritual lives, than those who lived more difficult lives in the past.

And yet, even today, with all of our discoveries, with all that we have come to realize just how complex a world and universe God has created, the world is mostly an unbelieving world. And of the believers, most are indifferent and not advancing in their spiritual lives.

But, nonetheless, Christ went to the Cross for us all, whether stone-age or high-tech.

We will all leave this world by death or Rapture, and then live in heaven forever with God.

And the things of this world, whether simple or high-tech gadgets, will all fade into a distant memory as other far more advanced lives in eternity, will replace what we have now.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:9

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1 Thessalonians 5:9

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9 For [hoti] God [theos] hath [tithemi] not [ou] appointed [tithemi] us [hemas] to [eis] wrath, [orge] but [alla] to [eis] obtain [peripoiesis] salvation [soteria] by [dia] our [hemon] Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ, [Christos] KJV-Interlinear


9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, NASB


Wrath often times stands for punishment, discipline, or judgment, but it also stands for passion toward violence.

God did not place humanity on this earth for the purpose of being punished, disciplined or judged. Neither did God place humanity on this earth for the purpose of pursuing their passions (all manner of sins or anti-truth behavior), all of which have a tendency eventually toward violence.

All anti-God behavior, be they sins, crimes, asceticism's, human good, dysfunctional lifestyles or behaviors or habits or preferences, will always lead eventually to violence.

Where people go off track, is in their attitude, that their life choices, in many cases, are not threatening or harmful to others. And that is a concept of disillusion. Your lifestyle, may seem harmless to you, but any form of rejection of truth, always leads to a long history of bad decisions, which sooner or later, affect others.

You, or the topic you represent, have an impact on children, on older unbelievers, on older believers, on social norms and public policy, and so forth. And when masses of peoples pursue anti-truth concepts, then society as a whole suffers from the collapse of establishment principles.

God did not place you in this world, to invent your own set of rules for everyone, and therefore bring collapse onto everyone.

Your first purpose for being alive, is to be saved, so that you will possess eternal life and a home in heaven with God, forever.

Your alternative, and your only other alternative, is the Lake of Fire. You have no third choice for a destiny.

Beyond your salvation, then your objective in life becomes spiritual growth to maturity, which is there to enhance your salvation blessings.

It is infinitely better to be a poor person in heaven, than anyone in the Lake of Fire. But it is also even more infinitely better to be a spiritually mature person in heaven, than a poor one.

Your spiritual life is intended for your blessing in heaven, and a winning life in both meaning and purpose and fulfillment. To ignore your spiritual life means that you are throwing away the greatest opportunity, that exists only in this life, that you will ever have.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:8

This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library


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1 Thessalonians 5:8

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8 But [de] let [nepho] us, [hemeis] who are [on] of the day, [hemera] be sober, [nepho] putting on [enduo] the breastplate [thorax] of faith [pistis] and [kai] love; [agape] and [kai] for an helmet, [perikephalaia] the hope [elpis] of salvation. [soteria] KJV-Interlinear


8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. NASB


Sober means to be clear in your thinking, in control of your faculties, oriented to life and your surroundings. These things come to you from a position of enlightenment.

Enlightenment means knowledge, understanding, clarification, illumination, the correct perception of ones own self as well as of ones environment (the world and life around you).

Enlightenment comes only from truth, and from no other source. You cannot become enlightened, you cannot learn, from lies or from deception. You cannot become enlightened by things that you have a preference for, or from a desire to have things the way you want them to be.

Enlightenment is a result of learning through proper perception, not from subjective bias.

The day, means the source of truth, where truth resides and is obvious and illuminated for all to see.

Sober means to be able to see truth with a clear thinking mind, absent all things that might retard or restrict or prevent your perceptive abilities.

Therefore, the two major areas of your body, your heart and your head, become protected by the resources provided by truth.

The heart is the functioning aspects of your soul. It is the circulation of doctrine throughout your soul. Doctrine is circulated by means of your active use of it, in your moment by moment thinking processes.

The head is your soul. Your soul is the source of your true essence, your life, the real you. Human life resides in the soul.

The helmet protects the head, and the breastplate is a coat of armor of sorts that protects the front and back of the soldier, like a vest with a slot in the center where the head can fit through, so that the breastplate can cover the front and the back of the body, from the neck to the thighs.

Faith is your confidence, reliance, assurance that what you know and have been taught in the Bible is truth, reliable and certain.

Love is ‘agape,’ which is the content of the scriptures, the principles, precepts, mandates, and so forth which God teaches us. This is the sum of your functional life or the heart action of doctrine pumping through your soul.

Salvation, or hope of salvation, is your confidence that your life will continue into eternity and in heaven with God. The helmet is Gods promise and protection of eternal security.

Therefore, Bible doctrine is the sum total protection of your life. It is the correct orientation to life. It is the perfect protection from all assaults that this world, and evil and temptation can throw against you.

With doctrine, your life is secure and balanced, and oriented, and protected.

Without doctrine your life is insecure, unbalanced, and disoriented, and unprotected, and exposed to the threats of this world and life.

You just have to decide if you are really going to adopt Gods word into your life, or if you are going to go find something better (which does not exist).