Do Not Love This World

The Bible gives us some helpful information about the world that we live in, and we do well to pay attention to it.

No one can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. (Mt 6:24 ISV)

The wisdom of the Scriptures is apparent here in reminding us that no one can serve two masters. If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, then we serve only Him. To try to do otherwise is folly.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. (1 Joh 2:15 NIV)

We’re advised that we should not love the world or anything in the world. This is not speaking about people, but about material things and the world’s way of valuing what is important.

The most important thing in life is to serve the Lord and to maintain a vital and living relationship with the Lord Jesus.

. . . for whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. (1 Joh 5:4 MEV)

We’re reminded that we who have accepted Christ as our Savior are born of God, and we are overcomers! Glory to God! What do we overcome? The world and its systems and its empty values.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Joh 16:33 NIV) Jesus is speaking to us in this verse above in John 16. He says that in this world we’ll have trouble. But He reminds us that He has overcome the world. It is Jesus’ victory that makes His followers overcomers. Rejoice in this truth today.

We’re Called to Freedom

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, have been called to FREEDOM. We have not been called to legal bondage! We’re being reminded that we’re no longer under the law of the Old Testament, and that we should not try to live as the Pharisees did.

Not only are we free from the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonies, but we’re also free of sin and misery. The gospel of Jesus Christ calls all people into the law of love.

The truth of God’s Word and God’s salvation sets people free in every nation and culture on earth.

. . . and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Joh 8:32 ASV)

. . . because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2 CSB)

We live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus! Hallelujah!

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Gal 5:13 ESV)

We’re called, through love, to serve one another as well as the Kingdom of God.

Now ‘the Lord’ here means the spirit; and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor 3:17 NTE)

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical freedom. There is health, healing, prosperity and peace wherever the spirit of the Lord reigns. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide and govern your life.

Clothe Ourselves with Virtue

How can we clothe ourselves with virtue? For that matter, how can we “put on love” as instructed in Colossians 3:14? And note that Romans 13:14 tells us that we have “put on Christ,” as does Galatians 3:27.

And what virtues are we encouraged by God’s Word to put on?

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col 3:12 NIV)

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col 3:14-15 NIV)

Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other. (Rom 12:9-10 ISV)

. . . with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love . . . (Eph 4:2 NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23 NASB)

Wow! This is an impressive list of virtues and good traits to pursue and to practice.

In the natural realm, when we want to be clothed, it is a conscious act of the will. Our clothes don’t fly through the air and attach themselves to us, right? We have to physically maneuver ourselves into the clothes, and then button or snap or zip them into place. And we have to choose exactly what items we want to wear each and every day.

As believers and followers of Jesus, we must be just as deliberate about what virtues we choose to use in every circumstance and situation in our lives. We must decide to be peacemakers, just as we must choose to be kind, humble, gentle, patient, peace-loving, joyful, faithful, and self-controlled.

As we make the decision each new day to follow Jesus, we must make the decision in every circumstance and life situation about how to react to our current challenges or trials.

In answer to our prayers to Him, the Lord will give us the grace and power that we need to weave these virtues into our lives. The Holy Spirit will guide us if we yield to Him in humility and obedience.

The Holy Spirit is the only One who can teach us and transform us into the image of Christ. And best of all, He can be trusted to guide us lovingly and faithfully. Hallelujah!

The Importance of Words

The Bible is unambiguous about how important our words are. The unique thing about words is that they affect not only the HEARERS but the SPEAKER as well. We would do well to not only read these verses but to meditate upon them.

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. (Pro 15:4 MSG) Words can cut and maim or they can heal and comfort. Words can be constructive and informative, lending courage and information to the hearer.

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! (Pro 15:23 NIV) If we make positive, uplifting remarks it brings us joy and is received as a benefit by the hearer.

By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied, and a man’s handiwork will reward him. (Pro 12:14 ISV) When our words bear the fruit of encouragement, peace, and joy, we will eventually earn a reputation as an encourager and a person full of faith.

Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. (Pro 24:26 NIV) Honest words, spoken in love, carry a blessing to the spirit of the hearer.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ¹²As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear. (Pro 25:11-12 MEV) Those who wish to please God and be good examples to others should speak the whole truth, utter appropriate praise, reflect wisdom, and edify the listeners; these words will always be “fitly (properly) spoken.”

Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Eph 4:29 NASB) This verse reminds us that we should not speak any nasty or unpleasant words. Instead, our words should edify (enlighten, improve, inform) the listeners so that those who hear will be honored, enhanced, or blessed.

As we honor God’s Word by obeying it, the Lord will show His pleasure and bless us in ways that we can’t imagine. Spread kind, life-giving words wherever you go today. Praise the Lord!

A Relationship With Jesus is Great Gain

Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we have begun an eternal relationship with the Lord. Having a relationship with Jesus, our Savior, is the greatest blessing and gain (profit, benefit, advantage) anyone can ever have. Hallelujah!

But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6 NIV) Living a holy life (godliness) with peace in our hearts (contentment) is a wonderful blessing.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5) Jesus, our living Lord, will never leave us nor reject us. The Word instructs us to be content with such a supernatural blessing as this, as well as all of the other blessings that Jesus has purchased for us.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. (1 Tim 4:8) Godliness (righteousness, holiness) is necessary and beneficial for this life as well as for all eternity.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. (Pro 15:16) It is better to have a small amount in this life along with awe-inspired respect for our Lord, than to have what the world considers to be “great treasure” because such things are accompanied by anxieties and dangers, and temptations to turn away from our faith in our Savior.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Ps 84:11) The Lord does not deny ANY GOOD THING to His followers, His obedient ones who live in holiness. The greatest wealth that anyone can ever have is a deep and abiding relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Every blessing, every benefit, and every advance is a gift that flows from His loving heart. Thank God for His blessings today, friends!

Two Paths

In life, there are only two paths to choose from. Please, recognize this statement for the truth that it is.

We may choose to live for God and the Kingdom of righteousness; or we may sink to serving satan who is the enemy of God and the enemy of all that is good and true, peaceful and holy.

The ancient Hebrew word for satan means “accuser” or “adversary.” Why would we want to serve the being who is named “accuser”?

My heartfelt question is “Why would anyone choose to serve the kingdom of darkness?” Let’s look at what the Scriptures have to say. I’m going to put the Bible verses in categories to help to clarify this study.

About the Kingdom of God & Jesus

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . . (Gal 5:22 NKJV)

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10b NKJV, emphasis added)

. . . and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7 NKJV)

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Cor 14:33 NKJV)

About the Kingdom of Darkness & satan

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (Jas 3:16 NKJV)

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (Joh 8:44 ESV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (Joh 10:10a NKJV)

Warnings from Scripture

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Eph 6:11 ESV) We have to protect ourselves with the spiritual tools that the Lord has given to every believer.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Pet 5:8 NKJV) We believers need to be vigilant and review our lives on a fairly regular basis so that we don’t allow even the smallest entry for the devil.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Rev 12:20 NKJV, underscoring added) Know that the enemy will surely receive his eternal punishment which is described here.

Conclusions

The Bible informs us of key things we should know about the enemy and his realm. In the kingdom of darkness, the atmosphere is full of envy, self-seeking, confusion, lies and every evil thing. The beings who populate that realm enjoy killing, stealing, lying and destruction. The future holds a grim reality for satan and for all who choose to serve him:

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev 20:10 NKJV) This is an eternal, never-ending punishment.

The Bible informs us that Jesus came to impart life not only here on earth, but for all eternity to those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. That is why John 10:10 says “more abundantly.” When we serve Jesus and His Kingdom, we experience love, joy and peace. We become a member of the family of God. And lastly, when we become a child of God we experience the peace that passes all understanding. (Phil 4:7) Glory to God most High!

An Everlasting Covenant

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. (Ezek 37:26 NKJV)

From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. (Jer 30:19 NIV)

For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zech 2:5 KJV)

A covenant is an agreement, pledge, bond, or contract. The Bible reminds us that God cannot lie (Tit 1:2) and that His Word is tested and true. (Ps 119:140, 142)

God’s promises to His people, based upon the passages above, are that:

He will establish us;
He multiplies us;
He gives us His peace;
He lives within us;
He will bring us honor;
He guarantees that we won’t be disdained;
He protects us as a wall of fire; and
He is the glory within us.

He will establish us by confirming that our faith us genuine and that our relationship with Him is legitimate.

He multiplies us by adding other believers to our numbers, and by giving us literal children of our own, as well as spiritual children whom we parent as spiritual mentors.

He gives us peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:7) because He is the Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)

He lives with every believer because we are individually (and collectively) the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 6:19)

How does God bring honor to any believer? Some of the ways He will honor us is by hearing and answering our prayers for other people. When we lead people to accept Jesus as their own personal Savior, we are being honored by God. When God performs signs and wonders in response to our prayers for someone, he is honoring us. He is responding to the genuine faith that we are using by praying on behalf of other people. Hallelujah!

The final three promises are that we won’t be disdained; that He protects us; and that His glory is within each of us. These are things that we have to simply trust Him to perform. We don’t need to do anything about them; we just need to continue in our relationship with Jesus Christ and keep on serving our Savior, who is a Covenant-Keeping God. Glory to God!

Instructions for Holy Living

Today we’re taking note of the Bible’s helpful ideas about holy living.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ²²Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Tim 2:20-26 NIV)

The passage above is talking about different kinds of people who all attend the same church. Some are precious vessels of gold and silver who can withstand the fires of hardship, heartaches, or persecution. Others are vessels of wood and earth which are fragile and soon destroyed in the flames of hardship and misfortune.

The people who constantly purify themselves by “being cleansed by the washing of the water of the word” (Eph 5:26 NASB)—reading and obeying God’s Word regularly—are set apart and made holy unto God.

We’re told to run away from the lusts of the flesh. Instead, we should pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be diligent to avoid unwise and reckless squabbles. The Spirit of God instructs us to be kind to everyone, able to teach God’s ways to others, and that we should be thankful. We are urged to treat our enemies gently by sharing God’s Word and wisdom with them, and in so doing, hope to bring them to salvation.

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (Tit 1:7 NIV)

The book of Titus reminds us that anyone in a place of authority should be virtuous and approachable. We should not give in to human frailties such as intoxication; physical or verbal abuse; or chasing after or being corrupted by seeking wealth.

Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God. (2 Tim 2:16 CEV)

Avoid discussions that have no spiritual or eternal value, which can only alienate people from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

These are fairly easy to understand guidelines which are challenging to fulfill without the ongoing grace of God and our obedience to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God bless you!

Thoughts & Words

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Mt 5:22 NIV)

The sixth commandment from the Lord states: You shall not murder. (Ex 5:17 NIV) This command also includes our thoughts and words, including emotions of unrighteous anger and damaging insults.

Raca is an informal expression of contempt for a person’s mental ability, similar to “dope” or “witless.” To call someone a fool is a way to show disrespect and scorn for a person’s character. Both negative words in this verse suggest that the person being criticized should be doomed for eternity.

Our words proceed from the thoughts that we have hidden within us, as the Bible reminds us.

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Lk 6:45c NIV)

Here again, we need to guide our lives by what the Lord teaches us. But God considers critical words to be “corrupting,” and He instructs us to speak things that will encourage others and bless all who hear our conversation.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Eph 4:29 ESV)

Another aspect of calling other people condemning names is that notion that in some way, we have judged the person or persons and have found them wanting. How can we criticize another person who has been created in the image of God?

But God is aware of our words. His advice is clear:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (Mt 7:1 NIV)

I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. (Mt 12:36 CEB)

Don’t misunderstand me. What I’ve been describing is all too human and something that we all fall prey to from time to time. But this is our reminder to guard our thoughts diligently so that our words will be kind and encouraging to others. If we can’t speak something positive, then it’s best to say nothing at all!

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Jas 4:6 NASB)

The Lord gives us the ability [grace] to be at peace with all human beings. He gives us the grace to forgive and to be kind.

Let us ask the Lord for His grace for every situation and relationship in our lives. God bless you!

Make Every Effort to Do Good to All

The Bible invites us to do good to everyone.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thes 5:15 NIV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:10)

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord . . . (Heb 12:14)

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (3 Joh 1:11)

As children of the most High God, we desire to live holy lives that obey the Word of God. We serve a good God who is full of mercy, forgiveness, and love. God has given every believer the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who leads us and teaches us.

We should:

Strive to do whatever is good—for each other and everyone else;
Never pay back a wrong; never seek revenge;
As we have opportunity, do noble, virtuous, kind things for everyone—especially other believers;
Seek to be at peace with ALL; and
Pursue holiness always.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, demonstrated “doing good” to all. If we follow His example, and emulate our Prince of Peace, we will be blessed.

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