Taking a Look at Scripture 

 

“And as for [the rest of] you, brethren, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].”- 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Amplified Bible

 

         After speaking to the disorderly church members in Thessalonica, Paul took the time to encourage those who persevered in doing good without growing weary or discouraged. The apostle calls those who are persevering in the faith his brethren. Now technically, the slackers are Paul’s brothers in Christ as well, but the dutiful ones are called such in this letter to let them feel good about what they are accomplishing. It separates the good from the bad. Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that not all who profess to be following Christ are. 

            We are called to follow Christ, some believers do and others do not. They may have had a legitimate conversion experience; however, they’ve not counted the cost and as a result may have turned spiritually lazy regarding the things of the Lord.

            I have a saying that I firmly believe and live out each day. It is, “It’s NEVER right to do wrong, but it is NEVER wrong to do right”. Some of the members of the Thessalonica had become weary of doing good. Paul’s concern was that those members would have an adverse effect on those continually doing good. 

            The good that some were doing involved daily labor, generosity toward others, along with general Christian conduct, which would be consistent with an ongoing commitment to the Lord. This guidance from Paul can be tied to Galatians 6:9 where Jesus promises a harvest for the ones who do not give up. Faithful service shall be rewarded by the Lord. Idleness can be contagious if one isn’t alert and discerning. Continue on with your service to the Lord and stay strong in the things of God. Keep building your relationship with him and become like the proverbial beacon on the hill. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.thebiblesays.com

Taking a Look at Scripture

 

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” – John 14:15 NIV

            Obeying Jesus’ commands is NOT a requirement or condition for salvation. Rather, it should be a natural result of having a living, breathing relationship with Christ. Love is an action word; therefore, it is important to show your love thru action instead of just by emotion.

            Exactly what commands is Jesus speaking of?  They encompass all of the words and teachings of Jesus from throughout his ministry. His words should be identified as his Father’s own words since they are one in the same. Obedience is proof of salvation. It is a call to accept and follow his revelation to love and live in truth.

            The love spoken of in the above verse is known as “agape” love which represents a selfless, sacrificial commitment. We should obey the Lord out of love and respect instead of fear of repercussions if we do not, because there would be no punishment coming if you do not follow his lead in obedience. We should do it because we have placed immense value in their relationship with Christ.

            The focus should be between loving God and keeping his word, rather than adhering to a rigid list of do’s & don’ts. It’s quite simple really. Those who do NOT love the Lord will not obey his teachings. Those who DO love Jesus WILL follow his teachings because of their love and respect for him.

            All disciples of Christ both then and now are identified by their obedience to God’s Word, their love for fellow believers and even for those they consider enemies. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.gotquestions.org

Taking a Look at Scripture 

 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” – 1 John 4:7 NIV

 

            Love is a divine attribute that comes directly from Almighty God, and this verse establishes that fact. Having the love of God in your heart is evidence that a spiritual rebirth has taken place in a person.

            The verse reveals to us the divine origin of love showing us that it is not merely a human emotion. It comes directly from God’s nature for as it says in the very next verse (v.8) “God is love.” He is the embodiment of love. Man has skewed love into something disjointed, immoral, and evil, which is not at all what God intended.

            When someone exhibits love in a visible way it reveals selflessness growing in that persons heart. It is thru love that we become selfless, as Jesus was. Doing for others with no expectation of reciprocation reveals the sacrificial side of love. Those characteristics represent an individual that is spiritually born again by Almighty God.

            One of the things that is so special about “knowing God” is what that truly means. To know God is to begin a trip to an intimate, transformative relationship with the creator of the universe and man’s first breath. It is supposed to result in loving others more than you love yourself. It is loving in a real, palpable way rather than simply giving a verbal acknowledgement. Forget what the world says love is... disregard it. Home in on what the creator of true lasting love has to say in his Word about love. ^{[ Hint: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ]}

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries         

Resource: www.biblehub.com

 

Taking a Look at Scripture

“...the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22 NIV

            Nearly all iniquities that took place in the OT period required that they be purified with blood. Without it there was NO forgiveness of sins. The animals blood signified a temporary, symbolic covering for impurity, having NOT removed that sin for all time as Christ’s blood did. The Law was absolute; no sin was pardoned unless a life was given for “the life of the flesh is in the blood”. [Leviticus 17:14 NIV]

Hebrews 9:22 is a bridge to the New Covenant provided by Christ’s sacrificial death. The New Covenant reveals the superiority of Christ’s willing sacrifice. The OT sacrifices had to be made repeatedly on an annual basis in a ritualistic fashion. This system was imperfect, yet set the stage for the shedding of Christ’s own blood as a “once for all time”redemptive sacrifice which fulfilled the Mosaic Laws demand for justice. The New Covenant provided for believers forgiveness that was for a lifetime. Eternal forgiveness which begins the moment you give your life over to Christ. His death validated the New Covenant, proving that God’s justice was satisfied completely, allowing Him to forgive sins eternally without compromising His holiness.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://www.biblestudytools.com/hebrews/9-22.html

Taking a Look at Scripture 

 

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” – John 17:5 NIV

            Early church tradition referred to this verse as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, as it is where he asks God the Father to restore him to the divine glory that was shared with God before the creation of the world. 

            The verse speaks of Jesus pre-existence and divine posture. It affirms his eternal nature and unity with the Father. This glory he seeks is a REACQUISITION rather than a NEW acquisition. He was seeking to return to his rightful state after his earthly ministry was completed. Jesus concealed this while on his mission to accomplish salvation for mankind. The Lord sought re-glorification as a result of his glorifying the Father while he was on earth.

            While there exists slight interpretable differences among theologians the vast majority see this verse as direct evidence for Christ’s pre-creation existence with God the Father; both being eternal and both being divine. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.bible-study.com

Taking a Look at Scripture 

 

“But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 NIV           

            This verse is considered a “foundational” truth within Christian beliefs. It reveals three basic, yet very important facts. It speaks to the unconditional nature of the love God has for his creation, it speaks to the substitutionary sacrifice Christ willingly made on our behalf, and clarifies the assurance of our salvation from sin.

            One thing people must understand is that God’s love is not a response to our goodness, our repentance, or our worthiness, but rather solely an act of grace. Grace is undeserved favor, which is something that can never be earned. The truth of the matter is that prior to salvation we were guilty, alienated from God and rebellious toward him. That stands in sharp contrast to love. Worldly love can tend to be conditional, based on merit. Man can never earn God’s love so isn’t it a good thing that God’s grace exists?

            Christ’s sacrificial death should never be seen as his martyrdom, but as a substitutionary atonement. Based on the OT sacrificial system that had been set in place, a perfect sacrifice must be made to cover the sin of the offering owner. This was different. The OT system was turned on its head with Christ’s death because his blood didn’t just cover the sin it removed it completely.

Christ died in our place. He took the penalty and judgment that was owed us and he did it willingly. This one act reveals God’s character, showing that his love was both costly and decisive. This was how it HAD to be done; there was no other way.

            Christ’s death provides an assurance to believers that while we were still enemies of God he allows for the one sacrifice that defines his immense love for his creation. This verse shows us the foundation of Christian hope, letting us know that NO SIN can separate believers from the love God has for them. It was fully expressed in Christ’s sacrifice while we were still enemies of God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.salvationcall.com

 

Quote Contemplations 

 

“... now I will show you the most excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31b

 

            The apostle Paul is writing to the church members at the church in Corinth. The purpose of his letter was to identify problems in their church. He was offering solutions to those problems and attempted thru his letter to teach them how to live in their corrupt society.

            Paul concludes the 13^th chapter with this advice; that faith, hope, & love will last forever, but without question the greatest of the three is love. THAT is “the most excellent way”. Things that go along with ‘love’ would be kindness, mercy, consolation to name just a few. We’re to treat others the way we ourselves would like to be treated. [Luke 6:31] That should involve loving others, just as you would like others to love you.

            You can try to treat others well in a variety of ways; however, the way that ends up being the most real is the honest to goodness, heartfelt love you show another person. Know this though; loving those who already love you is not the point of the teaching. We are expected to show love to EVERYONE, even those who dislike or even HATE us for whatever reasons. 

            If I am hated for anything in this life I’d like it to be because of my affiliation with Jesus Christ. Jesus is a threat to Satan and all who reject the Lord’s existence. Some even say that Christianity is very dangerous because we try to force people to follow the teachings in the Bible. The ones who say that are the “anti-theists”. Musician Enos is a rabid “anti-theist” spewing lies to breed hate against God. His unrighteous deeds will be dealt with by God in due time. In spite of the world’s hatred, we are to love just as Christ loved... unconditionally. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible