Tag Archives: 2 Corinthians 1:12

Biblical Boundaries Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

20 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Be ye HOLY, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleanliness?, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, The Word

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Biblical Boundaries Matter???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

As our culture seems to be abandoning everything godly and biblical, I would like to call us to consider God’s Word on the matters of godly living, living holy lives, and being a reflection of Jesus rather than popular fashion, morality, and questionable pursuits.  Will you spend some time with me today considering God’s Word in contrast to the popular message of the world.

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

And note “conversation” here means lifestyle not just our words!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:

We are called to “humble” ourselves under our Lord God, and Jesus The Son, rather than humbling others with our often sharp and crass words.  For when our hearts are humbled before God, we will find opportunities to lift others up and not tear them down.  We will also learn to see people with eyes of love and forgiveness, rather than going around with a pocket full of rocks to throw.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye

kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

Oh, that we can learn to spread kindness and joy rather than the meanness of the world all around us.  When will we (with a capital “ME”) learn to allow the Holy Spirit of Jesus to direct our hearts, lives, words, and actions crying out, “Father, forgive them for the know not what they do….”?  Rather than throwing those rocks that we have in our pockets, Jesus gives us great instruction that is often misunderstood, for Jesus never told us NOT to judge things at all, but to render right judgment with love, kindness, and discernment.  Scripture is replete with instructions in regard to holiness, morality, and just plain right and wrong–and there is still ‘right and wrong’ for the rules haven’t changed.  How are you ‘judging’?  Remember God made mirrors so that we could see our own shortcomings before passing judgment on others.

“Judge not,

that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge,

ye shall be judged:

and with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou

the mote that is in thy brother’s eye,

but considerest not

the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,

Let me pull out the mote

out of thine eye;

and, behold,

a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite,

first cast out the beam

out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly

to cast out the mote

out of thy brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

“Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be

swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

 this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”James 1:18-26

Just ‘hearers’, or are we ‘doers’?  What do we rejoice in?  Simplicity and “godly sincerity” or with the indulgence and excesses of the world?  Satan makes it so subtle that we are often easily influenced if we don’t know God’s Word to “withstand in the evil day”!  And surely, we are in an evil day!

We also live in a day that not only places no value on “life” but have pretty much written off the sanctity of marriage and a biblical home.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:4-6

And in closing, I’d like to simply share Paul’s contrast between the deeds of the flesh and the “fruit of the Spirit”.  Where are you walking?  Which set of life-choices are you and I promoting and teaching to those around us–by example as much as by our words (if not more so!)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-25

Note which of these things are accepted, promoted, and flourishing in our culture, and which ones are despised.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember what we who are Christ’s are called to in the passage that we began with:

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

Amen and Amen

Who’s The Children’s Sermon For??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 03

12 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God's Judgment, God's love, God's measure isn't ours, God's Wisdom, Godly Wisdom, NOT the world's wisdom, Wisdom

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 03 Who’s The Children’s Sermon For?

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,

ye have need that one teach you again

which be the first principles

of the oracles of God;

and are become such

as have need of milk,

and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk

is unskilful in the word of righteousness:

for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat

belongeth to them that are of full age,

even those who by reason of use

have their senses exercised

to discern both good and evil.

6:1 Therefore leaving the principles

of the doctrine of Christ,

let us go on unto perfection;

not laying again the foundation

of repentance from dead works,

and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms,

and of laying on of hands,

and of resurrection of the dead,

and of eternal judgment.”  Hebrews 5:12-6:2

The author of Hebrews was dealing with a group of believers who, to paraphrase some of the verses above, were needing the “children’s sermon” rather that the full, meaty, sermon; and I am convinced that we have churches full of “children’s sermon” believers— “unskilled in the word of righteousness (the Bible)….a babe” — rather than those who are, “of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”!  The thing I’d like us to consider today is, which one are you and I?  Are you ready for steak?  Or are you still drinking milk?

Are you/I one of those who are skilled in using the Word of God, or are we “unskilled…babes”?  Are we so distracted and focused on self and the things of this world that we have not “done our homework” in knowing God through HIS WORD.  It is vital to our spiritual wellbeing to know God and His Word; that we will be able to discern between that which is good and that which is evil—not good!

“Give therefore thy servant

an understanding heart

to judge thy people,

that I may discern

between good and bad:

for who is able to judge

this thy so great a people?”  1 Kings 3:9

King Solomon pleased God with his request for wisdom, a request that he made on more than one occasion; and yet we forget that without God’s provision, our wisdom is of very little value.  Paul gives us some great insight into this need for wisdom, and wisdom is almost always grounded in The Word of God!

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

 It is important and interesting to note that this is not the first time that Paul had approached this subject of wisdom to the Corinthian believers; so, they should have been aware of Paul’s opinion regarding wisdom.  We can settle for the world’s wisdom, or we can pursue God’s holiness, wisdom, and grace (in HIS WORD) which are the only things that will help us “discern between good and bad”!  And oh, how our world needs followers of Jesus who are truly committed to the pursuit of spiritual maturity and excellence (and I know this is a lengthy passage, but I think it gives great insight into the Hebrews passage above), so let’s dig in!

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-15

Let’s see what we can discern from Paul’s message to these believers in Corinth.

Paul gives all the credit of his “success” among the people of Corinth to the ‘cross’ and “the crucified Christ”!

Then, in verse 4 he attributes all the glory to the “spirit and power of God” rather than the “wisdom” of man!  Oh, how our culture is impressed with the wisdom of men; sadly that “admiration” has bled over into the church—where it never belongs!  Because our faith must reside IN JESUS not any wisdom of man.

Verses 7-8 are so packed full of truth, and sadly, truth that is often ignored or negated by men.

“But we speak the wisdom of God

in a mystery,

even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained

before the world

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world

knew:

for had they known it,

they would not have crucified

the Lord of glory.”

In other words, if men were so “wise” they would have seen and believed the truth that Jesus was, is and ever shall be The Son of God!  But they missed it, even as most do today.  And then, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, one of the verses that is often quoted out of this context.

“But as it is written,

Eye hath not seen,

nor ear heard,

neither have entered into the heart

of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them

that love him.”

Then Paul goes on to be sure that we understand that we can only know these “things” by the revealing of the Holy Spirit to those who are God’s own, and verse 13 says it so concisely:

“Which things also we speak,

not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

Paul sums it up nicely when he reminds us that the things of God are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, who indwells each born-again believer; reminding us that our dependence is to be on the Holy Spirit’s direction, grace, and wisdom, not the wisdom of man!  We are to grow into mature believers by pursuing the wisdom, holiness, and grace of God rather than the justification and wisdom of man/the world!

But as Peter told us in the book of Acts, God KNEW what men would do, and HE had already set “in stone”, if you would, the plan of salvation that would be accomplished in the blood of Jesus, The One who would lay down HIS life for you and me, for all who will repent of their sin, and believe and receive this ‘gift of God’!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24

So, my friends, the question is, will you tune in to God’s wisdom and be transformed by “the renewing of your mind” (see Romans 12:1-3) that we may “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”; rather than enjoying the ‘children’s sermon’! (Which is a great thing for children, but not for mature believers in and followers of Jesus!)!  Which group do you fall into?

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

All this because the plan of God was made in Jesus Christ our Lord!  God’s wisdom not man’s!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Amen and Amen!!!