Tags
1 Corinthians 15:57-58, BE doers of the word, BEattitudes, Doers and not hearers only, Following Jesus, Following Jesus not man, James 1:22-25, Matthew 5:2-10, Philippians 4:8, Think right thinking
Got Any BE’s??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #84
We’re going to spend some time this morning being a “biblical apiary” — looking for the “BE’s” from God’s Word so that we may be found faithful “busy bees” when our Lord returns!
“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.” James 1:22-25
We can choose to “BE” a doer of God’s work or as James says, or forgetful “hearers only.” Oh, to choose Jesus, HIS Word, and God’s ways is a joy to my soul! How about you? Are you “Being” so God can work through your ‘doing’, or have you been so distracted by the world that you have forgotten what “God’s mirror of HIS WORD” reveals? It takes commitment, devotion, and the power of The Holy Spirit to be and then to DO, but it’s our call, our command, and can be our joy and delight! The choice is yours and mine, but choose wisely, there is a test.
“But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye
stedfast,
unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know
that your labour
is not in vain
in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
I’d like to close with my version of the ‘Beatitudes’, which I call the “BEattitudes”, and a practical application from Paul! I hope it will encourage you today.
“And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are
the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4
Blessed are
they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are
the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are
they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are
the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are
the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are
the peacemakers:
for they shall be called
the children of God.
10 Blessed are
they which are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:2-10
BE ‘poor in spirit’–
those who see their abject poverty to pay for sin
and turn to Jesus.
BE ‘mourners’–
Those who grieve over the things that grieve God.
BE ‘meek’–
Those who aren’t weak but have yielded to God’s power!
BE ‘hungry and thirsty for righteousness’–
Those who are always wanting more of JESUS, His WORD
And HIS ways.
BE ‘merciful’–
Those who recognize the needs of others and meet them as they are able and directed by The Spirit (whether they deserve it or not, in our view!).
BE ‘pure in heart’–
Those who have been washed in the blood,
and keep a guard on their heart, mind, and mouth!
BE ‘peacemakers’–
Those who help other receive the “peace of God through
Jesus” and maintain the “peace of God” in their walk.
BE aware and ready to receive ‘persecution for righteousness’–
Those who don’t ‘go along to get along’, but speak the truth in love and without fear.
And Paul’s wise advice:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.
Amen and Amen!!!