As another year comes to a close, we are reminded that time passes by quickly. Job recognized this point when he said, "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle" (Job 7:6; KJV). Job also said, "Now my days are swifter than a runner" (Job 9:25; NKJV). It seems as if every year passes by entirely too fast, all 365 days of it (or in the case of leap years, all 366 days). We could even consider the length of a year in terms of hours. A normal year that is not a leap year consists of 8,760 hours. We all determine in our own minds how we will use the time that we have been given. How will we spend that time? How much of it will we spend working? How much of it will we spend with our families? How much will be spent in service to our Lord or study of His word?
The Bible gives us many truths about time including:
(1.) Time is short (Psalm 39:5; 90:9-10; Job 14:1-2; James 4:14).
(2.) God wants us to use our time wisely (Ephesians 5:16; Psalm 90:12).
Throughout all of history, there is only one occasion when the sun stood still and the day lasted longer. We read about it in Joshua 10:1-15. Joshua was leading Israel in battle and we read in Joshua 10:12, "Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon" (NKJV). Then in Joshua 10:13 we read that the sun did stand still, and in Joshua 10:14 that there had never been a day like that before it or after it.
We cannot expect the sun to stand still for us while we continue on in this life. It won't. We must use our time wisely. Once a moment passes by, it will not come back. We must number our days and use our time as wisely as possible.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to your Brotherly Kindness, Love
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV).
Peter concludes these verses by instructing his readers to add to their brotherly kindness, love. The King James Version of the Bible uses the word, "charity." The Greek word that was used means unconditional love and it conveys the idea of putting the needs of others first. It is a sacrificial love. The great "love chapter" of the Bible (1 Corinthians 13) says, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor. 13:4-7; NKJV). This kind of love is seen best in the love that the Father has for the world, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16; NKJV).
We are to first love God (Mark 12:29-30), and to put Him first in all we do (Matt. 6:33). We also ought to love one another (Mark 12:31; 1 John 4:7-21). [Note: Please take a moment to read the reference from 1 John 4:7-21]. Loving one another includes the brethren, our family and friends, and our neighbors. However, perhaps the most difficult of all, we are commanded to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44-48). It might not always be easy, but as we continue to grow, let us strive to add to our brotherly kindness, love.
Peter concludes these verses by instructing his readers to add to their brotherly kindness, love. The King James Version of the Bible uses the word, "charity." The Greek word that was used means unconditional love and it conveys the idea of putting the needs of others first. It is a sacrificial love. The great "love chapter" of the Bible (1 Corinthians 13) says, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor. 13:4-7; NKJV). This kind of love is seen best in the love that the Father has for the world, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16; NKJV).
We are to first love God (Mark 12:29-30), and to put Him first in all we do (Matt. 6:33). We also ought to love one another (Mark 12:31; 1 John 4:7-21). [Note: Please take a moment to read the reference from 1 John 4:7-21]. Loving one another includes the brethren, our family and friends, and our neighbors. However, perhaps the most difficult of all, we are commanded to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44-48). It might not always be easy, but as we continue to grow, let us strive to add to our brotherly kindness, love.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to your Godliness, Brotherly Kindness
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV).
The two words, "brotherly kindness," come from one word in Greek (philadelphia) which is a compound from two words and it means brotherly love according to Strong's Concordance. The Greek word, philadelphia, may sound familiar, as it is the name of a city in Pennsylvania, and that city being known as the "City of Brotherly Love."
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:22, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." That is the idea being expressed. We are to exhibit a sincere love for one another.
Paul expressed the idea in Romans 12:10 when he wrote, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." That means putting others before ourselves. Paul went on to state in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
Picture the brotherly kindness that existed between Jesus and Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. When Jesus heard of the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, we read two words in John 11:35 that simply say, "Jesus wept."
In another example, Paul commends the Philippians of their kindness that was shown (Phil. 4:16-18).
Certainly these are examples that we can follow as we grow in brotherly kindness towards one another.
The two words, "brotherly kindness," come from one word in Greek (philadelphia) which is a compound from two words and it means brotherly love according to Strong's Concordance. The Greek word, philadelphia, may sound familiar, as it is the name of a city in Pennsylvania, and that city being known as the "City of Brotherly Love."
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:22, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." That is the idea being expressed. We are to exhibit a sincere love for one another.
Paul expressed the idea in Romans 12:10 when he wrote, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." That means putting others before ourselves. Paul went on to state in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
Picture the brotherly kindness that existed between Jesus and Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. When Jesus heard of the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, we read two words in John 11:35 that simply say, "Jesus wept."
In another example, Paul commends the Philippians of their kindness that was shown (Phil. 4:16-18).
Certainly these are examples that we can follow as we grow in brotherly kindness towards one another.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to your Perseverance, Godliness
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV).
The Christian is to add to their faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and now godliness. The godly individual is someone who loves God to the point of wanting to be like Him. Consider what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:48, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." We will never be perfect in the sense that our Father in heaven is perfect, but we can strive for that perfection. If our desire is to love what God loves and to hate what God hates, then we will be able to work towards the godliness that Peter addresses in 2 Peter 1:6.
Paul taught the Colossians the same concept when he told them to seek those things which are above (Col. 3:1-2). However, it is unfortunate that the desire to seek godliness is not popular in today's society. The world is more concerned about the physical than the spiritual. However, Paul told Timothy, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things." Paul is not telling Timothy not to exercise. He is simply saying that godliness is of a far greater value than anything of the physical nature.
The Christian is to add to their faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and now godliness. The godly individual is someone who loves God to the point of wanting to be like Him. Consider what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:48, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." We will never be perfect in the sense that our Father in heaven is perfect, but we can strive for that perfection. If our desire is to love what God loves and to hate what God hates, then we will be able to work towards the godliness that Peter addresses in 2 Peter 1:6.
Paul taught the Colossians the same concept when he told them to seek those things which are above (Col. 3:1-2). However, it is unfortunate that the desire to seek godliness is not popular in today's society. The world is more concerned about the physical than the spiritual. However, Paul told Timothy, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things." Paul is not telling Timothy not to exercise. He is simply saying that godliness is of a far greater value than anything of the physical nature.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to your Self-Control, Perseverance
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV).
Right after self-control, Peter adds perseverance. It makes sense too because sometimes in order to exercise self-control, a person needs to have perseverance. The King James Version uses the word, "patience." The idea of this Christian Grace, is endurance, steadfastness, and the long-suffering needed in relation to living the Christian life.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." The word for "endurance" in this verse comes from the very word that was used in 2 Peter 1:6 for perseverance in the NKJV or patience in the KJV.
The application of this Christian Grace can be seen in what the church in Smyrna was told in Revelation 2:10. They were told that tough times were going to come. They were told that they would suffer tribulation, but they were told to remain faithful till death and they would receive the crown of life. The application applies to us today as well. Let us strive to persevere, endure, and remain faithful, so that it can be said that we added perseverance to our self-control.
Right after self-control, Peter adds perseverance. It makes sense too because sometimes in order to exercise self-control, a person needs to have perseverance. The King James Version uses the word, "patience." The idea of this Christian Grace, is endurance, steadfastness, and the long-suffering needed in relation to living the Christian life.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." The word for "endurance" in this verse comes from the very word that was used in 2 Peter 1:6 for perseverance in the NKJV or patience in the KJV.
The application of this Christian Grace can be seen in what the church in Smyrna was told in Revelation 2:10. They were told that tough times were going to come. They were told that they would suffer tribulation, but they were told to remain faithful till death and they would receive the crown of life. The application applies to us today as well. Let us strive to persevere, endure, and remain faithful, so that it can be said that we added perseverance to our self-control.
Monday, November 11, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to Your Knowledge, Self-Control
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV)
Continuing with the things that we are to add to our faith, we see that we are to add to our knowledge, self-control. The King James Version uses the word temperance. The literal meaning of the Greek means, "by means of strength." Self-control is not always easily obtained, but it is obtainable. Paul compared living the Christian life to that of running a race and he said in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "and everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things."
In the Old Testament, Daniel exercised temperance (self-control), when he refused to partake of the king's meat and wine (Dan. 1:8). Daniel knew that if he would partake in those things that he would be violating the Old Law.
Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." The more we strive to stay focused on spiritual things, the more we will be able to add to our knowledge, self-control.
Continuing with the things that we are to add to our faith, we see that we are to add to our knowledge, self-control. The King James Version uses the word temperance. The literal meaning of the Greek means, "by means of strength." Self-control is not always easily obtained, but it is obtainable. Paul compared living the Christian life to that of running a race and he said in 1 Corinthians 9:25, "and everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things."
In the Old Testament, Daniel exercised temperance (self-control), when he refused to partake of the king's meat and wine (Dan. 1:8). Daniel knew that if he would partake in those things that he would be violating the Old Law.
Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." The more we strive to stay focused on spiritual things, the more we will be able to add to our knowledge, self-control.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Christian Graces --- Add to Your Virtue, Knowledge
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Pet. 1:5-7; NKJV).
Virtue, as mentioned in the previous entry, can be defined as "moral excellence." When we obey the Gospel, we make a decision to strive to do that which is right. Continuing on, we are told to ad to our virtue, knowledge. It is important to continue to learn about God's word as we grow and mature as Christians (Heb. 5:12-14).
Paul spoke of a lack of knowledge among the Israelites (Rom. 10:1-2). In Hosea 4:6 we read, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." In Acts 17:10-11, we read about the Bereans. They did not want to be guilty of having a lack of knowledge. Instead, "they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Paul exhorted Timothy to, "Be diligent (KJV - study) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul was able to reason with the Jews from the Scriptures (Acts 17:1-2). We too ought to always be ready to give a response to everyone who asks us a question (1 Pet. 3:15), but it starts by adding to our virtue, knowledge.
Virtue, as mentioned in the previous entry, can be defined as "moral excellence." When we obey the Gospel, we make a decision to strive to do that which is right. Continuing on, we are told to ad to our virtue, knowledge. It is important to continue to learn about God's word as we grow and mature as Christians (Heb. 5:12-14).
Paul spoke of a lack of knowledge among the Israelites (Rom. 10:1-2). In Hosea 4:6 we read, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." In Acts 17:10-11, we read about the Bereans. They did not want to be guilty of having a lack of knowledge. Instead, "they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Paul exhorted Timothy to, "Be diligent (KJV - study) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul was able to reason with the Jews from the Scriptures (Acts 17:1-2). We too ought to always be ready to give a response to everyone who asks us a question (1 Pet. 3:15), but it starts by adding to our virtue, knowledge.
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