Established in holiness

1 Th 3:12  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 1Th 3:13  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

 Our goal in all things is to be found in the image of Jesus Christ, holy, blameless, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our desire should be to be established in holiness.  Part of this process of being established in holiness is to increase and abound in love toward one another.  Holiness is love lived out; living life behaving as love behaves.  Holiness is doing what is right, obeying God’s commandments.  But it is more than that; it is doing the right things for the right reasons, with the right motives. Live in love, live a holy life.

Grow

Heb 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,

 This wonderful salvation begins with repentance from our sins and faith in the sacrifice provided by Christ.  However, this is just the beginning, the foundation.  This Christian life is to be a life of growing in our knowledge of God and coming to know Him better and better.  It is a life that is alive, vibrant, progressing in our relationship with God.  Today, many professed Christians are not spiritually healthy and growing.  They have become stunted, babes in Christ.  A foundation is vital to a strong house, but we cannot stop when the foundation is laid.  Give effort to progress in knowledge of God, both by experience and by His word.  It is the path to Christian maturity that yields the pleasant fruits of this great salvation

All things are new

2 Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 Salvation is a radical change both within and without.  Salvation involves action on our part in repentance and faith, but salvation also involves a divine work by God as well.  We are indeed a new creature, a new creation, alive with spiritual life.  We have turned from the old life of pleasing our self to a new life of love and gratitude toward God.  We have a new perspective that changes everything.  We are alive to spiritual realities.  This is the salvation of the Bible.  We live in a time of much religion, but not enough true salvation.  Don’t settle for anything less than real salvation.  

Here am I

Isa 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 God is still looking for “Here I am” Christians today.  In a time of wickedness and apostasy, faithful servants of God are needed now as much as ever.  “Here I am” Christians are prepared and waiting for the Lord’s call.  They are ready to be used of God, committed to carrying out His will. Are you ready and waiting for God’s call? 

Show me Thy way

Psa 25:4  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

 This is the cry of both the beginning Christian and the mature Christian.  When first converted, we need to seek the Lord for His leading and guiding in everything.  After we have lived for God a while, learned His will, heard His word, we still need to seek the Lord for His leading and directing, in everything.  An earnest plea for God to show us His will, to lead and guide our life, should be a daily prayer.  We need His help.  We should desire His way, not our way.  His way is the way of life, the path of blessing, the road home to heaven.  Seek God to lead and direct your life daily.

Being encouraged

2 Co 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 2Co 7:6  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 Discouragement is a common enemy to be faced in this Christian life.  Many of the great heroes of the faith battled discouragement at times.  Paul found himself in distress and trouble.  There were conflicts all around, and he had fears and anxiety within.  There are times when we are surrounded by trouble and stressed by fears.  Paul found help from God.  God gives strength and encouragement to those who are down and in difficulty.  Are you in similar circumstances?  Look to God.  God sent the encouragement to Paul through Titus.  God often uses our brothers and sisters in the Lord to help and encourage us.  Take advantage of the help from God.  If you are down, don’t absent yourself from the house of God.  That may be God’s chosen method of bring you grace and help.    

If ...

Joh 8:31b  If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

 The proof of the reality of our relationship with God is not in our words but, rather, in our deeds.  A real relationship with God brings a change of heart that desires to know and follow the will of God, as revealed in His word.  In a day when very little premium is placed on a holy life, let’s not forget that this is the evidence of the Lordship of Christ in our life. 

God sees

Psa 101:6  Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

 God is mindful of the faithful.  God takes note of those who love Him and live a holy life.  He is attentive to their needs and His presence is with them.  These are the ones God chooses to do His work, to be His servants.  Let us live in such a way that we may be used of God in this dark time.

Ready to deliver

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

 There are times that we can feel all alone in this world.  There are times when we can’t seem to sense the presence of God.  However, help is always near at hand for those who love the Lord.  God always has help surrounding His children, camped round about, ready to deliver.  Trust Him.  God has made provision and His help is at hand.    

Our protection

Jer 39:17  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. Jer 39:18  For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

 The rise of evil can cause the righteous to fear.  Satan will always use the threat of persecution to strike fear in our hearts.  We have in this passage an assurance that God is always in control, and He is constantly aware of His children.  Those who trust in God shall never be forsaken by God, He will not allow them to become prey and helpless to the evil around them.  Take heart, bravely face the future with your trust in the almighty God.  

Pray

Col 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

 Accessing our help from God comes in the form of prayer.  Prayer is the single most important function of a Christian life.  Prayer is the conduit of receiving help from God.  Prayer is the spiritual connection that builds our relationship with God.  We are to continue in prayer, persevere in prayer.  We are to stay alert, watchful in prayer, don’t let it slack.  In all, we are to maintain an attitude of thankfulness to God.

Commitment

Dan 3:16  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Dan 3:17  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Dan 3:18  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

 We need a determination to fully follow God, no matter what.  Our confidence should be that God is able to do anything.  He can deliver out of any situation and He can protect us from anyone.  But whether God chooses to deliver us, or whether He chooses to walk through the fire with us, our determination should be to follow Him fully.  In a time of wickedness and apostasy, let’s determine to follow God fully.      

Free

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 I am thankful for the freedom we enjoy.  I am especially thankful for the freedom that Christ has provided for us in salvation.  We are admonished in this passage to not slip back into bondage after we have been set free.  We become angry at the erosion of our freedoms in our country, yet at the same time, too many today are losing their spiritual freedom.  Too many are not living careful lives and are once again becoming a slave to sin. In the context of this passage, many today are losing the liberty and freedom of a real relationship with God, and settling for the bondage of religious ceremonies.  May God help us to keep the liberty He has purchased for us. 

Teach your kids

Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deu 6:7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 We have a responsibility to teach our kids about God.  I want us to notice, though, that responsibility begins with loving God with all our heart.  We cannot truly teach our kids about God without a real relationship with God.  When we have a real relationship with God, when we love Him, we can teach our children.  Notice that we are to teach our children about God in the everyday things of life.  When God is truly the focus of our life, talking about Him will be normal and natural.  Don’t fail your kids.  Give them the life saving knowledge of a real relationship with God. 

Wise as serpents, harmless as doves

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

 Living right in the midst of a wicked and godless society is difficult.  It is also dangerous.  We are to be alert to danger and aware of what is going on around us.  We are to be wise, not gullible, not uninformed.  But we are also to be harmless, to not develop a fighting spirit, to not become bitter.  Evil and wickedness around us can cause us to become hard and harsh; don’t let it happen. Don’t let the wickedness around us cause us to fail to be what we ought to be.

More with us

2 Kings 6:16 “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 

 Often when we look around, evil and trouble seem overwhelming.  Elisha’s servant could see the army surrounding them, and Elisha had to remind him of their help.  When we are overwhelmed, we too must be reminded of God’s strength and presence as Elijah pointed out.  No matter the troubles we face, God’s power is always more than enough to face the challenge.

God's jewels

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  Mal 3:17  And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

 In a time of wickedness, God takes special note of those who remain faithful.  This passage was written to ones living in a time of apostasy and wickedness.  Notice that they spoke to one another often and kept their thoughts turned to God.  We too live in a time of wickedness and apostasy, as we have been reminded again recently.  The temptation is to discouragement and to give up.  Instead, we need to encourage one another and keep our heart and mind focused on the Lord.  God takes special note of His faithful remnant in a time of apostasy.  He will not forget or forsake those who are faithful.  God claims such ones as His special prized possession, and will protect and preserve them.  

Our strength

Hab 3:19  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

 Habakkuk lived in a time of apostasy, a time of the impending judgment of God.  Yet he knew where to find strength and stability.  Our God, the mighty Creator, the Lord of all the earth is our strength.  He can help us to find stability, that our feet can walk steady along a treacherous path.  He can help us to rise to walk on a higher plane, when all around seems to be in decline.  Trust Him, rely on Him in this shaking time.

The family trait

1 Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 Love is at the heart of Christianity.  God’s love is the center of all things. God is love, and all of His children also love.  It is a distinguishing trait of the family of God.  In fact, if one does not love, they don’t know God.  This passage encourages us to love one another; to put real effort into living and acting as love acts.  Let’s show that we know God and belong to the family of God by exhibiting the family trait.   

The love of many shall grow cold

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 One of the great dangers of a time of apostasy is discouragement.  It is discouraging to see evil triumphing.  It is discouraging to see wickedness abounding.  We are in danger of losing our zeal and excitement about the things of God when we are discouraged.  When the things of God cease to thrill us, our love begins to cool.  Take heed to keep your zeal and hope in the Lord during this time of wickedness.  Take heed to cultivate your love for God.  This time of apostasy will pass; let’s make sure we are still on fire when light breaks again.