Jesus is in the House

Posted on April 26, 2022 by paulwlane

Luke 7:36-50

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

The invited guest – Jesus was invited to dine with one of the Pharisee in his home

Customary hospitality
Greeting with a kiss or embrace
Water was provided for washing the feet
Oil was provided for anointing of the head
They reclined at the table

The uninvited guest –

She was not an invited guest, but she heard that Jesus was in the house.

She came into the house knowing that everyone knew of her sins. She was “an especially wicked woman.” A social outcast – devoted to sin.
She came at great risk. In the Old Testament sinners were required to live outside the camp. You were not to eat, associate with or even touch those who were “unclean.” She made her way through the house, through the large crowd knowing that those who were there would be whispering or perhaps even talking out loud about her as she passed by. There was a good possibility that she would be thrown out or even stoned.
When she saw Jesus, she set her eyes on Him and him alone, not looking to the right or left, not caring what others thought or said about her. She gave Jesus her full attention, humbling herself in His presence.
She wept in His presence, allowing her tears to fall on Him. Her tears were important to Jesus.
She wiped His feet with her hair
She kissed His feet affectionately.
She anointed Him with the expensive perfume. She gave Jesus the very best she had. Costly – rate – worth a year’s wages for a working man. The alabaster container alone was worth a great deal of money. “A compact fine-textured white and translucent gypsum often carved into objects.

The container had to be broken in order for the perfume to be released. The Gospel according to John says, “and the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” She allowed herself to be broken in His presence. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of her worship.

The Pharisee

Luke 7:39 – Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw it, he said to himself, If this Man were a prophet, He would surely know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him—for she is a notorious sinner (a social outcast, devoted to sin). (Amplified Bible)

Jesus’ Reply

We should never criticize, judge or look down our nose at how someone else worships. We do not know where they have come from.
What Mary did was important and monumental that Jesus did not want us to miss it. Her story is told in each of the four gospels. In Matthew 26:13 and Mark 14:9 Jesus says, “I tell you, where the good news is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told also in memory of her.
Satan would like nothing more than to convince us that we are not worthy to be in God’s house or we are not worshipping correctly. Jesus teaches us the simplicity of worship in this account.

Jesus is looking for a people who will

Come into the house
Come as they are
Humble themselves
Not care what others might think or say
Set their eyes upon Jesus
Give Him their full attention
Give Him their best
Allow themselves to be the alabaster contained broken in His presence that the perfume of worship may fill the house as they honor and reverence Him
Allow the Holy Spirit to lead them in perfect worship. Like Mary, you will not leave the same as you came. You will be changed.

Jesus told her to go in peace.

Shalom – peace – completeness, welfare, health, to a whole, sound perfect – nothing missing – nothing broken
Sozo – saved, healed made whole

Rejoice Now – Cry Later or Cry Now – Rejoice Later

Posted on July 23, 2021 by paulwlane

(Seven Rules for Personal Revival)

James 4:7-10

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

YOUR PART	GOD’S PART
Submit to God – Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.	He will direct your paths.
Resist the devil – James 4:7 – Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you	The devil must go in the name of Jesus.
Draw near to God – James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you	He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands – James 4:8 – Cleanse your hands	He will bless the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12
Purify your hearts – Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.	He will cleanse and restore – Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.
Lament, mourn, weep – James 4:9 – Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.	For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 1 Corinthians 4:17
Humble yourself – 1 Peter 5:6 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,	He will exalt you – in His time.

THEREFORE…

James 1:21-22 – Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

THEN…

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Unity Through Humility

Posted on April 12, 2021 by paulwlane

Philippians 2:1-22

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

Only when unity prevails can there be peace
Only when unity prevails can there be harmony
Only when unity prevails can the Holy Spirit work in your life
Unity must prevail – the only way unity can prevail is for each to be concerned about the other.

Philippians 2:2 – “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

Be like minded
Have the same love
Be in one accord
Be of one mind

Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

No selfish ambition
No selfish conceit
Lowliness of mind
Others more important than yourself

Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Look out for others’ interest

1 Corinthians 13 – Love is the key

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.”

James 2:1-9

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

God is no respecter of persons – we should also not be
You shall love your neighbor as yourself
The true way to joy is:

Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last

Galatians 3:1-3

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

We must follow the Word in all things

Matthew 6:1-4

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Do good to please God

Christ in Us

Posted on April 11, 2021 by paulwlane

Philippians 2:1-11

A STRONG CHURCH

The Philippians’ Church was a strong church. When a church is strong, it always has a vision. It is always working out some strategy to carry forth the Gospel. A strong church launches ministry after ministry. A strong church is not complacent. A strong church is vibrant with things going on that will give glory to God and touch the lives of believers and nonbelievers alike. A strong church has people in its midst that are always busy doing and going and helping, and inviting, and listening and caring. A strong church is an active church.

In a strong church there is great need for unity. With many different ideas and things going on there will always be people with divergent ideas and pet projects. Unity must be the goal of all involved. That unity only comes by Christ dwelling in us richly. There are seven traits in these first four verses of Philippians 2 that will hold the church together and keep it unified.

Consolation
Love
Fellowship in the Spirit
Compassion
Concern for one another’s joy
Humility or lowliness of mind
Controlling self-interest or concentration upon oneself

TRAITS TO UNITY

Consolation – In this passage the word means encouragement, comfort, solace, exhortation, and strengthening believers to be one in spirit and busy about the ministry of His church. Christ wants no murmuring, no grumbling, disturbance, or weakening of the unity within the church. The Spirit of Christ in us is to take the disturbed or upset person and console, comfort, encourage and strengthen them. Not only are we to help the individual that needs consoling or comforting, but we are to allow that same comfort, strength, and encouragement of Christ to flow through us when we are in need of comfort, encouragement or strength. Just imagine the spirit of unity that would prevail in a church if all the members would let the consolation of Christ course through them. There would be no murmuring, grumbling, disturbance – no disunity whatsoever.

John 14:18 – “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

1 Thessalonians – “Therefore comfort each other, and edify one another, just as you are also doing.”

“Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort you, comfort you my people, says your God.”

Love – There is a comfort of love that is in Christ. The love of Christ stirs a person to keep the unity with other believers. The word used here for love (agape) is the kind of love that is selfless and sacrificial. It is the kind of love that loves a person even if he does not deserve to be loved, when he is utterly unworthy of being loved. It is the love of Christ, the love which He showed when He gave and sacrificed Himself for us. We did not deserve it and were utterly unworthy of such love, yet Christ loved us despite all. Imagine the spirit of unity that would exist within a church if every member would let the love of Christ flow though them. There would be no bitterness, anger, or strife – no action that would hurt another. Even if the person was as wrong as could be and deserved the most drastic punishment that could be given, the church’s members would sacrifice and give themselves for that person. This is the answer to unity, the Lord’s spirit of love! How desperately the church needs its members to let the love of Christ flow through them to each other.

John 13: 34-35 – “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

Romans 12:9 – “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

1 Thessalonians 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.”

Fellowship in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit works mightily in the person who has trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord. He enters the heart and life of the believer to comfort, guide, teach, equip, and use him as a witness for Christ. The Holy Spirit creates a spiritual union between the new believer and other believers. He melts and molds the heart of the new believer to other believers. He attaches all their lives together, and they become one in life and purpose. They have a joint life sharing their blessings and needs and gifts together – all focused upon their Lord and His purpose. The church and the believers are to have the same mind. There are to be no discordant elements whatsoever. There are to be no differences, no gossip, rumors, or cliques, nothing that would tamper with or disturb the fellowship of the Spirit in the church.

Compassion – Compassion is a must. Compassion is the same trait that caused Jesus to reach out to us. The compassion of Christ flowing through us will cause us to reach out to those who have been hurt, to those who are different, to those who withdrew, to those who have been disturbed, to those who have been critical. Compassion will stir us to reach out to others.

Romans 15:1 – “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one anther’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Joy – The believers in a church are to be consumed with joy and to be concerned for each other’s joy. Joy brings unity to a church quicker than any other trait. Joy is always disturbed if there is criticism, dissatisfaction, grumbling, murmuring, cliques, opposition, and a host of other divisive negatives. We are to worship, plan, organize, program, build, staff, finance, minister, and serve in the joy of Christ. The only way we can do that is to be like-minded, to have the same love, to be of one accord, to be of one mind.

John 15:11 – “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Humility (Lowliness of Mind) – A strong and active church will always have two problems to deal with – rivalry and empty glory. Some people just seem to want to struggle with others. They simply are not mature in the Lord; therefore they give in to gossip about differences, jealousy, envy, desire for position, desire for recognition, opposition, loving flattery, forming cliques. If they do not get their way or what they want, they fight against the church or other members. The result is disunity and divisiveness, one of the most terrible crimes within the church.

James 3:14 – “But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

Proverbs 20:3 – “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.”

2 Timothy 2:14 – “Of these things put them (the church) in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

2 Timothy 2:24 – “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”

Some are going to seek glory within the church. The Scriptures call it vainglory, which means empty glory. Some just want attention, recognition, position, flattery, praise, and honor. They want people seeking their advice, counsel, and opinion.

Matthew 23:12 -”And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

John 5:44 – “How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?”

The church must control self interest. The members must quit looking out for their own ambition, desire for acknowledgment, for honor. They must quit worrying about rather or not they are ignored, overlooked, or neglected. Believers are to concentrate upon Christ and his ministry to people and reaching the world with the glorious gospel of salvation. They are not to be focused on self. Every believer is needed to reach the lost and lonely, the shut-ins and helpless, the hungry, the cold, the sinful, the doomed of his community, city, country, and world.

Matthew 19:21 – “Jesus said unto him, If you would be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. “

Matthew 25:43 – “I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.”

Believer’s New Clothing

Posted on March 1, 2021 by paulwlane

Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

A BELIEVER IS THE ELECT OF GOD

Elect is Greek word electors and means chosen, one picked out from among the larger group for special service or privileges. It is used to refer to Christ as the chosen Messiah of God (Luke 23:35) and believers as recipients of God’s favor (Matt. 24:22; Romans 8:33; and Col. 3:12).

Matthew 24:22 – And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Romans 8:33 – Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Chosen to be holy. Holy (haggis) means set apart or separated. Believers have been chosen to be separated from the world and its sin, and set apart for God.

Chosen to be the beloved of God. Believers have been chosen to receive God’s love through Christ Jesus and to experience this new love of God.

This passage is therefore for the believer, the one who has accepted Christ and experienced His forgiveness and His love. Paul is not writing to the world – he is writing to the Christian.

A BELIEVER IS TO PUT ON NEW CLOTHES

Put on enduno is a picture of a man putting on clothing. The concept is that when we accepted Christ, we took off our old garments of sin. Now we must put on something new or we will be naked.

Mercy oiktirmou is compassion, pity, tenderness. As a Christian, we are to have compassion and reach out to meet the needs of those lonely, hurting, depressed, homeless, hungry, aged, widowed, orphaned, etc.

Isaiah 58:6-7 – Is this not the fast that I have chosen;…to undo the heavy burdens,…Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house and poor who are wandering; When you see the naked, that you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God

Acts 20:35 – I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Hebrews 13:3 – Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

Kindness chrestotes is goodness in action, gentleness in dealing with others. The ability to act for the welfare of those who tax your patience. As a Christian, we must be gentle in our actions and our conversation with others. We must show goodness, not only to those we like, but to those who irritate and even provoke us.

Luke 6:35 – But love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return…

1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.

Ephesians 4:32 – And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Humility tapeinophrosune means modesty, total absence of arrogance and conceit, an attitude of unselfish concern for others.

1 Peter 5:5 – …all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6 – But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:10 – Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Titus 3:1-2 – Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Meekness praotes means a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious and that has the passions under control. This does not mean someone who is weak, but rather of someone who has power and strength under control.

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

James 3:13 – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

Long-suffering makrothumia means patient endurance, ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment. It describes a person who has the power to exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint.

James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance or perseverance). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing.

Ephesians 4:1-3 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Forbearance anechomai means to persevere, tolerate put up with, stand firm and not lose courage under pressure. As Christians we must “put up with” and “tolerate” the failures, bad habits, irritating behavior and mistreatment of others.

Romans 15:1 – We then who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Forgiveness charizomai means to know kindness unconditionally, give freely, and forgive freely. This word is from the same root word as grace. The example we are to follow in our forgiving is the example of Christ. We forgive others only to the degree that Christ forgives us. Since Christ forgives us of any and every sin and forgives us over and over, we must use that standard as our standard of forgiveness.

Mark 11:25-26 – And when you stand praying, forgive, if you ought against any; that your Father which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses…

Luke 17:4 – And if he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him.

Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 7:1-2 – Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

A BELIEVER’S MOST ESSENTIAL GARMENT IS LOVE

Love is the most important part – “Above all these things”

1 Peter 4:8 – And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Love is the bond that makes us complete. If a believer really has love, then the above qualities will follow.

Mark 12:29-31 – The first of all the commandments is…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul…the second is…You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

A BELIEVER IS TO ALLOW PEACE TO BE THE UMPIRE

Peace from God. Peace elrene means an absence of strife, calmness.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (thlipis – pressure, oppression, stress, adversity, affliction, crushing distress. The word is used for crushing grapes or olives in a press); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Peace is to rule. This is a command, not a suggestion. The peace is from God, but we make a choice rather we accept his peace or not. Rule brabeueto means to act as an umpire. Peace is to be the deciding factor in all situations that arrive in our life. Matthew Henry said it this way, “Let this peace rule in your heart-prevail and govern there…as an umpire (let it) decide all matters of difference among you.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Psalm 119:165 Great (rab – abundant, many, large in number, of major importance, significant) peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Peace is to rule because we have been called to be one body. The church is to act and behave as one people in union with each other. The only way we can do that is to let peace be the umpire in the differences and conflicts that arise.

Ephesians 2: 14 – For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.

Psalm 34:14 – Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:11 – Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Peace is something we are to be thankful for. We are thankful for the peace Christ has given us personally and to the church collectively.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious (merimnao – distracted, preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress and pressure) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20-12 – Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

A BELIEVER IS TO ALLOW THE WORD OF GOD TO LIVE IN HIS HEART

The choice is up to the believer – “Let”

The word is to dwell (enoikelot – to make a home) in the believer’s heart richly. A believer is not to be satisfied with a small portion of God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 11:18 – Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

John 15:7 -“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The word is to dwell in our hearts so that we can teach and counsel one another.

2 Timothy 2:2 – And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:24 – And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.

A BELIEVER IS TO USE PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS

Many different ways of worshipping and sharing God’s Truth.
Our worship is to be with grace in our heart. That word grace (charis) comes from the same root as joy (chara) and to rejoice (chairo). Grace causes rejoicing. It is the word for God’s grace to sinful man. So, we sing with joy in our hearts because of God’s grace to us. That is why we can sing with joy even in difficult times, even when we are sorrowful. For the reason we sing, God’s grace to us, remains the same regardless of our circumstances.

A BELIEVER IS TO DO ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS

To the Jewish world in the first century A.D., a person’s name stood for the person themselves. Even in our country, there was a time when a man did not need to sign a contract to validate an agreement. His name was enough. Often children were warned, “Don’t disgrace the family name.” The name stood for the family and their reputation.
So, to do all in the name of Jesus, means to represent Jesus in all we do and say. We must never do anything to bring dishonor on His name. It means to live our lives trusting and depending upon Jesus in every circumstance. It means to let the motto WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) really be a part of our lives.

Would Jesus go here?
Would Jesus say this?
Would Jesus read this?
Would Jesus watch this?
Would Jesus laugh at this joke?
Would Jesus listen to this music?
Would Jesus wear this outfit?
Would Jesus treat his neighbor this way?
Would Jesus do his job this way?
Would Jesus go to church this often?
Would Jesus spend his money this way?
It means to let the presence of Jesus saturate, overflow our lives and all we do, say and are.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

A BELIEVER IS TO DO ALL THINGS WITH THANKS

Giving thanks (eucharisteo) means to be grateful, to express gratitude. We need to be a grateful people, expressing freely our thanks to God.

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:15 – Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Thoughts of a Retired Pastor

Tag Archives: humility