Whatever you do, do for the GLORY OF *GOD* (1 CORINTHIANS 10; COLOSSIANS 3)! Learn to do what is pleasing to THE LORD (EPHESIANS 5; ROMANS 12; COLOSSIANS 1)! We are being 'trained' in righteousness (2 TIMOTHY 3)! We have taken off the 'old', and put on the 'new' self who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the ONE who created him (COLOSSIANS 3)! We were buried WITH HIM through baptism into death, in order that, just as CHRIST was raised from the dead through the GLORY of THE FATHER, we too may walk in newness of life (ROMANS 6)...
Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (1 CORINTHIANS 6)!
Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin. It is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they will be raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body.
Other vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight. And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are his.
There IS MUCH to learn, know, and understand of our being TRANSFORMED, and CONSECRATED, plus, an ENORMOUS amount of SELF-CONTROL to be practiced FOR the sake of our 'newness', and our LOVE of THE LORD *GOD*, AS we ARE constantly challenged, tested, tried, and there is yet, worse to come as HIS appointed time to return, nears! NO ONE knows when that will happen, but in the last times the evil WILL increase, and the elect WILL be nearly shaken out of their FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS; the war on HIS people WILL be fierce, and perilous, AND SO, we EVER add to our knowledge, and understanding as we exist according TO HIS WILL, and let us NOT forget, we have DUTIES, and RESPONSIBILITIES as HIS own, and HIS CHURCH, TO snatch as many from the fires as is feasible, and inspire as many as is possible TO seek HIM while there is yet time, in which case, OUR existence SHOULD REFLECT HIM, and NOT the world, THAT others NOTICE HIM, seek HIM, find HIM, and FOLLOW HIM!!!
Knowledge allows WISDOM, and practice makes perfect! We certainly WILL struggle, yet, we STAY the course, and each time we falter, or stumble, we ARISE IN THE NAME OF our LORD, and move forward in the HOLY HOPE, as we gather, and gain OF HIM THROUGH diligence, along with FOCUS, and VISION of what is yet to come...
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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