2 TIMOTHY 3: 1-5...
1+++But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2+++For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3+++unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good
4+++treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5+++holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. Times are perilous also, when parents are without natural affection to children. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured.
God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretenses and flattering, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful. All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.
What sort of people should we be??? We learn, in part, by knowing what sort of person NOT to be!!!
The worker therein is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through him we mortify sin, perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the fruits of righteousness without, are through this blessed and holy Spirit. We are to exist as *GODLY* people! We have taken off the old self, and become the new being IN HIM, and HIS WILL. There is no pretense; our truth SHOWS, and IS productive FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of others...
We ARE TO BE HOLY AS HE IS HOLY, and to HONOUR HIM in our every way! We ARE to be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity...
1+++Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
2+++to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
3+++For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
4+++But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5+++He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6+++whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7+++so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8+++This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
9+++But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
10+++Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,
11+++knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Spiritual privileges do not make void or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good meanings are not enough without good works. They were not to be quarrelsome, but to show meekness on all occasions, not toward friends only, but to all men, though with wisdom, Jas 3:13. And let this text teach us how wrong it is for a Christian to be churlish to the worst, weakest, and most abject. The servants of sin have many masters, their lusts hurry them different ways; pride commands one thing, covetousness another. Thus they are hateful, deserving to be hated. It is the misery of sinners, that they hate one another; and it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another. And we are delivered out of our miserable condition, only by the mercy and free grace of God, the merit and sufferings of Christ, and the working of his Spirit. God the Father is God our Saviour. He is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows, to teach, regenerate, and save his fallen creatures; and this blessing comes to mankind through Christ. The spring and rise of it, is the kindness and love of God to man. Love and grace have, through the Spirit, great power to change and turn the heart to God.
Works must be in the saved, but are not among the causes of their salvation. A new principle of grace and holiness is wrought, which sways, and governs, and makes the man a new creature. Most pretend they would have heaven at last, yet they care not for holiness now; they would have the end without the beginning. Here is the outward sign and seal thereof in baptism, called therefore the washing of regeneration. The work is inward and spiritual; this is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance. Slight not this outward sign and seal; yet rest not in the outward washing, but look to the answer of a good conscience, without which the outward washing will avail nothing. The worker therein is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through him we mortify sin, perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the fruits of righteousness without, are through this blessed and holy Spirit. The Spirit and his saving gifts and graces, come through Christ, as a Saviour, whose undertaking and work are to bring to grace and glory. Justification, in the gospel sense, is the free forgiveness of a sinner; accepting him as righteous through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. God, in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him, yet just to himself and his law. As forgiveness is through a perfect righteousness, and satisfaction is made to justice by Christ, it cannot be merited by the sinner himself. Eternal life is set before us in the promise; the Spirit works faith in us, and hope of that life; faith and hope bring it near, and fill with joy in expectation of it.
When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.
JAMES 3: 13-18...
13+++Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14+++But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15+++This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
16+++For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
17+++But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
18+++And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from above, but springs up from earthly principles, acts on earthly motives, and is intent on serving earthly purposes. Those who are lifted up with such wisdom, described by the apostle James, is near to the Christian love, described by the apostle Paul; and both are so described that every man may fully prove the reality of his attainments in them. It has no disguise or deceit. It cannot fall in with those managements the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere, and open, and steady, and uniform, and consistent with itself. May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift.
We have NEVER learned enough, therefore EACH *GOD* GIVEN day IS fulfilled in gaining better knowledge, and understanding, especially when the world has gone amok, for IN KNOWLEDGE, we STAND STRONG, and PREVAIL IN HIS NAME, and FOR HIS GLORY, which LEADS us, STRENGTHENS us, and PROTECTS us from what me might have to endure in this realm! We are being made perfect, we are NOT yet finished, thus, we DO our part, and RELY ON HIM until we have reached THE KINGDOM! PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS! WORSHIP HIM WHOLLY! REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE for us! HONOUR HIM IN ALL your ways, ALL of your days! LOVE as HE LOVES us! DO GOOD, and BE GOOD! AND PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!
LWINSOR © 2020
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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