I think one of the hardest areas of understanding for those OF *GOD* is that concerning our 'difference' in the world! We struggle to remember, and exist according to BEING citizens of HEAVEN instead of those of the world! This is due to how we are brought up; meaning much of what is pertinent TO our citizenship has NOT been shared with us FROM an early, impressionable age, so, by the time we MAKE a conscious choice TO FOLLOW OUR LORD, we are right back to being as babies in need of learning everything necessary TO our walk with HIM, WHICH is complicated BY what we have learned via the world, and its ways!!!
There are ever disputes concerning HOW we should exist IN HIM; many do not believe that any change is inclusive TO doing so, but instruction from way back, all the way through REVELATIONS indicates change IS part, and parcel TO said walk, AND it only makes sense, as we are no longer existing in the flesh, plus it IS par for the course as THE SPIRIT engages us! IF we have repented, and stepped INTO THE LORD'S WILL, we ARE altered FOR the good, and so, all we think, say, and do, IS ALIGNED TO HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD!!!
11+++For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12+++instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13+++looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
14+++who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
15+++These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it.
An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good.
We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death.
Jesus Christ, that great God and our Saviour, who saves not only as God, much less as Man alone; but as God-man, two natures in one person. He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.
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, JAMES 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.
EPHESIANS 4: 1-3; 14-15; 17-24 ...
1+++Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2+++with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3+++being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
14+++As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15+++but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
17+++So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18+++being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19+++and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20+++But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21+++if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22+++that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23+++and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24+++and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive.
God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.
The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
There are more references, of course, depicting our existing AS HIS Chosen, but this illustrates the point OF our distinction! Let us go forward in this week IN HIM, and take upon MORE OF HIM, with OPEN minds, hearts, and spirits, AS HE does HIS miraculous works IN us, THROUGH us, and AROUND us, WHICH we ARE part of! Let us NEVER relent in PRAYER, let us EVER PRAISE, and WORSHIP, and REJOICE, and HONOUR HIM, as we give thanks, as well as the best of ourselves TO HIM, and those who NEED to SEE THE LIGHT!!!
*GOD* BLESS & BE WITH us all, and may we BLESS HIM, and others FOR HIS GLORY, and the sake of souls! Have a great week, and LET *GOD* SHINE before the world!!!
LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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