1 PETER 2: 1-3...
1+++Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
2+++like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3+++if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
To be built on Christ means, to believe in him; but in this many deceive themselves, they consider not what it is, nor the necessity of it, to partake of the salvation he has wrought. Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they are called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity; that they should show forth the praises of the Lord by their profession of his truth, and their good conduct.
Christians, HIS FOLLOWERS, HIS PEOPLE, HIS Children, ARE to be/become distinct from the world, for we are NO longer ours, but HIS, and we have TAKEN OFF the old being, and PUT ON THE NEW!!!
We exist to GLORIFY *GOD*, and that ISN'T ONLY in voice, but in action! There is a leaning towards being passive in one's claim of CHRIST, though it doesn't even make sense, if you have knowledge, and understanding OF HIM, HIS LOVE, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, and HIS WORD! To WORSHIP THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY IS ACTIVE, and CONSTANT, from body, mind, heart, and spirit, as we ARE to be REFLECTIONS OF HIM, and LIGHT, THAT the darkness, and delusion are eradicated enough for the lost to SEE, HEAR, SENSE, and FEEL HIM, which happens via HIS Chosen...
Hostility and malice ARE unrestrained in these days, in which too many Christians are partaking; granted some are doing so in defense, still, they are wrapped up in the noise, in the distraction. We are taught to refrain from that which fuels, or prolongs dissension, and to exist peaceably, as we FOCUS upon THE LORD, and our servitude. We SLOW the possibility for the lost to be found when we act as does the world, and try to scream louder than do they; it IS by example we are led, therefore, that we inspire others, which means, our DISTINCTIVE differences such as ever exposing HIM in our thoughts, speech, and actions, REMAIN the standard when we engage the world! In all gentleness, humility, patience, tolerance, what is right, just, and good, NOT in slanders, libel, strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, gossip, arrogance, disturbances, DO we REFLECT HIM, and perform our duties FOR HIS GLORY, and the sake of souls! HOW can wrong lead wrong to what is right? HOW can the cycle end when there is NO example or invitation TO a better way? Thus, we ARE CALLED to exist IN HIM, not in the futility of the mind LIKE those who are lost!!!
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. There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all hoping for; therefore they should be of one heart.
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. 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.
We are being made into a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (1 PETER 2: 4) FOR THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, which BEGINS with our acceptance of CHRIST JESUS AS our LORD *GOD*, and SAVIOUR, IN more than mentality, instead with ALL of our beings, as we open ourselves TO HIS WORK IN us, AND exist AS IF we ARE ALREADY, HEAVENLY citizens, NOT earthly ones! Our FOCUS IS upon HIM, HIS WILL, and matters of HEAVEN, NOT on worldly matters, although, for sure, we ARE affected by the world, HOWEVER, we AIM to KEEP ourselves CENTERED UPON TRUTH, and our TRUE HOME, thereby existing AS IF we are already there, and this we will do in part, stumbling, tripping, falling, and yet, learning, and moving forward...
Diligent GOOD conduct IS difficult to master, but one WON'T do so BY continuing in the ways of the world, NO WAY! We are NOW a UNIQUE people, Sanctified BY, and FOR THE LORD, SO, HOW can we yet be as the world?!!
14+++Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words; this is in no way profitable, and leads its listeners to ruin.
23+++But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
But strifes of words destroy the things of God.
See how often the apostle cautions against disputes in religion; which surely shows that religion consists more in believing and practicing what God requires, than in subtle disputes.
There IS LOTS of quarreling, arguing, debating, and other such among Christians, as well as between Christians, and non-believers; like our time cannot be better used! We read, hear, and witness the seemingly endless clashing, bickering, and so forth, in which case, we ARE taking AWAY from the LOVE, GRACE, MERCY, and BEAUTY of ALL our LORD WAS, IS, and EVERMORE SHALL BE, AND the very GIFTS HE HAS GIVEN unto us, PLUS, we reiterate unto non-believers their reasoning for disregarding TRUTH, therefore, INADVERTENTLY, we are contributing to their remaining lost, and endangered; THIS we SHOULD consider, and remember...
BEING our best from the depths of the knowledge, and understanding we HAVE acquired THROUGH THE LORD *GOD* IS like SHINING OF HIM FOR ALL the world to see, hear, and notice! When we act in ways of the world, our lights are dimmed, and even put out, for we blend right in, therefore, our GLOW IS incapacitated! WHY should we contribute to the lies, falsehoods, resistance, and oppression WHEN we are NOT OF such? INSTEAD, we OUGHT to contribute TO THE LORD, TRUTH, LOVE, GRACE, MERCY, HOPE, PEACE, and ALL which is right, good, and just!!!
I, at one time, was VERY outspoken, and responsive to everyone, and everything, but hey, I LEARNED well, that doing so, OFTEN, creates worse results, and extended problems, THANKS BE TO *GOD*! Now, I respond according to being humbled, and NO!, it is NOT weak to do so, in fact, it requires great strength! Sometimes I WANT to yell, and react as bad as others, BUT, I KNOW better, because of knowledge, and understanding derived FROM THE LORD, and HIS WILL! Bit by bit, little by little, we GROW UP INTO our TRUTH IN HIS NAME, of which we ARE involved, and cooperative, NO MATTER how bad it gets around us!!!
It's ALL about *GOD*, and BEING, and DOING GOOD, FOR HIS GLORY, for our own sake, and that of others! We ARE BETTER than we imagine, HAVING been made FOR GOODNESS!!!
BLESS THE LORD ALWAYS, BY BEING A BLESSING ALWAYS, even when it hurts to do so! WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS BY embracing HOLINESS! HONOUR HIM BY existing HONOURABLY! PRAY FOR THE WORLD, on every level, all the while, and REMAIN IN HIM, THAT HE WILL REMAIN IN YOU!!!
LWINSOR © 2019
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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