Month: July 2022

1 Peter 1:13-21, NKJV

Apostle Peter tells us in v.13: “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Children of God must gird up the loins of the mind both mentally and spiritually for this journey of faith. We are called to live holy. That means there will be trials. James 1:2 says: “… count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” So how do we gird up the loins of our mind? We must prepare our minds for action. Paul said: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind … “(Romans 12:2). Ephesians 4:22-24 (AMP): “Take off your  former corrupt nature (v.22), and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind (v.23), and put on the regenerated and renewed nature, created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth (v.24). Colossians 3:10 (AMP): “and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self.”

We are also commanded to be sober: characterized by self-control, seriousness, and sound moral judgment. Second Corinthians 5:13, KJV, uses sober to be in one’s right mind (Holman Bible Dictionary). We must awake to righteousness, and sin not (1 Corinthians 15: 34). Christians cannot be under the intoxicating influence of sin. Be awake and watchful. The devil, our adversary, is on the prowl as a roaring lion, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).

Lastly v.13 commanded us that Christians are to fix their hope completely on the blessing of God’s divine favor of salvation to be received when the Messiah is revealed. Our Father has called believers to action – live in holiness. Will you accept His call today? Give God glory and a hand clap of praise!

Galatians 5:22-26, NKJV

The church is not to walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. We must manifest spiritual lives, bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love is the remedy to keep out jealousy and resentment. Love encourages and edifies. It is the first characteristic of God of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (v.22), gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (v.23). And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (v.24). If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (v.25). Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (v.26).”

Children of God have been crucified with Christ. He lives in us, and this life we are now living in the flesh is by faith in Him, who loved us and gave His life for us. The attitudes of jealousy and resentment are sinful acts of nature. They stir up evil intentions – desiring what someone else has, control of another, abuse, threat of violence, and etc.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother was angry because the father threw a welcome home celebration for the younger brother. The father came out and pleaded with his older son, but he refused to go in and join the celebration. His position was that he had always faithfully and obediently served his father but was never given him a young goat so he and his friends could celebrate. His attitude showed bitter jealousy toward his brother; he didn’t acknowledge him as his brother – “…this son of yours, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots…” He accused his father of showing favoritism – “…you killed the fatted calf for him” (Luke 15:30). He resented his younger brother for returning home and the father for graciously receiving him back. Do not become conceited like the older son. You may not have left the Father – so you think, but you are carrying jealousy and resentment around. One day it will surface. When you love, you must forgive. Let go; you have life through the Spirit. Do not allow jealousy and resentment to snuff out your life. Remember, you are the church.  

1 John 5:1-5, NKJV

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him” (v.1). The apostle said that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah or the Anointed One – is born of God; transformed by God and renewed in righteousness and true holiness (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 4:22-24). “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (I John 2:22). Everyone who loves the Father also loves His offspring. Verse two says we know we are born again because we love the Father and Jesus Christ and obey His commands. By our love and obedience to God, we know we love our spiritual siblings. The two prove that we know we are no longer spiritually dead. We are spiritually alive and love one another. Those who do not love remains in [spiritual] death (1 John 3:14).

God promises His commandments are not burdensome (v.3b). His yolk is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Our daily walk must reflect love and obedience; they go together. Jesus told His disciples if they loved Him, they would obey His Word. Our relationship with Christ must be true. John declares that whoever is born of God overcomes the world. Our faith is the victory that has overcome the world (v.4). Believers please God with faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (v.5)? Will you walk in love and obedience to overcome the world by faith in Jesus today?

 

Luke 15:25-32

The prodigal son was spiritually dead and separated from the heavenly Father because of his transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). When he found himself rock bottom in sin, he came to his senses and declared that he would return to his father. He had lived a riotous life, wasting everything, and his sins now convicted him. His father never stopped looking for him to return. When he did, his father received him with compassion. He ran to him, embraced him, and showered him with kisses. The young “prodigal” confessed he was a sinner and repented.  His father’s love never stopped; he welcomed him back into the family, dressing him royally as a son and ordered the servants to prepare a celebration.

They began to be merry, and celebrated his son who “was dead and is alive again; was lost and is found” (v.24). The older son was in the field, and as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing (V.25). He called one of the servants and inquired about the meaning of this celebration (v.26). The servant told him that his brother had come home safe and sound; therefore, your father has killed the fatted calf to celebrate and rejoice (v.27).

The older son was angry and wouldn’t go in so his father went outside and pleaded with him (v.28). His answer to his father was that he had been serving him all these years and had never transgressed his commandment. “Yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends (v.29). But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots; you killed the fatted calf for him” (v.30). The older son’s words to his father were peppered with jealousy and resentment. The father had waited patiently for his younger son to return; now he was just and patient in his response to his older son. He told him that he is always with him, and all that he has is his older son’s (v.31). “It was right that we should make merry and be glad. Your brother was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found” (v.32). Fellow Believers, don’t allow jealousy and resentment in the church.