Month: July 2023

Philippians 2:12-13, NKJV

While Paul was in jail in Rome, he wrote this letter to his Christian friends at Philippi. He affectionately called them “my beloved” (v. 12a). Paul never stopped praying for these saints, making requests for them with joy for he was confident that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:4-6). He urged the Philippian Christians to live humbly like Christ; He suffered and gave His life on the cross for sinners, and God has highly exalted Him (vv. 1-11). 

Paul urged the Philippians, just as they were always obedient in his presence, but now much more in his absence, to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (v.12). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” says: work out your own salvation “refers especially to freedom from strife and vainglory.” Strife and vainglory are selfish, disruptive works of the flesh. Exercise the faith that God has given you; grow spiritually and produce fruit of the Spirit which endures to everlasting life. Paul told them to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling.” Christians are expected to respect and reverence God and not go contrary to His will for their lives. Our responsibility is to align our lives with the work of God to fulfill the purpose that He has given us. “It is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (v.13).

Give God praise!

James 3:13-18, NKJV

Here in verses 13-18, James wrote about two kinds of wisdom – earthly and heavenly. He began by asking: “Who is wise and understanding among you (v.13a)?” His reference is to those who wanted to be teachers (v.1), yet the discussion applies to every child of God. He answered, “Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom (v.13b).” Those who are wise and have spiritual understanding will show it by how they live. The song writer said, “May the Works I’ve Done Speak for Me?” Children of God must use wisdom to conduct themselves humbly so even when unbelievers say evil against them, they may see their good works and glorify their heavenly Father when He comes (1 Peter 2:12, paraphrased).

 However, if they make provision for the flesh – hearts full of bitter envy and selfish ambition; then do not boast and lie against the truth (v.14). This is not godly wisdom; it is earthly, sensual, demonic (v.15). James declared that where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there (v.16). 

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (v.17). Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (v.18). Marks of earthly wisdom fulfill one’s lust of the flesh. Marks of heavenly wisdom fulfill one’s walk in the Spirit. Give God a hand clap and shout, “Hallelujah”!

John 8:33-36, AMP

Jesus continued His conversation of encouragement with those Jews who believed on Him. In vv. 31-32 He made His listeners a promise based on a condition. The promise to them was that they would be his disciples indeed (v.31) and know the truth (Jesus Himself), and the truth would make them free (v.32). Jesus declared that this promise would be based on the condition: “If you abide in My word” (v.31). In other words, continually obey His word: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (14:15, NKJV). True love for God is to habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts, which are not burdensome, or hard to obey (1John 5:3).

The Jews responded to Jesus that they were Abraham’s descendants and had never been in bondage to anyone. Therefore, how could Jesus say, “You will be made free (v.33)?” Jesus answered them with an absolute assurance that whosoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin (v.34). He declared that a slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the house] does remain forever (v.35). So, if the Son makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free (“John 8:36 – BibleGateway.com”). Therefore, we can choose to remain in bondage to sin and die – for the wages of sin is death – or accept true freedom through a relationship with Christ and abide in His word and live. The choice is yours. Give God glory!

John 8:30-32

During the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s, a popular hymn was “Oh, Freedom.” Its refrain is: “And before I’d be a slave I’ll be buried in my grave and go home to my Lord and be free.” Even though the United States of America was born July 4, 1776, the freedom movement has been ongoing. Today Americans boast of living in a free society. We do, but in every free society there are necessary limitations to hopefully ensure that we can all enjoy our personal lives. What is freedom? Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines it as the absence of slavery; the ability to do and go as one desires. 

Is it possible to have true freedom? Probably not because humanity is so diverse and unique. In today’s verses Jesus was talking to those Jews that believed Him. He promised them that if they abide in his word, they would truly be his disciples (v.31). By abiding in His word, they would know the truth, and the truth would make them free (v.32). Jesus declared: “…I am the truth” (John 14:6). Therefore, if we want true freedom, we must obey Jesus’ command to abide (stay; continue) in Him. Today will you choose to abide in Jesus’ word? His promise is that you will know the truth, and the truth will result in your freedom. Give God a hand clap and shout, “Glory!”

Exodus 32:30-33:5

Today’s passage starts with Moses going again to the Lord on Israel’s behalf. He acknowledged their idolatry and asked the Lord for their forgiveness. He was even willing to sacrifice himself for the sins of the people by asking God to “blot me out of thy book which thou hast written” (32:30-32). However, the Lord’s message to Moses was in the form of a promise that He, the Lord, would blot out of His book whoever sinned against Him (32:33). Moses was God’s chosen instrument, commissioned to bring Israel out of bondage from Egypt. As their leader, he showed the love and compassion he had for this people. Even though they were disobedient and quick to forget all God had for them, Moses was willing to intercede for them.

God was merciful to Israel as He is to us. He commanded Moses to lead them on to the land of promise – Canaan – flowing with milk and honey. God told Moses that His angel would go before him, and He would punish Israel for their sins at His appointed time (32:34). The Lord brought a plague on Israel for making the golden calf that Aaron had made (32:35). 

Then the Lord told Moses to take the people and depart. He announced that He would not go up in their midst because they were a stiff-necked people, and He might destroy them on the way. This people mourned when they heard this sad news, and no one put on his ornaments. It is when we are convicted that we change. The Lord let the children of Israel know that because of their stiff-necked attitude, He could come up in their midst in one moment and consume them. (33:1-5). Give all-powerful God praise.