Category: Faithfulness

Have Faith in God

On By TimIn Faithfulness, Mark 11;, Prayer, Salvation1 Comment

Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them. And when you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.”

Mark 11:22–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The things Jesus says have depths of meaning. The one thing that we can glean is we do everything here and now by faith. That is, we believe what Jesus said is true.

Here He is speaking about asking for things in prayer. If we believe we will receive them we will have them. Could this apply to salvation?

I think so.

If you believe you will receive it, you have it the moment you ask.

Consider what Calvinism offers, God must regenerate a person before they can have faith to believe. Yet here, Jesus makes no mention of waiting for regeneration first. I don’t think in anything He said to folks that they had to wait for regeneration before they could respond in faith to His words. In other words, that system teaches that salvation is possessed by a person before they can even ask for it. In fact, they must be regenerated (saved) first in order to ask for it.

But what if you believe salvation is a transient thing. Could you really have it at all if you believe it can be taken away?

I think that is a fair question to ask. And wouldn’t the idea of losing salvation be considered a doubt when Jesus promises to be with us always?

Jesus says things like this…

He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God..

John 3:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus didn’t mention regeneration as necessary for one to believe. He also said the believer is not condemned. It’s not a future promised state, but a current state. The unbeliever is condemned already.

The simple emphatic statement “is not condemned” demands that the state be permanent, because if it can change at some point in the future, the believer is then not “not condemned.”

Jesus’ words are simple. Believe what He says. Ask for things in faith and you will have them. You don’t need to wait for regeneration to be saved. You can believe Jesus right now and ask Him to save you right now, and have salvation right now.

Move from the state of “already condemned” to “not condemned.” These aren’t two points people bounce between. But those “already condemned” can become (permanently) “not condemned.”

It’s Near

On By TimIn 1 Peter 04, Faithfulness, Hospitality, LoveLeave a comment

The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray.

1 Peter 4:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even when Peter was writing this, his expectation was for Jesus was imminent. we live some almost two-thousand years later. By any stretch of the imagination that mass of time cannot be counted as near or imminent.

Perhaps Peter wasn’t emphasizing the timing of things, but using the anticipation of the return of Jesus as an impetus for us believers to be right-minded. The need to have that mental clarity comes from the faith that Jesus keeps His promises. We also have to gird up each other.

It’s not people, really… But the entities that work in the spiritual realm which we do not readily perceive. These entities are real, and they work tirelessly to influence people and events. It’s a real war. That’s why we all have trials.

Peter has previously spoken in this epistle to expect that suffering and those trials. He has been teaching us to think correctly in those trials by keeping our minds sharply focused on heavenly things. That way we can do the things we need to do. Live soberly, and war spiritually.

What we need to do is pray. Even Paul speaks of this spiritual mindset. Like Peter is telling us how to be prepared for that, Paul uses a different idea in Ephesians 6. The two ideas are basically the same, though Paul used the imagery of a Roman soldier in armor. That armor was to set your mind in a certain way, and be ready.

Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Be ready. Set your mind straight! And pray always.

If one isn’t sober, it is easy to get distracted and derailed, often leaving prayer behind.

Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Before we can pray rightly for anyone, we must love them. That is at the root of what Peter is teaching us. It is the most important way to treat each other. If you love your brothers and sisters in the faith, it will lead you to be burdened with their cares. And when they stumble, as each of us is prone to do… We don’t make another feel guilty.

Pray for them… Even as you pray for enemies. The time is too short for us all.

Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes hospitality toward another presents itself as a daunting task. Some people just rub us the wrong way. We don’t want to be hospitable.

Check yourself. Hospitality isn’t about us. Well, not in the way that comes to mind. It’s about extending a gift to another. That is, giving them something they don’t deserve to get.

Look! Each of us doesn’t merit what Jesus did for us. It came to us as a gift from Him. It is a gift rooted in the love He has for each us. A gift that comes because time is short. None of us are promised tomorrow.

Extending hospitality even when we don’t feel like it is being a good steward of the grace God gives. But you say you don’t have the gift of hospitality. Peter is saying you do. It comes with your salvation… And even before you were saved. God was hospitable toward you by sending His own Son to die in your place. The Bible says God commends His love toward us. That’s hospitality. It follows then that it ought be a necessary thing to do that for another, if you are a Christian.

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we do any of these things to and for others, it ought to be done in the same way God did it for us.

In that way, it lifts up Jesus in the eyes of all who look on.

Change your Thinking

On By TimIn 1 Peter 04, Daily Walk, Faithfulness, LoveLeave a comment

Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh serving human desires, but the will of God.

1 Peter 4:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Therefore, that simple word connects the following conclusions to all that came before. It is that Christ satisfied our debt. Because He suffered in his physical body to do so, we need to put on that same mindset.

As Peter writes that the one who has suffered has ceased from sin, he’s not saying that you will stop sinning. This is still the idea of putting on that mindset of not doing such things. If we do, we put off serving them. That allows us to live freely for the rest of our lives.

How shall we live?

Paul said it succinctly.

Likewise, you also consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We reckon ourselves dead to the flesh, and the sin it desires to serve. We change our mindset to be alive to the things of God. In that way we cease from sin, just as Jesus. It will cost us, and we will suffer.

For in earlier times of our lives it may have sufficed us to do what the Gentiles like to do, when we walked in immorality: lusts, drunkenness, carousing, debauchery, and abominable idolatries. They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.

1 Peter 4:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are all familiar with our past indiscretions. For some of us, like me, we’ve done some of these shameful things as Christians. Thankfully, our sins are not counted against us. But those who are not saved still live like the world. They don’t understand why you don’t come along anymore. Here is where the hardship for each of us comes in, they will revile is for these things.

That’s okay. Nevertheless, it is sad.

They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

They will have to give an account. This is the judgment that the believer escapes (John 5:24.) It comes after death, just as it is written…

As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him.

Hebrews 9:27–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is a shocking thing for some. The end result won’t be fun.

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that even though they might be judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This verse is a bit difficult for me to make sense of, but given the text I will attempt it.

This refers yet again to Jesus’ descent into Hades after His death. He preached the Gospel to those saints in prison. These are judged in the same way any believer in the flesh is judged. That is, their sins are remitted. They meet the Judge Himself. The Bible is clear, there is no other way to heaven.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”

John 14:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

To know Him is to know the Father. He is the only Way. That is why He descended to lead captivity captive. That they, too, might live eternally according to God in the spirit.

It is the same way we ought to think to live now.

Live Honorably Even When Your Beliefs are Called Evil

On By TimIn 1 Peter 02, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Sanctification1 Comment

Live your lives honorably among the Gentiles, so that though they speak against you as evildoers, they shall see your good works and thereby glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Though this was written to Jewish believers, it stands with very poignant encouragement for today. The news is rife with the pressure being put on Christians to conform to society.

People call Christians evil because of perceived “intolerance.” (I need remind all, tolerance is the last bit of virtue to be championed in a decadent society.)

Amongst other instructions, these are given:

Do not repay evil for evil, or curse for curse, but on the contrary, bless, knowing that to this you are called, so that you may receive a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

By blessing others, it may seem as if we are giving the best stuff away to the least deserving. Yet, the promise still stands for those who give… Such receive a blessing.

They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you.

1 Peter 4:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is exactly what is happening today. There pressure will continue to wax worse as the boundaries of decadence normalize what was once called perverse.

Peter also tells exactly why they speak evil. We do not join in with the decadence. We are called to bless and receive the sure reward. The promise still stands for them, also.

They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you are waiting to be judged, you’re already on the wrong side. There is Hope for all of us. Email me, and we can chat privately.

Run Away

On By TimIn Faithfulness, Jonah 1Leave a comment

But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found there a ship going to Tarshish. He paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Jonah 1:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God had called Jonah to go to Nineveh, the great city. He was to warn them of their wickedness, and impending judgment. The wickedness of the Assyrians was renowned, they were a formidable people. I am almost certain that Jonah considered this service to God a sentence to his own demise.

Jonah instead chose to flee, in the exact opposite direction from Nineveh. As he writes it, to escape from the presence of the Lord.

Great calamity fell upon the boat Jonah booked passage upon. He tried to rest, but the sailors awoke him to help and to seek favor from his God. If they only knew the grace of God, and there was a man present who could tell them of it.

Jonah admitted his heritage to the sailors, and the real reason he was in their company. He implored them to throw him overboard… After their situation became direr they eventually did.

Before they did, they pleaded for grace from Jonah’s God.

Then they cried to the Lord and said, “Please, Lord, do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not make us guilty for innocent blood, for You, Lord, have done as it pleased You.”

Jonah 1:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jonah was tossed into the sea. The sailors sought reconciliation to God. The waves calmed for the sailors. And the ship continued to Tarshish without Jonah.

In the meanwhile, Jonah was swallowed by a fish sent by God.

Run!

In Jonah’s mind… Going to Nineveh would be a fatal danger for him. Who could really escape the presence of God?

The fatalism we encounter is stark. It weaves its way through the entire book. That is probably why he resigned himself to the watery grave. He was better off dead. (He attests to this later.)

Jonah is often called the reluctant prophet. In my opinion, he ought to be called the fatalistic prophet. Still, Jonah knew of the grace of God and sought it.

“When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered the Lord;
and my prayer came to You,
into Your holy temple.

“Those who follow vain idols
forsake their true loyalty.
But I will sacrifice to You
with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.
Salvation is of the Lord!”

Jonah 2:7–9— Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jonah learned a valuable lesson. One that is for us. We can trust God, even when He calls us to do something daunting. Something that makes us so fearful we run the other way, and may even reckon ourselves as good as dead if we follow God.

What’s wrong with that?

Perhaps… a lot if done the wrong way.

Jonah instructs us that we ought not to live for ourselves, but for God. Seeking to relieve himself of selfishly perceived calamity, he brought himself right into it! He didn’t believe God. I mean, he didn’t trust God. Believe, put your faith to action and trust God. Trust that He has a plan.

Reckoning our lives as not our own is the very essence of Christianity. We have a reasonable service to worship… Doing what God asks us to do. We are not our own.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.

Romans 12:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jonah learned the hard way. If God has a call on us, He means it. Jonah’s exploits are recorded for us.–they’re a quick read. Jonah couldn’t check out of this life without God’s permission. He was preserved by God explicitly for that mission of service assigned to him by God.

Instead… Jonah ran. He even tried to end his life on his own terms. God still had a purpose for him and sent a fish to intervene.

What are you afraid of that keeps you from serving God… Fear of dying?

Come on! Stop it. Stop thinking of yourself. Set your mind on serving God and others, it’s reasonable service.