Love One Another

John 13:35 says that the world will know we are Christians if we love others.

I recently read a story about a man who was walking along.  He saw a guy standing on a bridge about to jump.  He ran over shouting, "Don't do it!  There is so much to live for!"

The guy responded, "Like what?"

The man asked, "Well that depends.  Are you atheist or religious?"

The guy answered, "religious."

The man excitedly yelled, "So am I!  Are you Christian or Jewish?"

"Christian"

"So am I!  Are you Catholic or Protestant?"

"Protestant."

"So am I!  Are you Lutheran or Baptiste?"

"Baptiste."

"So am I!  Are you the Orthodox Baptiste or the Reformed Baptiste?"

"Reformed Baptiste."

Horrified the man said, "What?  Die heretic!"  And pushed him off the bridge.

Okay, so I missed a few details in my story.  It actually went all the way to Reformed Baptiste Church of God, Reformation ??15."  The point is the same.  There are going to be people we don't see eye to eye with. How we treat them shows the world if Jesus lives in us though.  Let's not become that man who pushed the guy off the bridge.

2 Timothy 4

There are several things from this chapter I want to draw your attention to in summary.  We are charged with preaching God's word, being ready for His return, and keeping watch just like any good soldier should.

When Jesus returns, He will then judge the living and the dead.  Those who love His second coming will be given a crown of righteousness.  Until that day, He will strengthen us if we let Him.  He will never leave us alone.  Every evil thought, desire, and action He can deliver us from because He wants to keep me safe for His kingdom.

These are good reasons to praise Him.  Praise the Lord who loves us so much and is willing to defend and protect us from evil.  To Him be eternal honor and praise.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

After the last post about perilous men, let's look at the second half of the chapter.

We as Christians should do our best to follow the advice Paul has been outlining as God's will.  (I am all for studying scripture and making sure it all works together, not picking and choosing.)  Live a good and quiet life.  God should be your purpose in life.  Have faith in Him.  You will need to be longsuffering and full of love in order to be able to perseverance through the hurtful things others do to you and other troubles that will come along.  We are in a war, it can't be helped.  God will deliver us.  If we trust in Him and study His Word, He will take us one day to Heaven with Him.

The scriptures can do so much for us.  God talks to us through them.  It helps us understand what we believe and why.  If we need to mend our ways or talk to others about theirs, it says how and on what.  Anything you need to know to live a good life, the advice is in the scriptures.  It is what we need to be able to face the life we are in.

Prayer

In the morning worships we are having among our English teachers, we have been reading "The Chosen" by Dwight Nelson.  It is a very inspirational book that I believe everyone should have a chance to read.  The topic of the last two days has been prayer.  How Paul even wrote, asking for prayer.

We are in a spiritual warfare.  A very real battle where casualties are a reality.  Those at the front lines are Christians.  If the enemy picks off the leaders, our pastors, then the rest will follow.  It is a plan of battle that is as old as time.  So when our pastors have to "go in," then we should provide "cover fire."  We need to be praying for our pastor, evangelist, etc.  It can make a difference between life and death for someone.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

This is such a powerful text.  It opens up saying what kind of people to stay away from in the end times.  People who are selfish, greedy, boast of themselves, proud, say that which is against scripture, don't listen to their parents, are not thankful for what they have, are unholy, have no love, are unforgiving, say mean things of others, have no self-control, cruel, don't like those who are nice, turn their backs on those they claimed loyalty to, stubborn, arrogant, crave and seek sex, and look like upstanding citizens that we can count on but are really not.  It is hard to imagine someone with all of these qualities, but they are out there in one degree or another.  These people are good at manipulating others and leading them astray for their own amusements.

People like this may seem knowledgeable, but they will never know and understand God.  This is because they don't really want to.  They are corrupt inside and try their best to prove that God doesn't exist.  They are foolish and it will be evident in time.

2 Timothy 2

This is what I got out of the chapter.  I will type what I learned in order that I read it.

We are to be strong in God's grace.  We will need that strength because we are soldiers in a war between God and the Devil.  We have to compete in this life according to the rules.  God has high standards.  If we need or want it, God will give us the understanding we need.

The Bible isn't chained and can surpass any attempt to stop it from spreading.  We should be willing to endure anything so that others can learn what the Bible says about Jesus.  Salvation of souls is at stake.  So we should work hard so that when we are before God, we have no need to be ashamed.

God has a solid foundation.  It has a seal with the message of who His people are and that they are separate from the sinful world and what it contains.  Stay away from the lust of youth and do your best to fill your life with only that which is righteous, full of faith, love, peace.  Those with a pure heart can receive such from God.

If you avoid arguing or debating with people, you will be happier.  If you have a point to make or believe something strongly, you should instead have a gentle disposition.  That way you are able to teach in a patient and humble method those who are in opposition to you.  God will open their eyes if they are repentant.  For they are snared by the Devil and are doing the Devil's will, not their own or God's.

2 Timothy 1

I have started reading 2 Timothy.  Here is what I have gained from the first chapter.  I'm prayful that by fasting, I will be able to understand more clearly what He has to say to me.  Also hoping the relationship between Him and I will become stronger.

Here is the message I got to me from Him when I read this.  We should pray without stopping all day and all night.  The first thing in the morning should be words to Him and the last thought should be prayers to Him.  God has given each of us at least one gift.  We should use it.  Don't worry about what may happen or if something might go wrong.  Don't be selfish.  God has filled us with love and power, so what need have we to fear.

We should not be afraid of testimony of God.  Be willing to tell others what you believe and why.  Don' worry about how others might react or think of you.  We are called to an amazing calling to do His will and meet His goals.

After all, Jesus abolished death.

I know who I believe and love.  I claim Jesus as my best friend, my guardian, my leader.  I know I can trust Him.  He will come back for me.

Until that day, I will read, study, and cling to His Word.  Everything He tells me, I place in my heart and cherish them.  The Holy Spirit which God placed in me will help me to understand and follow His leading.

Nehemiah 9

Tonight I went to a Bible Study group.  We are going through the Sermon on the Mount.  It turned out to be a pretty intense Bible study and discussion.  Afterwards while sitting on the bus, I prayed for God to not give up on me.  To guide me.  I decided God had something to say to me and opened my Bible.  It opened to Nehemiah 9.  It spoke loud and clear.

Verses 1-3:  God's people confessing their sins.

They gathered together to fast, dressed simply, and with dust on their heads.  They have broken their lives down so that their only focus is God.  Then they separate themselves from those who would distract them from God to confess all their sins, as well as the sins of their fathers.  Then they read scripture and praised God.

Tonight I remember a phrase spoken.  Sometimes God reveals our sins.  It can be humiliating and painful to deal with.  However, the consequences are better than if it had not been dealt with at all.  I completely agree.

The rest of the chapter goes on to explain how God's people kept leaving Him, but He was merciful and kept taking care of them.  No matter how many times I mess up or break up with my God, He will always be there for me ready to be a part of my life if I let Him.

I really needed to read this chapter.  During the Bible study, those with me prayed for me.  As they were praying, I was pleading that God would be there for me.  Something was wrong though.  I felt like there was a huge chasm between Him and I.  Then one of the ladies had me pray aloud.  That chasm disappeared.  God and I have quite the relationship to work on.  It is as broken as broken relationships get.  However, as long as I trust Him and don't give up, then He will take care of me one way or another.

As soon as I got back to my apartment, I felt like a soldier with my faith in Him acting as a shield.  I marched in and declared in Jesus' name that this place was His.  Not mine.  Not anything or anyone else's.  This is just the start.  Every aspect of my life will be dedicated and rededicated to Him.  Nothing should come between Him and I.

Obviously I will mess up.  Good thing God doesn't.  I love Him.

1 Tim 6:11-21

I apologize for my absence.  Feel free to shoot me a message next time I am away so long reminding me that God's Word is better than whatever is taking my time away from this blog.

This section is full of encouragement and praise to God.  Seriously, if you ever feel down, depressed, sad, alone, or in need of ideas for praising God... read this.

As Christians, we should be striving for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  This means that we should (according to the dictionary) do our best to adhere to moral principles, have the piety of being a good person, have complete trust in God, have an intense and deep feeling of affection for God and those around us, accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset, and finally be considerate and kindly in disposition.

We need to be full of faith and do our best to tell others about Jesus and how much He loves us... to as many as you can.  God is responsible for the life in any and all things.  If Jesus confessed that He was the Christ, the savior of the world that He loves, then why should we hold back?  I want ask you, what has life?  Humans?  Animals?  Plants?  Some people would say some electronics because they work as they are supposed to.  I believe that none of this is possible without Jesus, not even your computer.

We need to believe in Jesus and tell others of our faith in Him until Jesus returns.  Remember what faith is; having complete trust in God.  Only God knows when Jesus' return is.  He is the only true immortal.  He lives in such a bright and brilliant light that we are unable to come within sight of it... nor will ever be able to.  To Him all honor and praise should go.  Why would we want to serve anyone else?  God is the only One with everlasting power.  This is all true.

If you have been blessed with wealth or more than you need here on earth, realize what it is.  A gift.  Gifts are not something you earn, but something that He was willing to let you have.  You owe Him for every last penny.  So don't place your trust in money, land, clothes, credit cards, or anything else when only God can be trusted.  These things can for one reason or another end up gone.  Jesus will always be there.

Instead be compassionate and wise.  Share with those around you, do good deeds for others, and any other good and healthy thing.  For by doing so you are building up your character which is the only thing you can really take with you to heaven.  Which would you prefer, a solid foundation there after living a selfless life or lots of wealth and self-pleasure on earth with less chance of eternity with our Lord?

Whatever was committed to your trust, guard it.  Whether it is school children, your own children, the kids across the street, or the elderly lady sitting on her porch drinking afternoon tea.  Stay away from the profane, idle babblings, knowledge that really isn't knowledge.  This means don't become devoted to the unbiblical, avoid those who talk in a foolish or excited way continuously that makes no sense, and listening to or spreading things which may or may not be true.  If you do not listen, you could stray.

So drinking water that was heated in a plastic bottle causes a person's chance of cancer to rise.  Same concept here.  Doing some of the things at the top of this post will lower your chance of being left out of heaven.  Doing some of the things at the bottom of this post will raise your chance of being left out of heaven. Your choice how you live your life, just be aware that some things can influence your life in a life-changing way.

1 Tim 6:1-10

This one can be used or misused by many people.  I'm not going to enter the debates that can arise from this and how it should be applied.  I am simply going to give you what I got out of this section.

If you work for someone, you should make sure everything you do is honorable.  Your actions are seen by others and as a Christian they should be honorable to God.  If you work for a Christian, all the more reason to be honorable as whatever you do helps them in God's service.

To say otherwise is against Jesus.  Such a person is self-centered and likes to cause problems.  If you come across such a person, don't hang out with them.

Everything that is done for Jesus is a good thing.  Someday when Jesus returns, we will see the fruits of our labors and the reward we get from that will be better than anything we can gain here.  If you really want to get as much as you can on Earth at the cost of your spiritual life and at the cost of others, then you are creating for yourself a lot of sadness.  Watch out for caring a lot about money.  If it becomes the center of your life, then it will be your downfall as only Jesus can keep you alive and happy.

I'm eating my own words while typing this.  I will admit I complained about those I work under at my job.  It was dishonorable of me and does not testify of Jesus.  For that I apologize and will endeavor not to repeat that mistake, yet again.

Life can be tough and seem unfair.  However, when I complain about things... I don't feel better.  Complaining, whining, and making sure others know how hard my life is just makes my life seem that much harder.  It is not just for Jesus' ministry that we should be positive and enduring, but also for our own health.  To talk about hard times makes them only that much harder to get through.  Why?  Because you are focused on the negative and if you are looking at the negative, which what eyes will you see the good and beauty that is there too?

1 Tim 5:17-25

This next section is in three parts to me.

1. The elders among us have earned double respect from us.  That is their reward.  However, if they also work hard along spiritual lines, then they are even more deserving of this reward.

For this reason, if someone has a complaint against an elder, don't even pay attention unless there are several witnesses.  In the same way, if found in need of rebuke then do in front of everyone so that others will know and learn to live better.  Don't show favoritism in either the good or bad sense for both can be unfair.

2. "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities."  Basically some wine can help keep you healthy.  I was raised that alcohol was a sin.  Yet as a historian I knew that there was little chance that anyone but the poorest went without some form of alcohol as pure water in those times was easily contaminated.  Now I have read for myself in a whole list of how to treat others and live you life this gem of advice.  It is in context as well.

3. The things a person does for good or ill is sometimes not noticed or rewarded accordingly right away, but waits until judgment.  However, in some cases, their rewards or punishments come in this life before then.

1 Tim 5:1-16

Chapter 5 is all about honor and treating other people right.

It starts out straight and to the point.  Those older than you, treat with respect as due a father or both.  Those younger as brothers and sisters.  Your relations with them should be of the purest purpose.

When he gets to widows though, there are two categories.  Widow and real widows.  The first has descendants to look after her and it is a chance for those descendants to demonstrate their faith by their action in taking good care of her.  Those who don't are denying their faith and "are worse than an unbeliever."

Those who are real widows are left for the church to care for.  They spend their spare time in prayer.  If it is spend in pleasure, then they are dead even while alive.

Then after this distinction, there is another.  If you are an old widow, you have had to have lived a good life fulfilling the duties as a faithful wife and mother in order to be worthy of assistance.  If your younger, remarry because if you rely on the church then you will fall away from the faith out of idleness.

This right here is a key to our faith.  If we don't keep busy with work and worship, then we are leaving ourselves open to be courted and lured away by the devil.

1 Tim 4:12-16

I like how chapter 4 ends.  Just because you are young, people are not to look down on you.  You can help make sure of this by your example.  What you say and do is super important.  You should be a person full of love, guided by the Holy Spirit, with faith in Jesus and allowing Him to create in you a pure heart.  Everyone has a gift and we, no matter our age, are not to neglect that gift.  What you know and believe, stay true to it.

1 Tim 4:6-11

In the last post I talked about how chapter 4 of 1 Timothy was dealing with foods of all kinds being acceptable to eat if eaten with thanksgiving to God.  That is a bitter pill for some to swallow who follow the church tradition of my church in the most conservative of ways.  That is okay.  God will lead them as He wills in His time.  For me, it was a relief to read.

That connects with today's post.

Those who teach the faith and the acceptance that is found in Jesus are rewarded.  Just watch out for old "wives fables" as this translation puts it.  It explains that taking care of your body is all good and well as it benefits you to some extent.  However taking care of your relationship with Jesus is more important as if affects not just this life but the one to come.

We trust in Jesus.  He died for all humanity.  We can count on Him.