Life: Spiritual Versus Carnal

Ephesians 4:17,20-24

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the Truth that is in Christ Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

This is essential. Paul insists in the Lord, that we, as Christians, no longer live our lives by our own thought processes, and our desires for earthly things and pleasures. These are all of our physical flesh and the thinking in our own minds. Our earthly desires are corrupting us, as food left out becomes rancid, spoiled. Real life is not physical, but spiritual. And God's thoughts of us and His words are also spiritual.

So we are to train ourselves to think His thoughts, instead of our own; to see through His eyes, not our own; to live our lives in His righteousness, not carnality. Put off the old, carnal self, and put on that new self, that God has made for us, spiritual life that is pure, separate from the world, and just right for each of us.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Pangea And The Tower Of Babel

Genesis 10 and 11

This is the genealogical record of the generations of Noah's three sons Shem, Ham and Japheth. There are some interesting notes here, on how Nimrod began to build great cities, beginning with Babylon (10:8-12). Then we are told about the tower they built there, in Babylon, on the Plain of Shinar (11:1-9). Several generations later, we are told that Eber named one of his sons Peleg (which means "Division") because, in his time the Earth was divided (10:25). 

So we see that God had told Mankind to spread out over the whole Earth, when all the land was one mass (called "Pangea"). But they decided instead to, make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole Earth (11:4). When God came down to see this city and tower, He was not pleased, so He confused their languages so that they would scatter (10:4). Then in the days of Peleg Pangea broke apart into the separate continents we still have today, evidenced by Continental Drift.

When we read it correctly, putting all the parts together, God's Word makes perfect sense, because it is His Truth for us.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Body Parts

I Corinthians 12:21-22

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.

This whole passage, verses 12 to 30, is about how every body is made up of different parts, as is the body of Christ, which is us. So each church, each congregation, needs to have a diverse mix of Christians who have different gifts, different personalities, different backgrounds, races and nationalities, all having the same worldview, basic beliefs (faith) and love for one another. So every assembly is responsible to welcome every Christian who has the same faith, outlook and love for others, regardless of their race, nationality, background, gifts or personality. 

Dear Father, please work in Your church, teach us to love with Your love; and You will receive all the glory for all You are doing in Your church and in the world.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Fit For Service

Luke 9:61-62

Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

This man wanted to put off following Jesus to party one last time; he wasn't ready to forsake everything else for Him. Jesus' answer to him uses the imagery of the farm: if you start to plow, then turn to look back, the furrow will not be straight. You must look at what you're doing to plow a straight furrow. So if I desire to follow the Lord, I must be willing to "turn my back" on any other relationship or endeavor that would interfere. If I'm still trying to divide my time and attention, then I'd be double-minded, and not succeed at either one. If I have affairs to wrap up, I need to take care of that business before I "put my hand to the plow." Then I'll serve single-heartedly.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Our Maker's Book Of Instructions

Psalm 18:20-24

The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All His laws are before me; I have not turned away from His decrees. I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

When we buy an appliance or a vehicle, we get with it a book of the "manufacturer's instructions," so we will know how to run it and take care of it for our greatest benefit from it. God is our Maker, and He has given us His "Book of Instructions" which we call the Bible or Scripture. It contains all the rules, commands, precepts, decrees, statutes, laws, promises: His Words to teach us His ways. When we conform our attitudes according to His ways for us, then our lives will show the results, which we call blessed and prosperous.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Old And The New Testaments

Hebrews 3:5

Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 

The Old Testament was given to present God's plan; the people and events recorded there form a picture of what God would accomplish. The New Testament records the fulfillment of all that was presented before. Moses struck the rock in the desert and water poured out to nourish all the people, and Jesus is that Water of Life that He gives us in His Spirit that wells up in us as His fountain. The sacrifices were given to illustrate that Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. 

Every Old Testament story pictures a clear Truth that is revealed in the New Testament. If we ignore any part of it, we diminish the picture of His Plan. If we add to it, we would distort that picture, making it deceptive. His Truth is true!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Power Of Our Words

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death,

God created by speaking. He made us in His image, His likeness. He made us to be like Him. He imagined us, then spoke us into being. We also have imagination, and are creative in building what we have imagined. So our words are also very powerful.

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

We can speak life or death to another. So our thoughts should be in line with the good thoughts God has for us. We can train ourselves in righteousness in allowing positive thoughts to fill our minds. Focus on what good we see in others, not their faults. Remember the goodness of God toward us all and what we focus on will fill our vision, allowing the negative to fade into the background. Then we will live out that great Salvation that He has put inside us.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!