Category Archives: Bible Study

GOD’S WORD IS THE SEED – 2

Bible Study, ,

‭1 Peter 1:23-25 NLT‬
[23] “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. [24] As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. [25] But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

Let’s gaze, for a moment, at Peter’s next gem of truth. Like a seed sown in good soil, that produces new life, so God’s Word sown in a believing heart, will bear the fruit of eternal life because His word cannot fail. Peter endorses Paul’s explanation of the way of salvation in Romans 10…

‭Romans 10:8-9 NLT‬
[8] “In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: [9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

… But Peter takes a step backwards. He adds the truth that the seed of God’s Word is the agent of our salvation. The message of Jesus is the seed we have received, and will always accomplish its mission. As Isaiah’s prophecy declared,

‭Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT‬
[10] “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. [11] It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Peter’s words, then, put our salvation into the category of certainty and security. Since God’s Word is the beginning of our salvation, the seed that produces the growing ‘plant’ of wholeness in the believer, we have the assurance, again, that God will finish what He started.

The Holy Spirit plants the seed of our salvation securely in our hearts when we believe and receive the message of Jesus. God’s ‘power pack’ is in the seed, guaranteeing its fruitfulness despite all odds. The seed in us also secures the end result of our faith, the holiness and likeness to Jesus that gives us our place in God’s heavenly kingdom forever.

As we rely on God’s promises, so we persevere in this life of faith through the trials and tests we face, with determination to endure to the end.

‭1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT‬
[6]”So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

‭Romans 5:3-5 NLT‬
[3]” We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. [4] And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

To crown all the reassurances that we will safely reach our destination because God’s promises can never fail, is His priceless gift of the Holy Spirit. He journeys with us because He is in us. He keeps us on track, monitoring and guiding us through every thought, choice, decision, and action, and calling us back when we wander off the path. He reassures us that we are chosen, called, greatly loved and highly favoured, children of God who are being groomed for an indescribably wonderful future.

God’s seed plays a powerful role in us on every level. His seed produces eternal life in us, reproduces the fruit of His Spirit in our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviour, and protects us from a life of sin.

The Greek word for ‘seed’ is ‘sperma’, meaning ‘something sown’. Imagine that! God has sown His sperma in us!

‭1 John 3:9 NIV‬
[9] “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed (sperma) remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”

It is God’s ‘sperma’ that produces life in us. This life of God in us, given to us through the work of His Spirit, raises us from death caused by sin, and continues to work life in us by protecting us from the sinful ways of our past. His Word, through the Spirit, alerts us when we sin, arouses our conscience, and leads us back to the path of obedience to Jesus.

What a treasure to lay hold of in a dark and threatening world!

AN INHERITANCE SAFE FROM CHANGE AND DECAY – 1

Bible Study, ,

People make and change their wills all over the earth, all the time. Some child, relative, or long term associate is included in a will but… if he/she steps out of line, the testator changes the will and the individual is penalised for offending the testator.

Sqabbles and quarrels over inheritance split families apart. Lifelong feuds happen over money or goods inherited or not inherited. Lawyers gain wealth from people’s pain… and so it will continue until the end of time.

Probably, worst of all, people who inherit vast sums of money and valuables often squander them faster than they are inherited. The temptation to spend what they did not earn by hard work is so great that they keep little or nothing for their future.

Humans have a great capacity for messing up when we get our hands on things of value.

Not so our inheritance in Christ! God is wise. He gives us a taste of our inheritance now but also keeps it safe and out of reach for us in a place no one on earth can touch.

Short as they are, Peter’s letters are littered with gems found nowhere else in the New Testament. We would be much poorer had his letters not been included in the Bible. The first chapter of his first letter begins with a jewel in our treasure hunt for these precious gems.

Peter writes of an inheritance so secure that nothing or no one can change or defile it.

1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT‬
[3] “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, [4] and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

New Testament letters are full of references to an inheritance we will share with Jesus. These are clues to the vast treasures waiting for us at the end of this life.

‭1 Peter 1:5 NLT‬
[5] “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this SALVATION, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.”

Our inheritance is a parcel of treasures wrapped up in a word…
SALVATION…as many-faceted as a diamond. Salvation means many things to many people. Saved from eternal hell; saved from the ravages of a sinful life; saved from the emotional prison of hatred, bitterness, revenge, unforgiveness, anger, fear, insecurity; saved from slavery to destructive habits; saved from selfishness and greed, and much more…but saved to what?

Salvation has a greater pull towards a life of peace and security than even the things we have left behind when we entered this new life. We have been saved from… so that we can be saved for …a new life filled with God’s mercy, favour, peace, and presence.

The heart of salvation is wholeness, the restoration of everything that was lost, damaged, or broken through Adam’s decision to go his way. When Adam chose to follow the devil’s deception, he forfeited for himself and the human race to come, every privilege, honour, and blessing God intended for His human family, including life with Him under His benevolent rule forever.

Humans were damaged, broken, and lost to God’s good plan until grace stepped in, providing mercy for those undeserving humans who accept and receive pardon and restoration through His own Son.

Together with the wholeness that is already at work in those who believe is a vast array of promises, endorsed by Jesus, which empower us towards the eternal goal of being replicas of God’s Son. Only then, when we participate in the restoration to wholeness that God has provided, can we participate in the inheritance that awaits us in the life to come.

‭2 Peter 1:4 NLT‬
[4] “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

So, God protects this salvation for us in heaven, that no one on earth can defile or change, despite those who preach a ‘different gospel’. He also protects us, who are beneficiaries of this inheritance, from failing to fulfil the conditions attached to this inheritance…faith in and faithfulness to Jesus as the testator.

Therefore, we must qualify for our inheritance in Christ, safe as it is for us in heaven. God is preparing sons and daughters to receive all the benefits of life in His kingdom. However, He cannot permit those who do not qualify, by their obedience to Him in this life, to take their place on His kingdom.

Paul warns those who make no preparation for the life to com…

‭Galatians 5:17-18 NLT‬
[17] “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. [18] But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.”

A battle rages for mastery in our hearts. The winner gets the prize… salvation and a place in God’s kingdom, and the loser gets the penalty… eternal separation from God and His loving rule.

What happens if we fail to win over the old nature, which victory we are to pursue purposefully if not perfectly?

‭Galatians 5:19-21 NLT‬
[19] “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, [21] envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will NOT INHERIT the Kingdom of God.”

However, there is a glorious inheritance awaiting those who take God seriously, bend their energies towards obedience, and trust in God’s grace to overcome the old sinful nature.

‭1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT‬
[6]”So, be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [8] You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. [9] The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

However, we have a promise and a hope that the one who chose us, called us, and predestined us to be like His Son, will finish what He started.

‭Philippians 1:6 NLT‬
[6]”And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

‭Jude 1:24-25 NLT‬
[24] “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. [25] All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

‭1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT‬
[13]”So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. [14] So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. [15] But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. [16] For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

God has promised to keep our inheritance safe for us AND He has promised to keep us safe for our inheritance.

What a treasure and a reward for those who go the distance!

ONE LAST WORD – 22

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 6:23-24 NLT‬
[23] “Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. [24] May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians begins and ends with a prayer for grace and peace to permeate the lives of his readers. He also injects another word into his prayer than needs a little inspection… faithfulness, ( Greek – ‘pistis’).

Some versions translate ‘pistis’ as ‘faith’, others as ‘faithfulness’. According to Strong’s Concordance, ‘pistis’ is derived from ‘peitho’ which incudes the concept of credence, i.e., belief in a system of truth.

Our confidence in the gospel, which is the system of truth which brought us both salvation from sin and the transformation of our lives, results in faithfulness to that body of belief to which we hold.

When we study the records of Jesus’ teachings, we discover that faithfulness to Him and His Word is high on His list of priorities and has great rewards. Jesus counts faithfulness to Him to be the qualification for our position in His kingdom when He returns.

‭Luke 16:10-12 NLT‬
[10]“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. [11] And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? [12] And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?”

‭Luke 18:8 NIV‬
[8] “…However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith (faithfulness) on the earth?”

Again , ‘pistis’, translated ‘faith’, but could it imply ‘faithfulness’?

Jesus had much to say about faithfulness. He told parables to illustrate the importance of faithfulness. For example…

‭Luke 12:42-44 NLT‬
[42] “And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [43] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [44] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.”

The story of Joseph clearly illustrates the value and reward of faithfulness.

‭Genesis 39:2, 4, 6 NLT‬
[2]”The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master…
[4] This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned…
[6] So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!… “

Unfaithfulness is the name of the game in our day. Unfaithfulness is rife on every level of family life and society. I don’t need to go into detail since we have all felt the effects of unfaithful people in our lives, AND we have all taken part in the tidal wave of unfaithfulness that sweeps over our world.

How can we remain faithful to our human family as well as to our Master when the pressure is on? Paul gives us a simple answer.

‭Galatians 5:22 NLT‬
[22] “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS…”

To qualify for the great prize at the end of our days on earth, we must heed the instruction of our Lord Jesus. We must trust the Holy Spirit to grow the fruit of faithfulness that only He can produce in us as we walk in the Word with Him.

PEACE BE WITH YOU – 21

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 6:23-24 NLT‬
[23] “Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. [24] May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul writes this letter, ‘book’ we call it, between two bookends… peace. The left ‘bookend’ includes a prayer for ‘grace’, the foundation of all God’s dealings with humans. The right ‘bookend’ adds ‘peace’, the outcome of God’s grace… ‘shalom’ in Hebrew, ‘eirene’ in Greek, two words rich in meaning.

Three words encompass the environment of God’s presence in heaven… love, joy, peace. There is nothing that can change or neutralise these three attributes of God Himself in the heavenly realm.

Adam chose, however, in the garden of Eden, to forfeit God’s presence in him for his own way. The result was hell into his soul, a life without God.

‭Ephesians 2:12 NLT‬
… “You lived in this world without God and without hope.”

Jesus came to change everything, to restore what Adam threw away… God’s love, joy, and peace in the soul. This is His legacy for all who believe in Him through His death.

Look what He gave His disciples before His departure.

‭John 15:9 NLT‬
[9] “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in MY LOVE. “

John 15:11 NLT‬
[11]”I have told you these things so that you will be filled with MY JOY. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

‭John 14:27 NIV‬
[27] “Peace I leave with you; MY PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus is God. He gave to His disciples His own attributes!

‭John 14:16-18 NLT‬
[16]”And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. [17] He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. [18] No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”

Think of that! He gave Himself back to them through the Holy Spirit’s presence in them, the fruit of His own life at work IN THEM.

‭Galatians 5:22 NLT‬
[22]”But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace…”

Why is God’s peace so important to us? Why should it be the prayer Paul uttered in every letter he wrote?

God’s peace in our hearts and minds has two great functions.

  1. God’s peace guards our thoughts against deception.

‭Philippians 4:6,7 NLT‬
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
[7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Worry and anxiety are the symptoms of fear. Fear is the product of unbelief – the devil’s way of dealing with the insecurities and uncertainties of life. God’s peace is the antidote to fear.

How do we receive and live in His peace?

Paul’s answer is simple – trade fear for peace by developing a thankful heart in all circumstances. We must choose fear or faith. It doesn’t just happen.

‭1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT‬
[18] “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

When we choose to believe God by unloading our cares onto Him, all flavoured with fear, He responds with His peace – an indescribable experience of security, calm, and confidence to face anything with Him. Paul says that this peace is real but it make no sense outside of God Himself. This peace shuts out every deceptive thought producing unbelief and fear, and shuts in an unshakeable confidence in God’s love and faithfulness to His promises.

  1. God’s peace guides us in our choices and decisions.

‭Colossians 3:15 NIV‬
[15] “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Here we have it again… a thankful heart is the environment in which God’s peace works. Every day we are confronted with choices and decisions…to think this not that… to do this, not that… to go here, not there. Every decision and action carries a consequence. How can we know that our decisions are right or wrong? God’s peace! Like the referee in a game.

A thankful heart pushes us towards right decisions, creating the environment, the motivation for doing what works.

For example, I have a prompting towards generosity. I weigh it up. Shall I give or keep for myself? Gratitude to God for His goodness to me pushes me towards supplying another’s need. I give and God’s peace confirms my choice. His peace is actually His Spirit actively producing His fruit in my heart as I do what’s right.

God’s peace also acts, when we go off the path. I do something that is counter to a grateful heart. I speak a harsh word. I believe a lie and act on it. I do something out of selfishness… God’s peace goes. Restlessness, insecurity, inner turmoil replaces the peace.

How can I regain the tranquility that ruled in my soul? Stop! Think back! Where did I lose my peace? Together with the Holy Spirit, I remember. He shows me where I deviated from truth. I repent, turn from my wickedness, make right with another if I trespassed on someone else’s territory. My peace is restored. Peace acted in me to correct my wrongdoing and took over, once again, to rule in my heart.

How essential and powerful is God’s peace in us. His peace helps us navigate, safely, all the hazards we face from ourselves and others in this life. We need His peace to bring us to the haven of eternal peace in His presence.

TO FIGHT, WE STAND – 19b

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 6:10-11, 14-17 NLT‬
[10] “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil….
[14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

How do we deal with these situations that challenge our faith in God? We often become shaky in our trust in Him. Usually, our instinctive response is to retaliate. We want to do to others what they do to us. We want to punish others for our pain. That’s the old nature wanting to take charge.

The question is…”Who is behind this response?” Though Satan wants us to fall AGAIN, God wants to teach us how to overcome our instinctive, ungodly reactions.

Instead of acting before thinking, it’s time to stop and assess the situation. “How do I handle this one?” Run, fight, or stand my ground? Run is not an option. I cannot outrun the devil. Fight is not an option. Satan is far stronger than I am.

Our only and most powerful option is to stand. Like the way we are taught to face a wild animal, we must stand still and face the enemy. All very well, but how do we stand? Our battle ground is in the mind, remember? It’s our thoughts that are under attack. What we think will direct what we do. It’s our thoughts, then, that must be marshalled to stand against the attack.

Again, the issue is truth versus lies. The enemy’s most potent weapon is deception. He tries to convince us that we are on our own. We must deal with the situation our own way. “God doesn’t love us. He’s against us. He doesn’t care. Look what’s happening to us. Is this the way God shows His love to us?”

“Who do I believe, God or the devil?” Adam faced the same dilemma in the garden of Eden! The devil’s lie… “God is not to be trusted. Do what I tell you.”

The truth is… God and you are partners. He has delivered you from the power of darkness. He has clothed you in His salvation. He has covered every part of you with His armour, His Word. You have His Spirit in you. He has armed you with faith and truth. Your weapon is truth. The devil cannot stand in the presence of truth.

Stand, therefore, in the truth.

It’s not your circumstances that are the problem, it’s the way you deal with them that will enable you to trust or cause you to doubt. The devil is out to get YOU, through your circumstances.

Paul said, “Change your perspective. Change your attitude.” Spiritual warfare is not “taking authority over” or “praying against” the people or problems you are facing, which are both unbiblical ways to deal with tests. Spiritual warfare is about taking a stand against our sinful desires and responses by believing the truth of God’s grace. By believing the gospel of forgiveness and salvation from sin through Jesus, we have power to overcome our old nature with the help of the Holy Spirit in us.

Overcoming temptation, then, is not about will power. It’s about faith in the One who promised. We resist by standing on the truth of God’s Word.

‭James 4:7-8, 10 NLT‬
[7]”So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come close to God, and God will come close to you….
[10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

Our battles are real. The outcomes depend on what we believe and what do with God’s promises. The victory us ours if we believe and stand on God’s Word.