Tag Archives: worthy

PARTNERS IN UNITY

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV
[27] “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”

“Striving as one…” It must have been comforting for Paul to know that he was not alone in his efforts to spread the gospel. As much as he was preaching and teaching wherever he went, he was also fighting the good fight of faith…the daily struggle to subdue his old nature by faith in Christ, his hope of glory.

How vital it was for Paul and all his fellow believers, not only in Philippi but also wherever a fellowship of believers was established in cities and towns across the empire, to be living witnesses to the power of the gospel in a spiritually dark and pagan world. It was not enough to believe in Jesus. Their faith must be lived every day and in every way for them to testify to His saving power.

Jesus gave His disciples a commission…to BE His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit in them.

Acts 1:8 NIV
[8] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Being His witnesses meant believing in His work of salvation through His death…and living lives that reflect His nature in them by identifying with Him in His death.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
[15] “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Romans 6:3-4 NIV
[3] “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The greatest work of the believer, even above serving Jesus, is the work of overcoming the flesh to live lives of submission and obedience to the Master. Why do I say this? Living righteous lives in obedience to Jesus is the hallmark of every believer, the evidence that God’s grace has changed a person from rebel to son, gladly submitting to and obeying Jesus as Lord. Holy lives, so days the Father, are imperative is we ever to see Him.

Hebrews 12:14 NLT
[14] “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

John 14:21 NIV
[21] “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

On the strength of this truth, Paul made a startling statement. It’s this evidence, increasing likeness to Jesus, that both confirms our salvation AND unbelievers’ judgment.

Philippians 1:28 NLT
[28] “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

Unity, then, goes beyond being one in faith and fellowship. Unity is the oneness of heart and experience that embraces two important functions of every believer, and strives together to accomplish two important purposes…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27]”Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

First, they must overcome their old nature to live righteous lives as is worthy of the gospel,…

Philippians 1:27 NLT
[27] Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ…

…and they must protect and preserve the body of truth, called “the faith” which is the whole gospel of Jesus, intact and unchanged.

“…Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

“Together” means the unity which leaves no room for dissention. They must stand as one against all opposition, from outsiders who hate them and from insiders who try to distort the gospel.

This unity is not only essential in every fellowship but a powerful barrier against the enemy’s intrusion.

The deep, inward, unifying power, which the Holy Spirit accomplishes in them, can only happen as each believer is committed to Jesus first and then to loving submission to one another under Jesus’ authority, but, said Paul, every person plays a part in preserving this unity.

Ephesians 4:3-6 NLT
[3] “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

Unity can be disrupted by just one dissenter, either practising sin or distorting the truth of the gospel. Therefore, “strive together” are the operative words. Each person must constantly take stock of his/her life first and tenacious cling to what is good in life and doctrine.

PAUL’S ‘, THEREFORE’ – 11

Bible Study

Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT‬
[1] “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. [2] Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. [3] Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

I was taught, at Bible School, that when you see a “therefore”, you must ask what it’s there for. That may not be good English but it’s good theology!

Paul’s ‘therefore’s’ always follow his teaching. Most of his letters begin with explanations about the Father and His actions and intentions through Jesus. The Holy Spirit also features in these teachings in His function as administrator of God’s purposes on earth. So, Paul’s letters highlight great themes on God’s nature (for example, righteousness – in Romans…grace in Ephesians), and what He does.

However, theory without practice is sterile. If we don’t respond appropriately to who God is and what He has done, our faith is of no consequence.

‭James 1:22 NLT‬
[22] “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

Trouble is that many of those who claim allegiance to Jesus have not grasped this truth. Life goes on with the flesh still in charge, unfortunately bringing disgrace on the one who bought us.

Paul addressed this issue in his criticism of the Jews in his letter to the Romans.

‭Romans 2:22-24 NLT‬
[22] You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? [23] You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. [24] No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

The Gentiles, although many believed in Jesus, in the main, brushed aside the claims of the Jewish faith because God’s people did not live up to God’s requirements. Instead, the Jews lived like pagans but were still proud of the faith they failed to obey.

Now, Paul says, we have an obligation to become what God has recreated us to be.

‭Colossians 3:10 NLT‬
[10] “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

Fortunately, for his readers and for us, Paul gives clear instructions on how to work out what God has worked in us. We learn from the failure of God’s people to obey the law, that living righteously is impossible without…

  1. A new life.
    God has given us that new life.

‭Ephesians 2:1, 4-6 NLT‬
[1″Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins…
[4] But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, [5] that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) [6] For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

This new life radically changes us from the inside. We have a connection with God that transforms our attitude to Him, ourselves, and the world. We are a new creation. If this has not happened, despite our claim to faith in Jesus, we have not been born again.

  1. The power of the Holy Spirit.
    God has given us His Spirit to overcome our old sinful nature.

‭Romans 8:12-13 NLT‬
[12] “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

The Holy Spirit, now living in us, alerts us to the sin we were comfortable with before we received Jesus. He leads us away from rebellion and disobedience towards submission to Jesus and His authority over us.

  1. His very great and precious promises.
    God has promised us grace and power to overcome sin and live righteously.

‭2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT‬
[3] “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [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.”

Love and unity are the GOAL of the church and love and unity can only be achieved by obedience to Jesus empowered by His Spirit. Love and unity are also our Guarantee that we will inherit eternal life. God has promised us an inheritance so precious that He keeps it safe for us in heaven and He guarantees that promise by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us now.

‭1 Peter 1:4 NLT‬
[4] “… We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

‭Ephesians 1:14 NLT‬
[14] “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

However, this inheritance, which Jesus shares with us, is only for those who obey Jesus and are led by God’s Spirit.

‭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.“

‭Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT‬
[22] “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ‭Galatians 5:23 NLT‬
[23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Jesus told the religious leaders who refused to receive Him…

‭Matthew 21:43 NLT‬
[43] “I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.”

‭1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT‬
[9 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, [10] or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. [11] Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

So, Paul encouraged and warned his Roman readers…

‭Romans 8:9-14 NLT‬
[9]”But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

How important, then, that we take Paul’s ‘therefore’ seriously. What follows in Ephesians 4-6 are the building blocks of the life of faith. Every ‘therefore’ adds to the lives we are to live and qualifies us to receive the inheritance God is keeping for us in heaven.

In no way does our salvation depend on what we can do or what we can add to what Jesus has done for us. “It is finished!” Complete! Done!

However, our inheritance depends on how we respond to His work in us. Those who do nothing about gaining mastery over the flesh will have no part in the rewards God has prepared for those who are faithful to Him. “If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.”

‭Romans 5:17-18 NLT‬
[17] “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [18] Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”

Paul grieved over those who claimed salvation but lived by their evil desires.

‭Philippians 3:17-19 NLT‬
[17]”Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. [18] For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”

Therefore, a life worthy of the salvation that we have received is the evidence that we are children of God.

‭1 John 3:2-3 NLT‬
[2]”Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. [3] And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”

Worthy Behaviour!

Bible Study, , ,

WORTHY BEHAVIOUR!

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” Philippians 1:27-30.

That’s quite a tall order, Paul, isn’t it?

It would be if it were given to people in any other religion. Or would it? Take, for example, those who were so convinced that they were right that they were willing to kill Christians for their conviction. They were representing the character of the god they worshipped.

The God of the Jews was, for them, a hard taskmaster. He demanded perfect obedience to a host of petty rules, or else… The gods of the Greeks and Romans were immoral, unscrupulous and unpredictable. It would not be difficult for those who worshipped them to be worthy of them. Nero was a good representative – using Christians as living torches to light up his garden parties, and putting them in the arena to face starving and ravenous wild beasts!

Paul’s call to a worthy walk was quite different and far more difficult than for all these others. Believers represented a God of grace – one who stepped in to do for them what they could not do for themselves. He was not a taker but a giver. He not only gave people, and that included those who did not even believe in Him, everything they needed to live on this planet; food, water, clothing, shelter and the beauty and bounty of the world around them. He also gave His Son as a substitute for their sin.

However people defined sin, they could not get rid of it. People today who reject God’s provision of Jesus as a sacrifice for their sin, have to come up with another solution – like going through various rituals, trying to wash their sins away, kissing or touching an object etc. How can that affect their standing before a holy God? Some even come closer to the truth by offering animal blood for their sin. Blood is required, yes, but animal blood has no value to God because no animal can atone for human sin.

But for the believer in Jesus, behaviour and a life worthy of Him is not impossible. First of all, He came to earth as a human being to live a perfect, sinless life. It had to be for Him to take our punishment for sin. The prophet Micah asked a very relevant question:

“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Micah 6:6, 7.

Of course none of these things can clear a guilty conscience. If they can, why do people keep going through the same rituals year after year?

Then Jesus died as a substitute for our sin. He was even made sin for us! Only a sinless human being could take the place of a sinner and pay his debt to a holy God.

“God made Him who had no sin, to be sin for us…” 2 Corinthians 5:21.

And then, miracle of miracles, He rose from the dead to set us free from the power of sin so that we are able to live a life worthy of Him. Anyone can live like the gods they worship but only through God’s power can a believer in Jesus live a life worthy of Him. Paul’s call to the Philippian church was not a vain hope but a powerful possibility because the very God they worshipped was in residence in them.

This was not a call to self-effort or self-help, ten easy steps to holiness! This was an encouragement to live out who they were, sons and daughters of God, because they were forgiven and set free from the power of sin, and they had the Holy Spirit in them to energise them to be who they were.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.