What does it mean when we say, “I am a Christian?” We know we are supposed to be different, but that difference occasionally runs contrary to human reasoning. We have died yet live. We have been transformed, yet we remain the same. We are not of this world, yet here we are living and functioning with this world. What is involved – outside of merely making claims of being different – in being a Christian that truly does make us different.

Contradictory Ideas

Dead Yet Living. Romans 6:1-12 records Paul addressing our death to sin and the things of this world. He compares obedience to baptism with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. In Colossians 3:1, Paul calls upon us to seek things that are above, being raised up in Christ, and he refers to putting our earthly selves to death in verse 5. Galatians 2:20 calls us crucified with Christ. Self is put away, and Christ lives in us as we continue living.

Transformed Yet Unchanged. In Romans 12:1, in referring to us as living sacrifices, calls upon to be transformed, to be changed. II Corinthians 3:18 and Ephesians 4:23 both call on us to transform or renew ourselves. As we are raised from the grave of baptism, we undergo no physical changes, but Paul calls us transformed.

In, Not Of the World. John 17:16 records Jesus referring to His disciples as not of the world as He is not of the world. Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds on things above as opposed to the things of this life. In Philippians 3:19, Paul speaks of the shame in minding earthly things.

Reconciling the Confusion

How do we make sense of these paradoxes? How can we be so changed, yet appear unchanged? The death of Romans 6 is basically a separation from sin. Where physical death is a separation of life from our bodies. When we die to sin, we remove sinful attitudes and behaviors from our lives. We are still who we are, but we’ve put away those things and that former self that keeps us from God and His mercy. We become a living sacrifice according to Romans 12:1-2. Without physically dying, we cast off all that we formerly held valuable and give ourselves entirely over to God’s will.

When it comes to our transformation, Paul calls on us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We remake our mind in the likeness of Christ. We take on a new mindset. How I may have lived, how I may have treated others, or the things I may have prioritized – these things are now part of the past. I Peter 1:14-15 calls us to fashion ourselves after God’s holiness in all things. I Peter 2:10 speaks of us obtaining mercy to undergo this change. In our death to sin, in our transformation through the reforming of our minds, we separate our priorities from this world. While in the world, we are no longer part of the world.

Conclusion

Saying we are Christians is more than believing in Christ, but there is much more involved in becoming a follower of Christ. Romans 6:12-14 warns us against letting sin reign over our lives. The changes in our lives as Christians involve us no longer pursuing sin and pursuing spiritual interests instead. In I Corinthians 6, the Christians at Corinth think that what they do with their bodies has no impact on the soul, but Paul demonstrates that theory as flawed. Our conduct, according to Romans 6:16, demonstrates our true identity.

If the world cannot tell a difference between who I am now and who I was, can God see the difference? When God looks down upon us, do we reflect Him, or do we still reflect the world in His eyes? Until the truth of God’s word is reflected in our lives, we demonstrate them to be no more than platitudes. We cannot merely listen to His word. We must learn from it and live it.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, behaviors, character, priorities

Who are we? That’s a question for which we need to have an answer before we can share our hope with the world. Jesus, in Mark 8:27, asks His apostles who they think He is. He wants them to think about their perceptions of Him, and what those conclusions imply. We have the same responsibility toward ourselves.

Our family names, occupations, levels of education, genders races – these factors and more provide certain assumptions about us. Beyond these, who are we spiritually? What terms define our spiritual lives to ourselves? How do others perceive us in this regard? Our actions inform others of who we are – our morals, our decisions, our associations, our priorities. These qualities contribute to our character, and our character will determine the reputation we have with others.

Defining Our Spiritual Identities

We may call ourselves Christians, the redeemed, members of the church. In John 13:34, Jesus says our identity is defined by the love we demonstrate toward others. He says this love identifies us as His. Our character, then, should reflect Christ’s love. Galatians 5:13 begins a description of how love compels us to a life of service, just as Jesus exemplified when washing His apostles’ feet. In Colossians 1:9, Paul tells us we should be gaining spiritual wisdom to follow His example and bear fruits of good works.

Romans 7:4 says we belong to God so we may work for Him, and Hebrews 10:23 calls upon us to encourage one another, stirring up love and good works. Titus 3:1 instructs us to stay ready for opportunities to do good, and Paul goes on in this passage to tell us to avoid quarreling, to speak ill of none, to always be gentle. He speaks of good works as something to which we should devote our lives, refraining from things that tear us apart. Verse 14 says to be watchful for the needs around us and again to be fruitful.

It’s Not Of This World

Sometimes we allow our pasts to make decisions for us. Matthew 3:8 has Jesus speaking about fruits of repentance, but He warns His listeners against relying on their history. He speaks to personal accountability in verse 10, and Matthew 10:37 indicates that our ties to Christ should be stronger than those even to family. We cannot let our past or our ties to this world ultimately guide us. Instead, or identities are defined by the fruits we bear. All we say and do contributes to our spiritual reputation.

Who do others say that I am? More importantly, who does God say I am? I John 3:18 instructs us to be active in our love and that we cannot hide our true selves from Him. To the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, Jesus says to each that He knows their works. He acknowledges their reputations, but He knows who they really are underneath. Our manufactured reputations cannot hide our inner selves from God.

Conclusion

Back in Mark 8, after the apostles share their views about Jesus and Peter makes his confession of faith, Christ begins to reveal the true nature of His mission and the suffering He will endure. Peter, his mind set on the things of this life, rebukes Jesus. In the upper room, Peter can’t wrap his mind around Jesus’ example of service because it challenges his world view too much. We cannot let our identity get tied up in the things, the cares, or the praise of this world. Our self-definition should be spiritual in nature, and it should reflect that name we wear at all times.

By Dawson Guyer

Tags: identity, behaviors, character

We are familiar with the first several verses of I Corinthians 10 where Paul draws parallels between the events of the Old Testament and the kingdom of the New. He states that the events of the Old Testament serve as examples to us, teaching us to avoid the same temptations into which those forerunners fell. He concludes this admonition by calling those who feel confidant in themselves to beware lest they fall.

We can certainly say that we would want to avoid these temptations, and, among the sins of idolatry and lust, Paul cites grumbling as a shortcoming of physical Israel. He’s not talking about constructive criticism. In Acts 20:31, Paul cites the admonishments he provided this congregation in the past. Romans 15:14 praises the Romans’ ability to admonish one another – instructing one another with the end of improvement. What Paul is talking about is complaining, often exaggerated, and often indicative of a lack of faith.

The Grumbling of Israel

In Exodus 5, in the process of Moses working on the release of Israel from Egyptian captivity, the people complain that God’s leaders make life more difficult for them after Pharaoh’s unreasonable production demands. They go so far as to say God will judge Moses and Aaron.

Exodus 14 records Israel approaching the Red Sea after being released from Pharaoh’s bondage. However, when the Egyptian forces were drawing close in pursuit, the people turn on Moses asking him if they brought them out to their graves. They claim it better to live in slavery. Exodus 15 records the people complaining for a lack of water. The next chapter, the theme is a lack of food, and the complainers offer not solutions. They merely exaggerate their woes, and this continues throughout their journeys.

Numbers 11:1 records God consuming many of the complainers in fire, but verse 4 shows that same grumbling returning, looking backward to their days of slavery with nostalgia. Numbers 14, 16, 20, 21, chapter after chapter, the people murmur and complain. In Numbers 14:27-29, God asks how long they will continue to grumble, and this specific case leads to the forty years of wilderness wanderings.

The bottom line is that this generation demonstrates its unworthiness to inherit God’s promises to to their conduct, and grumbling, murmuring, and complaining is at the core of these behaviors.

Our Application

Remembering those verses from I Corinthians, we have to ask what this means to us today as God’s people. Philippians 2:14 calls upon us to do God’s will without complaint – this in the midst of verses regarding Christ’s servitude, His mindset, and our mission to accomplish God’s will. Paul calls us to be blameless lights to the world in the example we set, and doing God’s work without grumbling is part of that example.

Romans 14:19-20 asks us to follow after things that edify and make for peace, rather than tearing down God’s work over petty matters. Do I grumble over congregational matters, over teachers, over service structure? What does it say about my heart if I am tearing down rather than building up? What example am I setting if my interactions with others consist mainly of complaints, arguments, and gripes?

Ephesians 4:11-16 speaks to the different roles people can fulfill in a congregation, and the purpose of these roles is for the perfecting and the building up of Christ’s church. Time and again, we are reinforced to edify one another. Not only was Moses, Aaron, and other Israelites discouraged by the grumbling pervasive around them; Gad was too. God brought them out of bondage to free them to serve Him, and He gives His Son in sacrifice for this same reason. Let us serve Him unselfishly, without grumbling, spiritually fit to receive His promises.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, one another, examples, behaviors

Many of us use business cards to identify who we are and what we do. They serve to help us remind people of us when they have need for a specific service. In Japan, one treats a business card with respect and honor because the businessman tries to conduct himself with respect and honor. It is an extension of him. To disrespect his card disrespects him.

In this context, let’s discuss the respect we have for the name we wear, the label we identify with and that serves as an extension of our selves. Wearing the name Christian means recognizing what it means to be redeemed by a sacrificing and sacrificing in return. We often speak of respecting one another, but we might not respect ourselves. We may question our self worth, but God found us worthy of His love and mercy.

Living Our Name

When we call ourselves Christians, we are saying we are sons of God. Luke 6:40 records Jesus saying that anyone who properly receives teaching will take after the teacher. We should be conforming our lives to be our Master. We praise Christ’s glory and His character, and our lives should be reflecting those qualities. Romans 8:28-29 calls us to do good, conforming to the image of Jesus in our activities, and Galatians 4:19 records Paul asking believers to form Christ in them. In II Cointhians 3:18, the author describes how Christ should be reflected in us as a mirror reflects an image.

Matthew 10:24-25 calls us to be like Him who teaches us. We wear the name Christian, but do our actions really demonstrate that name? Jesus said He came to serve others rather than be served. Philippians 2:1-11 describes Christ’s example in detail – one who gave up all for our sakes, humbling Himself, and sacrificing Himself for us. He was holy and sinless. We wear the name of our Teacher and Master. His qualities should be evident in all we say and do if we are respecting ourselves and our God as His followers.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: identity, behaviors

In John 3, Nicodemus seeks out Jesus in the evening and begins speaking with Him about the teachings of God. The discussion turns toward the idea of being born again, a process Jesus says people must go through to be part of God’s kingdom – a process Jesus describes as involving water and the spirit. This concept of being born again is prevalent in Christianity, and, in this same chapter, we find John baptizing in Selim where there is much water.

Our Spiritual Rebirth

Being born again necessitates action on our parts. Jesus says it must happen to see God’s kingdom. There is no way to get around this fact. Staying in John 3:7-8, Jesus makes it clear that this rebirth is not a physical reformation of one’s body. It is a spiritual process. Like the wind, this rebirth cannot be seen itself, but its effects on the individual are observable. We physically remain the same person, but our character changes – again requiring effort on our own parts.

This regeneration, in II Corinthians 5:17, results in a new creature. The old melts away for the new. Ephesians 4:23-24 describes a new man that follows after God, created in holiness and truth. We take on family characteristics that reflect our heavenly Father. Again, this is not in physical traits but the behaviors and attitudes in which I engage. My actions reflect the qualities of our God. I am given a fresh start as a child of God.

Romans 3:23 describes the problem of sin that separates us from God, and Romans 6:23 describes sinful behavior as deserving death. Our actions cannot be justified before God. However, in that same verse, we receive free salvation through Christ Jesus. He can bring us out of the death of sin into the life of forgiveness. Titus 3:3-5 contrasts our former selves with our new identities in Christ. This is more than turning one’s physical life around. It is a submission to the washing of regeneration – the rebirth of water and the spirit.

Being born again does come with many benefits and privileges, but certain obligations go with these blessings, with this reformation in God’s likeness. We are sons and daughters of our King, and this relationship impacts the way we conduct ourselves. How we act, how we treat others, the way we think – all of these are impacted by our rebirth.

Colossians 3:1-3 calls upon us to change our focus, and John 13:34 calls upon us to demonstrate love as people who follow Him. Changing how we think affects how we behave. Galatians 5:16-26 describes the struggle between our bodily desires and the Spirit, and Paul calls upon us to change our conduct and turn away from those immoral actions we might have participated in before. He describes behaviors that might have been in our past and lists qualities we should now be focusing on instead.

Conclusion

One born into a family develops certain characteristics of that family. When we are baptized, we are born of God, and, from that point forward, our lives should begin reflecting those qualities we see in God and exemplified in our Savior. We are no longer of this world. We are of God.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: baptism, behaviors, godly qualities, salvation

Names can be fascinating, and, when we name a child, we go through a great deal of preparation and research in the process. We make associations with names, and they mean something to us. What does our name of Christian mean to us? The name literally means that which belongs to or pertains to Christ. In Ephesians 1:22-23 and Romans 6:3 we are described as being in Christ’s body and His death, and Galatians 3:27 we are said to have put on Christ.

Qualities of the Name

This name brings a new life. In II Corinthians 5:17, Paul states that any man who is in Christ is a new creature – a whole new being. It brings a new life including a fresh start, freedom from guilt, erasure of our past sins. We begin new, and those selfish choices that have kept us separated from God are no longer present. In this, we should now be avoiding those old sins. Hebrews 10:28 warns us to be aware of our respect for the blood that saved us, and that respect affects our behaviors. Colossians 3:5 instructs us to put that old identity to death after we take on the new (verses 12-15).

This name indicates a change in character. This ties closely to our new life. In I Peter 2:21, Paul informs us that our example can be found in Christ. We are to walk in His steps. Christ lived a life focused on others rather than Himself, and our new character should reflect a similar attitude. Kindness, forgiveness, caring, and patience a characterized in Him and should also be in us. How often do our actions reflect an image in contradiction with the name we wear? We wear a new name, and our character should be reflecting that name.

This name brings new relationships. Before becoming a CHristian, our relationships may have centered around ourselves. “I come first.” In Galatians 2:20, Paul speaks of severing his relationship with self, and his new life is centered around Christ instead. How many times do the New Testament authors remind us that we were “bought with a price,” and we are no longer our own? In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reminds us to put God first. Furthermore, this new name gives us a relationship with other CHristians. We become brothers and sisters in Christ, and we have responsibilities and obligations toward one another. I cannot have a relationship with Christ if I do not have a relationship with those that are His.

Conclusion

We take a certain amount of pride in our family names. We give special consideration to those who share our family name. Likewise, wearing Christ’s name means something to Him, and it really should mean something to us. To wear His name without His character demonstrates disloyalty, and to view the name as secondary to our identity shows divided loyalty. We are to be Christ’s, wholly and completely. I Peter 4:16 reminds us to not be ashamed of the name of Christian but to rather glorify God while we wear that name.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: character, identity, behaviors, conversion

Are our habits keeping us from being the Christians we should be. We all have a comfort zone in which we operate, and habits form in that sphere – positive, negative, and neutral. These comfortable habits can be difficult to change, but, if they are keeping us from God, we must find the resolve to make those changes. In changing patterns, we may be able to move outside our comfort zone and accomplish more than we have.

Developing and Changing Habits

When we were growing up, we were taught a specific set of values and practices. We may have learned certain Bible foundations – the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Golden Rule, Psalm 23. We have learned to emulate or avoid behaviors we saw in others, but I Corinthians 15:33 warns us that incorrect influences can negatively impact us. However, good influences can be equally as powerful.

I Peter 1:13-14 tells us to be willing to change, but change takes time. We need to be patient with ourselves as we try to improve ourselves, and we should avoid becoming frustrated with ourselves and God while undergoing this progress.

From I Samuel 17:32, we see David developing a habit of trusting in God (Philippians 4:13), and this would be a habit to serve him well throughout his life. Joash, in II Kings 11, began his life surrounded by good influences despite the bad situations that brought him to power, and Daniel, in Daniel, in the first chapter of his book, avoided bad influences while trying to be a good influence on those around him (Hebrews 3:13).

How do we talk to each other? How do we behave around each other? What do we allow to influence us (friends, media, etc.)? Our behavior habits both reflect and influence our deeper attitude, and we have to move beyond those habits to improve ourselves as Christians. Small things can influence us, and we may not even be aware of the influence we allow other people and things have on us. I Corinthians 13:5 encourages us to continually examine ourselves, and James 1:19 describes behaviors that we should be willing to give up in favor of being the Christians we should be. By checking ourselves, we can see where we need improvements and what progress we have made.

Conclusion

Our habits and attitudes today will determine the kind of person we are tomorrow and how we face problems. We should emphasize the good habits and influences in our lives so we can be the Christians we want to be.

By Mike Mahoney

Tags: behaviors, attitude

Christianity should be more than a label in our lives. It should be a quality that exemplifies our actions. It should be a word that characterizes our entire personality. Faith (to paraphrase Shakespeare) is not a fashion. It is a commitment, and it is a commitment that involves actions driven by that faith. If we truly apply what it means to be a Christian, we may turn out to be very different individuals.

Faith in Action

A Foundation of Faith. In I Peter 3:15, the apostle encourages to be able to explain our faith. We do not do what we do because it is tradition. Romans 10:17 explains that our faith comes from knowledge of God’s word. Our faith should be based on a foundation, and questioning and study is required to build that foundation. Jesus, in John 5:39, does encourage his audience to actively study.

Faithfulness in Prayer. THere is a direct correlation between one’s prayer life and his or her strength as a Christian. I Peter 3:12, James 5:15, and I Thessalonians 5:17 are all passages that emphasize the importance of and the power of prayer. Prayer is part of our relationship with our Father, and it is a recognition of the influence and power He has in our lives.

Faith and Love. We can defeat ourselves in the way we behave toward each other, and the way we treat each others comes down to the love we have for God and for others. The love that saves us and brings others to Christ takes effort. We are good to others because of the influence Christ has in our lives.

Conclusion

These are simple basics of our faith, but they are fundamental to how we will live as Christians. We have to be convinced of our own faith, and we should be reinforcing our faith through prayer. Then, the faith that we live should be evident to others in the love and kindness we demonstrate. We are saved in Christ, and our lives should reflect His example once we choose to follow Him.

By Derek Weaver

Tags: identity, behaviors, prayer, love, faith

There is a certain familial resemblance between parents and their children. In I John 5:18 speaks of those who are born of God, and he encourages to follow a pattern of life that emulates His character. I John 2:1 opens with an encouragement to avoid sin. A parent wishes his or her child to follow the pattern set, and children inherit and learn certain behaviors and characteristics from that parent.

Being Children of God

The concept of being children of God is an important one in the scriptures. Back in II Samuel 7:12-16, Solomon is referred to in the immediate context, but this relationship is also placed between Christ and God. Psalms 2:7 continues this theme in a song of resurrections, and the Hebrew author quotes this psalm in Hebrews 1:5 in explaining Jesus’ role in God’s larger plan. The Son comes to fulfill the Father’s will.

In Galatians 3:24-28 explains our opportunity to be baptized into that relationship which overrides any other identity we might have. Then, in Galatians 4:6-7 calls us heirs of God in Christ as His children. (See also Romans 8:12-15.) He is now our Father – with the closeness and the privileges that are inherent in that relationship.

John 14:7 records Jesus saying that seeing Him is akin to seeing the Father. Our expression might be “like father like son.” When we become Christians – children of God – those around us should see His qualities in us. We now represent our family and our Father. Galatians 5:24-25 tells us to put away worldly conduct and walk in the spirit.

As a parent, God expects us to follow His expectations. Holiness and love are good starting points in following that pattern. I Peter 1 references the book of Leviticus in verse 16, telling us that we should emulate God’s holiness. In verses 13-15, Peter instructs us to mold ourselves into an image of God’s character. I John 2:29 instructs us that living righteously is a sign of being born of God. Furthermore, I John 4:7-10 tells us of God’s love and how He sacrificed for us despite our rejection of Him. The love we demonstrate toward others should replicate this. He did not wait for us to meet His expectations before He demonstrated His love.

Conclusion

God cares for us as a parent, and any parent wants the child to return that love. God’s capacity for love is great, and He desires to share that love in nurturing us and providing for our spiritual needs. He has invested in us and purchased in in adoption. It is our responsibility, then, to do our best to live up to the expectations of that Father who gave up so much for us.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, identity, our example, godly qualities

Considering the context of this day, it is appropriate to consider the gift God has given us in the mothers He gave us. I Peter 3:6 calls Christian women daughters of Sara, and godly women, like Sara, have lessons to teach us regardless of our gender. In fact, many people can attribute their obedience to the gospel to the influence of their mothers in studying the Bible with them when young.

Learning from Godly Women

Sharing the Word. Sharing God’s word is a great contribution women can make to God’s kingdom. In Titus 2:4 instructs women to pass their wisdom on to subsequent generations. An examples of this are in Lois and Eunice. II Timothy 1:5 and II Timothy 3:14-15 speak to the influence these women had on Timothy despite the fact that his father was an unbeliever. Furthermore, In Acts 18, we meet Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife who – in verses 24-26 – together help a preacher named Apollos better understand baptism.

Hospitality. How often do we associate hospitality with males? Romans 12:13 instructs us to pursue opportunities for hospitality. I Timothy 3:2 and I Peter 4:9 both list hospitality along with other Christian qualities we value. Take Mary and Martha in Luke 10, John 11, John 12, and other scriptures who open their home to Jesus and His apostles. In Acts 12:12, Mary (mother of John Mark) is hosting many individuals who are praying for Peter, and Acts 16:15 tells of the conversion of Lydia and the hospitality she shows to Paul.

Compassion. Acts 9 tells us of Tabitha who showed kindness and charity to many who came in contact with her. In Romans 16:1, Phoebe is referred to as a helper of many. Also, think of the women who tended to Jesus and even continued to visit His tomb. These individuals lived compassionately, a quality we could all learn more about.

Conclusion

Many of these are examples of “women professing godliness,” and they are recorded as examples to all of us. Mother’s Day is a time allowing us to reflect on the women who may have helped raise us, but let’s also remember the lessons we have learned from them and all the godly women with whom we’ve had contact.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, examples, one another, godly qualities

In his book Studying Sin Seriously, Wendell Winkler speaks to the results of sin – its decisiveness, its deceptiveness, its disgracefulness and destructiveness. Sin is a topic we should, in fact, take seriously, and, in this lesson,w e are going to look at the basic nature of sin and what it does to us as Christians.

The Nature of Sin

In I John 3:4, sin is equated with lawlessness. It is a violation of God’s law when we set our will over that of God’s. James 4:17 also categorizes sin as omitting God’s will from our actions – the distinction we sometimes make between sins of omissions and sins of commissions. These omission sins are illustrated throughout Matthew 25, first with the parable of the foolish virgin, then with the parable of the unprofitable servant, and finally with the picture of judgment. The punished individuals in all of these are those who fail to do what they know they should.

Finally, Romans 14:19-23 defines sin as a violation of conscience (as illustrated by eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols.) A feeling of guilt is a good indication of sin, but a calloused conscience is not an indicator of sin’s absence in our lives. There is a danger that we can grow so used to a sinful activity that we no longer notice its presence.

Our Attitude Toward Sin

Proverbs 14:9 warns us against mocking sin – minimizing it in our minds. Additionally, we may be fond of specific sinful activities. We may addicted to the pleasures sin can temporarily bring us. We get caught up in the here and now, missing the larger picture. II Corinthians 5:17 states that we become something new when we become Christians, and that involves putting away our love with sin.

We cannot afford to tolerate our own sinning or minimizing our actions. We can label sin whatever we want, but that does not change the actions we are involved in. Also, unlike Felix in Acts 24, we should address sin immediately in our lives. Repentance should not be low on our list of priorities when it is needed.

How Can We Overcome Sin?

Spending time with our Bibles helps fill our minds with defense against worldly bombardment, and, the more time we spend on God’s word, the less time we have to engage in sin. Also, James 4:8 encourages us to have an active prayer life. We can use prayer to draw near to God and to obtain forgiveness for the times we do fail.

In I Corinthians 11:28, Paul encourages us to examine ourselves. This is in context of the Lord’s Supper, but it has broader implications. We know ourselves better than anyone, and we are capable of seeing things in our lives that none but God may know about. Likewise, being aware of the company we keep can be a form of prevention.

Finally, just keeping ourselves busy with the Lord’s work will reduce our opportunities to sin – both physical work and spiritual work. A sincere conviction in living each day as if it were our last will help us keep our focus. How do we want God to assess our lives: as living for ourselves or as living for Him?

Conclusion

God takes sin very seriously in the scriptures, and, if we are to avoid it in our own lives, we too must see it for what it is – a terrible force that separates us from our God when we choose to engage in it. Fortunately, even when we do sin, God's grace and mercy allows us to return to Him and be forgiven, starting over with a clean record and a clean conscience.

By Nate Mishler

Tags: identity, behaviors, sin, temptation

What does it take to build a strong church? We want to be members of congregations that are stable and firm, but how do we reach that point and, having reached it, maintain it?

Building and Maintaining a Strong Congregation

Faithful Teaching. In II Timothy 4:1-5, Paul warns Timothy to hold to the truth despite any desire for false teachings. He says to be prepared to teach at any time. Acts 20:32 says that God’s word helps build us up and grants us our spiritual inheritance. Tied to this is a desire to teach (Matthew 28:19). We should be eager to fulfill this obligation.

Steadfast Prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” In Acts 12:13-16, we have some individuals praying fervently for Peter’s safety (but they were unconvinced that it had been answered). We should be devoted to prayer, and we should be convinced that those prayers can be answered (Matthew 17:20).

Christian Living. Matthew 5:16 speaks to the light that should shine in our lives. Ephesians 4:24-32 instructs us to avoid certain behaviors if we identify ourselves with Christ, and Ephesians 5:1-2 as well as Galatians 5:22-23 gives us some behaviors and attitudes to replace these with. If we are to strengthen the church, our behavior should reflect the correct mindset.

Congregational Love. Some congregations just feel so tense and cold. Proverbs 18:19 says a begrudging brother is harder to penetrate than a fortress, but John 13:34 records Jesus’ commandment that Christians demonstrate love for each other. This warmth and kindness is to be so evident that it is noticed by others. Compassion is tied to this love. Galatians 5:13-15 warns us against consuming one another in bitterness.

Unity. I Corinthians 12:12-27 compares the church to our own bodies – a collection of separate components that function as one whole with one goal, and Ephesians 4 emphasizes the unity we are to have in doctrine, in purpose, and in goals. The church is Christ’s body, and we should function as one.

Conclusion

Teaching and edifying helps the church to grow and maintain soundness, and prayer gives us a place to take the troubles we do have for comfort and possible solution. In our congregation, love and compassion should be given to others as we try to live the life Christ modeled for us. All of this works to churches that act in unity and solidarity of purpose, growing stronger in Christ.

By Charles Crawford

Tags: church, kingdom, behaviors

We know from II Kings 14:25 that Jonah was a prophet of God, and in the book named after him, he is called to be a foreign emissary for God’s word. His message is to go to Nineveh, center of the Assyrian Empire – a region on hostile terms with the lands of Judah and Israel.

Applying Jonah to Ourselves

We cannot run from God. Jonah does not comply, though, he flees in the other direction, and the Bible tells us that he is attempting to hide from God. He is seeking to avoid the Lord’s presence, going down to Joppa, down to the ship, and down into the hold of the ship. These words indicate a moral journey as well as the physical direction he is going. Really, we go through a similar process when we find ways to avoid God and His message. We go deeper into our sin, and we put a gulf between God and ourselves that still does not help us escape.

Our speech should line up with our actions. It’s fascinating that, when the lot falls upon Jonah, that he claims to “fear Jehovah,” but his actions betray a different attitude. What he says does not line up with his behavior. In modern vernacular, “he talks the talk but does not walk the walk.” When Jonah admits that throwing him to the sea will save them, but the sailors demonstrate concern for his life and initially avoid this solution.

Our spirituality should be evident to others. Finally, they have no choice. In Jonah 1:14, the sailors pray to God, begging for mercy, admitting His will in these events. Then they throw Jonah to the sea. The storm ends, and the sailors fear the Lord. These sailors’ humility and reverence stands in stark contrast to the lack thereof found in Jonah’s actions. These pagans show more concern for Jonah’s well being than Jonah shows for the souls of the Assyrians. How often are Christians made to look bad due to the lack of concern and reverence we show when compared to the world.

Repentance and rededication is always available. The great fish acts as a lifeboat for Jonah, as indicated in the prayers recorded in chapter 2 – demonstrating repentance. He recognizes that his separation from God has led to his own doom, and he recognizes God’s role in his salvation. No matter our situation, repentance is an option, and we, like him, can rededicate ourselves to the service we had once promised to God. As chapter 3 opens, Jonah is redirected toward Nineveh, and, this time, Jonah obeys.

God’s message is powerful. Little is said about Jonah’s message, but, within a day, the king humbles himself and commands national repentance. They are not presumptive about their repentance. From the highest nobles to the lowliest peasant, they turn from their evil ways. Jonah’s experience of mercy is now visited upon the Assyrians.

God’s mercy is for all. Jonah, in chapter 4, despairs due to the sparing of Nineveh. He is furious at his own success, and he admits that he had been afraid the Assyrians would repent and that God would relent. He is happy when mercy is granted to him, but he is furious when mercy is visited upon his enemies. He demonstrates a childish attitude, so God prepares one more lesson for Jonah in the form of a plant that grows, then dies. The book concludes with God asking why Jonah should be compassionate towards this plant rather than the souls in Nineveh.

Conclusion

Jonah demonstrates several character flaws, but, despite these flaws, God’s message is accomplished. God demonstrates mercy that Jonah was unwilling to extend. Like Jonah, we may feel that our enemies are necessarily God’s enemies, and we blind ourselves to the fact that God cares for all of humanity, regardless of race, history, or politics. We are no more deserving of God’s grace than those peoples we resent. We cannot allow self-centered attitudes to color our reactions toward others and our willingness to share God’s word. God has granted us free will, but His plan will ultimately accomplished – either despite our choices or because of our choices.

By Gary Fisher

Tags: examples, behaviors, our example, godly qualities, jonah

Ephesians 4:11 begins by talking about some gifts given to us through the types of people we are around or are influenced by – the apostles and prophets, evangelists, spiritual leaders, and teachers. Paul goes on to explain in verse 12 that these gifts are given for the “equipping of the saints,” making us ready for our work of service. This creates an environment on building and encouragement, and verse 13 tells us this building up is to the goal of spiritual maturity and unity as measured against the standard of Christ.

In verses 14-15, maturity helps us withstand impure influences and false doctrines. We should be spiritually growing towards the ideal of Christ, and Paul wraps up by saying that every member must do its part for the body (the church) to function properly. Every member is to serve in building our spiritual body, edified and assisted by the teachers and leaders we are blessed with.

Edifying the Body

Romans 12:3-8 speaks to various roles we can assume in the building up of the body. Paul encourages us to serve when service is needed – helping the congregation and members in whatever ways we can. In Mark 10:45, Jesus says that He did not come to be serve but to serve others. Our focus should not be on how the congregation serves us. Rather, we should be asking ourselves how we can serve our congregations.

Teaching is also mentioned in Romans 12, and there are many ways we can teach. Teachable moments present themselves on a daily basis. We don’t have to be in a formal setting to show someone the Lord. Philip, in John 1, merely invites his brother when he encounters Jesus. Think about some of the situations Jesus taught in. Teachab.e moments happen, and we should be looking for them.

Romans 12:8 speaks to encouraging one another. How can we build one another up? What do we talk about when Christians are together? Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage each other daily, and conversation is a good place for this to start. We need to be involved with each other, helping each other grow, whether we consider ourselves strong or weak Christians.

Romans 12:8 also mentions giving. We live in a world that values greed and selfishness, but Christians are supposed to be giving – especially toward each other. First century Christians sold of their own possessions and shared their resources with those in need and with those who spread the gospel. Leadership is also a topic here. We need people of conviction, prayer, and patience who work and serve and are consumed with helping other grow. Paul, in his journeys, was seldom alone. He always had someone he was mentoring or teaching.

Finally, mercy is present in this passage. I Peter 4:8 pleads for us to be loving toward each other, hospitable and serving in our character. God want us to take our blessings, and he wants us to pass these blessings on.

Conclusion

There is work we can all do, and our goal should be to build up ourselves and the members of our congregation to the standard of Christ, living a life of Christian service and sharing the hope we have in Christ with others.

By Gary Fisher

Tags: church, kingdom, behaviors, growth, one another

Opening in Proverbs 25, the author makes several comparisons through this chapter, like in verses 11, 14, and 28. It is this last comparison we are going to be examining in this lesson, in which the author brings up the subject of self control – comparing such an individual to an ancient city lacking its defensive walls. Without self control, our defense against temptation and sin is what is at stake. We are vulnerable, unrestrained, and volatile if our lives lack this quality.

In Galatians 5, as Paul has encouraged his readers to walk by the spirit, he contrasts this walk with the works of the flesh. In verses 22-23, he qualifies self-control as a fruit of the spirit. In Titus 1:8, self control is listed as a quality found in spiritual leaders. I Peter 1:5-9 lists this quality as something we should develop in our spiritual maturation. FInally, Acts 24:25, Paul discusses self-control in the context of talking about Christ-worship.

Why Should I Be Working On Self Control?

Matthew 16 contains the context of Peter’s confession and Jesus’ preaching that He will be crucified as part of His ministry. What it took for Christ to endure the cross was self control. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says that anyone who would follow Him should deny self for the cause. This verse speaks clearly to the concept of self control. To be a Christian, one must crucify self, with the demands and desires our selves might make that are contrary to the life a Christian should lead.

Romans 12:1-2 calls us a living sacrifice (linking to Matthew 16:24), warning us to avoid conformation to worldly standards. Living by these standards requires control over self. In the same chapter, verses 17-18 warn us against doing harm to people who wrong us in some way, and we are encouraged to try to live peaceably with all we come in contact with. In Philippians 4:8 simply instructs us to focus our minds on wholesome things, again requiring a level of self control that takes effort and focus.

How Do I Develop Control?

Apply God’s word. Psalm 119:9 makes it plain that study and application is the key starting point to getting our lives under control. We pore over information regarding our interests. We make time for which we want to make time, and it help us develop self control to set aside time to study our Bibles. Psalm 119:11 equates Biblical knowledge with avoiding sin.

Weigh the consequences. Mark 8:36 asks what good it is to gain all things but lose that which matters most. We weigh consequences in so many areas of our lives (major purchases, new jobs, a major move, etc.), and this applies to sin and temptation as well. What do I gain versus what I lose? Is the short-term gain worth the long-term loss?

Pray. I Peter 5:6-7 tells us God cares about us and allows us to bring our cares to Him. If it causes me anxiety, God cares. If I want self control in my life, I can pray for my areas of weakness.

Draw strength from God. Our struggle with sin is not a fair fight. Philippians 4:13, Paul states that he can do all things in “Him who strengthens me.” We can gain the self control we need through God’s strength and guidance.

Conclusion

Self control is not going to just happen to us. We have to put effort into developing this control. In I Corinthians 6:12-13 illustrates a lack of self control among the Christians in Corinth, and verse 12 wars us against letting anything have control over our selves. If we are going to live as Christians, we cannot allow external influences to tear us away from the path we have chosen. We need to control ourselves and follow the example Christ set for us – denying self and pressing forward.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, growth, temptation

The song Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw came out in 2004 shortly after the artist’s own father passed away from terminal cancer. It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Country charts, won AMC single and song of the year, CMA single and song of the year, and Tim McGraw netted an Grammy award for the song. He also performed the song in Rome for Bono’s Live 8 concert, and his song was the most played during news coverage of the event. With the possible exception of “Don’t Take the Girl,” it is easily the single most recognizable song by this artist.

The song tells the story of a man with a terminal illness having a conversation with the narrator, telling the narrator how he changed his life with the news, and, in doing so, he expresses his desire that the narrator make these changes himself. In this lesson, we’re going to take a look at three of the improvements this individual makes (and, no, riding a bull named Fu Man Shu is not included) because we really should be living like we are dying. After all, we are.

Living Like We’re Dying

“I was finally the husband that most the time I wasn’t.” I really am just going to focus on husbands here, but these words do apply both ways. Most of us could probably quote Ephesians 5:25, but I think this “giving” of one’s self here is deeper than we usually apply. Yes, we should be willing to give up our lives for our spouses, but what about giving up our time? How do we feel about giving up a hobby or a bad habit? How do we feel about giving up a preferred activity in favor of spending time with our wives, doing something they want to do? If any of us husbands were to pass away right now, could our wives say that we were the husbands that we should be? Wives, can your husbands say that of you?

I Corinthians 13 describes love as something optimistic, patient, kind, faithful, and tender. I think how we treat our spouses and how we behave towards and around our spouses can provide a very good mirror of our true character. Personally, I would like to say one day that I spent every moment I could being the husband my wife wants to have.

“I became a friend a friend would like to have.” What do we look for in our friends? We want someone who is trustworthy, reliable, helpful in a pinch. However, do we demonstrate the friendship toward others that we want in return? In Romans 15:1 we are instructed to bear the burdens of those who are struggling or feel weakened. Paul goes on in verse two, telling us to do good toward our neighbors, being an encouragement to all.

Galatians 6:9-10 encourages not lose faith in doing good and that our friendly attitude should be demonstrated to all. In our daily lives, we sometimes seem to confuse “friend” with “acquaintance.” We call each other friends – fellow Christians, people we work with, our physical neighbors – but how well do we really know each other? Are we willing to go out of our way to help our friends out? Can they rely on us, or do we make excuses to them and ourselves to avoid a true commitment in our friendships? If I’m going to be a good friend, then I need to be the friend I want to have.

“I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin.’” We hold grudges so easily. “Never forget. Never forgive,” is a phrase used in so many contexts it’s hard to think of just one example. Unfortunately, we can sometimes get caught up in this attitude over the smallest of offenses which seem so huge from our limited perspective. In Matthew 18:21-35, after the well-known “seventy-times seven” response to Peter’s question on forgiveness, Jesus tells the story of a master who forgives his servant a large debt. Unfortunately, this servant is unforgiving toward another indebted to him, inciting the master to punish him for his callousness. Jesus simply states that our Lord looks upon us this way when we refuse forgiveness.

Likewise, during Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6:12, God is asked to forgive us as we forgive others. Are we forgiving, or are we denying forgiveness? Regardless of the reasons we think we have for withholding forgiveness, all we do is hurt ourselves and others when we do so. We want our God to forgive us. We should be willing to forgive others in turn.

Conclusion

At the outset, I said we should all live like we are dying because, in reality, we actually are. Our bodies mature and grow for a given time. When that maturation process ceases, we begin to slowly break down. Every day brings us closer to death – expected or unexpected. Now is the time to make things right with others and with God. We don’t want to miss the chance we have because we waited until it was too late.

By Robert Smelser

Tags: my thoughts, behaviors, priorities, forgiveness, purpose

Many of us are resistant to change in general. We like the patterns and the habits we live in, and we resist efforts to shake things up. Though we may feel opposed to change, the Christian life is all about changing. Our priorities, our speech, our priorities – all aspects of our lives change when we put on the name of Christ. We then continue to change as we develop spiritually and face new challenges in our Christian lives.

In Joshua 3, the people of Israel is about to cross the Jordan River. They have a new leader and are about to enter a land new and unfamiliar to them. They are literally treading new ground (verse 4), and the people are told to follow the path of the Ark so they know where to go. God has a plan for how they are to proceed, and, despite apprehensions or expectations, the people have to follow.

Facing Christian Change

We should face change calmly. Once we are ready to head in the right direction, we simply have to trust in God. In Luke 9:57, various individuals are invited or volunteer to follow Jesus, but few do because they look back at other concerns, but Jesus says that there is no looking back once committed. There is only a calm trust in God. Hebrews 6:1 invites us to press forward, one step at a time, toward spiritual completion.

We need endurance. Hebrews 11 speaks of several heroes of faith who have pressed on before us, and chapter 12 encourages to endure as they did. We face temptations and discouragement. The changes required by Christ take continuous effort, and we need to build up endurance to persist in that life.

We should be compliant. When facing the unknown, we should fall back onto God’s word. The children of Israel had a pattern to follow in entering their new land, and we also have a pattern. Hebrews 2:1 tells us to give heed to what we learn as Christians. Otherwise we risk drifting away and back into our old patterns. Hearing, but not doing, is not enough to keep us close to God. James 1:22 tells us that behaving this way is a form of self-deception, and Matthew 7:21 continues to reinforce the role of obedience in pleasing God. When we change to become a Christian, we have to be willing to comply to the patterns and lifestyle modeled in the scriptures.

We need confidence. In Joshua 3, the Ark stands as a symbol of God’s presence before His people. It inspires confidence in those it precedes. We pray for God to “guide, guard, and direct us,” and this is exactly what He is doing in Joshua 3. Hebrews 4:13-15 speaks to the confidence we can have in our new relationship with God, and Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is capable of things beyond or imagination. We know what He has promised those faithful to Him, and we can be confident in those assurances He has given us (Philippians 4:13).

We can face our change cheerfully. Not every aspect of our Christianity will always bring us joy, but the attitude we face these aspects will influence how much we are affected. In Philippians 4:4, writing from prison, Paul calls in Christians to rejoice. We cannot always choose what we’ll experience, but we can always choose the attitude we have. I Peter 1:7-9 also tells of the joy we should have because of the salvation of our souls in Jesus, and Psalm 118:24 reminds us to be glad for every day the Lord gives us.

Conclusion

In trying to live as a Christian, we have to make changes, and there will be new experiences and challenges as a result of those changes. We need to face these changes and challenges calmly and with endurance. We need to comply with God’s word, confident in His promises, and cheerful for the redemption we are promised in these changes.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, attitude, growth

Tying to our last lesson the Jerusalem church and the basis it provides for us in terms of conduct and unity, we’re going to give consideration to our being New Testament Christians that God would have us to be. Titus 2:7 tells us to be an example of good works in all things, and Titus 3:14 reinforces this life of good works. If we are individually the Christians we should be, then we will be more likely to make of the church God wants.

Our Good Works

In Ephesians 2, Paul is speaking primarily to Gentiles and he speaks to being made alive from our death in sin, and verse 10 tells us we are created for the purpose of good works. Good works are prepared for us to pursue. What areas do we usually focus on as “good works,” and how can we pursue these better?

Evangelism. We see countless examples in the book of Acts of Christians spreading God’s word. Teaching other people is something we should pursue, but we might become discouraged in doing so. We might not feel well-suited to the task.

In Luke 2, we are introduced to some shepherds working through the night who, according to verses 17-18, told others of what they had seen. These were unlikely teachers, but they shared what they knew because of the impact it had on them. Staying in Luke 2, we are introduced to an 84-year-old prophetess named Anna in verse 36 who tells people about Jesus. In John 1:40, we begin to be introduced to the first apostles, and these individuals first went to those they knew best – family. Matthew 9, Mark 1, and Mark 8 tell the stories of healed individuals who tell about their experience with Jesus.

Can I do what the shepherds did? Can I do what Anna did? Can I do what these common individuals who made up Jesus’ disciples did? These were not individuals who were necessarily good speakers or well-studied. We are equally capable of telling others about Christ.

Edification. In Acts 14:21-22, Paul and Barnabas are recorded as passing through new congregations and encouraging them to stay faithful to God’s word. We know what edification is, but it is something we have to think about in our conduct. See I Corinthians 10:23 and 14:4 – what edifies me may not edify others. Ephesians 4:12-16 talks about the building up of Christ’s body, and it is emphasized that this is a responsibility of every individual.

Each individual should be contributing to encouraging and building up others, and the result of edification is peace. Romans 14:19 reminds us to follow after peace and edification. Unfortunately, at times we forget that what edifies me may not edifies others. Conversely, we may fail to see that something that does not edify me may be an encouragement to others. Edification cannot work if it is self-centered. The principle of edification is to put others before self and acting on the knowledge we have of each other’s needs.

Benevolence. In Acts 2:42-47, the new Christians are described as so generous with each other that they basically treated possessions as communal. These were not all individuals who necessarily had much to give, but they gave anyway. Acts 11:27 records Christians trying to make sure others are provided for in the face of famine. Romans 16:1-2 tells of a woman named Phoebe who is described as a helper of many.

Acts 9:36, we read of a charitable woman named Tabitha who dies. At her wake, many were present who were showing Paul the clothes she had provided for them. She saw that the needs of others were met. In Matthew 25, Jesus depicts the judgment between verses 31 and 46, and, when sentence is passed, benevolence is cited as a driving factor.

Conclusion

Returning to Titus, we are told four times to pursue good works in this book. We have to take the initiative in doing those good things God wants us to accomplish. When every individual is concerned with evangelism, edification, and benevolence, then we will see a church that is pure and united as God intends.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, attitude, purpose

On New Year’s Eve, we can be pretty enthusiastic about the topic of resolutions, but, two weeks later most have fallen by the wayside. In fact, we sometimes jokingly talk about the resolutions that we know we haven’t kept. We tend to either make very general resolutions, or we are resolute about generalizations. “Someday, I’m going to lose weight.” “Everyday, I’m going to exercise somehow.”

Daniel made a resolution to abstain from unclean food in Babylon (Daniel 1:8). The authors of II Corinthians 13:5 and Hebrews 6:1 challenge us to take stock of where we need to improve and then make those improvements. Making resolutions is a healthy activity, but we need to make measurable objectives if we are to be consistent with that resolution. We get nowhere in particular because we try to get everywhere in general (paraphrased from Robert Turner).

Congregational and Individual Resolutions

What are some focuses we can have both as a congregation and as individuals?

Individually Be a Better Christian. This is a very general resolution, but there are specific things we can do to accomplish this.

• Perhaps we can resolve to read our Bible daily. The psalmist calls God’s word his daily meditation in Psalm 119:97, and, in Matthew 4:4 Jesus states that God’s word is to be our spiritual food.
  
  
• Additionally, spending more time in prayer can improve our spirituality. In Luke 11, Jesus’ disciples request learning to properly pray, and Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can go to God when we are in need. When Paul, in II Thessalonians, tells us to “pray without ceasing,” we are reminded to keep an active prayer life despite the distractions of this world.
  
  
• Finally, I could pick an attitude or a personal characteristic to work on. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus encourages us to be more forgiving. Hebrews 13:1 instructs us to be more loving toward others. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us to work on putting others first. Maybe I can work on patience, humility, or many others.

Grow Stronger As a Congregation. Again, this is very general. How can I, as an individual, help strengthen the congregation?

• I could commit to teach a Bible class or Bible study. Titus 2 enumerates attitudes and behaviors different individuals in a congregation should have, and these attitudes have to be taught. In teaching, one learns. II Timothy 2:2 sets up what is sometimes referred to as the “each one teach one” principle.
  
  
• My own interests and talents can provide and avenue to strengthen the group. Ephesians 4:11-12 talks about encouraging one another in our own individual ways. Perhaps I can just be a positive, encouraging person. I could visit sick individuals or cook meals for those who need it. There are so many things we can do for each other that can draw us closer together and strengthen the congregation as a whole.

Conclusion

I have to determine that success begins with me when it comes to resolutions. In I Kings 20:13-14, Ahab is promised victory, but the prophet tells Ahab that he individually had to start the initiative. In Joshua 24, Joshua tells the people to choose for themselves, but he makes the commitment before all to serve God. Finally, Ephesians 4:16 emphasizes the importance of every member of a congregation. Whether we are talking about personal improvement or congregational improvement, success or failure comes down to individual efforts.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: growth, attitude, behaviors

Sexual purity is emphasized in the Bible. Even Song of Solomon, a book centered on the beauty of the marriage relationship, emphasizes the importance of purity. However, sexual purity is not valued by much of our society and media. As Christians, we fail if we are merely telling our young people each other, “Don’t commit fornication,” and go no further in discussing these matters openly and honestly – looking to the good points as well as the bad.
Three reasons are often given for ignoring the Bible’s plan for couples.

1. It is accepted more and more by society. Everyone else says it is all right, so, if it is acceptable to everyone else, it must be acceptable to God.
   
   
2. It can be financially advantageous. It just makes financial sense to live together even if not marries. Costs are basically cut in half.
   
   
3. It is practical. By living together or engaging in sexual activity prior to marriage, compatibility and quirks can be discovered before marriage.

However, the vast majority of couples who live together before marriage end up divorced once they marry, or many end up in a cycle of moving from place to place, living with others as past relationships fall apart. By treating marriage casually, we are in danger of treating it as something that can be easily disposed of.

God’s Plan for Sexual Activity

Opening in Hebrews 13:4, the author says that marriage is honorable, and the relationship involved with that marriage is pure. Sexual relationships are not bad or dirty, but God has a context for such intimacy. Additionally, in the first few verses of I Corinthians 7, the sexual relationship between a husband and wife is pictured as a good thing. However, fornication is consistently condemned within the pages of God’s law.
Why has God placed these limitations on sexual activity?

• Man & Woman Are Now One. See Genesis 2:24-25 and I Corinthians 6:16. God intends for a couple to be one. How many times and with how many others can you become “one” with?
  
  
• Marriage Is a Covenant. Marriages are instituted in the sight of God before witnesses. This is a covenant. It is binding and honorable. The blessing and privileges of marriage should be reserved for this covenant. Otherwise, we are acting outside our rights in God’s eyes.
  
  
• Simply, It Is God’s Way. Three times in Song of Solomon, the maiden warns her friends with an oath to maintain sexual purity until the proper time. Proverbs 5 paints a vivid picture of sexual sin and the loss of honor as a result. Conversely, Proverbs 5 also illustrates the love a man should maintain for his wife.

In Proverbs 30:20, the adulteress maintains that she has done nothing wrong. (This applies to males as well.) However, she has ignored God’s plan, and her honor, her respect, possibly her health, and her soul are all damaged because of her actions.

Practical Applications

• Start with respect for God and His ways. We have to purpose in our hearts that we will not violate God’s plan. If we respect God, we will respect His wishes.
  
  
• Respect yourself and the other individual. Not only do you want to avoid sin, but you should want to prevent another from sinning.
  
  
• Avoid situations where checks and balances are absent. In other words, do not set yourself up with situations that can lead to troubling situations.
  
  
• Recognize the consequences. It affects the man, the woman, both of their parents and immediate families, future relationships, and it can bring in a life that neither may be prepared to care for.

Proverbs 6:27-28 warns us to avoid playing with fire because we will get burned if we do so. If we see how close we can get to sin, eventually we will cross the line and commit that sin we are flirting with.

Conclusion

God has a plan for sexual relationships between men and women. He has ordained that relationship and deemed it honorable. We should honor Him and ourselves by following that pattern, saving ourselves for our husbands and our wives, then loving them as we should.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, morality

In the last lesson, we looked at what it means to be “poor of spirit” – to be empty of self and full of Christ. Prior to that, we examined Jesus’ meaning in saying that He came to “fulfill the law.” He summed up and accomplished all that the Old Testament pointed to. From here, Jesus sets a higher standard of righteousness for God’s people, and he contrasts several accepted truths of the time and contrasts them with God’s desire.

Matthew 5:20 specifically speaks of becoming more righteous than the spiritual leaders of the time period in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The Scribes and the Pharisees were highly respected in the religious community, but Jesus condemns their grandstanding on ceremony and their hedging of God’s law. Matthew 23 sets as a good example of Jesus’ view of these leaders: they teach good things, but their examples should not be emulated.

In the eyes of many of those listening to Jesus, this may have seemed an impossible task. However, to achieve this level of righteousness, Jesus emphasizes the role of the heart in achieving this level of spiritual purity.

Going the Next Step

Murder & Anger. Beginning in Matthew 5:21, Jesus brings anger into the spotlight. There is more to our relationship with others than our physical actions. If we harbor feelings of anger or hatred, then we are guilty before God as if we had murdered that individual. Avoiding reconciliation will only bring pain. There is no justification for animosity. Romans 12:18 tells us to be as peaceful as possible. (See also the story of the wayward son – specifically the actions of the older brother.)

Adultery & Lust. Again, the heart is the focus here, and Jesus offers an extreme example of just to what lengths we should be willing to go through to remove obstacles between us and our relationship with God. James 1:14-15 says that lusts and enticements draw us away into sin. Once we accept those thoughts in our heart, we have sinned.

Marriage & Divorce. Jesus says that it is not justifiable to sever the marriage vows for any reason. In fact, Jesus goes on to say that there is to be no divorce at all. Yes, one provision is maintained – that of unfaithfulness – but the principal is that divorce equals adultery. This is elaborated in Matthew 19:3 when Jesus appeals to the Creation as the cornerstone of God’s view on the topic. Yes, in Matthew 19:10, people recognize this as a difficult concept, but difficulty does not invalidate God’s law.

Vows & Oaths. During the time period, it was not uncommon for people to swear by different objects to demonstrate the validity of one’s word. Jesus merely tells us that we should merely keep our word. If our heart is right, we will keep those promises we make, and we won’t look for ways to wriggle out of those commitments we make. Christians do not look for loopholes.

Eye for an Eye. Retribution was provided for under the Old Law, but Jesus advises His followers not to seek such retribution or for vengeance. This is where we get the sayings, “Turn the other cheek” and “Go the extra mile.” There will be times that we have to endure hardship and accept the fact that everything is not all about “me.”

Neighbors & Enemies. Jesus advocates blessing and praying for one’s adversaries. This point really sums up the previous five. Jesus asks what reward there is in merely being kind to those who are kind to you. Such an attitude provides no differentiation from worldliness. Instead, our hearts and attitudes emulate God.

Conclusion

All of this comes back to God wanting His followers to follow His example. If God wanted an eye for an eye; if He hated his enemies; if He did not keep His promises, where would we be? These attitudes are qualities that God has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate toward us, and Jesus tells us to take that level of righteousness and live it. It begins with the heart, and that starting place will determine our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, behaviors, forgiveness, sin, baptism, jesus

This lesson opens in Joshua 24. Here, in light of the new year, we are going to direct our thoughts toward the topic of involvement. In Joshua 24, Joshua challenges the people to make a choice regarding their involvement with God. In verse 14 and on, he encourages them to put away the idols of other countries, but he reinforces the fact that the choice is theirs and theirs alone.

In this context, the people agree to serve God, but Joshua warns them of their likely disobedience. The people do commit, though, and this generation is described as one that served God. However, as we progress into Judges, national unity, zeal, and spiritual purity begin to decay.

To have effective involvement, three things are necessary: a knowledge of the situation, a right attitude, and a willingness to be involved. What happened to Israel? They did not drive out the inhabitants of Canaan (Judges 1). In Judges 3:5-6, Israelites intermarry with the idolatrous nations. In fact, the end of the book concludes with the statement that all are doing “what is right in their own eyes.” They became uninvolved with fulfilling God’s plan.

New Testament Examples of Involvement

We constitute a family of God’s children, and not everyone has the same abilities. However, we all have something to contribute, and we all can be involved. For example, Phoebe (Romans 16:1) is called her a helper of many and of himself by Paul. The House of Stephanas (I Corinthians 16:15) has set themselves to minister unto the saints. Onesiphorus (II Timothy 1:16-17) is named for tending to Paul in prison and for his efforts in Ephasus. Tabitha (Acts 9:36-39) is referred to as being “full of good works,” and she is mourned by many for the garments she had made them.

None of these individuals were great by many standards, but they were helpful to God’s cause because of their willingness to be involved. Unfortunately, like in Hebrews 5, many who should be adults in Christ are still children due to a lack of involvement, a symptom of spiritual immaturity.

Our Application

What have I done to involve myself? Have I participated in gatherings and activities? Have I participated in worship? Membership to different congregations bring different challenges, and we can sometimes withdraw from involvement with the congregation if we allow those challenges to discourage us. Luke 15:31 is in the context of the cost of discipleship, and Jesus speaks of building a tower and of going to war. He encourages to be prepared for the challenges we will face in our spiritual work. In Luke 9:62, Jesus reminds us that we should keep our eyes forward once we have committed to becoming involved with the work of our Lord.

Do I appreciate my brothers and sisters? Can I find attributes to appreciate about the other members of my Christian family? I need to demonstrate a positive attitude toward my brothers and sisters, and my responsibility is to help them get to Heaven in whatever ways I am able. Within a congregation, I need to look for those roles I can fulfill, and I need to remain involved – an encouragement to myself and to others.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, examples

What do your friends say about you? We would like to think our friends and our acquaintances would have a positive or favorable picture of us. On the other hand, what would your enemies say about you? In the life of David, it is interesting how he treated and what he would say regarding his enemies – take Saul, Ishbosheth, and Abner for example.

In this lesson, we are going to focus on the life of Christ and what His peers said about Him.

Peer Reviews of Christ

In Speech: John 7:37-44. Jesus rouses some controversy with claims He makes of Himself, but the officers who were to arrest Him were struck by His speech that they could not bring him in (verses 45-46). What would be said about our speech?

• Titus 2:7-8 - Our speech is to be such that no one can speak against us.
• Peter 3:15 - The way we answer should be in an attitude of humility and godly fear.
• Ephesians 4:25,29 - We should speak truthfully, and we should edify one another with our speech.

How do others see us speak? Can these qualities be found in our speech? We need to imitate Jesus in this, so that no evil can be found in how we speak.

In Loving Conduct: John 11:35-36. Jesus’ love for His friend Lazarus was apparent to those observing Him at the grave of Lazarus.

• John 13:34-35 - Christian love is supposed to be reflective of the love Jesus demonstrated to His disciples.
• Galatians 6:9-10 - Our conduct is to be positive toward all individuals, whether or not someone is a brother or sister.

If we are cold and hostile toward one another and toward our peers, the attitude demonstrated is not love. Loving conduct is a differentiator between a Christian and the world.

In Influence: John 12:19. The Pharisees recognize that many are interested in Jesus’ message. They have been unable to disparage and defeat Him. Can we help the world follow our example in following Christ? What kind of influence do we have on others?

• Romans 1:15-17 - Paul shows an eagerness to speak with anyone regarding Christ’s gospel. He was not scared to let his light shine.
• Acts 5:28-29 - All of Jerusalem felt the influence of Christ’s gospel through the efforts of the apostles.

We should live in a way that makes others want to know more about the hope we have. Our example and our conduct should influence our peers into wanting to more about Jesus.

In Purity: John 18:37-38. Pilate simply says that he can find no fault in Christ. We sometimes have a defeatist attitude in how we approach sin, but we need to strive to obtain the example set by Christ that we should pursue sinlessness.

• I Peter 2:21-25 - Peter makes it clear that we should follow the steps of our Savior, who was found faultless in word and in deed.
• Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus example is one that we can hope to achieve. He faced temptation and overcame. So can we.

Our goal should be a life without sin. All have sinned, but we can make a decision that we can stop and sin no more.

In Relationship to God: Mark 15:39. Here, a hardened soldier comes to the realization of how Christ is related to God. We are sons of God through faith, and what do our peers see in us that reflect that relationship.

• Galatians 2:20 - Christ is to live within us as a result of our faith.
• I Peter 1:13-16 - We are obedient children to our Father, and we are to be holy as Jesus and God are holy.

Do we reflect one who is tied up with this world, or do our peers see an individual that has been born again, a child of God?

Conclusion

Our goal should be to be like Jesus, and our example, faith, and hope should be observable by our peers.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: our example, behaviors, godly qualities

A couple of lessons ago, we drew a contrast between defending our faith and sharing our faith. We are usually prepared to go one the defensive regarding our faith and practices, but we sometimes fall short on being able to simply share our faith. This lesson will expound on this concept some more as we continue to grow in our ability to reach out to others with God’s word.

Our evangelic efforts are mostly rooted in Matthew 28:18-20 – a directive given to go out and bring people to Christ. Evangelism is one of our main tasks, but, in this lesson, we are going to examine four other directives we are given by our Savior.

The Other Directives

Matthew 9:9-13. Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” We cannot afford to believe that we have it all figured out and be quick to point out the ills in everyone else’s life. Our ministry needs to be characterized by mercy and compassion.

He is quoting from Hosea 6:6. In this context, God is discussing true religion and true repentance. The people seem to believe that lip-service will appease Jehovah and that God will deliver them from captivity because that is His job. God recognizes this repentance is superficial, and this is when
God states that He desires something deeper than ritual sacrifices.

The people who were criticizing Jesus’ appearance of character were the one’s who were most intimately acquainted with God’s word, but they had not learned the deeper meanings within it. (Mark 7:6-8)

Mark 5:15-20. "Tell others how the Lord has had mercy on you." Again, we like to start out by telling others how they are wrong. We turn God’s “good news” into “bad news,” and we turn others away by a message of self-righteousness. I Peter 3:15. Our evangelism focuses on our hope, and it is typified by meekness and humility. I have hope because of what God has done for me, not because of what I do or have done.

Romans 1:15-16; II Timothy 2:2. God’s good news has the power to positively impact people on an individual basis. On a secular level, we share things we like and enjoy with others, and this should be no different when it comes to spiritual matters.

Luke 10:29-37. “Go and do likewise.” The parable of the good Samaritan illustrates an application of how we are to treat others. Again, the concept of mercy is heavily emphasized here. Just showing compassion and kindness is a significant portion of my Christianity, without which any teaching I might do will be potentially ineffective.

John 8:2-11. “Go and sin no more.” Jesus does not excuse her sin in this instance, but He demonstrates mercy – He gives her a new lease on life – and He tells her to correct her life. We can easily point out others’ faults, or we measure ourselves by standards based on what others do, but this does not excuse faults in our own lives. I John 2:1. We are given God’s word so we can make ourselves more complete in His sight. Our goal is to be Christ-like, and Christ lived a sinless life. That is our goal, and, by the blood of Jesus, we have the power to achieve that goal.

Romans 6:1-11. When we are baptized, sin loses its power over us. We can overcome.

Conclusion

Going and making disciples is an important task, but if that is all we are focused on, we are being narrow-sighted, and our Christianity will be incomplete. We must broaden our focus and learn to fill our lives with God’s word. If we do so, we will have little time for finding fault in others, hating our neighbor, or quibbling with a brother or sister, and our efforts in evangelism will become more effective.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: behaviors, sin, forgiveness, study

Did you know that when you are nice to a sales associate/wait staff/service representative about a problem you are having, chances are you will get a better solution to said problem? It's true: kindness begets kindness! People are more likely to go out of their way to help you if you are nice to them first.

Think about this next time something is wrong with your food order. If you are kind in your encounter with the wait staff, how much more will he or she be willing to help you? On the other hand, you may get a free meal replacement if you throw a fit, but your food might get tampered with on top of the fact that your temperament will ruin your evening along with those with you.

When you walk into a store that you visit often, how do the employees see you? Are you a customer the staff will willingly approach to help, or do they try to avoid you at all costs? (For the record, please don't tell me that store clerks don't remember customers. I used to work retail. We remember you just fine. We merely choose not to approach you and say, "I remember you! You were a complete freakazoid last time you were here! We really wish you would never come back!")

You impact others, believe it or net. You can choose to make a good impression and help improve their day, or you can choose to be a source of discouragement and frustration. Who do you want to be?

By Robert Smelser

Tags: behaviors, one another, our example

I am feeling very long-winded tonight. It must be because I haven't posted in over a week. This post will hopefully be more valuable than the last two...

Anyways, at work a couple of days ago, I noticed a couple of our great third grade teachers trying to control what seemed to be a disproportionally large number of children. (As it turns out, the whole third grade was having one presentation but 2 of the 6 teachers were away at a meeting. The meeting had not concluded before the end of the presentation, so there were two teachers taking on double loads of children.)

I was walking by, and volunteered to help out. This seemed to completely surprise the teacher I was speaking to, but she immediately took me up on my offer. While I was preparing one class for dismissal, another colleague of mine came in to help me out, and that availed me the opportunity to reroute a misdirected communication to a child that had come into my possession.

When I made it to the classroom where the note was supposed to go, the teacher was out because she was monitoring her room, a crisis in another room, and trying to get some materials copied to go home, so not only did I deliver the misdirected (important) note, but I immediately engaged the children in an activity to keep their behaviors under control. The classroom teacher was, as a result, able to cope with the stressful situation and get the copies she needed.

This is not meant to say, "Look how good I am." In fact, the first time I saw the chaos, my instinct was to think, "I'm glad that's not my problem." But for some reason, I let it become my problem, and, subsequently, life became a little easier for some very stressed out colleagues of mine, and the actions of the lady who took the first class off of my hands made it possible for yet another teacher to be helped out in a high-stress situation. Imagine how much could have gone wrong had we both let these situations be "somebody else's problem."

So often in our lives, we see a job that has to be done or help that should be given, but we shrug our shoulders and find excuses to not participate. Imagine how much better a world we would live in if we would just get over ourselves and be nice for a change. So what if it is inconvenient? Jesus got down on his knees and washed the feet of His apostles, yet so many of us who wear His name wouldn't bother to hold the door for someone whose arms are full.

Next time you see someone who could use some help, offer it to them. You will be a better person for it.

By Robert Smelser

Tags: my thoughts, one another, behaviors

So a man approached me at a gas station close to the school I work at the other day. He was pretty-big, African American, wearing baggy clothes, and he mumbled when he talked. He was asking people for a ride to a Lowe's hardware store that was about a mile away. Pretty much reflexively, I found a reason to not give him a ride.

On my way home, I found myself thinking about James 4:17. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Of course, this dovetails right into Matthew 25:45."Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do [good] to one of the least of these, you did not do [good] to Me.'"

In this case, did I fail to help a fellow man in need as a result of paranoia and prejudice (not so much racial prejudice as much as just him being a man wandering around a gas station alone looking to get into someone else's car)? Did my fear overcome my faith, or am I being too hard on myself?

By Robert Smelser

Tags: my thoughts, behaviors, one another