Through our class studies of Genesis, we talked about some of God's qualities – His transcendency, His goodness, His love, His patience, and His fairness. One inescapable question, though, is this: how could a loving God send a soul to Hell? How could one so merciful and full of grace condemn a soul to eternal punishment? According to the Princeton Institute, only forty percent believe in Hell, but the Bible speaks of this place repeatedly. It is warned of fifty-five times, and Jesus speaks of this place more often than any other Bible figure.

II Peter 2:4 and Jude 13 describe it as a place of darkness. The Bible describes Hell as a fearful place. Matthew 13:42 and 25:41, Mark 9:34, and Revelation 20:10 speak of it in terms of fire and burning. These descriptors are metaphorical to help portray this place to us in physical terms. Four times in the gospels, Jesus describes Hell as a place of weeping, and Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 14:11 describe this punishment as eternal. Despite these clear teachings, millions of Christians dismiss the idea, but it comes back to our problems comprehending a compassionate God even allowing Hell to exist.

How Can Hell Exist?

God’s character demands Hell. God is all-loving and all-forgiving. I John 4:8 says God is love, but He is also all-righteous and all-holy. Evil cannot abide in the presence of God. Habbakuk 1:13 expresses God’s intolerance for wrongdoing. God’s eternal plan is to bring His creation back to His goodness. Sin separates us from Him, and His plan of salvation is a way of erasing evil. II Corinthians 5:17 describes us as new creations when we submit to His will. Verse 20 explains that Christ’s sacrifice provides that avenue of unity with God. His holy nature differentiates between good and evil.

His justice is a component of His holiness. Our God will not ignore the problem of sin, and He has never done that since the beginning of time. Psalm 5:4 explains wickedness and arrogance cannot be tolerated by God. He has offered us a solution to that problem in the form of Jesus, but if we refuse that sacrifice, that payment, then we become responsible for the debt of our sins. That debt is death and separation from God’s presence. God knows the challenges we face in resisting temptations and immorality, and His love provides us a place where we will be freed from that bombardment. His people will be free of sin and temptation, and those who dwell on that immorality will not be in Heaven to tempt His people.

Does the Penalty Fit the Crime?

In our eyes, Hell is an awfully stiff penalty for the minor error of failing to recognize God or our own sins. Our sins alienate us from God. The question is not how many sins or for how long. The question is whether or not I’ve accepted the solution to sin. God does not send us to Hell. We choose our destination. John 3:17-18 tells us that He is trying to remedy to solution to sin, and tells us that our choice to follow His Son is a choice to reject the consequences of sin. There is nothing arbitrary about our final destination. God does not makes the choice for us. he merely affirms the choice we have been making for our entire life.

Luke 16 records the parable of a rich man and Lazarus. Both die and find themselves awaiting different consequences for their lives. Abraham asks the rich man if he realizes that he chose those consequences, and he reaffirms to the rich man that his relatives have to choose their destinations for themselves – that Abraham, Lazarus, nor the rich man may interfere. Romans 1:18-22 warns us against turning away from this plain choice. When we reject God, we reject His goodness, His love, His mercy, all that He has done for us. How can we hope to stay in His presence when we have separated ourselves from Him.

Concluding Thought

Think about this. God created water, and, while we live, we can enjoy the water He provides – believer or otherwise. We can say the same about peace, joy, and love. However, our Giver will stop giving to those who have turned away when time is over. Hell deprives God’s gifts from those who have rejected Him. The good news is that we do have hope. God has given us an avenue of salvations. he has made the payment for sin. Ours is simply to accept that payment.

By Ben Lanius

Tags: godly qualities, judgment

To treat others how we want to be treated, to love one another – they are ideas that look easy on paper. If we take a hard look at ourselves, though, we may find we aren’t so good at these simple concepts. God sets out expectations of how we are supposed to live and treat each other. He sets an example of love, and our challenge is to follow that example, to demonstrate the love of God in our lives.

In our character, God is the pivot point. When we know how to interact and how to react to God, we learn to better interact with those around us. We learn from an early age that God made us and God loves us. We study His power, His mercy, and the many ways He loves us. We demonstrate our love for Him, in turn, when we love others. Without loving others, we do not love God.

Foundations of Love

According to Genesis 1, we are God’s Creation, and He made us in His spiritual image. We understand that authority is a part of Creation. We are His. However, man likes to live by his own authority. In Daniel, for example, both kings Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar need to be reminded of their places. In contrast, Psalm 19 describes the glory of God’s word as portrayed by nature. The psalm speaks of a power before which we must humble ourselves. It is the testimony of I AM as God calls Himself in Exodus 3:14. We are created for the purpose of good works under this authority according to Ephesians 2:10.

John 3:16 describes the love God has for us in the sacrifice He provided and made on our behalves. Paul elaborates on this point in Romans 5:6, describing how undeserving we are of such a sacrifice. He describes our relationship with God as adversarial, but the cleansing power of Christ’s blood bridges the gulf separating us from our Father. He loves us despite the fact that we are unlovable. This love is a model for the love we are to have for one another according to I John 4:19. It is unmeasurable by our standards, but it is also a love that is unconditional. THis is the foundation upon which our love is built.

God Doesn’t Want Us to Hit

Ephesians 5:1 encourages us to be imitators of God in all things, and I John 4:7 equates loving others with loving God. God is characterized by love, and demonstrating unloving qualities separates us from our God. Without love, according to John, it is impossible for us to even know Him. Verse 20 goes as far as to say that we are liars if we claim to love God while harboring animosity and resentment in our hearts. Just as we don’t want our children to hit their friends and classmates, God does not want us striking out at each other. Doing so is contrary to His nature.

God’s will is accomplished through love. Galatians 5:14 calls love the summation of God’s law. Loving one another takes care of the details. Once love is in place, all other aspects of obedience become easier to follow. Many of us are familiar with I Corinthians 13, describing the qualities of love. We often recite these verses at weddings, but Paul is describing more than the love between husband and wife with these words. He is expounding upon the type of love all Christians should have for their fellow man, and Paul even has the audacity to say that anything we achieve ultimately amounts to nothing if we do not have love.

Where then is our love for those around us? God created us. He loves us – completely and unconditionally. In turn, He wants us to demonstrate His love in our lives.

By Kevin Heaton

Tags: attitude, godly qualities, love, one another

Job’s Faith His Redeemer Lives

In II Timothy 1:12, Paul expresses confidence in God and His promises, despite being imprisoned in Rome. In Hebrews 5, Jesus is portrayed as our priest in that He mediates for us and He atones for us. The term “redeemer” is used over twenty times in scripture, and all but one instance of the word refers to God or the Messiah. We have access to God through Jesus.

Job 19:25 provides inspiration for the song I Know That My Redeemer Lives, and, in the subsequent verses, Job expresses hope that He will see God one day. Remember what Job had gone through at this point, having lost his health, his possessions, the support of his family and friends. In all of this, he is confident, for he knows his own heart. He knows God’s justice, and he knows God provides access to Himself.

Mediator, Advocate, and Redeemer

In Job 9, Job is giving answer to one of his friends’ accusations, and verses 32-33 express Job’s frustrations that he cannot converse with God as with a fellow man, that there is no individual who will mediate between God and man. Job recognizes the need for one who can understand both mortal and divine perspectives.

I Timothy 2:5 describes the one mediator between God and man as Christ – both man and king. Jesus can understand a human perspective and act with divine authority. Hebrews 2:9-18 describes Jesus’ role in being made lower than angels, to be like us and undergo the same trials we suffer. Philippians 2:6-9 describes how Jesus emptied Himself, obedient to death, and is exalted by God. These scriptures and more give us hope in Christ’s role as our mediator.

Job 16 records Job answering a second friend, and, in verse 19, Job speaks of a witness in Heaven who testifies on his behalf. He asks for an advocate before the Father. I John 2:1-2 reminds us that, when we fall into sin, Jesus acts as our advocate. He is our divine representation before our Creator.

Returning to Job 19:25, Job expresses confidence in a Redeemer who is alive and will be alive at the end, whom Job will see with his own eyes. Titus 2:11-14 calls upon us to watch for Christ’s appearing, having given Himself up to redeem us. We have a Redeemer we can hope to see when He comes for us. I Peter 1:13-19 describes our Savior whom we wait for, who paid for us with an incorruptible price.

Conclusion

Job 33:23-24 records Elihu expressing hope in a messenger from God who will give ransom for man, and Isaiah 61:1 refers to God’s messenger who will free man from captivity. Jesus applies this passage to Himself. Luke 8:32-33 records Jesus that He has come to set His followers free from sin.

Job looks beyond the things of this life – his reputation, his possessions, his friends and family – for purpose. He holds to the idea of his redemption. Likewise, our lives may be far from perfect, but Christ has come to sanctify us and redeem us. We have hope in Him, and like Job, we can cling to that hope regardless of worldly circumstances around us. We know in Whom we believe.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: jesus, godly qualities, salvation

We are usually willing to help others, but we are seldom willing to inconvenience one’s self or give something important up in doing so. Jesus talks about this principle in Matthew 5:38-48, calling on us, as children of God (verse 45), to go an extra mile and giving of ourselves in helping others. We should go as far as we are willing and then some. This demonstrates our efforts in emulating our Lord.

Our God and the Second Mile

What if God had been unwilling to go “the second mile?” In Genesis 1 and 2, God prepares a paradise for man to live in. What if, after man sins, God had said He had already given enough? What if He was willing to do no more for His creation?

Romans 5:8-11 records God’s mindset in His sacrifice of Christ despite of and for the forgiveness of our sins. He does not wait for us to be perfect in His eyes to save us. He reconciles us in our enmity. II Peter 3:9 recounts God’s patience and His desire that all would repent. He continues to give us time and opportunity to turn from our rebellion, and I John 1:9 speaks to God’s willingness to forgive us. He is willing to go another mile on our behalf.

Emulating Our God

Luke 6:36, I Peter 5:10, and I Peter 2:3 all speak about God’s mercy and graciousness. James 2:13 and Jude 22 encourages us to emulate that mercy. Luke 6:36 Calls us to be merciful as God is merciful. Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 records that we are to be kind, patient, and forgiving toward each other – again emulating God’s forgiveness of us.

Colossians 3:12, II Timothy 2:24, and Ephesians 4:1-2 name even more qualities exemplifying God in our lives. The overriding principle in all of these these things is unselfishness. Putting others first, being willing to give of ourselves for the benefit of others, inconveniencing ourselves for another’s sake. This is second-mile thinking.

Conclusion

Matthew 5:45-48 reminds us that this mindset is part of our spiritual heritage. As children of God, spiritually born again, we should inherit the qualities demonstrated by our Heavenly Father. He gives of Himself without end. He want us to reflect Him among men, so we should also develop second-mile thinking and engage in second-mile work.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, character, one another

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

This morning’s lesson focused on the grace God has shown us and the hope we have in that. Building upon this, Peter, in I Peter 2, asks his audience to put away all carnal qualities and form themselves as living stones built upon the foundation of Christ. He calls them and us a royal priesthood, a people of God’s possession who have obtained mercy.

A Spiritual Priesthood

Back in Exodus 19, as the people congregate at the base of Sinai after escaping slavery in Egypt, God uses these same descriptors regarding the children of Israel. He calls them a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. He sets them apart and sanctifies them as His own before leading them to the Promised Land. Back in I Peter 2, He asks the same of us for the same reasons. Just as Israel was to remain righteous, we are to do so today.

Galatians 6:16 refers to the Israel of God in describing Christians, and Galatians 3:28-29 as well as Romans 9:6-8 bear this same concept out. God’s children are His spiritual Israel, and I Peter 2:5 refers to us as a spiritual house. All who follow God are priests of God, and that obligates us to offer up proper spiritual sacrifices in that role.

A Priestly Service

We have to maintain our personal holiness. I Peter 1:14-16 calls us to be holy as God is holy, quoting God’s levitical mandate. His priests were to be separate and sanctified in His service, and we are to be likewise separated. Leviticus 10:1-3 records the tragedy of Nadab and Abihu, and God tells Aaron (through Moses) that He will be sanctified by all who come near Him. I Corinthians 6:11 refers to Christians as sanctified. We are to view God and ourselves differently due to His difference that we are to emulate. Only by changing our view of ourselves, then we will not behave separately from the world. Too many examples exist in the Old Testament of priests who do not act like priests. What of us today?

We should be able to discern godliness from ungodliness. Leviticus 10:10 describes a function of the priest as creating a distinction between the clean and unclean, the holy and the unholy. Ezekiel 22:26 as well as Micah 6:8 both call on God’s people to discern good from evil and live justly before God. James 4:17 warns us to choose our action carefully when we know the right thing to do, and I John 2:6 admonishes us to walk as He walked. We know we are His if we follow His commands. Finally, Hebrews 5:14 describes a mature Christian as one who has practiced discernment in differentiating good from evil.

We have to serve each other in our service to God. In Exodus 7:16, God reveals that the people of Israel are to be freed for the purpose of serving Him, and Romans 6:15-16 states that we either present ourselves as servant to God or to sin. In their service, the priests of the Old Testament served the people and each other, and our spiritual service reflects this. Philippians 2:1-8 reflects upon the service Christ yielded to us and to God in the sacrifice He provided. In this, Paul asks us to emulate His mindset – humbling ourselves in service of God and one another.

Conclusion

God has set us apart to His service, and our life should reflect that sanctification. We are no longer of the world. Rather, we reflect the God we serve in all areas of our life. We are His priests. We strive for holiness, for God is holy.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, one another, morality

We may define “faithfulness” in a few different ways – being full of faith, having a true conviction, being dependable or loyal. In Galatians 5:16, Paul begins speaking of behaviors we should avoid and those we should adopt. In this, in verse 22, he considers faithfulness a fruit of the spirit, a quality we should have as godly people. What kind of faith do we have, and are we full of that faith?

Faith is a topic we are familiar with. For example, we can turn to Hebrews 11 for a definition of faith and many examples of people who lived in faith. We can look at I Timothy 4:12 where Paul exhorts Timothy to remain faithful in his ministries. Also, we know there are degrees of faith. In John 12:42, some believed in Christ but felt pressured to avoid confessing Him, and, in James 2:22, the author speaks of a perfected faith.

How Do I Develop Faithfulness?

We need faith to be pleasing to God, and it is the cornerstone of our belief system, so it is imperative to develop faith in our lives. Romans 10:17 informs us that filling ourselves with God’s word will fill us with faith. Romans 1:16 speaks of the power of God working in those who live by faith – from faith unto faith. Many other passages throughout the New Testament tie faith and knowledge together. To believe, one must know in what he or she believes.

Jude verse 3 speaks of faith needing to be put into action and experienced. It is more than a simple acknowledgment. It requires implementation in our lives. In James 2:21-24, Abraham is referenced as an illustration of one who lived by his faith, putting into action the belief system he held. Abraham believed God, and he put that faith into action on many occasions. In II Peter 1:5, we are instructed to give diligence to our faith, to work on it and add godly qualities to it. Hebrews 11 offers many example of those who put faith into action.

Prayer is also necessary to developing faithfulness. In Mark 9:24, a father of an epileptic child cries out to Jesus that he believes, asking for help with his faltering faith. We can ask our Father to increase our faith, and we can use prayer (and study) to encourage others and build one another up – again exercising the faith we have in encouraging our growth and that of others.

Faithful Dependability

In I thessalonians 5:24 and many other verses, God is described as faithful in the sense of being dependable and reliable. In Exodus, He delivers His people time and again from adversity and threatening situations. He continually provides for His people even when they are rebellious toward Him. In Genesis 3, He promises deliverance from Satan through the seed of woman, and this is fulfilled in the gospels. In Psalm 16:10, the resurrection in fulfilled, and Jesus trusted in God to raise Him, to be faithful in His promises and in His plan.

We are supposed to emulate qualities God demonstrates. II Timothy 2:21 describes as needing to be useful and prepared to do our Master’s work. Can God count on me? Am I useful and dependable to Him? In I Thessalonians 1:2-3, Paul describes the efforts the members of that congregation put forth in their service of God. They demonstrated dependability, and we should be similar. We should not be wasteful of the resources and the opportunities God gives us. Rather, we should put those to use.

This reliability extends to one another. We are to be faithful to each other. In Hebrews 11:39-40, the author ends this chapter on faith by citing our responsibility to those faithful saints that came before us. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, we are encouraged to stick together, making each other stronger in the faith we share with each other. Our faithfulness to each other helps each other live how we should and continue our journey to Heaven.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: faith, godly qualities

Last week, we looked at a few events out of the first five books of the Bible as case studies we can learn by. As Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:1-12, this history of God’s people is recorded to provide a lesson to Christians, and, in this lesson, we are going to take a few more examples from the Old Testament to make application from.

Some Things Never Change

The problem of sin is still present. In the first couple chapters of Genesis, we have the first temptation, the first misrepresentation of God’s word, and the first sin. By Genesis 4, we have insincere worship leading to murder. Then, in chapter 6, wickedness has grown so prevalent among mankind that God decides to wipe the slate clean. Today, as then, the problem of sin is still the same. Isaiah 59:1 warns us that sin separates man from God.

The need to respect God is still the same. In Genesis 8:13, Noah sees the land drying, but Noah waits for God’s permission to leave the ark. He waited for a “Thus says the Lord.” In Numbers 9, Moses sought God’s advice in regards to unclean individuals keeping the Passover while David, in II Samuel 7, took the prerogative to build a house for God without His direction. God denies Him this wish.

I Samuel 13:8 records Saul offering without authority, and I Samuel 15 continues telling about Saul acting outside the authority he was given, even while he cited the good things he planned to do with those spoils he kept against God’s word. God’s authority is as binding today as it was then.

God’s expectations have remained the same. In Genesis 2:16-17, God makes His wishes clearly known to His creation. According to Hebrews 11, Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, and Genesis 22 records Abraham taking Isaac to be sacrificed. Again, Hebrews 11 appeals to faith in this action. God’s expectation was and is faithful obedience. Acts 10:34-35 records Peter stating that all who hear and obey will be received by God.

God’s love is still the same. In Genesis 12, 26, and 28 a promise repeated that God would bring salvation to mankind, and, in Isaiah 55:6-9, God invites His people to call upon Him and He will forgive. That love was personified in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:9 clearly states that God’s desire for His creation is for all of us to turn back to Him, and He patiently endures – waiting for us to respond to His love.

Conclusion

God is the same today as He was yesterday, and His word still applies to us every bit as much as it applied to Moses, to David, to Paul, and to the other early Christians. We need to look at the mistakes and the triumphs of those individuals recorded in the Bible and learn from them. We should be cautious about dismissing this recorded history, and, as God’s people, we should be taking these lessons to heart. Our God is just, merciful, and loving, and He will remains so from the beginning until the end. He has given us His living word that provides to all things we need for godly living, and He is waiting for us to come to Him in faithful obedience.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, sin, examples, obedience

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

In Genesis 32:24, we have one of the more perplexing stories of the Old Testament in which Jacob wrestles with a messenger of the Lord. Jacob has been living in Haran for the last fifteen years after cheating Esau out of his birthright. He will soon encounter his brother, and he is not sure what to expect, and he undertakes preparations to die at his brother’s hand. In this context, this strange turn of events takes place.

In this, the messenger comes to a draw with Jacob until he dislocates Jabob’s hip. The messenger changes Jacob’s name and declares him the victor of the struggle. In scripture, whenever God and man confront one another, there is a lesson for us to take.

Three Lessons from Jacob’s Stuggle

A relationship with God is challenging. We don’t often think of our relationship with God as being challenging, but that is the way Jesus portrayed this relationship. For example, see Matthew 19:16 where a young ruler comes to Jesus, and Jesus issues him a challenge: give up material possessions. Luke 9:57-62 records Jesus issuing challenging statements toward individuals hesitant to follow Him. Planning a relationship with God takes forethought and preparation, and, to maintain this relationship, I have to change some things about myself.

“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” - Romans 6:2-4

What is the point of this challenge? We are reminded that we need God rather than our feeling that God needs us.

A relationship with God brings true blessings. How do we try to get ahead in life? By lying, cutting corners, stepping on others? How can we hope for anything but enmity and jealousy as a result? This is how Jacob initially gained Esau’s birthright. He manipulated.

However, by humbling ourselves, by asking of God, we receive more permanent and wholesome blessings. James 1:5-6 encourages us to ask God what we need in faith, and God will provide. We often try to do things our own way, and we use God as a last resort, but James says this method is faulty. Also, Matthew 7:7-11 explains and illustrates this point to His audience.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8

A relationship with God changes us. This event in Genesis 32 fundamentally changes Jacob. His faith becomes his own. As an illustration, Jacob’s name meant (in Hebrew) “cheater” or “scoundrel,” However, God changes that name to Israel, “one who contends with God” or “prince of God.” This leads to God finally blessing Jacob in Genesis 35: 9-12. Likewise, we fundamentally change when we choose to follow God. Our nature changes, and we create a new pattern of life in Him.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:10

Conclusion

Our relationship with God is not dependent on others, nor is it a passive experience. This relationship takes effort, and we will have to undergo change to remain in that relationship, but true blessings come with it. Matthew 11:28-30 serves as an invitation to that relationship – it may be a relationship that takes effort, but it offers more than anything this world has to offer.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: examples, godly qualities, jacob

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

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

In studying the Old Testament, one cannot ignore the role of and the importance of the temple. From David’s desire to build a temple, to the temple of Solomon, to its destruction, to the efforts to rebuild that temple. In I Corinthians, the temple is referred to but it is used two different ways: our body as God’s temple and the church as God’s temple of the New Testament.

The Temple of Our Bodies

In I Corinthians 6, Paul reminds those reading of the backgrounds the shared. In verse 12, he appeals to a mindset that anything sanctioned by government must be okay. However, Paul says that just because something is legal does not necessitate that it is spiritually beneficial. In verse 19, Paul refers to our bodies as temples that were purchased by God. This fact should affect how we behave while we live in these bodies.

What does this mean for us. Our bodies belong to God when we choose to serve Him, and “you are not your own.” Romans 6:2 says that those who have died to sin can no longer live in it. The former self has been crucified, and a new self lives – free from sin but belonging to Christ. God gave us our life back, and in this we are joined to the Lord.

Furthermore, this passage claims that my body is a dwelling place of the Spirit. Galatians 2:20 also states that Christ dwells in me, and we’ve read of God’s presence within us. We are not what we see in the mirror. These bodies are temporary shells that contain a soul that God sees. People see who I am externally, but God sees who I am internally because that is where He is present.

Our behavior, influenced by this view as our body as a temple, goes beyond the general view of exercise and eating well. Anything we put into ourselves, the media we consume, the jokes we tell, the people we associate with – these things are spiritually ingested by us and influences our spirituality, and this should have an impact on the choices we make and the way we live.

The Temple of the Church

In I Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul is speaking to the congregation, and he calls them God’s temple. Like our own bodies, this attitude should color how we view coming to worship and the role of our congregation in our lives. The church as an entity should be regarded as sacred and holy, and we should strive to keep it pure just as God wanted His temple pure and free of unclean influences.

Just as God dwells within us, so does God dwell among us as a congregation. In I Corinthians 3:4-5, Paul discourages aligning a congregation with a particular individual, and he goes on to say that the church’s foundation is Christ. Our efforts will determine what kind of congregation will be built on that foundation. In the Old Testament, people brought materials and offered services in the building of the temple. What do I bring to the work of the church?

As we are trying to build our temple, we have one another to build upon. Our strengths can overcome our deficiencies so long as we put God first and we work together. Everybody doing what they can produces a congregation that is strong and united. Do I view the church as something that serves me, or do I ask how I can serve God through it?

Conclusion

The temple is holy and set apart. Do we want to be a temple of wood and hay or a temple of gold and silver – whether we are speaking of ourselves or the church? What do I want my spiritual temple to be? This goal should affect the way we participate in the congregation we belong to and the way we live our lives.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, church, identity, david

In this lesson, we’re going to look at four “lines to live by” that are trusted by the world but will not produce eternal life. (This, of course, is inspired by Reader’s Digest old Lines to Live By feature.) We are bombarded with messages, ideas, and values that are not consistent with God’s words, but these are ideas that we may be comfortable with at a secular level.

Unwise Words to Live By

“God is Like Me.” We have a tendency to create God in our own image. We are told to measure ourselves and others by our own standards, values, and experiences. In so many settings, we want to make God answerable to our standard of wisdom. Think about individuals who wish to judge God by their own sense of right or fairness; those who try to deal with or barter with God; those who think God will overlook things they are willing to overlook. In Romans 1, Paul makes it clear that the Creator is to be differentiated from the created. (See verses 21-25 especially.) There is a distinction between God and us.

Do we assume that God likes what I like and dislike what I dislike? Does this lead us to alter His word (“It’s outdated")? Do we alter His worship to appease ourselves? Do we excuse ourselves of fault, assuming God has done the same. In I Peter 1, we are told to be holy as God is holy in all things. Instead of making God like man, we are to strive to be like God.

“My Body Image Equals My Worth.” Think about how much emphasis is placed on our physical selves. It’s what we see every day, and there are diets, products, routines, and programs intended to tone and perfect our bodies, but we neglect the soul in these interests. Genesis 2:7 records God breathing living soul into man – this is how we are created in His image. Ecclesiastes 12:7 records that the dust (our physical bodies) returns to the dust, but the soul returns to God. Our soul is our worth, and we can’t neglect its growth and development.

Are we guilty of focusing on the physical and neglecting the spiritual. Matthew 10:28 records Jesus stating that we should not fear those who can destroy our body as much as we should fear He who can destroy our soul. This life is not the end-all and be-all of our existence, and our soul will last far longer than this body.

“The Ends Justifies the Means.” Cheating, lying, and stealing are all considered wrong but can be justified if motivated by noble purposes. In I Samuel 15, we are probably familiar with Saul’s disobedience despite his claim to have done God’s command in verse 13, and he attempts to justify his actions through his motives. Samuel makes it clear that God is more interested in his obedience than his justifications.

“I Have Plenty of Time.” To us, time is relative. We try to save, budget, and buy time. We change time zones, but there is still only 24 hours in a day. We always assume we have time to spend, so we advise to “sow your wild oats;” “You have your whole life ahead of you.” However, in Luke 12:13, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who takes this very tack – “I have goods laid up for many years.” His soul is required that very night. James 4:13 warns us against assuming too much when it comes to our future, and in Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus states twice that the day of His return is unknown.

Do we assume we have time to change? If we don’t have the strength to change now, do we really think we’ll somehow gain the strength to change later? Hebrews 3:7 encourages us to respond to God’s word today and not giving the world time to harden our hearts. In Hebrews 3:15 and 4:7, the author reinforces this point.

Conclusion

We can’t try to live by the world’s wisdom and hope to grow closer to God. God is unique, and our souls will be judged by Him one day. Will we be ready for that meeting, or will we procrastinate until it is too late? This depends on if we will live by God’s advice or man’s.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, godly qualities

“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scottish tune by Robert Burns. The title literally means “times long past.” It is a song about reflection on the past – moving on but not forgetting. It is traditionally sung at New Year’s in our culture. Others sing the song at commencements and funerals. It recalls “the best of times” and “the worst of times,” so to speak.

In a similar fashion, the book of Lamentations is a good-bye to an era of faithfulness. It is a funeral song for God’s people as they are taken into captivity. Lamentations 1:12, 1:16, 2:16, 3:2-6 are all passages that illustrate the prophet’s despair at the loss of the city and the people he has worked with for his whole life. However, Lamentations 3:21-26 stands out as a beacon of hope amidst the doom. Though they endured much, and we may feel the same at times, God is the source of hope.

Comfort in God

Mercy. In Psalm 136, the phrase is continually repeated, “For His mercy endures forever.” Through praising God as Creator and Deliverer, the idea of His mercy is visited time and again. In Luke 1:75-79, Zechariahs speaks of forgiveness and remission in the context of God’s mercy. Romans 15:8-9 glorifies God for His mercy in the sacrifice of His Son. Finally, Ephesians 2:4-5 reassures us of God’s rich mercy and great love despite ourselves.

Hope. Hope is expressed numerous times in Psalms. Psalm 130:7 calls God’s people to hope in Jehovah because of His mercy. Psalm 31:24, Psalm 38:15, and many others return to the theme of hope. One sees and cares about our needs, and that is God. In I Thessalonians 5:8, we are told to wear hope as a helmet, Romans 8:24 says we are saved in hope. Hebrews 6:18 tells us we have a hope set before us in that we reach for something better than this life.

Renewal. Jeremiah spoke of renewal in that God’s mercies are “new every morning.” We appreciate things that are “new.” II Corinthians 5:17 and 4:16 both speak of becoming new in Christ, our spiritual selves being renewed daily. In Colossians 3:10, we are told to put on a new self, not of the world but of Christ, and, in Ephesians 4:23-24, we are invited to be mentally renewed in putting on a new man that is fashioned after God.

Faithfulness. The faithfulness in Lamentation speaks to God keeping His promises. In I Corinthians 1:4-9, Paul confirms that God is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 assures us that we can be confidant in God’s word because of His faithfulness. Finally, I John 1:9 reminds us that God’s forgiveness is something we can rely on.

Conclusion

It’s hard to imagine just how difficult things were for Jeremiah. His nation fell despite his best efforts, and we run into situations where we feel like failures despite our best efforts. However, like Jeremiah, we can be continually renewed in God’s hope and mercy, trusting in His faithfulness as we seek God and His salvation.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: grace and mercy, godly qualities, examples

Beginning in Psalm 51:11, David asks that God not withdraw His presence, and he offers praises to God based on the salvation He provides. He will sing and tell others of God. Hezekiah says much the same thing in Isaiah 38. These two stand as examples of God’s grace to us.

Amazing Grace

Grace is amazing thing, but we do not always appreciate the power in God’s mercy and love. We live in fear, guilt, and trepidation because we have a hard time really accepting God’s grace. We understand the role of faith and Jesus’ blood. We understand the role of obedience. However, we cannot forget grace’s role in our salvation. (See Romans 3:23-24.)

Paul calls this grace “free.” There is nothing we have done to earn that grace. We love many things based on the joy or pleasure they bring us. However, God gave His love when we were still sat at enmity against Him. (See Romans 5:8-11)

Beginning in Romans 4, Paul speaks of Abraham. He asks if Abraham was justified in his works, if he had room to glory in himself. In verse 4, Paul makes it clear that God does not owe us salvation. It is a gift resulting from grace, and, if Abraham had no room to boast before God, we have no room to undermine the role of grace in our spiritual lives.

Paul on Grace

In Romans 3:7, Paul facetiously asks if it is okay to continue in sin so grace may come. (He reiterates this question in Romans 6:1.) Galatians 5:19-21 is a good example of how hard Paul is on sin. Did he tolerate sin in Corinth? Of course not, but his teachings on grace apparently made some feel he was being tolerant of sin for the sake of grace.

Returning to Romans 6 and 7, Paul addresses grace and questions regarding our response to this grace. He addresses this in 6:1, 6:15, and 7:7.

Romans 6:1. Grace comes and covers our sins. Grace demonstrates God’s glory. Should we then continue sinning so we may glorify God? Paul denies this idea, and he says that we have died to sin, to live no more in it. (See also Luke 9:23-24.) Through grace, we have entered a covenant with God, and he reiterates this separation from sin in Romans 6:12-14, dying to sin and being alive to God.

Romans 6:15. Being freely justified, does grace make it okay to sin? Are we free to do whatever we want? Again, Paul’s response is the same. We are either servants of sin or servants of God. Our character changes when we enter into God’s grace. Verses 22-23 makes it clear that both righteousness and sin are distinct paths with separate conclusions. If we abuse grace, it is removed.

Romans 7:7. Does all of this mean that the law is sin? Do the works of the law negate the role of grace? Once more, Paul vehemently denies this, and he claims that one dovetails the other. The law makes us aware of those things that separate us from God and His grace. The word makes us aware of what pleases and displeases God, allowing us to approach the Creator who has shown us His grace. He restores us, and we, in turn, follow His expectations. The law points me to God.

Our Application

Grace is God’s free gift. There is nothing I can give that will equal what God gives us. This grace brings us into a relationship with God that changes our character and our behaviors, and we can use God’s word as a guide to continue that relationship. Like David and Hezekiah, the gift of grace should make us wish to reciprocate – to praise God and tell others about Him.

God freely offers us a remedy for sin. He offers to heal us and make us whole. All we need to do is approach Him on His terms and accept the gift.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, forgiveness, grace and mercy

In our last lesson, we considered the Pharisees in light of Matthew 9:13 – Jesus instructing the Pharisees to learn of God’s desire for mercy and justice. We looked at the roots of the Pharisee movement, where they had good motives, and where they went wrong. We concluded that we must speak where the Bible speaks, remaining silent where it is silent, but we must not become unmerciful and self-righteous in our efforts.

Because Jesus emphasized mercy with the Pharisees, we are going to look at the concept of mercy and how it affects us. Mercy and compassion are not the same thing. Having compassion is not being merciful because mercy requires action while compassion is merely an emotion.

Why Is Mercy Important?

It Is a Characteristic of God. In Exodus 33:18, Moses asks to see God’s glory – God mentions grace and mercy before He shows Himself to Moses. In Exodus 34:5-6, His mercy is mentioned again in context of revealing His glory. In Deuteronomy 4:31, Moses calls Jehovah a merciful God, and Psalm 145:8 describes God as merciful, gracious, and slow to anger. In Joel 2:13 and Jonah 4:2 regard the Lord’s mercy (even though Jonah’s intentions are not exactly right).

We emphasize God’s holiness and the importance of emulating that holiness, but on the same token, God describes Himself as merciful, gracious, and slow to anger. Mercy should be important to us because it is a quality of our Lord.

It is Something We Ask of God. In Luke 18:9-14, we have the familiar story of the publican and the Pharisee. Very simply, the publican asks for mercy, and Jesus describes him as justified in God’s eyes. We recognize that we need God’s mercy, and we know we are unjustified without that mercy. Mercy is asked for around forty times in the book of Psalms. We ask for mercy because we know we need it.

It is Something God Asks of Us. Paul, in Romans 12 speaks of the opportunities and talents we should be using for the Lord. Paul speaks of spiritual gifts and natural gifts, and in this context, mercy is emphasized. Luke 6:31 is commonly referred to as the Golden Rule, and verse 36 brings mercy into this context of how God expects us to treat each other, and James 2:13 warns us that being unmerciful results in judgment without mercy. However, James also says that mercy can triumph over judgment.

Hosea 6:6 states that God desires mercy, and Micah 6:8 asks of kindness. These are qualities God looks for in His people. He takes delight in merciful people (Micah 7:18). I Corinthians 13 emphasizes love heavily, and, in verses 2-3, Paul states that great deeds done without love are no good to us spiritually. As God is merciful, we should be merciful.

Areas We Can Grow

Showing Mercy to the Lost. Do we have concern for the souls of those who do not agree with us, or do we view them as enemies. Remember how the Pharisees treated the healed blind man – casting him from the temple – and the adulteress – seeking her execution. Are we similar? Matthew 9:10-13 provides context to the quote we’ve been looking at on mercy. Sometimes we act as if the gospel is for the righteous – not for all. In that, we may be unmerciful.

Showing Mercy to New Converts. All too often, we treat a new child of Christ as if they are already matured. We expect instant knowledge and resolution on principals and scriptural interpretation. Sometimes, we come down too hard on individuals who are not at the same level of understanding.

Showing Mercy to Fellow Christians. We listen to “reports” about other brethren, within our own congregation and without. We pass judgment, but we don’t look for verification nor speak to the individuals we may be judging. We condemn on the basis appearances, and we have a difficult time giving the benefit of doubt, and we have a difficult time merely listening when differences of opinion arise. In Galatians 5:13-15, Paul warns Christians not to bite and devour each other lest they destroy themselves. This is spiritual cannibalism that can cause congregations to self-destruct. Matthew 12:7 provides a warning: judging without mercy can result in condemning the innocent. While we fight each other, we fail to fight the fight of faith.

Conclusion

Mercy is an incredibly important part of our Christian lives. We need to work hard to demonstrate mercy to others, even those it may be most difficult for. We strive to “be holy as [God] is holy,” and God expects us to be merciful as we hope for His mercy.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: forgiveness, godly qualities, growth, one another, grace and mercy

How do we typically share the gospel? Often, we share the good news, emphasizing the commands of the New Testament. We assume someone knows the fact of Jesus’ life and death and the promises surrounding the message. However, the commands cannot be truly obeyed without a good understanding of the facts and the promises surrounding Jesus and His word.

The Facts

It is too simplistic to merely say Jesus died for our sins. Why did Jesus not save us some other way? Why is Jesus’ blood necessary for salvation?

1. Jehovah God is holy, perfect, upright, and just. His plan is not merely for forgiveness, but is designed to make us like Him so we can live with Him. I Peter 2:21-24 discusses the example of Jesus and encourages us to walk in His steps and live unto righteousness. I Peter 1:15-16 calls us to emulate God’s holiness. His plan helps us be like Him.
   
   
2. Christ died to meet the demands of justice. Genesis 9:4-5 sets forth a principal that the shedding of blood requires likewise payment. This carried over into the law of the Old Covenant. Later, in Romans 1:18 speaks of God’s wrath against ungodliness. When we sin, we spiritually have taken our own lives. When a life is taken, a life is required. (See also Romans 3:23-24 & Romans 6:23.)

Why is God’s plan what it is? His purpose is to make us like Him so we may live with Him. Why is Jesus’ blood required? His perfect life is the perfect repayment for the spiritual deaths we have created. God’s plan is designed around justice and righteousness. My sin put Jesus on the cross, and God buys me back with the sacrifice of Christ.

The Commands

How can we cover these concisely? We could jump all over the New Testament to illustrate several different commands covering multiple facets of our lives.

1. We can cover the “hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized” mantra, but we have to remember that God is not interested in ritual absent of righteousness and sincerity. In Hosea 6:6, God calls for understanding and sincerity. He condemns rote tradition. However, obedience is important.
2. We cover baptism as a command leading to salvation, but how does baptism save? Romans 6 illustrates our baptism as a parallel to Jesus’ death and resurrection, a crucifixion of our old selves, dying to sin, raised again to live for Christ. We are symbolically reenacting the sacrifice that atones for and pays for the debt of sin.

The Promises

God promises forgiveness, peace of mind, and a home in heaven – all based in the power of hope. Romans 8:24 says hope is a key ingredient to our salvation. I Peter 3:15 speaks of the “hope you have within you,” and Hebrews 6:18-19 tells us of hope that God has promised us. This hope is an anchor, and it provides stability to our spiritual lives.

I John 1: 7-2:2 promises us forgiveness of sins and advocacy from the Father. We are promised an atoning sacrifice in Christ. This is the core of our hope – that God defends us and that He is looking out for us. With these promises, how can we not want to learn more about Him and honor Him in our obedience and service?

By Tim Smelser

Tags: godly qualities, salvation, baptism, forgiveness

In this sermon, Jesus is trying to impress on his listeners what it really meant to be followers of God. It is more than following stoic rights and rituals – there is a certain attitude and state of mind God’s followers should have. So far, we’ve studied characteristics of true disciples: being poor in spirit, peacemakers, selfless individuals. God’s followers are lights to be seen in their attitudes and their actions. Additionally, Jesus talks about righteousness, and the standards of true righteousness, but now He speaks about hypocrisy and the dangers of such conduct.

Avoiding Hypocrisy

Jesus speaks of three areas in which we should avoid hypocrisy in our lives. The examples we set can turn others away from Christ because of contradictions demonstrated.

Charity. In Matthew 6:1 warns us of doing goodness merely to impress others. He specifically uses alms (charity) as an example in verse 2. He even goes on to illustrate this by saying that our one hand should not know the other is contributing. This is contrasted to calling attention to ourselves when we do something good for others. “Don’t blow your own horn” is a modern way of expressing these thoughts. I Corinthians 13:3 tells us there is no gain in selflessness with incorrect motivation, and Acts 5 serves as a clear illustration of how God views insincere charity.

Prayers. Beginning in 6:5, Jesus addresses prayer, and He warns us about our motivation once more. He is not condemning public prayer, but He is asking us to examine ourselves when we do so. Are we praying for God or for others to see us? What are we saying, and how are we saying it? Jesus encourages us to pray modestly, and He demonstrates a model prayer that includes reverence for God and His kingdom, thanksgiving, and forgiveness. Luke 18:10-14 is an example of contrasting prayers – one sincere, the other superficial.

Fasting. This is not something we practice as much any more, but the purpose of fasting is to humble one’s self before God. Contrast the fasting of the Old Testament with what many of us consider to be fasting today. (“I’m giving up chocolate for lent!”) Verses 16-18 covers the hypocritical fast, and Jesus says that no one should know that you are fasting except for God.

In a more general application, Jesus is telling us not to make a big deal when we are “inconvenienced” when doing the work we should be doing. God sees our heart, and He knows what we are going through. What kind of heart do we demonstrate when we portray reluctance or annoyance with doing God’s service? What is our heart when we go out of our way to make sure everyone knows just how much we have sacrificed.

The RIght Attitude

In 6:19, Jesus begins by warning us against placing too much value in the things of this world. He contrasts this world and the temporary nature of all within it with the eternal nature of spiritual things. Verse 21 says that our heart will be focused on that which we value, and Jesus goes on to say that we can’t be devoted to this world and to God at the same time. We are either worldly, or we are God’s.

He wraps up in verses 25-34, discussing anxiety over providing for ourselves. God says He will look out for His people. We may go through difficult times; we may never be wealthy; but He has promised to never forsake us. We are not in this world to see who can obtain the most. Rather, our main priority is seeking God and His kingdom. In so doing, God will care for us, and we have to have faith if we are going to de-prioritize our worldly ambitions and place God first in our lives.

Conclusion

What comes first in my life and in yours? Do we seek after possessions? Do we value the opinions of others? We have to have the proper motivations, and our priorities should be on God above all else.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: our example, attitude, godly qualities, jesus

Our decisions, the way we conduct ourselves around others, and how our relationships work are determined by our attitude and outlook on life. Our attitude also affects our spiritual lives, and, in this lesson, we are going to look at some attitudes and what God would have us be.

Attitudes and Outlooks

The Pessimist. The pessimist expects the worst out of a situation. Everything is seen in a negative light, and no good can come out of whatever is being viewed pessimistically.

The Cynic. The cynic questions motivations behind actions. The assumption exists that things are done only to somehow benefit the one performing an action.

The Fatalist. The fatalist believes things are inevitable. Fate has already determined the outcomes, and there is nothing that can be done to change the outcome.
These attitudes can be harmful to individuals. Even more so, these attitudes can be detrimental to groups who are trying to do God’s work. Negativity has no home in God’s house.

A Godly Attitude

Godliness and Fatalism. James 4:13-17 points out that nothing is certain. Only God knows what is coming, and James reminds us to not expect ourselves or fate to control things. God is in control, and He is open to our prayers. We should not be a fatalist because God in in control.

Godliness and Cynicism. In I Corinthians 13, Paul writes about Christian love. (Many of us are familiar with vs. 4-13 because of its use in weddings.) Verse 7 encourages us to believe the best of people, and to quickly judge others’ motivations and discount them, we are being ungodly. We should not be a cynic because of Christian love.

Godliness and Pessimism. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good in God, and verse 31 reminds us that none can truly be against us so long as God as with us. This message is in a context of faith and hope in the preceding verses. We should not be a pessimist because of the promises we have.

What should be do then? Christians should be optimistic in their lives. James 1:2-3 talks about joy in bad circumstances. It may look strange to us, but these trials can increase strength and faith. It is not always easy to view things positively when; they may look so wrong from our point of view. Also, Romans 5:1-2 speaks to our hope in God, and verse 3 reminds us that this hope is not absent, even when times are difficult. FInally, I Peter 1:6 continues this theme of remaining positive in difficult times that prove or genuineness toward serving our God.

Conclusion

What is you attitude toward the congregation you belong to? What is your attitude toward the individuals that make up that group? What is your attitude regarding the future of your congregation and the relationships you will have with your brothers and sisters? A bad attitude can set up failure, but a godly attitude can help a congregation continue to grow, even in difficult times.

Psalm 43:5:

“...Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (NIV)

By Tim Smelser

Tags: attitude, godly qualities

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