Good morning. We are now back in the book of Hebrews. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. This is not just a statement; it is in the imperative which is like an command. It tells us to pursue that peace. Paul said as far as it has to do with you be at peace with all men. However, we do not compromise to obtain that peace. We are also to pursue sanctification. Yes we were "legally" sanctified when we were born again. But the outworking of that sanctification in our lives depends on us. And we have to pursue it – it doesn't just come naturally. Without it, we will not see the Lord. See to it that no one comes  short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled. Too many lives of Christians are ruined by a root of bitterness. With good plants it seems like a root is not enough for them to continue. But with weeds, that's all it takes. They eventually spring up and flourish. So it is with bitterness. If even a root remains, it will certainly spring up again later - and next time it will be worse than ever before. Remember those who led you, and spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. People like the pastor are our examples. Only if these Christian leaders are leading a godly life should we imitate their faith. When they do live godly lives, we should follow their faith. Father thank You that the reader pursues peace with all and sanctification. He/she imitates the faith of people like the pastor.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed

  Good morning. We left John at the entrance of the tomb, stooping and looking in. “Shy” Peter then arrives following John, and enters the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there. So the other disciple, John, who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. It does not say whether or not Peter believed. For as yet they did not understand the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. I’m not exactly sure what it means by their own homes. They were originally from Galilee and would not have had homes in Jerusalem. Perhaps it means the homes where they were staying while in Jerusalem. Apparently, they were not staying in the upper room, or it would have said so. But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped (just like John) and looked into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been l...
Read more

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and he granted permission. So he came and took away His body

  Good morning. After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and he granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 100 pounds weight. Remember that myrrh was one of the gifts that the magi brought when Jesus was a baby. Also notice that he had 100 pounds of spices. Normally one does not have that much just lying around the house. Since most likely he was older, he may have been storing it up for when he himself was going to die. Or perhaps while Jesus was hanging on the cross, he went to the merchants and purchased it, because there was no time to do so after Jesus died prior to the beginning of the Sabbath. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. My Bible says that these were thin ...
Read more

Why are you timid, you men of little faith?

  Good morning. Remember that Jesus had given orders that they should depart to the other side (of the lake). While Jesus was asleep in the boat, there arose a great storm, so that the boat was covered with the waves. This was no afternoon shower; it was one of those “make the palm trees bend over and touch the ground" kind of storms. And Jesus just slept through it! He had confidence in His Father to protect Him. The disciples, however, were not confident. They were focusing on the circumstances and not on the word Jesus had given them. They awoke Jesus saying, “save us, Lord; we are perishing!” Jesus had told them to go to the other side; so they should've been confident that they would make it. They did not even think about all of the miracles that Jesus had just finished doing. But even if they had, they probably would've said “well that was one thing, this is something entirely different”. The same thing happens to us. God tells us to do something, and a storm arises....
Read more