Good morning. Now a
statement that seems opposite of the norm. Let the brother of humble
circumstances glory in his high position. You do not think of a person of
humble circumstances having a high position. Usually people in high positions
are wealthy - either people naturally give high positions to those who are
wealthy, or those who are wealthy demand a high position. Those of humble
circumstances usually take whatever they can get. What does he say that the
rich should do? Let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like
flowering grass he will pass away. Back to encountering various trials: blessed
is the man who perseveres under trial. So if we keep on keeping on and endure,
then we will be blessed. For once he has been approved, he will receive the
crown of life, which the Lord has promised, to those who love Him. Now that is
an excellent promise! Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being
tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does
not tempt anyone. Some people may not have ever participated in a certain vice,
but under the right circumstances, it is possible that they would - such as if
they knew they would never be caught. But if someone has no desire whatsoever
to participate in that vice, there is nothing that can be said or done – no
circumstance – under which that person would ever participate in that vice. In
other words he cannot be tempted to participate in that vice. That does not
mean that he would not participate in some other vice. That is like God with
doing evil. He has no desire whatsoever to do evil; so He cannot be tempted to
do evil. Father thank You that the reader perseveres under trial. He/she comes
forth as gold purified.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me
Good morning. Paul then gives a list of a lot of things that he has gone through as an apostle. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. There could be many people that you listen to either in church or through the Internet or other means; but there was only one person (as a general rule it was a person) that lead you to Christ. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. He was saying that just like a child imitates his or her father, they were to imitate him. He says that again seven chapters later. Since it is easy to forget some things about people we have not seen in a while, Paul says that he sent Timothy to them to remind them of his ways which are in Christ, just as he taught everywhere in every church. Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. I shall find ou...
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