Beyond The Four Spiritual Laws

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199) Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of The Lord.

We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.

Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?

Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.

But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.

I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.

In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.

FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.

● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection

The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos)
which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic
understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and
inhumane.

200) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear,
and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not
only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from your heart.

The koiné Greek word for "slaves" is doulos (doo'-los) which is an ambiguous
word that can mean slaves by voluntary or involuntary means. The first
would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as : a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time.
Jacob is a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen
years of his life to uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage.
(Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)

The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's
work for an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue.
Subordination is the primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21.
Believers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents with
Christ; no, he owns you: bought and paid for as flesh on the line.

● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.

So then, a Spirit-filled employee will serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their indentured-slavery status with Christ; which is
really difficult for American believers because their country has such an
abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard for freedom, revolution, and
independence. But though believers are slaves to Christ, they are not slaves
to a slave driver. Note the gentle demeanor of the request below.

● Matt 11:28-30 . . Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy and my burden is light.

● Rom 12:1-2 . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice-- holy, acceptable to God -
which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I once worked with two Christian men in a welding shop who demanded a
sit-down with the superintendent to air some grievances. I took it upon
myself to remind them that Peter directed Christians to endure what they
thought of as unfair treatment from employers (1Pet 2:18-25). Well, they
ignored both me and Peter because they felt insulted to be treated like
children by management and wouldn't rest until they told them so.

What you have there is a case of rabid male pride overruling The Lord's
wishes. Not good. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). If
Christians believe that to be true, then for them, scorning Peter is all the
same as their scorning Christ-- it's a domino effect all the way to the top.

● Luke 10:16 . .Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you;
rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me.

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201) Eph 6:7-8 . . Slaves, serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving The
Lord instead of men.

If believers wish to hear The Lord say "Well done thou good and faithful
servant" then fighting with management is simply out of the question. No,
don't fight, instead: bite the bullet.

● Php 1:29 . . For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

● 1Pet 2:18-24 . . Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not
only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable,
if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it
patiently?

. . . But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is
commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He
was reviled, did not reciprocate; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but
committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

Now there's a good, practical application of turning the other cheek.

202) Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in heaven,

The "masters" in that verse are limited to believing masters, not the world's.

If there is one political axiom that rings true in every generation, it's that
absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the human heart to abuse
authority and to oppress and exploit people rather than manage them to
everyone's advantage.

Believing masters, and believing slaves, are siblings in God's family.
Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and by his
master.

● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.

A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a
very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master
towards his believing slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled
supervisor towards his believing employees: which is the attitude of a good
shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.

The believing master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability. No, he has
no advantage over the believing slave. Both must give an accounting of
themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest
preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their
faithfulness; rather than their positions.

● Eph 6:9b] . . There is no favoritism with Him.

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204) Eph 6:10 . . Finally, be strong in The Lord, and in His mighty power.

The strength mandated there is the nature of combat readiness. When I was
serving in the US Army back in the early 1960's, the term "up to strength"
meant our unit had a full complement of soldiers ready for war with their
weapons, their clothing, their munitions, their training, and their equipment.

But soldiers are not supposed to be mercenaries; no, they go to war under
the authority and control of the country they serve. And soldiers pick neither
their battles nor their theater of operations; no, superiors pick the battles
and the theaters; and when they do so, the full power of their country is
behind them, and its resources are at their disposal.

When Joshua was commissioned by God to conquer Canaan, Israel's
commander-in-chief wasn't left to his own devices; no, at his disposal was
he arsenal and counsel of Yhvh-- a source of intelligence and supernatural
powers against which Joshua's enemies had absolutely no defense.

Every believer is a soldier in a war, and there's no neutral ground: you're
either fighting with The Lord or you're fighting against The Lord because
there's no such thing as conscientious objection in this conflict.

● Matt 12:30 . . He that is not with me is against me

205) Eph 6:11 . . Wear the full armor of God; so that you may stand
against the Devil's tactics.

It's difficult to tell whether these wartime instructions pertain to individuals,
to a whole church as if it's an individual, or to just church officers.

Joshua's operations were essentially offensive. He was commissioned to
conquer and to colonize; but in the Christian's war, the operations are
essentially defensive; viz: they're required to hold their ground rather than
attack, i.e. to survive

Why is this situation? Because according to Matt 28:18-20, his followers'
mission is to recruit and indoctrinate-- not conquer and colonize as if we
were supposed to be building Christ's kingdom on earth. No, forget that.
Christ's followers are sojourners and pilgrims rather than colonizers. (1Pet
2:11)

Webster's defines a "sojourner" as: a temporary resident.

A pilgrim is defined as one who journeys in foreign lands; viz: a wayfarer

206) Eph 6:13 . .Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the
day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you
have done everything, to stand.

That's a call to arms if ever there was one. Christians are sort of like
Minutemen; ready to fight and defend on a moment's notice.

The "full armor of God" includes not only body protection, but also any and
all weapons as assigned (e.g. Luke 11:22). And the directive here is to have
it all with you all the time, not just some of the time. Carelessness is just an
open invitation to defeat by means of a sudden, surprise attack.

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207) Eph 6:14a . . Hold fast therefore, having girded your waist with truth

Holding fast essentially means the same as standing your ground, i.e.
perseverance.

Men in that day usually didn't wear pants. They typically wore some type of
skirt; which, if of the Bedouin variety, was a bit cumbersome and made it
difficult to maneuver. So when it came time for activities like say running,
climbing, building homes, or digging ditches, they would pull the lower ends
of their skirt up around their waste and hold them in place with a belt; thus
giving themselves a little more leg room.

Webster's defines "truth" as the real facts about something. Anybody who's
been on Christian internet forums for any length of time is aware that there
are many facts floating around out in cyberspace that well-meaning people
sincerely believe are the real facts; and they are constantly arguing amongst
themselves trying to prove that their facts are the real facts and the other
guys facts are fiction.

Well; they can't all be girded with the real facts so I think it's safe to assume
that a percentage of Christians out there are girded with fake facts; and they
don't know it. Of course everybody thinks it's always the other guy who's got
it wrong because it is unimaginable to suspect that we ourselves might be
the ones with a head full of baloney; which is at least one of the reasons
why I encourage the practice of courtesy, patience, and tolerance just in
case the hapless day should arrive that we are forced to eat our words.

It ain't what you know that gets you into trouble.
It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.
-- Mark Twain --

208) Eph 6:14b . . having on the breastplate of righteousness

The obvious parallel here is a flak jacket; which won't always stop a high
powered rifle bullet, but is pretty effective against secondary missiles,
grenade fragments, and small arms like pistols, knives, spears, swords, and
archery.

I would have to say that the righteousness in this passage pertains to one's
personal conduct rather than the imputed righteousness a believer obtains
by means of Jesus' crucifixion. So then; in order to be strong in The Lord's
mighty power; a believer has to be in fellowship with God; and His fellowship
is not obtainable by those whose conduct is unbecoming.

● 1John 1:5-7 . .This is the message which we have heard from Him and
declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say
that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth.

Joshua found out the hard way that personal righteousness is essential in
order to keep The Lord on your side. His men attacked a little community
called Ai (Josh 7:2-12) and lost big because their conduct was curse-worthy
rather than victory-worthy.

It's essential that a soldier serve with honor because in spite of all his
combat readiness and/or his courage under fire, that man will find himself in
front of a courts martial looking at the business end of the rifle barrel of
military justice instead of serving his country on the battlefield if he doesn't
toe the mark and keep his nose clean. And a soldier in the stockade is one
less soldier in action.

● 2Tim 2:20-21 . . In a large house there are articles not only of gold and
silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for
ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument
for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any
good work.

209) Eph 6:15 . . and with your feet shod with the readiness that comes
from the gospel of peace.

One's feet can be likened to the foundation of a building; i.e. just as the
foundation of a building holds it all up and in place; so one's entire body is
held up by its feet. Most foundations are protected from damage by their
location underground and most people's feet are protected by footwear of
some kind.

The Christian faith is primarily based upon the gospel as per Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. When Christians have only a cursory knowledge and/or
understanding of those four aspects, then their faith is vulnerable to
destruction.

"He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility
is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of
Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son
that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full
stature of Christ.

. . .Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about
what we believe because someone has told us something different or
because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the
truth. (Eph 4:11-14)

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210) Eph 6:16 . . In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with
which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The koiné Greek word for "extinguish" is sbennumi (sben'-noo-mee) which
means primarily to quench. The same word is used at Heb 11:34 in regard
to the three Hebrew lads in Daniel 3:19-27. The angel that was dispatched
to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't actually snuff out the
fiery furnace, but rather, prevented its flames from burning the boys: in
other words, faith is a protective barrier; i.e. insulation.

Let me ask you something. Is your faith in Christ built upon logic alone, or is
it built upon a blend of logic and intuition? In other words: is it only
academic? Well; let me tell you something, there had better be an element
of intuition somewhere in your faith because logic can be easily dismantled
while feelings are not easily dispelled no matter how much clever logic is
thrown at them.

I've been asked several times in the past how I know that my beliefs are
true. My answer is: I don't know if they're true. Then of course they follow
up with: Then why do you believe your beliefs are true when you have no
way of knowing they're true?

Most of the people who ask me those kinds of questions are genuine: they're
not trying to trip me up and make a fool out of me. They really are curious
about it. So I tell them that though I don't know if my beliefs are true; my
intuition insists they are.

Faith is believin' what you know ain't so.
(Mark Twain)

Apparently the influence that one's intuition has upon their faith is normal
because the Bible says that in order to be saved by faith in Christ's
resurrection; one must believe not in their head but in their heart. Well; my
head says that his resurrection is questionable; but my gut says it's 100%
true. In other words; I believe with my heart rather than only my intellect.

Below is an example of what I'm talking about.

● Rom 10:9-10 . . If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the
dead, you will be spared. For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified

Interesting isn't it? And yet Christians all over the world resolutely deny the
role that feelings play in their system of beliefs. Well, they've got a problem;
because if they are only believing in Christ's resurrection with their intellect
sans any gut input whatsoever; then they are just as surely lost as if they
were an atheist. And as for having faith as a shield? Forget it. Not
happening.

People whose faith includes an element of feelings instead of logic alone are
nigh bullet proof. No matter if someone were to prove beyond a shadow of
any sensible doubt that there never was a Jesus who died and came back
from the dead; the person whose faith is reinforced by their gut is
unshakable because it's like they say: "A man convinced against his will, is
of the same opinion still." Lot of truth in that.

● Matt 13:20-21 . . .The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places
is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he
has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes
because of the word, he quickly falls away.

That man has no root because his intellect is insufficient to hold him in
Christ. No, a man's IQ is shallow ground indeed. The best ground is the
human will; which isn't located in a man's head; it's located in his heart; the
very core of his being, so to speak. The human will is easily strong enough
to defy reason, and often does.

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211) Eph 6:17 . .Take the helmet of salvation

Helmets protect one's head; the abode of your mind.

When it's suspected that somebody isn't thinking clearly and/or acting right;
they're commonly told to "come to your senses". Well; that phrase is
actually in the NLT.

● 1Cor 15:32-34 . .What value was there in fighting wild beasts— those men
of Ephesus —if there will be no resurrection from the dead? If there is no
resurrection then let's feast and get drunk, for tomorrow we die!

. . . Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts
good character. Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I
say that some of you don't even know God.

The gladiators about whom Paul spoke expected no future for themselves;
neither in this life nor the next so they lived their lives— as we say —like
there's no tomorrow; so they were highly motivated to grab all the pleasure
they could get while, and whenever, it was available.

Well; Christians ought not to be thinking like that because salvation includes
a new body (Rom 8:23-23). So don't live your life with a gladiator's
attitude— in point of fact; it's a sin to do so. Instead, have faith in God that
another life is on the way; and it's better than the one you've got now.

● 1Cor 15:51-54 . . Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we
will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed.

. . . For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the
mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the
imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is
written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.

● Phil 3:20-21 . . Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a savior
from there, the Lord Jesus Christ who, by the power that enables him to
bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that
they will be like his glorious body.

212) Eph 6:18a . . Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests.

Some translations render that verse like this:

"Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit."

But that's not a translation; rather, it's an interpretation because the word
"power" is not in the Greek manuscript; so I don't recommend that people
delay their prayers until a wave of divine energy comes over them.

Praying in the Spirit is just another way of walking in the Spirit, i.e. in accord
with the Spirit, a.k.a. in step with the Spirit; and the Sprit has somewhat to
say about prayer.

● Matt 6:7 . . When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition

Rote prayers like the Hail Mary and/or the Our Father are impersonal; they
tell God nothing about yourself. And worse: rote prayers are no different
than chanting mantras; they treat God like a totem pole and insult His
intelligence. Here's the Spirit's way.

● Heb 4:15-16 . . For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize
with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are,
yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of
grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of
need.

The koiné Greek word for "confidence" in Heb 4:16 is parrhesia (par-rhay
see'-ah) which means: all out-spokenness; viz: frankness, bluntness. In
other words: it's okay to speak one's mind, to be candid-- just as we might
hang out with beer buddies and/or Alcoholics Anonymous. That is a whole
lots more in step with the Spirit than reciting rote and/or stuffing pieces of
paper in the stone chinks of the so-called Wailing Wall.

● 1Thss 5:17 . . Pray without ceasing

In other words; people ought not let their concerns pile up. The time for
people to speak with God about their concerns is when they are concerned.

● Php 4:6 . . Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

The sooner people make their concerns known to God; the sooner their
minds can be set at ease.

● Php 4:7 . . And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

C.S. Lewis, famed author of The Screwtape Letters, and The Chronicles of
Narnia; once remarked that he prayed, not because he expected results but,
because it made him feel better. Well, if prayer makes you feel better, then
more power to you-- in point of fact, I highly recommend conversational
prayer because talking things out with somebody, even an imaginary
playmate, is far and away better than talking things out with nobody.

213) Eph 6:18b . . Be alert

When the Jews were re-building Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah's
command; they were armed to the teeth like Minute Men as they toiled.
(Neh 4:15-21).

Plus, they were not only prepared each man to defend himself, but ready to
come to the aid of others too. The old saw "United we stand, Divided we fall"
is just as true in Christianity as it is in human warfare. Hence:

214) Eph 6:18c . .Always keep on praying for all the saints.

The koiné Greek word for saints is hagios (hag'-ee-os) which means sacred;
but most of the time it's translated "holy" i.e. belonging to, and/or dedicated
to, God. In some instances it means divine and/or having a divine quality;
e.g. the Holy Spirit. In this passage it probably refers to Christ's believing
followers; viz: one's fellow Christians.

The mandate is to always pray for "all" the saints; not just the special ones
like pastors, deacons, and missionaries. I've seen it happen that when
church managers call for prayer, it's typically not prayer for the whole
church; but prayer for themselves. Well; that's fine as far as it goes; but
let's not neglect to pray for the congregation too.

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215) Phil 1:27 . . Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of
your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together
for the faith of the gospel

"let your conversation" is from the Greek word politeuomai (pol-it-yoo'-om
ahee) which means to behave as a citizen. It appears to me that Paul is
talking about something akin to the lyrics below:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
-- John Donne --

In other words: politeuomai speaks of a unified community rather than
random independent individuals.

"as it becometh the gospel of Christ" likely has reference to the Lord's
wishes that his followers be as united together in purpose as he is with his
Father. (John 10:30, John 17:22)

Phil 1:28 . . And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them
an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Adversity's goal is to thwart and/or discourage. This is not to say that
Christ's followers are forbidden to be at all intimidated by adversity. It's all
in how they cope with it.

Take for instance king Hezekiah in the 18th and 19th chapters of the book of
2Kings. When Sennacherib's army threatened to take Jerusalem, Hezekiah
got scared but he also got to praying. Even had his prayers been futile, it
was still the right thing to do.

Ezra also encountered adversity when he returned to Israel to oversee
reconstruction of the Temple but stood tall and prayed his way through all of
it.

When churches are effective for Christ, they have to expect bumps in the
road; but bumps in the road aren't the end of the road; they're just
inconvenient.

216) Php 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with
Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

"unity" is a buzz word among ecumenicals; but Christ's directive in no way
pertains to ecumenicals whose core belief it is that no one's wrong, and
everyone's a Christian if they say so. No, The Lord's directive only pertains
to a very narrow cross section of Christians whom he labeled: "those you
have given me" (John 17:9). It is they for whom The Lord prayed for unity.
(John 17:11, John 17:21-22)

217) Php 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
beings are just naturally prone to value status; especially among pastors,
choir members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming an
performance evaluation for The Lord's sheep where some of the elite are
going to be very embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious
achievers they really are.

● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.

An especially bad case of conceit is on display at 3 John 1:9-10

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218) Php 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also to the interests of others.

The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ
Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Php 1:1)

Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own;
therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first. Stepping on people's toes, and or
thwarting their ideas so that yours prevails, fails to satisfy the law of Christ;
which requires believers to love their fellow believers as Christ loves them
(John 15:12). It also fails to satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in
everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12).
Selfish ambition just simply isn't very nice.

219) Php 2:5-8 . .Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a
man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a
cross.

That's an interesting contrast between The Lord and Adam. He and his wife
made a definite grab for equality with God: and the possibility of that
equality was one of the Serpent's selling points. (Gen 3:4-5)

It is just amazing how well The Lord shelved his God-given prerogatives of
royalty and conducted himself a very regular guy. Even the people with
whom The Lord grew up in his home town had no clue he was so well
connected to their creator.

Can you just imagine, say, entering a building and there's Christ holding the
door open for you? I would be a lots more comfortable the other way
around; but that's just the way he is; Christ has never let either his rank or
his position go to his head. There isn't a pretentious, pompous, ostentatious,
vain, narcissistic, elitist bone in his body.

The Lord reminds me of the opening scenes of "Camelot" where King Arthur,
out walking by himself in the woods, deep in thought and soliloquy, appears
to be such a commoner that Sir Lancelot calls him a coward and challenges
him to a joust.

That same degree of commonness is apparent in The Lord at Luke 24:15-31
where he spoke with two disciples after his resurrection who had no clue
who he really was as there is nothing in either his bearing or his demeanor
that suggested royalty.

● Matt 11:28-30 . . Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.

● John 1:14 . .We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace

Some of the aspects of "grace" are kind, courteous, inclined to good will,
generous, charitable, merciful, altruistic, compassionate, thoughtful, cordial,
affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm, sensitive, considerate, and tactful.

Cordial stresses warmth and heartiness

Affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to
conversation or requests or proposals

Genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality

Sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others

Generous is characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit; viz: magnanimous,
kindly, and liberal in giving

Charitable means full of love for, and goodwill toward, others; viz:
benevolent, tolerant, and lenient.

Altruistic means unselfish regard for, or devotion to, the welfare of others;
viz: a desire to be of service to others for no other reason than it just feels
good to do so.

Tactful indicates a keen sense of what to do, or say, in order to maintain
good relations with others in order to resolve and/or avoid unnecessary
conflict.

One morning back in the late 1970's, I arrived at a Saturday morning men's
prayer breakfast at the same time as the #2 pastor of a mega church in San
Diego. He made no movement whatsoever to hold the door for me; but
rather, paused while I held it for him. What did that say about that man's
compliance with item #217? You know when pastors are setting that kind of
an example; what more can they expect from the rank and file?

● John 13:13-17 . .You call me lord and master: and you say well; for so I
am. If I then, your lord and master, have washed your feet; you also ought
to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you
should do as I have done to you . . If you know these things, blessed are
you if you do them.

That's one of The Lord's unsung beatitudes that should be included along
with those in the sermon on the mount. There's a few others; e.g. Matt
11:6, Luke 11:28, Luke 12:38, and John 20:29.

But there is always that one "king of the mountain" in church who just has
to be head and shoulders above everybody else; for example:

● 3John 1:9 . . I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Diotrephes not only opposed the apostles; but also excommunicated people
who dared to ally with them. And to think that guy operated not in a Devil
worshipping church, but in a Christ-worshipping church. (3John 1:10)

(chuckle) Mr. Diotrephes apparently was on, what we today would label, an
ego trip.

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220) Phil 2:12 . . As you have always obeyed-- work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling

Some people's interpretation of that passage pretty much echoes Santa
Claus' holiday practices. For example the lyrics from the classic jingle: Santa
Claus Is Coming To Town.

You better watch out, you better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list, and checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

There's no grace in that song-- none at all --no generosity, no altruism, no
kindness, no charity, no love, no peace, no understanding, no sympathy, no
patience, no tolerance, no courtesy, no compassion, no forgiveness, i.e.
there are no gifts in Santa's bag; only merit awards for those who prove
themselves worthy enough to deserve them.

But we know from other passages that an exemption from the sum of all
fears isn't a merit award, rather; it's a totally free-of-charge rescue from the
wrath of God by means of the ransom that Christ himself paid with his own
life's blood rather than out of the sinner's pockets, so to speak. In point of
fact the Greek word soteria, from which is translated "salvation" means
rescue, i.e. remove from peril.

But now once the sinner is removed from the peril of the sum of all fears,
he's expected to begin developing a life of piety (a.k.a. holiness) which
serves an altogether different purpose in the plan of salvation than escaping
the wrath of God.

The phrase "fear and trembling" was one of Paul's favorite colloquialisms; for
example:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and
Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling."
(1Cor 2:3-4)

And another:

"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with
eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will
of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not
to men" (Eph 6:5-8)

"fear, and in trembling" doesn't mean Paul recommends shivering in terror
and anxiety like a frightened gerbil; but that a believer's attitude should be
free of pride, arrogance, and conceit, i.e. free of a superiority complex
and/or a master-race mentality; for example:

Paul was very courteous to the Corinthians, and made himself of no
reputation at all, even though he was one of The Lord's hand-picked apostles
and they were a bunch of pagan heathens at the time who deserved nothing
but the cold shoulder. Paul's attitude rubbed off on the Corinthians because
they in turn deferred to Paul's associates with fear and trembling just as he
had treated them all at one time.

"I had boasted to [Titus] about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But
just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to
Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the
greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with
fear and trembling." (2Cor 7:14-15)

So then, what we're talking about here with "fear and trembling" is honor,
respect, submission, deference, and reverence rather than terror and
anxiety; and it's actually one of the Beatitudes.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt
5:3)

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221) Phil 2:14 . . Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an understood rule of thumb in the US Army that GIs could
complain all they wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well;
Christ isn't pleased with that.

● Col 3:23 . .Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
The Lord, not for men.

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

● Num 21:5-6 . . And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no
food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.

Well; long story short, God punished the people's grumbling by sending a
swarm of deadly reptiles among them, and many bitten by the reptiles died
because their venom was very lethal.

The word for "debating" is dialogismos (dee-al-og-is-mos') which is
sometimes translated "evil thoughts" for example:

● Matt 15:19 . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Dialogismos sometimes keeps people awake at night as they obsessively re
wind and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in
their heads.

222) Phil 3:1 . . Finally, my brethren, rejoice in The Lord!

The koiné Greek word for "brethren" is adelphos (ad-el-fos') which is a
masculine noun for a male relative. But it's use is flexible. Adelphos can also
include one's female relatives too; I mean; after all, men and women are all
siblings around the table in God's home. And when Paul wrote to a church,
he oftentimes used the word adelphos to address the entire congregation.

Rejoicing "in The Lord" is way different than rejoicing in yourself; which is
vulnerable to one's mood and/or circumstances. The Lord once told his
disciples that they shouldn't rejoice that demons obeyed them, but rather,
that their names were written in Heaven. (Luke 10:20)

● Col 3:1-4 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your
life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say:
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
-- Horatio P. Spafford, 1828-1888 --

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223) Phil 3:2a . . Beware of dogs,

Dogs in ancient Israel were regarded with the same degree of abhorrence
that we in the west regard rats. They weren't your average domesticated
pet, but rather, feral, homeless curs that prowled city streets and landfills,
feeding on garbage, road kill, and the corpses of low income folk who died
without proper burial A study of the dogs of the Old Testament reveals just
how low in one's estimation is the person regarded as one (e.g. 1Kgs 14:11,
1Kgs 21:19, 1Kgs 21:24, 2Kgs 9:29-37; cf. Luke 16:21).

Feral dogs were not only unsanitary, but treacherous too.

● Matt 7:6 . . Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your
pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again
and rend you.

There are also guard dogs; which would correspond to people so passionate
and protective of their religion of choice that they will literally kill people who
refuse to agree with them; for example:

● Ps 22:16 . . Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled
me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

The "dogs" in that passage were Israel's religious elite; the very ones who
had Jesus arrested and put to death on trumped up charges. Pilate caught
on right quick that the Jews weren't after Christ's blood on account of crime;
but because of envy (Matt 27:18). In other words: Christ was an effective
rival that had to be eliminated. Christians have really got to watch their
backs around zealots like that crazy enough to murder people who dare to
oppose their belief systems, e.g. Islamic fundamentalists.

A "dog" can be categorized as someone who is spiritually feral; which
Webster's defines as: (1) of, relating to, or suggestive of an animal; viz:
savage, (2) not domesticated or cultivated; viz: wild, untamed, (3) having
escaped from domestication and become wild, and (4) beastly.

A dog then, in the spiritual sense, is little more than a brutish human
scavenger. Human dogs are destined for a very unpleasant future in the
same category as witches, fornicators, murderers, idolaters, and liars.

● Rev 22:13-15 . . I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the
first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and
murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

224) Phil 3:2b . . Beware of evil workers,

"evil workers" probably indicates ersatz evangelists like Mormons and
Jehovah's Witnesses. In that day, it was probably local followers of Judaism
in the city of Philippi who went about proselytizing Christians.

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225) Phil 3:2b . . Beware of evil workers,

"evil workers" probably refers to ersatz missionaries like Mormons and
Jehovah's Witnesses. In that day, it was followers of Judaism going about
disputing with Christians; e.g. Acts 15:1.

226) Phil 3:2c . . Beware of mutilation.

Mutilation in this particular instance isn't criminal mutilation, rather; it refers
to voluntary ritual circumcision; viz: initiation into Judaism and the covenant
that Moses' people agreed upon with God as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers
and Deuteronomy. There were Jews in various cities back in those days
telling Christians that their salvation depended upon circumcision.

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and
said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved." (Acts 15:1)

227) Phil 3:17 . . Join with others in following my example, brothers, and
take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I
have often told you before, and now say, again even with tears: many live
as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is
their appetites, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly
things.

I'm pretty sure that passage can be said to be speaking of the tares that
Christ spoke of in Matt 13:24-30 and Matt 13:36-43. The law of averages,
combined with Satan's machinery, insures that every church has a
percentage of tares on the roles.

The tare is an interesting plant. In it's early stages, only a well-trained eye
can tell the difference between it and wheat or barley. Plus the tare's root
system so intertwines with the roots of good plants that they can't be pulled
up without destroying both.

It's all saying that churches are pretty much stuck with tares once they've
become an integral part of operations; so we just have to learn to live with
them; sort of like backpackers learning to live with snow and ice, wind, heat,
cold, soggy, and snakes, bears, cougars, and insects. Just as it's futile for
backpackers to try eliminate nature from their backpacking world; so it's
futile for churches to try and weed tares out of their midst. But churches
can, at least, take steps to protect themselves once the tares become
apparent.

Tares are somewhat different than heretics. Tares are sort of like Esau.
Though Isaac's eldest son was irreverent; he was content at home and made
no attempt to reform his family's spiritual values.

Tares hinder a church's spiritual growth, and are quite useless for the Lord's
purposes; but they're usually content to co-exist with the conscientious
Christians in church. Though tares are more or less worldly, I wouldn't go so
far as to say they're a threat to unity.

Tares are a curious lot. Though they go Sunday after Sunday in church and
Bible class listening to hours and hours of preaching and teaching, nothing
they hear ever seems to sink in. It all bounces off like bananas thrown at a
Russian tank.

Heretics, on the other hand, are typically reverent; maybe even religious
from their toes to their fingertips. They love Bible study and likely attend
prayer meetings too. But they're detrimental to unity because of their
activism. They not only push to reform their church's spiritual values; but
worse: steer it off in another direction. Heretics are far more than just
enemies of the cross; they're a disease; and though tares are to be pitied,
heretics deserve to be cursed.

"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that,
have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped
and sinful; he is self-condemned." (Titus 3:10-11)

228) Phil 4:4 . . Rejoice in The Lord always. I say again: Rejoice!

Words and grammar in the Bible convey information; otherwise language
serves no useful purpose. When The Lord says "always" he means always or
he wouldn't say always. So then, part-time rejoicers in The Lord are failing
to comply with God's wishes.

There is a joy available from Christ that's able to overcome all the sadness
this world can possibly throw at you.

● John 15:11 . .These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your own joy might be full.

The koiné Greek word for "joy" in that verse is chara (khar-ah') which
doesn't mean ecstasy; but rather: cheerfulness; viz: calm delight and/or
gladness; in other words: pacific. This doesn't mean believers should be
bubbling over all the time; but it sure does mean they shouldn't be
overwhelmed with feelings of despair all the time; or even some of the time.
Paul says to rejoice "always" which of course is beyond human capability;
but not beyond the Spirit's.

● Gal 5:22 . .The fruit of the Spirit is joy.

The fruit of the Spirit is available only to Christians whose lives exemplify
Christian standards of conduct.

● John 16:33 . .These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.

229) Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The koiné Greek word for "gentleness" is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace') which
essentially means: mild.

Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter.

Though a mild person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just difficult to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
reactive, defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.

Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and reactive.
Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and
those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively
re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over,
and over again.

● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.

Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and The Lord was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt
21:5). Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So
then, what really is meekness?

Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate.
A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody who's
studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly and carried a big stick. Never
mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.

Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.

There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge,
competition, retaliation, recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every
disagreement is an act of war-- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh,
unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive; and they thrive on complaining,
criticism, chafing, carping, finding fault, tattling, bickering, retort upon
retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless debate, telling other
people off, gainsaying, and getting in people's faces and giving them a piece
of their mind.

It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
temperate category. They're hellians in gross violation of Paul's directive to
"Let your gentleness be evident to all." simply because they have no
gentleness. Instead; these people let their wrath be evident to all because
when they're upset; they want everybody to know it.

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230) Phil 4:6 . . Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Webster's defines "anxiety" as: characterized by extreme uneasiness of
mind, or brooding fear about some contingency; viz: worry-- which implies
an incessant goading, or attacking, that drives one to desperation.

If believers were never to be anxious then there would be little, if any, need
to pray and share one's concerns with their father in Heaven. The point
here, is to avoid desperation. When people get desperate, they start making
mistakes; and some of those mistakes can be life-changing; and cause
permanent damage.

Tuesday, Aug 04, 2009 a deranged man named George Sodini walked into
an LA Fitness gym in Philadelphia and gunned down twelve women in an
exercise class. His impetus? According to information police later found on
his blog, the 48 year-old man was in a mental state brought on by his long
held personal conviction that not one woman in the whole world could
possibly love him. In his mind; women were a threat to his survival-- cruel,
venomous sirens whose mission in life is to torment males and make them
unhappy. No doubt in Sodini's thinking, murdering those women was
justifiable homicide for ruining his life, viz: they had it coming.

His case is extreme, yes, but it serves to illustrate what happens to people
when they let desperation gnaw at their feelings for too long a time. Pretty
soon they crack and do something irrational.

C.S. Lewis, famed author of The Screwtape Letters, and The Chronicles of
Narnia; once remarked that he prayed, not because he expected results but,
because it made him feel better.

Well, if prayer makes you feel better, then more power to you-- in point of
fact, I highly recommend conversational prayer because talking things out
with somebody, even an imaginary playmate, is far and away better than
talking things out with nobody.

There are instances in the Old Testament where God actually sent His people
troubles just to get their attention and start them talking to Him again. Sort
of like a little boy in third grade spitting on the hair of a girl sitting in front of
him so she'll notice him. (chuckle) Well, if God spits on your hair, so to
speak, then maybe it's time you and He had a fireside chat.

● Phil 4:7 . . And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

231) Phil 4:8 . . Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such
things.

The Greek word for "think about" is logizomai (log-id'-zom-ahee) which
basically means to take an inventory, defined by Webster's as to list and/or
to catalogue

That is a very, very exciting word in the overall plan of salvation. Here's
why:

● 2Cor 5:19 . . God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not
counting men's sins against them.

"counting" is from logizomai.

In other words: due to Christ satisfying justice for people's sins on the cross,
God is now in a position to stop recording their sins as criminal offenses.

FAQ: So; when you believed in Christ, God forgave you up to that point.
What about the sins you'll commit in the future?

A: Well; according to Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:7-12, and of course 2Cor 5:19;
God is no longer compiling an indictment to hold against me! In other
words: He forgets my sins, so to speak, i.e. were I to inquire if my sins were
in any way placing me in danger of the sum of all fears, God would reply-- in
so many words --fuggedaboutit. That's very, very comforting.

So, we may take Phil 4:8 to mean just the opposite, i.e. Christ's followers
should make an effort to remember the Bible's values and its principles, and
not forget them, i.e. not let them go in one ear and out the other.
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232) Phil 4:9 . . Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

You know, sometimes I think that too many Christians are somehow under
the impression that the New Testament's epistles are not all that important
in matters related to faith and practice. They've made the Sermon On The
Mount their religion and they think that's all they need. But if they want the
God of peace to be with them instead of off in the distance; then they are
simply going to have to revise their estimate. Compliance with the epistles is
not optional; no, it's essential.

● 1Cor 14:37 . . If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let
him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of The Lord.

● 1Thess 4:1-2 . .We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by The Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments
we gave you by The Lord Jesus.

● Jas 1:22-25 . . And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen
to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and
don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to
improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you
look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law-- the law
that sets you free --and if you do what it says and don't forget what you
heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

233) Col 2:6-7 . . So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith
as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

That directive, of course, is restricted to the faith as you were taught by Paul
and his contemporaries. He and they taught only one faith rather than a
buffet of faiths to choose from.

● Eph 4:4-5 . . There is one faith

● Jude 1:3 . . Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about
the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the
faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

It's neither wise nor humane to encourage somebody rooted and built up in
Christian cults to continue in those faiths: e.g. Moonies, Christian Science,
Seventh Day Adventism, Herbert W. Armstrong, Mormonism, and/or the
Watchtower Society, et al.

Paul emphasized receiving Christ Jesus as "lord". The koiné Greek word is
kurios (koo'-ree-os) which means: supreme in authority; viz: one's master--
whether a dictator, despot, monarch, or chief of police; et al.

Kurios is an ambiguous word that simply indicates someone higher in rank
than yourself whether God or anybody else, even a senior citizen. So words
like sir, mister, boss, and master can be translated from kurios too. The
point is, the Bible's Jesus is in charge of his own sheep; which means he has
a right to make some demands upon them; viz: he's the leader; they the
followers; or why bother with Psalm 23?

● Ps 23:1-2 . .The Lord is my shepherd; he leadeth me

If The Lord is the shepherd, and if he's the leader; then why are some of his
"followers" off-reservation doing their own thing instead of in line where they
belong?

● Luke 6:46 . .Why do you call me lord and master and do not what I say?

● Mal 1:6 . . A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a
father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the fear due
me?-- protests Yhvh Almighty.

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234) Col 2:8 . . See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and
deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic
principles of this world rather than on Christ.

What he's talking about there are humanistic versions of Christianity;
especially those built upon proprietary traditions rather than "the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us"
(2Ths 2:15). Those kinds of Christianity are insidious because they're
typically a subtle blend of truth and error. Paul wasn't just being rhetorical;
no, the time is now when pew warmers are buying into humanistic versions
of Christianity.

● 2Tim 4:2-4 . . Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is
favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with
good teaching. For a time is coming when they will no longer listen to right
teaching. They will follow their own desires and seek teachers who will tell
them what it is they wish to hear. They will reject the truth and heed
fantasies.

The reason that they will heed what Paul calls "fantasies" is because
anything but the truth is far and away more appealing to the human mind.
Take for example Stephen Hawking's theory that a cosmos can come into
existence sans intelligent design; in other words: sans a creator. Stephen's
arguments are clever, sophisticated, and scientific; viz: they make sense;
and they are widely accepted by his admirers.

235) Col 2:16-17 . .Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat
or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a
Sabbath day.

Some humanistic versions of Christianity incorporate diets, rituals, rites, and
holy days of obligation. According to the principles stipulated in the 14th
chapter of Romans, those things are optional; but certainly not mandatory.
To insist otherwise is to play God and to usurp The Lord's sovereign right to
make the rules for his own church.

236) Col 2:18a . . Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial.

Now we're getting into the sphere of asceticism; which Christ has never
approved. Asceticism describes a life-style characterized by abstinence from
materialism and various sorts of worldly pleasures (e.g. sex, cosmetics,
movies, dancing, alcohol, romance novels, soaps, gambling, and the
accumulation of material wealth) often with the aim of pursuing religious and
spiritual goals. Ascetics, by the very nature of their philosophy, insinuate
that Christ was wrong to consume wine and/or provide it for a wedding.

Ascetics think themselves to possess a superior spirituality over and above
regular Christians; but Paul popped that bubble soundly.

● Col 2:18c-19 . .These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds
have made them conceited. They are not connected to Christ, the head of
the body.

(chuckle) Paul depicted ascetics as kind of like the headless horseman in the
Legend Of Sleepy Hollow.

237) Col 2:18b . . And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even
though they say they have had visions about this.

I have actually encountered Christians who claim to have patron ghosts:
spirits with whom they communicate and that help them in daily life. I do
not dispute their claim seeing as how the existence of familiar spirits is
validated by Lev 20:7 et al; but Christ rules against letting them influence
your thinking; even as Yhvh condemns to death any among His people who
dabble in that sort of thing.

Apparitions are very effective. Just look at the number of Christians whose
religious beliefs are influenced by appearances like Our Lady of Fatima and
the Miracle of the Tilma (Our Lady of Guadalupe). That only goes to show
how true it is that people tend to believe only what they can see with their
own two eyes. In the end, that "show me" attitude will result in humanity's
ruin as they watch a statue come to life and start giving orders to execute
people who refuse to worship it. (Rev 13:13-15)

Heed what Rev 13:13-15 says; and be warned. Its lesson is obvious:
miracles and/or apparitions cannot be trusted to validate one's religious
beliefs. In point of fact; numbers of people passing themselves off as
Christians are going to Hell and eternal suffering in spite of their ability to
perform miracles. (Matt 7:22-23)

Paul said he would never listen to even a real live genuine holy angel of God
from Heaven unless the angel preached the very same message as the one
he himself preached (Gal 1:6-9). As anyone familiar with Virgin sightings
knows, they never preach the same message as Paul's; no they preach
things like world peace, devotion to Jesus' mom, immaculate hearts, and
rosaries.

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238) Col 3:1-2 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set
your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your
life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Note the grammatical tense of "raised" in that passage; it's past tense rather
than present and/or future, indicating that Christ's followers obtained
immortality the moment they signed on with him.

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

● Rom 6:8-9 . . Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live
with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot
die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

Christianity is a lethal religion. It puts its believers to death on the cross with
Christ and they are encouraged to think of that as a reality; and not only
that, but also to account their resurrection to immortality a done deal, i.e.
it's in the bag.

239) Col 3:5 . . Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature

The earthly nature of Christ's followers was judged, sentenced, and executed
on his cross but his followers won't be rid of their earthly nature till they
pass on. However, if Christ's followers want to take advantage of God's
kindly patronage and providence, they have got to straighten up and fly
right. This has been an axiom since the very beginning.

● Gen 4:6-7 . . If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you
do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you,
but you must master it.

And it's still an axiom to this very day.

● 1John 1:5-7 . . And this is the message we have heard from Him and
announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If
we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we
lie and do not practice the truth

At this point, the epistle lists a catalogue of behaviors that aren't practiced in
heaven; and since The Lord's sheep are destined for that place, they need to
start living now like they will be living then.

240) Col 3:5-11 . . sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Webster's defines "malice" as: desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to
another. Behaviors like deliberate chafing, needling, ridicule, mockery,
taunts, demeaning comments, ugly words that tear people down rather than
build them up, denigrating labels, biting sarcasm, fault-finding, carping
criticism, thoughtless remarks, petty ill will, spite, vindictiveness, and
stalking are all malicious behaviors that no one in heaven ever practices
because heaven is a place of peace.

The koiné Greek word for "filthy conversation" is aischrologia (ahee-skhrol
og-ee'-ah) and means: vile conversation.

Webster's defines "vile" as: (1) morally despicable or abhorrent, (2)
physically repulsive; viz: foul and/or odious, (3) of little worth or account;
viz: common, vulgar, (4) tending to degrade, demean, and/or denigrate, (5)
disgustingly and/or utterly bad; viz: obnoxious, contemptible, unacceptable,
disagreeable, and (6) base; viz: crude, churlish, unrefined.

241) Col 3:9-10 . . Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old
self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Humanity's original self began its created existence in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27). In other words; Adam started off as an honest man. Clearly
then; dishonesty does not reflect the image of God, rather, it projects
humanity's own image.

Humanity's original self wasn't created bullet-proof, so to speak. It was
corruptible (Eph 4:22). Were that not true, we'd all be honest men rather
than a pack of liars, deceivers, beguilers, and dissemblers.

The koiné Greek word for "renewed" is anakainoo (an-ak-ahee-no'-o) which
means: to renovate; which Webster's defines as: (1) to restore to a former
better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding), and (2) to restore to
life, vigor, or activity: revive. In other words: regenerate.

NOTE: It's interesting that the Colossian believers were lying to each other,
and no doubt would have continued had not Paul commanded them to stop
it.

242) Col 3:12 . .Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.

Apparently the Colossian believers were neither compassionate, nor kind,
nor humble, nor gentle, nor patient, and would have continued to be that
way had not Paul hadn't commanded them otherwise.

Paul's basis for these commands is the Colossians' standing as "God's
chosen people, holy and dearly beloved" I mean: is it appropriate for people
in that kind of a relationship with God to act like devils?

You know, judging from the descriptions of some of the first century
churches, I get the impression that were we to go back in time to visit one,
we'd be walking into a snake pit.

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243) Col 3:13-14 . . Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And
over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect
unity.

One of The Lord's constant rubs with his religious opponents was their
virtually 100% lack of kindness; which effectively invalidated their rituals.

● Matt 9:13 . . Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.

Some folk honestly believe that Christ's statement, taken from Hosea 6:6,
practically repealed the entire God-given book of Leviticus. But that's not
what either Hosea or Jesus were saying. They meant that God much prefers
that people be civil to each other rather than religious to their fingertips.

In other words; an ungracious person's lack of things like sympathy,
patience, tolerance, lenience, helpfulness, pity, and common courtesy
causes God to reject their worship just as thoroughly and bluntly as He
rejected Cain's. I really think that God is insulted when people lacking
humanity come to church actually thinking He's glad to see them show up
for some quality time together.

244) Col 3:15a . . Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace.

The world is not impressed when believers are at war with themselves.
There is a very subtle hint to that effect at Gen 13:1-7. How do you suppose
Abram's and Lot's squabbling looked to the pagans? When God's people
can't get along, outsiders become disgusted with them and they sure won't
be influenced for God in a good way when The Lord's people are fighting
amongst themselves like that.

Years ago, when I was a young welder just starting out on my own, I rented
a small room in a daylight basement from a man who was the senior pastor
of a medium-sized Seventh Day Adventist church in the Portland Oregon
area. He and his wife radiated the luster of polished spirituality whenever I
spoke with them out in the yard, but in my location under the floor of the
house, I could overhear their bitter quarrels upstairs behind closed doors.
Was I favorably inclined to attend his church? No.

A church without peace is a church deprived of the Spirit.

● Gal 5:22-23 . . The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there
is no law.

245) Col 3:15b . . And be thankful.

In an America accustomed to entitlements, bail-outs, reparations, stimulus
packages, federally funded school lunches, FEMA, SNAP, TANF, and an
abundance of perks, free-bees, and social programs; it's very unusual to find
thankful citizens. Most are arrogant and demanding; taking their blessings
for granted.

I was particularly annoyed back in January 2010 by a Haitian man's angry
complaint in the news that America wasn't responding fast enough to his
country's needs created by their earthquake. That man is a perfect example
of someone who has no appreciation for charity; but rather, sees charity as
an entitlement rather than a blessing.

My #1 nephew was a Seneca man who took the spiritual values of his
Iroquois ancestors very seriously. Some Christians would no doubt think of
my nephew as a heathen, but he was far more thankful for his blessings--
due to the influences of Hiawatha and Handsome Lake --then many of the
intellectual pew warmers that I've encountered in the several churches I've
attended over the years.

246) Col 3:16 . . Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom

In order to fully comply with that directive, it's essential that the word of
Christ first dwell in you richly before attempting to teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom. The koiné Greek word for "richly" is plousios (ploo
see'-oce) which means: copiously. Webster's defines copious as: yielding
something abundantly. In other words: fruitful. This is not an easy command
to obey because it first requires walking the walk before talking the talk.

● Heb 6:7-8 . . For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon
it, and yields crops useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives
blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to
being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Hindrances to fruitfulness are listed in the parable of the sower at Matt 13:3
23, Mark 4:3-20, and Luke 8:5-15.

Fruitless Christians are eo ipso disqualified to teach and admonish their
fellow Christians because they just simply lack the wisdom to do so. In other
words; the wisdom we're talking about here is life experience rather than
academic training.

247) Col 3:17 . .Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of The Lord Jesus.

What's in a name? Well, besides being one's moniker and/or one's
reputation; one's name also refers to their status; e.g. kings, queens,
mayors, governors, presidents, et al.

A simple way to apply Col 3:17 is just to ask yourself: Can my master put
his signature on this? If you know in your heart he cannot, then you do not
have Christ's authorization to proceed. If you proceed anyway, then you will
be off-reservation, in your own little world of anarchy and rebellion against
The Lord's sovereign right, as the lord and master of Christianity, to manage
your affairs.

● Rom 14:22-23 . . Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he
approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is
not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

248) Col 3:18 . .Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in The Lord.

In a nutshell; the submission we're talking about here is entirely positional.

For example; we ought to respect senior citizens not because they
themselves have done anything to earn it, rather, because it's a respect that
their age deserves. (cf. Lev 19:32)

Back when Queen Elizabeth II became monarch, her husband Philip felt
humiliated to have to kneel to his own wife till she explained to him that he
wouldn't be kneeling to her, rather, to the crown.

In other words: it's the position that deserves the respect rather than the
person in it. So, wives give your husbands the respect due to their position
in the home rather than the blokes they are.

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to The Lord." (Eph 5:22)

That's a pretty tall order for Christian wives in a modern culture that
constantly pressures them to be strong and masculine rather than soft and
feminine; to be superiors rather than subordinates; and to be assertive,
confrontational, and defiant rather than reasonable, peaceable, and
cooperative.

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249) Col 3:19 . . Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

That command pertains only to Christian husbands, not to just any husband
who happens to be looking in.

A study posted in the Science section of the August 26, 2014 edition of the
New York Times found that couples who make active decisions about their
relationships, and about major life events by sitting down and talking things
over; tend to have a higher rate of success in marriage percentage-wise
than couples who just let things happen.

A good example of this is Jacob. When he was instructed by God to leave
uncle Laban's ranch and return to Canaan, Jacob didn't just drop the news
on Rachel and Leah like a bolt out of the blue and announce: "Okay
everybody! Pack up! We're leaving!"

No, he took them aside, out in a pasture where the three of them together,
privately, could discuss this major life-changing event. Jacob was a very rare
man. He didn't have to give his wives a say in the move. In those days,
wives were given little choice in their husband's affairs. But Jacob was not
that kind of man. He wanted to know how his wives felt about the move. As
a result, they all three together agreed to move; and all three were happy
with their decision. I will always admire Jacob for that.

250) Col 3:20 . . Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
The Lord.

That command pertains only to Christian kids; not to just any kid who
happens to be looking in. And it needs to be said that not every kid in a
Christian home is a Christian kid. Some are demon seeds: that's just a fact
of life and it can't be helped.

The Greek word for "obey" in that verse is hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo'-o) which
is somewhat ambiguous. It can mean, variously, to hear under (as a
subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to
a command or authority.

Too many television sit-coms today portray kids who don't listen to their
parents. But of course those sit-con kids have no desire to please The Lord.

251) Col 3:21 . . Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.

That command pertains only to Christian fathers, not to just any father who
happens to be looking in.

In my teen years, just before entering the US Army, I was into trouble with
the law and can remember my mother plaintively asking herself: Where did I
go wrong? Well, my mother was one of those people whom psychologists
label borderline personalities. We all know at least one of those kinds of
people. They never see themselves as a factor in human relationships gone
south; no, you are the problem, not them.

My mother was cruel, abusive, despotic, dictatorial, profane, and thoroughly
insensitive. After 17½ years of slaps across the face, zero hugs, zero kisses,
zero appreciation, zero encouragement, zero sympathy, abundant rage,
profanity, relentless ridicule, thoughtless remarks, indifference, name
calling, silent treatments, yelling, slave labor, and demeaning comments
from my own biological mother; I totally lacked confidence, and was
handicapped with a crippling inferiority complex. I felt ugly, expendable,
unwanted, dirty, burdensome, moronic, and unnecessary. And to make
matters only worse, she and my father were as alike as peas in a pod. He
too was borderline and just as abusive and thoughtless as she. They were a
demonic tag team, and very effective too.

Was I discouraged? Yes. I had become just exactly what Paul directed
believing fathers to avoid. I felt no inclination whatsoever to make my
parents proud of me because they broke my spirit at a very early age and
for the most part; made my life a living hell.

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252) Col 3:22-25 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do
it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity
of heart and reverence for The Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for The Lord, not for men

Some Christians tend to forget that they live in a fishbowl; a sort of Big
Brother society where God misses nothing.

● 1Pet 1:13-17 . . Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your
hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived
in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy. Since you call on a Father who
judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in
reverent fear.

253) Col 4:1 . . Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

The master in heaven is providential. In other words: Christian masters have
a sacred obligation to house their slaves in decent accommodations, clothe
them with adequate garments, and nourish them with good food too
because slave masters are a father to the souls in their house; they depend
on him to care for them; there's no one else; and according to Gen 1:26-28
and Matt 12:11-12, people deserve to be treated better than an animal.

254) Col 4:2 . . Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

The koiné Greek word for "devote" is proskartereo (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o)
which means: to persevere; viz: not give up and/or lose interest.

● Luke 18:1 . . And he spoke a parable unto them to this end: that people
ought always to pray, and not lose heart.

For many of us, prayer is a last resort; a grasping at straws because we
simply have nowhere else to turn. We wish for progress with prayer, while
not really expecting it because we already know from plenty of experience
that prayer too often leads into a cul-de-sac of perplexity and
discouragement; so then, what's the use? In other words: prayer is very
difficult for some Christians because it's often so futile.

Why doesn't the Bible's God respond? And if He's not going to respond, then
why keep on making a fool of ourselves trying to get through to an
imaginary playmate when all the while its phone is off the hook?

It was this very issue that led Mother Teresa of Calcutta to question whether
there really is a God out there. During virtually her entire five decades in
India, Teresa felt not the slightest glimmer of The Lord's presence and
suffered a good deal of anxiety wondering why Christ abandoned her.

I'm not making this up. You can read it for yourself in a collection of Teresa's
private letters titled Mother Teresa / Come Be My Light; The Private Writings
of the "Saint Of Calcutta" published with Rome's approval by Father Brian
Kolodiejchuk, director of the Mother Teresa center and a postulator for her
canonization.

In one of Teresa's private letters, penned to a Father Picachy, Teresa
complained: I am told God loves me; and yet the reality of darkness &
coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul.

In yet another letter, penned to a Father Joseph Neuner, S.J. Teresa again
complained: Now Father-- since 1949 or 1950 this terrible sense of loss--
this untold darkness-- this loneliness, this continual longing for God-- which
gives me pain deep down in my heart-- Darkness is such that I really do not
see neither with my mind nor with my reason-- the place of God in my soul
is blank-- There is no God in me-- when the pain of longing is so great-- I
just long & long for God-- and then it is that I feel-- He does not want me--
He is not there-- God does not want me-- Sometimes-- I just hear my own
heart cry out-- "My God" and nothing else comes-- the torture and pain I
can't explain.

In yet another letter, Teresa complained: When I try to raise my thoughts to
Heaven, there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return
like sharp knives and hurt my very soul. How painful is this unknown pain-- I
have no faith.

If the most pious nun the 20th century ever produced found heaven's phone
off the hook for virtually five decades, then why should John Q and Jane Doe
pew warmer persist with prayer? Well; primarily because it's commanded. I
would suppose that's reason enough for most. I mean; were God were to
ask you to throw a baseball at the Moon every so often; wouldn't you
comply just to please Him, even knowing you couldn't possibly hit it?

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255) Col 4:3-4 . . And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our
message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in
chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Proclaiming the mystery of Christ clearly as one should means to avoid
sophisticated intellectualism. (1Cor 2:1-5)

When physicist Stephen Hawking set out to write his fabulously popular book
"A Brief History Of Time" he determined to make an effort to speak of
complicated cosmological concepts in layman's terms. Well; he succeeded,
and consequently just about anybody with an average IQ and the ability to
read can pick up Stephen's book and get something out of it.

NOTE: In my opinion it is far better to appeal to common folk than the
educated elite because most of them are a lost cause no matter.

● 1Cor 1:26 . . For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many
wise according to the flesh.

256) Col 4:5 . . Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most
of every opportunity.

I once heard a story about a well-meaning sidewalk evangelist who was
handing out Gospel tracts. A man came by and asked the side-walker what
he was doing. The side-walker handed the man a tract and said: Here, read
this. Well, the man was illiterate. So he told the side-walker: I can't read
your tract, so I'll just watch your tracks.

In other words; don't just talk the talk; walk the walk too: live it because for
some people, your life speaks volumes.

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257) Col 4:6 . . Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with
salt.

Grace can be defined as kind, courteous, inclined to good will, generous,
charitable, altruistic, compassionate, sympathetic, thoughtful, cordial,
affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm, sensitive, hospitable, considerate,
and tactful.

It seems to me from the language and grammar of Matt 5:13, Mark 9:50,
Luke 14:34, and Col 4:6, that the purpose of salt is to enhance flavor and
make otherwise naturally insipid and/or bad-tasting things palatable, viz:
diplomacy; which can be roughly defined as conversation that makes an
effort to maintain peace rather than provoke conflict and/or annoy people
and make them uncomfortable.

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