Beyond The Four Spiritual Laws

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
329) 1Tim 5:11 . . Refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun
to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation

The Greek words for "first faith" don't necessarily have to do with
chronology. The word for "first" is protos (pro'-tos) which is somewhat
ambiguous. It can refer to-- besides chronology --priority, i.e. order of
importance.

The passage seems to me a caution that there's always the possibility that
young widows will want to get married bad enough to do so contrary to
Christ's wishes that they marry only someone from among his followers
(2Cor 6:14, 1Cor 7:39) thus failing to maintain their loyalty to a higher
power. (cf. Luke 14:26-27)

"And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house,
and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they
ought not." (1Tim 5:13)

It's said that idle hands are the Devil's workshop. The thing is: widows
young enough to hold down a job should try to find one and support
themselves to the best of their ability instead of relying upon a stipend from
their church.

330) 1Tim 5:14 . . I will that younger women marry, have children,
manage their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

The Greek word for "younger" actually means new and unused; so I'd say
that Paul's orders are for girls not yet married and settled down and maybe
thinking of putting all that off awhile for careers and/or whatever.

A very real danger for young single women is immorality. Desire, loneliness,
and longings for appreciation, have a way of building up to unbearable levels
in people who live alone; and just about that time, along comes a really
great somebody who maybe breaks down their defenses and gets a little too
chummy. That can be a difficult moment.

1Cor 7:2 . . To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let
every woman have her own husband.


NOTE: Immorality isn't the only danger related to long-term celibacy. Those
who've decided on that path need to think rationally and objectively about
their future; and ask themselves: Do I really want to live out my youth
without someone; alone and unloved in the world? Can I bear up without a
nervous break-down and/or turning to alcohol, Prozac, and overeating? Will I
become irritable and difficult, and/or a chronic man-hater like aunt Lucy?

Have to be brutally honest with these questions because one's mental health
is on the line here. It's very possible to wake up one day and realize, with
terrible regret, that you've allowed the best years of your life for love to slip
through your fingers.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
331) 1Tim 5:16 . . If any believing man or woman have widows, let them
relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them
that are widows indeed.

It's awful to think that a religion based upon love, has to command its
adherents to extend kindness to their own kin.

But in all fairness, I should point out that Paul's directive only impacts
believing widows, not unbelieving, because a Christian church is under zero
obligation to support ex-wives who fail to meet all the requirements of a
"widow indeed" as per 1Tim 5:9-10.

What we're talking about here are specifically Christian widows; so if the ex
wives among your relatives are say, Atheist, Agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist,
Bahái, Hindu, Jehovah's Witness, Scientology, or Mormon, et al; then don't
even think about asking your church to help support them. If you want to
help them, okay, but leave your church out of it.

332) 1Tim 5:17-18 . .The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are
worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and
teaching. For the scripture says: "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading
out the grain" and "The laborer is worthy of his hire."

The koiné Greek word for "elder" is presbuteros (pres-boo'-ter-os). It
corresponds to aldermen; which Webster's defines as: members of a
legislative body. In other words; elders enact and enforce the proprietary
rules and bylaws that govern everybody in a local church; including its
pastor. In some churches those rules and bylaws are called a covenant;
which new members have to accept. The aldermen are also responsible for
settling disputes between church members (1Cor 6:1-5) so that they
correspond to "the church" The Lord spoke of at Matt 18:15-18.

Aldermen aren't peculiar to Christianity. Councils pre-existed amongst
Yhvh's people prior to Moses' commission (Ex 3:16). Anon, seventy of
Israel's elders were established by God as a supreme council (Num 11:16
17). One's failure to submit to their church's aldermen is grounds for
removing their name from the role. (Matt 18:15-18)

Since Christian aldermen sometimes wear more than one hat as preachers
and teachers; then it's very possible in a large church for them to have time
for nothing else, like for instance holding down a job. For that reason, their
constituents should try and compensate them with a decent standard of
living. I mean, after all, if their service to a local church is invaluable, then
by all means the congregation should do whatever it takes to keep them on
staff where they can devote all of their time and energy towards governing
(that is; if you feel your church is a worthwhile endeavor).

Let's say for example, that one of your church's aldermen is a retiree trying
to survive on Social Security and a diminished 401K. He'll be a lot more
effective towards your church's good if the congregation, whatever its size,
pitches in to help him make ends meet; and the outside world surely won't
blame your church for doing so unless of course they're as callous towards
the needs of a senior citizen as the bottom of a soldier's boot.

But beware that the congregation doesn't overcompensate its aldermen to
the point where they can afford to drive a Cadillac Escalade, wear a Rolex,
and own an expensive home in an up-scale district. That will really make
Christianity look bad, and actually work against Christ's best interests.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
333) 1Tim 5:19 . . Do not accept an accusation against an elder except
before two or three witnesses.

It isn't required that two or three witnesses accuse the elder, but that an
accuser do so in the hearing of two or three witnesses. The witnesses are
not there to testify against the elder; no, they are there to testify against
the accuser in the event it's discovered that he's the perpetrator of a
slander.

334) 1Tim 5:20 . .Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may
fear.

Once it's discovered that an accuser's allegations are libelous, then it's time
to get up in front of the entire congregation and expose him for the cheap
goods he really is because nobody's reputation is safe in the hands of
someone like that. This is where the testimony of the aforementioned two or
three witnesses comes into play.

1Cor 5:11-13 . . I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone
who calls himself a brother but is a slanderer. With such a man do not even
eat. Expel the wicked man from among you.

A roast of this nature can be a very humiliating experience for a church
member, and when the others see how it goes, they'll think twice before
making spurious allegations against aldermen.

However, if the accusations prove to be true, then the shoe is on the other
foot. Then it's time to expose the elder.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
335) 1Tim 5:21 . . I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality.

I seriously doubt that very many modern Christian churches are following
Paul's instructions in regards to spurious accusations against elders. They
probably find it much easier to just gloss over issues rather than comply
with the mandated procedure for roasting and expelling. (as if any of this is
ever optional)

Another thing that modern churches are very good at these days is covering
up an elder's indiscretions when what they really deserve is a public
hanging, so to speak. Happens all the time.

Matt 23:27-28 . . Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you
hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the
outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything
unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous
but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

How very true that is of the staff of some of the churches in this day and
age.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
336) 1Tim 5:22 . . Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily

That ruling seems primarily concerned with the avoidance of fast-tracking
candidates for aldermen, senior pastors, associate pastors, deacons, and
deaconesses; in other words: church officials; whether high ranking or low
ranking.

337) 1Tim 5:23 . . No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

In the days prior to the proliferation of antiseptics, antibiotics, inoculations,
and a host of other mass-produced treatments; wine was an important
remedy for just about everything from indigestion to open wounds. (e.g.
Mark 15:23, and Luke 10:34)

Medicine has come a long ways in the last 2,000 years so that even if a little
wine would still help whatever ailed Timothy's tummy, there's probably
much better over-the-counter, non-alcoholic remedies available for his
condition in our day.

Paul mentioned that his friend had other problems too. I have no clue what
those might have been; but I have to ask: Why didn't Paul utilize his
apostolic gift of healing to cure his friend? My answer is: probably because
Timothy's problems didn’t require a miracle. For example Mark 16:13 where
Christ' men utilized oil to treat certain people rather than miracles. In other
words: when First Aid will do, surgery is unnecessary.

I think that Timothy simply wasn't taking proper care of himself and/or
getting enough rest. His diet may have been inadequate too. The old adage
- God helps those who help themselves --is very true in some cases. My
view is: if you can fix your own flat tire, then don't expect God to fix it for
you. Like when a farmer prays for a good crop, he really needs to say amen
with a hoe.

What else might be taken from 1Tim 5:23? Well; I would say do NOT rely
upon so-called faith healing. Too many children are being lost these days to
treatable conditions because their parents are putting so much trust in their
church's interpretation of passages like Jas 5:14-15. If Paul recommended a
remedy for Timothy's tummy; don't you think he would recommend a
remedy for your child's treatable condition? Yes; of course he would. In
many, many cases; people don't need a miracle; they just need a doctor.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
338) 1Tim 6:1-2 . . Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their
own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our
doctrine may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as
their masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let
them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are
believers and beloved.

I've heard that Masons practice favoritism; but Christians should never
impose upon a fellow believer in that manner. Give your Christian employer
the respect and subordination due his position; and give him a full day's
work for a full days' pay. People are watching, and they pick up on things
like disparity.

339) 1Tim 6:2 . .Teach and preach these principles.

Pastors should ensure their congregations are taught these things even
when they don't care to hear them; and should never let the indifference of
their flocks smother the voice of God.

2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ
Jesus-- who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and
His kingdom --preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but desiring to have
their ears massaged, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in
accordance with their own longings; and will turn away their ears from the
truth, and will turn aside to fiction.

A good pastor can't be blamed when members of his congregation drift away
to cults; but he can at least make an effort to ensure they have some truth
under their belts before they go because if perchance they become
disillusioned with the cult, they'll have something solid to fall back on.

340) 1Tim 6:3-6 . . If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not
agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the
doctrine conforming to godliness; he is conceited and understands nothing;
but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about
words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and
constant friction between men of depraved minds and deprived of the truth.

Some day, just out of curiosity, peruse the discussions taking place on a
variety of internet Christian forums. What will you see? You will see a morbid
interest in controversial questions; and disputes about words, out of which
arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction.
Forums are the armpit of Christianity and cesspools of apostasy, heresy,
humanistic theories, and universalism where the attitude is: nobody's going
to Hell; and everyone's a Christian if they say so.

341) 1Tim 6:8 . . And having food and raiment let us be content therewith.

According to 1Tim 1:1-3, this epistle wasn't written to a church, rather, it
was written to one of Paul's contemporaries-- a fellow church officer --so
when he uses a pronoun like "us" I think it's safe to assume, unless
indicated otherwise, that he's not speaking to a congregation.

Paul's instructions are handy for steering church officers away from wanting
too much out of life.

1Tim 6:6 . . Piety with contentment is great gain.

The koiné Greek word for contentment is sometimes translated "sufficient".
In other words, when good is adequate, better isn't necessary. Good is
easier on budgets than better too. So then: if a church officer can get by
with things that are less than best, then he shouldn't waste time and energy
concerning himself with improving his situation.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
342) 1Tim 6:11 . . But you-- O man of God --flee these things and pursue
righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) believed that
Christian virtues, especially compassion, are an impediment to achieving
greatness; which is just another way of saying that nice guys finish last.

The koiné Greek word for "flee" is pheugo (fyoo'-go) which means: not to
walk away; but rather, to run away; as if for your life. (cf. 1Cor 6:18)

Q: What is a man of God?

A: Well; first off we should point out that the Greek word for "man" in that
passage is anthropos (anth'-ro-pos) which refers to h.sapiens; viz: human
beings, of either gender, not just males; so it would be far more useful to
translate that phrase "people of God".

People of God are typically inspired individuals; for example: Moses was a
man of God (Deut 33:1) and David was a man of God (Neh 12:24).
Numerous passages in the Old Testament identify men of God as prophets.
In that respect; Abraham was a man of God (Gen 20:7) and a whole bunch
of other people too, including women; e.g. Miriam (Ex 15:20) Deborah (Judg
4:4) Asahiah (2Kgs 22:14) and Huldah (2Chron 24:32).

Obviously then, if your church's officers aren't inspired; then they aren't
men of God; they're just church managers on a career path.

343) 1Tim 6:12a . . Fight the good fight of the faith.

The first koine Greek word for "fight" in that verse is agonizomai (ag-o-nid'
zom-ahee) which means: to struggle; literally to compete for a prize. This is
the kind of conflict played out in competitive sports.

The second word for "fight" is agon (ag-one') which means: a place of
assembly; viz: the field of completion; e.g. arenas, coliseums, and/or
stadiums.

The object of a Christian's struggle is not so much conquest, but rather, a
prize. In Paul's day athletes won wreaths. In our day, they win medals and
lucrative contracts for product endorsements.

1Cor 9:24-26 . . Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but
only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And
everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

In Paul's day, there were no second-place winners; only first. When the
competition is that fierce, athletes really go all out. So Paul is saying that
Christians should battle for their reward as if there were only one gold to go
around; in other words; really put their hearts into it.

However, a "good" race is won only when the winner plays by the rules; or
otherwise it's a bad race: they're disqualified and win nothing.

2Tim 2:5 . .When someone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
344) 1Tim 6:12b . .Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made your good profession in the presence of many witnesses.

Note the grammatical tense of the "have" verb in the passages below. It's in
the present tense; not future; indicating that Christ's believing followers
have eternal life right now-- no delay, and no waiting period.

John 3:36 . . He who believes in the Son has eternal life

John 6:47 . .Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who heed my message and trust in God
who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins,
but they have already passed from Death into Life.

1John 5:13 . . I write these things to you who believe in the name of the
Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

In addition, believers who correctly ingest The Lord's flesh, and correctly
imbibe his blood, are also in the right-now possession of eternal life.

John 6:53 . .Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,
and I will raise him up at the last day.

So then, why would Paul encourage Timothy to "take hold" of eternal life if
he already had it?

Well; having it, and making use of it, are two very different things. By telling
his friend to lay hold of eternal life, Paul was telling him to lay hold of the
divine nature spoken of at 1Pet 1:4.

So then, how does one lay hold of the divine nature? Well; it's here
where conduct plays a very important role in the lives of Christ's believing
followers.

Rom 8:13 . . If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if
by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live

Gal 6:7-8 . . Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from
the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the
Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due
time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.


NOTE: Seeing as how eternal life is a quality of life that's immune to death,
then when Christ's believing followers live according to the sinful nature,
they don't lose their eternal life; they just lose the use of it.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
345) 1Tim 6:13-14 . . I charge you in the sight of God-- who gives life to
everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession --to keep this command without spot or blame
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The koiné Greek word for "commandment" in that passage is entole (en-tol
ay') which means: an injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. It's
difficult to tell if Paul had a specific instruction in mind or if he intended
Timothy to accept his entire epistle as the law of Christ. If the latter is the
case, then the NLT's version is the better one; which reads like this:

"And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ
Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his
commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until
our Lord Jesus Christ returns."

The NLT's version encompasses all of Christ's wishes, which up to this point
has totaled 345; with more to come.

The koiné word for "without spot/purity" is aspilos (as'-pee-loswhich means:
unblemished.

It takes a pretty concentrated, uncompromising effort for a man to finish up
a life of Christian service with an unblemished record. He's really got to mind
his p's and q's the meanwhile maintaining graciousness; which consists of
being honest, trustworthy, reliable, affable, tactful, genial, sociable,
generous, charitable, altruistic, cheerful, reasonable, sensitive, thoughtful,
patient, peaceable, kind, considerate, temperate, tolerant, approachable,
helpful, supportive, unselfish, compassionate, sympathetic, mild, not easily
provoked, humble, and courteous; plus characterized by a lack of
stubbornness, assertiveness, despotism, conceit, and arrogance.


NOTE: The epistles of Titus, 1Timothy, 2Timothy, and to some extent
1Peter, are sometimes referred to as "pastoral" because they contain a large
number of instructions related to the function of ordained Christian
ministers. Had Martin Luther King Jr complied with those instructions instead
of going off-reservation into political activism and civil disobedience, he
might still be alive today. As it is, King died a martyr to a worldly cause
instead of Christ's. That aspect of his ministry will no doubt go up in smoke
as wood, hay, and straw as per 1Cor 3:5-15. (cf. John 15:1-8)

346) 1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world not
to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Command them to do good,
to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for
themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they
may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth
and/or virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit a
masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words: conceited
people think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for anything;
no, they can get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only the weak
need God's help.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter
wrote at 2Pet 1:2-11, and the fruit of the Spirit about which Paul wrote at
Gal 5:22-25, which are of far greater lasting value than the fruits of earthly
wealth.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
347) 1Tim 6:20a . .Turn away from impious chatter

This probably refers to sophistry, which Webster's defines as the use of
reasoning or arguments that sound correct but are actually false and/or
subtly deceptive. Sophistry is fairly common in perpetual bull sessions that
never get to the bottom of anything.

This isn't the first time that Paul warned about unholy rhetoric. The same
alert was sounded at Eph 4:11-14 where Paul describes people whose line of
bull sounds very convincing but is nevertheless quite unreliable.

348) 1Tim 6:20b . . and the opposition of science-- falsely so-called.

Galileo believed that science and religion are allies rather than enemies--
two different languages telling the same story. But the category of "science -
falsely so-called" is not the kind of science Galileo was talking about.
Theoretical physics, theoretical cosmology, theoretical chemistry, theoretical
anthropology, conjecture, and speculation etc; are entertaining, but not yet
proven to be true and reliable. People throw that kind of science up to
Christians all the time as if it's been tested and proven when it's anything
but.

Another thing to take into consideration is that scientific results are
provisional; viz: susceptible to being overturned by some future experiment
or observation.

"Scientists rarely proclaim an absolute truth or an absolute certainty.
Uncertainty is inevitable at the frontiers of knowledge."

(Joel Achenbach, National Geographic Magazine, March 2015)

349) 2Tim 1:8a . .Do not be ashamed of our Master's testimony

Everything The Lord ever taught is "testimony" that is; all of his teachings,
preaching, comments, remarks, and lectures can be used as evidence either
by the defense to get people into Heaven, or by the prosecution to put
people behind the bars of Hell.

John 12:48 . . He who rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has
one who judges him: the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

How is it that Jesus' words are evidence? Answer: Because he never spoke
for himself; no, he was an ambassador who spoke for a superior.

John 8:26 . . He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those
things which I have heard of Him.

John 8:28 . . I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak these things as
the Father taught me.

John 12:49 . . I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me,
He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

John 14:24 . .The word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who
sent me.

Timothy was ordained a minister by the laying on of Paul's own hands (2Tim
1:6). At that moment, Timothy became an ambassador for Christ. So then,
he became responsible to speak for Christ just as Christ was responsible to
speak for God.

1Pet 4:11 . . If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God

If a speaker cannot speak as God and for God; then it would be wise if that
speaker didn't speak at all.

Jas 3:1 . . Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
350) 2Tim 1:8b . . Join with me in suffering for the Gospel

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more
common forms of suffering are privation, humiliation, threats, hunger, loss
of friends and family, ostracizing, ridicule, mockery, harsh criticism,
judgmental remarks, insults, intimidation, name calling, demeaning
comments, ugly insinuations, slander, teasing, harassment, bullying,
unfairness, prejudice, intolerance, disassociation, and betrayal; in other
words, the kinds of stuff that really get you right down in the gut.

Suffering because of the Gospel is, believe it or not, a sacred gratuity.

Phil 1:29 . . For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in
Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

John 15:20-21 . . Remember the word that I said unto you? the servant is
not greater than his lord? If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But
all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they
know not Him that sent me.


NOTE: The Devil and his invisible minions are always at work secretly
pushing the buttons of people all around pastors; and the very ones pastors
really have to look out for are the people under their noses running their
own churches.

An Evangelical Lutheran Church minister named Rev John H. Beck conducted
a three-year study of church conflict; and his findings are not comforting.
According to an article in the Aug 24, 2009 edition of the Oregonian in
Portland OR: the issues that cause congregational conflict are typically (1) a
pastor and his staff not getting along, (2) a board wanting to take a different
direction, and (3) two strong-willed people getting into it and others in the
congregation taking sides.

What's going on there? Well, that's not too hard to figure out is it? The Devil
is pushing the buttons in those churches while The Lord is outside the
building banging on the door trying to get somebody's attention to let him
in.

351) 2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me.

The koiné Greek word for "hold fast" is echo (ekh'-o) which means: to
clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" is hupotuposis (hoop-ot-oop'-o-sis) which means: a
sketch; viz: a blueprint and/or a schematic diagram.

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left with no clue
as to what it was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with.
And when Moses was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the
Tabernacle, he too was given designs; in other words, Moses and Noah both
made everything according to God-given specifications; viz: Christianity is a
God-given religion; He has not left its design to human imagination.

Putting this in construction-speak: if the blueprint calls for welding, and the
builder substitutes bolting, he'll have to do it over. If the blueprints call for
oak panels, and the builder substitutes pine, he'll have to do it over; and do
it right the next time or be rejected again. Practically nothing is
manufactured without first planning it out on a drawing. Sometimes
drawings are created on the fly. I've had plans handed to me that were
nothing in the world but a free-hand sketch on a piece of scrap paper; while
others were gorgeous, finely-detailed computer-assisted drawings. Either
way, CAD or free-hand, I was expected to follow specifications to the letter
and not take it upon myself to revise the engineers' instructions without
their consent.

What this boils down to is: modern churches have been handed down from
Paul a God-given pattern for their operations. When they depart from His
pattern, then they are no longer following Christ; rather, they are
attempting to lead him.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
352) 2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us;
carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the
responsibility of church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are
known as non vigilant watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds;
for example:

"Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute
dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They
are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are
shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each
seeks his own gain. (Isa 56:10-11)

353) 2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say (in the presence
of many witnesses) entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to
teach others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many
witnesses" indicating that his instructions were never intended to be
privileged information for the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints.
The things he taught were transferred publicly rather than deep inside a
secret chamber whose access was restricted to a special clique.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the
hearing of witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old
excuse of saying "I didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses
would certainly testify that he did know what he was supposed to do
because they themselves heard Paul instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties, attitudes, and
responsibilities just in case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to
the fire; especially a complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in
political activism and civil disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a
pastor's sacred obligations are, then there's no way they can know whether
or not they're getting their money's worth. In my opinion, an ignorant
church is a private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's directive in this matter was also a practical consideration as nobody
resides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of life.
And they also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. It's a
wise pastor busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge and
experience isn't lost to future church generations. Abraham was commended
for this very thing.

Gen 18:18-20 . . For I have chosen Abraham, in order that he may
command his children and his household after him to keep the way of Yhvh.

A good example of the result of neglecting to train reliable men in "all the
things you have heard me say" is the church of Laodicea described in Rev
3:14-20.

According to Col 2:1-2 and Col 4:13-16; the Laodicean Christians were at
one time solid believers. But between the time of Paul's writing his letter to
the Colossians, and John writing the 3rd chapter of Revelation, the
congregation meeting in Nymphas' home somehow went dead. It was still
Christian in name, yes; but it no longer followed Christ.

The Laodicean church had all the trappings of a Christian church; except for
one salient feature: the Christ of Christianity wasn't even a member let
alone the captain of its industry. It was literally a christless Christian church.
He's depicted outside the building banging on the door trying to get
somebody's attention to let him in. Not a single member of that church was
one of his believing followers, not one; no, not even the senior pastor.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
354) 2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ
Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants
to please his commanding officer.

Combat soldiers are focused. They have but one solitary goal, and that's to
accomplish the mission assigned to them by their leaders. They don't
abandon their posts to go off doing other stuff. Desertion and dereliction of
duty are courts martial offenses.

I truly believe that if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr had stayed in church and
complied with the Bible's directives for ordained Christian ministers as per
the epistles of Titus, 1&2 Timothy, and to some extent 1Peter instead of
getting involved in political activism and civil disobedience, he could have
served Christ another thirty-five years instead of getting himself
assassinated when he was only 39 years old.

Was Dr. King a martyr? Well, if he was, it certainly wasn't in a cause for
Christ. No, it was for a worldly cause. Dr. King marginalized his pastoral
responsibilities. He put duty to the color of his skin first, and duty to Christ
second. That was a very bad move for an ordained Christian minister
obligated to a congregation above all other interests.

Eph 4:11-12 . . He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and
some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ

1Tim 4:13 . . Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging
the believers, and teaching them.

1Pet 5:1-4 . .To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a
witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed:

. . . Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God
wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it
over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the
Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never
fade away.

355) 2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant
of David, according to my gospel

It may seem preposterous, beyond belief, and even impossible to
comprehend; but there are literally millions of people wearing the Christian
label who refuse to believe that Christ was a bona fide human being. They'll
readily mouth that he was fully God and fully Man; but in reality they only
believe he was fully God; in other words: a divine being only, rather than an
amalgam of human and divine. Well, according to 2Tim 2:8 Christ does not
wish to be remembered as a divine being.

On numerous occasions, Christ identified himself as "son of man" which
literally means "son of Adam". That title was neither new nor unique in his
day. God addressed the prophet Ezekiel as "son of man" on at least 93
occasions, and Daniel at least once. In every case, the Hebrew word for man
is 'adam (aw-dawm') which is the proper name of the human race God
created in the beginning. (Gen 1:26-27, Gen 3:9, Gen 5:2)

You would think that Christ's humanness would be a given in Christian
circles; but no, it isn't. To this very day, people passing themselves off as his
believing followers, and as beneficiaries of his crucifixion, still challenge his
humanness. They're okay with him being God's progeny-- but David's
progeny? No; that they won't allow.

Rom 1:3-4 . . who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh

Disbelief in Christ's humanness is due to the success of satanic influences.

1John 4:2-4 . . By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that
confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every
spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of
the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is
already in the world.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
356) 2Tim 2:14 . . Command them in God's name to stop quarrelling over
trifles.

In a Sean Connery movie titled "The Name Of The Rose" church dignitaries
assembled a meeting of the minds to reach a resolution on a theological
question which was: Did the Christ own the clothes that he wore or not?

Well, needless to say, the discussion turned into bickering wherein nothing
was resolved. Tempers flared, shouting ensued, feelings were hurt, and
people were alienated over the issue-- a rather trifling issue; which is
precisely what it means to fiddle while Rome burns down around you.
Christians are often embroiled in arguments over things that in the grand
scheme of things have almost zero importance while all around them are
weightier issues needing attention.

It's interesting that Paul didn't want Timothy's flock instructed to avoid
quarrelling over trifles but to stop quarrelling. I can't help but wonder how
many Christians think to seek absolution for the sin of quarrelling over trifles
when they go to confession.

357) 2Tim 2:15 . . Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a
worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some folks construe rightly dividing the truth as instructions to keep the Old
Testament completely separate from the New. But that's not even close to
what Paul is instructing.

Paul was a blue collar tradesman: he fabricated portable shelters for a living
(Acts 18:3). The koiné Greek word for "rightly dividing" is orthotomeo (or
thot-om-eh'-o) which means: to make a straight cut-- as opposed to a
crooked cut --or a cut that misses the line and yields a piece of material
that's either too long, too short, or the wrong contour; thus resulting in a
tent whose pieces won't join properly when it comes time to sew them
together. The results? A distorted tent and a black mark for the craftsman.

The intent is not one of severing the Bible in half and treating each as a
separate book; but to be accurate in the whole's interpretations and
applications so that it all fits together perfectly from first to last, like a well
made armoire instead of a hastily constructed rabbit hutch.

358) 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further
impiety.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein people discussing
the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their perpetual
deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and personal
opinions --never get to the bottom of anything.

Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering his
invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible
teacher. He said "No; we don't have a teacher. The group teaches itself. In
other words: we speak as the Spirit leads us to speak."

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are
soft. That's why files are hardened and tempered. Well; that man's group
lacked a file, so to speak; so I declined.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
359) 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain
from wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards
unskilled use of the Bible; and sophistry, conjecture, wild-eyed posits,
theories, flimsy science, and lines of entertaining bull that sound very
convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.

360) 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness,
faith, love and peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

Hippies pursued love and peace but failed because they could obtain neither
except by means of promiscuity and mood-enhancing drugs like marijuana
and LSD.

A "pure" heart is one that's unadulterated; in other words: it's not an
amalgam of good and bad; viz: it's a heart that's whole-heartedly devoted to
pleasing God rather than half-hearted.

Righteousness, Love, Peace, and Purity are all blessing-worthy attributes.

Matt 5:6 . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the compassionate

Matt 5:8 . . Blessed are the pure in heart

Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peaceable

According to The Lord's testimony as an expert witness in all matters
pertaining to the hereafter, people whose personalities fail to exemplify
those four beatitudes will neither see God, nor obtain sympathy from God,
nor obtain a place around the table in God's home.

361) 2Tim 2:23 . . But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing
that they produce debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and
uneducated; i.e. way out in the Kuiper Belt, so to speak.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the
propensity of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about and/or having even the slightest basis for their perspective.

362) 2Tim 2:24a . . And The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and "let the Wookie win
one". In other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and
pick your fights carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics;
they'll just lead to anger, demeaning comments, and flaming remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a
rather annoying propensity to disagree with everything you say simply
because they love to argue. I call them the "yes, but" people. Those kind
refuse to believe that anybody really knows the truth; least of all you.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
363) 2Tim 2:24b-26 . . The Lord's servant must . . be kind to all, apt
to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God may grant them a change of heart leading to the
knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from
the snare of the Devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

The all in "be kind to all" really should be taken to mean all in Christian
congregations rather than all in the world. The reason being, according to
Eph 4:11-16, Christ doesn't dispense his teachers for the world's benefit,
rather, for his body's benefit.

For that reason; Christ's teachers need to treat the people in church who
oppose them as they would patients in a mental hospital who lack the
faculties to know what they're doing and/or to think for themselves; hence
the instructions to be kind, gentle, and patient.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
364) 2Tim 3:12-15 . .You, however, continue in the things you have
learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned
them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which
are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus.

The "sacred writings" upon which Timothy cut his teeth are of course the Old
Testament's collection; which Paul affirms is useful to Christians.

Rom 15:4 . .Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction that we, through patience and the encouragement of the
scriptures, might have hope.


NOTE: The Greek word for "hope" in that passage is elpis (el-pece') which
means: to anticipate (usually with pleasure and confidence). In other words:
elpis hope doesn't entail crossing your fingers and praying for the best while
in the back of your mind dreading the worst. No; elpis hope entails having
something to look forward to with the full, unreserved, expectation of
obtaining it.

365) 2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus-- who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing
and His kingdom --preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Preaching and teaching are areas where pastors must take the reins. They
can't wait until their boards take a vote on it. No, the pastor's vote is the
only one that counts because left to themselves, congregations (and boards)
are just like any other flock of dim-witted sheep: they're prone to wander.

2Tim 4:3-4 . . For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears rubbed, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires; and will turn
away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to fiction.

Once somebody adopts an error for themselves as the God's truth, they like
to hear it reinforced, over and over again so they feel good about
themselves rather than feeling like a fool for thinking a certain way.

That mindset is very difficult to correct. So, like it's said; the best remedy is
prevention; hence the instruction to "preach the word' lest by preaching
something else a pastor's congregation gets their heads full of wrong ideas,
and from then on they tune out everything that opposes those ideas and/or
fails to reinforce them.

366) 2Tim 4:5a . . Be discreet

Webster's defines "discreet" as: using good judgment, caution, and
prudence.

Human nature can be so inconsistent. Though most adults have fairly good
judgment, they oftentimes do things that are contrary to their better
judgment and make foolish choices (especially on Black Friday) because they
don't always use their heads but instead yield to their feelings; and
everybody knows that one's feelings, by and large, are mostly incoherent.

367) 2Tim 4:5b . . endure hardship

Some of the aspects of hardship are adversity, mischance, misfortune;
danger, hazard, peril; affliction, trial, tribulation; drudgery, toil, travail;
discomfort, and distress. Feelings of isolation and loneliness are a part of
that too. Nobody really cares to sympathize with somebody when they're at
the top of the food chain. Pastors comfort others, but who comforts the
pastors? Hardly anybody; though maybe his wife; if she's the type.

The lives of Christ's pastors are not supposed to be a piece of cake. If
they're doing their jobs in a way that pleases The Lord, pastors will have
some struggles. Hardship comes with the turf; it's a given when Christ's
pastors serve him faithfully and effectively.

The reason being that a pastor is essentially a shepherd. Well; according to
Jacob, that job was a rough career path back in the day.

Gen 31:40 . .Thus I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the frost by
night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Part of the reason that tending sheep was rough in Jacob's day is because a
shepherd was essentially a security guard, constantly keeping an eye out for
rustlers and predators. That part alone was a 24-7 task; not to mention
monitoring the herd so none of them wandered off; as sheep are prone to
do. It's no wonder Jacob lost a lot of sleep outside in the fields; and when
you throw in exposure to the elements; a shepherd's life was really not one
to be desired.

/
 
Last edited:

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
368) 2Tim 4:5c . . do the work of an evangelist

The koiné Greek word for "evangelist" is euaggelistes (yoo-ang-ghel-is
tace') which means: a preacher of the gospel.

Here in America, we typically think of evangelists as guys like Billy Graham
and Louis Palau. But according to Paul, pastors are supposed to be
evangelists within the walls of their own churches rather than on the road.

My ex-Catholic wife begged and cajoled her Catholic father to accompany
her to a Baptist church back in the 1970's before we met. On that particular
Sunday, of all days, the pastor spoke about money; especially giving it to
support his church and its programs. My father-in-law was disgusted, and
commented afterwards: Baptists are no different than Catholics; all they
care about is money. He never went back. Had that pastor spoken about
Christ instead of money, my father-in-law might have returned.

Services are the best venue for in-church evangelism because the public is
more likely to visit those than Sunday school.

Paul described pastoral evangelism as: fulfilling their ministry. (2Tim 4:5)

369) Titus 2:2 . . Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound
in faith, in love, in perseverance.

The koiné Greek word for "older men" is presbutes (pres-boo'-tace) which
means: an old man. Presbutes is different than presbuteros, which refers to
church officers; e.g. deacons (1Tim 5:17).

I used to get my watches serviced by an aging repairman at a local mall
until the day finally came when I could no longer tolerate his manners. He
was around seventy-five years old, cantankerous as can be, and perpetually
cross. I often felt like asking him if he ever gave any thought to his future.
You know, heaven is a place of peace. A hateful man like that repairman
would not only never fit in there, but it wouldn't be fair to the others to
permit him in their world.

"Cantankerous" can be defined as: habitually ill-humored, irritable,
disagreeable, bearish, cankered, cranky, cross-grained, dour, morose, sour;
crabby, cross, crusty, huffy, petulant, prickly, snappish; dyspeptic, ill
conditioned, thin-skinned, complaining, and ill-natured.

A Christian man in old age really ought to be a sweet, mellow guy: a pal and
a big brother for the younger ones rather than somebody they'd prefer do
the world a favor by stepping in front of a bus.

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-

370) Titus 2:3-5 . . The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as
becomes holiness: not traducers, not given to much wine, teachers of right;
that they may train the young women to be sensible, to love their husbands,
to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and
subordinate to their own husbands; that the word of God not be dishonored.

Traducers are particularly ugly human beings; especially the kind that
misrepresent their own friends and say things about them that their friends
would never approve; thus needlessly disparaging their friends' reputations
save for the pure pleasure of gossip. Traducers aren't regular gossips, no,
they're malicious gossips. Webster's defines malice as : a deep-seated, often
unexplainable desire to see another suffer. In other words, traducers like to
hurt people for no good reason other than that it feels good. One could
hardly characterize malicious gossips as either good or discreet.

Too many women in America have been trained for marriage by feminism.
Far from teaching younger women to respect their husbands, feminism
teaches the younger women to stand up to their husbands; and rather than
be keepers at home, feminism has them out seeking means to compete with
men and break the so-called glass ceiling; and rather than love their
children, feminism has them dominating their offspring in a home-life society
structured on divisions of labor, command and control, tyranny, and
regimentation. Those behaviors certainly can never be categorized as
honoring the word of God.

The biggest road block to feminism-trained women becoming true disciples
is The Lord's gender. You see, at the heart of women's hostility towards men
is the drive to be independent of males. Yet the very lord and master of
Christianity, the supreme male in the universe; demands death to a
woman's self interests, and submission to His monarchy.

Luke 14:26 . . If you want to be my follower you must love me more than
your own father and mother, wife and children brothers and sisters-- yes,
more than your own life. And you cannot be my disciple if you do take up
your own cross and follow me.

In The Lord's era, crosses were for executions. So when he told his disciples
to "take up their own cross" it meant stifling their own way; viz: it was a call
to abandon self interests, and comply with their Master's wishes.

Rom 12:1-2 . .Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your
spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good, pleasing and perfect
will.

That mandate runs 180° counter to modern feminism's self-aggrandizing
attitude that homemaking is oppressive and demeaning to women, and that
respect for one's husband is somehow abusive; which is obviously an
attitude that vilifies the word of God instead of honoring it.

Christian marriage and motherhood are not for militant females; no,
marriage and motherhood are for grown-up, mature, emotionally stable
women; and I'm not talking about years of life; no, even some 35 and 40
year-old women often fall short of being grown-up. Their association with
men is on no higher a level now than when they were the 17 year-old, self
absorbed brats they were in high school. Christian women like that seriously
need to read, and heed, the guidance offered in the three books
recommended below.

For Women Only
By Shaunti Feldhahn
ISBN 1-59052-317-2

The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands
By Dr. Laura Schlessinger
ISBN 0-06-052061-2

What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us
By Danielle Crittenden
ISBN 0-684-83219-4
ISBN 0-684-85959-9 (paper back)

/
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
4,611
726
113
80
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
-
371) Titus 2:6 . . Similarly, encourage the young men to be sensible.

Just in case the young women were feeling a bit persecuted; Paul switches
over to the guys and urges them to be just as sensible as the girls; in other
words: to love their wives, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste,
keepers at home, and good; that the word of God not be dishonored.

Chastity is getting to be almost non-existent in America as more and more
male celebrities engage in extra-marital affairs. Not all that long ago
Governor Kitzhaber here in the state of Oregon was shacking up with a
woman right in broad daylight in the governor's mansion and cared not what
anybody thought about it. President Clinton messed around with women
while he was in office, and former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer was
discovered to be seeing expensive escorts which eventuated in his
resignation. So Christians really can't depend upon America's leaders to set
the example for young men.

Paul urged Titus to "encourage" the young men in his church to be sensible;
which is quite a bit different than hounding them or getting on their backs.
There's an awful lot of young men out there today with metal pinned in their
faces and tattoos on their necks, taking ecstasy, smoking pot, joining gangs,
using meth, shoplifting, and missing school because the adults in their lives
refuse to let them grow up at their own pace.

Many years ago, before I was even interested in having a family of my own,
there was a cartoon in the newspaper comics called Rick-O-Shay. Rick was
sheriff in a small town out in the olde west. Well, he had a son that was a bit
immature and Rick was concerned the boy was never going to amount to
anything and he didn't know what to do about it.

So, while he was complaining about his son to his good friend Hipshot
Percussion (a local gunfighter) Hipshot interrupted and gave Rick some very
good words of wisdom. He said (in so many words): Instead of frettin' about
turning your son into someone you can admire, why not instead try and find
out who he is and go with that?

Relentless criticism and ridicule, unreasonable expectations, zero sympathy,
and disapproving everything they think, say, or do are the surest ways I
know to ruin a young man's attitude and drive him far, far from home and
God; hence the below:

372) Titus 2:7-8 . . In all things show yourself to be an example of good
deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond
reproach, in order that those who oppose us may be put to shame, having
nothing bad to say.

Young men today desperately need morally sound role models because you
can't just disapprove their life-style and not show them an alternative; and
the best way to do that is by your own example; viz: instead of preaching to
youngsters with words; preach to them with your conduct.


NOTE: It's very important for church officers to practice what they preach
because conduct unbecoming reflects on Christ. (cf. 2Sam 12:14)

373) Titus 2:9-10a . . Bond slaves are to be subject to their own masters
in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering;

A bond slave is someone who has sold themselves into slavery for any
number of reasons. But the one aspect I would like to dwell on is pilfering
because this is a serious problem for employers here in the USA.

The koiné Greek word for "pilfering" is nosphizomai (nos-fid'-zom-ahee)
which means to squirrel something aside for one's self: viz: embezzle; which
Webster's defines as: to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care)
fraudulently to one's own use.

Embezzling isn't limited to strictly stealing money; no, it's also the misuse of
an employer's property such as company cars, office materials and office
equipment, and/or shop materials and shop equipment; including water and
electricity.

My last job before retiring was as a civilian employee with the US Army
Corps of Engineers in the Portland Oregon district. It was a violation of
Federal law for us to even take anything out of a dumpster, or use a battery
charger to jump-start our cars, or even to so much as pump up a low tire on
our cars with the air produced by a government air compressor. We were
definitely not supposed to use the government's computers for surfing the
web or composing personal e-mails.

Everything on the facility where I worked was US Government property,
including the trash, and could not be used in an unofficial capacity without
first obtaining special permission. Violators were subject to prosecution for
Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.

Unofficial use of office computers alone is costing employers multiplied
thousands of hours of wages and benefits paid to employees who are online
during the work day for personal reasons. The most outrageous case I heard
of at work was a lady downtown in the district office who was caught
conducting her Mary K cosmetics business via a US Government computer;
and on official time no less.

Those are things from which Christ's believing followers are ordered to cease
and desist.

/
 
Last edited: