06/20/2019
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Christians have a
great responsibility as servants of the Lord. Knowing what these
responsibilities are is but the first step to living out a fruitful Christian
life.
Do you know your
responsibilities as an ambassador of Christ and a child of God?
While being
a child of God brings many perks and benefits that nothing in this life can
rival, it also entails great duties that are very fulfilling and satisfying
when you do them with all our heart. After all, these are the things that we
were meant to do: things that please and glorify God, and bring our fellowmen
into the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In order to please God by adhering to our
responsibilities as Christians, we must walk in obedience to His Word serving
Him and others with a humble spirit. Learn more about walking in humility
before the Lord here: To Walk Humbly before God {YHWH}.
Proverbs
3:34 ~ Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those
who give up self-importance].
James
4:6 ~ But He gives us more and more grace [through the
power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects
both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the
proud and
haughty,
but [continually] gives [the gift
of] grace
to the humble [who turn away from
self-righteousness].”
1
Peter 5:5 ~ Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and
experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you,
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s
apron], for God
is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the
presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
Are you
excited to know your Christian responsibilities so that you can live a fruitful
and fulfilling life? Here are what I believe should be a Christians top 15
responsibilities along with some Bible verses that help us fulfill our duties
as sons and daughters of God.
Top 15 Responsibilities of a Christian
1. Love God before self and others ~
As you put away your selfish pride {Philippians
2:3, Psalm
10:2-4, Proverbs
16:18} that tells you that you are not such a bad person; and put your life
into the hands of a Loving and Gracious God; you will be more apt to fulfill
your responsibilities as a Christian.
Matthew
6:33 ~ But first and
most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of
God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Matthew
22:36-40 ~ Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in
the Law? And Jesus replied to him, You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your mind. This
is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments. Teacher, which is the greatest
commandment in the Law? And Jesus replied to him, You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.
John
12:25 ~ The one who loves his life
[eventually] loses it [through
death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will
keep it for life eternal.
2. Put all your faith and trust in the Lord ~
You may have built walls in
your life to shield you from all the hurt from other people; but to get to know
the One who died for you and wants the best for you, it is best to take a
sledgehammer to those walls. When you put all your faith and trust in the Lord
He will become your shield {Psalm
28:7}.
Joshua
1:9 ~ Have I not commanded you? Be
strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm
44:6-7 ~ For I will not trust in my
bow, Nor will my sword save me.
But You have saved us from our enemies, And You have put them to shame and humiliated those who hate us.
Proverbs
3:5-6 ~ Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your
own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know and
acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
John
14:1 ~ Do not let your heart be
troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in
Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going
and] believe also in Me.
Romans
15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of
the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and
overflow with confidence in His promises.
3.
Always exhibit faith in God no matter the
circumstances that surround you ~
While walking through this life journey we will always be confronted
with situations and circumstances that will test our faith. The Scripture tells
us in James
1:3-4 that the testing of our faith produces endurance and inner peace. If
we hold on to that faith we will be rewarded by God so we will never lack for
anything.
2
Corinthians 5:7 ~ We walk by faith, not by sight [living
our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]
2
Corinthians 12:9 ~ He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My
lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of
the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed
and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”
Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
Hebrews
11:1-40 ~ Now faith is the assurance (title deed,
confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of
things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what
cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the
men of old gained [divine] approval. By faith [that is, with an
inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of
God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order,
and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is
seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God
a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him
that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified
by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he
still speaks. By faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would
not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken [to heaven], he received the
testimony [still on record] that he had walked with God and pleased Him. But without faith it is impossible to [walk
with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily]
believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and
diligently] seek Him. By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah,
being warned by God about
events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his
family. By this [act of obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of
the righteousness which comes by faith. By faith Abraham, when
he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an
inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as
a foreigner in the Promised Land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads] with Isaac and Jacob, who were
fellow heirs of the same promise. For he was [waiting expectantly and
confidently] looking forward to the city which has foundations, [an eternal,
heavenly city] whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself
received the ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the
normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to
be reliable and true [to His
word]. So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the stars of heaven
in number, and innumerable as the sand on the seashore. All these died in faith [guided and sustained by
it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only
having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and
having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Now those
who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their
own. And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they
would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return. But the truth is that they
were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God
is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their
God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. By
faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was
still in progress], offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of
God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise]; to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your
descendants shall be called.” For he considered
[it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he
was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him
back [from the dead] figuratively speaking. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and
Esau [believing what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come. By
faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in
worship, leaning on the top of
his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, referred to [the promise of God
for] the exodus of the sons of Israel [from Egypt], and gave instructions
concerning [the burial of] his bones [in the land of the promise]. By
faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents,
because they saw he was a beautiful and
divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s)
decree. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter, because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God
rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach
of the Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience
to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked
ahead to the reward [promised by God]. By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid
of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is
unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the
doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the
firstborn of Israel). By faith the people [of Israel] crossed the Red Sea as
though they were passing
through dry land; but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned. By
faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven
days [by Joshua and the sons of Israel]. By faith Rahab the prostitute was not
destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the
spies [sent by the sons of Israel] in peace. And what more
shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith [that is, with an
enduring trust in God and His promises] subdued kingdoms, administered justice,
obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power
of [raging] fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, became mighty and
unbeatable in battle, putting enemy forces to flight. Women received back their
dead by resurrection; and others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept
release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would
be resurrected to a better life; and others experienced the trial of mocking
and scourging [amid torture], and even chains and imprisonment. They were
stoned [to death], they were sawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers
[to renounce their faith], they were put to death by the sword; they went about
wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly
treated (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and
mountains and [living in] caves and holes in the ground. And
all of these, though they gained [divine] approval through their faith, did not
receive [the fulfillment of] what was promised, because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so
that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect
[that is, completed in Him] apart from us.
James
1:2-8 ~ Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and
sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of
your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual
maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you
may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. If
any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he
is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without
rebuke or blame, and it will be
given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s
willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the
sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. For such a person ought not to
think or expect that he will
receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being
a double-minded man, unstable and
restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].
4.
Believe in the POWER of the Scriptures ~
In John
1 we learn that Jesus Christ has always been the Word of
God and in Hebrews
4 we learn how powerful the Word is. Therefore it only
seems fitting that we believe in the Power of the Word.
Romans
10:17 ~ So faith comes
from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.
2
Timothy 3:16-17 ~ All Scripture is God-breathed [given by
divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin],
for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in
righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and
privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so
that the man, woman or child of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews
4:12 ~ For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it
operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of
a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature],
exposing and judging the very
thoughts and intentions of the heart.
5.
Preach the gospel to everyone in the world
~
Jesus did NOT say that only
those who have been “called” into the ministry are to preach the Word of God.
The Word of God tells us that it is EVERY believer’s responsibility to share
the GOOD NEWS of the Scriptures. {Exodus
9:16, Matthew
5:13-16, Romans
1:1-17}
Matthew
28:18-20 ~ Jesus came up and said to
them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in
heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words],
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of
circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of
the age.”
Mark
16:15-18 ~ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed
[in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have
believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they
drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick,
and they will get well.”
Acts
1:8 ~ But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be
My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends
of the earth.
6.
Do the work of the Lord ~
In Ephesians
2:8-10 we learn that our salvation through Jesus Christ
transforms us into men and women equipped to do His work. And in Hebrews
6:10 we learn that God watches the work He has set for us
to do. In everything we do for the Lord and others let us do it with a humble
and grateful heart {Colossians
3:23-24}.
John
7:38 ~ He who believes in Me [who
adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the
Scripture has said, From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.
John
14:12-14 ~ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I
do; and he will do even greater things than these [in
extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so
that the Father may be glorified and
celebrated in the Son. If you
ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.
1
Corinthians 15:58 ~ Therefore, my
beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the
work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor
[even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without
purpose].
7.
Endure the trials and tribulations ~
I have heard flowery sermons telling people
how much God loves them and how He is going to shower them will all kinds of
blessings including wealth beyond measure. However, when you dig into the Word
you will find that living your life as a “Christian” will NOT always be
sunshine and roses. Jesus tells us that we will be hated by this world, by
Satan and his legend of demons and even other people. We will have trials and
tribulations in this life but having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will
help you get through {Job
23:10, Romans
8:28, 1
Peter 4:12-13}.
Genesis
50:20 ~ As for you, you meant evil
against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present
outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day].
John
16:33 ~ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may
have [perfect] peace. In the
world you have tribulation and
distress and suffering, but be
courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with
joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Romans
5:3-4 ~ And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in
our sufferings and rejoice in
our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces
patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and
proven character, hope and
confident assurance [of eternal salvation].
1
Peter 5:10 ~ After you have
suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and
favor], who called you to His own
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and
establish you [making you what you ought to be].
8.
Help your brothers and sisters who have
strayed and do Not be a stumbling block for
them ~
them ~
Throughout a person’s journey in this world
sinful temptations will constantly be set before you by the enemy of God, Satan
{1
Peter 5:8-9}. According to Galatians
5:17 the flesh lusts against the Spirit. So you can see why it is important
for us to be there for one another along this journey.
Micah 6:8 ~ But he’s already made it plain how to live, what
to do, what God is looking for in
men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be
compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously
[setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness] — take
God seriously.
Galatians
6:1-3 ~ Brothers and Sisters, if anyone is caught in any
sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of
the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a
sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on
yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Carry one another’s burdens and
in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is,
the law of Christian love]. For if anyone thinks they are something [special]
when [in fact] they are nothing [special except in his own eyes], the deceive
themselves.
Romans
14:12-17 ~ So then, each of us will give an account of
himself to God. Then let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather
determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block or a source of temptation in another
believer’s way. I know and am convinced [as one] in the Lord
Jesus that nothing is unclean [ritually defiled, and unholy] in itself; but
[nonetheless] it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean. If your brother
is being hurt or offended
because of food [that you insist on eating], you are no longer walking in love
[toward him]. Do not let what you eat destroy and spiritually harm one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not
let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken
of as evil [by someone else]; for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what
one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
9.
Do what is good, confess your faults
because God’s grace and mercy flow through forgiveness ~
When you confess your sins God’s grace
through Christ Jesus will wash you white as snow Isaiah
1:18. Allow the mercy and grace of God flow through you as you allow other
believers to pray with you and lift you up.
Proverbs
28:13 ~ He who conceals his transgressions will not
prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his
sins will find compassion and
mercy.
James
5:16 ~ Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your
false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous
man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by
God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
1
John 1:8-10 ~ If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit
that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word
does not live in our hearts.] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful
and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and
cleanse us continually from all
unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and
purpose]. If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we
make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us.
10.
Live in Peace with others ~
May the Lord teach each of us how to live
in His perfect peace with each other. In order to begin living in peace with
other people we must learn to forgive each other if we offend each other even
unintentionally. We are encouraged to get along with each other and forgive
each other in Colossians
3:13 and Ephesians
4:31-32.
Colossians
3:15 ~ Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who
walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and
settling questions that arise]. To this peace
indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful
[to God always].
Hebrews
12:14 ~ Continually
pursue peace with everyone and the sanctification without which no one will
[ever] see the Lord.
1
Peter 3:11 ~ One must turn away from wickedness and do what
is right. They must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].
Romans
12:18 ~ If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone.
Romans
14:19 ~ So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the
things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which
lead to spiritual growth].
11.
Defend others in need ~
The
sanctity of life is present all throughout scripture. Leave it to the wisdom of
Proverbs and the poetry of the Psalms to give clear words on the subject of
preventable death.
In the
scriptures that follow we see the call to care for the forgotten, oppressed,
and downcast. Let these scriptures speak to our call as Christians to love our
brothers and sisters and to serve others.
Psalm
82:3-4 ~ Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice and
maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy;
Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm
146:9
~ The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow; But He makes crooked the way of the wicked.
Proverbs
3:27-28
~ Do not
withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients], When it is in your power
to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come
back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.
Proverbs
11:25
~ The
generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will
himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].
Proverbs
14:31
~ He who
oppresses the poor taunts and
insults his Maker, But he who is kind and
merciful and gracious to the
needy honors Him.
Proverbs
14:21
~ He who
despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man], But happy [blessed and
favored by God] is he who is gracious and
merciful to the poor.
Proverbs
31:8-9 ~ Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; Open your mouth, judge
righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted
and needy.
Zechariah
7:9-10 ~ Thus has the Lord of hosts
said, “Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion, to each
other; and do not oppress or
exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not
devise or even imagine evil in
your hearts against one another.”
Matthew
7:12 ~ So then, in everything treat others the same way you
want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.
James
1:27 ~ Pure and unblemished
religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and
Father is this: to visit and
look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself
uncontaminated by the [secular] world.
12.
Do NOT be friends with this world ~
Look at the world around you filled with so
much sin and hate and ask yourself if there is anything this world has to offer
you worth losing your salvation over. HELL is REAL and you can join all your
friends, family and even Satan and his legion of demons there if you choose the
world over God. Yes, God leaves the choice in your hands. Either you HATE the
world and all the evil therein or you turn your back on God for a temporary
good time. YOU CANNOT HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS PERIOD. And if you choose to
“Live your Best Life Now” like a certain MEGA CHURCH PASTOR who smiles a lot {Matthew 7:15-20 ~
Be wary of false preachers who smile a
lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off
some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who
preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader
will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with
their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.}
says you can then you my friend will miss out on your actual best AFTER LIFE!!!
Proverbs
23:17 ~ Do not let your heart envy
sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of
the Lord day by day.
2
Corinthians 4:3-4 ~ But even if our
gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those
who are perishing; among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the
minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of
the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2
Corinthians 6:14-18 ~ Do not be
unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances
with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can
righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with
darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what
does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there
between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God;
just as God said: “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And
I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
“So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is
unclean; And I will
graciously receive you and
welcome you [with favor], and I will be a Father to
you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty.
1
John 2:15-16 ~ Do not love the
world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in
the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For
all that is in the world—the lust and
sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life
[pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly
things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.
13. Take
responsibility for your own life ~
In 2
Corinthians 5:10, Romans
14:10-12, Revelation
20:12 we read that we will each stand before God and give an account for
the life we lived on this earth. NO WHERE in the BIBLE does is it say you can
have someone standing there with you.
2
Samuel 22:3-4 ~ My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my
refuge, My Savior—You save me from violence. I call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
Galatians
6:4-5 ~ But each one must carefully scrutinize his own
work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the
personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without
comparing himself to another. For every person will have to bear [with
patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is
responsible].
1
Peter 5:9-10 ~ But resist him {Satan}, be firm in your faith [against his
attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of
suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the
world. [You do not suffer alone.] After you have suffered for a little while,
the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to
His own eternal glory in
Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making
you what you ought to be].
2
Peter 1:3-8 ~ For His divine power has bestowed on us
[absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness,
through true and personal
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He
has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible
value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the
world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature.
For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make
every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in
moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and
in your steadfastness,
godliness, and in your
godliness, brotherly affection, and in your
brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly
seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are
increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you
from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
14.
Stand up against the evil in this world ~
Jesus said
He came into to this world to stir up trouble and He expects you to do the
same. He causes families to be at odds with each other, the religious folks
can’t stand His Truth and He expects nothing less of His followers. It is in
our list of responsibilities because we are Christ Jesus ambassadors on this
earth {2
Corinthians 5:11-21}. We find in John
10:10 that Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy everything that gives
glory to God. Satan has no power over you but what you give him that is why in James
4:7 we read, “So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil
[stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.”
Matthew
10:34-42 ~ “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on
the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword
[of division between belief and unbelief]. For I have
come to set
a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his [own] household [when one believes and another does not]. “He
who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves
son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross
[expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and
follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in
living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me. Whoever
finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it
[through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. “He
who receives and welcomes you
receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives and welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a
prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous (honorable) man because he is
a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones
[these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup
of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will
not lose his reward.”
Luke
10:19 ~ Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents
and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.
John
9:13-34 ~ Then they brought the man
who was formerly blind to the Pharisees. Now it was on a Sabbath day that Jesus
made the mud and opened the man’s eyes. So the Pharisees asked him again how he
received his sight. And he said to them, “He smeared mud on my eyes, and I
washed, and now I see.” Then some of the Pharisees said, “This
Man [Jesus] is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others
said, “How can a man who is a sinner (a non-observant Jew) do such signs and miracles?” So there was a
difference of opinion among them. Accordingly they said to the
blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he
said, “[It must be that] He is a prophet!” However, the
Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until
they called the man’s parents. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say
was born blind? Then how does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that
this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but as to how
he now sees, we do not know; or who has opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask
him [and stop asking us]; he is of age, he will speak for himself and give his own account of it.” His
parents said this because they were afraid of [the leaders of] the Jews; for
the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ,
he would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated). Because of this his
parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So a second time they
called the man who had been [born] blind, and said to him, “Give God glory and praise [for your sight]! We know
this Man [Jesus] is a sinner [separated from God].” Then he answered, “I do not
know whether He is a sinner [separated from God]; but one thing I do know, that
though I was blind, now I see.” So they said to him, “What did He [actually] do
to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered, “I already told you and you
did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again and again? Do you want to become His disciples, too?” And [at
that remark] they stormed at him and jeered, “You are His disciple, but we are
disciples of Moses! We know [for certain] that God has spoken to Moses, but as
for this Man, we do not know where He is from.” The man replied, “Well, this is
astonishing! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes! We
know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if
anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time
it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If
this Man were not from God, He would not be able to do anything [like this
because God would not hear His prayer].” They answered him, “You were born
entirely in sins [from head to foot], and you [presume to] teach us?” Then they
threw him out [of the synagogue].
Romans
12:21 ~ Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
15.
Fight in the Spiritual Battle between good and evil ~
When we belong to Christ, the enemy never
has the final word over our lives. We are secure in God's hands {1
John 4:4}. Remember my friends that God will not leave you alone to fight
the Spiritual Battles; in fact the Scripture says we are MORE than conquerors
and will have overwhelming victory over Satan and his demonic forces {Romans
8:37}. Remember the Lord says, “Not by might or by power, but My Spirit.” {Zechariah
4:6}
Isaiah
54:17 ~ “No weapon that is formed against you will
succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in
judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness,
security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this
is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.
Matthew
18:18-19 ~ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose
[permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven. Again
I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree
[that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything
that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
2
Corinthians 10:3-6 ~ For though we walk in the flesh [as
mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the
flesh and using the weapons of
man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood].
Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated
arguments and every exalted and
proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience
of Christ, being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own
obedience [as a church] is complete.
Ephesians
6:10-18 ~ Be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from
Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His
[boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the
splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to
[successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and
the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood
[contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the
powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the
spiritual forces of wickedness
in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to
[successfully] resist and stand
your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the
crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable,
victorious]. So stand firm and
hold your ground, having tightened
the wide band of truth (personal integrity,
moral courage) around
your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of
peace in preparation [to face the enemy with
firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all,
lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the
flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition
pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every
season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance
and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
Revelation
12:11 ~ And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because
of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when
faced with death.
Obviously there are more than
just 15 responsibilities for Christians; this list is a good starting point for
new Christians and those who have been just going through the motions. God
loves it when His children do the work of the Kingdom of God because it is His
desire for as many of creations to spend eternity with Him as possible.
There will always be FALSE
teachers and preachers who are leading millions of people to a fiery grave. That is why the
Scriptures say, “Enter through the
narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction
and eternal loss, and there are
many who enter through it. But small
is the gate and narrow and
difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.” {Matthew
7:13-14} If you continue reading you will read Matthew
7:15-20 which says, “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize
them [that is, by their
contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from
thistles? Even so, every healthy tree bears good
fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good
fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruit you will
recognize them [as
false prophets].”
The best thing you can do as
a TRUE BELIEVER {Christian} is to study the Scriptures in depth to deepen your
relationship with our Heavenly Father. The Scriptures tell us in 2
Timothy 2:15, “Study and do your best to present yourself
to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed,
accurately handling and
skillfully teaching the word of truth.”
Forever in Christ Jesus
service,
Scriptures
for further study
Deuteronomy
10:18 ~ He executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and shows His love for the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) by giving him
food and clothing.
Psalm
10:2-4 ~ In pride and
arrogance the wicked hotly pursue and
persecute the afflicted; Let them be caught in the
plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts and sings the praises of his heart’s
desire, and the greedy man curses and spurns [and even
despises] the Lord. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his
face, will not seek nor inquire
for Him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God [so there is no
accountability or punishment].”
Psalm
28:7 ~ The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am
helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him.
Psalm
34:19 ~ Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all.
Proverbs
24:11-12 ~ Rescue those who are being taken away to death,
And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back
[from their doom]! If you [claim
ignorance and] say, “See, we did not know this,” Does
He not consider it who weighs and
examines the hearts and their
motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?
Isaiah
1:17 ~ Learn to do good. Seek
justice, Rebuke the ruthless, Defend
the fatherless, Plead for the [rights of the] widow [in
court].
Isaiah
26:3-4 ~ You will keep in perfect and
constant peace the one whose
mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination
and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope
and confident expectation]. Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the
Rock of Ages].
Isaiah
40:31 ~ But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will
gain new strength and renew
their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up
close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They
will run and not become weary, They will walk and not
grow tired.
Isaiah
55:11 ~ So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me void (useless, without result),
Without accomplishing what I desire, and
without succeeding in the matter
for which I sent it.
Jeremiah
23:29 ~ “Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that
cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like
a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]?”
Habakkuk
2:4 ~ Look at the proud one, His
soul is not right within him, But the righteous will
live by his faith [in the true God].
Matthew
17:20 ~ He answered, “Because of
your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in
the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you
have [living] faith the size of
a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and
nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew
25:35-36 ~ For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to
eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something
to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you
clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help
and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to
Me [ignoring personal danger].
Mark
10:52 ~ Jesus said to him, “Go;
your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.” Immediately he regained
his sight and began following
Jesus on the road.
Mark
11:24 ~ For this reason I am
telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in
accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have
received them, and they will be given
to you.
Mark
16:16 ~ He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned.
John
6:63 ~ It is the Spirit who gives
life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no
account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and
life [providing eternal life].
John
14:27 ~ Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be
afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every
circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
John
16:33 ~ I have told you these
things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and
suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be
undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the
world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory
abiding.]
John
17:17 ~ Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.
Romans
1:16-17 ~ I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who
believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in
the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and
leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is
written and forever remains
written, “The
just and
upright
shall live by faith.”
Romans
2:6-11 ~ He will pay back to each person according to his
deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]: to
those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly]
glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life. But for
those who are selfishly ambitious and
self-seeking and disobedient to the truth but responsive to wickedness, [there
will be] wrath and indignation. There
will be tribulation and anguish [torturing confinement] for every human
soul who does [or permits] evil, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, but
glory and honor and inner peace
[will be given] to everyone who habitually
does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For God shows no partiality
[no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than
another].
Romans
8:18 ~ For I consider [from the
standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to
be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
Romans
8:35 ~ Who shall ever separate us
from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans
8:37 ~ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors
and gain an overwhelming
victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
Romans
10:6-10 ~ But the righteousness based on faith [which
produces a right relationship with Him] says the following: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who
will ascend into Heaven?’ that is, to bring
Christ down; or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ that is, to bring Christ up from the dead [as if we had to be
saved by our own efforts, doing the impossible].” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in
your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word
[the message, the basis] of faith which we preach— because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that
Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For
with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his
justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin
and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly],
resulting in and confirming
[his] salvation.
Romans
12:12 ~ Constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in
Christ], steadfast and patient in
distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and
strength].
Romans
13:12-14 ~ The night [this present evil age] is almost
gone and the day [of Christ’s return] is almost here. So let us fling away the
works of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us conduct
ourselves properly and
honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in
sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy. But
clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for [nor
even think about gratifying] the flesh in regard to its improper desires.
1
Timothy 5:8 ~ If anyone fails to provide for his own, and
especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by
disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his
obligation in these matters].
1
Timothy 6:12 ~ Fight the good fight of the faith [in the
conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called,
and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many
witnesses.
2
Timothy 2:3 ~ Take with me your share of hardship [passing
through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier
of Christ Jesus.
1
Corinthians 10:13 ~ No temptation
[regardless of its source] has overtaken or
enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual
or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is
compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your
ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is
now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to
endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
2
Corinthians 1:3-4 ~ Blessed
[gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so
that we will be able to comfort and
encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God.
2
Corinthians 8:21 ~ For we have regard for what is
honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in
the sight of men.
Ephesians
1:11-12 ~ In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were
claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed
beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement
with the counsel and design of
His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our
confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His
glory.
Ephesians
2:8-9 ~ For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion
and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered
from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is
not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved,
gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to
keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].
Philippians
2:3 ~ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through
factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being
neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than
yourselves.
Philippians
3:20-21 ~ But [we are different,
because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the
coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who, by exerting that power which
enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform
[but completely refashion] our earthly
bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.
Philippians
4:6-7 ~ Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance
and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your
[specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which
reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that
peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is
yours].
Colossians
1:13-14 ~ For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and
has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have
redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins
[and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].
Colossians
3:23:24 ~ Whatever you do [whatever your task may be],
work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done]
for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the
Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your
[greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
1
Thessalonians 5:15 ~ See that no one
repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one
another and for all people.
2
Thessalonians 3:3 ~ But the Lord is faithful, and He will
strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.
Titus
3:1-7 ~ Remind people to be subject to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and
willing to do good, to slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone. For
we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures,
spending and wasting our life
in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the
goodness and kindness of God
our Savior and His love for
mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], He saved us, not
because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own
compassion and mercy, by the
cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and
renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we would be justified [made free of
the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would
be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually
experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee).
Hebrews
11:1 ~ Now faith is the assurance (title deed,
confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of
things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what
cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
James
1:21 ~ So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains
of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is
implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.
James
1:2-4 ~ Consider it nothing but
joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured
that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading
to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect
result and do a thorough work,
so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in
nothing.
James
1:12 ~ Blessed [happy, spiritually
prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when
he has passed the test and been
approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who
love Him.
James
3:18 ~ And the seed whose fruit is righteousness
(spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively
encouraging goodwill between individuals].
James
4 ~ What leads to [the unending]
quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic]
desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]?
You are jealous and covet [what
others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and
cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not
have because you do not ask [it of God]. You ask [God for something] and do not
receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an
unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on
your [hedonistic] desires. You
adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to
God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things
of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the
world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture
says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts
with envy? But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy
Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and
our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the
proud and
haughty,
but [continually] gives [the gift
of] grace
to the humble [who turn away from
self-righteousness].” So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil
[stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. Come close to God [with a
contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners;
and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Be miserable
and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to
mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and
insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will
lift you up, He will give you purpose]. Believers, do
not speak against or slander
one another. He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his
brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you
judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One
who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of
life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass
judgment on your neighbor? Come now [and pay attention to
this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend
a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know
[the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure
in your life?] You are merely a
vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is
visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. Instead you ought
to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” But as
it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, any person who
knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
1
Peter 1 ~ Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen
representative) of Jesus Christ, To those [elect—both Jewish and Gentile
believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be
obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and
peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing
abundance [as you walk closely with God]. Blessed [gratefully praised and
adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His
abundant and boundless mercy
has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually
transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [born anew] into an
inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled
and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God
through your faith for
salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. In this you rejoice greatly,
even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by
various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is
much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to
result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him
now, you believe and trust in
Him and you greatly rejoice and
delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the
outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Regarding
this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace [of God] that was intended for you, searched
carefully and inquired [about this future way of salvation], seeking to find
out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as
He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow. It
was revealed to them that their services [their prophecies regarding grace]
were not [meant] for themselves and
their time, but for you, in these things [the death, resurrection, and
glorification of Jesus Christ] which have now been told to you by those who
preached the gospel to you by the [power of the] Holy Spirit [who was] sent
from heaven. Into these things even the angels long to look. So
prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast,
self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on
the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [Live]
as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance
[before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news
regarding salvation]. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves
in all your conduct [be set
apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; because it is
written, “You
shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” If you address as Father, the One who impartially
judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of
Him] and with profound respect
for Him throughout the time of your stay on
earth. For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless
[spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your
forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, but [you were actually
purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished
and spotless, the priceless blood
of Christ. For He was
foreordained {The Son of God always existed and it
was always known that He would be the Redeemer of mankind.} before the
foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for
your sake and through Him you believe [confidently] in God [the heavenly
Father], who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith
and hope are [centered and rest] in God. Since by your
obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the
believers, [see that you] love one another from the heart [always unselfishly
seeking the best for one another], for you have been born again [that is,
reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His
purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God. For, All flesh is like grass, And
all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers
And the flower
falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word [the good news of salvation] which was
preached to you.
1
Peter 2:2 ~ Like newborn babies [you should] long for the
pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its
ultimate fulfillment].
1
Peter 2:11-12 ~ Beloved, I urge you
as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges
[those dishonorable desires] that wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior
excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with
graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you
as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to]
glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy].
1
Peter 5:8 ~ Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined],
be alert and cautious at all
times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion
[fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
1
John 3:8 ~ The one who practices sin [separating himself
from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or
rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from
him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and
violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this
purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
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