Bible Study in Twenty minutes: Romans drive by

Note: This post might seem like textual diarrhea. I apologize. My mind has a tendency to jump from one point to another and random at times.  It's ok. Sometimes even I don't understand what I am thinking (or blogging!).


I tend to bounce ideas in my head pretty fast.  Especially if I really want to dig.  I had an obsession to keep reading and keep digging until I find out what it means.

This is the same when I have a passage stuck in my head.

I have a tendency to read the Bible in sections.  Rarely do I quote one line.  Sometimes I find it hard to share with others because I already done a lot of thinking and processing in the back end.  To simply to love one another, for example is good. But Paul spent most of his epistles explaining..then he ends with..therefore..love one another....etc etc.

On my Google Chat Status, I put down the following:

Conforming to His Will

The word, conform, reminded me of what Paul said in Romans 12. So I went straight to Romans 12.  If you are the type that memorize Scriptures, you probably already know Romans 12:1 which is...

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)

In verse 2, it reads:

Do not conform 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.

So I found the word, conform, then I thought about, what's the pattern of this world?  What was Paul trying to say?

Paul explained very well in the rest of the chapter....

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (v3)

I am going to put in bullet list. It is much easier to read:

• Love must be sincere
• Hate what is evil; cling to what is good
• Be devoted to one another in love. 
• Honor one another above yourselves. 
• Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
• Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 
• Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 
• Practice hospitality.

• Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 
• Live in harmony with one another. 
• Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
• Do not be conceited.

• Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 
• Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
• Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I highlighted one another because (of course, this is based my own experience and my walk with Christ and in church) most of us don't enjoy loving or caring one another.  There's always someone in church or fellowship which we have an offense towards.  Maybe they said something that offended us.  Maybe it was something irritable they done.  And this is a reminder to myself.  I can't consider myself as living for Christ if these ill feelings are causing relationship issues with my Christian brothers and sisters.

The list above is what Paul considered as offering our body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

If you read my blog, you will notice that I have a tendency to poke at Christian at how we often define Christians as one who goes to church a lot, read the Bible and books a lot, goes to many conferences or serve in leadership role or multiple ministries.  Though I think these are some signs of someone growing in Christ.  For me when I evaluate myself, I am starting to evaluate what Paul wrote in the list.

To be honest, what Paul wrote in the list is so much harder than just doing stuff and running programs.

For example:  when was the last time I try to live in harmony with someone I have an issue with at church? When was the last time when someone rub me the wrong way or insult me or 'attack' me, I don't take revenge? Instead, I do good to that person instead?

Reading this passage, especially in verse 3, reminded me that I am not really that good.  This is a good reminder when someone will come by and say...oh Cliff is such a good Christian because he _____ (insert something I do).  I suck.  Before the Lord, I suck.  But by His Grace I have the honor to be His servant...

Anyways, I continue to read the next chapter (chapter 13).

Paul wrote about obeying the governing authorities (government).  They are established by God so therefore we must submit to them (v1-8). The next part is about loving your neighbour in fulfilling the Lord (v8-10). I found it very interesting how Paul pulled the Law (the Ten Commandments) when in the earlier chapters, he stated that the more we tried to follow the law, the more we see sin in us and that caused death (Romans 7:10).  I probably have to think about this some more as to what Paul is trying to say in Chapter 13:8-10.

In the end of the chapter, Paul wrote that salvation is coming and therefore we should put on the armor of light....there's more guidelines:

- let us behave decently
- not in carousing and drunkeness
- not in sexuality and debauchery
-  not in dissension and jealous

In verse 14, Paul wrote:

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

So when Paul mentioned fleshly desires, they are the things listed above: carousing, drunkenness, sexuality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy.  We are to put these things aside.  I must admit I can feel myself getting tempted by lust, getting upset over what someone got and I don't have (jealousy) and at times had thoughts to create conflicts instead of bring harmony.  As Paul said, let put these darkness deeds aside and put on the armor of light.  I love how Paul uses darkness to depict the fleshly desires.  These are the secret hidden things which we won't say or do publicly but do it in our private leisure....simply awesome metaphors.

I keep going to chapter 14. I like this part too because I can relate very closely with it.

Paul wrote to accept those whose faith is weak and not quarrel over minor things (Romans 14:1).  How often, do I get into a fight or say something to cause conflict over minor points.  In Paul's letter, in his situation, what does he consider as minor?

Food, for one (Romans 14:2-3).  And sacred days as well (Romans 14:5-9). Paul really makes this clear.  Who gives you the right to judge one another?  It is God who judges (Romans 14:4).

Sometimes we think these are important.  Maybe even church tradition or how much to tithe or other matters. To Paul, none of these really matters. What truly matter is living in the Kingdom of God (Romans 14:17). This is of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  This also relates to each other as well (Romans 14:13, 15, 18).

A verse like 15 is huge...

If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.

This means that how I act, even if I have the right to act means nothing if the way I act is distress to other brothers or sisters.  As Paul said, do not become a stumbling block for a brother or a sister (Romans 14:13).  What does this mean?  If we read the previous chapters, we know that we should act in love.  This also means that we should encourage to one another grow.  Sometimes I get worry when I use some fancy Christian terminology and it causes some brothers and sisters to feel they are inferior Christians or not as 'spiritual' (if you read the whole blog, you see Paul considers spiritual through the love and harmony of one another).  That might cause them to stumble.  They might think that they are not good enough to be a Christian.  It all goes back to what Paul wrote in Romans 12:3...

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

I actually start going back to reading Romans 11 and 10 as well.  If you notice Romans 12:1 starts off with the word, therefore.  This means all the things Paul wrote prior to chapter 12 is trying to explain what I just covered.  The grafted tree, the oliver branch, rejection by the Israelites...all are used to explain chapter 12 on.

Funny how in my mind I was able to process this so much faster.  Definitely faster than jotting it down on today's post ;o)

Key take aways for me...

- when was the last time I encourage others? (Romans 14:13)
- have I forgive and do good to those who wrong me? Can I leave the vengeance to God? (Romans 12:17)
- Have I tried to live at peace with EVERYONE (this include those I do not like, I don't agree with, those who 'wronged' me, those who tick me off, those who I found annoying...) (Romans 12:18) - I don't like it sometimes. It is so much easier to hold a grudge.  Everyone else is doing it...oh wait what did my Google Status said again? Conform to His Will...right.  His Will. Not mine :O.

- am I still conforming to the pattern of this world? Loves evil, cursing others, loves conflicts...or do I offer up my body and be transformed by the renewing of my mind? Peace, in harmony with one another, not be a stumbling block...(Romans 12:1)

For me, these are probably a better indicator of how much I have grown through the years....If I harbor ill feelings of another brother, sister or someone who doesn't know Christ, then I totally don't understand what Paul is saying....

Bible Study: Galatians Reflection - Chapter One

For the past few days, I read Galatians a number of times.  It's only six chapters and quite exciting to see and trying to figure out with Paul wrote this letter.  One of my favorite part was when Paul told the audience that though they wanted to follow the Jewish Law, they didn't even know what it meant.  Since Paul was a Pharisee before, he went and explained to them the laws, death from following the laws and how believing in Christ give life.

I figure I would spent the next few posts to spend on digging the Scriptures.  I tried and followed a few rules....

1)  Read within the context - Don't inject ideas into the text, let the Holy Spirit through the text to speak to me
2)  Don't include other sources or other text - I could probably use Acts to see when this letter was written.  Or pull from other letters to understand Paul's theology and his thoughts on Jesus Christ.  Will do none of that.
3)  Find out what the letter is trying to say - Why did Paul wrote the letter? Who was it for?  What was it about?  How did Paul bring these ideas?  Why did Paul write these ideas?  Basically covers the five Ws: who, what, why, where, and by what means....

The overall idea is to have a better understanding of the Scripture.  I enjoyed digging Scriptures like this as it is like detective work and try and understand and discern why Paul wrote this letter.  Just as when we write an email or send a text message to someone, there's a certain purpose, Paul didn't just wrote it for fun.  He also didn't wrote it primarily to explain to us, readers that are 2000 years later, who God is.  That wasn't his point.  Yes, we can find God's nature and have a better understanding of Jesus through what Paul wrote. At the same time it is fun and gain a better understanding and appreciation on Scripture.  Of course, this is my own reflection and experiences on examining the Scripture.  So some might be in error or other areas need to be better examine.  Then again, the best way to be better in studying the Bible is....to study the Bible.

Galatians Chapter One: New Living Translation

...

Galatian is a letter written by Paul to the churches of Galatia (v 1-2).  Paul started in the first verse stating that he is an apostle not by human means but by divine appointment (v 1).   He was handpicked by Jesus and also God the Father.  The reason why Paul was writing this letter is found in verse 6 and 7.

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

The churches of Galatia were no longer following the Good News.  Instead they learnt from different teachings that changed the true nature of Christ.   This was done by those who deliberately trying to falsify who Christ is and the Good News.

The churches of Galatia were preached by Paul (v 8).  Paul preached to them the Good News.  Now someone came and preach a Good News which Paul cursed them upon.

Paul once again contrasted human ways and divine ways in verse 10. Paul aimed to please God, not to please men.   He reminded the audience that if he was to please men, he would not be Christ’s servant.

Between human ways and divine ways also from how Paul understood the gospel message (v11 – 12).  Here Paul explained  that he learnt the gospel message, Good News and Jesus, no by anyone (human source). Instead it came directly from the divine, Jesus Christ Himself (v 11).  This was consistent with being an apostle chosen by Jesus instead of human authority (v 1) and aiming to win approval for God and not men (v 10).

Paul reminded his past to the audience, which they already know.  Before being an apostle, he followed the Jewish religion.  Not only was he a Jew but a zealous one.  He persecuted the church with violence (probably killed Christians).  Not only did he do it, but he did it with zeal.  He was the Jews of Jews.  The head of the religious organization.  He was the best and elite. (v 13 -1 4).

Paul considered grace to be chosen by God.  God already selected him even before Paul was born (v 15).  Paul had a special job from God and it was to preach to the Gentiles (v 16).

He then explained how Jesus revealed to Paul that he would be selected to share the Good News to the Gentiles.  Through the chapter, we could tell that the Good News is Jesus Christ (v 15, v6-7).

From verse 16 onward, he explained how Jesus called him.  After Jesus revealed to Paul (v 16), Paul didn’t consulted it with anyone.  Instead he went to Arabia and later went to Damascus.

We do not know how long he stayed in Arabia or Damascus.  Three years later he went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter (verse 18).  Paul knew Peter was one of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem and also one of Jesus’ apostles.

In v 20, Paul wrote that he declared before God what he wrote wasn’t a lied.  This line probably came from the church didn’t believe him or someone else was spreading false rumors about him.   Paul was writing this accounting in order to defend himself.  Or else, he didn’t need to include v 20 to pinpoint that he’s telling the truth.

It’s interesting to see that Paul only stayed with Peter for 15 days.  He didn’t even spend long time with Peter.  He also met James, Jesus’ brother in verse 19.  This will become useful later on.

Paul left and went up to Syria and Cilicia to visit the Christians in the churches in Judea.  No one knew who he was (v 22).  Despite that, they heard of him because they recognized that Paul was the one who used to persecute them.  Notice that Paul was away in Arabia and Damascus for three years before seeing Peter.  And then afterwards went up to the churches in Judea.  This means that the Christians recognized Paul, when he was persecuting Christians, more than three years ago. That’s a long time!

The Christians praised God from seeing the change in Paul’s life.  Before he followed the Jewish religion and was zealous in destroying the Christians.

The How

I had been attending a monthly Bible Study for more than four years now.

We started with the Purpose Driven Life.  Then we move on to First Thessalonian, Romans, First Timothy and now into Matthew.

I learn a lesson yesterday which I had been learning in every Bible Study.

It is on How to study the Bible (methodology).  It is much more important than the What we learn from the study.

Sooner or later we will forget about the lessons.  I know I do (wait, what did I learn yesterday?).  But to know how to find the answers, how to read the Bible in its context, and then translate to application is far more important. (Plus, we had a lot of laughs along the way...)

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/utnapistim/57605657/)

WhatHow about teaching a man how to maintain the stock of fish for future generations?

Bible Study: Luke 5

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing a Bible Study with a fellowship from a friend's church.  We did a short study on Luke 5.

There was one word that popped out of text last night.

It is the word, Lord.

In this chapter, Jesus just started His ministry.  He approached three groups of people. It is interesting to see how each of them response to Jesus.

i.  With Peter (Luke 5:1-11)

When Jesus first told Peter to drop the net to catch the fish, this is Peter:

Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. (verse 5)

Peter recognized Jesus is an important person.  Thats why he called Jesus, master.  Peter, a fisherman his whole life, should be expert in the water and knowing where the fishes are.  Despite that, he still follow Jesus.

Lo and behold, Peter pulled a lot of fishes.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (verse 8)

After the miracle, a net full of fishes, Peter recognized Jesus as the Lord. Not just a master. [Do like to dig this deeeper.  The title Lord, is reserved for someone with a spiritual significan ce.  Like God is our Lord...]

ii.  With the man with leprosy (Luke 5:12-16)

As Jesus roam around from town to town, a man with leprosy came to Jesus begged face down and said:

Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean. (verse 12)

Jesus then performed a miracle. He healed the man with leprosy by touching him.



A man with leprosy is a society outcast.  The town would shun such a person.  The touch by Jesus was a huge significance.  It showed that Jesus was willing to restore him back to the community.  Also that our Lord is one that cared for those who are least considered.

iii.  With the Pharisees and teachers of the law. (Luke 5:27-31)

After Jesus called Levi, the tax collector, to follow Him, Levi hold a party for Jesus and invited all his tax collectors friends.  When the Pharisees and the teachers of the law complained:

Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'? (verse 30)

Not only did they not considered Jesus as a teacher, master or Lord, they complained


There is a vast difference between Jesus encountered with Peter, man with leprosy, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

With Peter, Jesus performed a miracle, a net full of fish, then he recognized Jesus as the Lord.

With the man with leprosy, he recognized Jesus as the Lord before Jesus performed the miracle, heal him.

The man with leprosy recognized who Jesus is before any miracle.  What such faith!

With the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, they didn't recognize him as a great teacher or a Lord.

The Book of Job: Settings and Introduction

In light of what's going on in my life, I decided to pour over the Book of Job. It is wonder how I started reading this book in my meditation. There is struggles I am going through right now and there are many Scriptures I can select for discernment. Heh, of all the passages I choose, I choose this book to discern...

Last Monday, I posted the song, Blessed Be Your Name. The title of this worship song is taken from Job 1:21:

He said,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,

And naked I shall return there

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the LORD."

This is Job's response when he found out all that he has is taken away. How can a person say to Bless the name of God in his situation? What is the book of Job all about? Why did God took all that he had? Was it simply a trial? Did Job committed any sin? Did Job's friends committed sin? If so, what were they and why was God so angry at them?

Lastly, more importantly, what can we know about God and His character...hmmm

I heard the Sunday School answers before and read the wiki. Granted they are probably the real answers. But I ain't satisfying in just 'knowing' the answer. I want to go through the Scriptures. Dig around. Observe. Digest. Consume. Reflect. Feed them against my own perception on who God is. Refine me.

I find this book to be extremely refreshing. When I led fellowship and were studying this book, I thought it was hard. So much words and long boring dialog! Perhaps it is only after going through struggles did I ever appreciate this book. Those suffering that Job has to go through...hmm...it hurts! Yet the book is so attractive...

This post and a series of posts will be my digging and my thinking in digesting book of Job. I love the way the conversation flows between Job and his friends. They are poetic, full of imagery and extremely beautiful. As my friend said, this is very well crafted. Artistic as its best!

This post will set as an introduction of the story of Job. The first few chapters will set the stage for the rest of the book. I do not recommend to read book of Job like one or two chapters a day. You will miss out. The format of the book is more like a play. It makes more sense to read in sections of conversations. For a breakdown on how the structure of the book is breakdown, go to the wiki.

Ok...so let's start digging around. I pray that God will reveal to me what book of Job is all about. May it not just enter my head but changed my heart. Transform it so I can bless His Name even when darkness crashes in.

Note: This is my interpretation of the book of Job. So there might be certain aspect of my interpretation that is out of context. My scope is within the book of Job and will not bring in Scriptures and texts outside of this book. The objective is to learn how to read the Bible as is. The lesson lies not in the lesson as an end product. Rather it is the preparation of the lesson which will deepen my relationship with God.

Who is Job?

The author stated clearly that Job was a Godly man. He was described as blameless, upright, fear God and turn away from evil (Job 1:1). He is also a rich man, has a lot of possessions and consider to be the greatest of all the men of the east (Job 1:3).

He also Godly in his desire to please God. When his sons and daughters hold a party, Job will always sacrifice to the Lord afterwards.

When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

(Job 1:5)

Why? Just because maybe his children might sinned and cursed God in their hearts. I say maybe because the author used the word, perhaps. Job didn't even know for sure but just in case his kids were sinning against God, he would offer sacrifice on their behalf. Not only that, he did it continually (often) . He also sacrificed early in the morning, a sign that he was serious about this and would offered the best to the Lord (or else he won't rise up early).

For Job, this was no small manner. He feared the Lord and would stop at nothing to offer the best to Him to consecrate for the sins his kids MIGHT have done.

Who else consider Job as worthy? The Lord. In His first conversation with Satan, the Lord told Satan to considered Job because...

"...For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." (Job 1:8)

The Lord confirmed what the author described Job.

We see Satan challenging the Lord in verse 1:10. And already we see God is at work.

Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Job 1:10)

Satan is saying that it is the Lord who protected Job and all that he has. Not only that God is the one who blessed Job and made him rich in possessions.

Lesson? Lord is the one that provides!

Not only that, Satan challenges the Lord to see put His hand on Job and touch all that he has and see if Job will curse the Lord (Job 1:11).

Second lesson? God can take away just as much as He provides.

In the next few verses, God let Satan to put his hands on Job....when the 'calamities' hit Job, it took everything from him.

In the intro, the author told us that Job owned the following in verse 3:

- 7,000 sheep

- 3,000 camels

- 500 yoke of oxen

- 500 female donkeys

- many servants

- sons and daughters

From Job 1:13 - 19, we see that everything Job had was taken away from him.

1. First strike (Job 1:13-14), his donkeys, oxens, and servants were taken away
2. Second strike (Job 1:15-16), his sheep and servants were consumed by 'fire of God'. I quoted fire of God because the servant assumed it was from God (not Satan..hmm)
3. Third strike (Job 1:16-17), camels and servants were gone.
4. Last strike (Job 1:18-19), sons and daughters killed.

How did Job response?

Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

(Job 1:20)

I highlighted worshiped because this was least expected. How can Job worship at a time when everything he owned was gone. Even he thinks it is the Lord who is at work (not Satan working) in his response....

He said,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,

And naked I shall return there

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.

Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

The author likes to add that despite all these 'calamities' or trials....Job did not sin or blame God (Job 1:22). This is important because we see all the attributes that described Job (blameless, upright, fear God, turn away from evil etc) shown in his actions and in his refusal to sin or blame God. Job recognized that everything was given by God because he was born with nothing.

And we also see a picture that Job and his servants think it is the Lord, God, at work and not Satan. I like to highlight this because it just to show a few things. First, it shows that the people thinks God is at work. Second, it is to show that even Satan has to asks God to touch him. Satan first suggests God to touch Job, not to do it himself (Job 1:11).

What does this mean? This is the sovereignty of God. Not even Satan can take action without God approval. He is always always in control.

Enough for tonight...more to come!

A good Bible Study

Once a month, I attend a Bible Study. It is fairly relax and led by a humbly couple from my church. Who knew Bible Study can be so much fun and refreshing.

I am thankful for having so many people early in my Christian life that have a passion for the Bible. Not only that but they challenge and help me think and how to read the Bible. To study within context. To try and understand what the author is trying to say. To not add more or take away anything from the Word.

I enjoyed it very much. The husband led the Bible Study and we would spend hours digging around few verses every night. There are nights we stayed up pretty late. Despite that, leaving their home was always refreshing in the soul and in the heart.

It will take us more than one year to go through one book. Not that we have to rush to get every book done. It is the act and the actual digging that is spiritually refreshing. He will always challenge us with questions and make us think why did author write this or add that.

Right now we are going through the Gospel of Matthew. I think we had been doing this for fourth months and we just come to the end of chapter two.

There was one part in tonight's Bible Study that I felt very assure. It was the idea that God is with us.

Matthew quote Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:23:

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

And if we take a look at Matthew 28:20, at the end of the gospel, we see that Jesus use the same words (Matthew 28:20b)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

This is an inclusio. Wow, the thought that Jesus is with me is amazing. I hope I never forget this.

Hmm...a Bible Study to start off the month...so good :)

To study the Bible...

When I first went to church, I had a pastor who taught us how to study the Bible. I remember there were a few Saturdays where our congregation will gathered together and my pastor would give us group exercise.

I didn't give much thought about it. Looking back, I am very thankful and blessed that he instill me and my congregation on loving the Word of God and reading the Scripture in context.

Tonight, I met up with a new Christian and we did a quick Bible Study. Because of his heretic schedule, I asked him what time was he available and adjust my time accordingly.

When I looked back and looking forward, to read and study the Scripture is by far the most valuable skills I picked up along the way as a Christian.

With this new Christian, I told him I ain't teaching him Bible 'lesson' per say. I do not want him to just listen. Sure we will go over Scripture. And I did speak a lot.

I told him that I am teaching him so that he can teach others the gospel. What to look for? The words that the author is using? What was the occasion?

That's discipleship making. That's far more important than the lesson itself.

We don't train fisherman how to fish by just handing them a fish. We give them a rod (and some baits!)

I find that I grow the most is when I have to dig through the Scripture. Sure, sermons, lessons and other commentary help. It is when the conviction of the Holy Spirit speaks so loud and so clear that I cannot turn away. (not that i really want to turn away).

Not just in knowledge. It convicts the soul and transforms the heart.

Tonight Bible Study wasn't just a Bible study. It was following the Great Commission. I was thankful that we had an hour or so to dig through the Bible and how to read and interpret what the Words are saying.

And we will never know what tomorrow might bring....my goal is that if for some reason my friend has no access to church or fellowship, he can continue to grow in His Way by the rod that we (not just me, I ain't the only one 'discipling him) prepare for him.

AMEN!

Contest the Good Contest

12Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

14that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

====================================================

fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12a)

In Greek, it translates to contest the good contest. In a recent Bible Study, we were discussing how it is less of a fight like war. Rather like a runner focus on the finish line.

take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (1 Timothy 6:12b)

Paul reminded Timothy that it is God who calls him to make a good confession. Focus is on God being the initiator.

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13)

The ministry that Timothy is being sent by Paul is not just in front of men, he is standing in the presence of God and of Jesus!

that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time (1 Timothy 6:14-15a)

The appearing is the second coming of Jesus. And the proper time is the end time. It is also the right time.

In this passage we see Paul is painting a picture of past, present and future.

It started off with the present (at the time of the writing) that Paul is reminding Timothy that it is God who calls him to make a confession in front of everyone. Just as Jesus in the past had done so prior to the cross in front of Pontius Pilate. The focus though, is the future. The hope that Jesus will come back in the end time. For now, fight the good fight. Or contest the good contest. Keeping an end on the finish line while striving toward it.

..I have more to write...looking at some of my previous races. The focus is always go hard at the end. Like in a marathon (42 km), the first 30 km is really a set up for the last 12 km. As the race goes longer...as the finish line is getting closer, I go harder. My goal was to make sure I run the hardest in the last half of the race. More on that in the next post.