What is Holy?

June 27, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

1 Peter 1

Peter was writing to “God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout” and he names several countries (1 Peter 1:1). These believers are “strangers” because they do not fit into the general scheme of worldly culture. Rather, their citizenship is in heaven!

He begins with a doxology: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:3)! His faith is grounded in the mercy of God who “has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1:3) and he writes to ensure his readers understand the supreme sacrifice that gives us the joy of our salvation!

Peter refers back to prophecies which were fulfilled by the Lord Jesus, and for those of us reading his letter thousands of years after it was written, there is supporting evidence for the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand the gospel (1:10-12).

So what does this have to do with holiness? First of all we need to have reverence for the term which refers directly to the third person of the Trinity, since it is through Him we become believers, today! Jesus told His disciples He would send the Comforter/ Counsellor who would lead them into all truth. This “Holy Spirit” would then remind us of everything Jesus had said (John 14:26).

Look at John’s personal experience “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The glory revealed is because the Son of God is holy. Even in His humanity He did not sin (1 Corinthians 5:21) . So – He set us an example which is actually impossible to achieve. Our sin nature wars against the new nature we have in Christ (Romans 8:5-8) but there is hope –

Holiness is a characteristic of God alone. However, we can now come to Him clothed in the righteousness of Christ because we believe, and have received Christ; not only that but if we are fully committed to making Him Lord of our lives, we are compelled to obey! God alone is perfect, but He gives us the grace – all that is needed to make us good. This is a fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us, perfecting us (Galatians 5:22).

Peter is warning here that our minds need to be prepared for action. We need to be self-controlled (1 Peter 1:12), setting our hope “fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed “ (1:13). Our faith journey is intentional. There will be attacks, but whatever people say or do to discourage us, our determination must be to aim for holiness. The sanctified life is fully committed, though not fully perfected. For that we await our lives in heaven.

Reflection:

There is so much joy in knowing our lives are pleasing to the Father! Once we know He approves of our thoughts, words and deeds, like our children here on earth, it becomes easier to aim for that relationship that becoming ever more precious! There is also tremendous satisfaction in achieving a reputation that grows from strength to strength. To be holy is such a worthwhile goal!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Fanning Into Flame

February 15, 2021 AdminLeave a comment

2 Timothy 1:6

Timothy was Paul’s spiritual [true, dear] son (1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2). His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had been impacted by the gospel through Paul’s preaching, while he was in Lystra (Acts 16:1). It seems that Timothy also became a disciple then too.

Paul circumcised him because the Jews all knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. Perhaps in Paul’s mind this would prove Timothy’s conversion was genuine. This has given rise to controversy ever since, about the necessity of circumcision. We know that Paul wrote to the Romans “A man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (Romans 2:29).

Paul refers to Timothy’s faith, as a sincere conviction, a living faith! (:5). Just as fire is alive when it burns brightly, Paul uses this metaphor to describe Timothy’s role in the ministry. As a leader he is to fan into flame the gift of God. This gift is the very faith we are talking about (Ephesians 2:8.9). His passion would radically impact the lives of others. He must keep the flame burning brightly!

God, who calls us into His kingdom, will sanctify and seal us, will perfect us [complete what He started in us] until that day (Philippians 1:6). But we also are accountable to Him for how warm or lukewarm we become in the exercising of our faith. Jesus spares nothing when urging the church at Laodicea to overcome their propensity to dawdle at the game of faith. This gift of God could not, must not be taken lightly! To be lukewarm means to be uncommitted.

God’s passion for each human He creates is so great that He sacrificed His only begotten Son out of a deep abiding love, only characteristic of our God. That love is the oxygen which fans the flames of our devotion to God as well as our commitment to others! Does God’s love flowing through us find us setting the world on fire? Why or why not?

Jesus explains His chastisement is based on love “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!” (Revelation 3:19). He then tenderly invites the wayward believer into renewed fellowship with Himself – “table fellowship” (Revelation 3:20). Those who fan the flame will “sit with me on my throne” (:21). What joy such a hope brings! There is always hope in the life of a believer who is willing to fan the flames of faith – even dying embers can be revived!!

Reflection:

Do we recognize the dangers of being lukewarm Christians?

Can you remember times when your spiritual ardour was waning, when someone fanned into flame the passion you once had for Jesus Christ and the written word of God? What challenges did that provide for you? What did you feel?

How would you like to be the catalyst for others to be spiritually revived?

by Marilyn Daniels

http://www.marilyndaniels.net

James, God’s Servant

June 21, 2020June 21, 2020 AdminLeave a comment

selective focus photo of person holding book — Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

James 1

James is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Jacob, which means supplanter, or one who follows. Several men in the Bible bore the name James; only two were possible authors of the book of James, but one was martyred in A.D. 44 , leaving James the half brother of Jesus as the only other possibility, within that time frame. This brother of Jesus became the recognized church leader in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21). This speech, at the council of Jerusalem, very much resembles the wording of this text and therefore is taken as conclusive evidence of his authorship.

There is debate as to when James’ actual conversion took place. One thing we know for certain – he, with his other brothers, his mother and the disciples were all found together in the upper room constantly in prayer, following Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:13-14). What were their expectations at this time? Jesus had clearly told them not to leave Jerusalem but to “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about” (Acts 1:4, Luke 24:49). Here was James, [obedient] servant of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1).

It is interesting to note that James’ brother Jude also identifies himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1). Was it deference which prevented these men from identifying their relationship as half-brothers of Jesus? Looking at the meaning of James’ name, one can see how easy it would have been for him to take advantage of his relationship to Jesus, to perhaps even supplant Him as the leader of the new church in Jerusalem. By humbly identifying himself as a servant we see James does not live up to his name.

Was it because servanthood was a key principle in the new kingdom? Jesus said: ”….the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Peter instructed God’s elect to ”…use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully, administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Paul asks the question “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe” (1 Corinthians 3:5) .

James was among those considered to be “Fathers” of the church. As such they led as they had learned leadership from Jesus, who actually humbled Himself in obedience (Philippians 2:8). Fathers today sometimes abdicate their leadership but the Bible gives us some pertinent pictures of what God expects. Leadership in the home isn’t much different from leading the church. There are children involved…children of God to be treated with dignity and respect. We are not to provoke one another, but to think of one another as better than ourselves (Romans 12:3, John 12:43).

Characteristics of James might be copied by believers today. He was obedient, and relied on God’s wisdom (1:5). Although he led the new church in Jerusalem he had a servant heart. He was a man of action as well as gifted with words (1:22-24, 27). He was affectionate and exercised the gift of encouragement (1:16, 19). James had learned that a good leader listens (1:19, 26), taking care that his speech does not offend the Lord or God’s people.

Reflection:

What is your attitude towards the privileged position you hold as a Child of God?

Are you content to emulate James as a minister of the gospel today? (We are each part of a royal priesthood -2 Peter 2:9).

Describe the key principle in the new kingdom Jesus is creating.