1 Corinthians 8: From One God

From One God

This chapter is a short one, but let us understand one very important verse. In verse 6, Paul breaks down that there is one God who is our Father that created all things and is the reason we exist. Then he continues by telling us there is one Lord, that is Jesus, and through him (not from- see the difference) we exist and are all things. There was an issue with people dedicating food to idols and eating it and serving other "gods" but Paul needed the church to recognize that there is one God and no more.

Paul then reminds the church members in verses 7-13 that if their eating of a meat, especially one that is offered to a god and not God, then that could cause a brother to stumble. What we eat doesn't make God like us more or less, but we do need to honor God with what we eat and how much of it. In other words, we do not over eat or starve ourselves. Our body is to be a living sacrifice in all facets of life (Romans 12:1). Ultimately, we want to honor God with all we do and when it comes to eating food that was offered to idols, then a brother in Christ might see that and do the same. We honor God and we love others.

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Romans 16: Paul's Final Greetings and Warnings

Paul's Final Greetings and Warnings

Paul sends personal greeting in this last chapter in Romans. He tells the Roman church that there are numerous people coming and to greet them and details some of the people are that he is sending. It was customary to kiss people upon greeting them as part of the culture. In our culture we shake hands or hug. Sometimes we kiss on the cheek, but not always. When we do that, we can do that with holiness. Not just shake hands and not care about someone, but shake and care as God loved us. Hug with love as if it were from God (Romans 16:16).

Paul then warns the church, which is also applicable today. He warns us about those in the church who cause dissension and problems. People will cause division on the church and create obstacles for others. It can be hard to learn and learn properly for that matter if there are others who teaching the opposite of the doctrine that the church has taught. Paul knew that they did not serve the Lord, but they served themselves. Paul also tells us that the God of peace will crush Satan under His feet. So, while there are those who do wrong, God will win in the end (Romans 16:17-20).

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Romans 15: Christ is our Example

Christ is our Example

Christ is our example and we should not forget. We are told in Romans 15:1-3 that we are to please our neighbors for their own good and build them up. Build them up could mean encourage and guide/instruct/teach. Our neighbors who need help (weaker in faith) need to be helped by us that can in those ways. We must remember that when Christ came it was not to please himself but to help us by saving us from our sins by dying for us. With Christ's example we see sacrifice, selfless sacrifice. That is our example and not because of culture but because of our understanding of the scripture and our seeking to follow Christ and seek God's will.

In Romans 15:14, as the minister, Paul tells those within the ministry that he is satisfied with them, and then gives them loving affirmations that they are filled with goodness and reaffirms that they are knowledgeable to teach one another. But he also tells them that there are things he has said/written that are to serve as reminders. I love how he brings them up for their growth and points out what he likes but also says that he bring up points to teach and remind others of some vital points to remember. 

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Romans 14: Passing Judgment

Passing Judgment

I love the saying of "small potatoes" as it has meant something is not a big deal. In Romans 14:1-11, we are looking at some "small potato" issues such as day of worship of the Lord and type of food you eat. The food one eats may be due to a dedication to the Lord and that should not be judged by one who eats differently. Both should be eating to honor the Lord which would mean not over or under eating for selfish or worldly reasons (like body image comparisons). Just like no one should judge another for the day they worship God. We are also to accept those at different levels of faith, especially the weaker. The weaker may have not been taught well, may be new in their faith or may be like the Pharisees with legalism. There is a different between weak and rebellious, let the holy spirit guide you.

We also need to check ourselves. We do not do it based on what makes sense to us, but we use scripture to gauge what we need to do. We are not to cause others to stumble by subjecting them to the things that they struggle with (Romans 14:13). If you like to have a drink but you you know your friend cannot control themselves with alcohol, then do not drink around them. do not do this out of love for them. This is an example of putting others before yourself. That also means that if there is a potential argument about eating steak and your friend thinks steak is unclean, then just have the steak later after the friend has gone. 

Ultimately we all have to give an account to God as Romans 14:12 states. God knows what we have vowed to Him and what we have dedicated to Him for His honor. We must remember that was we encounter others who are also believers and have different dedications to the Lord. Their vows to God are not our business to judge.  

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Romans 13: Authorities and Law of Love

Authorities and Law of Love

We can often forget that just because we disagree with authority on numerous laws and bills and taxes, that doesn't mean that we can just do what we want, especially as Christ followers. Even Jesus paid taxes (Matthew 22:15-22) and wanted others to pay their taxes as well. Through Romans 13:1-7, we are not to be anarchists and oppose all law and submit to our own authority. God wants us to submit to the authority that is in place. We are to oppose authority if they require us to do something that is outside of God's law. We are to pay whatever is owed to someone whether it is taxes, revenue, respect or honor.

One law we should always abide by is the law of love. Paul writes us in Romans 13:8 "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." If you look at the commandments and you love God then you are loving to others which fulfill the other commandments. It isn't about rules and regulations. It is about love for God and love for people, whether you like them or not. 

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Romans 10: Righteousness and Confession with the Mouth and Heart

Righteousness and Confession with the Mouth and Heart
Romans 10:3-4 tells us that righteousness apart from God is pointless. People will establish their own pseudo righteousness and not submit to God's righteousness. The only one that ends the previous view of righteousness is the acceptance of Christ. If you believe in his resurrection and that God did it, then you are free from the law and now a member of God's children.

Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God is the one who raised Christ from the dead, then you will be saved.We can't just think of Jesus how we chose or how modern day thinking leads us to. We have to see Jesus is the right way. We have to read about his life and understand how he lived and why he lived that way. We have to understand that Jesus was God in the flesh. He was not just some teacher or some nice guy, but the living and breathing version of God. If you understand all of that and the prophecies his life fulfilled and you confess with your mouth and heart that you believe, then welcome to the family. 
 

 

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Acts 28: The Deity, The Healing, The Opposition

The Deity, The Healing, The Opposition

Upon being brought aboard land safely, they found that the island was called Malta. The native people there were very kind to Paul and his group. There was a moment when Paul had been bitten by a snake and did not become ill or have anything bad happen to him. The native people initially thought Paul was evil because he had been bitten, but since nothing bad happened after the snake bite, they considered him a God (Acts 28:1-6). And then we see Paul heal the chief man on the island and get honored for his actions (Acts 28:7-10). It's kind of interesting how in one moment people can perceive you one way and then praise you the next.
 

Upon arriving in Rome, Paul began to defend himself again pleading his case of innocence. But this time instead of being opposed, they met him with chances for open discussion. They said that there have been no letters from Judea and no one traveling with Paul had anything negative to say about him. They set up a day for Paul to speak and share the gospel and that he did (Acts 28:17-23). Some were convinced by what he said while others opposed (verse 24), but he was allowed to do so without any pressure from the Pharisees (verse 31). 

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Acts 23: Paul is Spared

Paul is Spared

In Acts 23:1-5, we see Paul get punched while being held down. The command to punch him came from the High Priest Ananias. Paul's response was an insult to whoever commanded the punch, but according to Exodus 22:28, Paul was wrong to insult a ruler of people. 

Then in Acts 23:6-11, Paul knows that the Sadducees and the Pharisees were divided on their stance of Paul's innocence and guilt, he lets the crowds know that he is a Pharisee. Because he believed in the resurrection of Christ (the dead being a risen is believed possible by Pharisees and not Sadducees), then he aligns himself with the Pharisees saying that he is one of them. The disagreements became violent and in order to keep Paul from being harmed he was moved. The next night he was told by God “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome (Acts 23:11).”

There was a plot to kill Paul and the Jews made an oath to not eat or drink until Paul was dead. Paul's nephew (his sister's son) found out about this and told Paul who had his nephew taken by the centurion to tell the tribune of what was waiting for him. Paul was then sent to Felix the Governor. A letter was accompanied with  Paul and those he was sent with explaining Paul's situation including his possible innocence (Acts 23:28-30). After the arrival, Felix decided not to charge Paul with anything until the accusers arrived and he could hear them out.

I learned from Paul's trials that when you are led by the Holy Spirit, keep going. I see Paul as an example of courage in the Spirit of God to keep pressing on even when it seems hopeless. I see God's hand guiding Paul the whole way. Have you ever taken the time to look back at life and see where God's hand was guiding you in accordance with the Bible?

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Acts 22: Paul Speaks and Meets with the Roman Council

Paul Speaks and Meets with the Roman Council

Paul retells his story of how he came to Christ and how he had been the one responsible for the death of Stephen. He retells how he was blinded and his sight was returned to him. Paul's baptism is believed to have happened shortly there after due to verse 16 and from there he would spread the word to the Gentiles. That further upset the Jews who did not think Gentiles were worthy of having Salvation.

When he was done speaking they still wanted to have Paul killed. And when they took Paul away to be scourged (whipped to death or even being crippled- just like Jesus was before his crucifixion). Paul then asks them if it is proper to scourge a Roman citizen without due process. The custom was not to even bind a Roman citizen without due process but they had done just that. After Paul tells them that he was born in Rome which makes him a citizen by birth and not by purchase (verses 27-28) they cannot scourge him. The next day he was unbound and brought before the council. Chapter 23 tells us more. We will be back tomorrow for that.

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John 2:16- A House of Trade

A House of Trade

How often in the bible to do you see Jesus getting angry? The Pharisees tried to back him into corners, but never could. He was scoffed at and mocked. The ONLY time we ever read of Jesus's anger in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) at the church toward those who turned the temple into a "den of thieves" or a house of trade as in John 2:16. That incident alone should be an example of righteous anger (breaking God's commandments) versus human anger over things like misunderstandings.
 

Jesus was not mad that the temple was selling a book or a Biblical aid or something. Jesus was upset that the focus was completely turned away from God. People who visited the temple during the Passover had to pay a temple tax (like paying to go to church) and money changers served as the one who could convert Roman coins into "acceptable" currency for the temple offerings and the temple tax. 

This is not the same as a tithe or offering. Even in today's times, if I use a foreign bill or coin as an offering or tithe, there shouldn't be anyone there who is working at the church as a foreign cash exchange. That business should be done at the appropriate time and place like at a bank, not during the time of worship to God. When we go to church, we are going to worship God. He is the focus, not the person we find attractive, not the person you want to rub elbows with for political or  personal gain. God's word and teaching is the focus.

References- Got Questions and Study Light- Dave Guzik (Section B:1a-d)

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Wednesday Wake Up #5

To Each His Own

I am sure all of us, if not many of us, have heard of the saying "to each his own." The original usage of that phrase in English dates back to the 1500's. The phrase was evolved from the Latin phrase/motto "suum cuique" which meant "to each his own; to each what rightfully belongs to him." Even older roots date back to Greek language during the BC times (read more here). Those contexts dealt with justice and people minding their own business. But is that how we feel about sharing the word of God and the life of Jesus?

In regard to sharing scripture with others, or the life of Jesus, many people feel like they don't want to infringe upon the way other people think, believe, act and live. I am not saying we need to force God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the Trinity on people. Forcing people to listen would be exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught. Jesus defended his position when confronted and challenged, but he also shared. When he was young her inquired from the teachers. When he was older he lead the disciples. Before he ascending into Heaven he gave the disciples a command to "go and make disciples of all the nations."

We can share the word of God. We can share the life of Jesus. We can share our testimony and how we came to know Jesus and follow him. We can share how we rely on God's perfect strength rather than our own imperfect selves (see Psalm 9:9).

We share idea on everything else from the types of music we like and the movies we love. We share recipes, and workout routines. We share time with people and that is where we can recognize the opportunity to share Jesus. Share out of love for God and love for others.



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Mark 15:16-20- Mocking Jesus

Mocking Jesus

While reading I thought to myself, "Is Jesus still mocked today?" The answer is yes and it is done often. But this is not something that is new. People who do not follow Christ and insult him and mock him have been around for over 2000 years.

In Mark 15:16-20 as Jesus was arrested it was customary for Pilate (the Roman governor of Judea) to release one prisoner back into the population. The choices were Barrabas and the was Jesus. Pilate had a feeling that the chief priests had Jesus arrested out of their envy. Instead the crowd chose "The King of the Jews." This was the name people used to mock Jesus as many did not believe in Jesus and hated him as he went against man's religious traditions in favor of God's will.

The crowd was adamant to have Jesus crucified (see verses 13-14). Kings during that day wore purple robes and a gilded wreath of leaves. Jesus was draped in a purple cloth rag and was given a crown of thorns in order to mock royalty of the time. The people shouted "Hail, King of the Jews" in mocking efforts of praising Caesar. They gave him reed in place of scepter and instead of kissing him out of respect as they would do a king, the bowed on their knees and spat on him.

Today, there are parades and contests that are held where people dress up as Jesus and wear the same garb that he was dressed on when he was mocked before he was hung on the cross. There was a parade held to compare the struggle for rights of gay people to what Christ physically went through. The contest is called "Hunky Jesus" and judges which person is the best looking and actually dressed like Jesus. These are not done out of respect for Christ and him dying for our sins, but in order to make fun and have fun at the expense of our Lord and Savior. Galations 6:7 says "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." People need to remember that.

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