2 Peter 3: Unstable Twist vs. Stability

Unstable Twist vs. Stability

When reading through 2 Peter 3, I saw verses 16-17 and shook my head and gave an affirmative "mmmhmm" which signified my solidarity with what was written. Here was have Peter (yes that Peter) writing about the letters that Paul had written. Peter says that some things Paul wrote/writes are hard to understand and those that do not understand them and those that are unstable (not solid in their faith) will use them and twist the meanings to mean what they want them to say. He continues on and warns them to not get carried away (figuratively) with the lawlessness of the ignorant and unstable who twist the words of Paul as they have done with other scriptures. When I communicate with other be they believers or not, I see the same issue. People will use scripture to fuel their own sin and validate its existence in their life. We need to be careful not to fall prey as those people do and not let them whisk us away with them into those lifestyles and areas of thinking.

PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!

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).

PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!

Wednesday Wake Up #3

Unequally Yoked

Being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14) is deeper than we think. We think it just applies to friend and marriage or dating. Those are ways to associate the meaning, but there is more. Unequally yoked refers to Deuteronomy 22:9 & 10. These verses are just two that outline not meshing together what is not meant to be together. The verses in Deuteronomy were were about planting two seeds in the same vineyard and also not plowing a field with an ox and a donkey. The seeds example can be better explained in Matthew 13:24-30. An enemy comes along and plants weeds in a wheat field to try to ruin the wheat. The weeds represent evil and the wheat represents good. You would not want to grow weeds and you would want to grow wheat. The way a farmer (God) could tell if weeds (evil) were planted among his wheat (Christ followers) was to wait until the harvest (the second coming) and separate the two from one another. 

The example of the ox and the donkey can be explained by simply knowing that an ox (Christ followers) is much stronger than a donkey (unbelievers) and the donkey is also regarding as an unclean animal (it cannot reproduce). The strength of an ox could be held back by the donkey who is not as strong (unbelief).

When we break down "do not be yoked" it really is at its core a warning to stay away from the world's way of thinking, living and being. The world is not joined with God, but we as Christ followers are. I can speak for myself and say that before I really came to know Christ, my words and actions and networks did not match up with my supposed beliefs. Now that I am focused on following Christ, my associations have changed and it is to help me grow with other like minded men and women.

 PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE THIS VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS.