Christ's Law

.
● 2Pet 3:8-10 . . Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with
The Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not
slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

. . But the day of The Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Humans have but a short time in the grand scheme of things to accomplish their
ambitions before death catches up with them and puts an end to all their hopes and
dreams.

"Who, breathing his last, returns to the earth; that day all his planning comes to
nothing." (Ps 145:4)

But God is under no such time constraints. He exists in eternity; viz: God always
was, He always is, and He always will be. As such, God is at liberty to take as much
time as He pleases to work things out because there's never any danger of Him
running out of tme.

It's theorized by a number of scientists and laymen alike that a big bang initiated
the cosmos. Well for sure a big bang will end it; and that's not a theory: that's a
divine prediction.

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought
ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2Pet 3:11-12)

I've noticed that some people endeavor to leave themselves a legacy in the form of
all sorts of man-made structures like highways, buildings, libraries, museums,
stadiums, bridges, dams, etc. Those structures are neither permanent nor eternal.
One day; they'll all disappear in a tremendous cataclysm: a momentous and violent
event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; and if matter can be
created from nothing, it can be returned to nothing.

"I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth
and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them." (Rev 20:11)
_
 
.
● 2Pet 3:14 . .Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be
found by Him in peace, without blemish and blameless

Christians heavily involved in political activism and/or civil disobedience really need
to stop what they're doing because too often those pursuits are neither conducive
to peace nor even legal.

"without blemish and blameless" is humanly impossible, but because of who and
what Christ is, he can expect no less from his followers than perfection. Besides; if
we strive for excellence, instead of settling for mediocrity, we're sure to improve
ourselves.

NOTE: There is a movement at large to dumb-down scholastic standards so that
poor performers can keep up. I sure hope none of Jesus' followers apply that kind
of thinking to their spiritual life. Aim High!
_
 
.
● 2Pet 3:17 . .You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard
lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own
steadfastness,

"unprincipled" is translated from a Greek word that appears in only two places in
the entire New Testament; once here and once in 2Pet 2:7 where it speaks of the
manner of life of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah of whom the Bible says: "The
men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly, and sinners against The Lord. (Gen 13:13)

In other words: the people of Sodom weren't just defiant; they were outright
impudent; knowing full well that their ways were offensive to God, but they didn't
care whether He liked it or not.

The Greek word translated "steadfastness" appears in no other place in the new
testament but right here so we don't have other passages to compare and thus
help us understand what Peter means by it.

The word basically refers to stability; defined by Webster's as resistance to change,
i.e. the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged, or
damaged.

Resistance to change doesn't imply impervious to change; in other words; it's
possible to weaken the kind of steadfastness Peter was talking about.

The word for "error" basically means, among other things, fraud and deception, e.g.
false impressions; hopes based upon conjecture and/or wishful thinking, false
premises, and wrong ideas-- even when innocent. Honest mistakes are still
mistakes, and their consequences can be just as serious as willful steps in the
wrong direction.
_
 
.
● 2Pet 3:18 . . Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.

A gracious person is honest, kind, courteous, inclined to good will, generous,
cheerful, reliable, trustworthy, faithful, genial, sociable, generous, thoughtful,
patient, lenient, tolerant, temperate, approachable, helpful, peaceable, charitable,
altruistic, compassionate, sympathetic, cordial, proper, elegant, polite, genteel,
reasonable, affable, agreeable, genial, cheerful, warm, sensitive, hospitable,
considerate, diplomatic, and tactful.
_
 
.
● 1John 2:24 . . Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the
beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you,
you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

Now; the trick to abiding in Jesus Christ is to first off have at your disposal the
correct way to go about it. Well; that is not so easy sans the possession of a special
anointing.

"These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.
And as for you, the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you
have no need for anyone to teach you; but as his anointing teaches you about all
things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
(1John 2:26-27)

So then, we may conclude from 1John 2:26-27 that people lacking the anointing:

1» Are susceptible to deception

2» Have very possibly bought into a lie and don't know it, because that's the nature
of deception: it's stealthy

3» Do not have in their possession the information one needs to abide in him

4» Are not abiding in him

NOTE: Anointed Christians still need human teachers (Eph 4:11-15). But human
teachers cannot condition their students' intuition to recognize the truth when they
hear it; viz: human teachers cannot give their students' a feel for the truth, nor can
human teachers break down their students' natural resistance to accepting the
truth.
_
 
.
● 1John 2:28 . . And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear,
we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

The shame we're looking at here likely has to do with neglect and indifference, i.e.
failure to follow Christ's instructions due to complacency, viz: not even making an
effort to do better.

Jesus had quite a bit to say about abiding in him at John 15:1-10; which is just
about an impossibility if the little children give no time to studying the Bible either
by private reading, Sunday school classes, sermons, seminars, books, the internet,
and/or radio programs.
_
 
.
● 1John 3:11-12 . . For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that
we should love one another-- not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered
his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his
brother's righteous.

The "love" in that verse is translated from a Greek verb that requires neither
fondness nor affection. It's a garden variety of love that anybody can exemplify
because it's merely everyday benevolence, for example: courtesy, sympathy,
kindness, pity, generosity, charity, lenience, tolerance, civility, deference, etc.

The curious thing about Cain is that he was religious, but he wasn't pious. In other
words: Cain's association with God seems to have been based entirely upon ritual
with apparently little thought given to personal conduct. Cain couldn't even keep a
civil tongue in his head when speaking to the object of his worship. Now that's
really messed up.

"My little children, let us not love only in word or in tongue, but in deed, and in
truth." (1John 3:18)

Deeds are the way people act, i.e. the things they do as opposed to the things they
say.

Love in accordance with truth may at times seem very unloving to the world
because it doesn't know the truth, nor does it care to know. I think a fair
percentage of the world would agree with Pontius Pilate that truth is uncertain and
unknowable.

"What is truth?" (John 18:38)

Pilate's question was meaningful in his day because ancient philosophers
perpetually discussed and debated the nature of truth without ever achieving a
universal agreement about it. In other words: their bull sessions were perpetual,
and they never got to the bottom of anything.

Well; one of Webster's definitions of truth is: a state of being the case; viz: fact;
which Webster's defines as the quality of being actual. In other words: truth is the
way it is; viz: truth is reality as opposed to speculation, fantasy, opinion, theory,
imagination, conjecture, interpretation, and/or impressions, etc.
_
 
.
● 1John 4:1 . . Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The Greek word translated "spirits" means, among other things; a current of air;
viz: winds and breezes. I doubt John is talking about supernatural beings, rather,
he's talking about spurious doctrines. (Eph 4:14)

The Greek word translated "false prophets" roughly defines a supposedly inspired
speaker who's actually on the wrong side of the aisle, viz: imposters; and they are
everywhere, e.g. radio, television, the internet, social media, in print, and at our
very doors.

Jesus said that false prophets are known by their fruits (Matt 7:15-20). For
example: the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's predictions regarding
Armageddon and Christ's return have been incorrect every time. Seventh Day
Adventism's performance hasn't been any better.

Well; if a religion's predictions fail, then we have to assume that its theology is
highly suspect no matter how convincing it may sound.
_
 
.
● 1John 4:20-21 . . If someone says "I love God" and hates his brother, he's a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who
loves God must love his brother also.

NOTE: The commandment referenced is located at John 13:34

The Greek word translated "liar" isn't restricted to hard-core dishonesty, but applies
to anyone whose statements can be proven unsound; including misrepresenting
themselves, whether deliberate or mistaken makes no difference. In other words,
we could paraphrase the above to read: If anyone says "I love God" and hates his
brother, he's in need of correction.

In my opinion "liar" is a harsh description to pin on somebody, and I really think we
ought to reserve it for people who we know for sure are fully aware that what they
are saying is untrue. (This is only a suggestion. I'm not attempting to issue an edict
here.)

The Greek word for "love" throughout 1John 4:20-21 is an indistinct word for love
that may or may not include affection and fondness; but it always includes
benevolence, e.g. civility, courtesy, generosity, lenience, tolerance, charity, pity,
kindness, patience, forgiveness, diplomacy, humility, hospitality, sympathy,
respect, deference, and tact, etc.

I think that what John is trying to get across is that inconsiderate treatment of
one's fellow child of God betrays one's lack of consideration for a father's feelings;
which is the behavior of a churlish Christian rather than a spiritual Christian.
_
 
.
● 1John 5:16-17 . . If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to
death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not
lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should
pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

FAQ: What does this mean: "God will give him life"

REPLY: If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit
you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led
by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:12-14)

That's likely a bounce from John 15:1-7 where Jesus said it's possible for his
followers to become useless yard debris; but not inevitable. If an errant Christian
can be persuaded to come about, they'll be spared the rubbish pile because it is
more to God's advantage that Jesus' branches remain on the vine and bear fruit
rather than pruned off.
_
 
.
● 1John 5:21 . . Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

The Greek word for "idols" basically pertains to images (for worship) viz: by
implication, heathen deities.

Most modern Christians know better than to worship a doll, an action figure, or a
carved rock as their supreme being, but not all know better than to set up a shrine
where they can kneel and pray for providence-- not from God --from the person
whom the statue or figurine represents; e.g. a patron saint and/or Jesus' mom.

Religious art such as paintings and sculptures don't really qualify as idols until
somebody gets a little too carried away; for example:

There's a statue of the apostle Peter in Rome whose big toe has been eroded over
the years by the lips of people kissing it. I would have to say that easily qualifies as
idolatry. I've no objection to paintings, statues, and stained glass, but when people
kneel to, pray to, speak to, and/or kiss those items, then I believe they've
trespassed into forbidden territory.

NOTE: Idolatry back in Paul's day oftentimes included immoral activities with
temple prostitutes. We sure wouldn't want Christ's believing followers participating
in that sort of thing.
_
 
.
● 2John 1:5-6 . . And now I beseech you, lady, not as writing to you a new
commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love
one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is
the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should
walk in it.

In his first epistle, John addressed the Father's little children. In this epistle he
addresses an unidentified mother and her children. (2John 1:1-4)

She's translated from the Greek word kuria (koo-ree'-ah) which is the feminine
gender of kurios (koo'-ree-os); a very common word in the New Testament for
lords and masters; including those who own slaves. So I think we're reasonably
safe to assume that John wrote this letter to a woman of nobility, viz: an
aristocratic family that was apparently special to John. (cf. Luke 1:1-3 & Acts 1:1)

Neither of the two Greek words for "love" in that passage speak of affection or
fondness; rather, they speak of benevolence which consists of attributes that
anybody can exemplify; for example: courtesy, generosity, tolerance, patience,
long suffering, loyalty, sympathy, pity, kindness, service, civility, and charity. Those
can all be extended to one's fellow Christians without especially liking them; in
point of fact, we may even wholly despise them with every fiber of our being. But
we dare not allow our low opinion to dictate how we treat them. (Matt 5:44-48)

Christianity is a very practical religion. It not only brings sinners into an acceptable
relationship with God, but it also makes them better people, and easier to live with.
_
 
Olde Tymer said:
.
Hello;

There's been times during our 26+ years of internet forum activity when we
encountered people wanting to know what they're supposed to do now that they
decided to become a Christian.

A mega Baptist church that we attended back in the decade of the 1970's had a
discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet called "The Four
Spiritual Laws" authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill
Bright.

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in
our opinion inadequate for taking Christ's believing followers to infinity and beyond,
so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, we set out compiling a home-spun catalogue
of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all his followers
regardless of denominational affiliation. In time we realized that his instructions,
accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty good how-to handbook;
so here we are.

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where Christ's
apostles began telling his believing followers what to do in accord with the Lord's
instructions per Matt 28:19-20.

Buen Camino
Pleasant Journey
_
Click to expand...
in a much smaller church we went through that in the 80's.
 
.
● 2John 1:8 . .Watch yourselves, that we might not lose what we have
accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.

The Greek word for "lose" doesn't mean to lose as if stolen or misplaced, rather,
it means to lose something by its destruction like when people's homes are
demolished by landslides, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

The contents of the epistle strongly suggests that the woman and her family were
providing itinerant missionaries with accommodations; which is worthy of
compensation (Matt 25:31-40) but can be easily forfeited by conduct unbecoming,
e.g. a little adultery, a little immorality, a little fraud, a little embezzling, a little
dishonesty, a little abuse of power, a little hypocrisy, a little dereliction of duty, a
failure to honor promises and commitments; etc.

Two things that Christ and his Father value very highly are integrity and loyalty.
When those are someone's guiding lights; the likelihood of their bottom line with
God showing a profit, instead of a loss, is greatly improved.
_
 
.
● 2John 1:10-11 . . If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not
receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil
deeds.

Some have construed 2John 1:10-11 to mean believers are forbidden to respond to
a knock on their door by Latter Day Saints and Jehovah's witnesses, or invite them
in for a chat. That's not really what John's saying.

The contents of the epistle strongly suggests that the lady and her family were
providing itinerant missionaries with accommodations; thus assisting them in their
mission.

So then, if you greet cultists as brethren, and/or put them up for the night, or
assist them in any way to accomplish their mission, then you become an
accomplice; and that includes buying flowers from Moonies.

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" (2Cor 6:14-15)
_
 
.
● 3John 1:5-8 . . Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of thy charity before the
church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt
do well: because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the
Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the
truth.

The third of John's epistles was written to a Christian named Gaius; famous for his
hospitality. (Rom 16:23)

This is a pretty good application of Heb 13:2 which says:

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained
angels without knowing it."

The Greek word translated "angels" doesn't always indicate celestial beings, rather,
it refers to all manner of messengers, e.g. prophets (Matt 11:10), delegates (Luke
7:24), fire (Heb 1:7), ecclesiastic authorities (Rev 1:20 3:14), visions (Rev 22:16),
and even acts of God like fire, wind, smoke, voices, and earthquakes. (Acts 7:53)

Webster's defines "hospitable" as: given to generous and cordial reception of
guests, promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome, offering a pleasant
or sustaining environment.

The exception to this rule is another of John's rules which says:

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into
your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (2John
1:10-11)

"taking nothing of the Gentiles" indicates Paul's reluctance to accept support from
folks out in the Roman world lest he be accused of using religion for profit, i.e. lest
he be viewed as a mercenary instead of a missionary.

Paul was well able to support himself. He was a blue collar tradesman whose
particular craft was tent making. (Acts 18:3, cf. Acts 20:34, 1Cor 4:12, 1Thess 2:9,
& 2Thess 3:8)
_
 
.
● 3John 1:11 . . Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who
does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

The "one who does evil" refers to Christians who habitually give in to their base
nature instead of resisting it.

God has never been seen in person by Man, nor can be seen in person by Man. (Ex
33:20, 1Tim 6:16) So the viewing spoken of in 3John 1:11 should be taken to
mean spiritual insight rather than physical optics. (Deut 29:4 cf. Ezek 12:2)

Inquiring minds can "see" God on the pages of holy writ by means of The Lord's
personal tutoring.

"No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the
Son: and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." (Matt 11:27)

So then, a believer who's lazy at Bible study, and/or indifferent to complying with
Christianity's teachings, will fail to see God, and subsequently, they will fail to
imitate Him simply because they don't know enough about their Father in order to
utilize Him as a mentor and/or a role model.
_
 
.
● Jude 1:3 . . Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our
common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Given the peace-loving nature of true God-given Christianity, I seriously doubt that
Jude means Christians should get involved in inquisitions and crusades. Instead,
contending for the faith implies taking a serious interest in helping to prevent your
Church from becoming influenced by things like diversity, equality, inclusion,
women's rights, political activism, communism, labor disputes, non binary gender
identity, civil disobedience, Gay & Lesbian acceptance, and/or transgender
indoctrination, etc.
_
 
.
● Jude 1:20-21 . . But you, beloved-- building yourselves up on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Spirit --keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The Greek word translated "keep" is ambiguous. One of its meanings refers to safe
guarding and/or protecting so as to prevent loss. Keeping one's self in the love of
God is accomplished by simply complying with His ways.

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who
loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him" (John 14:21)

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you
obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's
commands and remain in his love." (John 15:9-10)

Prayer in the Holy Spirit simply means to communicate with Heaven via God's ways
rather than one's own, or a way prescribed by one's denomination; i.e. man-made.
The method has to be God-given or else one's thoughts will just bounce off
Heaven's door like popcorn off the side of a brick house.

The mercy spoken of is one's resurrection to a permanent, immortal body; which is
something that Jude says them that are sanctified by God the Father, and
preserved in Jesus Christ and called should anticipate, viz: not just wish for, but
instead fully, and confidently, expect to obtain. (Rom 8:23 25, Phil 3:20-21, 1John
3:2-3)
_
 
.
● Jude 1:22-23 . . On some have compassion, making a distinction; but others
rescue with fright, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by
the flesh.

That verse makes better sense if we keep it with verse 21 where Jude said: "keep
yourselves in the love of God,"

"pulling them out of the fire" is likely talking about Christians playing with fire, so to
speak, and at risk of circling too close to the flame.

"hating even the garment defiled by the flesh" speaks of disposing the clothing
and/or bedding of folks infected with communicable diseases.

Some Christians are offended by fright because it violates their concept of love. But
fright can be a good thing if it's applied judiciously. For instance: it is just as wise
to be afraid of God as it is wise to be afraid of cactus spines, a mule's kick, electric
shock, and/or a forest fire.

Christians neglecting to build themselves up on their most holy faith, to pray in the
Holy Spirit, to keep themselves in the love of God, and to look for the mercy of
their Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life; are seriously off-reservation. Some are so
far afield that somebody needs to get in their face and confront them about their
condition, even if it means becoming harsh, insensitive, and judgmental because
stray Christians are also away from God's providence; and that is a very risky
situation to be in.

Some off-reservation Christians can be stopped from destroying themselves; while
others are too far gone. Of those with possibilities, counselors have to use a little
God-given common sense as it isn't necessary to employ fright with everyone-- just
the ones who are particularly difficult. Some people can be reasoned with, while
others only understand fear and can be persuaded to move in the right directio
only by lighting a fire under them, so to speak.

● Jude 24-25 . . And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling,
and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy.
All glory to him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes:
glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to him, in the beginning, now, and
forevermore. May it be."

-- The End --
 

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