Children In The Son » Truth To Live By

Truth to live by: Acts 10:34-35

Daniel — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:32:46 +0000

NAU Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”These are a wonderful couple of verse that express the accepting heart of God (Yahweh) to every individual in all nations. God’s heart is not selective in the sense as to whom He wants to give eternal life too. His desire is for all to know Him not just some or a select few. To understand this better we must understand that all mankind is spiritually dead because of sin. This happened in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree by choice after being convinced by the serpent that it would not hurt them to eat of it. From this point forward every individual that would be born, except Jesus The Messiah, with a nature that was corrupted by sin and therefore spiritually dead.

God already knew before they sinned what would need to take place to give an opportunity to bring spiritual life back to the people of the world. This would involve God The Father sending God The Son, Jesus The Messiah, in the form of man to die for the sins of the world. He chose to send Jesus through the people of Israel, but didn’t limit salvation to only them. The nation of Israel would be the agent in which The Messiah would come. He would bring the opportunity for salvation to the whole world. Those who would receive by faith His forgiveness of sins by His sacrificial offering of Himself on the cross in the world’s place would be forgiven and the consequences of sin which is spiritual death would be erased. Those who receive or believe in Him would become alive spiritually and would be in a personal relationship with God.

This is the heart of God for all of mankind, to be in a living relationship with Him. He desires this of every person of all nations. This desire is not limited to a certain group of people but to every individual that has ever lived. It is up to every individual to accept His sacrifice for them or refuse His offer of eternal life. Let us look at the following verses that revealed God’s heart to Peter and to us.

The context of the story begins with an angel of God appearing to Cornelius, a Gentile, who was a centurion of the Italian cohort. The angel of God tells him to send for Peter in Joppa, so he did. Peter was in Joppa praying when he fell into a trance. He saw a great sheet coming to the ground with all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures and birds. A voice told him to “kill and eat!”. Peter refused because according to the Jewish Law a person would become unclean if they ate unclean animals like this. The sheet was taken up into the sky. It came down again and the voice said, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” This happened three times. Peter was perplexed in his mind about the vision. Around the same time Cornelius’ men came looking for Peter and The Spirit of The Lord told Peter to go down, meet them, and go with them for He had sent them to him.

The next day Peter met Cornelius at his home which was filled with his close friends and relatives. He told them that it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him, but God had shown him that no man is to be considered unholy or unclean. Peter said this is why he came to meet them and asked why was he summoned. Cornelius began to tell Peter of his vision and that they were waiting to hear what The Lord will command through him. This leads us to our verses for today.

The verse begins with “Opening his mouth” or “Begins to speak”. It has the idea of one’s eyes being opened or one understanding with the mind. “epo” or “said” is in the Indicative Aorist Active 3rd person singular form in the Greek. This tells us that the subject, who is Peter in the sentence, did the action in the past and the action was real. “I most certainly” or “ep’ aletheias” is better translated to mean “on the basis of truth”. “understand” or “katalambano” in the Greek is in the Indicative Present Mid 1st person singular form. This tells us the subject is doing the action, in the present, and it is a real event. The verb has the idea of intellectually comprehending something. What Peter is about to say is not said based upon feeling or good intentions. What he is about to say is based on truth that he has understood with his mind because of the evidences God has revealed in this situation to him.

The word “that” or “hoti” in the Greek is used here as declaratively. What Peter has understood he is now about to declare to everyone. “God is not one to show partiality,” is better translated “God is not One Who shows partiality”. Since the “to be” verb “is” in the sentence is accompanied by the negative “ouk” or “not” in the Greek, it tells what the state of being the subject is not. The word “prosopoleptes” in the Greek means “one who shows partiality”. In this sentence it is used as a Predicate Nomitive which takes the roll of telling us something about the subject. Therefore, the sentence is telling us that God does not favor one person over another.

Verse 35 continues with the conjunction “but” or “alla” in the Greek. This is an adversative conjunction that indicates contrast, difference, or limitation. In this context it indicates the idea of limitation. It is followed by the inclusive prepositional phrase “in every nation”. There are two Present Adjective Participles that modify the subject noun in the sentence. They are “who fears” or “phobeo” in the Greek and “”does what is” or ergazomai” in the Greek. They are telling something about the noun they are modifying. In this sentence they are modifying the word “o” in Greek which is translated “the man” which is in a general sense meaning “any person”. The participles are occurring in the present tense indicating the continual aspect of the action of the participle. The participle “who fears” could be translated “reveres”. It has the idea of being fearful with a reverent respect. The direct object “Him” accompanies this participle and represents God. In this case, anyone who is living in a present state of revering or fearing God and their life is reflecting that by making morally acceptable choices, God will not turn away but welcome them to Himself.

This was a tremendous understanding to Peter and the rest of the Jewish nation at the time. The Jews thought that The Messiah was only going to save Israel not the world. They misunderstood or were confused as to why Jesus would reach out to the Gentiles during His earthly ministry. God all along desired to give salvation to all mankind. Anyone who acknowledges Him, He accepts. Those who do not acknowledge Him as God Almighty, He does not accept. He desires for all to acknowledge Him but people choose not to want anything to do with Him. The following verses show that God (Yahweh) will somehow share the gospel salvation through of Jesus Christ to those who revere Him. It is then they will accept or reject His forgiveness of sins through Jesus or not.

God intervened to show the people that His gospel of salvation for the world for those who trust in Jesus for eternal life was for all people of all nations. Anyone who wants Him will receive Him. This is the heart of Yahweh.

Praise be to Yahweh for His accepting, forgiving, compassionate, and loving heart for all mankind to those He created to be in relationship with Him as it was to be in the beginning in the Garden of Eden.

love Daniel

Truth to live by: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Daniel — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:52:48 +0000

NAU 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

This is one of Paul’s last letters that was written before he died. He wrote this letter from a dungeon in Rome. It is specifically written to one person, Timothy. Paul wants to encourage the young brother in The Lord to remain strong in the faith they have in Christ Jesus and to proclaim the gospel to others. We will be focusing on the first verse for it sets the foundation and the meaning for the following verses.

Paul begins with a solemnly charge or urging “in the presence of God and Christ Jesus.” Before he states what he is urging, in verse 2, he inserts a comment which is a participle that is in the Genitive form in the Greek which tells us that the comment relates back to the previous noun in the Genitive form which is Christ Jesus in the sentence and that noun is doing the action. Paul is laying the foundation for Timothy which will give cause and reason for his urging of Timothy. In this simple but profound phrase, there are four points that Paul makes to Timothy.

1. God “The Father” and Jesus are one and individual persons.

2. All whoever lived are accountable to Jesus.

3. Jesus is alive and will return again as He promised fulfilling prophecy.

4. Jesus will reign as King with power in His kingdom.

Paul begins by making his strong urging before not only God, Who is understood as Yahweh, but he includes Christ (also meaning Messiah) Jesus. In the Jewish religion there is only one God and that one God is to be worship and honored alone (Exodus 34:14). Nothing or no one else is to be put on the same plane or level as Yahweh. If one did this, it would be heresy and worthy of death. Here Paul is making an association between the two. By stating God and Jesus together, he is equating them as equals. This isn’t to be missed or misunderstood. According to Paul and the apostles, Jesus was God. He was fully God in the body of Jesus The Messiah. Who is The Son of God. This is further illustrated later in the verse by the fact that Jesus will be judging all the people whoever lived. With the understanding that God is one, here it is shown two of the persons of the Godhead. This being God, who is understood as The Father, and Christ Jesus who is His Son. They are one but also distinct persons. This is a mystery to us as to how can this be and to what degree, but God through the scriptures tells us this is so.

The next point Paul makes is that Jesus will have all authority. The word “mello” meaning “be going to,” with the idea of it certainly happening in the future. It is in the Active Participle Genitive Masculine Singular form and is followed by the Infinitive form of “krino” meaning “to judge”. These two words acting together demonstrate a future event that will take place and it is just a matter of when. “Christ Jesus” is the subject of the Participle making Him the doer of the action.

Therefore, we understand that Jesus will be judging all people from all generations. This is indicated by “the living and the dead”. All people will be kept accountable to God. There will be a time coming when all will be judged by Jesus (Revelations 20:12-15). No one will escape standing before the judgement seat of Him. It does not matter if one believes in Him or not. He has been given all authority by The Father (Acts 2:35-36). Jesus being The Judge of all mankind, also, demonstrates His Lordship over all and His Supremacy over all. There is only One Who has the right to judge and that is The Creator of the universe. This declaration points to His deity. He is God and therefore Judge over all.

Next, Paul puts in a reminder to be ready because Jesus is returning again and that He is King and will reign. Jesus said that He would return at some point in the future and take those who believe in Him to a place that He prepared for them (John 14:2-3). Jesus not only died for the sins of the world but He also rose from the dead. He is alive. Also, in Acts 1:11, when Jesus was lifted up into the clouds, two men standing in white clothing next to the disciples said that Jesus would come back to earth in the same way that He left. Jesus is personally going to come back and set up His kingdom and rule as The King. The word “kingdom” refers to one of two different situations when Jesus will reign. The first begins with the 1000 year reign on the earth after He returns when Satan is bound in chains for that time. Following the 1000 years, Satan is released and causes a revolt against Jesus. Those who try to attack the city of Jerusalem when Jesus is reigning King are consumed by fire from heaven. Immediately after that, the second situation is when Jesus then judges the living and the dead and creates all things new. Perfect and holy like it was before sin entered (Revelation 20:1-21:27). In either starting point, being the first or second situations, when Jesus starts His reign as King it is not interrupted but continues for eternity.

What Paul wants Timothy to do of from verse 2-5 is prefaced by these truths. Without the understanding of these truths, Paul’s urging would be simply his ideas of what Timothy should do because he wants him to live a certain way. Because Paul inserts these truths, it gives the urging substance and purpose. This is the reasoning behind such an urging. The urging to do the following is not for Paul’s sake it is for God’s, for others, and for Timothy’s. All are blessed by the dedication to the truth of God’s word.

Jesus is King if we submit to Him or not. How encouraging it is to know that Jesus is a loving King Who will judge righteously in the final judgement. He knows the hearts of men so that no one can fool Him. He desires for all to humbly come to Him asking for forgiveness for being His enemy because of sin. For those who come to Him and have believed in Him as The One Who has taken the penalty of sin upon Himself are now considered holy before Him. Could there be a better King that would die for His people when they were disobedient to Him instead of destroying them outright? No there is not one and there never will be. He is King and Lord and worthy to be praised each moment and forevermore, Amen.

love Daniel

Truth to live by: Mark 16:20

Daniel — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:57:36 +0000

Mark 16:20 “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”Throughout the book of Mark, the writer, Mark, explains the purpose of Jesus’ life. He was the prophesied Messiah to come to save the world from their sins, and give life to them by dying on the cross to take the penalty of their sins and then rising from the dead. This was God The Father’s plan to reestablish the relationship that was broken in the garden of Eden by Adam and Eve. Mark demonstrates that Jesus was not only prophesied as The Messiah, but also, the Son of God. He was God in the flesh. In Mark chapter 16, we come to the end of this wonderful proclamation of salvation for those who believe in Jesus as The Messiah. Here Jesus has already been raised from the dead and is telling His disciples to go into the world and proclaim this salvation message that He died for their sins and arose to give them life eternal if they believe in Him. Today, we will be focusing our attention on the last verse, verse 20.

A quick glance through chapter 16. Jesus is risen from the dead and not found in the tomb. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, two disciples walking in the country, and to the 11 disciples at the table. He tells the disciples to share the gospel with the world. He tells of signs that will accompany those who believe. He was received in heaven and the disciples went out and preached the gospel.

Acts 1:1-11 shares that Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after His resurrection. He showed them many convincing proofs that He was alive, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, that they were going to be baptized in The Holy Spirit soon, and that they were to be His witnesses to the world. Then he was lifted up into the sky. Mark tells us in 16:19 that “The Lord Jesus was received into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” So we know that Jesus is in heaven at this point when we arrive at verse 20. Lets take a closer look at this verse.

The participle “exerchomai” or “went out/went forth” is in the Participle Aorist Active Nominative Plural form. The word “they” or “the disciples” is the subject doing the action of the participle. This is followed by the verb of the sentence “kerusso” or “preached, which is better understood as publically proclaimed”. It is in the Indicative Aorist Active 3rd person Plural form and has an adverb following “pantachou” or “everywhere” to give emphasis to the action of the verb.

What the participle and verb forms show us is that the disciples are doing the action of them and there is no specific nature to the time but that they did the action. They went out to the people of the nations and publically not privately told the people of the world in all locations about salvation through Jesus Christ the risen Savior. They did not hold back the speaking of the gospel to those who they came across. The disciples were obedient to The Lord Jesus with the responsibility given to them to share the gospel. In the second part of the verse, we see an important change in the following three participles. Unlike the prior participle and verb, they take the present tense form. This subtle but important switch of tenses is too important to overlook or neglect.

The first two participles are Genitive Absolutes in the Present Active Genitive Masculine Singular form and the third is in the Adjective Present Active Genitive Neuter Plural form. A Genitive Absolute will function separate and a part from the sentence in which it is entailed. The subjects of the participles will be doing the action in the present. Lets take a closer look.

The Lord is the subject of the participle “sunergeo” or “working together with”. The Lord is also the subject of the second participle “bebiaoo” or “confirmed”. A better translation would be “confirming” since it is in the present tense with the idea of validating. The direct object of the sentence is “the word”. The preposition “dia” or “by or through” has the idea of manner or agency in which something is done. This preposition will connect what The Lord is doing with how He is doing it.

What we can understand from this is that even though Jesus is sitting at the right hand of The Father in heaven, He is still actively involved in the work of His disciples here on earth now, today. Because the tenses switched from the past to the present, it demonstrates a shift from what the disciples did to what Jesus did and is still actively doing. This is a truth that the writer, Mark, wants the reader to understand and realize. Not only is Jesus actively involved in the work of sharing the gospel, but He is also The One Who is confirming the word with the signs and wonders. It isn’t the disciples backing up the word of God by performing signs by their strength, power, or will. It is God Himself, performing the signs that demonstrate the validity of His truth spoken by His disciples. As well as, He not only did it then, but is doing it now when the gospel is being shared.

How exciting to know that The Lord Jesus will not let us go out into this world alone, but with Him working through us. He will perform the miracles that are needed to prove that He is real and alive to those who doubt. May we have confidence in knowing that we are responsible for sharing the gospel and He will take the responsibility for affirming it to others. It will be up to those who hear the gospel to receive Him as Lord and Savior or to reject Him.

Lord, grow us in this truth that we may understand this in our minds and accept it in our hearts to the glory of Your name, amen.

love Daniel

Galatians 5:16-25 Part 4 of 4

Daniel — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:00:37 +0000

NAU Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Today, we will be looking at what the fruit of The Spirit is in the life of the believer.

The word “but” or “de” in the Greek is used to express a continuation of the thought with a contrast between two ideas. “Fruit” is in the singular form and the phrase “of The Spirit” tells us whose “fruit” it is or “The Spirit’s fruit”. The word “fruit” relays the understanding of the outcome of something produced from a producer. What is produced from a plant will in turn identify what type of plant it is. So here we see the fruit that will be seen is produced by The Spirit since the fruit is His and not ours. The characteristics that are seen in a person by others will identify The Spirit in that person.

The word “fruit” is in the Nomitive Feminine Singular form and the following characteristics listed are also in the Nomitive Feminine Singular form. This shows us that the characteristics relate to only the word “fruit” in the sentence. The verb “is” is in the Indicative Present Active 3rd Person Singular form. This tells us that the subject is doing the action (In this case it is the state of being), it is a factual event, and is happening at the present moment continuously.

Since the verb “is” is an equative verb (a verb that equates the subject with something else), and the list of characteristics is in the Nomitive form (noun form), this shares with us that the list of characteristics is what the fruit exactly is or the essence of what it is. So we can put each individual word in the list linked with the word “fruit” like this: “the fruit of The Spirit is love”, The fruit of The Spirit is joy”, “The fruit of The Spirit is peace”, and so on. The understanding is the fruit is in essence love or joy or peace at its core and as a whole. This would be true of all the characteristics listed. The fruit is in essence God displayed. If the list consisted of words that were adjectives then it would be telling us attributes of what the fruit is like or similar too.

As we read of the characteristics of The Spirit in verses 22 and 23, and we understand that those characteristics are pointing back to origin from which they came, The Spirit of God. By seeing the fruit that a particular tree produces, one can identify that tree and by the fruit that it produces. In the same way the fruit of The Spirit in a person’s life can be identified as the list provided.

All the characteristics are noticeable and evidently seen. These characteristics display The Spirit of God in a person’s life. If one walks with the flesh, then the works are evidently seen. When one understands the characteristics of God and the characteristics of the flesh, the contrast of the two will be understood.

After the list we see the noun “such things” or “toioutos in the Greek is referring back to the list of characteristics. This word shares with us that this is not a completed list. In the verse it says that they also pertain to no law. The reason there is no law for them is that the law is fulfilled in love. Love supersedes the law. The law is for those who break the law of love. God is love and therefore the law is not against Him. Jesus is God and He lived on earth and lived out love perfectly. In all His actions He did in love for God The Father and for others. Therefore, no law could condemn Him for any action. This is why He was the blameless Lamb of God that was killed for our transgressions (sins) against God. Transgressions are to do anything that is lacking God’s love which leads to disobedience against Him.

In verse 24, the verb “stauroo” in the Greek or “crucified” is in the Indicative Aorist Active 3rd person plural form. It designates a real time event that took place in the past and the subject did the action. Here the writer is explaining that those who are Jesus’ no longer live to please the fleshly desires.

Here Paul clarifies what a follower of Jesus is like. The second list that Paul gives is what is produced in the life of a Christian by The Spirit. This is because if this is seen in a person’s life then The Spirit of God is living and being followed in a person’s life. It is The Spirit that produces the “fruit” or evidences of the character of God in a person. It is not the person trying to become like Christ Jesus. For a person’s own power is of the flesh and is insufficient to produce the characteristics of God, but only The Spirit of God is able to produce His characteristics in a person. A person without The Spirit can display shadows of the good characteristics of God but is corrupted by selfishness at its core. The Law has shown that the best intentions of people to do what pleases God falls short because of sin. We see this in the fact that the Jewish nation was unable to keep from breaking the Torah (Law of God given to Moses in the Pentateuch) or anyone who has tried to live by it. They needed to offer repeated sacrifices in order to atone for their sins.

We are no different than they. We continually fall short before God Who is holy. He is perfect without any wrong doing. It is by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus The Messiah, The Son of God (therefore being God, Himself) for the washing away of sins that enables one to appear before Him as righteous. This is because the sin of the believer was placed upon Jesus on the cross to take the penalty of death. After His resurrection, He gave His Spirit to live in the believer (John 16:7; Galatians 4:6) giving life and freedom from the power of the flesh.

In verse 25, The word “if” or “ei” in the Greek is a conditional particle that can also be translated as “since” depending on the context of the passage. In this context the word should be translated as “since” because the following verb “we live” or “zomen” in the Greek is in the Indicative form. This tells us that it is a factual or real event in the present moment and the subject is performing the action. Because of this grammatical structure, “ei” expresses a condition of fact regarded as true or settled (Friberg Lexicon – def- 1). As well as in the previous verse the understanding is that Paul is talking to believers by the phrase “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh…”. By using the word “if”, Paul would be focusing on questioning the person’s position of belief. However, it is a factual or real event and the thrust of the point is not questioning the status of the person, wondering “if” they are a believer, but pointing to the fact that the believers’ spirits were raised from the dead by The Spirit of God, therefore, “Since” is the more accurate word choice to be used.

The second part of the verse uses the verb “stoicheo” in the Greek or “let us walk” in this verse is in the Subjunctive Present Active 1st person plural form. The Subjunctive mood describes the idea of probability or possibility dealing with a future circumstance. This verse is describing a continual action by being in the present tense form and the subject is doing the action of the verb. The verb walking or living has these connotations with the meaning: of being in stride with, be in line with, live, conduct oneself, walk, be in harmony with, be in agreement with, hold to, live in conformity with, walk in someone’s steps, walk by, and imitate. It describes a close relationship in this case with The Spirit of God. The writer is encouraging the believer to live in a manner that is continually with The Spirit. It is their choice to live walking with The Spirit or not. As one walks by or in conformity with The Spirit the character and attributes of God will be lived out in their life.

It is so comforting to know that God desires an intimate relationship with us. The God of creation’s desire was not only to come in the form of a man to save His disobedience and lost humanity but to live in the hearts of those who turn and trust in Him for salvation in a personal and intimate relationship. He is not distant and aloof but a personal, intimate, and loving God. He wants to lead us by His Spirit as we let Him and obey Him. He has freed us from the control of only following the fleshly desires so that now we can live in harmony with Him, loving Him with our lives, as it was in the beginning with Adam and Eve, and allowing Him to produce His fruit in us.

Lord God, please help us to die to our desires and raise up Yours to reign in our hearts. Help us to walk with you in our lives living in a pleasing and loving relationship with You. Our desire is to serve and love You with our lives for You are The Lord God Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Please help us to allow You to live powerfully within us, Amen.

Love Daniel

Galatians 5:16-25 Part 3b of 4

Daniel — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:03:26 +0000

NAU Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which being: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In the following verses 19-21, Paul comes to list out the deeds of the flesh and says that are easily seen. They are witnessed and understood by those around them. The list consists of sexual sins, emotional sins, intellectual sins, relational sins, and moral sins. Every one of the sins listed have a bent toward either protecting or pleasing the self. This is not a complete list. There are more than what is in the list by the statement “and things like these”. So any other sins that could be listed that would fall into one of those categories could have been listed as well.

It is interesting to note that the first three listed deal with physical sins involving someone else. The three listed are immorality, impurity, and sensuality. Immorality (fornication) is to be understood of every kind of extramarital, unlawful, or unnatural sexual intercourse. Impurity (uncleanness) is also known of the sexual vice of indecency and sexual impurity. Sensuality is known as living without any moral restraint.

Paul concludes the fleshly deeds with a critical point that he wants to make here concerning living in the flesh. He gives a warning and the consequences of not heeding to that warning. The word “practice” is in the Participle Present Active Nomative Masculine Plural form acting in an adjectival sense relating to the subject. This tells us that the action is being done in a continual fashion by the subject. The subject in this case is the person who is living like the list that was previously provided. Paul is describing a lifestyle of an individual that has chosen to live in such a fashion.

Paul is clear that those who continue to live in such a manner will not inherit the kingdom of God. In other words, they will not be living with God for eternity. They will not be saved even though they might understand that Jesus is The Messiah (Savior of their sins). This is because they would be living in direct disobedience to pleasing God and following Him by the leading of His Spirit by their own choice. Salvation in Jesus Christ is not only believing in Him for the atonement of sins but also turning away from the sins that caused Jesus to die for us in the first place.

Paul is pointing out the desire of the will of the person that claims to be saved and a lover of God. Paul is very clear that it is the choice of the believer to follow the leading The Spirit of God or to follow the leading of the flesh, by the choice that the person makes will demonstrate the heart’s desire or will of that person. Their choices will show if they love and desire to please God or if they desire to please the sinful flesh.

What Paul is not saying is that believers will never sin again. We know that if we do sin, that is choosing to follow the flesh, then we have An Advocate Who speaks to The Father on our behalf. “NAU 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”; We are forgiven our sins when we come to Jesus in repentance of sins. He knows how honest our hearts are during a time of repentance for living in a manner that is unpleasing to Him. The desire of one who is repenting is not to live in disobedience to God but desires to live in obedience to Him. They desire to love God with their lives. Paul is not talking about this type of person. He is talking about the type of person who practices or lives a life following the desires of the flesh as a normal way of life.

What a joy it is to know that God has given us His Spirit to guide us to live pleasing to Him by overcoming the desires of the flesh. How precious is it to know that God desires a relationship with us, in such a way, that He hopes that we will choose to follow the leading of His Spirit in our lives and not the leading of the sinful flesh. What a wonderful loving and compassionate God we serve Who not only gives eternal life to those who believe in Jesus The Messiah but Who also desires to live intimately in our lives as we let Him.

May we delight in this fact about You, Lord. Please help us to choose You Lord over the sinful desires of the flesh. It is truly only in You that fullness of life resides in this life time and for eternity.

love,

Daniel

Galatians 5:16-25 Part 3a of 4

Daniel — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:05:03 +0000

NAU Galatians 5:17-21 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which being: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Today we will be looking at verses 17-21. In these verses Paul describes the battle that is going on between the flesh and The Spirit within the believer. Paul contrasts two different types of lifestyles one with The Spirit and one with the flesh. He uses the term “flesh” to mean ‘the sinful and sensual power tending toward sin and opposed to The Spirit’s working’ (Friberg’s Lexicon). Everyone’s flesh leans toward sin or disobedience to God’s ways because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden. Romans 3:23, states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” By this we know that everyone starts from the same vantage point.

Now the difference between a non-believer and believer is that the one who trusts in Christ Jesus has The Spirit of God living in them and those who have not turned to Jesus Christ for salvation do not have The Spirit living in them. It is the one who professes faith in Jesus Christ that Paul is addressing in this passage because we will see later in verse 21 that he states “I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Therefore, Paul is speaking to those who profess being a Christian. The ones who are professing believers but still live in disobedience to God by choice of lifestyle are the ones that Paul is stating will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In verse 17, the phrase “sets its desire” or “epithumeo” in the Greek is in the Indicative Present Active 3rd person singular form. In the Greek the verb “epithumeo” generally means “to have a strong impulse towards something, to desire, or to long for” (Friberg’s Lexicon def -1). In the English the phrase “sets its desire” the word “desire” is a noun. In the Greek the word “desire” is the verb. The translation could be written “the flesh desires against The Spirit”.

Since the verb is in the Present Active form, it explains to the reader that the subject is doing the action in the present time. The subject is “the flesh” in the sentence and is doing the action. The adverb “against” in the sentence clarifies the direction of the verb. Similarly, as the flesh is against The Spirit, The Spirit is presently “setting its desire” or “desiring” against the flesh as well. This is understood because of the phrase “and The Spirit against the flesh”.

Paul uses the word “for” or “gar” in the Greek to introduce an explanation. In this context the explanation is for expressing a cause or reason for the previous idea mention. Also, here in the Greek there are two verbs in the subjective mood. They are “thelo” and “poieo” which mean “to want” and “to do.” “Thelo” has the idea of exercising the individual’s will based on a desire, wish, or want (Friberg’s Lexicon – def-1).

Paul is talking to the believer here because the believer wants to please God with their life. He wants the believer to understand that their flesh is an enemy of The Spirit. It does not want to please God but itself which is in opposition to Him. He is stressing that the flesh and The Spirit are presently and actively opposing each other. There is a battle that is taking place for the direction of the individual. However, it is the believer’s choice as to which one they will follow. Because the verb “thelo” is in the subjunctive Present Active form, it stresses a possibility, in this case, the choice of the will of the individual to follow which desires they choose. This also refers back too and completes the point from verse 16. Since the flesh and The Spirit’s desires are against each other, if one chooses too and therefore is living by The Spirit the fleshly nature will not be lived out or decided upon to be carried out or fulfilled.

What in the past was so normal or natural for the individual before being saved and The Spirit indwelling them, that is living opposed to God by following the desires of the sinful nature of the flesh, is now able to live pleasing to God by the working of The Spirit in the believer’s life. And, this is by the choice of the believer to live according to the desires of The Spirit of God by His leading and strength.

Next in verse 18, the verbal phrase “are led” or “ago” in the Greek is in the Indicative Present Passive 2nd person plural form. This verb has the idea of conducting or accompanying someone as to bringing or taking them along. In a figurative sense it is to be lead or guided by the influence of God’s Spirit (Friberg’s Lexicon – def- 1). The verb in this form tells us that the action is a factual event happening in the present time and the direct object is aiding in the action of the verb and the subject is affected by the direct object. In this sentence the direct object is “The Spirit”.

Here we see the relationship that God has established with those who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Those who believe have The Spirit and He personally accompanies the individual if they want Him too. God does not force Himself on the believer as to make Him do what He wants, but allows the individual to decide for themself what type or how deep of a relationship they want with Him and this relationship is based on trusting and following Him as He leads by His strength and power in the individual’s life.

Paul is, also, referring back to verse 16 and verses 1-6 in chapter 5. He is again stressing that one is directed either by The Spirit or by the flesh. If one is directed by The Spirit then they will do the things of The Spirit. Living out the Law for justification before God is not being directed by The Spirit. One who tries to live in obedience to the law is trying to make themselves more holy or righteous before God by their actions. What we see here is a relationship with God that involves being lead by The Spirit and in this leading there is freedom from the flesh’s power. Also, we will see is that living by The Spirit produces the love of God in a person. In verses 19-21 we will see what the flesh looks like in a person and 22-25 what living by The Spirit looks like in a person.

Note: Believing or trusting in The Messiah (The Christ) for salvation involves repenting (acknowledging and turning away) from sins and turning to God, which also, involves a new desire to live to please Him. This process can not be separated. Though living in obedience to God is a growing experience by trusting in Him.

Galatians 5:16-25 Part 2 of 4

Daniel — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:05:48 +0000

NAU Gelatins 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Today we will be focusing in on verse 16 of Galatians chapter five. In verse 16, Paul is continuing his thoughts of encouraging the believers to live in love for one another.

First he says “walk by the Spirit”. In the Greek the verb “peripateo” is used. It literally means to walk with the idea of spending time in a place, and figuratively meaning how one conducts one’s daily life or how one behaves or lives. This verb with a word in the dative position states the idea of a kind of life. Since The Spirit is in the dative position, walking, living, or behaving is directly related to Him being a part of how one is able to conduct one’s life. The verb is, also, in the Imperative Present Active 2nd person plural form. This tells us that a command or exhortation is given by someone to a group of people and describes the continuous action of the verb.

Secondly, Paul states, “and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” He continues the point of the verse by using the word “and” to make the connection and complete the thought. The verb used is “carry out” or “teleo” in the Greek. The idea of the verb is to complete a performed action. It is in the Subjunctive Aorist Active 2nd person plural form. This tells us that action has the possibility of happening at a future time, the action is undefined, and the subject is doing the action. Paul uses the negative construction “ou me” in the Greek. This is a combination of two negative words meaning “no or not” that expresses an emphatic “NO or NOT!!” It gives the understanding of never, in no way, or in any circumstances. The direct object of the sentence is “desire”. The type of desire is specified by the prepositional phrase “of the flesh”. Paul used the term “flesh” in this context to mean ‘the sinful and sensual power tending toward sin and opposed to The Spirit’s working’ (Fridberg’s Lexicon).

Paul is stating that the believer has the choice of either living with The Spirit’s direction in ones life or not too. Just because The Spirit lives inside the Believer does not mean that He takes over. Just as someone turns to Jesus or salvation by choice, God also desires the choice of letting Him live freely and powerfully in the life of the Believer. This is understood by the continuous aspect of the verb “walk” or “peripateo” in the Greek. This is a moment by moment decision by the believer. This is part of the relationship that the Believer has with God. The giving of the command or exhortation by Paul implies that the Believer has a role in submitting to The Spirit’s work in their life.

What Paul wants the reader too understand is that if one is letting The Spirit direct ones’ life then the fleshly desires will not be carried out or performed. There is no possibility of it happening. It is impossible for one to be directed by The Spirit and live fulfilling the desires of the flesh at the same time. Absolutely impossible!! One is either directed by The Spirit over directed by the flesh.

The promise given here is that as one does live with The Spirit’s working in their life that the desires of the flesh will not be lived out. This is not to say that trials and temptations will not be confronted any longer in ones life, but that by walking or living by The Spirit’s direction and help, the Believer has the ability and power of The Spirit too not make decisions that will in the interest of the flesh’s wants or desires.

Paul is not stating an idea here. He is telling the reader a fact about life with The Spirit of God.

The truth that he is stating in verse 16 is powerful and vital to life. It can be over looked or watered down because of the constant failure one can have of trying to live in and by the help of The Spirit. Because of this failure, one could easily think that no one can live like Jesus did. We could say, ‘We are sinful humans and He is a sinless God. We cannot live life like Him.’ This can be believed because of the continual failure to be able to live like Him. This type of thinking would be a denial of the truth that is stated here by Paul.

We live in a world with a philosophy that is always trying make situations relative to experience. It is always trying to distort the absolute truths about life that God shares with us. If the world can pervert the understanding of the truth enough, then the truth will have no relevance, power, or impact in ones life.

What Paul is not saying is that if one lives by The Spirit one becomes God. What he is saying is that when one relies on and rests in The Spirit’s power and leading then one will not make decisions that are of the flesh. If one is not following The Spirit, then decisions are being made out of selfish motives void of The Spirit’s leading. Later in the passage, he shares a list of what living in the flesh looks like (verses 19-21) and what living by The Spirit looks like (verses 22-23). The lists are totally opposite of one another.

love Daniel

Notes: Greek Lexicons (dictionaries) used for definitions Fridberg, Strong’s, LS, Louw-Nida, and UBS.

Galatians 5:16-25 Part 1 of 4

Daniel — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:14:20 +0000

We will be looking in chapter five of Galatians in which Paul talks about it looks like to walk or live with The Spirit or in the flesh.

In the previous two chapters Paul has explained that by believing by faith in the promise of God, which is salvation by Christ Jesus alone for the redemption of sins, we don’t need to live by The Law of Moses (The Torah), and because of believing by faith in Christ we are adopted into God’s family. He also shares the drastic difference between a life based on salvation in Jesus through faith and a life without faith in Jesus for salvation. In chapter 5 the difference is clarified for the reader. He makes a contrast between living by the Law of Moses for righteousness in verse 3 and trusting in the promise of God by faith in verse 6. One living by the Law of Moses is forced to live by rules and regulations to the point of self-preservation. Once one starts to live by the Law, the Law is not to be broken or one has failed at the Law and has failed to live righteously before God. One living by faith in the promise of God is found to be in a personal relationship with Him The One in Whom the believer is trusting for salvation. Living by faith stresses an outward action of dependency upon God. It also displays the desire to include others in ones life. Faith and love go hand-in-hand. They demonstrate the necessity of relating to others and sharing love with them. This is because God is love as we read in 1 John 4:8. God by nature is love. Love is built on relationships with others. The Trinity of the Godhead is a loving relationship between The Father, Son, and Spirit. It is also the starting point in which all things were created. God created all things because of His love and desire for relationship with us, His creation. He doesn’t need this relationship with us, but desires to share in relationship with us, therefore, He created us for this purpose. Knowing this, when someone trusts God by faith, they now enter into a relationship with Him. He said that He will give His Spirit to those who believe in Him by faith and His Spirit will lead them in life. The Spirit will teach the believer how to love as God loves and together they will show His love to others through relating to them. Faith in God without love is not to know or have a relationship with God. One cannot have faith in God and not understand the loving aspect in which He reaches out and desires to give life to the individual and bring them into a relationship with Him.

In chapter 5 verse 1, Paul states that “It was for freedom that Christ set us free”; (NAU). That is freedom from death to life, from isolation from Him to relationship with Him, from sin to righteousness, and from the control of the flesh to the leading of The Spirit. This is a pivotal verse. If someone does not know what they have been freedom from, they will continue to walk in deception and defeat because it will be unclear as to what they came from and where are they suppose to be going. One cannot live in this newly found freedom when what was holding one captive is not looked at as wrong or deadly.

Paul encourages them not to turn from the truth to be placed in bondage again. Paul will make it clear in the following verses that one will live either in their own fleshly ways and on their own fleshly power or by the power of God through The Spirit. We will take deeper look into the verses next.

Lord help us to know the freedom that we have in You deep in our hearts so that our lives are pleasing to You.

love Daniel

Notes: Greek definitions used from Fridberg, Strong’s, UBS, Louw-Nida, and LS Lexicons (Dictionaries)

Matthew 11:25-30

Daniel — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:56:23 +0000

Today, we will be looking at the aspect of God’s heart for people which we will see in verses 28-30. First, we will take a little journey through the preceding verses starting at Matthew 9:35 to get a contextual understanding before we come to the point where we see God’s heart.

In the preceding verses Jesus sees the people without a shepherd. He sends the disciples to the Jews but prophesies that the Gentiles will also hear the gospel. He says that one must make a decision to follow Him. Jesus is The Shepherd of those who follow Him. John the Baptist asks if Jesus is The Expected One (The awaited Messiah). Jesus responds that the miracles He has preformed are His witnesses. They clearly point to Him being The Expected One. Jesus tells the people that John the Baptist prepared the way for The Messiah. Jesus was The One that came after John preparing the way indicating all that He is The Messiah. He rebukes the cities that He preformed miracles and proclaimed the gospel but was rejected. He is The Judge of all mankind. Only God can judge the hearts of people which brings us to our verses for today. Here He speaks about The Father not disclosing the truth to the proud, His close relationship with The Father, and His heart for mankind. Leading up to this point, Jesus wants the reader or listener to understand that He is The Messiah and He is God.

NAU Matthew 11:25-26 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

At this point Jesus directs the conversation to The Father. He begins by praising The Father for the way that He decided to reveal the truth of salvation to others. The verbs “have hidden” and “have revealed” are both in the Indicative Aorist, Active 2nd person singular form. They tell us that it is a real event and the subject did the action sometime in the past with the time not of significance. The Father is the subject in this sentence. He is The One Who hid and revealed the truth to people. In this case we see that He hid it from the proud in heart and revealed it to the humble in heart. God dislikes, hates, and is opposed to the proud in heart, but is open and welcoming of the humble. Jesus is speaking in figurative language when talking about the wise, intelligent, and infants. The “wise and intelligent” here are not merely just smart people, but people who have learned the philosophies of the world. Such people have their world views convinced in their minds as right even if they are wrong. They are not open to the truth when they actually come across it, because they are proud in mind and heart, are not open to it. The “babes” that is referred to here are not merely infants but people who are not tainted in thinking by the worlds philosophies so are still open to hear the truth and receive it when they presented it.

NAU Matthew 11:27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Jesus was talking to The Father but turns the focus of the conversation to the people at this point. The verb “have been handed” is in the Indicative Aorist Passive 3rd singular form. This tells us that it is a real event and the subject received the action of the verb that was done in the past with the time not of significance. He states that God The Father has given Him all things. Jesus is making a statement that is eye opening and profound. He is equating Himself to be God and equal in authority by this statement. We will see the authority that He has in the following verses.

The verb “knows” or ” epiginosko” in the Greek means to know thoroughly or accurately. It is in the Indicative Present Active 3rd person singular form. Telling us that it is factual, happening now, the subject is doing the action. The word “except” follows the verbs in both cases the word is used in this verse. Jesus is stating that absolutely no one knows The Father and The Son as intimately as they do. He is speaking of the extremely close relationship that they have together. To know God this way would have been unheard of and impossible in the minds of the people. By saying that He knows God The Father this way is a claim that He came from heaven, from where The Father is, and that He is from The Father. By being His Son makes Him Deity as well.

Jesus continues to say that He has the authority to reveal or disclose The Father to others because all things have been handed over to Him. The Son has the authority and power to reveal The Father to another and this by His will or desire. We see this in the use of the Subjunctive verb “wills or desires” and the Infinitive verb “to reveal”. Words in the Subjunctive mood do not describe reality but possibility or probability. It is in the Aorist aspect indicating undefined action which means that the verb happens at some point but not in a continuous state. Also, many times verbs in the Infinitive mood complete important ideas that are being stated.

In this verse the use of this combination relays the idea to know God The Father rests in Jesus’ desire or decision to reveal Him. However, the reality is that to those He reveals Him will know Him intimately. Jesus has the power and authority to reveal The Father to others. It is only by Him that anyone can know The Father. Apart from Jesus no one can know The Father. In the following verse, is the continuation of this idea in which defines to whom He desire to reveal The Father.

NAU Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

In this verse, He displays His authority to reveal The Father, that was given to Him by The Father, and shows His heart for mankind. We see this in the verb “Come”. It is used as an Imperative in this case demonstrating a command or exhortation. It is, also, in the Aorist Active 2nd person plural form. This indicates that it is a non-continuous action and the subject is doing the action. The subject is “you” understood and it is plural. Jesus is not quietly saying something to the people, but He is calling out them to actually come to Him.

He, also, puts a contingency on the calling. This relates back to the previous verse as to why He used the Subjunctive mood showing the probability or possibility of the revealing. Firstly, He uses the word “all”. This shows us that He is calling not only the Jews but to every Gentile. Secondly, He narrows calling everyone to those who receive His calling through means of knowing they have a need for Him. They are humbled in spirit and choose to come to Him for their rest. The verb “will give . . . rest” is in the Indicative Future Active 1st person singular form. It is preceded by “kago,” which is a conjunction that is combined with the pronoun “I,” and adds emphasis that He will personally be The One giving them rest. This rest will be given after a person heeds His calling to come to Him. Not everyone will desire or want Him, but those who do will receive the rest He offers.

Jesus tells anyone who considers themselves weary (physically – to become tired, emotionally – to become discouraged or give up) or heavy-laden (being weighed down with troubles or difficult circumstances) that they are to come to Him. Then He gives the reason why in the form of a promise. He says that, “I will give you rest.” He is speaking figuratively here not just of physical weariness but of spiritual weariness of trying to work or attain righteousness by trying to perform religious rituals to make themselves received by God but continually failing to meet those requirements. This is the aspect of the humble in heart. Those who realize that they need His help will come to Him. The proud in heart will continue to try to continue to live in right standing before God on their own strength and continue to struggle in unholiness before Holy God.

NAU Matthew 11:29-30 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Now, Jesus is sharing what the people need to do. He tells them to “Take” and “learn”. Both words are in the Imperative Aorist Active 2nd person plural. This demonstrates that a command or exhortation has been made to the people. The people are the subject in this sentence that are doing the action of the verb. He is placing the responsibility in the hands of those who come to Him to take His yoke, which is different from the yoke of man. In the New Testament the word “yoke” is also used to denote servitude (Easton Bible Dictionary). People are always serving something. Ultimately, they either serve God or something other than Him.

Also, Jesus says that they will learn from Him. He will personally be The One that will be teaching them about Himself. What they will learn is that He is gentle and humble in heart. They will be learning about the character of God personally. He desires for people to know Him and know that He is loving and compassionate with those who turn to Him. He, also, promises that they will find rest when they turn to Him. The reason is because His yoke and burden are freeing from what they were carrying.

What a wonderful passage that we can look to for assurance about His love and desire for all mankind to come to Him. He desires for all to come to Him and learn from Him. He wants us to know Him deeply and intimately. He doesn’t want to keep Himself hidden from us but to lead us in a personal relationship with Himself and The Father. Jesus did not come to give us regulations to live by to earn favor with Him. He came to free us from the bondage of sin and death. He came to show us that He is loving and forgiving. He is desirous for us to know Him intimately. He desires for all who will listen to come to Him and learn that He is gracious and compassionate. He desires intimacy with His creation that is for all who are willing to receive His offer. Praise God!!! This truth makes my heart sing. May your heart being singing with mine.

love,

Daniel

Colossians 1:13-23 Part 4 of 4

Daniel — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:57:03 +0000

Today, we will be looking at the concluding point Paul is making to his readers. This point is extremely important for the reader to understand. Eternity with or without God weighs in the balance. Paul has set the foundation that God is The Rescuer of mankind, Jesus is fully God, Jesus is The Messiah (The Christ), and now he states the responsibility of the believer to remain believing in The Messiah for salvation. Let us take a closer look.

NAU Colossians 1:21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in engaged in evil deeds,

In verse 20, Paul mentioned that it was through the blood of Jesus’ death on the cross that brought reconciliation between God and all things on earth and in heaven. Now he is directing the eyes of the reader to understand the position that everyone was in before Jesus died for them. We see this in the words “were formerly alienated”. This phrase is made up of two participles and an adverb. The adverb “formerly” is designating a period of time. The second participle is “alienated” which is in the Perfect Passive Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Plural form. This tells us that the subject is receiving the action of the participle and is modifying the verb and refers to the word “you”.

Paul wants the readers to understand that they were separated from God, because of sin, and the enemies of God. They did not want anything to do with Him. Nothing that they did was desirous of wanting God or of pleasing Him. It was the exact opposite. However, God in His infinite love desired to be at peace and in relationship with His creation, therefore, sent Jesus The Messiah (Christ) to bring the possibility of this relationship with His creation once again.

NAU Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–

He continues the point by using the conjunction “yet” and turns the direction of time to the present by using “now”. The verb “has . . . reconciled” is in the Indicative Aorist Active 3rd person singular form. This tells us that it was a factual event, the subject is doing the action, and 3rd person singular tells who the subject is. In this context Jesus is the subject. Paul is pointing out that it was not the people’s doing that caused the reconciliation and peace between God and mankind. It was God that reconciled people by and to Himself. They were enemies of God but now there is peace between Him and them.

Paul explains how this reconciliation has occurred and the reason why it did. It was in the death of Jesus’ physical body. The reason is to present them holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. Here we see the contrast of what we were, enemies of God, and now have become holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. Jesus took the blame for our sins when He was crucified on the tree (the cross). That sacrifice only needed to occur once and then the judgment of death for sin was complete. Now we can go to God knowing that we are forgiven because of Jesus. Thus we are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach before God.

NAU Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was a minister.

In the concluding verse of this passage, Paul ties everything together here. After setting the foundation of God lovingly reaching out to His creation to save it from death through His Son Jesus, Paul directs the focus of responsibility onto the believer now. It is here Paul wants to drive the critical point of salvation to the reader.

He uses the conditional particle “if” in conjunction with “indeed” for emphasis to stress the following idea. The verb “continue” is in the Indicative Present Active 2nd person plural. This tells us that it is reality, the subject is doing the action in the present time, and he is specifically talking to all of those who are reading the letter.

The idea here is that their belief in Jesus is secure and deep rooted. Paul uses three words as adjectives describing the subject of the sentence. In this case it is the believer. Each word gives a slightly different characteristic of them. The words “firmly established” in the Greek have the idea of a foundation. “Steadfast” has the idea of not moving from a position. And “not shifting” has the idea of not being moved away from something. In this case, they are to be firmly rooted in the hope of the gospel (salvation, the forgiveness of sins, through The Messiah Jesus) and this is done through faith.

Paul adds that they have heard the gospel from Him personally. Because of this, the gospel that they have heard is the truth and not mixed with false doctrines.

The idea relayed is that those who are reading this letter are already convinced that Jesus is The Messiah. They are secure in their belief. Paul is now urging them to continue in this assurance so that they may not be persuaded otherwise. If they continue believing in Jesus for salvation then they will be friends of God but if not then they will have turned their backs on what God has done and have begun walking once again as enemies of God.

Isn’t it amazing to know that we are friends of The Almighty God and this not based on our own merit trying to earn His love, but only by His love for us shown to us through Jesus Christ (The Messiah). He desires to be our friend. He desires us to be apart of His family. He desires to love us intimately and personally. He wants this with His creation that was once His enemy. What a wonderfully, loving, and compassionate God He is.

May we be forever drawn to Him by His tender love and in return love Him with the choices in our lives. Now may, by the power of His Spirit living in us, we choose to live to love Him moment by moment.

Love Daniel