Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

The facts we should agree upon

5/21/2013

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:6-7).

These words are a profound reminder to keep things in perspective. While we can find a lot of difficulty reaching consensus on much of life, there is total agreement that we are born and that we will all one day die. We also know from centuries of evidence (~6100 years or so) that material things are left behind at death. So why do we cling to such things when we know they are temporary? The simple answer is that many people are in denial. This denial leads to a lack of contentment. But scripture calls us to be content, and we are called to be content in all circumstances. As difficult as the previous may be, being content actually leads to great gain. A gain that is above all measure.

Leading and teaching

5/20/2013

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward (1 Timothy 5:17-18).

Those that lead and teach well in the church ought not to be silenced and in fact should be followed and their teaching adhered to. For it is by teaching and works that people/leaders are known. And if the things taught are of God, these individuals are making the things of God known as well. Follow a good leader and you will be led to the place where you ought to be. Of course people should not be followed blindly and all things are subject to the rule of God’s word in Holy Scripture. The witness of both scripture and the Spirit therefore testifies about all truth.

True doctrine

5/19/2013

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Scripture is clear that there will be those that teach and follow false doctrine. By comparing the doctrine to scripture, false doctrine can be recognized. Scripture is the authority to which we should appeal when considering matters of faith. No amount of human logic, reason or justification should affect the clear teaching of scripture. Doctrine that has always been taught by the church and is consistent with the clear teaching of scripture is orthodox doctrine. We should be very leery of completely new teaching and perhaps even more leery of teaching that purports to change our understanding of scripture long considered orthodox. Our ultimate appeal though is not to tradition, but to the word of the Living God.

The view of Christ

5/18/2013

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

Just prior to this verse Paul is describing to Timothy the requirements for leadership positions in the Church. He concludes his instruction to Timothy with the centrality of the work of Christ to the Gospel. Simply put there is no Gospel without Christ. All that lead and teach in the Church must recognize the correct view of Christ. The correct view, as testified by the Spirit, is that Christ is both God and man. This is to be preached, believed and is a testimony to Christ’s glory.

God's nature an desire

5/17/2013

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

It is God’s desire that we pray for all people including our leaders. We are to pray for their salvation. Implicit in this command is that we ought to spend our time being concerned for others rather than being against them. This can be a challenge to our human nature. But our God’s nature is to save. So we are asked to be obedient to God’s nature even if it might run counter to our own.

The purpose

5/16/2013

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).

This is perhaps the clearest statement of the purpose of Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection in all of scripture. This is the ultimate good news of the Gospel; that Christ saves. It doesn't matter how bad of a sinner an individual may be, there is hope in Christ. Salvation is through no other person or mechanism but Christ alone. All who call upon the name of Christ shall be saved.

Never grow weary

5/15/2013

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

We are to do what is right regardless of the situation. Additionally, we are to do so with a good heart and attitude. This can be very challenging but God desires us to always be eager to do what is good. We will grow weary if we rely on our own strength and power. Therefore, it is God’s strength and power that we are to rely upon. And that is the point of this verse: to rely on God.

The answers to our questions

5/14/2013

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

These verses provide yet again more detail about the return of Christ. This detail continues to concern the order of events. Prior to the return of Christ there will be a departure from the true the faith, and there will be a man that demands worship as God. These would appear to be unmistakable events. The Thessalonians clearly had questions about the timing of the return of Christ, and the apostle Paul provides the necessary detail to answer their questions. Scripture should answer our questions in this area, and therefore we must avoid speculation. Christ will return at just the right time and in complete consistency with scripture.

Counted worthy

5/13/2013

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

These are interesting verses. We are to be counted worthy if we suffer for the Gospel sake. In other words, it is a privilege. How counter-intuitive is that? So, if we are lucky, we will get to suffer for Christ. This runs so counter to the world’s ideas of success and love. And yet, there is a profound truth here. We suffer for Christ out of obedience to Him, and when we are obedient our focus is on Him. Our focus on Him makes all other things seem inconsequential, including suffering. Therefore, our circumstances no longer seem to matter.

The timing

5/12/2013

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2).

These verses indicated clearly that we will not be able to predict the timing of the return of Christ. While there is the ability to determine the order of events, there is not the ability to determine the timing. The timing will however catch people by surprise, this we know. We therefore are to be always prepared and assume that the Lord may return at any moment. This should add both a sense to urgency and a sense of immanency to our daily lives. There is no better time than the present to follow Christ.

Created Through Him