Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 6
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. KJV
The Apostle Paul (now at the time of writing this letter) was an old man serving as a mentor to this much younger man Brother Timothy and he wanted to give him very sage, sensible, and sound guidence that would keep him from the chastening and correcting hands of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, so the very next verse Paul writes these words to him and to we true believers of every era and generation, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22) (KJV). There are various desires of the flesh and the gratification of our carnal nature that are most peculiar to youth. Paul as a young man was no exception to this rule and so he wants to remind this young man Timothy to flee these carnal desires. The English word 'flee' is translated by the Greek word pheugō which is apparently a primary verb meaning to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication to shun; by analogy to vanish: - escape, flee (away). In other words, there are some tempting sinful scenes, scenarios, or situations that can only be avoided by placing one foot in front of the other.
For example this is what Joseph did when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him as described here, "Potiphar left everything up to Joseph, and with Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat. Joseph was well-built and handsome, and Potiphar's wife soon noticed him. She asked him to make love to her, but he refused and said, 'My master isn't worried about anything in his house, because he has placed me in charge of everything he owns. No one in my master's house is more important than I am. The only thing he hasn't given me is you, and that's because you are his wife. I won't sin against God by doing such a terrible thing as this.' She kept begging Joseph day after day, but he refused to do what she wanted or even to go near her. One day, Joseph went to Potiphar's house to do his work, and none of the other servants were there. Potiphar's wife grabbed hold of his coat and said, 'Make love to me!' Joseph ran out of the house, leaving her hanging onto his coat." (Genesis 39:6-12) (Contemporary English Version).
Instead of engaging in these sinful things that only serve to steal away one's joy, peace, and love for our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul exhorts Brother Timothy and we true believers of every era and generation to follow after or to pursue or to press toward these four (4) things; righteousness, faith, charity, and peace. The English word 'righteousness' is translated by the Greek word dikaiosunē which means (as used here) equity (of character or act). In other words, Paul wants to see Brother Timothy and we true believers of every era and generation to make a conscious effort (by yielding to God the Holy Spirit) of allowing Him to lead us into a steady pursuit of a moral character and actions that would be agreeable and pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ, just as he wrote to the Thessalonian believers exhorting them with these words, "Finally, my dear friends, since you belong to the Lord Jesus, we beg and urge you to live as we taught you. Then you will please God. You are already living that way, but try even harder. Remember the instructions we gave you as followers of the Lord Jesus. God wants you to be holy, so don't be immoral in matters of sex. Respect and honor your wife. Don't be a slave of your desires or live like people who don't know God. You must not cheat any of the Lord's followers in matters of sex. Remember, we warned you that He punishes everyone who does such things. God didn't choose you to be filthy, but to be pure. So if you don't obey these rules, you are not really disobeying us. You are disobeying God, who gives you His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) (Contemporary English Version).
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis which means (as used here) moral conviction of the truthfulness of God and the constancy in such profession. In other words, Paul wants Timothy and us to just believe God and not waiver in our faith because of persecution or personal tragedy in our lives. The English word 'charity' is translated by the Greek word agapē which means (as used here) love, that is, affection or benevolence. In other words, God's love is that which has been poured into our hearts/inner man or inner woman by God the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) when we were born again, so out of our inner man flow the issues of this earthly life and out of God's love flow all the other fruit of the Spirit which is joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance/self-control and without us allowing God's love for us, to us, and through us to have preeminance, then we will certainly not enjoy our salvation here as pilgrims on the earth with all of the spiritual battles we face day by day from our enemy. The English word 'peace' we just spoke of is translated by the Greek word eirēnē which means (as used here) quietness or rest of soul. Again as we said above, out of God's love shed abroad in our hearts does this peace flow like a river, yet we must actively follow after this peace that passes our understanding and gives us calmness in every storm and spiritual battle.
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse, "Not only all irregular and sensual desires, but pride, ambition, and, above all, the lust of power, to which most men will sacrifice all other propensities, their ease, pleasure, health, etc. This is the most bewitching passion in the human heart. Both in Church and state it is ruinous; but particularly so in the former. Timothy was now between thirty and forty years of age, the very age in which ambition and the love of power most generally prevail. Carnal pleasures are the sins of youth; ambition and the love of power the sins of middle age; covetousness and carking cares the crimes of old age. Flee from sin, pursue goodness. Righteousness - whatever is just, holy, and innocent. Faith - fidelity both to God and man, improving that grace by which thy soul may be saved, and faithfully discharging the duties of thy office, that thou mayest save the souls of others. Charity - love to God and man. Peace among all the members of the Church, and as far as possible with all men; but especially among those who invoke the Lord out of a pure desire to glorify His name."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 27
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 5
2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. KJV
Continuing with the statement of truth the Apostle Paul has already declared to Brother Timothy comparing the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to a great earthly building with a foundation, walls, a roof, etc., Paul now paints a picture for Timothy and for we true believers of every era and generation of the contents within the house, i.e. chairs, tables, pots, pans, couches, beds, fridge, oven, etc. comparing them to the distinct difference of every individual believer in the House of God with these words, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor." (2 Timothy 2:20) (KJV). The House of the Lord Jesus Christ, that is His Church is a great house in actual size and in spiritual strength and in vitality and vital force drawn directly from Him to withstand the spiritual attacks of the devil and fight back with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The English word 'vessels' used here by Paul is translated by the Greek word skeuos meaning (as used here) a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally) - goods, sail, stuff, vessel; (figuratively) it means individual Christians in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The meaning of some being vessels of gold and silver and others being vessels of wood and earth is a simile, that is, a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds and in this case Paul wishes to express a two-fold meaning. The first being that like some things in a physical house are used more than others like the stove or oven or fridge or washer or dryer, yet they are of no more importance to the house owner and occupier than are the sheets or spreads or blinds or nightstand or coffee table, likewise in the House of God, the preacher is not more important than the usher or the secretary or any other believer serving a function for our Lord Jesus Christ, just as this same Apostle declared and described for the Corinthian Church when he compared Christ Church to a physical body with these words, "But God has put all parts of our body together in the way that He decided is best. A body isn't really a body, unless there is more than one part. It takes many parts to make a single body. That's why the eyes cannot say they don't need the hands. That's also why the head cannot say it doesn't need the feet. In fact, we cannot get along without the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest. We take special care to dress up some parts of our bodies. We are modest about our personal parts, but we don't have to be modest about other parts. God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. Together you are the Body of Christ. Each one of you is part of His Body." (1 Corinthians 12:18-27) (Contemporary English Version).
The second meaning is that in a physical house some furniture is discovered to not fit the interior decoration and is therefore given away or sold off, likewise in visible Christianity there are some who have twisted, torn, and tampered with the Gospel of Christ and turned it into something that it is not and these are professing vessels, yet they are false vessels who have no part in our Lord Jesus Christ at all as we declared with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the last study/commentary, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23) (Modern King James Version). Paul then warns Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to avoid the men and women who pervert the Gospel of Grace turning it into a means of gain or profit or rules or rituals with these words, "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21) (KJV).
When Paul writes, 'If a man therefore purge himself from these', he means to remove himself from those like Hymenaeus and Philetus who have gone off on a tangent teaching and preaching things that are not truth at all and cause others faith to fail. The English word 'purge' is translated by the Greek word ekkathairō which means to cleanse thoroughly: - purge (out). In other words, we are to disconnect from those that are discovered, determined, and declared to be vessels of dishonor, so as to make the House of God clean from the old leaven and to become a new lump of clay for the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord, just as Paul told the Corinthian Church to do with the man having sex with his father's wife until he repented when he wrote this to them, "Therefore purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast; not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in the letter not to associate intimately with fornicators; yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you must go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to associate intimately, if any man called a brother and is either a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat. For what is it to me to also judge those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But God judges those who are outside. Therefore put out from you the evil one." (1 Corinthians 5:7-13) (Modern King James Version).
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "He that takes heed to his ways and to his doctrines, and walks with God, will separate himself, not only from all false doctrine, but from all wicked men, and thus be sanctified and proper to be employed by the Master in every good word and work." Note: "If we love our Lord Jesus Christ then the moment we discover some person who claims to belong to Him denegrating, diluting, or even denying parts of the Word of God, then we must remove ourselves from them entirely in order to keep clear of false teaching and false interpretation of God's Holy Word that will serve only to send men and women down a spiritual rabbit hole of which their is no returning from, just as Paul warned those in Galatia with these words, 'I marvel that you so soon are being moved away from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel, which is not another, but some are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the Gospel of Christ.' (Galatians 1:6-7) (Modern King James Version), likewise Paul also spoke of such men who teach and preach era and of their wicked influence on others and themselves with these words written to Timothy in the very next Chapter of this second letter, 'But evil men and seducers will go forward to worse, deceiving and being deceived.' (2 Timothy 3:13) (Modern King James Version)."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. KJV
Continuing with the statement of truth the Apostle Paul has already declared to Brother Timothy comparing the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to a great earthly building with a foundation, walls, a roof, etc., Paul now paints a picture for Timothy and for we true believers of every era and generation of the contents within the house, i.e. chairs, tables, pots, pans, couches, beds, fridge, oven, etc. comparing them to the distinct difference of every individual believer in the House of God with these words, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor." (2 Timothy 2:20) (KJV). The House of the Lord Jesus Christ, that is His Church is a great house in actual size and in spiritual strength and in vitality and vital force drawn directly from Him to withstand the spiritual attacks of the devil and fight back with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The English word 'vessels' used here by Paul is translated by the Greek word skeuos meaning (as used here) a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally) - goods, sail, stuff, vessel; (figuratively) it means individual Christians in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The meaning of some being vessels of gold and silver and others being vessels of wood and earth is a simile, that is, a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds and in this case Paul wishes to express a two-fold meaning. The first being that like some things in a physical house are used more than others like the stove or oven or fridge or washer or dryer, yet they are of no more importance to the house owner and occupier than are the sheets or spreads or blinds or nightstand or coffee table, likewise in the House of God, the preacher is not more important than the usher or the secretary or any other believer serving a function for our Lord Jesus Christ, just as this same Apostle declared and described for the Corinthian Church when he compared Christ Church to a physical body with these words, "But God has put all parts of our body together in the way that He decided is best. A body isn't really a body, unless there is more than one part. It takes many parts to make a single body. That's why the eyes cannot say they don't need the hands. That's also why the head cannot say it doesn't need the feet. In fact, we cannot get along without the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest. We take special care to dress up some parts of our bodies. We are modest about our personal parts, but we don't have to be modest about other parts. God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. Together you are the Body of Christ. Each one of you is part of His Body." (1 Corinthians 12:18-27) (Contemporary English Version).
The second meaning is that in a physical house some furniture is discovered to not fit the interior decoration and is therefore given away or sold off, likewise in visible Christianity there are some who have twisted, torn, and tampered with the Gospel of Christ and turned it into something that it is not and these are professing vessels, yet they are false vessels who have no part in our Lord Jesus Christ at all as we declared with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the last study/commentary, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:21-23) (Modern King James Version). Paul then warns Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to avoid the men and women who pervert the Gospel of Grace turning it into a means of gain or profit or rules or rituals with these words, "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21) (KJV).
When Paul writes, 'If a man therefore purge himself from these', he means to remove himself from those like Hymenaeus and Philetus who have gone off on a tangent teaching and preaching things that are not truth at all and cause others faith to fail. The English word 'purge' is translated by the Greek word ekkathairō which means to cleanse thoroughly: - purge (out). In other words, we are to disconnect from those that are discovered, determined, and declared to be vessels of dishonor, so as to make the House of God clean from the old leaven and to become a new lump of clay for the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord, just as Paul told the Corinthian Church to do with the man having sex with his father's wife until he repented when he wrote this to them, "Therefore purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast; not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in the letter not to associate intimately with fornicators; yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you must go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to associate intimately, if any man called a brother and is either a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat. For what is it to me to also judge those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But God judges those who are outside. Therefore put out from you the evil one." (1 Corinthians 5:7-13) (Modern King James Version).
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "He that takes heed to his ways and to his doctrines, and walks with God, will separate himself, not only from all false doctrine, but from all wicked men, and thus be sanctified and proper to be employed by the Master in every good word and work." Note: "If we love our Lord Jesus Christ then the moment we discover some person who claims to belong to Him denegrating, diluting, or even denying parts of the Word of God, then we must remove ourselves from them entirely in order to keep clear of false teaching and false interpretation of God's Holy Word that will serve only to send men and women down a spiritual rabbit hole of which their is no returning from, just as Paul warned those in Galatia with these words, 'I marvel that you so soon are being moved away from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel, which is not another, but some are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the Gospel of Christ.' (Galatians 1:6-7) (Modern King James Version), likewise Paul also spoke of such men who teach and preach era and of their wicked influence on others and themselves with these words written to Timothy in the very next Chapter of this second letter, 'But evil men and seducers will go forward to worse, deceiving and being deceived.' (2 Timothy 3:13) (Modern King James Version)."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 26
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 4
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. KJV
The reality of false teachers who willfully teach and preach error in order to gain a following using the Word of God as a way to make money was not a surprise to the Apostle Paul, however, it was disheartening, depraving, and demoralizing to him. Likewise, his discovery that men (Hymenaeus and Philetus) he had preached the Gospel of Grace with had now turned their backs on our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and went about proclaiming things that were completely false also dismayed the great Apostle, but God the Holy Spirit knew this and so inspired these next great words of truth to comfort the inner man of the Apostle Paul and Brother Timothy (as well as everyone of us true believers today and of every era and generation) that despite the devil's sowing of tares on the earth nothing is being done by him to stop the true Kingdom of God from being built by our Lord Jesus Christ.
So did our Lord Jesus declare to the first disciples this very same truth in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares as it is written, "Jesus then told them this story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a farmer scattered good seed in a field. But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and scattered weed seeds in the field and then left. When the plants came up and began to ripen, the farmer's servants could see the weeds. The servants came and asked, 'Sir, didn't you scatter good seed in your field? Where did these weeds come from?' 'An enemy did this,' he replied. His servants then asked, 'Do you want us to go out and pull up the weeds?' 'No!' he answered. 'You might also pull up the wheat. Leave the weeds alone until harvest time. Then I'll tell my workers to gather the weeds and tie them up and burn them. But I'll have them store the wheat in my barn.'" (Matthew 13:24-30) (Contemporary English Version).
Just like many of us today would not completely understand exactly what message our Lord Jesus Christ is giving with this story, so it was then with the early disciples, so they asked Him to explain the details of this parable to them and this is our Lord Jesus' reply as recorded by the Apostle Matthew, "After Jesus left the crowd and went inside, His disciples came to Him and said, 'Explain to us the story about the weeds in the wheat field.' Jesus answered: The One who scattered the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seeds are the people who belong to the kingdom. The weed seeds are those who belong to the evil one, and the one who scattered them is the devil. The harvest is the end of time, and angels are the ones who bring in the harvest. Weeds are gathered and burned. That's how it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather from His kingdom everyone who does wrong or causes others to sin. Then He will throw them into a flaming furnace, where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain. But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. If you have ears, pay attention!" (Matthew 13:36-43) (Contemporary English Version).
Therefore, God the Holy Spirit (just as our Lord Jesus did above with the first disciples) declares these words of truth through the Apostle Paul, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19) (KJV). That is, despite these weeds running around (some on a small scale and some with huge followings) spreading lies concerning God and His Word, God's truth cannot be silenced or stopped and this English word 'nevertheless' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word mentoi meaning indeed though, that is, however: - also, but, howbeit, nevertheless, yet. In other words, yet the solid foundation of God and truth of God and the reliability of God and the faithfulness of God and His Word will never be destroyed by the devil or any of his weeds. The solid foundation of God the Father and His Holy Word is sure, stedfast, and strong and will never be broken, bent, or breached by any of the devils spiritual lies that are in many visible churches like the teachings of the satanic spiritualist, mediums, psychics, wiccans, witches, wizards, sorcerers, or any other thing detailed for us in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 as we documented in the last study/commentary.
The English word 'seal' Paul uses in this verse is translated by the Greek word sphragis meaning a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively: - seal. The English word 'knoweth' is translated by the Greek word ginōskō is a prolonged form of a primary verb; meaning to 'know' (absolutely). In other words, God the Father has placed His mark, His stamp, His seal upon those of us who truly belong to Him by regeneration, resurrection, and rebirth just as Paul wrote with these words to the Ephesian believers, "Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God." (Ephesians 1:13) (Contemporary English Version). The English word 'depart' is translated by the Greek word aphistēmi meaning to desist, desert, etc.: - depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self. The English word 'iniquity' is translated by the Greek word adikia meaning moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act). In other words, the new birth is the greatest miracle there is and it immediately gives the reborn sinner a passionate love for our Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to glorify Him here on the earth by the new lives He has given to each one of us His adopted sons and daughters, therefore, we should seek to honor Him not because of fear, but because we love Him as He said Himself with these words, "Jesus said to His disciples: If you love Me, you will do as I command." (John 14:15) (Contemporary English Version).
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say regarding this verse, "It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular persons be overthrown, yet the foundation of God standeth sure (2 Timothy 2:19); it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised against it. The Prophets and Apostles, that is, the doctrines of the Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is usual in a broad seal. 1. One expresses our comfort - that the Lord knows those that are His, and those that are not; knows them, that is, He owns them, so knows them that He will never lose them. Though the faith of some be overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of the righteous, Psalm 1:6. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. 2. Another declares our duty - that every one who names the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else He will not own us; He will say in the great day (Matthew 7:23), Depart from me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity. Observe, (1.) Whatever errors are introduced into the Church, the foundation of God standeth sure, His purpose can never be defeated. (2.) God hath some in the Church who are His and whom He knows to be His. (3.) Professing Christians name the name of Christ, are called by His name, and therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, Titus 2:14."
Note: 'This verse of Scripture is and has always been a great comfort to me as I sojourn my way through this earth to my Heavenly home stepping around and over all the spiritual landmines that the devil and his invisible devils and his visible two-legged devils place in my way. When my Lord Jesus Christ showed me these words in His Word, then I better understood that although some people say they belong to God and speak of God and even some of Jesus, yet they are providers of spiritual perversion like wizardry and witchcraft, even inside visible churches, they are not, nor have not fooled my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in the end He will carefully have His Holy Angels meticulously pluck out every weed/false christian on the earth at His 2nd Coming and upon the death of each of these counterfeit believers before His 2nd Coming."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. KJV
The reality of false teachers who willfully teach and preach error in order to gain a following using the Word of God as a way to make money was not a surprise to the Apostle Paul, however, it was disheartening, depraving, and demoralizing to him. Likewise, his discovery that men (Hymenaeus and Philetus) he had preached the Gospel of Grace with had now turned their backs on our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and went about proclaiming things that were completely false also dismayed the great Apostle, but God the Holy Spirit knew this and so inspired these next great words of truth to comfort the inner man of the Apostle Paul and Brother Timothy (as well as everyone of us true believers today and of every era and generation) that despite the devil's sowing of tares on the earth nothing is being done by him to stop the true Kingdom of God from being built by our Lord Jesus Christ.
So did our Lord Jesus declare to the first disciples this very same truth in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares as it is written, "Jesus then told them this story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a farmer scattered good seed in a field. But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and scattered weed seeds in the field and then left. When the plants came up and began to ripen, the farmer's servants could see the weeds. The servants came and asked, 'Sir, didn't you scatter good seed in your field? Where did these weeds come from?' 'An enemy did this,' he replied. His servants then asked, 'Do you want us to go out and pull up the weeds?' 'No!' he answered. 'You might also pull up the wheat. Leave the weeds alone until harvest time. Then I'll tell my workers to gather the weeds and tie them up and burn them. But I'll have them store the wheat in my barn.'" (Matthew 13:24-30) (Contemporary English Version).
Just like many of us today would not completely understand exactly what message our Lord Jesus Christ is giving with this story, so it was then with the early disciples, so they asked Him to explain the details of this parable to them and this is our Lord Jesus' reply as recorded by the Apostle Matthew, "After Jesus left the crowd and went inside, His disciples came to Him and said, 'Explain to us the story about the weeds in the wheat field.' Jesus answered: The One who scattered the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seeds are the people who belong to the kingdom. The weed seeds are those who belong to the evil one, and the one who scattered them is the devil. The harvest is the end of time, and angels are the ones who bring in the harvest. Weeds are gathered and burned. That's how it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather from His kingdom everyone who does wrong or causes others to sin. Then He will throw them into a flaming furnace, where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain. But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. If you have ears, pay attention!" (Matthew 13:36-43) (Contemporary English Version).
Therefore, God the Holy Spirit (just as our Lord Jesus did above with the first disciples) declares these words of truth through the Apostle Paul, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19) (KJV). That is, despite these weeds running around (some on a small scale and some with huge followings) spreading lies concerning God and His Word, God's truth cannot be silenced or stopped and this English word 'nevertheless' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word mentoi meaning indeed though, that is, however: - also, but, howbeit, nevertheless, yet. In other words, yet the solid foundation of God and truth of God and the reliability of God and the faithfulness of God and His Word will never be destroyed by the devil or any of his weeds. The solid foundation of God the Father and His Holy Word is sure, stedfast, and strong and will never be broken, bent, or breached by any of the devils spiritual lies that are in many visible churches like the teachings of the satanic spiritualist, mediums, psychics, wiccans, witches, wizards, sorcerers, or any other thing detailed for us in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 as we documented in the last study/commentary.
The English word 'seal' Paul uses in this verse is translated by the Greek word sphragis meaning a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively: - seal. The English word 'knoweth' is translated by the Greek word ginōskō is a prolonged form of a primary verb; meaning to 'know' (absolutely). In other words, God the Father has placed His mark, His stamp, His seal upon those of us who truly belong to Him by regeneration, resurrection, and rebirth just as Paul wrote with these words to the Ephesian believers, "Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God." (Ephesians 1:13) (Contemporary English Version). The English word 'depart' is translated by the Greek word aphistēmi meaning to desist, desert, etc.: - depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self. The English word 'iniquity' is translated by the Greek word adikia meaning moral wrongfulness (of charater, life or act). In other words, the new birth is the greatest miracle there is and it immediately gives the reborn sinner a passionate love for our Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to glorify Him here on the earth by the new lives He has given to each one of us His adopted sons and daughters, therefore, we should seek to honor Him not because of fear, but because we love Him as He said Himself with these words, "Jesus said to His disciples: If you love Me, you will do as I command." (John 14:15) (Contemporary English Version).
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say regarding this verse, "It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular persons be overthrown, yet the foundation of God standeth sure (2 Timothy 2:19); it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised against it. The Prophets and Apostles, that is, the doctrines of the Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is usual in a broad seal. 1. One expresses our comfort - that the Lord knows those that are His, and those that are not; knows them, that is, He owns them, so knows them that He will never lose them. Though the faith of some be overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of the righteous, Psalm 1:6. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. 2. Another declares our duty - that every one who names the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else He will not own us; He will say in the great day (Matthew 7:23), Depart from me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity. Observe, (1.) Whatever errors are introduced into the Church, the foundation of God standeth sure, His purpose can never be defeated. (2.) God hath some in the Church who are His and whom He knows to be His. (3.) Professing Christians name the name of Christ, are called by His name, and therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, Titus 2:14."
Note: 'This verse of Scripture is and has always been a great comfort to me as I sojourn my way through this earth to my Heavenly home stepping around and over all the spiritual landmines that the devil and his invisible devils and his visible two-legged devils place in my way. When my Lord Jesus Christ showed me these words in His Word, then I better understood that although some people say they belong to God and speak of God and even some of Jesus, yet they are providers of spiritual perversion like wizardry and witchcraft, even inside visible churches, they are not, nor have not fooled my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in the end He will carefully have His Holy Angels meticulously pluck out every weed/false christian on the earth at His 2nd Coming and upon the death of each of these counterfeit believers before His 2nd Coming."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 25
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 3
2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. KJV
Right after the great Apostle exhorts and encourages and then expects Brother Timothy (and all true believers of every era and generation) to study the Word of God being a diligent workman in it, he immediately warns Timothy and us to remove ourselves from those who argue or dispute the clear truths taught in the Word of God with these words first, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:16) (KJV). The English word 'shun' is translated by the Greek word periistēmi meaning exactly what our English dictionary declares and that is to keep away from or seperate from:- avoid. The English word 'profane' is translated by the Greek word bebēlos meaning heathenish or wicked. The little English phrase 'vain babblings' is translated by the Greek word kenophōnia meaning empty sounding, that is, fruitless discussion: - vain. In other words, many people like to try and disprove the Bible by declaring that it has contradictions in it, therefore, it cannot be true and there are others who like to stand by science and disregard the Word of God. Paul instructs Timothy and us to avoid these discussions and the people (in the visible Church and outside the visible Church) who lift up these empty notions onto the same level as the Word of God.
I'm watching an old television show about the FBI called 'Fringe' which is based upon man's discovery of various phenomenon that are outside of normal science like time travel and alternate universes that other human beings occupy or live in that we here cannot see. Although this show is a work of fiction, there are many human beings past and present who believe these vain babblings of men and women propigated, purposed, and promoted by the devil to keep lost men and women from the truth of the Gospel of Christ and from the Word of God. Satan has always wanted to occupy men and women's time here on the earth chasing down rabbit holes that do not exist or are irrevelant in order to keep them seperated from God. Paul already warned Brother Timothy of this once at the end of his first letter to him with these words, "O Timothy, guard the Deposit, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named science, which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:20-21) (Modern King James Version). When Paul writes, 'for they will increase unto more ungodliness', he means that spending time arguing over that which is untrue and of no importance in time or eternity only serves one purpose and that is to lead men and women into more things that are against the will or desire of the One True God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about this verse, "The ministry of false teachers is mere babbling; a voice, and nothing else, as the man said of his nightingale; a sound of words, but no solid matter in them; great swelling words of vanity, like large bubbles of water, look big, and make a great noise, but have nothing in them; contain nothing but vain, empty, idle, and trifling stuff; what is unprofitable and unedifying, yea, what is profane, contrary to the nature and perfections of God, and not agreeable to the doctrine which is according to godliness; and being palmed upon the Holy Scriptures, is a profanation of them. And all such wicked and empty prate, and babbling, is to be shunned, avoided, and discouraged, refused, and rejected; and, as much as can be, a stop should be put to it, both by ministers and hearers of the word. For they will increase unto more ungodliness meaning either that such babblings, if used and encouraged, will grow more and more profane and wicked; or the persons that use them, the unruly and vain talkers, will grow more daring, bold; and impudent, will wax worse and worse, and from one error will proceed to another, for such seldom stop; and having abused one passage of Scripture, will go on to attack another, and will not cease, till they have wrested the whole Scripture to their own destruction, and that of others."
Paul next reminds Timothy of two such men who once held the truth, but now had turned their backs on it and began to declare things that were completely false and wrong, here is what he wrote, "And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:17-18) (KJV). The little English phrase 'doth a canker' is translated by the Greek word gaggraina (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning (to gnaw); an ulcer ('gangrene'): - canker. In other words, just like an ulcer or gangrene is to human flesh eating and rotting it from the inside out, so does spiritual error destroy any person or group now in time and forever in eternity in hell. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning false teachers, "As a gangrene; i.e. as a mortification in the flesh, where the circulation is entirely stopped, and putrefaction takes place, which continues to corrupt all the circumjacent flesh, spreading more and more till death takes place, unless stopped by a timely and judicious application of medicine. Such is the influence of false doctrine; it fixes its mortal seed in the soul, which continues to corrupt and assimilate every thing to itself, till, if not prevented by a timely application of the Word of Life, under the direction of the heavenly Physician, it terminates in the bitter pains of an eternal death. To such a gangrene the Apostle compares the corrupt doctrines of Hymeneus and Philetus."
Here in these two verses of Scripture we learn that the false teacher or false Christian or false believer is not only destroying himself or herself, but is a detriment, a damage, and even a destruction for those who will hear and listen to their teaching or preaching and be led down a rabbit hole that will end in hell. Such are the health, wealth, and prosperity preachers today who are peddling the Word of God like some mid evil snake oil salesmen, which is just the opposite of what Paul and every real Christian does as Paul declared to the Corinthian Church with these words, "For we are not as many, hawking the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." (2 Corinthians 2:17) (Modern King James Version). Also the spiritualist and mediums and psychics and witches and wizards who have invaded the visible Churches with their practices leaving the Gospel as an after thought and the Word of God as some reference book that is secondary to some spiritual or angelic visitations or even communicating with the dead through dreams and visions, let us always remember how the Lord Jesus Christ views this garbage, "When you come to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, you shall not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, an observer of clouds, or a fortune-teller, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or one who calls to the dead. For all that do these things are an abomination to Jehovah. And because of these abominations Jehovah your God drives them out from before you." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12) (Modern King James Version).
Note: "The devil is not opposed to big or small beautiful Church buildings that are constructed with the finest of materials and have all of the lastest technological amenities and where there is found great decor and where many rituals take place and people are dressed in their finest attire and are so pleasant, nice, and wonderful to one another, no he is just opposed to the truth of the Gospel and to the truth of the Word of God being proclaimed in these buildings, as our Lord Jesus Himself said concerning those who belong to Him, 'I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.' (John 17:14-17) (Modern King James Version)."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. KJV
Right after the great Apostle exhorts and encourages and then expects Brother Timothy (and all true believers of every era and generation) to study the Word of God being a diligent workman in it, he immediately warns Timothy and us to remove ourselves from those who argue or dispute the clear truths taught in the Word of God with these words first, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:16) (KJV). The English word 'shun' is translated by the Greek word periistēmi meaning exactly what our English dictionary declares and that is to keep away from or seperate from:- avoid. The English word 'profane' is translated by the Greek word bebēlos meaning heathenish or wicked. The little English phrase 'vain babblings' is translated by the Greek word kenophōnia meaning empty sounding, that is, fruitless discussion: - vain. In other words, many people like to try and disprove the Bible by declaring that it has contradictions in it, therefore, it cannot be true and there are others who like to stand by science and disregard the Word of God. Paul instructs Timothy and us to avoid these discussions and the people (in the visible Church and outside the visible Church) who lift up these empty notions onto the same level as the Word of God.
I'm watching an old television show about the FBI called 'Fringe' which is based upon man's discovery of various phenomenon that are outside of normal science like time travel and alternate universes that other human beings occupy or live in that we here cannot see. Although this show is a work of fiction, there are many human beings past and present who believe these vain babblings of men and women propigated, purposed, and promoted by the devil to keep lost men and women from the truth of the Gospel of Christ and from the Word of God. Satan has always wanted to occupy men and women's time here on the earth chasing down rabbit holes that do not exist or are irrevelant in order to keep them seperated from God. Paul already warned Brother Timothy of this once at the end of his first letter to him with these words, "O Timothy, guard the Deposit, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named science, which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:20-21) (Modern King James Version). When Paul writes, 'for they will increase unto more ungodliness', he means that spending time arguing over that which is untrue and of no importance in time or eternity only serves one purpose and that is to lead men and women into more things that are against the will or desire of the One True God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about this verse, "The ministry of false teachers is mere babbling; a voice, and nothing else, as the man said of his nightingale; a sound of words, but no solid matter in them; great swelling words of vanity, like large bubbles of water, look big, and make a great noise, but have nothing in them; contain nothing but vain, empty, idle, and trifling stuff; what is unprofitable and unedifying, yea, what is profane, contrary to the nature and perfections of God, and not agreeable to the doctrine which is according to godliness; and being palmed upon the Holy Scriptures, is a profanation of them. And all such wicked and empty prate, and babbling, is to be shunned, avoided, and discouraged, refused, and rejected; and, as much as can be, a stop should be put to it, both by ministers and hearers of the word. For they will increase unto more ungodliness meaning either that such babblings, if used and encouraged, will grow more and more profane and wicked; or the persons that use them, the unruly and vain talkers, will grow more daring, bold; and impudent, will wax worse and worse, and from one error will proceed to another, for such seldom stop; and having abused one passage of Scripture, will go on to attack another, and will not cease, till they have wrested the whole Scripture to their own destruction, and that of others."
Paul next reminds Timothy of two such men who once held the truth, but now had turned their backs on it and began to declare things that were completely false and wrong, here is what he wrote, "And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:17-18) (KJV). The little English phrase 'doth a canker' is translated by the Greek word gaggraina (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning (to gnaw); an ulcer ('gangrene'): - canker. In other words, just like an ulcer or gangrene is to human flesh eating and rotting it from the inside out, so does spiritual error destroy any person or group now in time and forever in eternity in hell. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning false teachers, "As a gangrene; i.e. as a mortification in the flesh, where the circulation is entirely stopped, and putrefaction takes place, which continues to corrupt all the circumjacent flesh, spreading more and more till death takes place, unless stopped by a timely and judicious application of medicine. Such is the influence of false doctrine; it fixes its mortal seed in the soul, which continues to corrupt and assimilate every thing to itself, till, if not prevented by a timely application of the Word of Life, under the direction of the heavenly Physician, it terminates in the bitter pains of an eternal death. To such a gangrene the Apostle compares the corrupt doctrines of Hymeneus and Philetus."
Here in these two verses of Scripture we learn that the false teacher or false Christian or false believer is not only destroying himself or herself, but is a detriment, a damage, and even a destruction for those who will hear and listen to their teaching or preaching and be led down a rabbit hole that will end in hell. Such are the health, wealth, and prosperity preachers today who are peddling the Word of God like some mid evil snake oil salesmen, which is just the opposite of what Paul and every real Christian does as Paul declared to the Corinthian Church with these words, "For we are not as many, hawking the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God." (2 Corinthians 2:17) (Modern King James Version). Also the spiritualist and mediums and psychics and witches and wizards who have invaded the visible Churches with their practices leaving the Gospel as an after thought and the Word of God as some reference book that is secondary to some spiritual or angelic visitations or even communicating with the dead through dreams and visions, let us always remember how the Lord Jesus Christ views this garbage, "When you come to the land which Jehovah your God gives you, you shall not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, an observer of clouds, or a fortune-teller, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or one who calls to the dead. For all that do these things are an abomination to Jehovah. And because of these abominations Jehovah your God drives them out from before you." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12) (Modern King James Version).
Note: "The devil is not opposed to big or small beautiful Church buildings that are constructed with the finest of materials and have all of the lastest technological amenities and where there is found great decor and where many rituals take place and people are dressed in their finest attire and are so pleasant, nice, and wonderful to one another, no he is just opposed to the truth of the Gospel and to the truth of the Word of God being proclaimed in these buildings, as our Lord Jesus Himself said concerning those who belong to Him, 'I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.' (John 17:14-17) (Modern King James Version)."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 24
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 2
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. KJV
So many people believe that after you accept our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that this then means you coast on through this life with no more problems or worries or troubles and everything we need materially and spiritually from God the Father will be (as if by magic) rained down upon us by God the Holy Spirit, however, Paul the Apostle throws a monkey wrench into this type of unfruitful thinking by the believer with these words he wrote to Brother Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (KJV). Earthly school was never something I particularly enjoyed, even though I was pretty good at it. I wanted to be done with school for good after I graduated from college and that is just what I did. Now, what a shock it was to me when I discovered that there was a school of divinity that every redeemed, regenerated, and reborn child of God is automatically enrolled into by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself and that there is no completing this school ever here on the earth or in heaven with Him for all eternity.
The English word 'study' Paul uses at the beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word spoudazō meaning to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. The meaning of this word is the very reason why I purposed to be done with earthly school after college, however, the very moment I was energized, excited, and embraced by God the Holy Spirit I was given by Him a desire to know my Lord Jesus Christ intimately/closely and just like a new born earthly baby gyrates and moves every part of his/her little tiny body when they see their Mother's breast or the baby bottle filled with milk, so was and still am I hungry for the Word of God and all the treasure therein, just as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved." (1 Peter 2:2) (Contemporary English Version). The little English phrase 'to shew' is translated by two Greek words paristēmi paristanō meaning to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate or prove. The English word 'approved' is translated by the Greek word dokimos meaning properly acceptable, that is, approved: - tried. In other words, every true Christian should have a desire to know the Word of God and before God the Father have their authenticity approved and substantiated by Him being acceptable in His sight. We should not make our study of God's Holy Word to prove ourselves to other people, but because we love our Lord Jesus Christ and want to be pleasing to Him.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about studying the Word of God to shew thyself approved unto God, "Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to Him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' another day." The little English phrase 'a workman' is translated by the Greek word ergatēs meaning a toiler; figuratively a teacher: - laborer. The long English phrase 'that needeth not to be ashamed' is translated by one rather long Greek word anepaischuntos meaning not ashamed, that is, (by implication) irreprehensible: - that neededth not to be ashamed. In other words, Paul wants Brother Timothy to be one who works strenuously at the study of the Word of God laboring and praying over it, so that he would not be made ashamed by his lack of basic and even deep meaning and revelation from the Word of God. Here is what Vincent's Word Study says concerning this, "A workman whose work does not disgrace him." The Apostle Paul said this of himself in this regard to the Philippian Church, "I honestly expect and hope that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ." (Philippians 1:20) (Contemporary English Version).
The little English phrase 'rightly dividing' is translated by the Greek word orthotomeō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide. In other words, it was Timothy's and it is our responsibility to lay out the truth of the Word of God without softening it where it is hard or hardening it where it is soft, but only like a seamstress who makes a straight cut in their fabric or cloth and disgards every material cut that is off or crooked, so must the Expositor of the Word of God expound it correctly without waver. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning rightly dividing the Word of Truth, "The word here rendered 'rightly dividing,' occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, 'to cut straight, to divide right;' and the allusion here may be to a steward who makes a proper distribution to each one under his care of such things as his office and their necessities require. Some have supposed that there is an allusion here to the Jewish priest, cutting or dividing the sacrifice into proper parts; others, that the allusion is to the scribes dividing the law into sections; others, to a carver distributing food to the guests at a feast. Robinson (Lexicon) renders it, 'rightly proceeding as to the Word of Truth;' that is, rightfully and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth. The idea seems to be, that the minister of the Gospel is to make a proper distribution of that word, adapting his instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. KJV
So many people believe that after you accept our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that this then means you coast on through this life with no more problems or worries or troubles and everything we need materially and spiritually from God the Father will be (as if by magic) rained down upon us by God the Holy Spirit, however, Paul the Apostle throws a monkey wrench into this type of unfruitful thinking by the believer with these words he wrote to Brother Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (KJV). Earthly school was never something I particularly enjoyed, even though I was pretty good at it. I wanted to be done with school for good after I graduated from college and that is just what I did. Now, what a shock it was to me when I discovered that there was a school of divinity that every redeemed, regenerated, and reborn child of God is automatically enrolled into by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself and that there is no completing this school ever here on the earth or in heaven with Him for all eternity.
The English word 'study' Paul uses at the beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word spoudazō meaning to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. The meaning of this word is the very reason why I purposed to be done with earthly school after college, however, the very moment I was energized, excited, and embraced by God the Holy Spirit I was given by Him a desire to know my Lord Jesus Christ intimately/closely and just like a new born earthly baby gyrates and moves every part of his/her little tiny body when they see their Mother's breast or the baby bottle filled with milk, so was and still am I hungry for the Word of God and all the treasure therein, just as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Be like newborn babies who are thirsty for the pure spiritual milk that will help you grow and be saved." (1 Peter 2:2) (Contemporary English Version). The little English phrase 'to shew' is translated by two Greek words paristēmi paristanō meaning to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate or prove. The English word 'approved' is translated by the Greek word dokimos meaning properly acceptable, that is, approved: - tried. In other words, every true Christian should have a desire to know the Word of God and before God the Father have their authenticity approved and substantiated by Him being acceptable in His sight. We should not make our study of God's Holy Word to prove ourselves to other people, but because we love our Lord Jesus Christ and want to be pleasing to Him.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about studying the Word of God to shew thyself approved unto God, "Not unto men, as pleasing them; for such who study to please men, are not the servants of Christ; and sometimes those that are approved to and by men, are disapproved of by God and Christ: but unto God, showing all fidelity and uprightness; speaking out the Gospel openly, and freely, with all sincerity, as in the sight of God; commending themselves to Him, and to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth; and such will hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' another day." The little English phrase 'a workman' is translated by the Greek word ergatēs meaning a toiler; figuratively a teacher: - laborer. The long English phrase 'that needeth not to be ashamed' is translated by one rather long Greek word anepaischuntos meaning not ashamed, that is, (by implication) irreprehensible: - that neededth not to be ashamed. In other words, Paul wants Brother Timothy to be one who works strenuously at the study of the Word of God laboring and praying over it, so that he would not be made ashamed by his lack of basic and even deep meaning and revelation from the Word of God. Here is what Vincent's Word Study says concerning this, "A workman whose work does not disgrace him." The Apostle Paul said this of himself in this regard to the Philippian Church, "I honestly expect and hope that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ." (Philippians 1:20) (Contemporary English Version).
The little English phrase 'rightly dividing' is translated by the Greek word orthotomeō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide. In other words, it was Timothy's and it is our responsibility to lay out the truth of the Word of God without softening it where it is hard or hardening it where it is soft, but only like a seamstress who makes a straight cut in their fabric or cloth and disgards every material cut that is off or crooked, so must the Expositor of the Word of God expound it correctly without waver. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning rightly dividing the Word of Truth, "The word here rendered 'rightly dividing,' occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, 'to cut straight, to divide right;' and the allusion here may be to a steward who makes a proper distribution to each one under his care of such things as his office and their necessities require. Some have supposed that there is an allusion here to the Jewish priest, cutting or dividing the sacrifice into proper parts; others, that the allusion is to the scribes dividing the law into sections; others, to a carver distributing food to the guests at a feast. Robinson (Lexicon) renders it, 'rightly proceeding as to the Word of Truth;' that is, rightfully and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth. The idea seems to be, that the minister of the Gospel is to make a proper distribution of that word, adapting his instructions to the circumstances and wants of his hearers, and giving to each that which will be fitted to nourish the soul for heaven."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 23
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 1
2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. KJV
The Apostle Paul has encouraged and exhorted Brother Timothy in this first part of this second letter to him to be a good soldier of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ being strong in grace, committing the Word of God to faithful men to teach to others, enduring hardship and suffering for Christ sake and for the truth of His Word, and not to be entangled, embroiled, or enamored by the world and the things of this world which are fading away and he wants Timothy to remind all who will listen to his spoken word and his written words concerning these matters, so he writes these word, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." (2 Timothy 2:14) (KJV). The little English phrase 'put them in remembrance' is translated by the Greek word hupomimnēskō meaning to remind quietly, that is, suggest to the (middle voice, one’s own) memory. The English word 'charging' is translated by the Greek word diamarturomai meaning (as used here) to testify unto, or witness to someone. The long English phrase 'that they strive not about words' is translated by the Greek word logomacheō meaning to be disputatious (on trifles): - strive about words. The English phrase 'to no profit' is translated by the Greek words eis meaning to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose and oudeis meaning none or nothing and chrēsimos meaning serviceable or profitable. The English word 'subverting' is translated by the Greek word katastrophē which means an overturn ('catastrophe'), that is, demolition; figuratively apostasy: - overthrow, subverting.
In other words, Paul wanted Timothy to constantly remind his hearers by witnessing and testifying to them always that disputing and fighting over words that are not eternal and from the Word of God are pointless, purposeless, and pitiful to and for the soul of the listener and would only serve to overturn one's faith and cause many disputers and listeners to such talk to apostatize, abdicate, or abandon true faith in the Gospel of Grace and in the Word of God and in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the only grounding or stability any follower of our Lord Jesus Christ has is His Holy Word from Genesis to Revelation, that is, no person or persons can give to the believer the spiritual food or nourishment that will be required to successfully manage or navigate our way through this dark, deceitful, and dangerous world of woe better than the Word become flesh Jesus Christ and His Spoken Word the Bible, for let us remember His words to us regarding this very matter, "Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that you won't live unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man. But if you do eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have eternal life, and I will raise you to life on the last day. My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you are one with me, and I am one with you. The living Father sent me, and I have life because of him. Now everyone who eats my flesh will live because of me. The bread that comes down from heaven isn't like what your ancestors ate. They died, but whoever eats this bread will live forever." (John 6:53-58) (Contemporary English Version).
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "Words, not things, have been a most fruitful source of contention in the Christian world; and among religious people, the principal cause of animosity has arisen from the different manner of apprehending the same term, while, in essence, both meant the same thing. All preachers and divines should be very careful, both in speaking and writing, to explain the terms they use, and never employ them in any sense but that in which they have explained them. This is the general tendency of all polemical (Of or involving dispute or controversy) divinity and controversial preaching, when angry passions are called in to support the doctrines of the Gospel." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in His name and from His word; when they produce their warrant for what they say."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. KJV
The Apostle Paul has encouraged and exhorted Brother Timothy in this first part of this second letter to him to be a good soldier of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ being strong in grace, committing the Word of God to faithful men to teach to others, enduring hardship and suffering for Christ sake and for the truth of His Word, and not to be entangled, embroiled, or enamored by the world and the things of this world which are fading away and he wants Timothy to remind all who will listen to his spoken word and his written words concerning these matters, so he writes these word, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." (2 Timothy 2:14) (KJV). The little English phrase 'put them in remembrance' is translated by the Greek word hupomimnēskō meaning to remind quietly, that is, suggest to the (middle voice, one’s own) memory. The English word 'charging' is translated by the Greek word diamarturomai meaning (as used here) to testify unto, or witness to someone. The long English phrase 'that they strive not about words' is translated by the Greek word logomacheō meaning to be disputatious (on trifles): - strive about words. The English phrase 'to no profit' is translated by the Greek words eis meaning to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose and oudeis meaning none or nothing and chrēsimos meaning serviceable or profitable. The English word 'subverting' is translated by the Greek word katastrophē which means an overturn ('catastrophe'), that is, demolition; figuratively apostasy: - overthrow, subverting.
In other words, Paul wanted Timothy to constantly remind his hearers by witnessing and testifying to them always that disputing and fighting over words that are not eternal and from the Word of God are pointless, purposeless, and pitiful to and for the soul of the listener and would only serve to overturn one's faith and cause many disputers and listeners to such talk to apostatize, abdicate, or abandon true faith in the Gospel of Grace and in the Word of God and in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the only grounding or stability any follower of our Lord Jesus Christ has is His Holy Word from Genesis to Revelation, that is, no person or persons can give to the believer the spiritual food or nourishment that will be required to successfully manage or navigate our way through this dark, deceitful, and dangerous world of woe better than the Word become flesh Jesus Christ and His Spoken Word the Bible, for let us remember His words to us regarding this very matter, "Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that you won't live unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man. But if you do eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have eternal life, and I will raise you to life on the last day. My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you are one with me, and I am one with you. The living Father sent me, and I have life because of him. Now everyone who eats my flesh will live because of me. The bread that comes down from heaven isn't like what your ancestors ate. They died, but whoever eats this bread will live forever." (John 6:53-58) (Contemporary English Version).
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "Words, not things, have been a most fruitful source of contention in the Christian world; and among religious people, the principal cause of animosity has arisen from the different manner of apprehending the same term, while, in essence, both meant the same thing. All preachers and divines should be very careful, both in speaking and writing, to explain the terms they use, and never employ them in any sense but that in which they have explained them. This is the general tendency of all polemical (Of or involving dispute or controversy) divinity and controversial preaching, when angry passions are called in to support the doctrines of the Gospel." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning this verse of Scripture, "He must make it his business to edify those who were under his charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words. Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words, to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities, by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in His name and from His word; when they produce their warrant for what they say."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 22
Paul tells Timothy to be a Good Soldier of Christ Jesus Part 9
2 Timothy 2:12-13 If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. KJV
Now in concluding this first part of the second chapter of Paul's second letter to Brother Timothy, Paul wants Timothy and everyone of us who are true believers now and in every era and generation to know that since we are now identified with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, there is a cost down here on the earth during our pilgrimage that is inevitable for every faithful believer and that is suffering, so Paul writes these words to Timothy, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:" (2 Timothy 2:12) (KJV). This verse of Scripture along with many more absolutely destroys the false gospel of health, wealth, and prosperity and is another testimony for me of why I despise those real false prophets or better 'profits' who lure unsuspecting souls in with their web of lies and in some cases, even true believers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus our Lord never promises His followers a life of lavishness, luxury, and leisure as His servant, but He does promise that He will take care of our earthly needs (Matthew 6:25-34), but at the same time He also promises that everyone of His faithful sons and daughters will suffer for His name sake as the Apostle John wrote with these words spoken by our Lord Jesus, "If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don't belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and that is why its people hate you. Remember how I told you that servants are not greater than their master. So if people mistreat Me, they will mistreat you. If they do what I say, they will do what you say. People will do to you exactly what they did to Me. They will do it because you belong to Me, and they don't know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Everyone who hates Me also hates My Father." (John 15:18-23) (Contemporary English Version).
The little English phrase 'we suffer' is translated by the Greek word hupomenō meaning (as used here) figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials). The little English phrase 'reign with' is translated by the Greek word sumbasileuō meaning to be co-regent (figuratively): - reign with or rule with. In other words, we redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected sinners will not only have the privilege of all our sins being blotted out (Acts 3:19), but we will also have the honor of ruling and reigning with our Lord Jesus Christ in His Kingdom, just as Paul wrote in two other places in the Word of God this very idea, first to the Corinthian Church with these words, "Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are going to judge the world, can't you settle small problems? Don't you know that we will judge angels? And if that is so, we can surely judge everyday matters." (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) (Contemporary English Version) and second to the believers in Rome with these words, "God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of Him. Instead, we become His children and call Him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are His children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with Him. I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us." (Romans 8:15-18) (Contemporary English Version).
When Paul writes, 'if we deny Him, he means that if we deny that we belong to Christ in order to escape suffering for His name sake. The little English word 'deny' is translated by the Greek word arneomai which means to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse. When Paul writes, 'He also will deny us', he means that our Lord Jesus Christ has not children who will deny or refuse to acknowledge that they belong to Him out of fear of persecution or because of being ashamed of Him or to get some temporary earthy advantage like money or things. In other words, Christ true believers/followers are not declaring themselves/ourselves as Christians for any reason or purpose other than our love for Him our Redeemer and our Savior and our only Lord. Therefore, those who claim to be or who call themselves Christians and deny Jesus Christ for any reason prove themselves to be counterfeits (remember that counterfeit money looks a lot like the real thing and fools many people sometimes for a long time) and are revealed as such at our Lord Jesus Christ appearance as He declares with these words, "If you are ashamed of Me and My message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when He comes in His glory and in the glory of His Father and the holy angels." (Luke 9:26) (Contemporary English Version) and "If you tell others that you belong to Me, the Son of Man will tell God's angels that you are My followers. But if you reject Me, you will be rejected in front of them." (Luke 12:8-9) (Contemporary English Version).
God the Father cannot deny Himself, therefore, it is impossible for Him to be unfaithful to Himself and to His eternal word, so Paul wants to reaffirm this to Brother Timothy so that he can pass this truth on to those who will listen to the words spoken and written by Timothy, so he declares this truth with these words, "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'we believe not' is translated by the Greek word apisteō which means to be unbelieving, that is, (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey: - believe not. The English word 'abideth' is translated by the Greek word menō which is a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, or remain. The English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, those who are proven to be make believers and not true believers do not cause God the Father to be sentimental or sappy concerning declaring them to be eternally damned instead of eternally redeemed and glorified with Christ.
God the Father cannot deny Himself or be unfaithful to Himself concerning judgement for those who resist, refuse, or reject His Son Jesus Christ, just as it is written by Moses with these words, "Therefore, know that Jehovah your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. And He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slow to repay him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face." (Deuteronomy 7:9-10) (Modern King James Version). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say about this verse, "The oldest manuscripts read, 'For He cannot (it is an impossibility that He should) deny Himself.' He cannot be unfaithful to His word that He will deny those who deny Him, though we be not faithful to our profession of faith in Him (Romans 3:3). Three things are impossible to God, to die, to lie, and to be deceived [Augustine, The Creed, 1.1], (Hebrews 6:18). This impossibility is not one of infirmity, but of infinite power and majesty. Also, indirectly, comfort is suggested to believers, that He is faithful to His promises to them; at the same time that apostates are shaken out of their self-deceiving fancy, that because they change, Christ similarly may change. A warning to Timothy to be steadfast in the faith."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:12-13 If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. KJV
Now in concluding this first part of the second chapter of Paul's second letter to Brother Timothy, Paul wants Timothy and everyone of us who are true believers now and in every era and generation to know that since we are now identified with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, there is a cost down here on the earth during our pilgrimage that is inevitable for every faithful believer and that is suffering, so Paul writes these words to Timothy, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:" (2 Timothy 2:12) (KJV). This verse of Scripture along with many more absolutely destroys the false gospel of health, wealth, and prosperity and is another testimony for me of why I despise those real false prophets or better 'profits' who lure unsuspecting souls in with their web of lies and in some cases, even true believers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus our Lord never promises His followers a life of lavishness, luxury, and leisure as His servant, but He does promise that He will take care of our earthly needs (Matthew 6:25-34), but at the same time He also promises that everyone of His faithful sons and daughters will suffer for His name sake as the Apostle John wrote with these words spoken by our Lord Jesus, "If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don't belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and that is why its people hate you. Remember how I told you that servants are not greater than their master. So if people mistreat Me, they will mistreat you. If they do what I say, they will do what you say. People will do to you exactly what they did to Me. They will do it because you belong to Me, and they don't know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Everyone who hates Me also hates My Father." (John 15:18-23) (Contemporary English Version).
The little English phrase 'we suffer' is translated by the Greek word hupomenō meaning (as used here) figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials). The little English phrase 'reign with' is translated by the Greek word sumbasileuō meaning to be co-regent (figuratively): - reign with or rule with. In other words, we redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected sinners will not only have the privilege of all our sins being blotted out (Acts 3:19), but we will also have the honor of ruling and reigning with our Lord Jesus Christ in His Kingdom, just as Paul wrote in two other places in the Word of God this very idea, first to the Corinthian Church with these words, "Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are going to judge the world, can't you settle small problems? Don't you know that we will judge angels? And if that is so, we can surely judge everyday matters." (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) (Contemporary English Version) and second to the believers in Rome with these words, "God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of Him. Instead, we become His children and call Him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are His children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with Him. I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us." (Romans 8:15-18) (Contemporary English Version).
When Paul writes, 'if we deny Him, he means that if we deny that we belong to Christ in order to escape suffering for His name sake. The little English word 'deny' is translated by the Greek word arneomai which means to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse. When Paul writes, 'He also will deny us', he means that our Lord Jesus Christ has not children who will deny or refuse to acknowledge that they belong to Him out of fear of persecution or because of being ashamed of Him or to get some temporary earthy advantage like money or things. In other words, Christ true believers/followers are not declaring themselves/ourselves as Christians for any reason or purpose other than our love for Him our Redeemer and our Savior and our only Lord. Therefore, those who claim to be or who call themselves Christians and deny Jesus Christ for any reason prove themselves to be counterfeits (remember that counterfeit money looks a lot like the real thing and fools many people sometimes for a long time) and are revealed as such at our Lord Jesus Christ appearance as He declares with these words, "If you are ashamed of Me and My message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when He comes in His glory and in the glory of His Father and the holy angels." (Luke 9:26) (Contemporary English Version) and "If you tell others that you belong to Me, the Son of Man will tell God's angels that you are My followers. But if you reject Me, you will be rejected in front of them." (Luke 12:8-9) (Contemporary English Version).
God the Father cannot deny Himself, therefore, it is impossible for Him to be unfaithful to Himself and to His eternal word, so Paul wants to reaffirm this to Brother Timothy so that he can pass this truth on to those who will listen to the words spoken and written by Timothy, so he declares this truth with these words, "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'we believe not' is translated by the Greek word apisteō which means to be unbelieving, that is, (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey: - believe not. The English word 'abideth' is translated by the Greek word menō which is a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, or remain. The English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, those who are proven to be make believers and not true believers do not cause God the Father to be sentimental or sappy concerning declaring them to be eternally damned instead of eternally redeemed and glorified with Christ.
God the Father cannot deny Himself or be unfaithful to Himself concerning judgement for those who resist, refuse, or reject His Son Jesus Christ, just as it is written by Moses with these words, "Therefore, know that Jehovah your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. And He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slow to repay him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face." (Deuteronomy 7:9-10) (Modern King James Version). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say about this verse, "The oldest manuscripts read, 'For He cannot (it is an impossibility that He should) deny Himself.' He cannot be unfaithful to His word that He will deny those who deny Him, though we be not faithful to our profession of faith in Him (Romans 3:3). Three things are impossible to God, to die, to lie, and to be deceived [Augustine, The Creed, 1.1], (Hebrews 6:18). This impossibility is not one of infirmity, but of infinite power and majesty. Also, indirectly, comfort is suggested to believers, that He is faithful to His promises to them; at the same time that apostates are shaken out of their self-deceiving fancy, that because they change, Christ similarly may change. A warning to Timothy to be steadfast in the faith."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 21
Paul tells Timothy to be a Good Soldier of Christ Jesus Part 8
2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: KJV
The thing the Apostle Paul wants to leave with Brother Timothy and we true believers now and of every era and generation is that because we have such a sure, solid, and satisfying eternity to look forward to spending in the presence of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, then we should be motivated even now to endure and suffer all things for Him and for the truth of His Holy Word. Paul has just told Timothy (2 Timothy 2:10) that all the elect will receive eternal glory in Christ Jesus our Lord, so this next statement confirms the certainty of that and also what our response as sojourners now should be to this reality as he declares with these words, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:" (2 Timothy 2:11) (KJV). The English phrase that begins this verse 'It is a faithful saying' is translated by the Greek word pistos which we have defined before and it means objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, the Apostle Paul wants Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to be grounded solidly in the certainty of our eternal glory (we have, even right now) with our Lord Jesus Christ. You see heaven is not the goal or the prize or reward for the believer, Christ is and where ever He is, then this is heaven, remember what Paul said to the Philippian Church, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet I do not know what I shall choose. For I am pressed together by the two: having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:21-23) (Modern King James Version). Do you see it? Paul was not looking forward to heaven and walking on the streets of gold or any of the other many splendid things in the New Jerusalem, but it was seeing and being in the presence of the Savior that occupied the mind of the Apostle Paul, for he wanted to forever experience and know the warmth of His love as one would stand and raise their face toward the Sun as it beams down to the earth and warms the hold body.
Paul's next statement in this letter 'For if we be dead with Him', is Paul giving to Timothy and to us a two-fold meaning; First, our spiritual death was caused by Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden (original sin) and this caused every one of us to be dead to God at our physical birth, however, Christ death on the Cross for man's sin was a complete ransom or payment for our debt of sin to God the Father we could never pay, therefore, when we hear the Gospel or the Good news and believe, then we are born again spiritually (2nd birth) and now our sin debt is payed in full and their is not one sin that will be charged against us. Second, at the moment of our physical death our new man or new woman (2 Corinthians 5:17) goes immediately to be with our Lord Jesus Christ and when He comes to the earth the 2nd time, He will then place our new man or new woman in our new eternal glorified body, just as this same Apostle Paul declared to the Corinthian Church with these words, "There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is truly different, and that of the earthly different; one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a living soul,' the last Adam (Jesus Christ) was a life-giving Spirit." (1 Corinthians 15:40-45) (Modern King James Version)."
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning we being dead with Christ, "For if we be dead with Him; with Christ, as all His people are, by virtue of union to Him; they are dead with Him, He and they being one, in a legal sense; when He died, they died with Him; being crucified with Him, as their head and representative, their old man, their sins, were also crucified with Him, being imputed to Him, and laid upon Him; and through the efficacy (power) of His death, they became dead to sin, both to its damning and governing power, and so are planted together in the likeness of His death; so that as He died unto sin once, and lives again to die no more, they die unto sin, and are alive to God, and shall live for ever. Moreover, this, agreeably to what follows, may be understood of the saints dying for Christ's sake, and the Gospel, whereby they are conformed unto Him, and feel the fellowship of His sufferings, and so may be said to be dead with Him." Note: "When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, at that very same moment every one of the elect died with Him and were buried with Him and then were resurrected with Him from death. This is what water baptism symbolizes for every believer, for it represents the new life each one of His elect sons and daughters have received from Him and is a representation of the resurrection of our frail, feeble, and flawed earthly body into a new eternal incorruptible glorified body incapable of sin and enabled/empowered to please our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: KJV
The thing the Apostle Paul wants to leave with Brother Timothy and we true believers now and of every era and generation is that because we have such a sure, solid, and satisfying eternity to look forward to spending in the presence of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, then we should be motivated even now to endure and suffer all things for Him and for the truth of His Holy Word. Paul has just told Timothy (2 Timothy 2:10) that all the elect will receive eternal glory in Christ Jesus our Lord, so this next statement confirms the certainty of that and also what our response as sojourners now should be to this reality as he declares with these words, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him:" (2 Timothy 2:11) (KJV). The English phrase that begins this verse 'It is a faithful saying' is translated by the Greek word pistos which we have defined before and it means objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, the Apostle Paul wants Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to be grounded solidly in the certainty of our eternal glory (we have, even right now) with our Lord Jesus Christ. You see heaven is not the goal or the prize or reward for the believer, Christ is and where ever He is, then this is heaven, remember what Paul said to the Philippian Church, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet I do not know what I shall choose. For I am pressed together by the two: having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:21-23) (Modern King James Version). Do you see it? Paul was not looking forward to heaven and walking on the streets of gold or any of the other many splendid things in the New Jerusalem, but it was seeing and being in the presence of the Savior that occupied the mind of the Apostle Paul, for he wanted to forever experience and know the warmth of His love as one would stand and raise their face toward the Sun as it beams down to the earth and warms the hold body.
Paul's next statement in this letter 'For if we be dead with Him', is Paul giving to Timothy and to us a two-fold meaning; First, our spiritual death was caused by Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden (original sin) and this caused every one of us to be dead to God at our physical birth, however, Christ death on the Cross for man's sin was a complete ransom or payment for our debt of sin to God the Father we could never pay, therefore, when we hear the Gospel or the Good news and believe, then we are born again spiritually (2nd birth) and now our sin debt is payed in full and their is not one sin that will be charged against us. Second, at the moment of our physical death our new man or new woman (2 Corinthians 5:17) goes immediately to be with our Lord Jesus Christ and when He comes to the earth the 2nd time, He will then place our new man or new woman in our new eternal glorified body, just as this same Apostle Paul declared to the Corinthian Church with these words, "There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is truly different, and that of the earthly different; one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a living soul,' the last Adam (Jesus Christ) was a life-giving Spirit." (1 Corinthians 15:40-45) (Modern King James Version)."
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning we being dead with Christ, "For if we be dead with Him; with Christ, as all His people are, by virtue of union to Him; they are dead with Him, He and they being one, in a legal sense; when He died, they died with Him; being crucified with Him, as their head and representative, their old man, their sins, were also crucified with Him, being imputed to Him, and laid upon Him; and through the efficacy (power) of His death, they became dead to sin, both to its damning and governing power, and so are planted together in the likeness of His death; so that as He died unto sin once, and lives again to die no more, they die unto sin, and are alive to God, and shall live for ever. Moreover, this, agreeably to what follows, may be understood of the saints dying for Christ's sake, and the Gospel, whereby they are conformed unto Him, and feel the fellowship of His sufferings, and so may be said to be dead with Him." Note: "When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, at that very same moment every one of the elect died with Him and were buried with Him and then were resurrected with Him from death. This is what water baptism symbolizes for every believer, for it represents the new life each one of His elect sons and daughters have received from Him and is a representation of the resurrection of our frail, feeble, and flawed earthly body into a new eternal incorruptible glorified body incapable of sin and enabled/empowered to please our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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