Forbearance

The Justifier of The Unjust

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But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26

The One sent by God to die for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. On the cross He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and took the wrath of God for our sins. In His burial He carried our sins away, and in His resurrection He justifies forever all who trust Him.

Study from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

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To build up the believer to a purity of life and faith in the sight of God, and to be prepared ro the glorious appearing of Jesus our Lord.

INTRODUCTION:
When we are not with our children we wonder, “How are they doing without us present?” We may be away a little longer than expected. Some unexpected traffic jam, or we make a detour to WalMart, or the bookstore, and we are there longer than expected. Parents seem to never end in their wondering abou their kids.
Paul was in a similar situation, only he was being hindered from his “Parental” duties by Satan. He just could not take it any longer, and sent Timothy to be with them in his place, to find out how they were doing.
Timothy brought back that encouraging report, but still, Paul longed to be with and to see his kids; to visit with them and to encourage them.

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith…” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

The word “Wherefore” means this carries on from chapter two – especially verses 19 and 20. Paul sharing with the Thessalonians how he could not wait to be with them, and find out how they were doing in their lives of faith.

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” vv. 3-5

Many times when afflictions hit us we tend to think that God has forgotten us. When we feel that way we can get to a place where we can not-care, and really get into a state of depression. You could say , “We faith” in the faith.
Suffering for Christ’s sake should not come as a surprise to us. When we live holy in Christ Jesus it will come (See 1 Peter 4:12-14 and 2 Timothy 3:12).

“But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith…” vv. 6-7

There is a mutual love between the parent and the child. There is great comfort,even in persecution for the one who founded the Church, to hear of the people’s desire to see him again as well.

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” v. 8

Caring can steal the strength away. Being unable to build up the Church in faith Paul was fearful for them, that they migh fall away. The heart was heavy. Sleep was slow in coming, if it came. When Paul was not working, preaching, or sleeping he was praying for the Church. They were “Babes in Christ” and they needed nourishment and care.
At receiving the news Paul rejoiced. He could now live free from the worry and care of this infant Church.

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” vv. 9-10

A desire to see them and help them grow in the faith. A new born child does not have all it takes to grow. A baby needs to be fed. A baby needs to be nourished, and sheltered from harm; and a baby needs to be loved. The same is true of the spiritual child or Church.
Prayer is for the Church what breathing is for the body. The study of God’s Word is for the Church what food is for the body.

“Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.” v. 11

If we are to care, and to be cared for we must trust our directions to be led by Jesus in us – which is the Person of the Holy Spirit.

“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” vv. 12-13

Paul’s prayer:
1. Increase and abound in love (agape’);
2. In order to “Establish” [be grounded] in heart; set them up as stable, unshakeable sanctuaries of peace;
3. Blameless in God’s holiness – To be holy is to be clean and fit for God’s Spirit to use.
We are called upon throughout the Word to be fit, to be holy for His use and service. Here we are told to be “Blameless in holiness” meaning God’s holiness. We must be clothed in that if we are to be caught up with the rest of the saints.
The saints mentioned here are the souls and spirits of the departed dead in Christ referred to in chapter 4:14.
WORD STUDY:
1. Establish (vv. 2 & 13) – To set fast – to turn resolutely in a certain direction.
2. Holiness (v. 13) – Quality; sacredness.
3. Increase (v. 12) – To do, make, or be more.
4. Abound (v. 12) – To be in excess; to excel.
5. Direct (v. 11) – To straighten fully.
6. Moved or Shaken (v. 3) – To wag; to disturb.

Forbear To Deliver

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“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, ‘Behold, we knew it not;’ doth not He that pondereth the heart consider? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know, and shall not He render to every man according to his works?”  Proverbs 24:11-12

“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (ESV)

Without Excuse

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“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”  Romans 2:1-4 (KJB)

These are without excuse because they are able to make judgments of others. Why does the religious, moralist think they shall escape the judgment of God? (v.3). They will not. There are three things mentioned in these verses about our gracious God.

1. His goodness;
2. His forbearance; which is His tolerance of us;
3. His longsuffering.

His longsuffering is patience. Patience = the duration which God demonstrates His goodness and forbearance for long periods of time. He deliberately shows us patience even when we think we are so moral that He has nothing to judge us for.

Without the grace of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we all are guilty  before God. We are condemned sinners; transgressors of His law, guilty, and condemned. Turn to Jesus and live, or continue in death.

The Bond of Perfection

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The Bond Of Perfection

Colossians 3:12-17

OUTLINE –

I. PUT ON THE GRACES OF FORBEARANCE (vv. 12-13).
II. PUT ON THE BOND OF PERFECTION – GODLY LOVE (v. 14).
III. THE RESULTS OF THE PUTTING ON GODLY LOVE (vv. 15-16).
IV. DOING ALL FOR HIS NAME AND BEING THANKFUL (v. 17).

We have looked at the idea of “Put off” and “Put on” previously (vv. 8-10), and it tells us quite clearly what we are to be shed of concerning Christian living. These are not to be the normal ‘Clothing’ of the believer/follower of Jesus.

The putting off of those vile things means, also, the putting on of something else. In this case Paul mentions in the tenth verse to “Put on the new man”, and that is, of course having to do with one’s salvation.

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ; he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17).

When we have put on the new man that means a different walk, different talk, different lifestyle. It is clear that one’s desires, diets, attitudes, and drives change for the glory of Christ, the betterment of others and one’s self, as well.

Let’s begin by looking at those verses called twelve and thirteen. Again we have the call of Paul to ‘Put on’. Having been stripped of the old dirty garments of sin; the old man and his deeds, we need something stronger, better, able to do the job. Notice what we are to ‘Put on’. Just a word of instruction – these are unknown to the unloving, unredeemed heart and life. These things are evidence of a changed life, redeemed, called and chosen by God, and beloved of God.

The redeemed of the Lord have “Bowels of mercies”, “Kindness”, “Humbleness of mind”, “Meekness”, “Longsuffering”, “Forbearing one another”, and “Forgiving one another”. There could possibly be a smidgen of these things in the unredeemed mind and heart, but not as in the case of the Believer. Now, let’s look at the meaning of these things:

Bowels of mercies is speaking of a love that reaches down into your innermost being; when you see a brother or sister in Christ fall into sin – you do not blame, castigate, gossip, or slander the individual, but you minister and encourage by grace and mercy; tenderheartedly, considering yourself (Gal. 6:1).

Kindness is usefulness – a going out of one’s way, even, to aid, give help; even in showing the kindness to someone whom you have perceived as having wronged you – probably especially so with them who have wronged you.

Humbleness of mind – having to not think of one’s self more highly than they ought to think; that which is always thinking of others, and seeking their good; rejoicing when others are achieving, but you do not seem to be.

Meekness – someone said, “Meekness is strength or power under control”. Jesus would fit this description to a tee. Too many times in politics, in churches, or any place of leadership power is the main interest, and to whose harm?

Longsuffering – it is said that the actual meaning of this is not known, but some have said it means “suffering long”; Strong’s gives a word ‘Longanimity’ or we could call it Patience. One example of this word is God’s ‘longsuffering’ for us. It is the ability to hold on no matter how long it will take – until the end.

Forbearing one another – is also called “Put up with”. One thing we as Christians really ought to realize is that we are all redeemed by the same blood of Jesus Christ, called to the same salvation, the same body of Christ; and with differences. We are not all going to see everything eye to eye. We should and will agree on the basic doctrines of the faith of Christ, His Word, etc., so at times when we get obstinate, hard headed, and stubborn with each other we should laugh about these differences of opinion and go on caring for one another.

Forgiving one another – this almost sounds like the previous one, but they are different. Forgiving someone is you paying the debt they owe you, by wiping the “slate” clean. That is what Jesus did for us on the cross. He asked the Father to forgive as the soldiers drove the nails in His hands. He was paying a debt He did not owe.

In verse 14 we see what it is that we need in order for these things to stick together and work efficiently, and sufficiently. When you are building a house there are many nails used to put board to board to erect the structure. These nails, whether a single nail, or a gang nail holds this building together. The idea is to be held together so well that it will never fall. We do not really have that kind of security in our fallen world.

Paul tells us, “Put on charity”, and by ‘charity’ he means a God-like love. Love like God does. How does God love us? He loves us unconditionally, ie., without conditions. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8b). Even while we were His enemies, yet He loved us, each and everyone.

When we have this God-like love there will be nothing anyone can do to cause us to hate them, to be jealous of them, to envy them, and instead we will rejoice with them when they are rejoicing; and we will weep with them when they weep. Here Paul commands us to “Put on charity”. This is not an ‘Itchy, goody, feely, emotionally moving” type of love. This is the love that is motivated by the heart of God, and it has no qualifications, or hindrances. Remember this, though, “God loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are”.

The next thing Paul deals with is having the “Peace of God” in verses 15 – 16. Paul mentions the peace of God in Philippians 4:7,

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Without the peace of God there could be no love; either for others or for God. We gain the peace of God through His work of justification.

When you are at peace with God, ie., not trying to gain peace on your own merit, works, etc. and accepting the gift of grace which God gives through the cross of Christ; there will be no problem with letting Him rule in your life; and that will include being at peace with your brother and sister in Christ. Even if a brother or sister is still at odds with you; you can still look them in the eye when they are broken down on the side of the road, and you pull over to help them. It is also the means to remaining always thankful.

It does not matter the Christian’s lot in this life. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who own worldly possessions and there are brothers and sisters who do not. Some are quite poor in this world’s goods, and those who have are commanded to help those who have not; and to do it without murmuring and complaining.

How does one go about letting the “Word of Christ dwell in you richly…”? John MacArthur writes,

“To let the word of Christ richly dwell is identical to being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).” FROM THE MACARTHUR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY ON COLOSSIANS AND PHILEMON pg. 159.

The word of Christ is to be in us abundantly, overflowing, but how can it be doing so, when we seem to remain Biblically illiterate. It is by the word of Christ that we grow in Him. It is by the word of Christ that we become like Him. It is by the word of Christ that we can have ‘all wisdom’, and teach and admonish “…one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”.

Here is a further word of explanation from John MacArthur,

“Having the Word of Christ richly dwell in us produces not only information, but also emotion. It generates psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Psalms were taken from the Old Testament psalter, the book of Psalms. They sang psalms put to music, much as we do today. Hymns were expressions of praise to God. It is thought that some portions of the New Testament (such as Col. 1:15-20 and Phil. 2:6-11) were originally hymns sung in the early church. Spiritual songs emphasized testimony (cf. Rev. 5:9-10). They express in song what God has done for us.” Ibid. pg. 160.

The glory of Jesus Christ is the purpose of our being. He saved us for His own glory. He sanctifies us for His own glory. He fills us with His Spirit for His own glory. Shouldn’t everything we do be for His glory, and that must be “In His name” (v. 17).

When we are full of Jesus Christ we will also be the most thankful people on earth. Murmuring will cease. Complaints will be complaining because there are no tensions between brothers and sisters in Christ. When those things are so, then, the devil will certainly buffet us, and try and stir things up.

Let’s be thankful. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Lord. Thank You Father. Thank You Holy Spirit for pointing us to Jesus. Thank You Lord for making it possible for me to love You. Thank You Father for judging Jesus in my place. Thank You Father for every trial which is working for Your glory and my good.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Christmas Day Seventy and Two

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to wear the clothing  of the mind of Christ which include tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing others, and forgiving any who may offend me.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:12-13 (KJV)

For further study on this topic follow this link.

Words for Christian Living – Enduring Love

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“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV)

This “Charity” is the love God has for us.  It is love that we as Christians are to have for one another, and others outside the Body of Christ.  How much does God love us?  Enough to give His only begotten Son to die on the cross to pay a debt that was mine and yours to pay.

The charity we show is not selfish; seeking something in return, but the glory of God.  If we will practice this love there would be more marriages that will endure the tests of time.  Practicing this love of God there would be less rejoicing in iniquity; and more rejoicing in the truth.  This love “Endures all things”; but that does not mean we do not pray for change.

-Tim A. Blankenship