Free Bible Commentary
Colossians 1:21-23
Wednesday, October 17, 2018“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
When we were in the world and engaged in sinful thoughts and “evil deeds,” we were “hostile” enemies of God and “alienated” from Him and His spiritual blessings (verse 21). Wicked thoughts and actions are direct attacks on God and His holiness, and are completely deserving of God’s righteous wrath. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
Yet, because of His great love and mercy, Jesus paid the penalty that we all deserve from of our sins, and He “reconciled” us “in His fleshly body through death” (verse 22). Without Christ’s sacrifice there could have been no appeasement of God’s wrath and therefore no reconciliation with Him. Sinners who refuse to turn to God through obedient faith in Christ Jesus make themselves forever the Lord’s enemies and will be eternally damned and estranged from Him.
For those of us who willingly and purposefully chose a covenant relationship with God through Christ, we must “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast” and unmovable in our hope (verse 23). Jesus died for us in order that He might present us “holy and blameless and beyond reproach” as we stand before God on Judgment Day (verse 22). But we can see that Christ’s sacrifice and our “belief alone” will not be enough to secure us on that day. We will only be regenerated on the last day “if” (verse 23) we continue firmly, steadfastly and unwaveringly in our faith in Jesus and our conviction for His Gospel.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Please read Colossians 1:24-29 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:18-20
Tuesday, October 16, 2018“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Jesus is “the head of the body, the church” (verse 18). The church of Jesus Christ does not have a chief earthly ruler or headquarters. There is no ruling class or committee or governing body that makes policy, determines doctrine or delegates authority. Jesus reigns over His church kingdom seated at the right hand of His Father’s throne in heaven as Supreme Ruler. He has dictated His will and commands to us through the inspired revelation that has been perfectly preserved throughout the ages in the pages of the New Testament.
Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead.” He is not the first person to ever be resurrected from the dead, but He is the only one who has arisen by His own power and authority, and the only one to remain alive and in a glorified form after having arisen. Jesus holds “first place” or “preeminence in everything.” He is God in all “fullness” (verse 19), form (verse 15) and essence. He is the Creator of the Universe, and all things were made “through Him and for Him” (verse 17). He is the ruler of eternity, of all creation and of the church that He purchased “through the blood of His cross” (verse 20).
The Father chose Jesus, and Him alone, to “reconcile all things to Himself” and make “peace” between Himself and mankind (verse 20). There is no other way to an eternity with the Father in heaven than through the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and our faith in Him and obedience to His commands. The only way to live with God’s grace and favor, and to have things ultimately end well for you is to give Jesus “first place in everything” in your life.
Please read Colossians 1:21-23 for tomorrow.
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:15-17
Monday, October 15, 201810-16-18 – Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
---End of Scripture Verses---
Paul is making the case for the preeminence and absolute authority and sufficiency of Christ Jesus. The brethren had some misconceptions about the nature of Jesus because of the misinformation spread by some false teachers. Paul teaches them who Christ is in regards to deity (verse 15), as concerns the created Universe (verses 15-17), and in relation to the church (verses 18-23) in this chapter.
Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” (verse 15). To say that Jesus is the “image” or the “eikon” of God is to say that He is the Father’s “representation and manifestation” (Vine’s Dictionary). The Apostle John wrote concerning Jesus: “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18).
Jesus bore the image of His Father in heaven because He coexists with Him from eternity and He shares the same eternal nature and essence of the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew writer wrote of Jesus that “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus doesn’t merely bear the “image” of the Father in appearance, but is the “exact representation of His nature.”
To say that Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation” is not to say that Jesus was a created being. Paul is relating the concept of rank and privilege, and not birth and origination by this statement. He is not saying that Christ is a part of creation, because “by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth” (verse 16). Jesus as the Word existed “before all things” (verse 17) therefore His is far superior to anything in the created world, and owns the rank far above any created person or thing.
In Jesus “all things hold together” (verse 17). As we read in Hebrews 1:3, Jesus “upholds all things by the word of His power.” The Word not only created the Universe, but He also maintains its order and cohesiveness by the Almighty power that He exerts in keeping things intact and functioning properly. Do you feel as if your life is flying out of control as you read this? Maybe it is because you have not made or maintained Jesus as the center of your world. It is impossible to “hold it all together” without Jesus as the power source for mental and spiritual cohesion in your life.
Please read Colossians 1:18-20 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:13-14
Sunday, October 14, 2018“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Through the beloved Son of God alone can we hope to be rescued, transferred, redeemed and forgiven. “The domain of darkness” is the realm of sin and spiritual death where “the prince of the power of the air” reigns (Ephesians 2:1-2). This is the state of existence of spiritual blindness and ignorance and alienation from the God of love, light and holiness.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Jesus lived and died and arose and ascended in order to illuminate our lives and rescue us from this horrid realm of alienation and damnation. He paid the purchase price of “redemption” with His own blood that brings us back into good standing with God, and transfers us into the safety of the “kingdom of His beloved Son.”
Friend, if you are living outside of a covenant relationship with God through the blood of His Only Begotten Son, you are in grave peril! If you have yet to express your faith in God by complying to the command to be baptized “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38), “into Christ Jesus” and “into His death” (Romans 6:3) so that you can contact His blood and arise to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), you are still dead in the darkness of sin.
If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world (John 3:16), and you are ready to confess your belief in Him (Romans 10:9-10), repent of your sins (Acts 2:38) and turn to the Lord in obedient faith, you can make your life right with God this very day!
Please come visit us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
We offer a Bible study period at 9:30 AM and we assemble for worship at 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
God bless you and have a wonderful Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:9-12
Saturday, October 13, 2018“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The only way we could ever hope to do God’s bidding on a consistent and continual basis is to “be filled with the knowledge of His will” (verse 9). If we do not take the time to frequently feed bountifully upon and fill ourselves up with the living word of God, we will find ourselves suffering from spiritual starvation and alienation from the giver of “all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
If we are spiritually malnourished, we will not be able to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (verse 10). We will just stagger around and bump into and trip up on all manner of foolishness and transgression. The word of God is not only food but it is also living seed that, when planted firmly within our minds, bears lovely fruit that manifests itself in “every good work” of faith and love.
God’s word is our source of “strength,” “power,” and “might” to do these good works and remain “steadfast” in times of troubles and trials (verse 11). The Bible produces “patience” within us so that we can “joyously give thanks to the Father” not matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in. Isn’t it a wonderful and joyful thing to know that, whatever our lot is here on earth that God has taught us to say: “It is well with my soul”? We have an eternal “inheritance” with “the saints in Light” (verse 12) that no depth of darkness in this world could ever hope to dim or flicker out!
Rejoice and give thanks holy ones! If our Father in heaven is for us, no one and no thing can ever prevail against us! Drink deeply from the wellspring of life! I am so thankful that you are reading along with us in these daily Bible readings, but please do not stop to sip at this little well only. Let this only serve to stimulate your thirst to drink much more deeply and meaningfully throughout the day!
Please read Colossians 1:13-14 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Colossians 1:1-8
Friday, October 12, 2018“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul mentions the blessed triad of faith, hope and love in verses 4 and 5. The Apostle tells us that the greatest of these three virtues is love in 1 Corinthians 13:13, but it seems that hope is the hinge. It is “because of the hope laid up” in heaven that their faith and love were so strong. If we did not have hope in Christ Jesus for a bright eternity in heaven, there would be little or no motivation to have Christ-like love for our brethren or fight the good fight of faith. “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). The hope (confident expectation) of heaven is the driving force behind our faith and our love and every good thing that we do. How pitiable we would be if our hope ended at the grave!
The Gospel is THE word of truth (verse 5) that prompts us to have faith in God and love our brethren, and that gives us the hope of heaven. The Gospel is a living, dynamic, spiritual power plant (Hebrews 4:12). It is not only the absolute truth and the final word on truth, it is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and transformation (Romans 12:2). The Gospel is “constantly bearing fruit and increasing” in the world today, just as it was “in all the world” back then (verse 6).
Sometimes we may get discouraged because it seems that people just don’t respond favorably to the Gospel like they used to. But human nature and mankind’s needs have not changed in the slightest. People still need the Gospel today as much as they ever have in the past, and God’s word will still work powerfully in their lives. It's just that we must be determined to get the word out into the world and into human hearts. “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Please read Colossians 1:9-12 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Introduction to Colossians
Thursday, October 11, 2018The city of Colosse was located in the district of Phrygia in the province of Asia (Minor – modern day Turkey), and it was in close proximity to the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea, the latter of which Paul wanted this letter read to (4:13, 16). Once a large and prosperous city that flourished because of its wool garment industry, by the time of Paul’s writing in the first century, Colosse was in decline, especially in comparison to its sister cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea.
It is not known how the church began in Colosse but it is unlikely that Paul had a part in its inception because it appears that he was personally unknown to the churches in that area (2:1). Jews from Phrygia were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost when the church of Christ was established (Acts 2:10), so perhaps some of those played a part in converting some of the locals to Christ when they returned home. Epaphras worked diligently to spread the truth with Paul and he was from Colosse (4:12), and he actually preached the Gospel there (1:7), so he may have been instrumental in starting up the congregation.
It seems that the main reason Paul wrote this letter was to warn the brethren to “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (2:8-9). There was an element among the brethren in the region that was teaching damning heresy that may have been a combination of early Gnosticism and old Judaism.
Twice in the letter Paul emphasized that all the fullness of deity dwelt in Christ in bodily form (1:19: 2:9), which is a direct refutation of the gnostic principle that flesh is inherently evil. The Apostle also warned the brethren against the keeping of Jewish holy days which were “a mere shadow” of the truth and substance that has since been revealed in Christ Jesus (2:16-17). Paul wanted these brethren to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that” they would be able to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (1:9-10).
Please read Colossians 1:1-8 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:15-23
Wednesday, October 10, 2018“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
---End of Scripture verses---
When churches and individual Christians help support preachers and the spread of the Gospel it is “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (verse 18). Paul used familiar Old Testament language associated with the former system of animal sacrifices to show that God is pleased with us when we give up something of value in order to support the most important cause that will ever exist. It appears to me that Paul viewed this congregational contribution to be a form of worship offered to the Lord in heaven.
We will never lose when we give sacrificially to the Lord, and there is no way that we can ever possibly out-give Him. “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (verse 19). The true, spiritual, lasting riches can only be found in a covenant relationship with God through the atoning sacrifice and mediation of Jesus Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Christ temporarily gave up the riches and glories of heaven so that we could enjoy them with Him for all eternity. If we seek first the kingdom of God He will take care of all our needs on earth and crown us with eternal glory in heaven.
We will have some introductory remarks about Paul’s letter to the Colossians tomorrow Lord willing.
Have a super day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:10-14
Tuesday, October 09, 2018“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The brethren in Philippi had sent Paul some money to help with his financial needs while he was in prison. He really appreciated that gift because it showed him how much they cared for him (verse 10), and it helped to ease some of his burdens during his time of “affliction” (verse 14). The money really was a blessing to him and he eagerly accepted it and was able to put it to good use.
But an even greater blessing is having the ability “to be content in whatever circumstances” that a person may find himself in (verse 11). Paul was happy with his gift but he knew he would have been alright even if they would not have had the “opportunity” to send it to him. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
Paul is not condemning having wealth or an abundance of material goods in today’s verses. He had learned to be content when he lived in “prosperity” and when he only had “humble means” (verse 12). I am of the opinion that prosperity is much better than poverty! But, if we have faith in the Lord Jesus, and all of our NEEDS are being met, we can be spiritually rich even if we are fiscally poor. If we keep our mind focused on Jesus, we can pull off being either wealthy or needy with our faith and salvation intact.
Paul called the ability to do this a “secret” (verse 12) because the majority of the people in the world have not acquired the skill of being content in all situations. The secret of being able to do “all things” (verse 3) is Jesus Christ. When we turn to Him for our strength, He will equip us to do every good thing that is in accordance with His will for us. When we are faithfully devoted to Christ, even when we are physically or monetarily “weak” we can be mentally and spiritually “strong” (2 Corinthians 12:12).
Ok the secret is out! The key to having and doing everything blessed and good is Jesus Christ! Now let’s get the word out, and let’s put all our trust in and focus on the Lord and His will for us!
Please read Philippians 4:15-23 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:4-9
Monday, October 08, 2018“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
In a nutshell, Paul is telling us here to not worry about anything but to pray about everything (verse 6). Worrying never helped a single soul solve their problems. Worry and anxiety only make things worse. When we stress and fret over our problems our physical and spiritual health suffer, and we are quite often paralyzed by fear and rendered incapable of doing anything to help ourselves.
On the other hand, if prayer is our habitual practice and our first impulse, we take the weight of our burdens and troubles, and cast them upon the Creator of the Universe who can actually handle them (1 Peter 5:7). The effective fervent prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much (James 5:16), but the foolish fretting of a faithless person fails to accomplish a thing.
God loves you and He is ready, willing and completely able to bless you in your times of distress. Stop worrying long enough to start praying. Cast your cares and your prayers upon God, “WITH THANKSGIVING,” and He will give you the strength to endure. Don’t forget to thank God for all the good things that He has given you! That will help to take your focus off things that are going wrong in your life.
Then, redirect your focus. “Dwell on” things that are “true” and “honorable” and “right” and “pure” and “lovely” (verse 8). Focus on the excellent and praiseworthy things, and “the God of peace will be with you” (verse 9). As a matter of fact, God will grant you the peace of mind that “surpasses all comprehension” that will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).
God doesn’t always promise to remove the storm, but He will help you to have peace in the midst of the storm if you will only turn outward and upward to Him instead of inward to yourself. Get out of your own head and turn to the One who has all the power to help you with your problems!
Please read Philippians 4:10-14 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed and peaceful day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 4:1-3
Sunday, October 07, 2018“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul refers to his brethren in Christ as his “beloved” (verse 2). He had a heart full of love for his fellow Christians who brought much “joy” to his life and the delight of a much-prized victory “crown”. So it obviously troubled him when two sisters in Christ were having a tough time getting along and expressing the love of Christ to one another. Paul asked the brethren in the church at Philippi to do two things for these rivalling siblings in Christ: “urge” them and “help” them.
The love of the brethren and the unity of the church are so vital to the wellbeing of everyone involved that they literally needed to “urge” or “beseech” or “beg” these sisters to “live in harmony in the Lord” (verse 2). This literally means “to be of the same mind,” just as Paul had urged the whole congregation to be in chapter 2 verse 2. He then went on to show them that adopting the “mind” or “attitude” of Christ was the only way to succeed harmoniously in this spiritual venture together (2:5-8). The best way to “live in harmony in the Lord” is to try our best to be like the Lord. Paul called upon his brethren to “help these women” (verse 3) by encouraging them and teaching them and intervening on each of their behalves.
These were faithful Christians who allowed their differences to cause a rift between the two of them. That is very disappointing but it sometimes happens. The church is made up of a diversity of people from a variety of backgrounds, having different temperaments, personalities and viewpoints. But on the flipside, these ladies were both hard workers for Christ who had “shared” in Paul’s “struggle in the cause of the gospel,” and their names were written “in the book of life” (verse 3). Never give up on Christians who have compatibility problems. Urge them. Help them. And if necessary, separate them (Acts 15:36-41).
Even if we sometimes have a hard time standing side-by-side with an individual soldier in the Lord’s army, that doesn’t necessarily make us bad people. Sometimes we just have to love someone from a distance. Let’s just make sure that we do our very best to love everyone and hate no one. And we must make certain that we are personally standing “firm in the Lord” (verse 1) no matter what!
Please read Philippians 4:4-9 for tomorrow.
You are invited to assemble with us to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville.
9:30 AM Bible study. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Hoping and praying you all have a blessed and faithful Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:17-21
Saturday, October 06, 2018“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was not just tooting his own horn when he talked about all the power, privilege and prestige that he had once possessed (verses 1-6), and that he willingly gave the sum of it up because he knew that it was all rubbish in comparison to the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus and walking in His footsteps (verses 7-10). Paul was setting himself up as an “example” and a “pattern” to follow (verse 17) all the way to a glorious resurrection and an eternity in heaven (verses 12-19).
Today’s passage speaks to the power of example, whether it be a good one or a bad one. Paul and his companions led lives of dedication to “the cross of Christ,” and they demonstrated their love for the Lord by accepting the “fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” in order that they “may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (verse 10). Any time people are willing to lay their lives on the line for a cause, and subject themselves to ridicule and suffering, that makes a powerful impression on the minds of others and can stimulate similar feelings of devotion within them.
But still, there were others who walked as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (verse 18). And it seems that Paul was “weeping” over these people because they were once purified by the blood that freely flowed upon that old rugged cross. These were people who were controlled by their base, fleshly appetites and not by the Holy Spirit’s direction to live lives of holiness and self-control. They gloried in shameful things and “set their minds on earthly things” (verse 19). They walked according to the pattern and path of destructions, and, undoubtedly people followed after their horrid example, and they did so to eternal destruction.
So what is the impetus to follow a righteous pattern and not a wicked one? The answer is a home in heaven (verse 20)! Paul counted his earthly home and fortune as rubbish because he had been promised a glorious mansion and eternal treasure in heaven above! Paul believed with all his heart that it didn’t matter how men might abuse his body on earth as he dedicated it to the service of the Lord in heaven because Christ would one day “transform” his week and feeble body after the image of His glorious, resurrected body (verse 21). One suitable for living an eternity in the presence of the Lord who had redeemed him.
Be careful of the example you set. People are watching.
Be careful of the example you follow. It will determine your destiny.
Please read Philippians 4:1-3 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:12-16
Friday, October 05, 2018“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was thrilled that he had given up the rubbish of world in order to gain the excellency of Christ (verses 7-8), but he was sobered by the fact that he was not yet in heaven (verse 11). He had still not laid hold of the eternal prize that was promised to him when he was first apprehended by Christ (verse 12). When Paul received and obeyed “the upward call of God” (verse 14) his mind was renewed and his spirit redeemed, and he was placed on the narrow track that leads to heaven. But the “goal” line where the ultimate “prize” is won cannot be found on this side of eternity.
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that this prize is promised to all Christians who faithfully finish the race. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” When our time on earth is done, and when the Lord returns to gather His own, it will truly be a glorious day for His faithful runners! But, until we cross that finish line, we still have work to do and a race to run.
Let’s keep reminding ourselves that the race lies ahead of us and not behind us (verse 13). One of the hardest things for me to do is to keep running forward without looking back. I allow too many things that have been said and done in the past to hinder my progress in the race of faith. This is a passage that I should read with frequency—maybe every day but at least every week. I need frequent reminders that, as my brother used to say, “there ain’t no future in the past!” The Apostle Paul didn’t live in the past. He never forgot the lessons that he learned from his past mistakes, but he didn’t “dwell on” them. As a matter of fact he didn’t focus on his past failures or successes. He was all about future thinking and forward progress.
So, stay on track and don’t look back! Sometimes we might get stuck a little bit, but let’s hold on to what we’ve attained in Christ, and not throw our eternity away because of a few snags along the path (verses 15-16). Stay the course no matter what, even if the road gets a bit rocky from time to time. None of the rubbish of the world we left behind is ever worth giving up heaven to go back to!
Please read Philippians 3:17-21 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:8-11
Thursday, October 04, 2018“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Absolutely nothing was more important or more valuable to Paul than “knowing Christ Jesus” (verse 8). After Jesus had entered into Paul’s life he began to look at life through a completely different set of lenses. He came to realize that most of the things that he had treasured prior to coming to the Lord were actually trivial in comparison to the “surpassing value” of discovering true knowledge. Paul knew about Jesus but his knowledge ran much deeper than mere awareness. When he came to truly know the eternal nature and essence of the Word that became flesh, and how He lived on earth and what He expected of and promised to His faithful followers, Paul knew he had learned the pinnacle of human purpose.
Nothing is more important than a deeper knowledge of, a closer walk with, a greater love for Jesus. In Paul’s mind, everything else, relatively speaking, was pure “rubbish”. The combined total of that which he was willing to throw away in no way compared to that which he gained from his complete devotion to Christ. He would let nothing or no one stand between him and his relationship with his Lord. No defunct system of religion, or his position in it; no vain, human philosophy; no monetary wealth or worldly possession. Paul was all in for the Lord because he knew that he had found the one, priceless treasure that he could not live without.
If we want to one day realize “the power of His resurrection” to eternal life (verse 11), we must commit our minds and hearts to Him and entrust our lives to Him on earth. We must be willing to live for Jesus and die for Jesus if we want to reign with Jesus eternally in heaven.
Please read Philippians 3:12-16 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 3:1-7
Wednesday, October 03, 2018“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The “same things” that Paul wrote about again in verse one likely harken back to his admonition for them to stand “firm in one spirit together for the faith of the gospel” against their “opponents” (1:27-28). Here he actually identified their common “adversaries” as “the dogs,” “the evil workers,” “the false circumcision” (verse 2). This was the element among the church that had professed belief in Christ but tried to bind circumcision and other aspects of the Law of Moses upon the brotherhood. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:12 that their motivation for doing this was to avoid being “persecuted for the cross of Christ.”
Paul referred to these “evil workers” as “false brethren” in Galatians 2:4. Even though we do not experience this particular form pressure to conform to religious error in the church today, we still must be on our guard against anyone who would try to teach us false doctrine or attempt to coerce us into doing something that we know is wrong or not commanded by God. We are responsible for serving and worshiping God “in the Spirit” (verse 3), or according to the truth of the Holy Spirit’s revelation, and for glorifying Christ Jesus in all that we do.
Paul gave up all of his privilege and power in the Jewish community in order to believe and obey the truth, and glorify Christ in his life and in his death (1:20). He had much more to put “confidence” (verse 4) in than the false brethren did, so his influence for good should have overridden the evil influence of the false circumcision in the minds of the Philippians. Paul was actually at the very “top of the food chain” in Judaism (verses 5-6). But he willingly forsook everything that was coveted and esteemed by the pride and lust of mankind in order to gain Christ and please God.
Paul weighed the whole world in the balances against the “surpassing value of knowing Christ” (verse 8), and the world came up lacking. He willing suffered the “loss” of everything that he had once held dear, but he really didn’t lose anything of lasting value in the deal. He wisely exchanged an eternal crown of life for some brief and fleeting earthly possessions and prestige. What do you need to turn loose of for Christ that you have yet to give up? Whatever it is, it is not worth it!
Please read Philippians 3:8-11 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:25-29
Tuesday, October 02, 2018“But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul considered Epaphroditus to be his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (verse 25). These two had worked hard together and had fought arm-in-arm with one another against the enemy of all that is good and holy. Their common adversary, common goals and common struggles had bound them closer together in brotherly love in the Lord. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” When we know that we can count on someone to guard our flanks and cover our back in the heat of the battle, we come to love and appreciate a brother or sister like that in ways that words cannot fully describe.
Paul also referred to his friend and brother as a “messenger and minister.” The word “messenger” is actually the Greek word for “apostle,” which literally means “one sent” to deliver a message or accomplish a work. The church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul for the purpose of delivering their monetary gift to him, and for personally ministering to Paul’s needs in any way that was beneficial to him. Paul was sending his helper back to his brethren in Philippi, but it was not because he had not been extremely useful to him. It was just that Epaphroditus was worried about them because they had been so worried about him and his poor health (verse 28).
Epaphroditus had risked his life in order to serve the church and to minister to Paul’s needs. But Paul made it clear that Epaphroditus had come close to death “for the work of Christ” (verse 30). He was primarily and ultimately serving the Lord when he was putting his life on the line to serve the Lord’s people. This is another testimony to the “unsung heroes” of the faith. The Lord knows the lives that belong to Him and He greatly esteems the Christians who serve Him with all their heart and soul. We should “hold men like him in high regard” (verse 29) because God surely does. Let the hard workers of the Lord’s vineyard know how much you appreciate them!
Please read Philippians 3:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:19-24
Monday, October 01, 2018“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.”
---End of Scripture verses---
A couple of Paul’s fellow workers who had “the mind of Christ” (verse 5) were Timothy (verses 19-24) and Epaphroditus (verses 25-29). These two men had dedicated their lives to Jesus and put their lives on the line every day in service to their brethren and fellowman. Paul said that Timothy was “of kindred spirt” with him (verse 20). This term literally means “equal-souled”. Both Paul and Timothy shared a deep and genuine “concern” for the brethren in Philippi, and the Apostle was confident that when he sent Timothy to help them out spiritually, they would be getting the next best thing to a visit from Paul himself.
Timothy did not seek after his own interests but the interests of Christ Jesus (verse 21). This means that, just like His Savior, Timothy did “nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,” but with humility of mind he regarded other people as “more important than” himself” (verse 3). He did not merely look out for his “own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (verse 4). Timothy had “proven worth” because he consistently displayed a Christ-like attitude as he faithfully carried out his duties as a servant of Christ. He could be trusted and depended upon to do the will of God because he had a proven track record that stood the test of time.
These two men were not superhuman heroes. They were regular people like you and me who gave their very best to the Lord because of their deep gratitude for all that He had done for them. God recognizes and rewards the efforts of the dedicated workers in His kingdom and soldiers in His army, even if no one else ever does. Keep fighting! Keep working! Keep serving! The Lord knows your worth! If you have been sitting idly by, get into the fracas! There is no time like the present to surrender your will and life to your Lord!
We’ll read about Epaphroditus in verses 25-29 for tomorrow Lord willing.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:14-18
Sunday, September 30, 2018“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
“Grumbling and disputing” are indicators of dissatisfaction and selfishness. We must understand that God will hold us accountable for a worldly and unholy attitude as we endeavor to go about working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (verse 12). We will never “appear as lights” (verse 15) if we participate in the gloom that pervades this dark world. If the people living outside of the light of Christ cannot see something desirably different in us, then they will see no reason to want what He has to offer them.
“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:9-13)
The majority of the people that Jesus walked among “did not comprehend the light” that He came to shine into their lives (John 1:5). And yet there were precious few who appreciated and absorbed His grace and glory, and He transformed and translated them into the kingdom of heaven. If we reflect the light of the Son as we walk amid the gloom of the world, we have wonderful opportunity to help pull aimless and lost souls out of the midst of this “crooked and perverse generation.”
Please read Philippians 2:19-24 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class.
10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:12-13
Saturday, September 29, 2018“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
I love this passage because it demonstrates clearly that salvation is a two-way street. Salvation required work on God’s part, and it requires work on our part. When Paul wrote that we were saved by grace, not as a result of works in Ephesians 2:8-9, He was writing about the “system” of grace that saves as opposed to the “system” of legal works that attempts to make God indebted to us. It should be obvious by passages like today’s that works of righteousness are absolutely required if we are to “work out,” or “bring to completion” our own salvation.
Even in Ephesians chapter 2 Paul wrote that we are saved by grace “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faithfulness unto death is a lifelong work that brings salvation to its final and ultimate fruition (John 6:29; Revelation 2:10). Paul went on to write in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Peter wrote that “the outcome of your faith” is “the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). Jesus became “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Here is just a small sampling of the kinds of obedient works that God demands of His faithful followers while they serve Him in faith and love with the earthly lives He entrusts to them. The journey of faith begins when we are convicted of our sins, and repent of them and are baptized to have them forgiven (Acts 2:38). All faithful Christians must regularly assemble with people of like, precious faith (Hebrews 10:25), and must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 2:24). Individually, we are expected to live righteous lives (Titus 2:1-12), and to help the needy as our own abilities allow us (Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27).
But even though God has given us works to do, He has not left us alone in the working out of our salvation. “It is God who is at work in” us (verse 13). When we place our faith and trust in our Creator, He becomes the driving force behind our efforts. And let’s be honest, He is the one who has done, and continues to do, all the “heavy lifting” and carries the brunt of workload. And our just God would never require more than any of us is capable of giving. The Parable of the Talents is a great illustration of how God only expects a person to give “according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:14-30).
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Please read Philippians 2:14-18 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:9-11
Friday, September 28, 2018“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The result of Christ humbling himself, even to the point of death on the cross (verse 8), is that “God highly exalted Him” (verse 9). Jesus taught this very principle to His followers as He lived it by perfect example. “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:9-12)
If you want to be exalted in God’s eyes, you must lower yourself in your own eyes. Of course, Christ was elevated and exalted to the utmost degree. He has “the name which is above every name.” No one has been or can ever be His equal. He arose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, and rules as King supernal over all the universe. Jesus, “is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him” (1 Peter 3:22).
“Every knee will bow” to Jesus (verse 10). We mentioned yesterday that His “love for His creation allowed him to (temporarily) lay aside any insistence for the reverence and honor and glory that was due Him.” Christ’s love for mankind is eternal, but it is important to stress the “temporary” nature of His tolerance and patience for the rebellion of His creation. Every knee WILL bow to Him and “every tongue WILL confess that Jesus Chris is Lord” (verse 11). All people have the free will to choose to honor The King on earth. But the gravity and reality of Christ as Lord will finally hit those who refused to bow, and it will drive them to their knees when it is too late to make things right in eternity.
There are no second chances after death friends. Today is the day to give your life to Jesus and start glorifying God and living your life for Him.
Please read Philippians 2:12-13 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:5-8
Thursday, September 27, 2018“ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
---End of Scripture verses---
If we are going to “strive together for the faith of the gospel” (1:27), we must learn to “do nothing from selfishness and empty conceit,” humbly regard one another as more important than ourselves (2:3), and look out for the interests of other people (2:4). If we want to learn how best to achieve this difficult task, we must look to the perfect example of Christ Jesus, and adopt His “mind” or “attitude” as our very own (verse 5).
Jesus had all the privileges of deity. He “existed in the form of God” (verse 6). The meaning of the word “form” has been a much debated subject, and there are varying opinions on what it means in this context. But, the true meaning must be viewed in light of the fact that Jesus has always possessed “equality with God”. Existing in the form of God, Jesus possesses all of the nature, essence and attributes of deity.
But, Jesus did not regard his equality with God “a thing to be grasped.” Even though He had all the prerogatives of deity, He chose to not fully exercise them when He came to this earth in “the form of a bond-servant” (verse 7). Instead, Jesus “emptied himself” or “made himself of no reputation.” Yet another hotly debated subject is just what did Jesus empty himself of. The short answer is that He emptied himself of “self”. He did not stop being God. He did not divest himself of His divinity. He chose to not pursue the course of self-interest.
Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Many people think that they would like to be God, at least for a day. Well, that might not be exactly what they expect it to be. In Jesus “all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). And yet He was often hungry, thirsty, sleepless, friendless, unappreciated, hated. It is not that He didn’t have the power to remedy these situations. It’s just that, as God, His love for His creation allowed him to (temporarily) lay aside any insistence for the reverence and honor and glory that was due Him.
It all boils down to this: Jesus “humbled Himself” (verse 8). If anyone had the right to be demanding and arrogant, it was Jesus. But He pursued the undesirable course (from purely human reasoning and standards) of humble submission instead. God came to the earth in the “form” of a man (which means that He was every bit as much man as He was God, simultaneously), and He lived for and served the people He created. And He served all the way “to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
If Jesus willingly sacrificed His rights and privileges and ego and life for sinful, inconsistent, ungrateful people like you and me, certainly we can take it on the chin for our brothers and sisters in Christ in order to be more like our Savior, and promote grace, love and unity in the church He died to purchase.
Please read Philippians 2:9-11 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day.
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 2:1-4
Wednesday, September 26, 2018“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
---End of Scripture verses---
If we find encouragement in Christ and are consoled by His love, if we appreciate the affection, compassion and fellowship that God blesses us with through His Holy Spirit (verse 1), then we should share that love and unity with our Christian brethren (verse 2). Brothers and sisters in Christ should set their minds on the same spiritual purposes and goals. We should strive to have the “same love” for one another.
So often brethren have their best friends and only associate with a small group within their larger church network. It is very difficult to love everybody exactly the “same” way since we all have our unique interests, personalities and temperaments. But we should make the effort to branch out and extend our “affection and compassion” to people outside of our comfortable little circles. There are people in our spiritual family that feel left out, overlooked and unimportant. That is not a good feeling.
It takes a great deal of selflessness and humility to regard other people and their “interests” as more important than ourselves and our own “personal interests” (verses 3-4). But if you think about it, that’s the best way to behave in our own nuclear families. When we put the interests and needs of our spouses and children before our own, our households are more loving and enriching and peaceful. The same principles hold true with our spiritual family.
We will see in tomorrow’s reading that the best (if not the only) way to pull this off is to look to Jesus and follow His perfect example of humility, love and selflessness to the best of our abilities.
Please read Philippians 2:5-8 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:27-30
Tuesday, September 25, 2018“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
When brethren in Christ stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (verse 27), there is no good thing that the “opponents” (verse 28) can stop them from doing. The word translated “mind” in verse 27 is the Greek word “psuchē” which is nearly always rendered “soul” in the New Testament. When Paul writes about standing firm in one spirt and one soul, he is talking about the deepest kind of united devotion to “the faith of the gospel.” That kind of dedication to “the faith” is giving everything you’ve got to not only “stand” in the truth, but to also actively push forward its “progress” (verse 12).
The term “striving together” is deeply meaningful as well. The NIV renders the phrase “contending as one,” and the RSV, “striving side by side.” The image that comes to my mind is the Greek phalanx. This was a close-rank military formation that consisted of a tight clustering of soldiers armed with long spears and interlocking shields. The phalanx was a formidable force for both defensive and offensive proficiency. When Christians lock their shields of faith together and adroitly wield their swords of truth, that spells “destruction” for God’s enemies and “salvation” for His warriors (verse 28).
Struggle and hardship are a part of any war, so we will have occasion to “suffer” as we fight for the Lord (verse 29). “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3). The Apostle Peter wrote that “even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14). It is a blessing to suffer for the cause of righteousness because if we suffer with Him “we will also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:17).
So, if you are going through a rough patch while serving God, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are doing something wrong or that the Lord has forgotten you. It might just mean that you are suffering the setbacks of spiritual warfare. “To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 4:13).
Please read Philippians 2:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:22-26
Monday, September 24, 2018“But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul was kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place (verse 23). He wanted to leave all of his toil, trouble and strife behind, and go home to heaven to live with Jesus forever. But, he also wanted to stay on earth in order to serve and help his brethren in Christ and all of humankind (verse 24). Being the selfless person that he was, he knew that the immediate needs of his brethren and friends were more important than his future hopes and desires (verse 25).
The truth be told, the choice was really not Paul’s to make. To be or not to be (to live or to die) is the not the right of any child of God to decide. Paul knew that going home to heaven was “very much better” for him (verse 23), but he also knew that the Lord still had work for him to do. We should all adopt Paul’s attitude when it comes to balancing the pressures of our life on earth with our desires to be at home with Jesus. While we are in our earthly tabernacles, we have the glorious opportunity to serve the Lord with all our strength. If we do that, when the time comes for our spirits depart for fairer lands beyond, we will share in His glory forever.
Work, serve, wait, believe, hope. Press on toward the goal with patience and with the confidence that Christ has an eternal reward waiting for you (3:14).
Please read Philippians 1:27-30 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:19-21
Sunday, September 23, 2018“for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul was convinced that he would be “delivered” from his current circumstances (verse 19). He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of human intervention through the potent power of the prayers of righteous people (James 5:16). He knew that he had a chorus of human hearts and voices lifting petitions and supplications to heaven on his behalf, and that God hears and heeds the prayers of his holy ones.
Paul was also confident of the “provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” He had taken to heart the encouraging words that Jesus had spoken to the Apostles, even though Paul was not among those original Twelve: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:16-20)
Paul’s “hope” was not flimsy wishful thinking but an “earnest expectation” (verse 20). He was completely confident that God would make this and every circumstance work out for his own good and God’s own glory. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), and he knew he had no reason to be ashamed about being imprisoned for preaching it. And he knew that, one way or another, God would deliver him. And even if that deliverance was brought about through his death, to Paul, “to live is Christ and do die is gain” (verse 21).
Paul “exalted” Christ by the way that he lived. Therefore he had no reason whatsoever to be afraid even if he died. As a matter of fact, he knew that things would only get better for him on the other side of eternity, as long as he lived faithfully until death. If he went on living, it would be to serve Christ. If he passed from this realm of existence, it would be to live eternally with Christ. Which is “very much better” (verse 23)! Another win-win situation!
Live for the Lord. Die for the Lord. Reign with the Lord!
Please read Philippians 1:22-26 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:12-18
Saturday, September 22, 2018“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The Apostle Paul looked at his “imprisonment in the cause of Christ” (verse 13) as a win-win situation. The driving purpose of his life after having been blinded by Christ on the Damascus Road and his subsequent conversion to the Lord was to propel the “progress of the gospel” (verse 12). And, while I feel confident that being wrongfully imprisoned was upsetting and not always a pleasant situation, it actually accommodated the Gospel’s “greater progress”.
You have to admire Paul’s positive attitude in obviously difficult “circumstances”. Paul makes it clear near the end of this letter that he had learned the “secret” of being “content” in whatever circumstances that he found himself in (4:11-12). “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:13). The “secret” is strong faith in Christ Jesus. The Lord will be with us and carry us through any and all of life’s difficult situations as long as we keep our faith and focus on Him, and draw our strength from His infinite supply in heaven. Through Jesus, even when we are physically weak, we can be spiritually strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
And even though Paul was “content,” he most certainly was not idle! Even in prison he took advantage of his opportunities to do the Lord’s work! That’s the reason why the Gospel progressed. It was not a miraculous thing. To be certain, the Lord gave the increase, but Paul was actively planting and watering (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)! It was a determined disciple of Christ getting busy with the work that the Lord had assigned to him no matter where he was or who he was with. When Paul was a free man, he knew he was the Lord’s prisoner. When he was a prisoner he knew he was the Lord’s free man. His heart, mind and life were all wrapped up in Christ so Christ was all the focus of his thoughts and conversation!
Now back to the win-win situation. The whole “praetorian guard” who stood watch over the prisoners and “everyone else” who was involved in the affairs of operating a prison, knew that Paul had been imprisoned for “the cause of Christ,” and not for any criminal activity. And, not only was the Good News spreading throughout the prison, “most of the brethren” were emboldened to “speak the word of God without fear” (verse 14). Because of Paul’s arrest, the Gospel was proliferating inside and outside of the prison. WIN-WIN!
Some people were preaching the Gospel from a heart filled with “envy and strife” (verse 15) and “selfish ambition” (verse 17), but Paul still rejoiced about that (verse 18). Even though their motives were wrong their teaching was right. They were still teaching the truth! They would have to personally answer to the Lord for their sins of envy, strife and selfishness, but people were still learning the truth and being saved, so that was reason to rejoice! But most of the brethren who loved Paul found the “courage to speak the word of God without fear” (verse 14) because they were emboldened by the fact that Paul had a great attitude and had kept preaching the word, even in prison, and the Lord was taking very good care of him.
The Lord can use you right where you have been stationed friend. He can strengthen and encourage you no matter what situation you may find yourself in. He can lift you up and brighten your attitude in the darkest of times. Have you given your life to Him? There is no better, happier, safer place to be!
Please read Philippians 1:19-21 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:8-11
Friday, September 21, 2018“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
You won’t find a more beautiful or meaningful prayer packed in such few words. Paul prayed that the love of these Christians would “abound” in real “knowledge and all discernment” (verse 8). Biblical love is knowledge based. New Testament love is intellectual as well as emotional. Paul wanted them to grow in the understanding and knowledge of what TO love and what NOT to love.
God’s people are to NOT love the world nor the things in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15). We must be careful to not love money because it is a root of all kinds of evil, and when we chase after money it can pierce us through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).
Instead we must strive TO love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30). As true disciples of Christ are to love our brethren (Hebrews 13:1), and even love and pray for those who hate us (our enemies) (Matthew 5:44). We must love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) because we are going to be judged by the perfect word of God (John 12:48).
In short, we must learn to hate what God hates and love what God loves. And, we should aspire to “abound still more and more” in this knowledge based love, and also apply what we know and love in all wisdom and “discernment”.
Paul also prayed that they would “approve the things that are excellent” (verse 10). This phrase literally reads, “to prove the things that differ.” We are to “prove” or “scrutinize” all aspects of our lives so that we can distinguish between what is good and bad, and even between what is better and best, so that we can chose the things of the most superior quality. God wants us to grow spiritually so that we can make the best choices in life.
The Lord desires us to choose excellence so that we can be “sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” To be “blameless” is to produce no cause for “offense” or “stumbling” in ourselves or in other people through our poor examples. To be “sincere” literally means to be “proven by sunlight”. We really want to pass the “sunshine test” as God examines our lives on earth and on the day of Judgment.
Sometimes a window looks clean and spotless when you glance at it, until the sun’s rays pass through the glass at a certain angle. Then you can see all the smudges and fingerprints more clearly. When our lives are held up to the glorious light of the Gospel, we want to make certain that there are not spiritual blemishes or defects that have not been washed away by the precious blood of the Lamb.
To summarize, Paul prayed that they (we) would continually learn God's will, discerning between what is good and evil, so that they could (we can) approve (love) the excellent things—the things that are good, better, best—and choose the most excellent things; so that when they (we) stand before the glorious Son on the Day of Judgment they (we) will pass the test, and be found without offense and without defect.
Thanks to brother L.A. Stauffer for his excellent sermon on this prayer from which I lifted most of these ideas.
Please read Philippians 1:12-18 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Philippians 1:1-7
Thursday, September 20, 2018“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Paul wrote this spiritually substantive letter to the “saints,” “overseers and deacons” of the church of Christ in the city of Philippi (verse 1). This was, is and should be the constitution of every authorized congregation of the Lord’s people. Notice that in Christ’s church there are no offices of priest, assistant pastor, head pastor, associate minister, archbishop, archdeacon, etc. The word “saint” literally means “holy one,” and that designation is given to anyone who has been sanctified by faith and obedience to the Lord in a covenant relationship with Him. Today, a saint is a faithful Christian.
The word “overseer” is the Greek word “episkopos” and it is commonly translated “bishop”. This is a compound word where, according to Vine’s dictionary, “epi” means “over” and “skopeo” means “to look or watch”. The words “elder,” “overseer” and “shepherd” (pastor) are used interchangeably in the New Testament because they are different terms which apply to the same “office” (consider Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Vine’s also says this about overseers: “The term ‘elder’ indicates the mature spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term ‘bishop,’ or ‘overseer,’ indicates the character of the work undertaken. There was always a plurality (more than one) of overseers appointed in each local congregation (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; James 5:14). For their qualifications and responsibilities see 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9. Please notice that elders are always men.
The word “deacon” means “servant” in its generic sense, but in this passage it refers to the position of certain appointed men who function under the oversight of elders in an official capacity of service to a local congregation. The qualifications for deacon are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Vine’s dictionary says of deacons that, “The so-called ‘seven deacons’ in Acts 6 are not there mentioned by that name, though the kind of service in which they were engaged was of the character of that committed to such.” It is the conclusion of many (and logically so I believe) that the function of these seven servants recorded in Acts 6:1-6, as they served the church in Jerusalem under the oversight of the 12 Apostles, mirrors the situation that exists in the church today with saints, elders and deacons. Deacons are always men as well.
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is very much a thank you letter for the service that they had rendered to him while he was suffering imprisonment for the service that was rendering to the Lord. He thanked them for their “participation in the gospel” (verse 5), and that they were “partakers” with him in his “imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (verse 7). These brethren had helped to alleviate Paul’s “affliction” (4:14), by sending him a very generous “gift” (4:16-17) to support his needs while he was “getting along with humble means” (4:12) under house arrest in the city of Rome. As a matter of fact, they had contributed to Paul’s needs at his “first preaching of the gospel” (4:16), and they helped him plentifully and frequently (4:17) as he dedicated his life to the preaching of the word.
Paul loved these benevolent brethren deeply (verse 7) for their love for him and the Lord, and he wanted to encourage them and assure them that God would continue to be with them, and perfect them (verse 6), and supply their every need “according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus” (4:19).
Please read Philippians 1:8-11 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Introduction to Philippians
Wednesday, September 19, 2018The city of Philippi derived its name from the ancient Greek king, Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. He rebuilt the city of Krenides in the 4th century B.C. and renamed it after himself. Under Roman control it was strategically located on the Via Egnatia (Egnatian Way), making it a very important city for both military and commercial purposes. In the 1st century A.D. Philippi was said to be “a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony” (Acts 16:12).
“The characteristic of a colony was primarily that it was a miniature resemblance of Rome. The city itself was laid out in the same pattern of Rome, and even the style and architecture were copied extensively. Its government and customs were also like that of the imperial city. Roman law was used…and its constitution was modeled on the municipal constitution of Rome. The coins used in the city bore Roman inscriptions.” (Truth Commentary of Philippians by Walton Weaver, Guardian of Truth Foundation, Copyright 1996)
We read about Paul’s visit to the Macedonian city of Philippi on his second preaching journey in Acts 16:11-40. After Paul received the “Macedonian call” (Acts 16:9-10), he and his travelling companions set sail from Troas in Asia Minor, and crossed over the Aegean Sea. While in the city of Philippi Paul helped to convert Lydia and her family (Acts 16:14-15), and the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:31-34). These constituted the first recorded converts to Christianity on European soil.
Please read Philippians 1:1-7 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:21-24
Tuesday, September 18, 2018“But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul referred to Tychicus, who was delivering the letter to the church in Ephesus, as “the beloved brother and faithful minister to the Lord” (verse 21). Tychicus had a close relationship with Paul and with Jesus as he carried out his duties as a “ministering” servant of the Gospel. This epistle to the Ephesians was packed full of divine instruction, admonition and exhortation for the brethren (and us), but Tychicus would personally and verbally relate to the Ephesians how Paul was dealing with his wrongful imprisonment for doing the Lord’s will (verse 22).
Paul prayed for and extended “peace”, “faith” and “love” for the Ephesians as he drew his letter to a close (verse 23). Paul desired that all his brethren in Christ have harmonious relations with one another and with God, that they care for one another deeply and that they live lives of obedient faith to the Lord. God’s saving grace is only extended to people who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ with “incorruptible love” (verse 24). Jesus said that if we truly love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 23). This is the kind of love this is sincere, deep, active, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, obedient, consistent and persistent.
Lord willing we will have some introductory remarks on Paul’s letter to the Philippians tomorrow and begin reading the text on Wednesday.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:18-20
Monday, September 17, 2018“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
When we suit up with the full armor of God for battle every day, we are to do so “with all prayer and petition” (verse 18). Even though prayer is not listed as an official aspect of the armor, it is an indispensable part of the daily life and routine of the soldier of Christ. There is no way to endure the daily struggles of life without summoning our all-powerful Champion from heaven to our side to fight our battles with us and for us.
The word “prayer” is the general, “umbrella” word for all types of communication with God. The word “petition” is an “entreaty” or a cry to God for help in times of need. Prayer is most effective when we approach our Captain with all reverence and humility, and express to Him our complete dependence upon Him for every provision that we need to obtain victory over Satan and His arrows and schemes.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).
As good soldiers, we must “be on the alert” at all times for the dangers that are ever-present in this world of temptation and sin. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Our prayers should not be limited to supplications for our own wants and needs. We should also petition God for “all the saints” (verse 18) who are immersed in the same battle against the powers of spiritual wickedness, and going through “the same experiences of suffering.” The more we pray for them, and the more they pray for us, the more heaven’s power and blessings will be showered down upon us. Let’s pray for our “boldness” to speak “the mystery of the gospel” to this lost and dying world (verse 19). Let’s pray for the safety and effectiveness of the faithful Gospel preachers of the world and their ability to “speak boldly” as they ought to speak as well (verse 20).
Suit up every day prayer warriors and storm the gates of heaven for all who are in need and distress! That includes ourselves!
Please read Ephesians 6:21-24 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:13-17
Sunday, September 16, 2018“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Since the life-and-death battle that we are continually engaged in is “against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (verse 12), we simply must “take up the full armor of God” (verse 13). We are not strong enough to put together a winning plan of attack against the spiritual wickedness of Satan and his legions without God’s grace and plans and equipment. God provides this armor so all the power, praise, honor and glory belong to Him for the security and victory that it provides. But, we MUST take it up and put it on and use it!!!
We must wrap the truth around us like a belt or girdle. This was the foundational element of the armor of the Roman soldier. It cinched his clothing around his core to provide strength and much needed support and mobility for fight or flight scenarios. I am reminded of the Apostle Peter’s exhortation to, “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). The only way to gird up the loins of our minds and to be ready for action is to get ourselves all wrapped up in God’s TRUTH!
We must “put on the breastplate of righteousness” that we derive from God’s truth every day. We must strive to be morally upright, and holy as God is holy, if we plan to resist the temptations that are hurled at us consistently from all of Satan’s points of attack. If we have not thoroughly equipped ourselves with the truth and purposed in our hearts in advance that we will take a strong moral stance against sin and temptation, we will not be able to stand in the heat of the battle!
No good soldier would dare to be caught barefoot in a warzone. We must have our feet shod “with the preparation of the Gospel of peace” (verse 15). Once again, preparation in advance of attack is emphasized in this verse. We must give foresight to having a firm footing for fleeing or fighting in our war against spiritual wickedness. It is the “Good News” of what Christ has accomplished for us that provides our nimbleness and swiftness of foot as we parry in battle. God equips us with the Gospel of “peace” even as we engage in conflict. It is very encouraging to know that even as the war rages around us, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
To guard our hearts and minds, we also need “the shield of faith” (verse 16), and “the helmet of salvation” (verse 17). Both of these implements, of course, are provided by God through the Bible. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The Gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). And “the sword of the Spirit” is “the word of God.” Not all of the weapons which God provides us are for defense only but, as with the sword, some are offensive for taking the battle to the enemy. But, you simply cannot miss the fact that all of this equipment and weaponry are provided by God through His living, active, powerful, enduring word.
Do you think maybe that plunging ourselves deeply within the word of God on a daily basis just might possibly be critical for our spiritual life and welfare, and our ultimate, eternal victory over our greatest enemy (Satan) and our greatest danger (sin)?! I am reminded of the lines from the wonderfully stirring hymn “Soldiers of Christ Arise!” “Stand, then, in His great might, with all His strength endued; But take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God.” “Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul; take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.” Leave no unguarded place friend! Take up the FULL armor of God every day!
Please read Ephesians 6:18-20 for tomorrow.
If you have no plans to worship God today, please come visit us at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship service. 5:00 PM worship service.
Have a safe and blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:10-12
Saturday, September 15, 2018“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Often as I exercise in the gym at work, I observe how much strenuous effort the people put into strengthening their physical bodies. Working hard for a strong and healthy body is a wise thing to do, but I know that, in the end, we are all fighting a losing battle in that regard. All of our bodies will eventually fail us no matter how diligent we are in our pursuit of strength and health. I will continue to fight this physical fight for as long as the Lord gives me the ability and will to do so. But the most important exercise that we can engage in as human beings is of the spiritual variety.
Make no mistake about it, it takes a great deal of effort to acquire and maintain spiritual strength. The Holy Spirit tells us in verse 10 to “be strong in the Lord.” That is a command that requires action and exertion. We simply must put time in at the spiritual gymnasium in order to gain spiritual strength. We must “suit up” every day with the “full armor of God” (verse 12). We will see in tomorrow’s reading that this requires equipping ourselves daily by immersing ourselves in the word of God, and also by praying “at all times in the Spirit” (verse 18).
When we “put on” the armor that God provides for us, He is actually the one who is equipping us with the “strength of His might” (verse 10). The power that is contained in the word of God and in prayer emanates from the glorious throne of God in heaven. The power that spoke the universe into existence from mere thought is the power behind our armor and our personal strengthening. No one of us is strong enough personally and individually to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (verse 11). But, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Even when we are physically and emotionally weak, we can be strong through God’s grace if we avail ourselves of His spiritual provision (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Our greatest and most consequential battle is against the “spiritual forces of wickedness” (verse 12) that are crafted by Satan and his wily scheming. If we are not putting up a fight then we are losing. There is no escaping the war that is being waged during every second of life on earth after reaching the point of “spiritual accountability”. We are either fighting with God on the winning side, or we are being defeated and taken captive as prisoners of war in the enemy’s camp. The commands are stern and startling. Be strong! Suit up! Stand firm! Be resolute in your battle against the adversary! War is no place for spiritual wimps! You are in a warzone friend. Suit up and take the battle to the enemy!
Please read Ephesians 6:13-17 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day! -
Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:5-9
Friday, September 14, 2018“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
This passage in no way sanctions slavery, and no one can properly and rightfully use the Bible to justify the atrocities that have taken place in the world, and even in our own country, in the form of human bondage and forced servitude. But slavery was a prevalent reality in the Roman Empire of the first century. It is impossible to know for certain, but it has been estimated that between 30-40 percent of the people living in Rome were slaves. Since God desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), the truth is made for everyone, whether they have the status of slave or king or anywhere in between.
The Gospel is designed to transform people and save their souls, and not produce political upheaval or societal revolution. So, God inspired the preachers and teachers of the Gospel to instruct everyone to be the very best person they could be in whatever position they found themselves in. There were both slaves and slave owners who obeyed the Gospel in the first century and gave their lives to God. For example, while Paul was in prison he converted a man named Onesimus who was the runaway slave of a Christian named Philemon. Paul convinced Onesimus that it was right for him to go back to his master and fulfill his duties, but he also encouraged Philemon to treat his penitent slave as his beloved brother in Christ (Philemon 1:10-16).
You can be a slave and still be a Christian, just as long as you understand that your first priority is a call of service to the Lord (verses 6-7). And you can be a master and still be a Christian, just as long as you understand that you have a Master in heaven that you will answer to for the way that you treat the people that He created in His image (verse 9). The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all you’ve got, and to love your neighbor as yourself, whether that neighbor be your servant or your superior.
A good application for us to make in our lives today is in the situation that exists with our jobs and careers. God holds us responsible for treating all people fairly and lovingly whether we work for them or they work for us. It doesn’t matter if we are an owner, supervisor, manual laborer, skilled laborer, pencil pusher or computer technician—we all are called by God as Christians to be holy as He is holy, and to do our work to the very best or our ability. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” (Colossians 3:23-25 – NIV)
Please read Ephesians 6:10-12 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 6:1-4
Thursday, September 13, 2018“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
My six-year-old daughter can quote verses 1-3 verbatim. This is one of the very first passages that we had her commit to memory. She has still not been convinced of the veracity and the value of these verses but it is our prayer that, with enough teaching and impressing the Lord’s will upon her mind, it will become second nature for her to honor her mom and dad. As we read these and other verses about obedience to parents to her, we always try to stress that learning to follow the rule of her mother and father is critical to her learning to submit her will to her Father in heaven so that she can live with Him eternally.
So many of the “dishonorable” people in our society, and those who suffer from dissatisfaction in life and a sense of entitlement were never taught to honor their father and mother as children. This was the first of the Ten Commandments given “with a promise” (verse 2). The promise was that “it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (verse 3). Far too many people are living but not very well, and far too many have died earlier than they should have, because they never learned the value and importance of respecting their parents and honoring the Creator of the Universe.
While teaching children to honor their parents is a critical part of bringing “them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (verse 4), we as parents (and especially fathers) must make certain to not “provoke them to anger” in the process. Discipline does not merely consist of firm demands and corporal punishment. That kind of parenting will only frustrate and exasperate a child. The essence of the word discipline is teaching, training and instructing. Proper, godly, effective discipline is a combination and balance of teaching, correction, punishment, love and mercy. It’s kind of like walking a tight rope while simultaneously juggling five flaming bowling pins! Okay it’s not quite THAT difficult and demanding, but it sure takes a lot of patience and repentance while trying to raise up a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! God please help us with this vocation! And especially me! In Jesus’ name, amen!
Please read Ephesians 6:5-9
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:25-33
Wednesday, September 12, 2018“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Christ “gave Himself up” for His bride, the church (verse 25). God expects husbands to follow the example of Jesus and to sacrifice themselves for their wives. Jesus always put the needs and wellbeing of His beloved before His own self. He often sacrificed food and sleep in order to serve His future bride, and ultimately gave up His own life in order to save and “sanctify her” (verse 26). Marriage is not always easy. It takes a lot of love, patience and hard work. If we as husbands make the effort to follow in the example of our Savior, that is the kind of “headship” that our wives can willingly and lovingly submit to.
Husbands are to “love their own wives as their own bodies” (verse 28). Unfortunately many people treat their bodies poorly and even subject them to some forms of physical abuse. But, ideally, I think most of us would prefer to pamper and protect and nourish our bodies so that they can be rested, safe, healthy and sound. We should love our wives and treat them tenderly and kindly so that they can flourish and prosper in a rough, harsh, unforgiving world. When we consider the fact that the Lord binds a husband and wife together in the union of “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), it is not difficult to understand that when a husband loves his wife he actually “loves himself” and loves his own body!
It is sad to have to point this out, but it is significant to notice that a husband is to love “his own” wife (verse 28)! There is no excuse for a husband to be unfaithful to his wife! Ever! Period! End of story! It doesn’t matter how “unloved” he may feel, or how “unattractive” he may find her to be! The marriage bonds are forged by God between 1 man and 1 woman 4 life! “And He answered and said, 'Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH"? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.'” (Matthew 19:4-6)
SACRIFICE gentlemen!
Finally a friendly public service announcement for the wives: few things are more important to a man in a marriage than that he feel respected by his wife. What Paul said at the end of verse 33 was not an incidental comment. It was very purposeful, impactful and meaningful. Ladies if you do not show your husband respect it will make his job as leader, provider and protector much more difficult than it has to be. If you like to poke fun at your husband by “jokingly” mocking him and ridiculing him in the presence of other people, he may be a good sport and laugh and play along with you, but I can assure you that he doesn’t like it! And private respect is just as important to him as public respect, and maybe even more so. If the things that he does for you and has to say to you are insignificant to you, he doesn’t feel respected or loved. Respect and love are inseparable!
Please read Ephesians 6:1-4 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:22-24
Tuesday, September 11, 2018“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Few Bible subjects are more uncomfortable to talk about than the idea of wives being in “subjection” to their husbands. This is very offensive to the sensitivities of the Western mind. Thoughts of “inequality” and “female oppression” and “spousal abuse” come to the minds of many people when something of this sort is discussed. I just did a quick synonym search for the word “subjection” on my word processor and the words “domination,” “subjugation,” “enslavement,” and “oppression” were given. But in God’s arrangement for the family and the congregation, He placed men in the position of the “head,” and this role has nothing to do with slavery or oppression.
All this really means is that God has given men the responsibility of leadership in the home and in the church. As with any other entity that involves interaction between people, proper leadership is required for its prosperity and peace. The church and family are certainly not exceptions to this truth. Whether it be a school, a sports league, a business or a nation, without duly designated leaders diligently doing their duties, and without the proper respect for and submission to that authority, chaos and collapse would ensue. The family and the church need godly leaders, and willing participants to defer to their God-given authority.
This does not mean that men should make unilateral decisions without the input of the women in their families and congregations. It just means that, after having properly considered all legitimate contribution in matters of judgment, the leaders are responsible to make the final decisions. As the men are to submit to Christ’s authority, so the wives are to follow the husbands’ lead (verse 24). This necessarily implies that husbands should do everything within their power to lead their wives and families in the ways and teaching and authority of Jesus.
Our society has intentionally blurred the lines between man and woman, male and female, masculinity and femininity. Regardless of how the world views the roles and characteristics of gender, God’s ways are always best. God still requires wives to “be submissive to your own husbands,” and He still esteems “chaste and respectful behavior” from women, and “the imperishable quality of a gentle and quite spirit” are still “precious” in His sight (1 Peter 3:1-4)! You can choose the ways of the world if you like, but, as for me and my house, we are going with God on this one! As always and in everything else as well!
Please read Ephesians 5:25-33 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:18-21
Monday, September 10, 2018“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
In verses 15-16 the inspired author told us to walk as wise men, make the most of our time, and understand what the Lord’s will for us is. The direct opposite of this manner of life is getting “drunk with wine” (verse 18). It is impossible to exercise wisdom and take advantage of our opportunities to do good when we recklessly navigate under the mind-altering influences of drugs and alcohol. Drinking alcohol goes against the Lord’s will. We are much more likely to make foolish, harmful and even devastating decisions while our minds are blurred and distorted by booze. Getting “buzzed up” never sharpens our senses but only dulls them, and our quality of life is always worsened and never improved.
Being “filled with the Spirit” has just the opposite effect on our minds and lives than getting drunk does. Filling our minds with the Spirit-inspired word of God clarifies our thoughts and sharpens our focus for doing the Lord’s will. Paul is not telling us to be “drunk with the Spirit,” but to be sobered by His presence so that we can stay focused completely on His grace and revelation (1 Peter 1:13). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit’s influence produces self-control within us, not some sort of “supernatural,” uncontrolled, “spiritual” frenzy.
An appropriate “outpouring” from being “under the influence” of the Holy Spirit is expressing thanksgiving to the Lord in song for all of His abundant, benevolent provisions (verse 20). The “melody” that we make should come from the heart, not the piano or the guitar (verse 19). The Holy Spirit authorizes us to “sing” using the instruments that the Lord has created and that please Him (our heart and voice), and not the instruments that humans can make and that are pleasing to them. Lift your voice and praise Him in Song! Sing and be happy today!
Please read Ephesians 5:22-24 for tomorrow.
Hope you have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:15-17
Sunday, September 09, 2018“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Wise people take advantage of the opportunities they have been given to do God’s will because it is foolishness to waste precious time. We should take the time to speak the truth in love to people because we never know if we will be the lamp that shines the Gospel light into the lives of the folks that we know and meet. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)
It is wise to take the time that God has afforded us and make opportunity to do good deeds for our fellowman. If we are all wrapped up in serving self and seeking pleasure that is wasting time and sowing to the flesh. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10)
“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (verse 17). Some people are honestly flummoxed because they just cannot figure out what the Lord’s will for them is. While God gives us a free will and does not plan out what every little detail of our daily lives should be, He does tell us plainly what He wants the most for each of us. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” It is God’s will that every person live a righteous, holy, obedient life of godliness, and that we all obey the Gospel and be saved and grow in the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:4), and stay faithful to His commandments until death (Revelation 2:10).
Please read Ephesians 5:18-21 for tomorrow.
Please come visit us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ and worship the Lord with us in spirit and in truth.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:11-14
Saturday, September 08, 2018“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Light and darkness cannot coexist. If we are truly light in Christ then we can have no part with the “unfruitful deeds of darkness” (verse 12). The Apostle Paul asked some rhetorical questions in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” There is no partnership, fellowship, harmony, commonality, agreement between those who are walking in the light and those who are walking in the darkness of sin; and there certainly can be no participation.
That is not to say that we should not help the people who are fumbling in the darkness to see the light of truth and be saved. We should shine our light in their lives in such a way that “exposes” people’s sinful deeds as evil and unacceptable. This should be done with our words and our actions (or inactions). The goal is not only to “reprove them” (KJV), but to make their misdeeds “visible” (verse 13) so that they can actually observe their “unfruitful deeds” for what they are, and actually see how God sees them in His perfect light.
When Jesus blinded Saul, before he became the Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, He said to him: “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:16-18)
When we live in the death-grip of sin and error we are aimlessly sleepwalking through life, and that walk only leads to eternal darkness and death! It is time to wake up “and arise from the dead” (verse 14)! Christ died and arose from the dead to defeat sin and to shine His light on us! In Him is life and His life is the light of men (John 1:4)! He is “the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9)! Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). Please do not choose the darkness of death over the Light of life!
Please read Ephesians 5:15-17 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
Ephesians 5:6-10
Friday, September 07, 2018“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Anyone who would try to convince you that promiscuity is no big deal, and that obscenities are just words, and that there is really no such thing as sin is only trying to deceive you, because they have most certainly deceived themselves. When we disobey God and His good will for us, we incur His righteous wrath. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” God’s punitive wrath comes in the form of the awful consequences of sins—the further hardening of consciences, the shattering of families and relationships, legal, financial and health troubles, etc., and will ultimately result in eternal damnation.
Paul continues to use the method of vivid contrast to depict our existence before coming to Christ, and the true life that we live in Christ. He wrote about the “old self” and the “new self” in chapter four, and now he uses the metaphor of “darkness” and “light” (verse 7). When we live our life dedicated to sin it is like walking and groping in the dangers of darkness. When we are living lives of light in Christ Jesus, we abide by the principles of “all goodness and righteousness and truth” (verse 9). When we walk in the security of light and endeavor to be “pleasing to the Lord” (verse 10) in all that we do, even when we do mess up and sin from time to time, the blood of Christ cleanses us and shields us from God’s wrath when we repent.
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)
The most important thing we can do in life is make it our chief ambition to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). Everything else pales in importance because nothing that this world has to offer us is worth missing heaven over. If we choose to love and obey God in all goodness, righteousness and truth, we have hope of a better present and a brighter eternity, no matter what fleeting, earthly pleasures we may have to forgo, and no matter what difficulties we may have to endure. “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Please read Ephesians 5:11-14 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day !
Ephesians 5:3-5
Thursday, September 06, 2018“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Paul is still writing about laying aside the old self and putting on the new self (4:23-24) when he lists these two groups of three sins. It is interesting to me that he starts this combined list by condemning sexual “immorality” (verse 3), and ends with denouncing “coarse jesting” (verse 4). I think most people understand in their hearts that fornication is sinful, even if they refuse to admit it and have hardened their hearts to the truth. But usually people can justify telling “dirty jokes” because it is all done in “fun” and theoretically no harm is being done to anyone.
The Holy Spirit is telling us here that, in God’s eyes, the one is just as bad as the other. And I believe that there is a reason that the sins of sexual immorality and “filthiness” and coarseness of speech are condemned in the same context. Quite often the sinful talk leads to the sinful act. We have commented that all sin is a problem with the “heart” or the “mind” because it originates there. What we let into our hearts through sight, sound and touch, often finds expression through our thoughts, words and deeds. We must learn to control our thoughts and our tongues if we ever hope to control our bodies and our actions.
It is also interesting to me that “immorality” and “greed” are grouped together in verse 3. There may appear to be no common ground with these sins, but they are really both issues of lust. The Apostle John wrote about this problem in 1 John 2:15-17. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
A full two-thirds of the worldliness that plagues mankind comes from lust. If we think that lusting after other people’s bodies (immorality – lust of the flesh) and possessions (greed – lust of the eyes) is not a problem for us, we have probably deceived ourselves. Greedily coveting (strongly desiring) what the world offers is actually a form of idolatry in God’s eyes (verse 5). These are sins (the thoughts and the actions) that are common to mankind and must be admitted, addressed and confronted if we want to have “an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God,” and live forever.
Please read Ephesians 5:6-10 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 5:1-2
Wednesday, September 05, 2018“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Little children love their parents and completely depend upon them as they develop an understanding of the world in which they live. The little ones watch mom and dad like a hawk and pick up their habits, quirks and speech patterns—for better or for worse. As parents, we must be extra careful around our little “sponges” because they are soaking up much of what we do and say, and we want to set the best example that we possibly can so that they will grow up to be loving, responsible, godly adults.
We will leave our kids the best kind of example to imitate if we pattern our lives after our perfect, loving Father in heaven. John 1:18 tells us, “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” Jesus “explained” or “declared” the Father to us by showing us how to “walk in love” with the perfect life that He lived. Jesus said to the Apostle Philip in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
Jesus declared the Father to us by living righteously, lovingly and sacrificially. Jesus “went about doing good” to all people (Acts 10:38). Love was the motivation behind Jesus coming to this earth and for everything that He did as He walked upon the face of the earth. And of course, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus stretched love to its greatest extent by sacrificing His very life in order to help us with our greatest problem and need.
When we follow the example of Jesus by waking as He waked and talking as he talked, that is a sacrifice that smells sweet to the Lord!
Please read Ephesians 5:3-5 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:31-32
Tuesday, September 04, 2018“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The sins in verse 31 sink their roots in the heart and find their expression in the “unwholesome” words that proceed from the mouth (verse 29). Bitterness grows within our hearts when we firmly plant and cultivate animosity and resentment there, and refuse to forgive a person for a wrong they have done (whether real or perceived). The Hebrew writer tells us that when a “root of bitterness” springs up, it “causes trouble, and by it many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). That is because it is very difficult to keep bitterness in the heart and it is often spewed forth from the tongue.
When we allow “wrath” to boil and “anger” to seethe within us, outbursts of contentious “clamor” and “slander” against the good name of a fellow human being often ensue. The only remedy for this horrid, hardened condition of heart is to break out the “tenderizer”. The Lord expects us to be “kind” and “tender-hearted” to one another, just as He has been to us. God willingly and eagerly forgives us of all of our sins, and I can assure you that we have wronged Him exponentially more times than the harm that others have done to us.
Friends and brethren, true love does not harbor resentment, hold grudges, spew slander. The love of God will never fail nor lose its mercy. Let’s make every effort to emulate the love of our Father in heaven (chapter 5 verse 1).
Please read Ephesians 5:1-2 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:29-30
Monday, September 03, 2018“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
One of the most difficult things for a human being to control is his mouth. James wrote in James 3:8-10: “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” The Apostle Paul tells us that a big part of putting on the new self is putting a good filter on the tongue.
He said that we should make every effort to speak “no” (not even one) “unwholesome word”. The word “unwholesome” means base, shameful, filthy or rotten. This would include “curse” words or obscenities, dirty jokes (5:4), sexual innuendo, insults, angry words or “abusive speech” (Colossians 3:8) of any kind. The problem that this kind of talk causes for the hearers is that it is only good for their destruction and not their “edification”. We should be in the business of building people up with our words and not tearing them down. This means we should be very thoughtful, intentional and selective with our verbal communication.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 that, “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Speaking “wholesome” words is as much about “heart-control” as it is about “tongue-control”. Let’s be careful about the kinds of thoughts, words and images that we allow into our hearts and harbor there. What goes into the mind through our eyes and ears is very likely to come of our mouths in the form of words.
Jesus went on to say in Matthew 12:35-36: “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Our words are a very big deal. With our words we can please the Lord or actually “grieve” (upset, trouble, sadden) Him. Our words make a difference in the lives of the people we talk to, and they have a bearing on our own spiritual wellbeing.
Let’s focus on speaking words that “give grace to those who hear”!
Please read Ephesians 4:31-32 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:28
Sunday, September 02, 2018“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
The right thing to do is not only to stop taking things that do not belong to you, but also to start sharing the things that do belong to you. It is good to be industrious, work hard and make an honest living. And then, to take some of your hard-earned money and set it free by helping out others who have fallen upon hard times. That not only helps the person in need, but it also helps us to liberate ourselves from the grips of greed and to lighten our load of earthly possessions—all of which are on loan from God, and none of which we will be taking into eternity with us.
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).
“Share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood” (Isaiah 58:7).
“He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9).
“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)
“There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:24-25)
Please read Ephesians 4:29-30 for tomorrow.
Please come visit us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ and worship the Lord with us in spirit and in truth.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord's Day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:25-27
Saturday, September 01, 2018“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Part of flinging off the old self like a dirty, nasty, smelly shirt, and putting on the new self is “laying aside falsehood” and speaking the truth (verse 25). Jesus said that Satan “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). If we follow in the steps of the adversary of all humanity, we will have our part “in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death," that is reserved “for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars” (Revelation 21:8). “Truth is in Jesus” (verse 21), so we can’t be in Him or have any part with Him if we are not of the truth.
“Be angry, and yet do not sin” (verse 26). Anger is a legitimate emotion that God has given to us, but many, many people have problems controlling their anger. It is only natural and understandable when someone does us wrong that we become upset about that. But if we do not learn to practice self-control and take hold of our anger, it will overpower us and we will do and say sinful things that harm other people, and sabotage our relationships, and destroy our souls.
That’s why it is so important to “not let the sun go down on your anger.” If we harbor anger in our hearts it will cause us to seethe with bitterness and resentment, and we neither want to wake a new day with our mind set on animosity, nor face the Lord in judgment with a heart filled of hatred. In this verse Paul cites Psalm 4:4 which also says, “meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” If you go to bed angry, try not to fall asleep until you have given your anger to the Lord and resolved the issue in your heart. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).
“Do not give the devil an opportunity” (verse 27). Please understand that when we harbor anger and resentment that we are only playing right into the devil’s hand! Getting mad is not sinful, but it sure does provide for perfect and ample “opportunity” for many sins to be committed! Friends, if we do not learn to control our anger, it will control us and destroy us!!! “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24).
Please read Ephesians 4:28 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:20-24
Friday, August 31, 2018“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
In order for a person to come out of the “futility” (verse 17), “darkened…understanding,” “ignorance” and “hardness” (verse 18) of sin, they simply must “learn Christ” (verse 20). It requires studying the Bible, and learning the commandments of Jesus, and “observing” His own personal “walk,” that is revealed in the pages of the New Testament, to lift the darkness of ignorance and shine the light of awareness and comprehension.
“Truth is in Jesus” (verse 21). Divine, perfect, absolute truth can only be learned by delving deeply into Jesus. We learn truth by learning who Jesus is, and what He did and still does, and what His will and plans and commands for us are. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). In Jesus is the truth that illuminates the only way to the Father in heaven where eternal life can be found.
The magnificent transformation that Paul writes about in these verses requires “that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (verse 22). In order to be pleasing to God we all need a mental and spiritual renewal that can only be generated through learning Jesus and His perfect revelation. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The only way that we can “prove what the will of God is,” is to go to the revelation of His mind. Within the Bible lies the force to elicit this transformation that conforms us into the likeness of Christ. The Bible is the only place where we can find the power to “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (verse 24).
Get to know the Savior. Spend time with Him in study and in prayer. Learn His ways and adopt them as your own. You will never regret the positive changes that He can make in your life.
Please read Ephesians 4:25-27 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:17-19
Thursday, August 30, 2018“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Starting in verse 17 and extending through the rest of chapter 4, the Apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus “affirm” together our need for a total makeover. In this section of the letter we are told to “lay aside the old self” (verse 22), and “put on the new self” (verse 23), in a continual renewing and remodeling of our lives after the perfect example of Christ. We simply can “no longer” live our lives (“walk”), the in the sinful ways that we used to before we came to the Lord in obedient faith.
Before we were touched and enlightened and saved by the Gospel, we existed in a shroud of spiritual darkness. We did not have a good understanding of God’s will for our lives, and the damage that we were doing to ourselves, because of “ignorance”. This lack of understanding on our part was likely a combination of willful ignorance and a careless unawareness. But whether our ignorance was intentional or inadvertent, it still “excluded” us “from the life of God.”
Persisting in this condition of alienation from God and deviation from His will for a prolonged period of time can ultimately lead to a “hardened” and “calloused” heart. We can actually progress in our stubborn rebellion and sinfulness to such a degree that we become “past feeling” (verse 19 – NKJV). In this horrid condition a person becomes completely “given” over to “sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity.”
The point is that we can start to slip backward and drift in the wrong direction at any time if we are not overly careful, and this can eventually lead to a “spiritual freefall”. We must continually be “checking our walk” and repenting and making the necessary corrections and improvements that point us in the direction of godliness. There is no more devastating place for any person to find himself than “excluded from the life of God”!
Please read Ephesians 4:20-24 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
Ephesians 4:14-16
Wednesday, August 29, 2018“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
Christ is the head of the church, “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Jesus is “the brain” that supplies and controls all the essentials for the life and growth of the body. We are totally dependent upon Him and the blessings that He provides through His living, active word of truth (Hebrews 4:12), and His providence.
But “the proper working of each individual part” is crucial for the health and prosperity of the body as well. Each one of us, as members of Christ’s body (church), has a part to play and a contribution to make to the whole “organism” that is vital for its wellbeing. Every member is important and no member is excluded from this responsibility to “supply” what he/she is able for the “building up” of the body.
If we choose to do nothing, we become more of a liability than an asset, and only a consumer and not a contributor. This will “retard” the growth of the individual as well as the body, and the more members that take this approach, the greater the workload that will be thrust upon the overburdened “willing participants”. If we choose to go “rogue” and refuse to take orders from the Head (Jesus), we will get “carried about by every wind of doctrine” (metaphor shift) and corrupt the truth and poison the body and divide the members.
So, we all need to be “working” and working “properly” in order for the body to grow and build itself up “in love”. If love for the Head (Jesus) and each member (brother/sister) is the motivation behind our endeavors, we will put the needs of others before self (Philippians 2:3), and God’s will before our own, selfish desires (Romans 12:2); and the body will grow spiritually, numerically, peacefully.
Please read Ephesians 4:17-19 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor