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The Weaker in the Faith

Romans 14 – Receiving alongside the weaker in the faith

Romans 14:1-6
Moreover, bring alongside[1] the one weak in the faith , not unto discerning[2] of doubts, who on the one hand believes to eat all, on the other hand the weak one eats herbs. Let not the one eating despise the one not eating, and let not the one not eating judge the one eating. For the God brings him alongside. Who are you to judge the household servant of another? To his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand for the Lord has the natural ability to make him stand, who on the one hand judges a day alongside another, one the other hand who judges all days, each in his own mind being fully framed[3]. The one framing the mind on the day, to [the] Lord he frames the mind and the one not framing the mind on the day to [the] Lord does not frame the mind. And the one eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to the God and the one not eating does not eat to the Lord and gives thanks to the God.

[1] Often has the meaning of bringing alongside to instruct

[2] 1 Corinthains 12:10; Hebrews 5:14

[3] Combination of two Greek words. To fill up where something is lacking and to frame the mind. Luke 1:1; Romans 4:21; 2 Timothy 4:5,17

The Weaker in the Faith2023-12-14T11:18:52-08:00

The Testing for Approval of Our Faith

1 Peter 1: 6, 7 In which you all greatly rejoice, yet since for a little while it is necessary to grieve in diverse trials in order that the testing for approval of your faith, being more precious than gold, the one purified through fire, indeed when it is tested for approval, it may be found unto the praise and honor and unto an expression of a proper opinion at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When we are solicited to do something that lacks in character, through this temptation, the quality of our faith is clearly seen. Are we truly taking God at His Word, or just saying we believe, but not actually willing to put it into action?

James writes, “ Count it all joy, my brethren, when you are encompassed by various trials (caused by solicitations to do that which lacks in character), experientially knowing that the testing for approval of your faith works our patience. And let patience have its work of maturity in order that you may be mature and whole, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4

When we struggle with desires that we know are contrary to what we as Christians should be involved in, we should not fear them, but see them as opportunities to know if we are taking God at His Word.

Do you know how to have victory over your sin nature? Do you know that the sin nature is? If you know, are you applying it correctly? If you do not know, this is a very basic part of the Christian life, apart from which you will never live a successful life His saint.

So often we use a quality of law to defend against desires that are contrary to what […]

The Testing for Approval of Our Faith2013-02-20T08:09:54-08:00

Faith – Taking God at His Word

Romans 1:16, 17 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the Christ for it is the inherent ability of God unto salvation to all the ones believing, both the Jew first, and Greeks, for the righteousness of God is revealed by it out from faith into faith just as it is written, “The righteous will live out from faith”.

Faith – Taking God at His Word (Faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen)

What does it mean to live by faith? Since faith is always based upon a promise from God, when we live by faith, we live according to what God has said. Faith is not blind, so living a life out from faith is not a blind leap; rather, it is a life that takes full advantage of the benefits that God has so graciously provided for the believer who is in Christ.

When we believed the Gospel for salvation, a new life began for us. Now, we are no longer in Adam; rather, we are in Christ. As part of our salvation, we know that God has promised that we will one day be with Him in a state of blamelessness and purity; however, what about today?

Does the fact that we are in Christ affect our lives today? Oh, we know that it should, but how?

Framing our minds on who we are in Christ is not positive thinking, it is acknowledging facts that are true and therefore seeing things as they really are, which will result in having a correct frame of mind. Since we are in Christ, let us put on Christ as an outer garment and make no provision […]

Faith – Taking God at His Word2016-10-12T06:02:46-07:00

Shaken (σαλεύω)

“Shaken” (σαλεύω) denotes causing something to move to and fro or waver. The term “shaken” can refer to both physical objects (e.g., the foundations of the heavens) and psychological states (e.g., a person’s mental state).

During the tribulation period, after the sun has been darkened and the moon ceases to give light, the inherent abilities of the heavens will be shaken, causing the stars to appear as if they are falling (Matthew 24:29). Then the sign of the coming of Christ will be seen (Matthew 24:30). When the heavens are shaken, the hearts of men will fail them out of fear. They will see the coming of the Lord (Luke 21:25-26). In Christ’s second coming, only the things that cannot be shaken will remain (Hebrews 12:27).

The foundation we build upon is crucial. The man who builds his house on a foundation rock ensures that when the storm comes the house will not be shaken (Luke 6:48). This principle also applies to the foundation of our work. Paul, as a master builder, laid down a foundation for the Church based on the doctrine he receive from God. There is no other foundation that can be laid (1 Corinthians 3:11). Our salvation rests upon the belief in the death of Jesus Christ on behalf of our sins and His resurrection three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is a salvation by grace through faith, not by any quality of law (Ephesians 2:8). When we stand before Christ at the Bema seat, let our works be found to be of good quality by using what we have been given in salvation to live out the righteousness we have in Christ so that they stand approved when tested (1 Corinthians […]

Shaken (σαλεύω)2024-12-05T05:54:38-08:00

Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία)

Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία) is derived from the concept of ‘good grace’. It is an attitude of gratitude, expressing appreciation.

As grace spreads, it produces thanksgiving in expressing a proper opinion of God (2 Corinthians 4:15). Through sharing physically things to meet the needs among the saints, thanksgiving to God abounds (2 Corinthians 9:12). In contrast to filthiness, foolish talking, and coarse jesting, Christians are to express an attitude of gratitude as they walk in love towards their fellow saints (Ephesians 5:4). Let no one deceive you with empty words. Although we once were darkness, we are now light in the Lord and are therefore we are to walk as the children of the light (Ephesians 5:6-8).

Those who base their salvation on the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) belong to God. Therefore, rather than being anxious, in everything by prayer and supplication, after giving thanks, we are to let our requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6). It is the peace of God that guards our hearts and the working of our minds keeping us unruffled in our thoughts concerning the things of this world (Philippians 4:7). Let us not seek after changing our appearance or social status in light of salvation. Instead, we are to walk in a manner worthy of our Lord in the same state in which we received salvation. Thus, being rooted and built up in Him we are established in the faith, abounding with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).

We are in the times that the Holy Spirit expressly foretold would be a time when many will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. From among them will rise teachers who have their conscience seared, […]

Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία)2024-11-28T07:27:39-08:00
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