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Render Ineffective

“Render ineffective” (καταργέω) describes how something is not producing what it was intended to yield. It is not working properly and therefore returning nothing of value.

We first see this word in Scripture in a parable concerning a fig tree that is not producing fruit. It is rendering ineffective the ground, which should be producing for the owner. Luke 13:7 … cut it down, in order that why also does it render ineffective the ground? The space this tree is taking up could be used to produce fruit.

In discussing the advantage of the Jews, for the oracles of God were committed to them, Paul brings up a question concerning those who do not believe. Did their unbelief render ineffective the faithfulness of God, Romans 3:3? No, in fact, it does not. As it is written, God is true and every man is a liar because He will be justified in His Words and victorious when He judges, Romans 3:4, for He will save a remnant of Israel. Although faith does not negate the value of the law, the promise is not through law, for if it was, then faith would be rendered ineffective since the law is not out from faith, Romans 3:31; 4:14. However, those who seek to be justified out from law have rendered ineffective the Christ in their lives and have fallen from grace, Galatians 5:4, for through the law the sin nature is fully known, not righteousness. The law does not render ineffective the promise that was given four hundred and thirty years before it, Galatians 3:17. Rather the law was added because of the transgression until the faith in Christ should come.

When it comes to how we govern our lives and […]

Render Ineffective2023-11-25T07:46:01-08:00

Edification

Edification (οἰκοδομή) describes the act of building up and is especially focused on improving the mind and understanding. In Scripture, it is used to describe the building of the temple along with the edification of those within the Church; both are illustrating the act of building.

Edification is an important aspect of our relationship among the saints. Christ commanded us to love other saints in the New Commandment, John 13:34. This is a unique relationship that those of the Church are to have for each other and through our love, others will see that we are Christ’s disciples, John 13:35. One aspect of this love is how we edify others. Within the assembly, those who are strong in the faith support the weak ones. When it comes to how we live out our faith in what we eat and the days that we honor, we are to be respectful of each other’s decisions, pursuing peace so that we build each other up, Romans 14:19. One who is strong in the faith will build up those who are weak, not pleasing themselves, but bearing their weaknesses so that we all can through support, encouragement, fellowship, and learning together, be strengthened in our understanding of the faith, Romans 15:1-2.

When it comes to the manifestation of Spiritual gifts within the assembly, edification should be the main point. When the Church was young and did not have its full revelation, those with the gift of prophecy could edify the saints, where those with the gift of tongues would only edify themselves, for the speaking of tongues is a gift given for a sign to the unbeliever and therefore should not be used among the saints, where the gift of prophecy […]

Edification2023-11-25T07:53:31-08:00

2 Corinthians Appearing Before the Reward Seat of Christ

Our Fondness of Honor, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Our Ambition, 2 Corinthians 5:9

“Ambition” Comes from a Word that Means, “To be Fond of Honor”

Paul Concerning Preaching the Gospel Where Christ Had Not Been Named, Romans 15:20

For Us, to Make it Our Ambition to Lead a Quite Life, Attending Our Own Business, Working with Our Own Hands, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Whether At Home or Away from Home, to Be Pleasing to God

Presenting Our Bodies as a Living Sacrifice, Romans 12:1

Using Our Renewed Mind to Prove (test for approval) the Will of God, Romans 12:2

Giving to Support the Ministry, Philippians 4:18

Children Obeying Parents, Colossians 3:20

Servants Being Submissive to Their Masters, Titus 2:9

It is God Who Equips Us, Hebrews 13:20-21

We Will All Appear Before the Reward Seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10

This is a Place Where Reward is Distributed, Not Judgment

We are Rewarded for Our Labors in The Lord, 1 Corinthians 3:8

How We Build Upon the Foundation Laid, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

What we Build – Gold, Silver, Hay, Straw, Will Be Evident in the Day, 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Our Works Will be Tested for What is Good, 1 Corinthians 3:14

We Are Not Judged, Our Works are Examined, 1 Corinthians 3:15

This Should Put Fear in Us, Not Afraid of Being Judged, but a Fear to be Careful How We Build

As We Grow in the Lord, Sometimes We are Allowed to Tear Down the Things Built of Straw and […]

2 Corinthians Appearing Before the Reward Seat of Christ2023-12-14T08:16:10-08:00

The Importance of Self-Sufficiency in the World System

And make it your ambition (fondness of honor) to lead a tranquil life and to attend to your own things and to work with your hands just as we commanded you in order that you should walk becomingly towards those who are outside and not have need – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Ambition expresses the concept of what we have a fondness for honor in. It was Paul’s ambition to preach Christ where He had not been preached (Romans 15:20). It should be our ambition to lead a tranquil life. A life where we are content and at peace. The world system does not want us to have this type of lifestyle because through it we become self-sufficient while working with our own hands and minding our own business. If someone is not willing to work, then they should not eat from another’s labors (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

One of the aspects of godliness is contentment. Regardless of what we have on earth we are beloved in Christ and should be content with having food, clothing, and a roof over our head (1 Timothy 6:8).  So many issues are brought into our lives because we are not content with what we have (1 Timothy 6:9). This does not mean we cannot be motivated to improve our lives, for we should seek to grow, mature, become better, gain skills, work with our own hands so that we have more than we need and are able to help fellow saints in need. But through all that, we should be content with where God has us.

Contentment makes it difficult for the world system to influence us. It uses the desires from our flesh – newer things, a spouse, higher paying job, etc. […]

The Importance of Self-Sufficiency in the World System2023-12-14T08:16:41-08:00

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

The Crucifixion of Christ – Wednesday Afternoon, Luke 23:33

The Reason for the Cross, John 12:32

Part of the Father’s Will, Philippians 2:8

A Result of the Father’s Single Act of Love to the Inhabited World, John 3:16

Two Deaths on the Cross

Prophecy Concerning His Deaths, Isaiah 53:9

Spiritual Death

Three Hours of Darkness Upon the Earth, Luke 23:44

Payment for the Trespass of Adam, Romans 5:17

His Physical death

He Breathed His Last, Luke 23:46

Required for sin, Hebrews 9:22

Payment for the Sin of Adam, Romans 5:12

The Tearing of the Veil‌, Mark 15:37-38

The High Sabbath Preparations, John 19:31

Three days and Three Nights in The Grave

The Prophecy of His Time in the Grave, Matthew 12:39-40

His Soul Will not be Left in Sheol, Psalms 16:10

His Body Will not be Allowed to Corrupt, Acts 2:31

Four Days before Corruption, John 11:38-39

The Day after the Crucifixion (The High Sabbath) – Thursday

Placing Guards at His Tomb,‌ Matthew 27:62-64

The Sabbaths of ‌The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Leviticus 23:4

The Passover Begins‌, Leviticus 23:5

The Feast of Unleavened Bread Begins‌, Leviticus 23:6

The High Sabbath, Leviticus 23:7

Two Sabbaths

Death of Christ on Wednesday Afternoon (The Day of Preparation)‌

The High Sabbath (First Day of Unleavened Bread) on Thursday‌

Workday on Friday‌ (Preparation for the weekly sabbath)

The Seventh Day Sabbath on Saturday

The Resurrection of Christ on the First Day […]

The Death and Resurrection of Christ2023-12-14T08:24:36-08:00
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