Colossians: The Traditions of Men
You see that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of man, according to the elementary principles of the world and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8
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Three Times – Do You Love Me
After the resurrection of Christ, during His third appearance to the disciples He spoke with Peter about tending to those who would become Christians.
Therefore, when they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? – John 21:15
Peter, along with some of the other disciples, went back to their fishing business after Christ’s death. However, Christ did not stay in the grave, for He was righteous and therefore God raised Him three days later, just as the Scripture stated. As they come to this realization, Jesus visits them multiple times, showing undeniable proof that He was raised. However, it was not time for the Kingdom to come in, now was the time of Grace. When the disciples realize the reality of what happened they begin to spread the word of the resurrected Christ. Peter, who had denied Christ because Satan persuaded him to be a coward, of which Peter was not, needed to be restored, so Jesus specifically speaks to him about caring for other saints.
In response to Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him more than fish, Peter replies, “he said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, you intuitively know that I am fond of you.’” Jesus then instructed him to feed His lambs. This word used for lamb is actually one specifically used of those who are prepared for slaughter. As, unknown to the disciples at this time, persecution was going to come upon the Church because they were speaking the truth.
Jesus then asks Peter again if he loves him.
He said to him again a second time, “Simon of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord you intuitively know that I […]
The Definition of Love – Not Jealous
Love is longsuffering, love is kind, love is not jealous … 1 Corinthians 13:4
Jealousy is wanting what another person has. It is not just being resentful or angry of another’s good fortune or achievements, but a strong desire to possess them. Unlike zeal, which is an enthusiastic devotion to a cause or goal making someone eager and determined to do something, jealousy takes this type of attitude and uses it in a way that damages others to get what they have. So one who is jealous will be zealous to obtain what another person has.
Jealousy will produce actions that are harmful to others.
“And the patriarchs, becoming jealous, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him – Acts 7:9
We also see an example of jealousy in Galatia where men came down from Jerusalem who sought to make Paul look bad to the saints there as though he was their enemy so they could exclude the saints to themselves. This is a very common tactic of false teachers and those seeking to usurp a position of authority even today.
They jealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. – Galatians 4:17
Because of jealousy for their father’s love, the brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery. Because of jealousy for the saints, false teachers came into Galatia teaching that they had to keep the law to be saved, not for the sake of those they sought to persuade but so these false teachers could look good before others and get them to only follow them. Jealousy always leads to hurting others. The Jews were very jealous of Paul when he would teach […]
Revelation The Happiness of Those Reading
A revelation belonging to Jesus Christ which the God gave to Him to show to His servants, what is necessary to come to be in haste. And He signified after sending through His messenger to His servant John, who testified the Word of the God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as much as he discerned. Happy is the one reading and the ones hearing concerning the words of the prophecy and guards the things having been written in her. For the Lord is near. Revelation 1:1-3
The Definition of Love – Seeking to Usurp the Love of God
If with the tongues of men and angels I speak, but do not have love, I become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy and I perceive all mysteries and know all things, and I have all faith so that to move a mountain, but do not have love I am nothing. And if I give all my goods and if I give my body in order to be burned, but do not have love, it profits nothing – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
As Christians, we are instructed to love one another as Christ loved us. Our commandment is to love the brethren and when we are loving we will not violate any law. However, there is also a love related to the world system that often gets mixed into the true love we are to show towards those of the Church.
A new commandment I give to you, in order that you should love one another just as I have loved you, in order that also you should love one another – John 13:34
I recently encountered an example of this worldly type of love in a story of a barber that goes down to the local park in his city each week, bringing his own power and supplies, to offer free haircuts to the homeless. Now at first this may seem like a wonderful thing to do. Even perhaps an expression of love. But is it God’s quality of love, or a human love that is seeking to usurp the love of God?
The love of God seeks the best for the one loved. Is offering a benefit to those who refuse to work an expression of God’s love or human […]