Need a new search

If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!

The Definition of Love – Not Puffed Up

Love is longsuffering, love is kind, love is not jealous, love does not brag, is not puffed up … 1 Corinthians 13:4

The concept of being puffed up is typically viewed as a person that is conceited. They have and are showing an excessively high opinion of themselves. As an example to the saints in Corinth, Paul used himself and Apollos to show that no one should be puffed up about themselves.

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. – 1 Corinthians 4:6

We are not to let our freedom in understanding of false idols puff us up, for let us not forget we also followed them before God saved us. You never followed a false idol? Never bowed down to a statue of stone or wood? Do you think that those who are idolaters are ignorant and simpletons to do such a thing? Have you ever coveted what another person has?

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, wrong desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry. – Colossians 3:5

Yes, it is true that idols are nothing, but let us not allow our knowledge to puff us up.

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. – 1 Corinthians 8:1

And do not let those who follow idolatry persuade you into it also by using false humility and the worship of angels while intruding into things that are not seen and […]

The Definition of Love – Not Puffed Up2023-12-14T08:34:00-08:00

The Definition of Love – Does not Brag

Love is longsuffering, love is kind, love is not jealous, love does not brag … 1 Corinthians 13:4

Bragging is when someone uses adulations or employing rhetorical embellishments in excessively praising another. Love does not brag about itself. It is not a characteristic of a person’s attitude and actions that desires to be noticed and praised for what it is doing. Those who brag about how much their church gives to the poor, or the different social events and projects they are involved in, or how much they help out their community, are not expressing love. Why? Because, by their boasting they are showing that their actions are not about seeking the best for those who are loved, but getting accolades.

God’s quality of love seeks the best for the one loved, so by its very nature it will not push itself forward to be praised, and certainly will not embellish on its accomplishments. This type of trait comes from a mind that is framed correctly and humble while giving preference to others.

In the fondness unto one another affectionately giving preference to the honor of one another – Romans 12:20

Rejoice with rejoicing, weep with weeping, while considering the same unto one another, not while framing the mind on the high things, but while associating with the humble. Do not be caused to become wise alongside yourselves, while not paying back wrong for wrong, giving prior thought to proper before all men. – Romans 12:15-17

Love is going to withhold its anger against unreasonable people and make others feel at ease by its benevolent nature, while not bragging about itself. This is God’s quality of love. Remember, the world system thinks it can express love without God and many churches today have fallen victim to replacing […]

The Definition of Love – Does not Brag2023-12-14T08:34:36-08:00

Colossians Let the Peace of God Umpire

As The Elect, Colossians 3:12-13

Affections of Pity

Kindness

Humility

Objectivity of Mind

Longsuffering

Bearing One Another (Putting Up With)

Being Gracious, Colossians 3:13

Not Forgiving, but Having an Attitude Whereby You Give a Benefit Without Consideration of Merit

It is directed at yourself

Being kind to one another and gracious to yourselves, Ephesians 4:32

Also Directed at Others, Colossians 3:13

The Bond of Unity, Colossians 3:14

The Unity of the Spirit, Ephesians 4:3

Unity in Christ, Colossians 2:18-19

Maturity, Hebrews 6:1

The Peace of God Umpiring In Your Hearts, Colossians 3:15

Peace of God is not having a Ruffled Mind

Christ Left His Peace, John 14:27

It is not a peace from the world (The world does not know the way of peace), Romans 3:17

The Truth Christ Revealed to the Disciples of the New Relationship is So that We Have Peace, John 16:33

Peace Comes from Framing Our Minds on the Things of the Spirit, Romans 8:6

The Kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy, Romans 14:17

Our God is not of Confusion, but Peace, 1 Corinthians 14:33

This Peace is an Aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22

It is a Peace that Surpasses the Mind, Philippians 4:7

In Contrast to Those Who Umpire Against Us, Colossians 2:18

Human Umpiring is Against Us – Focusing on the “No”

God’s Peace Umpires by giving us an unruffled mind that focuses on the […]

Colossians Let the Peace of God Umpire2023-12-14T08:26:08-08:00

The Law of the Christ – Theological Forum 2018

The Law of The Christ – Download paper in PDF.

The Law of The Christ

Caring for Members of the Body

Pastor Luther Walker

In the book of Galatians[1] Paul states that the bearing of another person’s weight[2] is filling up again the law of the Christ; yet, in Romans he writes that a Christian is not under any quality of law[3]. How do we reconcile passages of Scripture that seem to contradict each other? What does Scripture mean when it states a Christian is not under any quality of law, yet then indicates there is a law of the Christ and a law of the Spirit? Is a Christian under law or not? Ultimately this leads to the underlying question, “As a Christian, what are the guidelines for my life?” To better understand the rules of our household[4], that is to say God’s expectation for how the saved are to live their life today, we can examine how the word “law” is used in Scripture along with its normal meaning and use in everyday life so we know the difference between being under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law and filing up again the Law of the Christ by loving another saint while fulfilling the law the Spirit of life by our walk.

Since we are in the Dispensation of Grace, not the Dispensation of Law, the standard for our household is different. Scripture is very clear on the fact that a Christian is not under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law[5]; however, there is still a standard by which those who are a […]

The Law of the Christ – Theological Forum 20182018-11-11T22:50:12-08:00

To Gain a Firm Mental Grasp (ἐπίσταμαι)

Having a firm mental grasp or acquiring information is expressed by ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai). Its root means to stand (ιστημι). Therefore, it expresses standing with a firm mental grasp because of the information a person is acquainted with.

In Peter’s denial of Christ, when questioned by a young servant girl if he was with Christ, he adamantly denied it, saying that he neither intuitively knows nor has acquired knowledge concerning Christ, Mark 14:68. After Peter is restored from the attack by Satan that caused him to deny Christ, God uses him to show the Jews that the Gentiles are also being accepted into the Church. In Cornelius’ house, Peter states that they have a firm mental grasp on the fact that it is not permissible for a Jew to fellowship or enter into a place with another nation, Acts 10:28. However before Cornelius sent for Paul, God showed him that he is not to call any man common or unclean and, therefore, Peter came without objection.

During the council in Acts chapter fifteen concerning whether or not the Gentiles should be circumcised and obey the law of Moses, Peter spoke up concerning what God had been doing. The elders and apostles present had acquired knowledge concerning the situation when God instructed Peter to enter into the house of a Gentile so they could hear the gospel. They were neither circumcised nor immersed before the Holy Spirit came upon them in the same manner as He did on the day of Pentecost to show the Jews a sign, Acts 15:5.

When Apollos came to Ephesus, he was mighty in the Scripture; however, he was only familiar with (had a firm mental grasp) the immersion of John, Acts […]

To Gain a Firm Mental Grasp (ἐπίσταμαι)2024-02-15T08:03:08-08:00
Go to Top