TAT 206 Truthing in Love
But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. (Eph. 4:15 NET, emphasis added)
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.” (Matt. 16:23 NET, emphasis added)
As Christians do we really know how to practice the truth in love?
TAT 150 Perfection
Responsibilities:
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. (Phil. 3:12-16 NASB)
Results:
I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; 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. This is perfection.
TAT 140 Phil. 3:12–13
I know some of you struggle with Phil. 3:12. So, lets put a few verses between Phil. 3:12 and 3:13 to clarify.
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. (Phil. 3:12)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James. 1:2-4)
For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. (2Co 13:9)
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
(Eph. 4:12-13)
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (Heb 6:1)
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet. 3:18)
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, (Phi 3:13)
TAT 136 Mind, Ears and Feet
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Rom. 12:16)
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (Jam 2:5)
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
(3 Jn. 1:4)
He who has My commandments AND KEEPS THEM is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. (Jn. 14:21).
Without obedience to God it doesn’t matter what we think, hear and do.
TAT 133 Three Questions
Some of you may remember the number one question that a Christian should have in their toolbox.
When trying to decide if a particular action or activity should be engaged in we need to ask ourselves this question:
#1. Who am I trying to please, me or the Lord Jesus Christ?
Lately I have overheard conversations and discussions concerning the political decisions taking place in Washington and the effect they will have. This brings up a second question we might want to have in our toolbox:
#2. If the government passes that bill into law or enacts that legislation will I still be able to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ in my daily life?
And the last question is one we should have written on the top of our toolbox.
#3. Have I truly dedicated myself to living for the Lord’s glory and His eternal goals for all creation?
TAT 130 Goals
Heb. 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
Eph. 5:15–16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
“Making the most of your time” is in the middle voice; that means when we make the most of our time we will take part in the results. As one grammarian stated it: “to buy up for one’s self or one’s advantage.” Here in Ephesians & in Hebrews the goals are for eternal spiritual rewards. Are you “buying up” spiritual rewards for yourself? A good weekend project might be to list your top 5 eternal goals you have for yourself.
Two of my goals are:
1. To have free movement throughout all the people and beings in heaven (Zech. 3:7).
2. To have (produce) – a very small fire – on my day (1 Cor. 3:15).
Things Above Thoughts
TAT # 106 Proper
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, (Rom. 1:28)
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. (Isaiah 5:20)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the person of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
I pray that I do not live my life by popular human standards but properly by the Lord’s standards.
Therefore I keep asking myself: How well do I know His Scriptures?
Things Above Thoughts
TAT 104 Truth, Testing, Intimacy
Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. (Prov. 30:5–6)
Our opinions do not create, establish, or validate truth.
When we add our opinions to God’s word we become liars—enemies of Christ.
But when we obtain accurate information from God’s written word we can take refuge in Him—intimacy with Christ.
When God’s word in me is tested then my lies are revealed and my intimacy with Christ can grow.
Don’t fear testing it can lead to intimacy.
Things Above Thought
TAT # 81 HARD TIMES
This TAT is for the mature who are going through hard times.
Even if he slays me, I will hope in him. . . (Job 13:15 NET)