Warnings against False Teachers...

1 Timothy 4 ~ New Living Translation...

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters,Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

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Hearer of the Word vs Doer...

A doer is someone who believes in the One He Sent ~ John 6:29. And, in that, we are called to spread that good news! Believe in the One He Sent, for in Him there is eternal life! John 3:16. 

In the knowledge of the One truth, we are commanded to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength ~ Mark 12:30 and to trust in Him, lean not on your own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5. To run the good race til the end. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful ~ 2 Timothy 4:7. 

Remain faithful… believing, loving, trusting in God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) The One True God who sent His Son so that in Him we have been washed clean of sin; indeed, delivered from the law of sin and death…

Yes, with that truth in us, we are living to the Lord…we are doers?

That is why/how we can put God First because He is on First. In the recognition of that truth, one can and will experience suffering … suffering in the knowledge that He died for our sin, that we alone cannot overcome the world, that we are imperfect...less than the Creator who is Perfect.

In this fallen world, we are less than what God originally created us to be. Yes, in that truth there is suffering. And, it is painful to recognize as we may be seeing it for the first time in ourselves…that this is a fallen world, we are fallen too, struggling in a ‘beast’ system; and, so we suffer in that realization. 

It is not easy as often many people cling to this fallen world. We will find that those around us seem to be sailing along in this fallen world oblivious to their condition.

Yes, this is suffering in the Lord Jesus Christ but also hopeful in His suffering; that He overcame the world. Therefore, in such suffering, we are called to remain faithful to the Lord God in this trial even to the end. For we have become partakers of Christ, if indeed we should hold firm unto the end the assurance from the beginning ~ Hebrews 3:14.

This is our suffering… yet, it becomes a rich experience found in the Lord’s unconditional love through the sharing of God’s Word… that by God’s gracious gift (His Son Jesus Christ) we have been delivered from the law of sin and death. This is one’s own personal suffering; in that truth, a free choice to believe in the One He sent, we are called children of God.

In this way, the person who lives though suffering in the knowledge of the truth, actually lives abundantly for they know what His sacrifice meant and means for them every step of the way… in this truth, they /we grow more fully conformed to Him (Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 2:21).

The one statement of Pope Saint John Paul II that is worth pointing is that here and now in this fallen world we can and should rejoice in the spiritual dimension of Christ’s suffering (that He died for our sin), ever modeling for us how one can grow “more fully conformed to him.” He ‘Jesus’ has left us with a treasure trove of wisdom for navigating these difficulties, serving as a beacon to all of the faithful.

 

 

Stand Firm in the Lord Jesus Christ...

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

How? Freedom in Christ...

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery ~ Galatians 5:1. Let me say it again… Freedom is what we have--Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Thessalonians 2:15.
With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you… 

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord my beloved ~ Philippians 4:1.4.

In The Day of Trouble, ...Stand firm!
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm ~ Psalm 20:7-9.

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'" Isaiah 7:9.

It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord ~ 1 Thessalonians 3:8. For it is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us… 2 COR 1:21. 

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain ~ 1 COR 15:58.