The Walk Per Day

WebersHome · Jul 15, 2017

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199) Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not the Lord's way of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good" shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.

Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak and under their control?

Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.

But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.

I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma happy.

In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.

FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous with their babies.

● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection

The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos) which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and inhumane.

200) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

The koiné Greek word for "slaves" is doulos (doo'-los) which is an ambiguous word that can mean slaves by voluntary or involuntary means. The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as : a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time. Jacob is a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen years of his life to uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)

The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue. Subordination is the primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21. Believers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns you: bought and paid for as flesh on the line.

● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

I once worked with two Christian men in a welding shop who demanded a sit-down with the superintendent to air some grievances. I took it upon myself to remind them that Peter directed Christians to endure what they thought of as unfair treatment from employers (1Pet 2:18-25). Well, they ignored both me and Peter because they felt insulted to be treated like children by management and wouldn't rest until they told them so.

What you have there is a case of rabid male pride overruling the Lord's wishes. Not good. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). If Christians believe that to be true, then for them, scorning Peter is all the same as their scorning Christ-- it's a domino effect all the way to the top.

● Luke 10:16 . .Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you; rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 16, 2017

WebersHome · Jul 16, 2017

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201) Eph 6:7-8 . . Slaves, serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord instead of men.

If believers wish to hear the Lord say "Well done thou good and faithful servant" then fighting with management is simply out of the question. No, don't fight, instead: bite the bullet.

● Php 1:29 . . For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

● 1Pet 2:18-24 . . Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?

. . . But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not reciprocate; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

Now there's a good, practical application of turning the other cheek.

202) Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,

The "masters" in that verse are limited to believing masters, not the world's.

If there is one political axiom that rings true in every generation, it's that absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather than manage them to everyone's advantage.

Believing masters, and believing slaves, are siblings in God's family. Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and by his master.

● My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master towards his believing slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled supervisor towards his believing employees: which is the attitude of a good shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.

The believing master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no advantage over the believing slave. Both must give an accounting of themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their faithfulness; rather than their positions.

● Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 17, 2017

WebersHome · Jul 17, 2017

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204) Eph 6:10 . . Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.

The strength mandated there is the nature of combat readiness. When I was serving in the US Army back in the early 1960's, the term "up to strength" meant our unit had a full complement of soldiers ready for war with their weapons, their clothing, their munitions, their training, and their equipment.

But soldiers are not supposed to be mercenaries; no, they go to war under the authority and control of the country they serve. And soldiers pick neither their battles nor their theater of operations; no, superiors pick the battles and the theaters; and when they do so, the full power of their country is behind them, and its resources are at their disposal.

When Joshua was commissioned by God to conquer Canaan, Israel's commander-in-chief wasn't left to his own devices; no, at his disposal was the arsenal and counsel of Yhvh-- a source of intelligence and supernatural powers against which Joshua's enemies had absolutely no defense.

Every believer is a soldier in a war, and there's no neutral ground: you're either fighting with the Lord or you're fighting against the Lord because there's no such thing as conscientious objection in this conflict.

● Matt 12:30 . . He that is not with me is against me

205) Eph 6:11 . . Wear the full armor of God; so that you may stand against the Devil's tactics.

In other words; when your engage the Devil, don't do it bare-handed and or bare-chested. Suit up first; so to speak.

Joshua's operations were essentially offensive. He was commissioned to conquer and to colonize; but in the believer's war, the operations are essentially defensive; viz: believers are required to stand rather than attack. In other words, believers are dug in like the Japanese on Saipan and Iwo Jima rather than landing with the allies at Normandy; and enemy forces are everywhere: it's a 360° battlefield-- there's neither a front nor a rear; nor a left flank nor a right flank; no, there's only a perimeter.

Why is this situation? Because according to Matt 28:18-20, the believer's mission is to recruit and indoctrinate-- not conquer and colonize as if we were supposed to be building Christ's kingdom on earth. No, forget that. Believers are sojourners not colonizers. (1Pet 2:11)

Webster's defines a "sojourner" as: a temporary resident.

Believers are also "pilgrims"; which Webster's defines as: one who journeys in foreign lands; viz: a wayfarer

206) Eph 6:13 . .Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

That's a call to arms if ever there was one. Christians are sort of like Minutemen; ready to fight and defend on a moment's notice.

The "full armor of God" includes not only body protection, but also any and all weapons as assigned (e.g. Luke 11:22). And the directive here is to have it all with you all the time, not just some of the time. Carelessness is just an open invitation to defeat by means of a sudden, surprise attack.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 18, 2017

WebersHome · Jul 18, 2017

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207) Eph 6:14a . . Hold fast therefore, having girded your waist with truth

Holding fast essentially means the same as standing your ground, i.e. perseverance.

Men in that day usually didn't wear pants. They typically wore some type of skirt; which, if of the Bedouin variety, was a bit cumbersome and made it difficult to maneuver. So when it came time for activities like say running, climbing, building homes, or digging ditches, they would pull the lower ends of their skirt up around their waste and hold them in place with a belt; thus giving themselves a little more leg room.

Webster's defines "truth" as the real facts about something. Anybody who's been on Christian internet forums for any length of time is aware that there are many facts floating around out in cyberspace that well-meaning people sincerely believe are the real facts; and they are constantly arguing amongst themselves trying to prove that their facts are the real facts and the other guys facts are fiction.

Well; they can't all be girded with the real facts so I think it's safe to assume that a percentage of Christians out there are girded with fictional facts; and they don't know it. Of course everybody thinks it's always the other guy who's got it wrong because it is unimaginable to suspect that we ourselves might be the ones with a head full of baloney.

208) Eph 6:14b . . having on the breastplate of righteousness

The obvious parallel here is a flak jacket; which won't always stop a high powered rifle bullet, but is pretty effective against secondary missiles, grenade fragments, and small arms like pistols, knives, spears, swords, and archery.

I would have to say that the righteousness in this passage pertains to one's personal conduct rather than the imputed righteousness a believer obtains by means of Jesus' crucifixion. So then; in order to be strong in the Lord's mighty power; a believer has to be in fellowship with God; and His fellowship is not obtainable by those whose conduct is unbecoming.

● 1John 1:5-7 . .This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Joshua found out the hard way that personal righteousness is essential in order to keep the Lord on your side. His men attacked a little community called Ai (Josh 7:2-12) and lost big because their conduct was curse-worthy rather than victory-worthy.

It's essential that a soldier serve with honor because in spite of all his combat readiness and/or his courage under fire, that man will find himself in front of a courts martial looking at the business end of the rifle barrel of military justice instead of serving his country on the battlefield if he doesn't toe the mark and keep his nose clean. And a soldier in the stockade is one less soldier in action.

● 2Tim 2:20-21 . . In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

209) Eph 6:15 . . and with your feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

The koiné Greek word for "readiness" is hetoimasia (het-oy-mas-ee'-ah) which means: preparation.

In the US Army, everybody is a soldier, even the cooks. So then, nobody is exempt from Basic Training. We all, regardless of our future in the Army, had to learn how to load, aim, fire, clear, field strip, and clean a primary weapon. In my day, it was a .30cal M1 Garand; today, it's the 5.56mm M16.

We were all taught squad tactics, escape and evasion, and how to use a compass, how to use binoculars, how to operate radios, how to dig a fox hole, how to use cover and concealment, how to use camouflage, how to handle a .45 Colt Auto, how to orient and read a Mercator topographic map, how to throw a grenade, how to clear a path through a mine field, how to use a gas mask, how to spot trip wires and booby traps, hand to hand combat, and fighting with a fixed bayonet.

We were also taught discipline: how to take orders and follow commands. In other words, everyone entering the Army for the first time is taught enough soldiering so that if need be, they can be an effective combatant on a moment's notice whether they're a computer operator, an engineer, or a medic.

From Basic Training, we all branched out to specialized trainings depending on our choice of what used to be called an MOS (Military Operations Specialty). The military has lots of specialties to choose from; so after successfully completing Basic, each new soldier goes off for schooling in their particular MOS. This would correspond to discovering, exercising, and perfecting one's particular gift as per Rom 12:3-8 and 1Cor 12:4-12.

It isn't unusual for a new Christian to want to do some great work like go out on the mission field. Whoa! Put the brakes on! A new Christian is just a recruit. They're not going anywhere without they successfully complete some basic Bible instruction first. Because until they do, biblically ignorant Christians just get in the way and muddy the waters. Their heads are full of baloney; they get into trouble, and get themselves taken down too easily. Newbies are the Devil's meat; just cannon fodder.

In other words: before a newbie is ready to take up the Lord's mandate as per Matt 28:19, the newbie himself must first be taught to observe all things whatsoever the Lord has commanded his followers as per Matt 28:20. Let's not get the cart before the horse.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 19, 2017

WebersHome · Jul 19, 2017

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210) Eph 6:16 . . In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The koiné Greek word for "extinguish" is sbennumi (sben'-noo-mee) which means primarily to quench. The same word is used at Heb 11:34 in regard to the three Hebrew lads in Daniel 3:19-27. The angel that was dispatched to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't actually snuff out the fiery furnace, but rather, prevented its flames from burning the boys: in other words, faith is a protective barrier; i.e. insulation.

Let me ask you something. Is your faith in Christ built upon logic alone, or is it built upon a blend of logic and intuition? In other words: is it only academic? Well; let me tell you something, there had better be an element of intuition somewhere in your faith because logic can be easily dismantled while feelings are not easily dispelled no matter how much clever logic is thrown at them.

I've been asked several times in the past how I know that my beliefs are true. My answer is: I don't know if they're true. Then of course they follow up with: Then why do you believe your beliefs are true when you have no way of knowing they're true?

Most of the people who ask me those kinds of questions are genuine: they're not trying to trip me up and make a fool out of me. They really are curious about it. So I tell them that though I don't know if my beliefs are true; my intuition insists they are.

Apparently the influence that one's intuition has upon their faith is normal because the Bible says that in order to be saved by faith in Christ's resurrection; one must believe not in their head but in their heart. Well; my head says that his resurrection is questionable; but my gut says it's 100% true. In other words; I believe with my heart rather than only my intellect.

Below is an example of what I'm talking about.

● Rom 10:9-10 . . If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be spared. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified

Interesting isn't it? And yet Christians all over the world resolutely deny the role that feelings play in their system of beliefs. Well, they've got a problem; because if they are only believing in Christ's resurrection with their intellect sans any gut input whatsoever; then they are just as surely lost as if they were an atheist. And as for having faith as a shield? Forget it. Not happening.

People whose faith includes an element of feelings instead of logic alone are nigh bullet proof. No matter if someone were to prove beyond a shadow of any sensible doubt that there never was a Jesus who died and came back from the dead; the person whose faith is reinforced by their gut is unshakable because it's like they say: "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." Lot of truth in that.

● Matt 13:20-21 . . .The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

That man has no root because his intellect is insufficient to hold him in Christ. No, a man's IQ is shallow ground indeed. The best ground is the human will; which isn't located in a man's head; it's located in his heart; the very core of his being, so to speak. The human will is easily strong enough to defy reason, and often does.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 20, 2017

WebersHome · Jul 20, 2017

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211) Eph 6:17 . .Take the helmet of salvation

Helmets not only protect one's scalp, and one's skull, but also one's brains. Without a sound mind, a defender is about as effective in war as a Ken doll.

● 2Tim 1:7 . . For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Unbelievers don’t have sound minds; no, their heads are filled with half truths, opinions, semantic double-speak, delusions, fantasy, sophistry, and theories. A sound mind deals in reality rather than half-truths, sophistry, semantic double-speak, opinions, delusions, fantasy, and theories. In point of fact; one of the definitions of "truth" is: the way it is; viz: the way it really is. Denial of reality is not what I would call the workings of a sound mind; but rather, the workings of an escapist mind or the mind of a Matrix captive. (cf. Eph 2:1-3)

212) Eph 6:18a . . Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Watch as I quote that with a lower case letter:

"Pray in the spirit"

In other words: pray with your heart rather than with memorized rote; viz: be candid, be forthright and speak your mind.

213) Eph 6:18b . . Be alert

When the Jews were re-building Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah's command; they were armed to the teeth like Minute Men as they toiled. (Neh 4:15-21).

Plus, they were not only prepared each man to defend himself, but ready to come to the aid of others too. The old saw "United we stand, Divided we fall" is just as true in Christianity as it is in human warfare. Hence:

214) Eph 6:18c . . Always keep on praying for all the saints.

The koiné Greek word for "saints" is hagios (hag'-ee-os) which means: sacred; viz: designated for God; i.e. the chosen few as per Matt 22:14; viz: the good shepherd's sheep as per John 10:1-29.

The mandate is to always pray for "all" the saints; not just the special ones like pastors, deacons, and missionaries. I've seen it happen that when church managers call for prayer, it's typically not prayer for the whole church; but prayer for themselves. Well; that's fine as far as it goes; but let's not neglect to pray for the congregation too.

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WebersHome · Jul 21, 2017

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215) Phil 1:27 . . Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

"let your conversation" is from the Greek word politeuomai (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee) which means to behave as a citizen. It appears to me that Paul is talking about something akin to the lyrics below:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
-- John Donne --

In other words: politeuomai speaks of a unified community rather than random independent individuals.

"as it becometh the gospel of Christ" likely has reference to the Lord's wishes that his followers be as united together in purpose as he is with his Father. (John 10:30, John 17:22)

Phil 1:28 . . And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Adversity's goal is to thwart and/or discourage. This is not to say that Christ's followers are forbidden to be at all intimidated by adversity. It's all in how they cope with it.

Take for instance king Hezekiah in the 18th and 19th chapters of the book of 2Kings. When Sennacherib's army threatened to take Jerusalem, Hezekiah got scared but he also got to praying. Even had his prayers been futile, it was still the right thing to do.

Ezra also encountered adversity when he returned to Israel to oversee reconstruction of the Temple but stood tall and prayed his way through all of it.

When churches are effective for Christ, they have to expect bumps in the road; but bumps in the road aren't the end of the road; they're just inconvenient.

216) Php 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

"unity" is a buzz word among ecumenicals; but Christ's directive in no way pertains to ecumenicals whose core belief it is that no one's wrong, and everyone's a Christian if they say so. No, the Lord's directive only pertains to a very narrow cross section of Christians whom he labeled: "those you have given me" (John 17:9). It is they for whom the Lord prayed for unity. (John 17:11, John 17:21-22)

217) Php 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human beings are just naturally prone to value status; especially among pastors, choir members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted, they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody, they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower; they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight. And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming an performance evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really are.

● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will expose the motives of men's hearts.

An especially bad case of conceit is on display at 3 John 1:9-10

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 21, 2017

#40 - Bookmark.

WebersHome · Jul 22, 2017

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218) Php 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Php 1:1)

Seeing as how the Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own; therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the possible ramifications of your actions first. Stepping on people's toes, and or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevails, fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires believers to love their fellow believers as Christ loves them (John 15:12). It also fails to satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Selfish ambition just simply isn't very nice.

219) Php 2:5-8 . .Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross.

That's an interesting contrast between the Lord and Adam. He and his wife made a definite grab for equality with God: and the possibility of that equality was one of the Serpent's selling points. (Gen 3:4-5)

It is just amazing how well the Lord shelved his God-given prerogatives of royalty and conducted himself a very regular guy. Even the people with whom the Lord grew up in his home town had no clue he was so well connected to their creator.

Can you just imagine, say, entering a building and there's Christ holding the door open for you? I would be a lots more comfortable the other way around; but that's just the way he is; Christ has never let either his rank or his position go to his head. There isn't a pretentious, pompous, ostentatious, vain, narcissistic, elitist bone in his body.

The Lord reminds me of the opening scenes of "Camelot" where King Arthur, out walking by himself in the woods, deep in thought and soliloquy, appears to be such a commoner that Sir Lancelot calls him a coward and challenges him to a joust.

That same degree of commonness is apparent in the Lord at Luke 24:15-31 where he spoke with two disciples after his resurrection who had no clue who he really was as there is nothing in either his bearing or his demeanor that suggested royalty.

● Matt 11:28-30 . . Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

● John 1:14 . .We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace

Some of the aspects of "grace" are kind, courteous, inclined to good will, generous, charitable, merciful, altruistic, compassionate, thoughtful, cordial, affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm, sensitive, considerate, and tactful.

Cordial stresses warmth and heartiness

Affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals

Genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality

Sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others

Generous is characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit; viz: magnanimous, kindly, and liberal in giving

Charitable means full of love for, and goodwill toward, others; viz: benevolent, tolerant, and lenient.

Altruistic means unselfish regard for, or devotion to, the welfare of others; viz: a desire to be of service to others for no other reason than it just feels good to do so.

Tactful indicates a keen sense of what to do, or say, in order to maintain good relations with others in order to resolve and/or avoid unnecessary conflict.

One morning back in the late 1970's, I arrived at a Saturday morning men's prayer breakfast at the same time as the #2 pastor of a mega church in San Diego. He made no movement whatsoever to hold the door for me; but rather, paused while I held it for him. What did that say about that man's compliance with item #217? You know when pastors are setting that kind of an example; what more can they expect from the rank and file?

● John 13:13-17 . .You call me lord and master: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, your lord and master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you . . If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

That's one of the Lord's unsung beatitudes that should be included along with those in the sermon on the mount. There's a few others; e.g. Matt 11:6, Luke 11:28, Luke 12:38, and John 20:29.

But there is always that one "king of the mountain" in church who just has to be head and shoulders above everybody else; for example:

● 3John 1:9 . . I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Diotrephes not only opposed the apostles; but also excommunicated people who dared to ally with them. And to think that guy operated not in a Devil-worshipping church, but in a Christ-worshipping church. (3John 1:10)

(chuckle) Mr. Diotrephes apparently was on, what we today would label, an ego trip.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 23, 2017

#42 - Bookmark.

WebersHome · Jul 23, 2017

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220) Php 2:12 . . As you have always obeyed-- work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Some people's interpretation of that passage pretty much echoes Santa Claus' holiday practices. For example the lyrics from the classic jingle: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

You better watch out, you better not cry,
Better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list, and checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

There's no grace in that song-- none at all --no generosity, no altruism, no kindness, no charity, no love, no peace, no understanding, no sympathy, no patience, no tolerance, no courtesy, no compassion, no forgiveness, i.e. there are no gifts in Santa's bag; only merit awards for those who prove themselves worthy enough to deserve them.

But we know from other passages that an exemption from the sum of all fears isn't a merit award, rather; it's a totally free-of-charge rescue from the wrath of God by means of the ransom that Christ himself paid with his own life's blood rather than out of the sinner's pockets, so to speak. In point of fact the Greek word soteria, from which is translated "salvation" means rescue, i.e. remove from peril.

But now once the sinner is removed from the peril of the sum of all fears, he's expected to begin developing a life of piety (a.k.a. holiness) which serves an altogether different purpose in the plan of salvation than escaping the wrath of God.

The phrase "fear and trembling" was one of Paul's favorite colloquialisms; for example:

"For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling." (1Cor 2:3-4)

And another:

"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to The Lord, and not to men" (Eph 6:5-8)

"fear, and in trembling" doesn't mean Paul recommends shivering in terror and anxiety like a frightened gerbil; but that a believer's attitude should be free of pride, arrogance, and conceit, i.e. free of a superiority complex and/or a master-race mentality; for example:

Paul was very courteous to the Corinthians, and made himself of no reputation at all, even though he was one of The Lord's hand-picked apostles and they were a bunch of pagan heathens at the time who deserved nothing but the cold shoulder. Paul's attitude rubbed off on the Corinthians because they in turn deferred to Paul's associates with fear and trembling just as he had treated them all at one time.

"I had boasted to [Titus] about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling." (2Cor 7:14-15)

So then, what we're talking about here with "fear and trembling" is honor, respect, submission, deference, and reverence rather than terror and anxiety; and it's actually one of the Beatitudes.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

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WebersHome · Jul 23, 2017

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WebersHome said:
Php 2:12 . . As you have always obeyed-- work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

The phrase "fear and trembling" was one of Paul's favorite colloquialisms; for example:

● 1Cor 2:3-4 . . For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

And another:

● Eph 6:5-8 . . Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men

"fear, and in trembling" doesn't mean Paul recommends shivering in terror and anxiety like a frightened gerbil; but that a believer's attitude should be free of pride, arrogance, and conceit, i.e. free of a superiority complex and/or a master-race mentality; for example:

Paul was very courteous to the Corinthians, and made himself of no reputation at all, even though he was one of the Lord's hand-picked apostles and they were a bunch of pagan heathens at the time who deserved nothing but the cold shoulder. Paul's attitude rubbed off on the Corinthians because they in turn deferred to Paul's associates with fear and trembling just as he had treated them all at one time.

● 2Cor 7:14-15 . . I had boasted to [Titus] about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.

So then, what we're talking about here with "fear and trembling" is honor, respect, submission, deference, and reverence rather than terror and anxiety; and it's actually one of the Beatitudes.

● Matt 5:3 . . Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 24, 2017

#43 - Bookmark.

WebersHome · Jul 24, 2017

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221) Php 2:14 . . Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an understood rule of thumb in the US Army that GIs could complain all they wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well; Christ isn't pleased with that.

● Col 3:23 . .Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

● Num 21:5-6 . . And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.

Well; long story short, God punished the people's grumbling by sending a swarm of deadly reptiles among them, and many bitten by the reptiles died because their venom was very lethal.

The word for "debating" is dialogismos (dee-al-og-is-mos') which is sometimes translated "evil thoughts" for example:

● Matt 15:19 . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Dialogismos sometimes keeps people awake at night as they obsessively re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in their heads.

222) Php 3:1 . . Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord!

The koiné Greek word for "brethren" is adelphos (ad-el-fos') which is a masculine noun for a male relative. But it's use is flexible. Adelphos can also include one's female relatives too; I mean; after all, men and women are all siblings around the table in God's home. And when Paul wrote to a church, he oftentimes used the word adelphos to address the entire congregation.

Rejoicing "in the Lord" is way different than rejoicing in yourself; which is vulnerable to one's mood and/or circumstances. The Lord once told his disciples that they shouldn't rejoice that demons obeyed them, but rather, that their names were written in Heaven. (Luke 10:20)

● Col 3:1-4 . . Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say:
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Horatio P. Spafford
1828-1888

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Gabriel Anton · Jul 25, 2017

#44 - Bookmark.

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