|
|
Post by Redeemed on Sept 3, 2022 14:26:44 GMT -8
1 Timothy 4:7–10 Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
The apostle Paul did not take for granted the godliness of his spiritual son Timothy. Though Timothy had been his companion and fellow worker for a number of years, Paul still felt it necessary to write to him, “Train yourself to be godly.” And if Timothy needed this encouragement, then surely, we also need it today. In urging Timothy to train himself in godliness, Paul borrowed a term from the realm of athletics. The verb variously translated in different versions of the Bible as “exercise,” “discipline,” or “train” originally referred to the training of young athletes for participation in the competitive games of the day. Then it took on a more general meaning of training or discipline of either the body or the mind in a particular skill.
There are several principles in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to train himself to be godly that are applicable to us today. The first is personal responsibility. Paul said, “Train yourself.” Timothy was personally responsible for his progress in godliness. He was not to trust the Lord for that progress and then relax, though he certainly understood that any progress he made was only through divine enablement. He would have understood that he was to work out this particular aspect of his salvation in confidence that God was at work in him. But he would get Paul’s message that he must work at this matter of godliness; he must pursue it.We are to train ourselves to be godly.
The second principle in Paul’s exhortation is that the object of this training was growth in Timothy’s personal spiritual life. Elsewhere Paul encourages Timothy to progress in his ministry, but the objective here is Timothy’s own devotion to God and the conduct arising from that devotion. Even though he was an experienced, well-qualified Christian minister, Timothy still needed to grow in the essential areas of godliness: the fear of God, the comprehension of the love of God, and the desire for the presence and fellowship of God.
I realize this is not an easy task as Godliness isn’t exactly in our nature—looking to the interests of others is difficult, turning the other cheek next to impossible.
Fortunately, in Jesus we have a model, someone who shows us how to serve others and love God. Just as a child grows up watching his father and develops his habits and values, when we imitate Jesus, we grow to develop His love and compassion, His set of priorities.
|
|
|
|
Post by Theophilus on Sept 6, 2022 8:08:58 GMT -8
Romans 6:22–23 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 31 therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.”
Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us … sanctification. 1 Cor. 1:30.
The Life Side. The mystery of sanctification is that the perfections of Jesus Christ are imparted to me, not gradually, but instantly when by faith I enter into the realization that Jesus Christ is made unto me sanctification. Sanctification does not mean anything less than the holiness of Jesus being made mine manifestly.
The one marvellous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is “Christ in you.” It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in sanctification and imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His word?
Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ. It is His patience, His love, His holiness, His faith, His purity, His godliness, that is manifested in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy; it is drawing from Jesus the holiness that was manifested in Him, and He manifests it in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is on a different line. In Jesus Christ is the perfection of everything, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfections of Jesus are at my disposal, and slowly and surely I begin to live a life of ineffable order and sanity and holiness “Kept by the power of God.”
Oswald Chambers
MY UTMOST
FOR
HIS HIGHEST
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Apr 2, 2023 11:43:55 GMT -8
These verses below show us the qualities of life that must be acquired for leading a wise life. A disciplined and use full life is one with high moral standards, a life in which one does what is right … just, and fair. Proverbs Can guidance into leading that life. We have to become willing to change. There are few things in life more frustrating than knowing you need to change, wanting to change, and trying to change, but not actually changing.
As Christians were constantly changing and being transformed into the image of Christ. if we follow His lead. Jesus said:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30
He will show us how to grow in godliness.
3 Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity,
4 That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth—
5 The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel so that he may be able to steer his course rightly.
6 That people may understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation, and the words of the wise and their dark sayings or riddles.
7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. Proverbs 1:3–7
The Proverbs were written to encourage others: (a) to acquire a disciplined skill in right living (for attaining wisdom and discipline) and (b) to gain mental acumen (for understanding words of insight). The first of these is elaborated in verses 3–5 and the second in verse 6. As stated in the Introduction under “Purpose,” this word ḥokmâh (“wisdom”) in the Old Testament often refers to the mental and physical skills of craftsmen, sailors, singers, mourners, administrators, counselors, and others; but other times, as in Proverbs, it focuses on the application of moral and ethical principles that result in skillful, godly living. A person with this wisdom has “expertise” in godly living. Such wise, skillful living is a life of “discipline” (cf. v. 3) and order. Discipline translates mûsār, “moral discipline or correction.” In Hebrew the word “understanding,” also used in verses 5 (“discerning”) and 6 (“understanding”), means insight, or the ability to see “between” issues.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty
|
|
|
|
Post by rockson on Apr 2, 2023 15:15:45 GMT -8
Continuing the discussion from the Colossian thread, where we were talking about unmarried people living together and claiming to be Christians.
This really had caused me to study with a focus on 1 Cor 5....and something you don't hear many Churches even bring up....for it is a startling thing in one sense when it describes how to deal with such problems.
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
(My thoughts...he said the congregation or leadership was puffed up about it....which means perhaps a false pride....seems to me it wasn't that they were in favor of what the one was doing but maybe they prided themselves that they were such a loving church....willing to allow it and give people time to perhaps mature out of such sins....In other words you don't want to be to hard on them)
And seems to me however Paul's response was very decisive.
4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
As one can see...very strong. I think it's a progressive thing you talk to them seek to really get to their heart and see they need to repent but if not...
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
Back again talking about their glorying in something about them they thought was good. That they were showing how merciful and gracious they could be to help people mature out of whatever and not be too hard on them?? But Paul let them know they were forgetting something...something important.....verse 6 above tells what that is.....Don't you know, don't you understand a little leaven leavens the whole lump? It seems they didn't appreciate that.
12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Yes we are so very sensitive about not wanting to be judgmental. We should be....BUT.....WE ARE required to do that which is uncomfortable.....judge those that are within. Actions do need to be taken and of course many or some will claim you're being unloving. Such ones however wouldn't be walking in the true wisdom of God. None of this I think is talking about someone or a couple who fell into sin once BUT they do repent and feel godly sorrow for what they did.
I believe it's talking about those who make their sin a continual pattern of conduct with no concern about repentance. If one falls in a moment of weakness 1 John 1: 9 covers that. He Jesus is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse....but to walk in darkness and to believe its somehow all right....big mistake, or rather a very presumptuous sin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Obadiah on Apr 2, 2023 16:14:21 GMT -8
rocksonThanks for the post rockson. This looks like a good topic for conversation. Something we all deal with one way or another. I plan on getting into it a little deeper tomorrow. Looks like Civic has a thread here also on obedience. The thing about obedience that always gets me is because of disobedience and 11-day journey took 40 years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Unmerited on Apr 3, 2023 4:14:37 GMT -8
Continuing the discussion from the Colossian thread, where we were talking about unmarried people living together and claiming to be Christians. This really had caused me to study with a focus on 1 Cor 5....and something you don't hear many Churches even bring up....for it is a startling thing in one sense when it describes how to deal with such problems. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
(My thoughts...he said the congregation or leadership was puffed up about it....which means perhaps a false pride....seems to me it wasn't that they were in favor of what the one was doing but maybe they prided themselves that they were such a loving church....willing to allow it and give people time to perhaps mature out of such sins....In other words you don't want to be to hard on them) And seems to me however Paul's response was very decisive. 4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.As one can see...very strong. I think it's a progressive thing you talk to them seek to really get to their heart and see they need to repent but if not... 6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.Back again talking about their glorying in something about them they thought was good. That they were showing how merciful and gracious they could be to help people mature out of whatever and not be too hard on them?? But Paul let them know they were forgetting something...something important.....verse 6 above tells what that is.....Don't you know, don't you understand a little leaven leavens the whole lump? It seems they didn't appreciate that. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.Yes we are so very sensitive about not wanting to be judgmental. We should be....BUT.....WE ARE required to do that which is uncomfortable.....judge those that are within. Actions do need to be taken and of course many or some will claim you're being unloving. Such ones however wouldn't be walking in the true wisdom of God. None of this I think is talking about someone or a couple who fell into sin once BUT they do repent and feel godly sorrow for what they did. I believe it's talking about those who make their sin a continual pattern of conduct with no concern about repentance. If one falls in a moment of weakness 1 John 1: 9 covers that. He Jesus is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse....but to walk in darkness and to believe its somehow all right....big mistake, or rather a very presumptuous sin. Excellent post and I totally agree. If the church proceeds in a manner explained in your post the results are quite evident. You end up with gay women pastors. I think it's called user friendly church. The big complaint about mega churches is the lack of accountability. And you know the more people you can pack in there the more money you can get for various programs. Some people wonder If the True church can even be found nowadays. And if you have the wrong understanding of once Saved always Saved then it easy to use it as a licensed to sin. Like Obadiah I plan to get into this today. |
|
|
|
Post by Redeemed on Apr 3, 2023 10:46:25 GMT -8
This seems to fit in pretty good right here. ARE YOU A REAL CHRISTIAN OR JUST A FAKE?by Andrew Dunstone Yes, you might have prayed the sinners’ prayer, but did you mean it, or was it just taking out eternal life insurance for when you die? Are you serving God, or are you continuing to serve the world as you have in the past? Genuine Christians live according to biblical principles. Any “Christian” who does not live by these principles may not actually be a Christian. Just because someone claims to be a Christian does not automatically mean that they are Christian! Be discerning! Did Deeper |
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Apr 5, 2023 4:55:56 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by Theophilus on Apr 5, 2023 16:01:16 GMT -8
This definitely doesn't fit in but I'm posting it anyway.
When we live in godly sincerity, we don’t wear masks. We don’t try to act like Super Christians. We don’t build up a “Christian” façade to impress other people. Godliness simply means we are who we are in Jesus Christ. It means we walk in the light of the Lord, no longer putting on a show to impress others.
As Christians we have no reason to live behind a mask. We are told to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). This means we are to walk before God and others with the same transparency or, as Paul says, sincerity—that Christ showed in His life. And by accepting the grace of God, we can do so.
When we place ourselves under the control of the indwelling Christ, we then are able to boast about our conscience and live in godly sincerity. When our hearts are transparent before God, we suffer no guilt from sin; we can boldly proclaim the message of Jesus Christ and what he has done in our lives. We don’t have to put on any kind of spiritual show because the power and authority of the Holy Spirit are at work within us.
Nothing is more humbling than the expectation of standing before the Lord Jesus in judgment. On that day, all façades will be exposed. Everyone who has hidden behind a mask will be revealed. Jesus said that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment. But those who know the all-sufficient Father, and are controlled by His grace, can live with a clear conscience and godly sincerity until that day.
|
|
|
|
Post by Unmerited on Apr 6, 2023 3:31:45 GMT -8
Continuing the discussion from the Colossian thread, where we were talking about unmarried people living together and claiming to be Christians. This really had caused me to study with a focus on 1 Cor 5....and something you don't hear many Churches even bring up....for it is a startling thing in one sense when it describes how to deal with such problems. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
(My thoughts...he said the congregation or leadership was puffed up about it....which means perhaps a false pride....seems to me it wasn't that they were in favor of what the one was doing but maybe they prided themselves that they were such a loving church....willing to allow it and give people time to perhaps mature out of such sins....In other words you don't want to be to hard on them) And seems to me however Paul's response was very decisive. 4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.As one can see...very strong. I think it's a progressive thing you talk to them seek to really get to their heart and see they need to repent but if not... 6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.Back again talking about their glorying in something about them they thought was good. That they were showing how merciful and gracious they could be to help people mature out of whatever and not be too hard on them?? But Paul let them know they were forgetting something...something important.....verse 6 above tells what that is.....Don't you know, don't you understand a little leaven leavens the whole lump? It seems they didn't appreciate that. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.Yes we are so very sensitive about not wanting to be judgmental. We should be....BUT.....WE ARE required to do that which is uncomfortable.....judge those that are within. Actions do need to be taken and of course many or some will claim you're being unloving. Such ones however wouldn't be walking in the true wisdom of God. None of this I think is talking about someone or a couple who fell into sin once BUT they do repent and feel godly sorrow for what they did. I believe it's talking about those who make their sin a continual pattern of conduct with no concern about repentance. If one falls in a moment of weakness 1 John 1: 9 covers that. He Jesus is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse....but to walk in darkness and to believe its somehow all right....big mistake, or rather a very presumptuous sin. Fits right in "False Spirituality" berean-apologetics.boards.net/post/6064/thread |
|
|
|
Post by Unmerited on Apr 9, 2023 7:00:05 GMT -8
One way to grow in godliness is found in 2nd Corinthians 3:18, A scripture I know we've all cherished.
“Being TRANSFORMED into the same image from GLORY to GLORY, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” – 2 Corinthians 3:18
Believers are called to be TRANSFORMED FROM GLORY to GLORY: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor.3:18). This striking and loaded phrase – “from glory to glory” – sums up the entire Christian life, from redemption and sanctification on earth, to our glorious eternal welcome into heaven.
|
|
|
|
Post by civic on Apr 10, 2023 4:25:18 GMT -8
One way to grow in godliness is found in 2nd Corinthians 3:18, A scripture I know we've all cherished. “Being TRANSFORMED into the same image from GLORY to GLORY, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 Believers are called to be TRANSFORMED FROM GLORY to GLORY: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor.3:18). This striking and loaded phrase – “from glory to glory” – sums up the entire Christian life, from redemption and sanctification on earth, to our glorious eternal welcome into heaven. Amen - Romans 12:1-2 also come to mind.  |
|
|
|
Post by Aeliana on Apr 18, 2023 5:28:22 GMT -8
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Peter 1:15 I think we need to be a little more careful than we are with how we live. Not that we have to be so careful that we live in fear, but careful in a godly way, not a legalistic way. Because if we're not careful about who our friends are, what television programs and movies we watch, what kind of books we read, what kind of music we listen to, how we spend our money, and what we do with our time, we could end up living wasted lives. As Christians, we must pursue holiness and realize that we are sanctified, which means we are set apart for God's use. In fact, the minute we accept Christ as our Savior, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and set apart for a God-given purpose. And if we're not fulfilling our purpose or if we're not pursuing our purpose, we're going to feel empty and frustrated. I urge you today to pursue your purpose of holiness. When faced with tricky decisions, ask God what to do and choose the path of holiness that He has laid out for you. berean-apologetics.boards.net/post/6323/thread |
|
|
|
Post by civic on Apr 18, 2023 6:57:24 GMT -8
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Peter 1:15 I think we need to be a little more careful than we are with how we live. Not that we have to be so careful that we live in fear, but careful in a godly way, not a legalistic way. Because if we're not careful about who our friends are, what television programs and movies we watch, what kind of books we read, what kind of music we listen to, how we spend our money, and what we do with our time, we could end up living wasted lives. As Christians, we must pursue holiness and realize that we are sanctified, which means we are set apart for God's use. In fact, the minute we accept Christ as our Savior, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and set apart for a God-given purpose. And if we're not fulfilling our purpose or if we're not pursuing our purpose, we're going to feel empty and frustrated. I urge you today to pursue your purpose of holiness. When faced with tricky decisions, ask God what to do and choose the path of holiness that He has laid out for you. berean-apologetics.boards.net/post/6323/threadDo you ever wonder why the church in general doesn't like to use the biblical terms for believers which is saints/holy ones ?
We have accepted this lower standard and dare I say unbiblical one called sinners( present tense) saved by grace. Notice the bible never refers to believer as sinners but saints. When we set the bar/standards low ( in the mud ) then we will live in the mud defeated. But if we set out standards high ( saints-holy ones) maybe just maybe we might soar on wings lie eagles instead of pigs wallowing in the mud. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. We set standards in our personal lives like diets, working out, academics, work etc.... but for some reason in our walk with Christ the standards are minimized. Just some food for thought and I'm not advocating sinless perfectionism either. |
|
|
|
Post by Aeliana on Apr 18, 2023 8:33:54 GMT -8
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Peter 1:15 I think we need to be a little more careful than we are with how we live. Not that we have to be so careful that we live in fear, but careful in a godly way, not a legalistic way. Because if we're not careful about who our friends are, what television programs and movies we watch, what kind of books we read, what kind of music we listen to, how we spend our money, and what we do with our time, we could end up living wasted lives. As Christians, we must pursue holiness and realize that we are sanctified, which means we are set apart for God's use. In fact, the minute we accept Christ as our Savior, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and set apart for a God-given purpose. And if we're not fulfilling our purpose or if we're not pursuing our purpose, we're going to feel empty and frustrated. I urge you today to pursue your purpose of holiness. When faced with tricky decisions, ask God what to do and choose the path of holiness that He has laid out for you. Do you ever wonder why the church in general doesn't like to use the biblical terms for believers which is saints/holy ones ?
We have accepted this lower standard and dare I say unbiblical one called sinners( present tense) saved by grace. Notice the bible never refers to believer as sinners but saints. When we set the bar/standards low ( in the mud ) then we will live in the mud defeated. But if we set out standards high ( saints-holy ones) maybe just maybe we might soar on wings lie eagles instead of pigs wallowing in the mud. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. We set standards in our personal lives like diets, working out, academics, work etc.... but for some reason in our walk with Christ the standards are minimized. Just some food for thought and I'm not advocating sinless perfectionism either. We Are The Righteousness of God In Christ Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:21As a believer, one of the most important realities for us to understand is who we are in Christ, our identity in Him. When I first heard the phrase “who you are in Christ,” I did not know what it meant. But understanding these powerful words is vitally important. When people receive Jesus Christ by faith as their personal Savior, God sees them as made right with Him and as being “in” Jesus. Being in Christ provides you with certain rights and privileges, the rights and privileges that belong to the children of God. Now we need to learn how to separate our ‘Who’ From our ‘Do’. That's who we are in Christ, And it never changes. And our "Do" is the fact that in this world we all will occasionally stumble, but we get back up. When you realize that what you ‘do’ doesn’t determine ‘who’ you are, you can experience a new level of freedom from shame. When you know that God loves you, you can start to like yourself. When you start to live yourself, other people begin to like you too. Liking yourself doesn’t mean you’re full of pride; it simply means you accept yourself as the person God created you to be. We all need changes in our behavior, but accepting ourselves as God’s creation is vital to our progress in becoming an emotionally healthy person. If we can master this one thing, liking ourselves, it will work wonders in helping us to overcome a shame-based nature. Also how we refer to other believers is very important. It has to do with the power of the words we speak. Just like you mentioned in your post. The Bible tells us we should speak words of life 1 John 1:1–4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! |
|
