If Sinners Entice Thee

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."  Proverbs 1:10.  Sin achieves its end through enticement.  Satan enticed Mother Eve, and thus, the world was drenched in sin.  Sin lies and knows not the truth.  The devil uses trickery.  Sin uses enticements to beguile unstable souls.  Sin uses flattery and draws us away from that which is good and true.  We are to be wise to the devices of sin so that we do not fall victim to its enticements.  We must not consent to do evil.  We have the power within us to overcome.  We must turn a deaf ear when sin calls.  We must remove ourselves from the allurements that sin offers.  We must say no to the temptations that are presented unto us.  We must not allow sin to defile us and afflict us.  We must always be alert and take constant heed that we be not ensnared by sin.  Let us never consent when sin beckons and be not the victim of the sinner's enticement.  We are to flee with all our might.  We are too weak if we stand still and listen or watch  as did Mother Eve in the garden.  We must hasten quickly away lest we fall.  May we be wise so that we do not yield when sin entices.  Blessed is the one who survives sin's flattery.

Showing Our Love

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."  I John 5:3.  God has a standard by which our love for Him is shown.  Love for God is a commitment to His will.  His commandments are for our well being, both in this life and in the eternal life to come.  We do not love God in word only, but we love Him by doing as He asks.  And the commandments which He has delivered unto us are not too difficult to keep.  God has not placed upon us a great burden that is beyond our strength, but rather, God has given commandments that we can and must obey.  Our obedience to His will is the demonstration of our love for Him.  This obedience also helps us.  It fills our life with joy and purpose.  Through obedience unto God, we know peace and contentment.  We are able to live with assurance and hope.  The commandments that we are to keep are God's commandments, not man's commandments.  We must not hear the voice of men, but rather, we must hear the voice of God.  Man's commandments change and vary because they come from the mind of feeling and opinion.  God's commandments are firmly set and forever established.  Love God by keeping the law that can be kept.

Walk Not In Darkness

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."  I John 1:6.  God is light, meaning that He is without sin and imperfection.  Darkness is evil.  They who walk in darkness are children of the evil One.  They do not live righteous lives, not do they seek after the way of God.  If we make a profession of right living, and yet, we live in sin and serve evil, we are liars.  The truth of God calls for holiness and purity.  The doers of sin do not seek after purity and holiness of life.  If we serve sin, we do not the truth of God.  The truth leads one in the way of righteousness.  The truth is God's directive for holy and moral living.    Immoral living is contrary to truth and fellowship with God.  To profess communion with God and walk in darkness is a lie.  Fellowship with God requires that one forsake the way of sin.  Fellowship with God requires that one put on holiness of life.  Our practice must be our profession.  True profession is manifested by proper conduct.  As one walks in the light, he walks in fellowship with God.  The light of God dispels the darkness. The light of God brings holiness and purity of life.  Walking in light is walking with God.

The Grace Of Our Lord

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen."  Revelation 22:21.  This single statement closes the book of inspiration.  The Bible begins with a promise of grace.  Genesis 3:15.  And, the Bible closes with a promise of grace.  Between these two promises are marvelous exhibits of God's amazing grace.  How void the life of an individual that lives outside the covenant of the grace of God.  God's grace is a provision for the people of God.  Grace saves us from the emptiness of sin.  Grace sustains us amidst the difficult times of life.  Grace aids us in the decisions of life.  With the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are able to live in a world of turmoil, uncertainty, and hopelessness.  Our surety and hope lies within the grace of God.  As we bask in the sunlight of God's wonderful grace, we live each day full of joy and contentment.  When we face the tragedies of life's moments, we relax in the grace of God.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ preserves us as we travel the journey of life.  Whatever comes our way, God's grace will keep us even unto that eternal day.  May God's grace always be with you.

The God Of Everywhere

"Howbeit, the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?  Hath not my hand made all these things?"  Acts 7:48-51.  This passage is a part of Stephen's sermon to the Jews.  The Jews held the temple in high regard and Stephen preaches to them the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.  The temple was to endure for a time, but God had a greater revelation in mind.  The Jews had violated the true purpose of the temple and had misapplied its meaning.  God is not confined to a certain place, but rather, He inhabits the universe.  God is everywhere and His handiwork can be seen in everything.  God is the Maker of all things.  His glory is seen in all things, and everywhere His power is manifested.  No temple made with human hands can contain Him.  He has no need of sanctuaries.  Jesus Christ would become the true temple of God.  All who would believe upon Jesus and receive Him as Savior would become the dwelling place of God.  God abides in the heart of the believer.  And, the believer praises God for His marvelous creation.

Children By Faith

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  Galatians 3:26-27.  Jesus Christ made it possible through His death upon the cross and His resurrection from the grave for all who would believe to become children of God.  We must believe that Jesus died upon the cross and that He was raised from the dead on the third day.  Faith in these two acts of God will allow us to become the children of God.  To become a child of God means that we believe what the gospel teaches.  We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and by faith, we accept Him as our Savior and Redeemer.  But faith demands an action.  Faith is an act of obedience.  Faith responds in obedience to the commands of God.  Our faith in Jesus Christ will motivate us to unite ourselves with Christ.  This union is accomplished in baptism.  When we are baptized in water, we put on Christ.  We must put Christ on in baptism so that He is our Savior.  We must put Christ on in baptism so that we experience His death, His burial, and His resurrection by which sins are forgiven.  Faith declares that Christ is our Savior.  Baptism puts us into the salvation of Christ where all eternal blessings are found. With faith in Jesus Christ and by baptism into Jesus Christ, a child of God is born.

The Tongue Of The Wise

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."  Proverbs 12:18.  How do we speak?  Do our words hurt or do they sooth?  Does our speech comfort or does it injure?  Speech can be harmful or it can be helpful.  The words that pierce like a sword belittle and criticize.  Speech can poison or heal.  Words can bring death or life.  Soft words lift up and harsh words tear down.  Friendship can be destroyed or bonded.  Marriages can be saved or broken.  Reputations can be destroyed.by gossip and slander.  Characters can be scared by whispers and backbiting.  The tongue of the wise will encourage and inspire.  The tongue of the wise will compliment and empower.    The tongue of the wise will bring reconciliation and peace.  The tongue of the wise will restore and heal.  Let not our words cut and divide, but rather let our words unite.  Let our words be full of love and compassion.  The piercings of a sword bring death.  The tongue of the wise will give life.