WILL YOU BEG IN HARVEST?

Posted on by BETH

“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing” (Pro. 20:4).

What happens when a person plows in the cold weather?  Is he without pain or trouble? If he waits until there is no discomfort in his work, he won’t often work. If we only preach the word at a convenient time, we are not plowing in the cold.  We are told to: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Worldly people will force us to conform to their ways unless we are willing to suffer their hatred and scorn to follow Christ and His commands.  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

Jesus refused to be conformed to the world, but his brothers fell to the temptation!  Jesus told them, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:7).

We must be willing to stand for Jesus even in the cold and even when the world hates us. “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.  But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls (Luke 21:16-19).

We need to use the spiritual plow in cold weather and well as good weather. We should not be like the sluggard who has nothing when the harvest comes.

QUESTIONS:
1. A slothful man is said to be idle, lazy, sluggish (Prov 15:19; 26:13-15). The Book of Proverbs contrasts two paths, or ways of life: the way of wisdom and the way of folly. The slothful man is foolish, while the diligent, hard-working person is wise.  Compare the references for the sluggard with those of the slothful man.  How do they compare?

2. What is a sluggard?  Describe what a sluggard does (Prov. 6:6-11).

3. Using the same passage, tell how the ant is different?

4. Why might a sluggard use the excuse that there is a lion in the streets (Prov 26:13-16)?  How does this compare to a backsliding Christian who says he “has a headache” and therefore cannot come to services?

5. What is it like to send a sluggard to do a job (Prov. 10:26)?

6. Consider Proverbs 13:4 and see how many applications from everyday life you can make to this verse.

7. Explain what is meant by Proverbs 26:16.

8. Why did the people in Joshua’s time not go in to possess the land God said he had given them (Judges 18:9)?

9. What will happen to those who are slothful (Prov. 12:24)?

10. Sometimes it is easy to see a person’s fault, but we may not know how to apply New Testament scripture to teach him to be better.  Using the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), explain the basic problem with the one talent man.  Then apply Romans 12:11 and Hebrews 6:12 to show how someone like that might be encouraged to please the Lord.

WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

Posted on by BETH

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” (Eph. 5:8).

Light is the opposite of darkness. The Bible speaks of light as the symbol of God’s presence and righteous works. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Tim. 6:16). Physical light has been associated with God’s presence, while spiritual light is associated with His knowledge, truth, and righteousness since creation. Darkness, on the other hand, symbolizes ignorance, error, evil, and the works of Satan.

God and His Word are frequently pictured as lights or lamps to enlighten and guide the believer down the dark roads of life. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto 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 the truth:” (1 John 1:5-6). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). The Psalmist also declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psa. 27:1). Light is also used as a symbol of holiness and purity. Paul counseled the Christians at Rome to “put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:12).

The New Testament presents Jesus as the personification of light or divine illumination: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). He is the one who brought the truth and knowledge of God into the world (John 1:18). Jesus plainly stated that those who rejected this divine light would bring judgment upon themselves. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19-21). Jesus and the New Testament writers extended the figure of light to include faithful Christians, who were called “children of light” (Eph 5:8).

Hating the light will bring condemnation. Turning to the light brings salvation, as He said: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Col. 1:13-14). Walking in the light is not just believing a certain doctrine. Walking in the light, which is God’s word, is walking according to God’s direction for us””doing what He says. That light, when it enters our hearts, gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).

Jesus not only brought the light, but He walked according to the light and therefore is our example of what it means to be light. We need to grow in that light, both in knowing the light as well as becoming a light to others. God’s prophesy (the word of God) is that light which shines and needs to grow brighter and brighter until the day star rises in our hearts! (2 Pet. 1:19). The more of God’s truth and word we understand the brighter the light. Paul prayed that the Colossians would be filled with all knowledge and spiritual understanding, which would mean all light (Col. 1:9-10). Truly the day star comes closer and closer the more knowledge and understanding we add. When we live according to that light we do many good deeds which glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Our obedience glorifies our Father. We are admonished to walk as children of light (Eph 5:8), which we do when we obey more and more of His commands.

QUESTIONS:

1. RESEARCH QUESTION: Many ancient cultures were fascinated with light and its implications. Using a concordance or a Bible dictionary, find as many examples as possible of ancient people whose religions called for the worship of light or the sources of light (stars, moon or the sun). As much as possible, give examples from scripture of what God thought of these people.

2. Who were the people who sat in darkness, and what “great light” did they see (Matt. 4:16; Luke 1:79)?

3. What is the light of the body? What happens to people whose “eye is evil” (Matt. 6:22-23: Luke 11:34-36)?

4. Why did men love the darkness (John 3:19)? Did they comprehend the light (John 1:5)?

5. What was Jesus called (John 8:12; John 12:35)?

6. What was the purpose of “the light” (John 12:46; Acts 26:18)?

7. DISCUSSION QUESTION: If we hate our brother for any reason, where are we dwelling (1 John 2:8-9)? Can we be saved in that condition? Please also consider 1 John 4:20.

8. If we walk in the light, what do men in the world see (Matt. 5:16)?

9. What does it mean that the day star can rise in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19)?

10. How can the light of God shine more and more in our hearts and actions (Col. 1:9-10; Matt. 5:16)?

GOD’S CHILDREN WILL BE LIKE HIM

Posted on by BETH

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

When 1 John 3:2 says we are the sons of God, John appears to be speaking of the resurrection. The only indication of being like Him was something John had never seen. John had seen the heart of Christ and therefore the Father (John 14:1-8), so he is not talking about growing in the heart of Christ in this verse. We must settle on the alternative idea of being like Him in the resurrection.

Paul had his hope set on the resurrection. He first described the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:37-44, and then he made the contrast between Adam and Christ very clear. We have been born in the image of the earthly in the fact that we are in Adam’s physical image (1 Cor. 15:49). We are in the form of man (Phil. 2:6-8). Paul then noted there will come a time when we will be in the image of the heavenly (1 Cor 15:49). The image of the heavenly was in full context of the resurrection. Paul also noted that Christ was the first fruits of our resurrection (1 Cor. 15:19, 23).

Jesus’ resurrected body is glorious (Phil. 3:21). On the road to Damascus, Paul saw the resurrected Christ in a marvelously glorious body that was so magnificent that he was totally blinded by it. Moses saw God’s glory when he saw the back of God, making his face to shine. The children of Israel could not look on Moses’ face because it was so bright. However, when Paul saw the resurrected Christ, it must not have been the eternal body of Christ, since John says it does not yet appear what we shall be (1 John 3:2). If Paul had already seen what we shall be, then John would not have said it is unknown what we shall be.

Jesus asked the Father to give Him the glory He had before the foundation of the world. In the book of Revelation, we may have a picture of the kind of glory God has. “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them” (Rev. 20:11).

When Christ returns, we shall see Him as he is; however, just seeing Him is not our only hope. We also have the hope of being like Him (1 John 3:2). The Holy Spirit testified through Paul that in the resurrection our physical bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:21). All of God’s children, from the least to the greatest have this hope of being resurrected in the image of His glorious body. John said that it does not yet appear what we shall be. However, he further testified that when we see Him we will be like Him. What a marvelous hope we have in Christ””not only to inherit an eternal home in heaven with Him, but to have a body like His as well.

QUESTIONS: 1. In the resurrection, what body will Christians have? (1 Cor. 15:42-44)

2. Are the first fruits of the cotton crop the same as the rest of the crop? What about a wheat crop? What is the meaning of the term “first fruits”?

3. Explain how Jesus was the first fruits of our resurrection.

4. Romans 8:18 speaks of a stark contrast between the glory that shall be revealed in us and something we have to endure. What is that? (Acts 14:22)

5. What was David prophesying about in Psalm 17:15?

6. What was the image of the earthy in 1 Corinthians 15:49?

7. What two kinds of bodies are described in Philippians 3:21?

8. According to Matthew 22:30-32, what will we be like in the resurrection?

9. Luke 20:36-38 also talks about the resurrection. How is that described?

10. Can we go to heaven in flesh and blood as we are today (1 Cor. 15:50-58)? Describe what will take place that day.

PUT OFF ANGER

Posted on by BETH

“Put off Anger”

When it comes to anger, we sometimes let our “what-can-we-get-away-with” attitude show through.   The most popular scripture dealing with anger is, “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph. 4:26).  Even though it is absolutely true that anger is not necessarily sin in itself, it is not something that can be used with impunity.

Consider these:
1. Anger can put our souls in danger. “But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matt. 5:22).  Everyone thinks he has a cause.  Be careful.

2. It never works the righteousness of God. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:   For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

3. A wise man is slow to anger (Prov. 16:32). Are you wise? There are many other scriptures which teach about being slow to anger: Neh. 9:17; Psa. 103:8; Psa. 145:8; Prov. 15:18; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nah. 1:3.

4. It is a glory to pass over a transgression (Prov. 19:11). Is that how you feel about overlooking things done against you?  Remember the many good discussions and studies about forgiving others.

5. He that rules his own spirit is better than a man who takes a city (Prov. 16:32: Prov. 25:28). How strong are you?  If you cannot control your own spirit, do you need to seek help?

6. Just because anger itself is not a sin does not mean it is OK to use it to control people and situations.  God says to put off anger. ” Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Eph. 4:31). “But now ye also put off all these: anger”¦” (Col. 3:8).

THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY

Posted on by BETH

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”
(1 Corinthians 13:3).

The key Greek word in this passage is psoomizoo (NT:5595), which is translated to feed the poor.  It signifies to divide into morsels, and put into the mouth.  This in turn implies carefulness and tenderness in the way in which it is administered.  The picture of a bird feeding its young may come to mind or the picture of a mother feeding her child.  This may also be applicable to distributing property in small portions. During New Testament times, charity (alms to the poor) was usually distributed at a rich man’s gate (Luke 16:20) or in some public place.

To make the case as strong as possible, Paul says that if ALL that a man had were dealt out in this way, in small portions, so as to benefit as many as possible, and yet were not done because of true love for God and man, it would all be false, hollow, hypocritical, and really of no value to his salvation.  It would profit nothing. Though good might be done to others, yet where the “motive” was wrong, it could not meet with God”™s approval or gain his favor.  Wealthy individuals like Bill and Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett often desire praise for being benevolent, and so we read grandiose accounts of their giving billions to “charity.”  It was against such a desire for praise and renown that Jesus directed some of his most severe reproofs (Matt 6:1-4).

A second phrase, “Though I give my body to be burned”¦” (evidently as a martyr, or a witness to the truth) seems to be saying, “Though I should be willing to lay down my life in the most painful manner”¦,” and have not charity (love), it would profit me nothing.  Ancient prophets were often called to suffer martyrdom. These all died in faith (Heb 11:34; Heb 11:13).  Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace, because they were worshippers of the true God; but by God”™s miracle they were not consumed in the flame (Dan 3:19-26; Daniel 3:28).

We know from historical accounts that Christians were persecuted and tortured for their faith (Acts 15:26), and burning became the common way in which Christians suffered. This was true under Nero and during the Inquisition.  It was also true in the persecutions in England in the time of Mary.  However, many modern day “martyrs” have not been a glory to God.  During the Vietnam War, protesters oftentimes immolated themselves in order to force the US to get out of that conflict.  Today the suicide bombers are willing to die to force the world to submit to their false religion.  Is this mode of death endured because the individual loved the Lord and wanted to glorify Him in his death?  Certainly not.  Men may desire to be martyrs for various causes.  Not a few have been willing to give themselves to the flames who never knew anything of love for the true God of heaven. 

If I have no true love for God, I will perish, after all. Love is more valuable and precious than all the offerings and sacrifices by themselves. Nothing can take its place; nothing can be connected to salvation without it.  The bottom line is motive.  If we have no love for God or His people, all our sacrifices and good works are in vain.

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20).