tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90741062024-03-14T09:23:49.107-04:00The RobeThoughts from the scriptures. The following is a public journal of my personal Bible study. I hope and pray that these thoughts will be a blessing to you.David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.comBlogger1422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-31645542865139149312022-05-01T09:32:00.003-04:002022-05-01T09:34:43.688-04:00Jesus our Brother: Mat. 28:10 <p>After Jesus’ resurrection, on the third day, the two Marys
went to look at the tomb. Having seen the empty tomb, they left to go home but,
on the way, they met the risen Jesus. As they fell down and laid hold of his
feet in worship, Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My
brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Mat. 28:10 NASB
2020). There are many ways in which I relate to Jesus. He is my Lord, my God,
my Savior, and the Christ of God. However, I rarely relate to him as my
brother. Yet, Jesus, after his resurrection, referred to his disciples as his “brothers.”
Jesus, having just been raised from the dead, declares his solidarity with the human
race by calling them brothers. Jesus is not just our God, but he is also our
brother.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are three things that we can learn from relating to
Jesus as our brother. First is that Jesus is not ashamed of us. The writer of
Hebrews states that “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified
are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them
brothers and sisters” (Heb. 2:11 NASB 2020). As our brother, Jesus is not
ashamed of us, even knowing our weaknesses and failings. He stands with us,
even when we fail and fall short of who we are called to be. Secondly, Jesus is
merciful to us. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, “Therefore, in all things
He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the
sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has
suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:17-18<!--EndFragment -->
NASB 2020). Not only is Jesus not ashamed of us, but he is merciful to us when
we fail. No matter what we have done, we know that we can come to Jesus in
repentance and find mercy and forgiveness. Finally, knowing Jesus as our
brother gives us a glimpse of who we are to become. Paul writes, “For those
whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His
Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom.
8:29<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020). We are called to be like Jesus, and God his
Father, and our Father, is working in our lives to conform us to his image.
Jesus is not only our pattern for who we shall be but also our hope that, as
his brothers, our Father in heaven will continue to work in our lives until we reflect
the life of Jesus in our own lives. Today, as you spend time with Jesus, may
you begin to see Jesus as not only your lord and savior but also your brother.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-65292589648938885762022-04-12T07:48:00.002-04:002022-04-12T07:48:49.540-04:00Which Jesus do you choose? Matthew 27:17<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ5vHxa1bnI15syuk_7O7yUMqJ0zarmqKjWLASa74SDM3lh2OpdOYQT5fQHnmyBMYi94AKvdHJ_j7z4c8oP1vcpyJ1f1FniIjyAjsJmUwJpe3-dt3tW1tp8Xli1uJOyJUWHzA6Vtoci-g4xMpkTHLxfmkwlTHusU7ld2aqLrUh8C7tpkKew/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ5vHxa1bnI15syuk_7O7yUMqJ0zarmqKjWLASa74SDM3lh2OpdOYQT5fQHnmyBMYi94AKvdHJ_j7z4c8oP1vcpyJ1f1FniIjyAjsJmUwJpe3-dt3tW1tp8Xli1uJOyJUWHzA6Vtoci-g4xMpkTHLxfmkwlTHusU7ld2aqLrUh8C7tpkKew/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>After his arrest, and towards the end of his mock trial, Pilate
offered a choice to the Jews as to who he should release to them according to
his custom. In Matthew’s Gospel, we read, “Now at the Passover Feast the
governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they
wanted. And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called
Barabbas. So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do
you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ’” (Matthew
27:15-17 NASB 2020)? In the Greek text, Barabbas is taken
directly from the Aramaic and simply means “bar abba” or “son of a father.” We
might think of this as being akin to our last name. Interestingly, some of the
manuscripts include the real name of Barabbas, or in our terms, his first name,
and that name was Jesus. In some Greek manuscripts, this verse reads, “who do
you want me to release to you? Jesus, the son of abba, or Jesus who is called
Christ?” Pilate was forcing them to choose between two Jesuses, one being the
true Christ of God, and the other Jesus being one who was both a murderer and
an insurrectionist (Mark 15:7).<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This Easter season, we, too, ought to stop and ask
ourselves, “Which Jesus do we choose?” We live in a time when many prefer a
Jesus of their own choosing, of their own making, rather than the true Christ
of God. People want a Jesus who thinks like they think, acts as they act, and
who is accepting of all their decisions, opinions, and beliefs. Instead of
conforming their lives to the life and teaching of Jesus, they want to conform
Jesus to their way of life and their way of thinking. Instead of accepting and
following the historical Jesus, the Jesus of the scriptures, they would rather
follow a Jesus conformant to our modern mindset and sensibilities. For many,
they prefer a counterfeit Jesus rather than Jesus, who was the true son of God.
So, the question we must ask ourselves is, “Which Jesus do we choose?” My
prayer for all of us as we enter into this Easter season is that we would all
choose the true Jesus, the one who lived and died for us, and the only one who
rose from the dead so that we might have new life in him. This Easter season,
may you blest in the true Jesus, the one who is called Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-12594278872257541802022-04-06T08:44:00.006-04:002022-04-06T08:44:44.795-04:00Producing the fruit of the kingdom: Matthew 21:43<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITM_qPgecTEcXjt1a-cNFVFvc3kRFykWsXyoq7FmAX7ev-qtUK47YQxkxBtdsDPM5o37OMzCzGJBIzf2QK3UO9n8z-MrceSj9hYqBCzUN41U8fZdiezqROCpMQ1NBHG1S8Jzqt6d6WqB0-5mJIPqRTwcASPrzjJ0ThVvgWwrgAAEEk73kFw/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITM_qPgecTEcXjt1a-cNFVFvc3kRFykWsXyoq7FmAX7ev-qtUK47YQxkxBtdsDPM5o37OMzCzGJBIzf2QK3UO9n8z-MrceSj9hYqBCzUN41U8fZdiezqROCpMQ1NBHG1S8Jzqt6d6WqB0-5mJIPqRTwcASPrzjJ0ThVvgWwrgAAEEk73kFw/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One day, Jesus told a parable about a landowner who planted
a vineyard and leased it out to vine-growers who would tend the vineyard for
him. Part of the price of the lease was that, when the harvest time had come,
the landowner would receive a share of the harvest of the vineyard. However,
when he sent servants to collect his fee, those who had leased the vineyard
refused to pay. Finally, the landowner sent his son, saying, “They will respect
my son” (Matthew 21:37 NASB 2020). However, vine-growers “took
him and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him” (Matthew 21:39
NASB 2020). Jesus then reveals that he spoke this parable against the religious
people of his day, warning them, saying, “the kingdom of God will be taken away
from you and given to a people producing its fruit” (Matthew 21:43
NASB 2020).<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Greek word translated here as “producing” is a very
common word in the New Testament. It is often translated as to make or to do.
Bearing the fruit of the kingdom is not something that naturally or
automatically happens. It takes our involvement. We must engage in the process.
We must participate in the making, or producing, of the fruit. Yes, fruit is
the natural result of the life of any plant, but producing a crop takes effort.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how does one bear and produce fruit for the Kingdom of
God? The secret is to remain in Jesus. Jesus said, “Remain in Me, and I in you.
Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so
neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches;
the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you
can do nothing” (John 15:4-5 NASB 2020). If we are to produce the fruit of the kingdom,
we must abide in Christ. John goes on to tell us what it means to remain in
Christ. He wrote, “the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also,
walk just as He walked … No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who
sins continually has seen Him or knows Him … The one who keeps His commandments
remains in Him, and He in him” (1 John 2:5, 3:6, 3:24 NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To remain in Christ, and therefore produce fruit for God,
requires us to walk like Jesus walked, to turn from sin, and keep his
commandments. To remain in Christ is to live like Christ. While we are saved by
grace alone, we are all called to “work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for
His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).
Furthermore, this life of Christ that we are to live can be summed up in one
statement, “and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in
him” (1 John 4:15-16<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020). To remain in Christ is to
remain in love, to live a life of love towards God and towards one another, for
everyone who remains in love will naturally bear fruit for God and for the
world.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-12387072139524228522022-01-10T07:51:00.002-05:002022-01-10T07:51:28.266-05:00Washing our robes: Rev 22:14<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfF2J-0CnQJdjizfLvoVLL5ZD6Aw41KrOEbCxC9tV5-Cm8rctk9JZn2U9wK0vwf3GjaGtZA2Bzrqz6lE038NMvi1yIJ22HJSVWtCsfYlf-yahy2KZGunraSkXfJJCLLdxYk_4muPtL0TfLDgUhTj6xAVaUsyp-xX6v3PBHSvSXr1OEOCIGRA=s201" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfF2J-0CnQJdjizfLvoVLL5ZD6Aw41KrOEbCxC9tV5-Cm8rctk9JZn2U9wK0vwf3GjaGtZA2Bzrqz6lE038NMvi1yIJ22HJSVWtCsfYlf-yahy2KZGunraSkXfJJCLLdxYk_4muPtL0TfLDgUhTj6xAVaUsyp-xX6v3PBHSvSXr1OEOCIGRA" width="201" /></a></div>As John nears the end of his revelation from Jesus Christ,
he sees the new city of Jerusalem descending from heaven, and he hears Jesus
say these words, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates” (Rev.
22:14 NASB 2020). In the original Greek, the word translated here as “wash” is
a present participle, which implies an ongoing activity. This verse could be
translated, “Blessed are those who are washing their robes.” Washing our robes
is not something we do once and are done with it; it is something we must
continually do day-by-day. No matter how mature we become in Christ, we will
still have the need to wash our robes.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Earlier in his revelation, John tells us how we are to wash
our robes white. As part of his revelation, John sees a great multitude and is
told, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14<!--EndFragment -->
NASB 2020). We wash our robes through repentance and the forgiveness that are
found in the blood of Christ. The truth is, we will never outgrow our need for
the blood of Christ to forgive us and to cleanse us from our sins and the filth
we pick up from the world around us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Furthermore, our experience with the forgiveness and
cleansing of the blood of Christ must also be manifested in the way we walk and
live. Speaking of the bride of Christ, which is the church of Christ, John is
told, “It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean;
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:8<!--EndFragment -->
NASB 2020). The righteousness that is ours through the blood of Christ must
become manifested in our daily walk as we commit ourselves to good works towards
those around us. As we live righteous lives, as evidenced through our good
works, and as we continually avail ourselves to the blood of Christ, which forgives
and cleanses us, then we will be among those who are continually washing their
robes as we wait for Christ’s return.<o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David</span><div><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-41723482336830855482021-12-22T08:28:00.002-05:002021-12-22T08:28:14.245-05:00To Jesus who loves us: Rev 1:5<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_8BwIEgDphhX-OTOlDxJ79Serr7l9skmYkzFYvT0I5a8FmsWwFFOQAJ6qf0qPLX7aTIYFYlqMse72GncAP7TZueW35WLLKElt7f5UPPj5PmWHq5vFU5xcVo4HwLxujd3kaxAM-nmxCGImoqUEm8Sh5PAmJX_4uPf1JoJLhec3mqqX7UGL4g=s201" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_8BwIEgDphhX-OTOlDxJ79Serr7l9skmYkzFYvT0I5a8FmsWwFFOQAJ6qf0qPLX7aTIYFYlqMse72GncAP7TZueW35WLLKElt7f5UPPj5PmWHq5vFU5xcVo4HwLxujd3kaxAM-nmxCGImoqUEm8Sh5PAmJX_4uPf1JoJLhec3mqqX7UGL4g" width="201" /></a></div>While exiled to the island of Patmos, John, writing to the seven churches in Asia, opens his letter with praise to their common savior. He writes in praise, “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Rev. 1:5 NASB 2020). In this passage, there are two participles that further describe who Jesus is. The first is an aorist participle which describes a one-time past action. John says that Jesus “released us from our sins,” a one-time past action. The other is a present participle, which describes an ongoing activity. This is the case where John says that Jesus “loves us.” This phrase could also have been translated, “the one who is loving us.” Jesus’ love for us was not a one-time event. Jesus did not only love us when he came to give his life for us. Neither did he love us only when he forgave and released us from our sins. Jesus continues to love us today, and he will love us tomorrow and the next day. Jesus' love for us is both continual and active. We can trust in his love day-by-day, knowing that we can never exhaust his love for us. What comfort and hope this revelation ought to give us, and what motivation to share that same never-ending love with the people around us.<p></p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-84710957888470662062021-12-20T07:55:00.003-05:002021-12-20T07:55:25.093-05:00Overcoming: Rev 2-3<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkaKAoQa69O5IPHHuHPhUKvph78-Pbs2hUU06psgT7SkWgYxxlbrB715m_wpgjQxiCrtypV7Mk-uXoL9hR-MWd57XblxyejyBQIHmB1vsvA15aubAbcLIr7FB4qjDaiOQ7R9hQKWxP8ncYifibgHUpkbNE_1BMwNdqRFRV-zdPxABTQP2KrA=s201" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkaKAoQa69O5IPHHuHPhUKvph78-Pbs2hUU06psgT7SkWgYxxlbrB715m_wpgjQxiCrtypV7Mk-uXoL9hR-MWd57XblxyejyBQIHmB1vsvA15aubAbcLIr7FB4qjDaiOQ7R9hQKWxP8ncYifibgHUpkbNE_1BMwNdqRFRV-zdPxABTQP2KrA" width="201" /></a></div>While exiled to the island of Patmos, John received a
lengthy revelation of Jesus Christ. As part of that revelation, Jesus gives him
seven messages to seven churches in Asia. Included in each of these seven
messages is a blessing for those who overcome in this life. Here are the
blessings pronounced by Jesus upon the overcomer: <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“To the one who overcomes, I
will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God) (Rev.
2:7<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“The one who overcomes will not
be hurt by the second death” (Rev. 2:11<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“To the one who overcomes, I
will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a
new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it”
(Rev. 2:17<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“The one who overcomes, and the
one who keeps My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the
nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the
patter are shattered, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I
will give him the morning star” (Rev. 2:26-28<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“The one who overcomes will be
clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the
book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His
angels” (Rev. 3:5<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“The one who overcomes, I will
make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it
anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city
of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and
My new name” (Rev. 3:12<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>“</i>The one who overcomes, I
will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with
My Father on His throne” (Rev. 3:21<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020).<i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">What is interesting in all these cases is that the Greek
word translated as “overcomes” is in the present tense, which, in Greek,
indicates an ongoing activity. These verses could have been translated as “to
the one who is overcoming” or “the overcoming one.” This is even more
interesting when compared to what John previously wrote in his first letter to
the church. John wrote, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome
them [the antichrists]; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in
the world” (1 John 4:4<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020). Here, the verb is in the
perfect tense, which indicates a one-time past action whose effects are still
being felt today. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">When we come to Christ, we are placed on the winning team. The
book of Revelation tells an epic story where, as believers, we overcome and win
in the end. However, this does not mean that we do not face daily battles,
battles in which we are called to fight and overcome by the grace of God. While
we have won the battle, we still must secure that victory through daily skirmishes
with the enemy. We have both overcome, and are overcoming, through our daily
lives through the power of God that lives within us. Our daily victories flow
from the grand victory we won over the enemy when we first became believers.
What comfort this ought to give us as we fight our battles and learn to
overcome day-by-day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">David Robison<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p>
</p><br />David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-81171791474486524242021-11-20T10:23:00.004-05:002021-11-20T10:23:36.043-05:00Entrusting ourselves to God: 1 Peter 4:19<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsor9FRcJ-LEtVTYwIL2EztN-Fdqg-NVsiRZUD7mJ4IT13Epc6ecAZG2tmkmu7ggXBOY70ZykQDpV5TGY5V4fYog4SoxXecp0A00XSladOxlLjQIfJxr9rOrKt954FdggOG1wA/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsor9FRcJ-LEtVTYwIL2EztN-Fdqg-NVsiRZUD7mJ4IT13Epc6ecAZG2tmkmu7ggXBOY70ZykQDpV5TGY5V4fYog4SoxXecp0A00XSladOxlLjQIfJxr9rOrKt954FdggOG1wA/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In his first letter to the church, Peter reminds us that suffering is part of the Christian life. Peter writes, “For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21 NASB 2020). Part of those footsteps that we are to follow in is to suffer both for the sake of Christ and the sake of others. Peter goes on to write, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose” (1 Peter 4:1 NASB 2020). This same purpose includes suffering. Suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life. Peter encourages us that we ought not to be “surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NASB 2020), for such suffering is a normal part of being a Christian. So how is a believer to bear up under such suffering and come through it even stronger in the Lord? Peter gives us this counsel, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:19 NASB 2020).<p></p><p>Two things are of note in this verse. First is the Greek word translated as “entrust.” This word means to put, place, or stand near or around something. It is often translated as commit, entrust, and deposit. Peter is telling us to commit and entrust our souls to God as if we were depositing them with him for safekeeping. But how does one do this? How can we entrust and commit our souls to a God we cannot see and who is enthroned in heaven? We do so by choosing to do good. </p><p>The Greek word translated here as “doing what is right” is a compound word made from the Greek word for good and the Greek word for doing or making. We commit ourselves to God by committing ourselves to doing good. It is a bit surprising that the way we commit ourselves vertically to God is by committing ourselves horizontally to doing good to other people. Some may question if such counsel is contrary to faith and returns us to a works-oriented salvation. Are good works compatible with salvation by faith? The answer is “Yes!” Often, especially when we are suffering some fiery ordeal, it takes faith to continue in doing good. It takes faith in the goodness, graciousness, and merciful favor of God in our lives. Only as we have faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness can we do good, even while suffering. The way through suffering is to entrust ourselves to a faithful God in doing what is good and right to others. </p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-29304491940510136512021-11-14T11:07:00.003-05:002021-11-14T11:07:25.451-05:00Co-worker in the truth: 3 John 8<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOQZOZ7uQhyphenhyphen8oLnAZCDvLQCP6udRKGp0rghSHM42J8TYDvlqJyWtVIHOMyxSmhG0ETjhYV0WdQCDLB82nJ3i_jSzSSphCEm-PjtFk1aISN-DEdQ7DcAuNJQNQWX9b0B2_x8P9/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOQZOZ7uQhyphenhyphen8oLnAZCDvLQCP6udRKGp0rghSHM42J8TYDvlqJyWtVIHOMyxSmhG0ETjhYV0WdQCDLB82nJ3i_jSzSSphCEm-PjtFk1aISN-DEdQ7DcAuNJQNQWX9b0B2_x8P9/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In his third letter to the church, John praises the
believers for how they had treated strangers and those who traveled with the
Gospel. John writes, “You will do well to send them on their way in a manner
worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing
from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may
prove to be fellow workers with the truth” (3 John 1:6-8
NASB 2020). There are two things of interest in these verses. First is the
Greek word translated here as “ought.” The root of this word is the Greek word
for profit or advantage. The idea is of a duty that has accrued to us on the
basis of the benefits and blessings we have received. John is reminding his
readers that, because of the blessings, favors, and advantages of God that have
become theirs in the Gospel, the duty of supporting those who have gone out in
the service of the Gospel has been accrued to their account. Because we have
been blessed, we ought to support those ministers of the Gospel.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second thing of interest is the Greek word translated as
“fellow workers.” This is a single compound Greek word containing the preposition
“with” and the Greek word for worker, which is the same Greek word from which
we get our word for “energy.” This particular word is used only here by John
but is often used by Paul to speak of those who were working with him in the
cause of the Gospel. Consider some of the people whom Paul calls his fellow workers:
Prisca and Aquila (Rom. 16:3<!--EndFragment -->), Urbanus (Rom. 16:9<!--EndFragment -->),
Timothy (Rom. 16:21<!--EndFragment -->), Titus (2 Cor. 8:23<!--EndFragment -->),
Epaphroditus (Philip. 2:25<!--EndFragment -->), Clement (Philip. 4:3<!--EndFragment -->),
Jesus (not Jesus Christ) and Justus (Col. 4:11<!--EndFragment -->), Philemon (Philemon
1:1<!--EndFragment -->), and Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (Philemon 1:24<!--EndFragment -->).
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, here, John is saying that if we help and support
those who have gone out for the sake of the Gospel, then we have become
co-workers with them in the truth. In God’s perspective, those who go and those
who supply are both workers in the truth. When we support missionaries and
workers in the Gospel, we are not simply supporting them or donating to their
cause; we are actually co-working with them in the truth. This ought to change
the way we view missions, missionaries, and our participation with them by
supporting them in their work. When we support them, then we too are
participating with them in the work. By giving, we too have become workers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-81708065178622799012021-10-27T07:43:00.005-04:002021-10-27T07:44:05.053-04:00Troublesome meddler: 1Peter 4:14<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yxyJZilj3VBrz8IDrppoVL6TmnLT-Si-vAtZn89ESSkGA375hzkWlNM-NPftprdyFx9xg0nlu8v6bXpHWF_cA8OUoWPY8nbRUC5p8hWxhW4SJaFE9hS4OUcctjamflE8k2-3/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yxyJZilj3VBrz8IDrppoVL6TmnLT-Si-vAtZn89ESSkGA375hzkWlNM-NPftprdyFx9xg0nlu8v6bXpHWF_cA8OUoWPY8nbRUC5p8hWxhW4SJaFE9hS4OUcctjamflE8k2-3/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Peter writes to encourage us that suffering is a normal part
of the Christian life. However, he goes on to say, “Make sure that none of you
suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler” (1
Peter 4:15 NASB 2020). This last word in the Greek text,
translated here as “troublesome meddler,” is particularly interesting, and its
exact meaning is still debated. This Greek word is a compound word, the first
part meaning “another’s,” and the second word is often translated in the New Testament
as “bishop” or “overseer.” Peter is saying that we should not pretend to be
another’s bishop, or another’s overseer. Craig Keener writes that this word
could refer to those “giving unwanted or ill-timed advice. Mediling tactlessly
in others affairs was a vice often attributed to unpopular Cynic philosophers” (The
IVP Bible Background Commentary).<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In thinking about this word, we ought to remember what Peter
previously wrote in this same letter. Peter writes, “For you were continually
straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of
your souls” (1 Peter 2:25<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020). The Greek word translated
here as Guardian is the same word for bishop used by Peter when he later warns
us about trying to be another’s bishop. The truth is, people do not need
another bishop, someone else to intrude into their lives to tell them how to do
things or to point out where they are wrong. They already have a bishop and
overseer in their life, and that is Jesus. This further reminds me of Paul’s
words when he wrote, “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own
master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him
stand” (Rom. 14:4<!--EndFragment --> NASB 2020). In Christ, we are called to be
one another’s brothers and sisters, not their bishop. That job we ought to leave
to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-10666836640059734712021-10-20T08:20:00.003-04:002021-10-20T08:20:17.891-04:00In which direction are you running? 1 Peter 4:4<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uS5mORR9YNKJ91Kp3i3wsO-yhhtCGicctHDhuoyZ8MW2m8Xzrk0v1JDYY8qt8_RMsASpoURCaQXS14PCGYkhwJFwd_04bGWAH-oMvNRV6hZRt2t6fN_2eTwvo374BTyyG1cB/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uS5mORR9YNKJ91Kp3i3wsO-yhhtCGicctHDhuoyZ8MW2m8Xzrk0v1JDYY8qt8_RMsASpoURCaQXS14PCGYkhwJFwd_04bGWAH-oMvNRV6hZRt2t6fN_2eTwvo374BTyyG1cB/w200-h100/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Peter writes to remind us that suffering is a normal part of
the Christian experience. Peter writes, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered
in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who
has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1
NASB 2020). One of the ways we suffer is by being misunderstood by those who do
not believe. Peter goes on to say, “In all this, they are surprised that you do
not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you” (1
Peter 4:4 NASB 2020).<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are two things of note in this verse. The first is the
word translated here as “debauchery” and as “dissipation” in other translations.
In the original Greek, this word is a compound word containing the negative
article (think of “un”) and the Greek word for salvation. Perhaps the most literal
way of understanding this word is as “unsavedness.” Peter describes people as
running in one of two directions. Either we are running into the savedness of
God, or we are running into the unsavedness of the world; there is no middle
ground. Peter goes on to tell us that a life lived in running towards unsavedness,
is a life lived in pursuing “indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing,
drinking parties, and wanton idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3<!--EndFragment --> NASB
2020). However, a life lived in running towards savedness, is a life lived in “sound
judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer … fervent in your love for
one another … hospitable to one another without complaint … [and] serving one
another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God” (1 Peter 4:7-10<!--EndFragment -->
NASB 2020).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second thing of note is that Peter speaks of us running in
one direction or the other. We often think of the fast pace of our modern life,
but we rarely think of the pace at which we are running towards unsavedness or
savedness. People do not drift towards savedness or away from savedness; they
run! I know of a man who, one day, started going out for drinks after work.
This led him to stop going to church, which led to more drinking, and eventually
to being arrested for sexual assault. What is shocking is that this entire
process took only six months! Our journey toward sin is a quick journey. It
does not take long to become completely consumed by sin. We must ask ourselves,
in which direction am I running? Am I running towards God and his savedness? Or
toward the world and its unsavedness?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-81526763208385647752021-08-16T07:43:00.003-04:002021-08-16T07:43:33.513-04:00No, by no means, never ever ever! (Hebrews 8:12)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKJLSgPInCCArQzz-hc-AJJTqDPpno7EEyngN3c0N8KNeuJdYhqfaVPCTvDnU90SUtLWo7Two31DjeXMwVBKyC2ZHZEazQcqCLXMobaTKQ-BYFX9pR8RWwx8X6kIaAUzc92KY/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKJLSgPInCCArQzz-hc-AJJTqDPpno7EEyngN3c0N8KNeuJdYhqfaVPCTvDnU90SUtLWo7Two31DjeXMwVBKyC2ZHZEazQcqCLXMobaTKQ-BYFX9pR8RWwx8X6kIaAUzc92KY/s0/Greek.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers of the new
covenant God promised to make with all people. In quoting an Old Testament prophecy
from the book of Jeremiah, he writes, “For I will be merciful towards their
wrongdoings, and their sins I will no longer remember” (Hebrews 8:12 NASB 2020).
To further drive home this point, the author again quotes this promise, repeating
it in Hebrews 10:17. In the Greek language, there are two words that are both translated
as “no” or “not.” Each is used with a different form of speech. One is used for
what is called the indicative mood, which is used when stating a fact. For
example, “the student does not teach the teacher.” The other word for “no” is
used for all other forms of speech, including the subjunctive mode. For example,
“the student should not teach the teacher.” However, when these two words are
used together in the same sentence, they form the most emphatic use of the word
“no” in the Greek language. This is the case in this promise from God. God did
not say that he might not remember our sins, nor that he would not remember our
sins, but that he would in no way, by no means, never ever ever remember our
sins. There is no equivocation in God’s promise to those who would receive his forgiveness,
nor can we misunderstand his intentions or his promise. To those who receive
his forgiveness, he will never ever remember their sins. What a blessing and
what confidence before God have those who have thus been forgiven by God. As
David once said, “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and
in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalms 32:1-2)!<p></p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-40361643314982449612021-06-19T10:04:00.005-04:002021-06-19T10:04:55.238-04:00Jesus sings our praises: Hebrews 2:11-12<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLTGSyQ9iKQ5P7jwm2aE39gY3vVK4NuycvZPGXuULOYhHykoqpRIR0mK0CSbVCdDaCplXQzVfNS4-_z64kdfOnKazEFb7qOyG8HpIxs0jq73L-XwifqfinciSVYNJ7Ot8dBTp/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLTGSyQ9iKQ5P7jwm2aE39gY3vVK4NuycvZPGXuULOYhHykoqpRIR0mK0CSbVCdDaCplXQzVfNS4-_z64kdfOnKazEFb7qOyG8HpIxs0jq73L-XwifqfinciSVYNJ7Ot8dBTp/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>One of the themes of the letter to the Hebrews is how Jesus
stands apart from all other spiritual beings and how he is superior to all
others, even to the angels. The writer of the letter also describes how, though
he is exalted, he humbled himself and chose to take upon himself human flesh
that he might dwell among us. The author writes, “But we do see Him who was
made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of His
suffering death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He
might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9 NASB 2020). The
author goes on to express the relationship between Jesus and those he came to
save, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one
Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
saying, ‘I will proclaim you name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly
I will sing your praise’” (Hebrews 2:11-12 NASB 2020). This
last sentence is a direct quote from Psalm 22:22, and the writer of Hebrews puts
these words in the mouth of Jesus.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The word translated here as “praise” is the verb form of the
Greek word from which we get our word for hymn. This verse could be translated,
“In the midst of the assembly I will hymnify you.” What an encouragement to
think that, while we are here on Earth singing his hymns, Jesus is in heaven
singing our hymns. He is speaking of us, of his love for us and our worth to
him, to that heavenly assembly surrounding him. Sometimes, I think that God is
just putting up with me and that he saved me only because he had to. However,
the truth is that we are all valuable to him, so much so, that he cannot help
boasting about us before the heavenly assembly! Regardless of how much or how
little other people might think about us, Jesus loves us and is singing our
hymns in that great heavenly assembly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-72976270238987211232021-06-15T07:34:00.002-04:002021-06-15T07:34:07.224-04:00Distributions of the Holy Spirit: Hebrews 2:2-4<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxpwADYfbQQZCLQsYWLsCSzeCgf4g807YiNAIFI1pqC44lYVXKMlLidx9rP1Ioe56yfe95RY-Q1zpXgI3Y-xwIE6jC_CFvYE9x3diVlCq3HV2MDDF0UJma8j70eYZiQddVFI4/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxpwADYfbQQZCLQsYWLsCSzeCgf4g807YiNAIFI1pqC44lYVXKMlLidx9rP1Ioe56yfe95RY-Q1zpXgI3Y-xwIE6jC_CFvYE9x3diVlCq3HV2MDDF0UJma8j70eYZiQddVFI4/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In the second chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, the author gives evidence as to how we can know that the message being preached is truly from God. He writes, “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:2-4 NASB). We know the Gospel is true, not only because it is contained within the canon of scriptures, but we know it is true because God himself testifies of its truth. Even today, God is testifying to his word through signs, wonders, miracles, and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit. All over the World, God is moving in miraculous power. Part of the reason for these miracles is to give continued evidence to the truth of his word.<p></p><p>One thing that is of interest in the original Greek text is the phrase, “gifts of the Holy Spirit.” The Greek word translated here as “gifts” is used only twice in the New Testament and only by this author. While it can mean divisions, here, it should more accurately be translated as “distributions.” What is important to see is that what we receive is not just some gift from the Holy Spirit. Rather it is a distribution of the Holy Spirit himself. Miracles, signs, and wonders work through us, not because of some gift that resides within us, but because the Holy Spirit himself lives within us! Paul puts it this way, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB). The reason we can manifest the Holy Spirit is that he lives within us. Because he lives in us, we can manifest him in various ways. Paul goes on to say, “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11 NASB). As we share the Gospel with people around us, God wants us to be aware of the indwelling of his Holy Spirit within us and to be willing to that same Holy Spirit manifest his presence and power through us. We not only have a message to share, we also have the presence and power of God to make known to the world around us and to give evidence, or testimony, to his word.</p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-16873890219097532642021-06-13T08:36:00.007-04:002021-06-13T08:36:50.328-04:00Remembering and mentioning: Philemon 1:4-5 NASB<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrp06GmhnTNaKB4YQgKhQDtgJ8OgC_-9tfro4hjkIhnitnQ1rBGKJns0SaMS_BK8vK0Tce0Js7QeZIq-CtdC6dpPF1F7hiEKi_E70YPtnw9u6DewPYD77l0ZOOUwFKY2SVZ5t/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrp06GmhnTNaKB4YQgKhQDtgJ8OgC_-9tfro4hjkIhnitnQ1rBGKJns0SaMS_BK8vK0Tce0Js7QeZIq-CtdC6dpPF1F7hiEKi_E70YPtnw9u6DewPYD77l0ZOOUwFKY2SVZ5t/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In the opening of his letter to Philemon, Paul tells him, “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints” (Philemon 1:4-5 NASB). The Greek phrase for “making mention” occurs several times in the New Testament and almost always with reference to prayer. What is interesting about this phrase is that the word translated as “mention” comes from a Greek word that means to remember. There seems to be a close association, at least for Paul, between remembering someone and mentioning them in prayer. As Paul would remember specific people, he would instinctively turn to pray for them. I think this is a key for how we ought to also pray for one another. As the Holy Spirit brings people to our remembrance, we ought to not only remember them but to remember them before the Lord by praying for them. This is especially important for those people who might have hurt us or injured us in some way. Every time you remember that person, and the pain and hurt they caused you, turn that remembrance towards God by praying for them; praying for God’s forgiveness and salvation in their lives. By doing so, not only will we stop the cycle of rehearsing our hurts over and over, but it will also release God’s hand to move redemptively in the situation. Who is God bringing to your remembrance right now? Take the time to not only remember them but also to pray for them. In doing so, we will be releasing the kingdom of God both into their lives and also into ours.<p></p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-60230462029432592792021-06-09T08:30:00.002-04:002021-06-09T08:30:19.668-04:00Calling upon the Lord: 2 Timothy 2:22<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37B7aDnXRr4sDT1LIL39Ju7-zsGMCczUMU9HMu8maOkhKwkTTMUwe_9UmmS1qv-7y3nZoyXlxVJ0HD_uoHqTOv73hWg2LKbGLNeCS-FYYXxvZ2JlMpTsjCvUG_sQe79G-Y6HL/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37B7aDnXRr4sDT1LIL39Ju7-zsGMCczUMU9HMu8maOkhKwkTTMUwe_9UmmS1qv-7y3nZoyXlxVJ0HD_uoHqTOv73hWg2LKbGLNeCS-FYYXxvZ2JlMpTsjCvUG_sQe79G-Y6HL/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his second letter to Timothy, Paul gives Timothy several commands. One of these is found in the second chapter of his letter. “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22 NASB). As important as this command is, it is the phrase, “those who call on the Lord,” that is particularly interesting in the original Greek. The word translated here as “call” is a present middle participle. As a participle, though it is a verb, it acts as an adverb to modify the object of the sentence. Timothy is not only to flee youthful lists with “those,” but with “those who call” upon the Lord. This participle is also in the present tense, which in Greek implies a continuous action. Those whom Paul is referring to are not those who have called upon the Lord in the past, but those who have, and are continually, calling upon the Lord. Finally, the middle voice indicates an action that is done on behalf of the subject. Those whom Paul is referring to are calling upon the Lord for themselves. It is an action which affects them and which they do for themselves.<p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We can glean three things by an understanding of this phrase. First, calling upon the Lord is something that we must do. Our parents, grandparents, and friends cannot do it for us. We are the ones who must make the choice to call upon the Lord. Secondly, calling upon the Lord is something that we must continually do throughout our lives. We may have called upon the Lord in the past, but we still need to call upon him today. Thirdly, we must call upon the Lord for ourselves. We should not call upon the Lord to please others or to fulfill the expectations of others. We should call upon the Lord because we see our own need for him and desire his presence and grace in our everyday lives.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Finally, I believe that the key to fleeing youthful lusts is to call upon the Lord. In and of myself, I do not have the strength or will to flee sin as I ought. However, when I call upon the Lord, he strengthens me and enables me to resist sin and practice righteousness. Jesus is our strength, but often he is waiting for us to call upon him so that he might show himself strong in our lives. Today, in whatever circumstance, temptation, or trial you may find yourself, call upon the Lord, and he will deliver you and save you.</p><p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-45903466227710003962021-06-06T07:52:00.007-04:002021-06-06T07:52:55.192-04:00False Teachers: 2 Timothy 2:17-18<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR85ow34zUCS0HfwN3ljQoI_xIXjecc9tGxMsZWbIQq6YSEd3pmnxZUw4HIG2VPQUXhZzRMadLA7ZdO8UcVpOX5GWLwRAhWHr8SlIXSnY01QJOPV4cU3WlpAMck4_zD_B9_w4/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR85ow34zUCS0HfwN3ljQoI_xIXjecc9tGxMsZWbIQq6YSEd3pmnxZUw4HIG2VPQUXhZzRMadLA7ZdO8UcVpOX5GWLwRAhWHr8SlIXSnY01QJOPV4cU3WlpAMck4_zD_B9_w4/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>One of the topics of Paul’s second letter to Timothy is that
of false teachers. In referring to false teachers, Paul is drawing a comparison
between them and himself. Of such false teachers, Paul writes, “and their talk
will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have
gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken
place, and they upset the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:17-18
NASB). Two things are of interest in this passage. First, in the Greek, the
word translated here as “talk” is the singular form of the word often
translated as “word.” I believe that Paul uses the singular form of this word
to indicate that, for these men, their entire body of teaching is in error. Paul
is not saying that some of their teachings are in error, but that their entire
doctrine is false. I suppose that, if we examined anyone’s teaching hard enough,
we would find something that we disagree with. However, just because someone
has some beliefs that are different than ours does not make them a false
teacher. We ought not to be quick to pronounce those who disagree with us in
some fine point of theology as a false teacher. The truth is that we all, like
Apollos, have areas of our theology where we could stand to be taught “the way
of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26 NASB). False teachers
are not just wrong in their teaching; they are completely devoid of the truth
of God in their teaching, their conduct, and their love. These are the false
teachers that Paul is referring to.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Secondly, the word translated here as “spreading” is the
Greek term that can also mean pasture. It is used only one other time in the
New Testament when Jesus spoke of himself as being the door of the sheep. Jesus
said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will
go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9<!--EndFragment --> NASB). Jesus
spoke this in contrast to the false teachers who came before him, saying, “All
who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them” (John
10:8<!--EndFragment --> NASB). False teaching does not inflict a wound that
kills all at once. Instead, it slowly eats away at us as we continue to graze
and pasture on its words. Paul’s words regarding false teachers ought to cause
us to ask ourselves, “what are we feeding upon?” Are we grazing and pasturing
on the word of God, or are we like those whom Paul speaks of who “will not
endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate
for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away
their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4<!--EndFragment -->
NASB). What we choose to fill our lives with matters. If we choose to continually
feed ourselves on the word of God, then we will continue to grow in our walk
with God. However, if we turn away to false teachers, those teaching a Gospel
other than that taught by Jesus and his apostles, then the very word we feed on
will consume us little by little until we are completely consumed by death. The
choice is ours! Choose wisely!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-53653339270084693902021-06-04T07:33:00.002-04:002021-06-04T07:33:51.311-04:00Never imprisoned: 2 Timothy 2:8-9<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNNWWNjByRMLgYmZlVbdke4cgpKhGKtxgHKg7qH8LOSDBozqpl_epyVYsG-1F871CKQauNMwwGH_irNXBb161e3sLprI8KwbIs0znSZHPvxy-0Fnpo68PnbeSJS7Z6WZ2_oEd/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNNWWNjByRMLgYmZlVbdke4cgpKhGKtxgHKg7qH8LOSDBozqpl_epyVYsG-1F871CKQauNMwwGH_irNXBb161e3sLprI8KwbIs0znSZHPvxy-0Fnpo68PnbeSJS7Z6WZ2_oEd/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his second letter to Timothy, Paul instructs Timothy to “Remember
Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,
for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of
God is not imprisoned” (2 Timothy 2:8-9 NASB). The Greek
verb translated here as “imprisoned” is in the perfect tense, which can
indicate an enduring state of an object. With this understanding, this verse
could be translated, “the word of God has not, is not, and will not be
imprisoned.” In this world, there are an array of forces that seek to oppose
the word of God. However, the word of God remains active and fruitful in the
world. In writing to the church at Colossae, Paul reminds them of the ever-active
word of God, saying, “the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just
as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even
as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood
the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:5-6 NASB). As
believers, we experience many things, and sometimes our circumstances can seem
to hinder us in our walk with the Lord. However, the word of God is never
hindered and is always working to renew us and bring us closer to God. The writer
of Hebrews stated it this way, “For the word of God is living and active and
sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul
and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB). The word of
God is, has been, and will continue to be living and working in the world and
in our lives.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This thought ought to encourage us and remind us that the
advancement of the Kingdom of God is not entirely dependent upon us as if,
without us, the Kingdom of God will fail to advance and expand in the world. In
sharing the Gospel, we must learn to trust in the inherent power of the Gospel
we are sharing. Jesus wrote of the hard-working farmer who “casts seed upon the
soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and
grows—how, he himself does not know” (Mark 4:26-27<!--EndFragment --> NASB). The
farmer trusts in the ability of the seed to produce a crop on its own. His job
is to plant it, and the seed does the rest. So, it is with us. Our job is to cast
forth the Gospel, but it is the Gospel that produces the crop. In sharing the
Gospel, our trust is not in ourselves or our powers of persuasion but in the
power of the Gospel to yield fruit in the world and in the lives of people who
choose to believe it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-15984770646877878692021-06-02T07:50:00.003-04:002021-06-02T07:50:17.006-04:00Repay a recompense: 1 Timothy 4:5<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5zbuJ40D3OX78WbPcHh53Fe4zjdt0EF6x-XvuYOOYYnLScRcSzwlGi1pxQ4-usaFJCR40gUvl94xu8N0osfEv3AF_ZC7y58RFHDcnQA0vYonuHTWf1-MdoqPJNWM3P9DAkFX/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5zbuJ40D3OX78WbPcHh53Fe4zjdt0EF6x-XvuYOOYYnLScRcSzwlGi1pxQ4-usaFJCR40gUvl94xu8N0osfEv3AF_ZC7y58RFHDcnQA0vYonuHTWf1-MdoqPJNWM3P9DAkFX/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>Paul writes to Timothy regarding how the church at Ephesus should deal with certain problems that have been cropping up within the church. On if the issues centered around the support of widows in need. Paul writes that, instead of the church being their first line of support, “if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:4 NASB). Two things are of interest in this verse. First, the phrase “practice piety” is a single word in the original Greek. This word is the verb form of the noun meaning to be well-reverent. This word is used only twice in the New Testament. In addition to its use here in Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul uses this term when he refers to how the men of Athens worshiped their idols (Acts 17:23). While it is possible that Paul was referring to how children and grandchildren should show their piety towards God by their care and support for their parents and grandparents, it is also possible that Paul was instructing them to show piety towards their parents and grandparents. Paul may have been speaking as much to their attitudes towards their own parents and grandparents as he was in regards to their attitude towards God. Children and grandchildren ought not only to be reverent and pious towards God but also towards their ancestors. Interestingly, one of the meanings for the root of this word is to adore. We ought to reverence our parents with a sense of adoration for all they have done for us.<p></p><p>Secondly, the phrase “make some return” is more closely rendered from the Greek as “repay a recompense.” The 2020 version of the New American Standard Bible translates this phrase as “to give back compensation” to their parents. The idea here is that, as our parents and grandparents age and are in need of help and support, it is the children and grandchildren who ought to first repay their parents and grandparents for everything they have done for them and have given to them over the years. We have received so much from our parents; how shall we reframe from even paying back a small portion of what they have given us to help them when they are in need?</p><p>I have seen this principle being lived out in the lives of my wife and her siblings. My wife’s father is quickly approaching a hundred and one years of age. He is at a point in his life where he needs constant care to keep from falling. In addition to paid help, his children are taking turns spending time with him and helping him with his everyday needs. In a very practical way, they are reverencing him by repaying him a recompense for the years he provided for them. They have taken it upon themselves to be personally involved in his care. This care is not always easy, and sometimes it requires great sacrifice, but Paul tells us that it is this kind of piety that is “acceptable” to God.</p><p>David Robison</p><div><br /></div>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-18828416952595589092021-05-31T08:07:00.005-04:002021-05-31T08:07:55.994-04:00Established Hope: 1 Timothy 4:7-10<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S0m5g78kR-W3qUtl1-LupLOirebiFuoBKge8imrO3hE77n7EA17nrkWUrS9kYtDE-9W1XkH-EjsG_0jnZL7I2K2Ee35F8KWOMcNiGBYRJ09W3qFG7Ft2woQPF8Y6t9YPMFeB/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S0m5g78kR-W3qUtl1-LupLOirebiFuoBKge8imrO3hE77n7EA17nrkWUrS9kYtDE-9W1XkH-EjsG_0jnZL7I2K2Ee35F8KWOMcNiGBYRJ09W3qFG7Ft2woQPF8Y6t9YPMFeB/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy telling him to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers” (1 Timothy 4:7-10 NASB). This passage tells us two important things regarding the hope we have in God. The first is that our hope ought to be established hope. When using the Greek verb “to hope,” Paul uses it in its perfect tense. The perfect tense refers to a past action whose state, condition, or effect is still felt today. In this passage, the perfect tense refers to an established hope. It is a hope that, once established, continues to motivate, encourage, and strengthen us even into our present. This kind of hope is based upon a decision to trust God, regardless of what may come our way. Do you have this kind of hope? Have you made the decision to once-and-for-all place your hope and trust in God? Or do you continue to waffle between hope in God and hope in a job, a relationship, money, and so forth? God is calling us to make a decision, a decision to trust and hope in him.<p></p><p>The second thing about hope that this passage reveals to us is that hope, true established hope, ought to motivate us to action. Paul says that, because of the hope we have in God, and the promise that godliness has great reward both in the present and the age to come, we ought to work hard to discipline ourselves for godliness. The Greek word translated here as “struggle” means to labor to the point of exhaustion, and the Greek word translated here as “strive” means to compete in a battle or a contest. Our hope ought to cause us to labor and fight, to the point of exhaustion, for the promises of God, especially for those promises attached to godliness. Hope is more than a passive emotion. Hope is a decision, a decision that not only sets the course of our lives but also strengthens, motivates, and empowers us to continue in that path no matter what may come our way. This is true hope. This is saving hope.</p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-83482410348818338472021-05-27T08:05:00.001-04:002021-05-27T09:51:39.137-04:00Being out-of-place: 2 Thessalonians 3:2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy3Wk1g59UshuoaGi2Fkh0ThqTRsn7uK6qVrW85BaSzA28y3AHfjP6RQ4IY8RYVcW4BRdRxhSmLZN5KjXzFbyWOkLnsVe2vJ2ElUtTkmS5GwqtuSWqcYcFoqxyXcVSyx0yZJ4/s201/Greek.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy3Wk1g59UshuoaGi2Fkh0ThqTRsn7uK6qVrW85BaSzA28y3AHfjP6RQ4IY8RYVcW4BRdRxhSmLZN5KjXzFbyWOkLnsVe2vJ2ElUtTkmS5GwqtuSWqcYcFoqxyXcVSyx0yZJ4/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul asks them to pray for him and his team that they might be “rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:2 NASB). A couple of things are of interest when reading this verse in the original Greek. First, in referencing the perverse and evil men, Paul includes the definite article. This verse could be rendered “from the perverse and evil men.” This may possibly indicate that Paul had certain perverse and evil men in mind when he wrote his letter. The second thing of interest is the word translated here as “perverse.” The various English translations of this verse have translated this word as unreasonable, wicked, inappropriate, worthless, bad, importunate, crooked, and so forth. In the Greek text, this word is a compound of the negative article and the Greek word for place. It means “no place” or, in this context, “out-of-place.”<p></p><p>In America, we are facing a cultural war where social norms and mores are being redefined. We speak of “being on the right side of history,” “being woke,” and “being in” as it pertains to the new morality of the emerging culture. Often, Christians, and those who hold to conservative or traditional values, are seen as being outsiders, as being “out-of-place” or outside of modern culture, ethics, and morality. However, it is not the believer who is “out-of-place” but those who are evil in their thoughts and actions. It is the unbeliever who is truly out-of-place when it comes to the Kingdom of God. They may fit well into the kingdom of this world, but they have no place in the Kingdom of God. As believers, and those who desire goodness in both mind and deed, we are those who are in-place, who stand on the right side of history, who are truly woke to the reality of life around them. It matters little what the world may think of us, for God has already seen fit to approve us and welcome us into his Kingdom. We must not let the world, and those who are out-of-place, define us. Rather, we must stand secure in our place as we invite others to join us and to find their place in the Kingdom of God.</p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-24018549975837275282021-05-20T07:48:00.008-04:002021-05-20T07:48:47.289-04:00Perplexed, but not despairing - 2 Corinthians 4:7-10<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX_XkeZ6pFIoM9qxw4gemTJpeM5Q1z0pTP5cA8qErJhdatxSp2XQ7K_SufUWeKU6qWkVqiVq5ypjRFEMb6WbBlvL79YM4haxZcX_19pvsjTdFelhGGiWZas_bkqwCtoClPZks/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX_XkeZ6pFIoM9qxw4gemTJpeM5Q1z0pTP5cA8qErJhdatxSp2XQ7K_SufUWeKU6qWkVqiVq5ypjRFEMb6WbBlvL79YM4haxZcX_19pvsjTdFelhGGiWZas_bkqwCtoClPZks/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul
enumerates both the similarities and differences between those who are
believers and those who are in the world. In noting the differences, Paul
reminds us that it is the Lord who enables us to live differently from the rest
of the world. Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so
that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from
ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the
life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NASB).
Of particular interest is the phrase “perplexed, but not despairing.” In this
phrase, Paul uses a play on words to highlight an important truth about our
life in Christ.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Greek word for “perplexed” is a compound word containing
the negative particle and the Greek verb “to go.” This word could also be
translated, “nowhere to go” or “no way out.” In this sense, “perplexed” is a
good translation. However, the Greek word for “despairing” is also a compound
word containing the preposition for “from,” “out of,” or simply “of,” and the
same Greek word that was translated as “perplexed.” This word could be
translated as “from nowhere to go” or “of nowhere to go.” Paul is saying that,
while at times we may face challenges where we may find ourselves with “nowhere
to go,” we are not “of nowhere to go.” In other words, our identity is not in
our circumstances, nor do we live our life out of that place. Instead, our
identity is in Christ, and we live our lives centered in his love and presence
in our lives. We are of his kingdom, not of our circumstances. This is the
reason why, as believers, we can have great hope. Because no matter how great
our trials and tribulations are, no matter how often we feel we have “nowhere
to go” or “no way out,” we realize that these things do not define us nor
control the arc of our lives. We may experience these things, but they do not
control us. Our hope is not in our circumstances but in a God who loves us and
who has redeemed us from the power of our circumstances. In whatever we face,
the source of our life is in God, not in the world or our circumstances. What
great hope this is to our lives, even in the face of difficult circumstances.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-38012362665625539822021-05-16T09:20:00.005-04:002021-05-20T07:46:37.424-04:00God is raising the dead: 2 Corinthians 1:9-10<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dGeP_mpp2KgfJNEuQS7035hf5dQD-uPbLS1XfnedLBgZUdNyxhNnu_qhPtAvYMift5e-5NfKCTe0KkPvHujJLJ4Pql4_8JU1LNyLudc54LF1tabAqXsx7ddUtTglrFdouiFQ/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dGeP_mpp2KgfJNEuQS7035hf5dQD-uPbLS1XfnedLBgZUdNyxhNnu_qhPtAvYMift5e-5NfKCTe0KkPvHujJLJ4Pql4_8JU1LNyLudc54LF1tabAqXsx7ddUtTglrFdouiFQ/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In the opening of his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes of the persecution and affliction he experienced as he traveled and shared the Gospel in Asia. Paul writes that he and his fellow apostolic workers were “burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NASB). However, Paul understood that, in part, this affliction was part of the will of God for them to keep them humble and trusting in the Lord. Paul writes, “indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.” (2 Corinthians 1:9-10 NASB). One of the things that are interesting in Paul’s confession is the central role that the hope for a resurrection played in his faith. Paul’s faith was a faith that believed in a resurrection from the dead. Jürgen Moltmann writes in his book, Theology of Hope, “A Christian faith that is not resurrection faith can therefore be called neither Christian nor faith.” There is no Christianity without a resurrection, and there can be no resurrection hope without faith in the resurrection of Jesus.<p></p><p>The second thing that is interesting in Paul’s phrase “who raises the dead” is that the verb “raises,” in the original Greek text, is a present active verb. In Greek, present active verbs are verbs of continual activity. They speak of an action that is presently happening and continuing to happen. It is interesting that Paul does not say that God will raise the dead someday, but that he is presently, and continually, raising the dead. This verse could be translated, “in God who is raising the dead.”</p><p>God is actively raising the dead right here and right now. Our participation in the resurrection of Jesus is not some future participation that we must hope for. To be sure, there is a physical resurrection from the dead that, as believers, we will all one day experience. But we also experience this resurrection in our lives every day as we live with Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this (John 11:25-26 NASB)?” Jesus did not say that, someday, he would be the resurrection, but that he is, here and now, the resurrection and the life. God’s resurrection power is presently working within us, raising us up from the deadness that still lies within us. Every day we live is another day to experience the reality of his resurrection in our lives. What hope this gives us for our today as it also does for our tomorrow.</p><p>David Robison.</p><div><br /></div>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-27222444307648356392021-05-15T08:21:00.004-04:002021-05-15T08:21:33.647-04:00Hearing for yourself: 1 Corinthians 14:21<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATA0SFrdmMwIqgPYCZurR37LH_z_oSTcefzpiFwNBZ9nKbOaH5NjSK9NwOZ7pF7MezTEWes0xXpVIBoeiLjfBZlxdWD-pnzIGijiwppih_JBn2l91yTFQ6ErO3mNsfN5y7WX-/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATA0SFrdmMwIqgPYCZurR37LH_z_oSTcefzpiFwNBZ9nKbOaH5NjSK9NwOZ7pF7MezTEWes0xXpVIBoeiLjfBZlxdWD-pnzIGijiwppih_JBn2l91yTFQ6ErO3mNsfN5y7WX-/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In the fourteenth chapter of his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul addresses the issue of speaking in tongues. This phenomenon was first recorded in the scriptures in the book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit had come upon those present, Luke records that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance” (Acts 2:4 NASB). Towards the end of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives some instructions about the use of the gift of tongues in the church at Corinth. Paul even writes, “I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all” (1 Corinthians 14:18 NASB). Paul believed that the gift of speaking in other tongues was prophesied in the Law by Isaiah when he wrote, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me” (1 Corinthians 14:21 NASB). In reading this in the original Greek language, this final phrase is interesting, “they will not listen to me.”<p></p><p>In Greek, a verb can be spoken using one of three voices. There is the active voice where the subject is doing the action, such as “the professor is teaching the students.” The professor is the subject, and he is doing the teaching. In the passive voice, the action is being done to the subject. For example, “the students are being taught by the professor.” The students are the subject, and the action is being done to them. However, in the Greek language, there is a third voice, the middle voice. In the middle voice, the subject does the action, but they do it for themselves. This is the voice that the future verb “will hear” is spoken in this passage. Paul says that, even with the sign of speaking in tongues, people will not listen to God for themselves.</p><p>Not everyone who hears the word of God is changed, healed, and saved by the word of God. Some hear the word of God only to criticize it, judge it, and mock it. Some listen only that they might use the word of God to judge others by it, all the while justifying their own actions. However, in doing so, they never hear the word of God for themselves. They never listen with the intent of obeying or applying the word of God to their own lives. They may hear the word of God, but they never listen for themselves. For such people, Paul writes that “tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22 NASB) Tongues are a sign for such people because it demonstrates what is happening in their hearts. Because they refuse to listen to God for themselves, the word of God has become as unfruitful and impotent as listening to a message in a language one does not understand. Only when we listen for ourselves, with the intent to obey and apply the word of God to our lives, will the word of God change us and cause us to grow in the grace and love of God.</p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-11262398866936978172021-05-12T07:46:00.002-04:002021-05-12T07:46:51.771-04:00Giving forethought to what is good: Romans 12:17<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqjbPrY0hWxr1vkERJlVcDKyUpJFAqv944HE2nCYM-I_2aFDubl0jCyhs63eyh0im2J3UDsgn0ejOuh5JEJi_Hnq24QPaz7X3Zy6vd4QGdduSkYcCm-JPF8bHoXD6iP9iT8R6/s201/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqjbPrY0hWxr1vkERJlVcDKyUpJFAqv944HE2nCYM-I_2aFDubl0jCyhs63eyh0im2J3UDsgn0ejOuh5JEJi_Hnq24QPaz7X3Zy6vd4QGdduSkYcCm-JPF8bHoXD6iP9iT8R6/s0/Greek.jpg" /></a></div>In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes to them regarding how they ought to live out their Christian lives. For example, in the seventeenth chapter of his letter, Paul writes, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17 NASB). Two things are interesting in this passage. First is the Greek word translated here as “respect.” This is a compound word that literally means to “think before” or to have “forethought” towards something. This word is also written in the middle voice, which implies that the thinker is as much affected by their forethought as those upon whom they are thinking. Secondly, the Greek word translated here as “right” is actually the opposite of the Greek word translated as “evil.” This word can also be translated as “good” or even “beautiful.” Both these sentences, to never pay back evil for evil and to give forethought to what is good in the sight of all people, deal with how we perceive and behave towards others. However, the key to doing both is to give forethought to what is good and acceptable to all people. There are many themes that resonate as being good and beautiful in the hearts of people. For example, the themes of justice, mercy, sacrifice, duty, honor, and selfless love. Most, if not all, would agree that these things are important and that the one who models these themes in their life is one who leads an exemplary life. However, none of these things are guaranteed to be automatic in one’s life. Often, they require intentional consideration and a determined will to live one’s life in accordance with these ideals. Repaying evil for evil requires no forethought and is often done by impulse and reaction. However, the doing of good usually requires giving forethought to what is good and considering how one can practice that good they seek. So, my question to you is, how much time have you given to what is good, and how you can practice that good in your life? If left to chance, we may never end up practicing the good we wish to do. However, if we intentionally give it the forethought it deserves, then our will and actions will follow along, and we will find the good we desire being accomplished in our lives.<p></p><p>David Robison</p>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9074106.post-18912627181862138972021-05-10T08:50:00.000-04:002021-05-10T08:50:02.049-04:00Pursue Hospitality: Romans 12:9-13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1fSP4rUKWLXajfGjJajGppkE0npqLGpi-5qiE1zyc4hXpnFg20I9-EwjTgABXDsxBaqeoXQMogLMOTGLISuVYK0R7H8BhBgaN4WeBPC1EHqn26JDyVL5hYOZy-8IcEKYxIhk/s201/Greek.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="201" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1fSP4rUKWLXajfGjJajGppkE0npqLGpi-5qiE1zyc4hXpnFg20I9-EwjTgABXDsxBaqeoXQMogLMOTGLISuVYK0R7H8BhBgaN4WeBPC1EHqn26JDyVL5hYOZy-8IcEKYxIhk/w200-h99/Greek.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>In the twelfth chapter of Romans, Paul lists a number of things that ought to be a part of every believer’s life. Each of these is presented as an active present participle which represents a present ongoing activity. Paul writes, </div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13 NASB).</div></span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is this last item that caught my interest. The Greek word, which is translated here as “practicing,” is the same word that Paul uses in the very next verse for persecuting, “Bless those who persecute you” (Romans 12:14 NASB). This Greek word can mean both to pursue and to persecute. It speaks of an intentional, deliberate, and intense act of pursuing something. There is nothing passive or half-hearted about this word. This is the same word Paul uses when he speaks of his pressing towards the things that lie ahead, “but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB). Paul was certainly not going to leave his future to chance. Rather, he was going to press on towards the future with all the grace and strength Christ had supplied to him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To me, what I find most interesting, is that Paul applies this same active and intentional word to our pursuit of hospitality. Hospitality is not something that should be left as an afterthought, something we do once we have done everything else, assuming we then still have time for hospitality. Rather, Paul raises hospitality almost to the level of a divine obligation. Hospitality is something we should pursue as being of chief importance in our lives, even before much of what we might consider to be religious or urgent. Furthermore, we ought not to leave hospitality to happenchance. We must be intentional in our pursuit of hospitality, purposing, and planning for its inclusion in our lives. For the believer, hospitality is a holy obligation and one that comes with a unique promise from God, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NASB). As we press forward into the things of the Kingdom of God, let us not forget to also press forward to show hospitality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">David Robison</div></span></div>David R Robisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07059255653960179337noreply@blogger.com0