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God of the 2x4

Discipline God of the 2x4 By Russ Kujawski 12/13/17 How many time when asked about God ,do you here “ God of Love, God of Grace, God of Patience, God of Mercy, God of Forgiveness. These are all great and wonderful things about God. What about the things that don’t sound so great, God of Wrath, Jealous God, God of Discipline” God of the 2x4” This study will be about the God of discipline. Using Hebrews 12: 5-11 in The ESV & Acts 26:12-15 I think this country The United States of America needs to be disciplined by God, Mostly because of the way society is going allowing behaviors that go against Gods moral and just laws calling right wrong and wrong right. Isa 5:20 “20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,    and shrewd in their own sight! I believe America is a woe nation or at least heading that way no matter who is in office the moral decay continues. Unfortunately you can’t legislate morality. It has to come from God thru Jesus Christ the Savior of the whole world for those who choose to believe. You may be wondering about the title “God of the 2x4” it comes from Hebrews 12: 5-11 in The ESV & Acts 26:12-15 ESV Acts 26:12-15 12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  This is Paul telling of his conversion to Agrippa Just a couple of things to point out. • The bright light was probably the Glory of God shinning on Paul and the others with him. • Scripture tells us Paul and those with him fell to the ground And a voice speaking saying “‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? • It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’  A goad was a stick used to direct the oxen as they pulled a cart. Looking at this scripture and others of the same event I believe God had plans for Paul. Paul had imprisoned or approved of the killing of many Christians. Paul was being directed one way by God but Paul was not listening and bucked the directional signals God was giving him {kicking against the goads} God growing weary of Paul’s disobedience got out the 2x4 and got his attention. Does God have you attention or does he need the 2x4 of discipline to get it. God’s Discipline Hebrews 12 in the ESV translation. Hebrews 12:5-11 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,    nor be weary when reproved by him.6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,    and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. What is discipline for? It corrects a behavior, a character, attitude, lifestyle. Hebrews 12:5-6 are quotes from the Old Testament {Proverbs 3:11-12 and Job 5:17}. In verses 5-6 of Hebrews there are 3 words discipline, reprove, and chastise. They all can be considered a form of discipline. With the same end goal to share in Gods Holiness being renewed in knowledge in the image our creator. Putting on the new self, new nature (Colo 3:10) Gods discipline helps us to be directed to him who gave it all for us so that we can be holy as he is holy. Leviticus 20:7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Discipline will help us in our direction to consecrate ourselves, dedicate ourselves to God, to be set apart, to be partakers in his holiness . God used the 2x4 of his glory and knocked Paul to the ground and changed Paul’s direction. From a killer of Christians to one of the greatest messengers of the Gospel. A verse by verse look at Hebrews 12:5-11. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” • Forgotten: this word is an easy one “ don’t you remember “ forgotten what you might ask? well that’s in the next word • Exhortation: the calling, the encouragement. As one of my friends said in his blog the summons. • Addresses : Spoken to. This Greek word (dialegomai) comes from 2 other Greek words (dia) it’s a preposition like “to” or “with” the other word is (legō) the primary meaning is to say or to speak , other definition uses • affirm over, maintain • to teach • to exhort, advise, to command, direct • to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say • to call by name, to call, name (God knows us when he calls he uses our name Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name, you are mine. • Russaphrase: Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD,he who created you, O Russ he who formed you, O Russ:“Fear not, for I have redeemed Russ;I have called Russ by name, you are mine. {Put your name in this make it personnel} • to speak out, speak of, mention • Sons : those whom God has called by name to be his children (male or female) When we respond to the calling ,to the summons and say “yes Lord” we receive a spirit (Holy Spirit) of adoption as sons (Children) of God and Cry “Abba Father” Romans8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” God makes us his own by adoption. • Regard Lightly: don’t take it as if it has no meaning. • Discipline: Chastisement or training, with the goal of changing character or behavior. Why Does God discipline you because he Loves you, he doesn’t want to see you live a life of sin you are blessed because you are being disciplined by God Job 5:17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. • Whom He receives: The word in the Greek for this is paradechomai: It means among other things “to acknowledge as ones own” it comes from two other words the first word is “para” it’s a preposition of ,with ,from ect. The second word is “dechomai “ it has several meanings “to take hold of, to take with the hand, to receive into one’s family to bring up or educate. God disciplines because he has received us into his family, he has taken hold of us ,he has taken us by hand he has adopted us into the family. Just so I’m clear when I say “family” I mean the Body of Christ that it’s the church. • Russaphrase: Hebrews 12:5 Don’t you remember the calling that spoke to you as sons and daughters, take it seriously the discipline of God, and don’t grow tired when being corrected. 6 God disciplines and corrects the ones he loves and takes hold of by hand • 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  • Have to endure: Greek word “hypomenō” means: to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee, to persevere: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ. We have to endure God’s discipline because we are his children, He loves us. When we stray off the path he has for us he will discipline us to bring us into a right relationship with him, back to the course he has directed for us to go. God’s discipline my be light as far just a little push or maybe being swallowed by a great fish. It could be that some events in your life are a form of discipline. Holdfast to your faith when the discipline of God is in effect. Running from Gods discipline can have eternal effect. • Father does not discipline: This is talking about an earthly father ,I know that some have a bad opinion of an earthly fathers and have a hard time associating to a heavenly father. When your earthly father discipline’s it should be out of love, for correction, and it also shows that there are consequences to your actions, It prepares you for a life in a world that doesn’t care. I’ve had my fair share of spankings and I didn’t turn into some horrible monsters as some that are against spankings would suggest. • Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[fn] Or who loves him disciplines him early • Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. • Proverbs23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. • Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. My commentary: What do these verses tell us about a fathers discipline? Because he loves the child, discipline starts at an early age, it corrects misbehaviors, a spanking will not kill the child, a child left undisciplined will bring shame to the mother better said to the family. And yes there are some fathers who are abusive they go above discipline to abusiveness. Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. There is no instruction of the Lord when the discipline is abusiveness. • left without discipline: As I’m thinking on this phrase “left without discipline’’ in a worldly seance we are disciplined in various ways. If discipline is the means to correct a behavior that is contrary to the rule. Example” The speed limit is 65 mph and your going 75 mph and get a ticket, the fine is $100.00 that you have to pay. You have been disciplined in speeding. One would hope that will cause you to slow down and obey the speed limit.” Some of us need to be disciplined more than once. Another example: “Your disrespectful to your mother, she say’s wait till your father gets home or maybe she deals with the issue right then and there. When dad gets home you get a spanking ,side note: no need to put someone in a corner or in their room with all the toys, that’s not discipline. End of side note. Thru the spanking on the butt only the child should learn there are consequences for being disrespectful to their mother. I don’t think I’ve said this yet discipline should only be dealt out in Love, and not when your angry. Discipline comes in many forms. If a parent or loved one when the parent isn’t around who doesn’t discipline the child or maybe even an adult child, what is really being said? Is you are not worth my time, you were a mistake. Are you being disciplined by God in some form or another? If not then there are 2 possibility’s you’re perfect or you’re not his child. Only you truly know that answer. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. • earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them: It’s not often a parent get’s thanks for disciplining their child, from my own experience it’s not until the child’s adult life do they thank you for correcting a behavior. When our heavenly father disciplines us we can count it as a blessing because he considers us his. Psalms 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,” • they disciplined us for a short time: A fathers discipline is for a short time not really sure what is meant by that and isn’t our fathers discipline for our good also? It should be! This is how I’ll explain this looking at the second half of this verse “he(GOD) disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” A earthly father will discipline us as he thinks is best in order to prepare us for life in this world and of course our life in this world is but a moment compared to eternity, a short time. God disciplines his children for our own good so that we will share in Gods Holiness and that is an eternity. Using that thinking a earthly fathers discipline is but a moment in time with temporary affects where as Gods Discipline has an eternal affect. There is a potential for an earthly fathers discipline to have a eternal affect when his discipline leads to Christ. Last verse in this section of scripture For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. • The end results of discipline although unpleasant at the time has an end results of peace and righteousness when you learn from it. When a lesson is not learned then you’re bound to repeat it. I tiled this “God of the 2x4” when your walk is out of step with Gods direction for you and you’re not listening to the Holy Spirit and ignoring the goad’s God’s directional pricks, then watch out the 2x4 is coming he will get your attention. Like with the Israelites when you go your own way and ignore God he may just let you go that way so you can see that there is no peace, no righteousness in your own doing. Maybe that’s Gods discipline letting you do your own thing and you are walking into the 2x4. Maybe you are carrying the 2x4, by going your own way you end up punishing yourself. During your wondering God will take out the 2x4 from your back pack and say that’s far enough. He will get your attention! God Bless

Faith in action

Faith is an action By Russ Kujawski James 1:22 Take action show me the evidence English Standard VersionBut be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. New American Standard Bible But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves Weymouth New TestamentBut prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves. Being doers of the word or prove yourself doers of the word is a call to action to show evidence that you are living by faith, doing the works God has prepared for you to do. English Standard VersionFor we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. James 2:14 Actions show Faith English Standard VersionWhat good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? NASB same as ESV Weymouth New TestamentWhat good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him? The works that you do ,the actions you take should as the Weymouth New testament puts it correspond with you faith James 2:18 English Standard VersionBut someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. New American Standard Bible But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Weymouth New TestamentNay, someone will say, "You have faith, I have actions: prove to me your faith apart from corresponding actions and I will prove mine to you by my actions. Your works or your actions will show the evidence that will correspond with your faith and prove your faith James2:22 English Standard VersionYou see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; New American Standard Bible You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; Weymouth New TestamentYou notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected; By the works you perform the actions you take will perfect your faith and make it stronger. James 2:26 English Standard VersionFor as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. NASB same as ESV Weymouth New TestamentFor just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience. Without the evidence that comes from works or by taking action you don’t have what it takes to show faith. James Faith Equation Works=Action-Evidence=Faith No Works=No Action=No Evidence=No Faith Performing deeds or taking action because of repentance Acts 26:20 Perform works or actions because of repentance English Standard Versionbut declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. New American Standard Bible but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. Weymouth New Testamentbut I proceeded to preach first to the people in Damascus, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and to the Gentiles, that they must repent and turn to God, and live lives consistent with such repentance.We are to live lives performing the deeds or works taking action that show the evidence that corresponds with our faith. A few more verses then my final thoughts. Eph 2:1-10 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. I have shown many verses in various translations that works is the evidence of salvation of faith . As it says in Eph it’s a free gift from God not by our own doing. We can not earn salvation. We are to be doing the works or taking action that God has set before us to do. If we are not doing these things then do we really have salvation or faith. I can’t judge whether you have faith or not . Your actions will show the evidence of faith. Here is a question to ponder. If you go to court for being a Christian is there enough evidence in your works to prove you have faith and be found guilty for being a Christian? God Bless

A Pharisee Attitude

A Pharisee Attitude By Russ Kujawski June 20,2018 Question : Do you have a pharisaical attitude? pharisaical: practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical. Matt 23: 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their **phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues **phylacteries Likely refers to small boxes containing Scripture passages that Jews wore on their foreheads or arms. The scribes and Pharisees apparently enlarged these boxes to make them more visible (see Exod 13:9; Deut 6:8; 11:18) Several times in Chap Matt chap 23 it says “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” From verse 13-29 Lets take a look at the woe verses. First Woe Digging Deeper: 1. Mat 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.[fn] {fn}Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation To get the understanding of this woe and following woes we need to look back to verses 3-7 This woe and the following woes are an interjection of grief in other words if I may say there is grief to come for these scribes and Pharisees. Why do I say that? Because they preach but do not practice, they are hypocrites a pretender, an actor. They do not do what they say. Have you ever heard the statement ”do as I say not as I do” There can be consequences for such a statement and that’s a “woe”. They shut the kingdom of heaven to the people and don’t enter themselves. Being a hypocrite I think is why the scribes and Pharisees wont enter but why don’t they allow the people to enter? Just a thought here maybe its because of the burdens and false teachings laid on them verse 4.yet they don’t do any of the things the people have to do. Sounds like congress. Do you have this kind of attitude? You say if you’re a Christian then you must do this or that but yet you yourself don’t do what you tell others to do. Are you placing unrealistic burdens on others? What did Jesus say in Matt 11” 28 “Come to me(Jesus the Christ), all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Fortunately its not you or me that the people are to follow its Christ. What’s Christ tell us? His yoke is easy and burden is light. 2. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them as you are twice as much a child of hell. Why are they twice as much a child of hell? Because of the teachers of the law and pharisees legalistic teaching of the law. This kind of teaching is destructive. There are groups out there that teach in this kind of way very legalistic, you cant dance of any kind, you don’t play cards, you don’t go out to eat on a Sunday because you cause someone to work, you don’t do this ,you don’t do that. Rules, rules , rules. I grew up is such an organization. Is there a problem with rules? No as long as those rule help you develop a relationship with Christ and not a rules based or works based faith. Following rules won’t get you into heaven following Christ will. As a Christian do we continue to sin? NO *before you comment on this answer continue reading* Romans 6: 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? This is a legalistic example for Christians: Your just one sin away from hell this was told to me once. So in other words if you have any failures in your walk with Christ, you let a curse word slip. You would be in danger of going to hell. Really! There isn’t any of God’s grace or mercy in such a statement. What does Romans 6:1 say? Look at the verbiage. go on sinning: If you continue to sin then has anything even changed, when we come to repentance then you turn away from the old way of thinking, turn away from the old way of behavior. I will expand on this in a little bit. have died to sin: When we come to Christ our old self our old nature is crucified so that sin does not have a strong hold on you, we are no longer slave to sin. (see Romans 6:6) live in it any longer: This is speaking about a lifestyle of sin. Coming to Christ we can no longer LIVE A LIFE STYLE OF SIN. As it states in Romans 6 :1 it mentions GRACE if we have a moment of failure(sin) in our walk there is God’s grace. Be warned if you are intentionally, willfully, sinning because of God’s grace he may just let you go onto that road of destruction, and if it be possible you can be putting your salvation into jeopardy. Do you have this Pharisee attitude that you place such burdens on believers that they are bound to fail and maybe even turn away from God? 3. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Woe to you, blind guides: blind fools: blind men! I once attended a church and in order to become a member you had to sign a piece of paper saying you will do this or that basically taking an oath. Never did sign the paper because of some of the verbiage in it. Not signing it didn’t prevent me from attending it just kept me from having any say in the governing of the church. I currently and probably will until my dying day will attend a church that I was accepted as a member voted in by the congregation if I remember right. Growing up the church I attended was legalistic in some things and in others not so much . Being a member only meant you professed Christ as your Lord and Savior and attended regularly. What were these blind guides doing making the people swear by the things on the alter or in the temple. They were overlooking the higher principles of the law. In Matt 5:33-37 say’s :verse 33 not to swear falsely, verse 34 do not take an oath at all, verse 37 yes or no anything more than that comes from evil. Here is what James has to say about oaths: Jas 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear *(or take and oath), either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (*) I added for clarification 4. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! I think Micah 6:8 speaks to verse 23 “Mic 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,[fn]and to walk humbly with your God?” [fn] Or steadfast love They the scribes and Pharisees were doing the little things but neglecting the more important things, like justice, steadfast love and walking humbly with God. It would appear at this point that they did things with the wrong motivation with a look at me see how religious I am, instead of truly directing the people to God. They were religious not relational. Do you have an attitude like the Pharisees of being religious and not relational? 5. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. NASB 25b: but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. KJV 25b: but within they are full of extortion and excess. NKJ 25b: but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.[fn] {fn} M-Text reads unrighteousness Once again the pharisee’s are called hypocrites. Why? They look good on the outside but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. I looked up the Greek for greedy. Greek for greedy: harpagē means: extortion, robbery. I think the meaning of the word is better represented in the translations noted above than how the ESV puts it. I use the ESV for my primary translation to study with but the use of “greedy” is weak compared to “extortion or robbery” The pharisee’s were manipulating the people for their own self-indulgence. To benefit them and not the people whom they were supposed to be teaching, guiding, encouraging. They didn’t have clean hearts Matthew 15:18-19 puts it this way” 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” The pharisee’s and scribes have a heart issue there desires aren’t of God they are for themselves not for the people’s needs but their own self-indulgences. The scribes and Pharisee’s have become corrupt like many people in the United State Congress and House. Do you have a Pharisee type attitude? Do you do things because they make you look good or manipulate others so you look good? Yet on the inside you’re a broken man. 6. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. In the construction world when you have a wall that needs repair from dings, dents, and scratches and you don’t want to remove the sheet rock, then you skim coat it. That method covers the damage, it hides the damage, yet the damage is still there. That’s basically the same as whitewashing. In this case it’s a term applied to a hypocrite who conceals his malice under an outward assumption of piety The outside looks good but the inside is like dead mans bones or the ESV puts it dead people’s bones what does that mean ? Metaph: spiritually dead • destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins • inactive as respects doing right Verse 28 tells us what verse 27 means you appear in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God but in reality with in you have a mask on (hypocrite) your full of contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness (Lawlessness) This woe # 6 and woe #5 are very similar. Do you have this pharisee attitude you look righteous on the outside but on the inside you are spiritually dead? 7. Next Woe Digging Deeper: 29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, 30saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, [f] whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. [f] 35 Some manuscripts omit the son of Barachiah Jumping to verse 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Offspring of vipers This phrase could be a generic insult; it also might allude to the Jewish leaders’ cunning. Condemnation to hell Based on their current actions, the scribes (teachers of the law) and the Pharisees are on their way to experiencing God’s judgment and wrath. Jesus’ rhetorical language warns the Pharisees of the inevitability of their judgment unless they change course. Do you have this type of attitude were your current actions may lead you to condemnation? Final thoughts: As I’m do this study this section of scripture it’s redundant saying pretty much the same thing over and over. Why? Because it’s important the results of having a pharisee attitude can have a negative results, an eternal results verse 33 make that clear “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” Two words keep coming to mind here, “Hypocrite and Legalism” • Hypocrite: The pharisee attitude is this do as I say, look at me ,see me see how Holy I am. While inside of you are a broken down man or woman. Inside you are broken, in distress, you know not the peace or rest that comes with knowing Christ. You are being religious not relational. • Legalism: The pharisee attitude is you have to do this or that to be a Christian. If you play cards you sin hell bound you go, If you dance you sin hell bound you go, you must pray everyday at noon if you don’t you sin hell bound you go. The list of rules are endless. If mankind could follow rules then Christ would not of had to come and save mankind from his own destruction. With all that said ,yes there are certain behaviors expected from a Christian. As we are continually being sanctified(set apart) for Christ and grow in the knowledge of Christ those behaviors of one walking in Biblical Christianity will become more life style and less forced. {Just a little side thought may also become harder do to Satan’s intensity of attacks upon you.} As we walk in Christ and we have a slip(sin) Gods grace is great.{I’m speaking of a monetary failure not going back to a lifestyle of sin} yes there are biblical behaviors for the Christian that we are to follow. When we have a momentary failure I truly don’t believe God would say” Sorry dude you just swore and said “##*&*%$#” As that car hit you and killed you ,Hell bound you go” There is no Grace in that way of thinking. I know that’s an extreme example but the point is there. Don’t live in fear Gods Grace is sufficient. Live this day in God’s glory, peace, and rest. Don’t haver a Pharisee like attitude have a Christ like attitude Colo 3:9-10 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. God Bless

If indeed the Dark side

If Indeed (The Dark Side) By Russ Kujawski 5/24/18 Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. If indeed: IF: The Greek is ei: Outline biblical usage: if, whether Strong’s definitions: if, whether, that, etc.:—forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. For being such a small word it has a lot of power taking this conjunction and used primarily as a particle of conditionality it can have grave consequences. If you don’t do this something bad can happen, if you do this something good can happen. If, If, If. Indeed: Greek is: ge Outline of biblical usage: indeed, truly, at least, even, seeing that. It indicates that the meaning of the word to which it belongs has special prominence, and therefore that the word is to be distinguished from the rest of the sentence and uttered with greater emphasis Lets get a little context on Colossians 1 :23 Colossians 21-23 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he (Jesus) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Prior to this scripture 15-20 speak of Jesus as the image of God v15, That Jesus created all things vs16, Jesus is before all thing and they are held together by him vs17, Jesus is the head of the body and the church, the first to rise from the dead, preeminent to everything vs18, everything was reconciled to him through his death and resurrection v20 note I added the resurrection for without it then his death would be meaningless. If indeed we continue in faith, There it is “If indeed” or “If truly” we are steadfast, not shrinking from the message then what? Vs 22 we will be presented as Holy, blameless and above reproach be for him. That’s great news What about the other side of “If indeed”{the dark side} we don’t continue in faith, not being steadfast, and shifting away from the gospel. Then what? This is the point when you need to acknowledge if you can loose your salvation or not. The argument of once saved always saved or they were never saved to start with. I don’t necessarily agree with either argument. So what does scripture say. Here is a new word to look at before I make an attempt to answer the question, If Indeed we don’t continue in faith then what? The word is Enlighten Greek =photizo this is a verb so an action takes place when someone is enlightened. Biblical usage to give light, to shine, to enlighten, light up, illumine to bring to light, render evident to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all, to enlighten, spiritually, imbue (inspire or permeate) with saving knowledge, to instruct, to inform, teach, to give understanding to. "enlightened" occurs 3 times in 3 verses in the ESV. 1. Eph 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 2. Heb 6:4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 3. Heb 10:32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, All these verses the word “enlighten” has the idea of saving knowledge and belief . So in its context these are brothers or sisters in Christ that are being spoken of. These are indeed Christians. If a Christian goes to the dark side of “if indeed” and does not remain steadfast and shrinks away. Then what? The rubber is about to hit the road. Some will disagree dogmatically some won’t. The dark side of “If Indeed” Heb 6:4-6 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. MY thoughts on these verse’s: This is one section of scripture that shows me if a believer goes to the dark side of “If Indeed” that there salvation is in jeopardy. Why do I say that? Because of verse 4 “is impossible” after they have come to a saving knowledge, and have participated in what happens when you have salvation and verse 6 “fallen away to restore them again to repentance, ” So again is their salvation in jeopardy? Looking at a couple of verses in 1 Corinthians it speaks of building a foundation ,what is your foundation built on? If one has come to repentance then falls away was their foundation built on things of the world instead of things of God. In 1 Corinthians 3 it tells us that our works the things we have built on will be tested by fire. 1 Cor3: 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. The sub title of this section of scripture in the ESV is “Divisions in the Church” I think this can also be used for those who have fallen away. They will be judged, their works will be refined by fire. If their foundation is being built on perishable things instead of the imperishable that which is Christ then it’s no wonder they fell away. But here is the interesting part verse 15 “If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” This section of scripture can give you the idea that if someone was doing works to further the kingdom of God and for some odd ball reason they fall away .The works that they have done will be tested by fire and what is burned up will be gone but they may indeed still be save through the fire. Final thoughts: The light side of “If Indeed” we remain faithful and steadfast we will be presented as Holy, blameless and above reproach before him. The dark side of “If Indeed” it is impossible to return to faith once we have walked away from it for we are re crucifying Christ again. When I say walk away I’m speaking of a complete about face God isn’t even a sparkle in your life. Not a momentary failure in your walk of faith. Again we are not the final judgement God is. Your works will be tested purified with fire in the final Judgement and maybe just maybe you will be saved thru the fire of Judgement. I do want to be clear I’m not saying you will be saved because of works , and I’m not saying once saved always saved . I am saying there is a possible chance that if you go to the dark side of if indeed you can possibly lose your salvation, or just barley make it thru the flames of purification in the final judgement. Do you really want to chance it?

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Dead Man Walking

Dead man walking Dead to sin walking alive in Christ By Russ Kujawski 1/22/22 Dead to Sin, Alive to God Romans 6:1-14 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. The title of this is Dead Man Walking, you might think of that show The Walking dead. Although I never watched the show I believe it’s about zombies. I’m not talking about zombies.. I’m talking about our death to sin a life style of sin. We walk in the death of sin and are alive in the grace that is received thru your death to sin. Time to dig into Romans 6:1-14 Romans 6:1-2 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? V1 What shall we say then, So then, therefore. In the verse prior to this(Romans 5:20-21) it speaks of the law the Torah came in and sin increased and grace increased . As sin reigned in death, grace reigned in righteousness leading to eternal life with Christ. Verse 1 sounds kind of cool if I continue to live the life style of sin even though we have supposedly committed to Christ I’ll just get more grace I’m all good. But the thing is IF you continue to live the life style of sin then you are not dead to sin . What’s verse 2 say about continuing to sin.? “2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” No you cannot continue to live the lifestyle of sin. Let me clarify why I use the term “life style” as Christians we will have a slip of the tongue , a slip of thought ,we will slip. That’s why we have an advocate 1Jo 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. If Christians didn’t slip or sin then there would be no need for an advocate. Yet as we continue to grow into the image and knowledge of our creator (Christ) as Colossians 3:10 tells us and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Those slips should become less frequent . So no we do not continue in a lifestyle of sin. Verse 3-4 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? I like how the Complete Jewish Bible {CJB} phrase’s this verse. Instead of baptized it uses immersed and instead of Christ Jesus it uses Messiah Yeshua. 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism [immersion] into death, in order that, just as Christ {Yeshua} was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Buried with Christ . Baptism by immersion a complete covering and then raised to walk in a new life that was started when you first became a Christian or commonly called born again. You have died to self and have been born anew in Christ.. Baptism Also Identifies our fellow ship with Christ: of Christian baptism; a rite of immersion in water as commanded by Christ, by which one after confessing his sins and professing his faith in Christ, having been born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, identifies publicly with the fellowship of Christ and the church. Foot Note; notice it’s after confession and profession. Baptism with out confession and profession is just getting wet You have the right to be immersed (baptized) because of your confession of faith in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) being completely buried and resurrected unto a new life. In Rom 6 Paul states we are "baptized unto death" meaning that we are not only dead to our former ways, but they are buried. To return to them is as unthinkable for a Christian as for one to dig up a dead corpse! To continue to live in sin is like being a zombie. Your old life is dead but you continue to live in it. Verse 5-6 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self ( Old Nature) was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. CJB 6b so that the entire body of our sinful propensities {nature} might be destroyed , and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. Old self or old man or old nature is in reference to the two fold nature of man, the corrupt and the truly Christian man, conformed to the one nature of God( Adonai), our creator Jesus ( Yeshua ) When we come to a saving knowledge of Christ (born again ) we crucify our old self that is our old nature. It is put to death it is destroyed so that we are no longer enslaved to sin. And resurrected anew in a Christ like nature being transformed daily into his knowledge and image {Colo 3:9-10}. We no longer desire to live in sin as the old nature would have us live. No longer live the life style of sin. Immersion (baptism ) is a representation of our old nature being buried and our new nature being resurrected . Verse 8-9 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. If If If I’m not sure how I feel about the word “If” it has a 2 fold purpose. If we have died with Christ then we will live with Christ our old nature old self was crucified with Christ and then we are resurrected. With sin not having authority over us. We walk anew in Christ . Dead to sin yet alive in Christ. Death has no authority over us. I think this verse has a 2 fold meaning spiritually we have died and then resurrected . In a physical sense when we die we will go straight to be with the Lord ALIVE 2Co 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Jesus the Christ { Yahshua the Messiah } died to sin although he himself did not sin he bore our sin. 1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree {that is the Cross}, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. Jesus died for our sins in our stead once and for all he said “It is finished “ meaning our penalty for our sin has been paid in full. It is done. As it say’s in Romans 6:6 we have crucified our old self(sin nature ) and have been buried and resurrected anew that sin has no authority over us it is done away with. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. With the old man dead having been put off and a new man put on with Christ paying the penalty for our sin we walk as a dead man yet we are alive in Christ. Verse 12-14 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. The one thing that isn’t redeemed as of yet when we become a follower of Christ is our body it is sinful flesh and perishable and will remain so until the time of our physical resurrection. Galatians 5 :16 -17 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Romans7: For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. These verses make it pretty clear that to live in the flesh and not the spirit we can not please God for the flesh leads to death but the Spirit leads to life. If we live in the flesh we are bound by the law, if we live in the Spirit we are not under the law we are freed from legalism . 1 Cor 15: 42-49 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I think this is pretty clear our body a buried imperfect and raised perfect. Be a dead man walking having the old man (old nature) crucified buried and resurrected a new man (new nature) that is being made into the knowledge and image of our creator Yeshua the messiah. By all accounts we are a dead man walking. Amen

If Indeed The Dark Side

Sins Blotted Out

Sins Blotted Out Blotted out occurs 22 times in 10 verses Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, Blotted= to erase, wiped away {action word} Strongs G1813 Repent=to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins {action word} Isa 44:22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Blotted out =wipe away, exterminate, Obliterate H4229 Redeemed {action word} price paid. Isa 43:25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Transgressions= rebellion, sin H4229 Remember no more {action phrase} Colossians 2:11-14 ,11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Forgiveness= to pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty Canceling out= to wipe off, wipe away, to obliterate, erase, wipe out, blot out G1813 In final judgment {Fire of purification} What does this mean that are sins are Blotted Out ? I was involved in a conversation the other day with 3 other people that are pastors I am not a pastor, and it seem to get pretty deep and also a little rough. I think this is simpler than what was being stated. One was saying something like this ”how can we have sin if they are blotted out” The other was saying “ with God being finite everything is as it’s already happened so yes they are blotted out.” God is in a different time than us . Christ came to be the penalty for our sins nailing them upon the Cross. Which sins past , present ,or future sins? For us all our sins were future. If we are in Christ then all are sins are blotted out in Gods time zone. But for us the sin still exist for us to commit, and forgiveness to seek. So let me try and simplify this. When we die and stand before the Lord our God and goes to past judgement upon us and he opens the book of life turns to the page that says sins committed the only thing he will see is eraser marks or blot dots . He will not see anything there. For our sins that were recorded are gone. I think it’s that simple. So if there is no sins to pass judgement on then what are we judge on? Our Works, our deeds , the actions we did as a Christian to further the message of Christ. 1Cor 3:10-15 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled or wise master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. As we pass thru the fire I call the fire of purification then our works, deed will be burned up. The ones that benefited the Gospel message we get rewards the ones that didn’t will disappear.

Five things to Draw Closer to God

Five Things To Do TO Draw Near To God James 4:7-8 1. Submit 2. Resist 3. Draw near 4. Cleanse 5. Purify James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. "Submit" occurs 11 times in 11 verses in the ESV. "resist" occurs 7 times in 7 verses in the ESV. "draw" AND "near" occurs 68 times in 33 verses in the ESV. "Cleanse" occurs 34 times in 32 verses in the ESV. "Purify" occurs 16 times in 16 verses in the ESV. Why this study ?  For my own encouragement.  For the encouragement of others.  Christians have forgotten how to draw closer to God.  And last just because. As my buddy Matt and I studied James via zoom he’s in Nebraska and I’m in South Dakota I came across this passage in James 4:7-8 and felt a desire to do an in depth study on these five things mentioned . I’m not a scholar nor a theologian ,Just a common man . So this is my Random Thoughts on what Gods word is telling me. After this study I will post it on my Blog russ-biblethoughts.blogspot.com and I’ll do a multi part video series on my you tube page called Random Bible Thoughts with Russ. So time to dig in. James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {1 }James 4:7aSubmit yourselves therefore to God Before I get into the word submit we need to see why the therefore. In the Greek word oun . The biblical outline is :then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so or therefore .Everything mentioned in verses 1-6 this section of scripture is subtitled “Warnings against Worldliness” 1-6 speaks of selfish ambitions ,quarrelling ,fighting worldliness .This is written to believers. It’s a sad reality that this is still happening amongst Christians. We as Christians are supposed to be of one body with Christ as the head of that body. Romans 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. The Word Submit: Greek : hypotassō is a word of action if come from 2 other words meaning to set and put under. To submit would be to put yourself under the subjection of Christ becoming his subject or becoming a bondservant to Christ. In Psalms 81 :11-12 tells us that God will give us over to our own counsel when we don’t submit to Him . 11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. So is our own counsel greater than Gods? I think not. Our own counsel is the here and now ,worldly, and selfish . God see’s the bigger picture. Romans 8:6-8 . 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Submission is a key part of the Christian life. Without submission then there is no life changing experience with Christ, we won’t have the peace that comes with being a Christian. We will remain worldly . Falling to our own sinful desires . Life isn’t easy there are many things to distract us from Christ. Especially with today’s tech that makes sinning easier than it has been in the past, or at least more secretive. Not submitting God may just let you go your own way as shown in Psalms. The results of submitting to the Lord ? Instruction and counsel on how to live and peace. Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. There are 4 phrases in this verse, I will instruct , and teach , you should go, and I will guide you. All these phrase when broke down are verbs they are actions . This is an action verse submit to Christ and he will take action in your life. Submission is just one step to drawing closer to God {2}Next step Resist Resist: anthistēmi=Outline of Biblical Usage I. to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose II. to set against 1Pe 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Looking at 1st Peter it looks like if you don’t have a firm faith then you can’t resist or maybe not resist for very long. Here are a few definitions of resist: strong, firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid A. in a bad sense, cruel, stiff, stubborn, hard B. in a good sense, firm, steadfast . Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. What’s it mean to resist the Devil ? The Complete Jewish Bible puts it this way. Take a stand against the Adversary and he will flee from you. So to resist is to take a stand against. 1Pe 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Who is the him in verse 9 ? Verses 8 tells us it’s the Adversary {the devil} looking to devour you verse 8 also tells us to stay sober minded, that is steadfast unmovable. We resist the devil by remaining steadfast un movable in mind knowing that we are continually being made fuller and fuller in knowledge and closer and closer to the image of Christ(Col 3 10) CJB Because of what Col 3:10 tells us we have the mind of Christ. Knowledge and image. 1Co 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. We may not know what God is up to? But having the mind of Christ that is continuing being made into a closer way of thinking as Christ thinks. So stand firm in your faith in the trust of the one who saved you, taking a stand against the devil having the mind of Christ. Hebrews 4:15 tells us Christ was tempted and did not fail. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. How did he stand against the Devil Matt4: 1-11 tells us. Each time Satan tempted Jesus. Jesus quoted Scripture he quoted Duet 8:3, Ps 91:11-12,and Duet 6:13 even in his anguish Jesus remained sober minded after he quoted Scripture Satan left him. Quote Scripture in faith and sober minded and Satan will flee from you. {3} Draw near to God James 4:8b Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. How do we draw near to God? Here are some verses on drawing near to God. From the old and new Testament of God’s word. Lev 9:7 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” I think the key issue is repentance of sin in your life not a burnt offering. For Jesus was the final blood offering for the whole world for those who choose to believe. If you have constant sin or are living a lifestyle of sin you need to truly repent of it . Sin is like a cancer it will only grow if not dealt with . Although there isn’t such thing as a little sin , for the penalty of sin is death . ( a spiritual separation from God ) sin when first introduce in your life can and will become a major part of your life if not dealt with when it is first introduce into your life. Draw near to Gods alter and repent and he will draw near to you. Ps 69: 16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.17 Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! Ecc 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Ps 69:16-18 and Ecc 5:1 are important to drawing near to God. Ask God to draw near to you and listen to what he has to say. Be still and Know that he is God. Psa 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” To draw near is to ask be still and know that he is God listen. Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 4:16 and 10:22 have 2 key words Confidence and assurance. What do these words mean ? Confidence can also mean openly : without concealment in the Greek. When drawing near to the throne of grace do it openly without concealing anything with confidence that you will receive grace and mercy from Jehovah Jireh (God the provider). Drawing near to God in complete openness and God will provide the mercy and grace needed during times of need. Assurance can also be stated as confidence in faith from a true heart cleaned from an evil conscience or mind. I like how the CJB puts it “let us approach the Holiest place with a sincere heart in full assurance that comes from trusting with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience.”. we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and assurance because our hearts been sprinkled clean , purified . Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. This is pretty straight forward seek first God and his kingdom put him before everything and he will provide for your needs. For me that biggest thing is having the peace of Christ in my life during the good times and the bad. To recap this part 3 Draw near to God: ask him to draw near to you ,seek him be still and listen. {#4} Cleanse Cleanse your hands, you sinners, How do we Cleanse ? Simple True repentance of our sin’s. Not just saying the words but believing we have forgiveness. True repentance is to turn away from the sin. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There’s that 2 letter word IF that has huge implications. If we confess he is faithful and just to forgive our sins . If we don’t confess then sins aren’t forgiven. What does God do when he forgive us? He blots out our sin, he erases our sin and remembers it no more as if it never happened. Isa 43:25“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Isa 44:22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, The phrase “blotted out means to wipe out ,to obliterate, to exterminate , to erase. Blotted out is an action phrase when we repent and turn away from our sins God takes action, In your life to erase the sin from us. We are cleansed by Christ death who was our propitiation the one who covered our penalty of sin. 1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. So what are the implications of having clean hands or maybe should say a righteous life? Christ covered our sins and when we repent and seek true forgiveness on that day when we stand before God in judgement we will be judged not on our sins but on our works that we did to further the mission of Christ. 1Co 3:12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. We will pass thru the fire of purification our bad works or deeds will be burned up the rest that survive we will get rewards . Even if all our works a burned we will still be saved. Repent and be cleansed. #5 Purify Its interesting that the Greek word for cleanse also has the definition of purify and the Greek word for purify has a definition of cleanse. But yet they are 2 different words. They both have a moral sense to them . James say’s purify your heart, you double mined. I’ll look at the morality part of the definition of purify your heart. As I’m thinking about this verse here double minded is mentioned .Being double mined means divided interest. As a Christian if you have an interest in fleshly things and things of God then you are double minded. The problem is if you have a mind set on the things of the flesh then you can not please God for you are hostile to God Romans 8:5-8 makes this pretty clear. Romans 8: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You can’t have it both ways either your for Christ or your against Christ you can’t straddle the fence. Here is an example fictional as it is it’s true in context. There was a fence and people were standing on the fence the fence divided those for Christ and those for Satan. Christ came to gather his people most jumped off and joined Christ but some remained on the fence. After Christ left Satan came and told those on the fence to come with him. But they said we don’t choose you . Satan replied you don’t choose Christ either. Then Satan continued you see because you didn’t choose Christ you have to come with me for I own the fence. You have to make a choice. Either you live in the flesh or you live in the spirit for Satan owns the fence you are straddling. The flesh is dark and the spirit is light they both can’t occupy the same space. Part of purifying the heart is being single mined for Christ living in the spirit and not in the flesh As I’m thinking of the word purify I’m think of one who smelts metal. You heat it up until its liquid the impurities come to the top (called Slag) and its removed and the metal has no impurities in it. Mal 3:3 give this kind of example about purification. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD {fn} Or and they will belong to the LORD, bringers of an offering in righteousness Purify your heart like the refiners fire and remove the slag from you . Christ gave himself up himself to be our redeemer to purify for himself a people zealous for good works Titus 2: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Matt 6: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. Where are the treasures of your heart? Is there slag (worldliness ) in your heart that can be destroyed or is there treasures of heaven that does not get destroyed . Mat 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money or possessions. An unpurified heart cannot serve God for it has a hold in things that are not of God. Ask God to remove the Slag from your heart to purify your heart. Brief review Submit: be instructed and counseled on the things of God . By submitting God will take action in your life. Resist: take a stand against the Devil knowing we are being made to have the knowledge and being made more into the image of Christ daily having the mind of Christ. Draw: Ask God to draw near to you , listen and be still and know he is God. Cleanse: Repent for he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Purify: remove the slag of the world from your heart being single minded to the service of God.