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Thank you for following Sword Tips. I am taking a couple of weeks away from writing, but intend to resume daily Sword Tips about October 11. See you then, and God bless.

Giving All Diligence #611

5  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:5–7, NKJV)

Half-heartedness does not please God. We must love Him with all our heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37). It is not surprising, then, that God expects us to give “all diligence” when it comes to spiritual development. We are to approach our spiritual growth with eagerness and swiftness. This demands a mindset or way of thinking that aggressively seizes every opportunity to become stronger in faith. The growth of our faith is not something we say we will “get around to someday”. Do not sit back and wait for growth to just happen, because it will not. Seize the moment, make haste to add to your faith.

Add to Your Faith #610

5  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:5–7, NKJV)

The “very reason” upon which Peter builds his case for spiritual growth is the “great and precious promises” we have been given. Christians have heeded the gospel call to be “partakers of the divine nature” by escaping the corruption of sin that is in the world (2 Pet. 1:4). Our redemption in Christ is no reason to ignore spiritual growth. Indeed, it is the very reason we are to give all diligence to add to our faith qualities of the divine nature: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. As our faith abounds in these traits of a strengthened faith, we become useful and fruitful in knowing Christ, and are given entrance into heaven (2 Pet. 1:8, 10-11). If we choose not to grow in faith, we lose our spiritual sight and forget our cleansing from past sins (2 Pet. 1:9). Thus, it may be said of heaven, if we will not grow, we will not go. Let us “be even more diligent” to make our calling and election sure by increasing our faith in the Lord (2 Pet. 1:10).

“I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” #609

21  “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24  for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:21–24, NKJV)

God’s mercy and joy over one sinner who repents is on clear display in the parable of the prodigal son. What is equally observed is the wasteful son’s repentance that prompted him to return to his father and humbly confess his sins. God is ready to show mercy and forgive every sin; of that there is no doubt. When we sin against God, the probing question is whether we will recognize our terrible spiritual condition, humble ourselves before God and repent (Lk. 15:14-19). We must take personal responsibility for our sins. We cannot blame our sins on others. When personal accountability for our sin is coupled with godly sorrow, we can move forward to repent and receive the merciful forgiveness of God (2 Cor. 7:10).

One Sacrifice for Sins Forever #608

11  And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God… (Hebrews 10:11–12, NKJV)

In contrast to the repeated offerings of animal sacrifices by Levitical priests, the great High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, offered one sacrifice for sins forever. With “His own blood” He entered heaven (“the Most Holy Place”), and by it, obtained eternal redemption for sinners (Heb. 9:12, 14-15, 26-28; 10:10). The gospel, “the word of the cross”, presents the sacrifice of Jesus to the whole world and calls us to salvation by His blood (1 Cor. 1:18; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:20). Thank God today for His great love, His marvelous wisdom and His rich mercy. All are on full display when we survey the wondrous cross of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Clothed with Humility #607

5  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5–7, NKJV)

Humility shows itself through submission. It is the proud of heart who always knows better, does better and is better than everyone else (or at least, in his or her own eyes). We will not show proper humility toward others until we are first humble toward God. We must submit ourselves to His power, to His time and trust His constant care for us. It takes humble faith to trust the Lord’s way instead of our own. Submit your will to the Almighty and clothe yourself with humility. God will exalt the humble one, whose submissive life readily serves God and others.

Lying Lips #606

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” (Proverbs 12:22, NKJV)

Honesty must be part of the defining character of every Christian. Deceit takes different forms, all of which are detestable to God. A lie is a deliberate falsehood (Gen. 27:19). It can take the form of an evasive answer, as when Cain answered God’s question about Abel (Gen. 4:9). The misrepresentation of facts is also lying, as when Gehazi lied to Naaman (2 Kgs. 5:20-27). Misrepresenting oneself to others is also lying, as when Ananias and his wife lied (Acts 5:1-4). God takes joy in those who are truthful in their dealing with others. On the other hand, dishonesty is hostile to God and to His truth. Lying originates from the devil, and all liars will join him in the eternal fire of hell (Jno. 8:44; Rev. 21:8, 27). Put away lying in all its forms and speak the truth (Eph. 4:24-25).

“They listened to him until this word” #605

21  Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ 22  And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23  Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air… (Acts 22:21–23, NKJV)

Paul had told the crowd how Jesus appeared to him, commissioned him to be His apostle, and saved him from his sins (Acts 22:1-16). He told them how Jesus appeared to him again, warning him to flee Jerusalem (Acts 22:17-20). The people of Jerusalem continued listening to Paul until he said the word, “Gentiles” (v. 21). Their hearts were so filled with hatred and contempt that they would not even consider the thought that Gentiles could be in the kingdom of God. Their hearts were closed to the gospel, being hardened by prejudice. They were ready to kill Paul rather than hear the truth he preached. Have you already made up your mind about some Bible teaching without considering what the Scriptures actually have to say? You cannot learn and follow the truth unless your heart is open and receptive to examining the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Be willing to listen and to live “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

The Desires of Your Father #604

43  Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:43–44, NKJV)

Jesus challenged His audience to examine why they argued with Him and opposed His teachings. Why did they refuse to know and abide in the truth (Jno. 8:31-32)? Why couldn’t they understand what He was saying? Not because it was unknowable, but because they were not listening to Him with willing hearts. They were not committed to knowing and following His word (v. 43). Why were their hearts so closed that they would not believe and follow Jesus? Because they desired the sins of the devil instead of the truth of God (v. 44). The devil is a liar who convinces people not to believe the Bible, the word of God. He lies about Jesus, the Son of God. He lies about His gospel, God’s power to save. He lies about Christians as they follow the truth of Christ. At some point, all who reject the word of Jesus must face what is apparent: They are children of the devil, not children of God. That which we desire will be reflected in our attitude and actions toward Jesus and His word of truth.

Those Who Labor Among You #603

12  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, NKJV)

When was the last time you made it a point to commend the elders of your congregation? They labor among you, watching out for your soul (Heb. 13:17). They deserve to be honored for their faithful work. Moreover, they are to be esteemed highly in love because of their work. Being an elder in a church ought not be a thankless job, or one where criticisms and complaints arise to disrupt peace. While the elders do their God-given work, let the brethren yield to their oversight, heed their admonitions and lovingly esteem them for the work they do. God be thanked for godly, diligent elders and brethren who recognize them as a blessing from God.