3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets… (Ephesians 3:3–5, NKJV)
God miraculously revealed His gospel plan to Paul and the other apostles of Christ. You can understand what Paul knew about God’s great redemptive plan “when you read” what he wrote. To paraphrase Paul, “You can know what I know when you read what I wrote.” The Bible is not impossible to understand. Truly, it is a revelation, not a concealment. You are responsible for reading and learning it for yourself so that your faith will be in the powerful word of God and not in the will and wisdom of men (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Spend time reading the Scriptures every day. By doing so you will come to know God’s will for your life and, by then doing His will, you will please God (2 Cor. 5:9).
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42–44, NKJV)
People who predict when Jesus will return are destined to fail. Repeatedly we are told Jesus will return unexpectedly and without warning (“as a thief in the night”, 1 Thess. 5:2). No one on this earth knows when Jesus will return: “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them” (1 Thess. 5:3). Therefore, always be prepared for His return. This begins by becoming a Christian and continues by being a faithful disciple of Jesus. The “wise and faithful servant” does his Master’s will and will be ready when Christ returns (Matt. 24:45-47). The foolish servant makes light of God’s long suffering by being unfaithful to the Lord (Matt. 24:48-51). Which servant will you be today?
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9, ESV)
Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (Jno. 8:31). The apostle John reiterates this truth in today’s verse. We cannot go beyond what the teaching of Christ says without forfeiting fellowship with God. The reason is clear: God’s word is truth (Jno. 17:17). God does not sanction error, which is a lie against the truth (and God cannot lie, Titus 1:2). Jesus promises He and the Father will “make our home” with the person who loves Him and keeps His word (Jno. 14:23). John’s statement agrees with this. If you truly want to have a relationship with Jesus, then love Him, keep His word and do not go beyond it. Live by faith according to His truth, and Christ will live in you (Eph. 3:17).
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16, NKJV)
The gospel is the good news of salvation from sins through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Son of God sent His apostles into the world to preach the gospel. Those who do not believe the gospel are condemned, lost in their sins. Every person who believes the gospel and is baptized is saved from the condemnation of sin. The words of Jesus are unmistakable. One must believe and be baptized to be saved. Jesus did not say, “He who believes is saved, and will be baptized later”. Jesus did not say, “He who believes and prays the sinner’s prayer is saved”. Let us not twist and change the simple words of Jesus. Do you want to be saved from your sins? Believe the gospel and be baptized and you will be saved. Do you refuse to believe the gospel of Christ? If so, then you will be condemned because of your sins. Come to Jesus. Believe and be baptized, and He will save you.
1 And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:1–3, NKJV)
In the day of God’s redemption of His remnant, gathered from the four corners of the earth, the redeemed shout a joy of praise and thanksgiving (Isa. 11:11-12). This prophetic description of Jehovah’s praise by the saved is now fulfilled in Christ and His gospel (Rom. 1:16). Thus, Christians sing praises to God for His salvation (Col. 3:16). Isaiah expresses the confidence of salvation we now enjoy in Christ; Thanks be to God for His great salvation! The water of life is offered to all who will come to Jesus and drink (Jno. 4:10; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17). The gospel will save you today and refresh you with salvation’s blessings: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19; 2:38). Become a Christian and share in the joy of salvation.
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:27–28, ESV)
Possessing the ability and the discernment to control one’s words is a mark of wisdom. This is verified in James 1:19, “let every man be slow to speak…” Keeping one’s cool instead of spouting off when agitated reveals a prudent soul. You do not have to always say something in order to prove you are knowledgeable on a matter. Often it is when we open our mouths that we remove all doubt of whether we are foolish. Choose your words carefully. See the value of saying nothing if, by speaking, you merely reveal your lack of understanding.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10–11, NKJV)
A Christian who has developed a mature faith must continue to be vigilant. A clear warning against stumbling is issued in verse 10. Therefore, “more” diligence is needed as we increase our faith. The validity of the Christian’s “call and election” is secure as he or she continues to grow in faith. Entrance into the everlasting kingdom is never promised to the apathetic, negligent, “barren and unfruitful” Christian (see 2 Peter 1:8). Heaven is assured to every Christian who is faithful to Jesus. Continue to “be even more diligent” in your faith each day. Heaven is the earnest and sure expectation of every Christian who lives to please God by doing His will.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:8–9, NKJV)
A fully-developed faith produces a fruitful life. Equipped with “the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”, such a faith is able to confidently face every circumstance of life. Virtuous faith is bold in the face of the enemy. Knowledgeable faith is grounded in the truth of God, not the fables of men. Such a faith will not be led astray. Faith governed by self-control chooses good and abhors evil. Persevering faith vigilantly endures every adversity. Godly faith is always directed toward God and never toward self. Brotherly kindness is an essential part of living one’s faith so as to benefit fellow Christians. Love is the crowning jewel of faith, since mature faith loves its enemies just as Christ loved us when we were His enemies. If we choose not to develop our faith we have become spiritually blind. We have already forgotten that God in Christ cleansed us of our sins. We were not saved so we can simply be unfruitful Christians. Devote yourself to increasing your faith by daily obedience to the will of Christ.
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)
Brotherly kindness is generous and courteous, thoughtful and responsive to fellow Christians. Love is now added to brotherly kindness. Love not only seeks the best of its brethren, but also that of its enemies (Matt. 5:44). Love is an action of the will. It is the antithesis of indifference, for it is actively extends itself in good ways, both by word and by deed. Faith becomes full grown when we add love to our brotherly kindness. While it is easy to love our brothers, it is like our heavenly Father to love those who hate us and spitefully use us (Matt. 5:46-48). Devote your faith to loving God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39). A faith that does not promote love for God and mankind does not know God: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 Jno. 4:7-8).
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)
Kindness toward others ought to be a genuine part of our godliness. How we speak to and treat one another in the family of God reveals our devotion to God. Just as a physical family thrives on kindness, our relationship together in Christ calls for the thoughtful, generous and courteous treatment of each other. Our Adversary loves nothing more than to pit brother against brother. From Cain and Abel to the present, when kindness gives way to envy, jealousy and hatred, peace is destroyed, unity is disrupted and souls are lost. Strive for kindness toward all, especially toward your fellow Christians. Do not break God’s heart by being unkind to your brother or sister in Christ. Just as a father rejoices when his children show kindness to each other, God is pleased when His children live together in the joy of brotherly kindness.
“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)
Sword Tips 