johnmarkharris.net

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Every Christian should walk in a manner worthy of God. Don’t swallow the lie that once you’ve prayed a prayer and gotten your “ticket” to heaven God does not care how you act. Don’t trust people who tell you that, as a Christian, there are no standards for your life now… everything is simply a matter of conscience. No. Paul exhorted and encouraged the Christians he knew to walk worthy of a holy God, who is a glorious and royal king. If there is any question as to our conduct, we should turn around and strive for holiness. Be holy, even as He is holy.

Wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

What does it mean to be saved? It means that Jesus delivers us from God’s wrath. God is just. He is not acting out of anger or ego, He is perfect in His Justice. It is difficult for us to comprehend. He will not violate His character, and that is a very good thing. That means, our sin deserves His wrath. Jesus bore that punishment for us so that we do not need to face the wrath to come. Praise God! Praise Jesus!

Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Paul preached the gospel. He surely cared for people, but his occupation and his calling was the word. He went to his own people, national Jews. That’s who he knew and, obviously, he felt he’d be able to have the greatest influence with them… he was incorrect. They did not receive his word, and so he moved on. Sometimes you will have opposition, but your occupation is the word. If some will not receive the word of the Lord, at some point, you must move on to someone who will listen. Don’t put the people you are telling about Jesus ahead of the message of Jesus we’re called to share. Love them, pray for them, share with them… but don’t let them hold you back from sharing with others who will receive God’s word from you.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Paul and his workers went to the synagogue first. They were already interested in the things of God, they were half-way there. Go and talk to those who are already “spiritual” and share with them the truth that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Those in Berea were considered “more noble” because they were eager to listen to the gospel message and seek the Scriptures to show that it is true. In order to receive the word with eagerness, you must first understand the word. There are so many in our world today who know the Bible, they just don’t know the Jesus of the Bible. When you speak the truth to them, they will be eager to receive it! Then, urge them to PROVE that it is true with the Bible. The more you read of the Bible, the more amazing and true the gospel becomes to you. It is one message, 66 books, one savior. As you share the gospel with a specific group, and they believe, others will be brought along as well…

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

There is a misconception that your Christian walk is your own business and between you and God alone. Well, sure, that’s 100% true, unless you’re a Christian as in what the New Testament says. To be a Christian is to be a member of Christ’s church, which means being a member of a local church (see Matthew 18). To be a member of a local church is to be members of one another. It is our duty to pay attention to each other and to restore brothers and sisters when they fall… irrespective of them admitting it or not. How do we fulfill the law of Christ, that’s the law of love, is to point out and correct sin in each other, and to be willing to have others do the same for you. You can’t be a faithful Christian on an island. Let’s do it!