Help People Grow Strong in The Lord

 Meditations on Romans

July 9, 2021

Help People Grow Strong in The Lord

“For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.”

Romans 1:11

Read: Romans 1:8-13

The phrase that captured my attention in today’s reading is, “your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.” Why do you think the faith of this little community of believers in Rome was known throughout Paul’s world? Because for the followers of Jesus in Rome, Jesus was not just one of many gods they could worship; Jesus was Lord and Savior of the world. For these Christians, Jesus was not optional for life; Jesus was their life. They believed Jesus was the only way to be reconciled to God the Creator. Without Jesus, they would stand as guilty sinners on the Day of Judgment. Without Jesus, there was no hope of eternal life. The Christians in Rome were living in the shadow of the Emperor of the Roman Empire, who proclaimed himself as divine and ruler of the world. To proclaim another person as Lord was to pronounce a death sentence on their life. Faith for these Christians was indeed risky.

Like our spiritual ancestors in Rome, I want to be more aware of opportunities to let my faith be known. Some of these opportunities may be risky and take me out of my comfort zone by challenging conventional cultural wisdom. I pray that this faithful little church in Rome will inspire me to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with my Abba Father, especially when Abba leads me out of my comfort zone.

My Takeaway: In Verse 11, we see that Paul was very aware of his spiritual gifts and wanted to share them generously to help people grow strong in the Lord. I too want to share, with humble acceptance, the gifts God has bestowed on me to help others grow strong in the Lord.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Jesus, All For Jesus

 Meditations on Romans

July 8, 2021

Jesus, All For Jesus

“. . . and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 1:4

Read: Romans 1:1-7

Paul’s letter to the Romans is a systematic presentation of God’s plan of redemption for the entire world. In the first five verses, Paul outlines this plan which he fully developed in the sixteen chapters of this letter. Perhaps more than any other book in the New Testament, Paul’s letter to the Romans has been used by God to keep his people on the right track. My goal in reading Romans again is to allow the wonder of Paul’s revelations about God to sweep over me anew.

In the NRSV Bible, the first seven verses are one sentence and are somewhat convoluted, making it difficult for me to grasp Paul’s point. The NLT breaks this passage into nine sentences where Paul’s passion is easier to see. Paul is writing to a group of Christians in Rome, which at his time was the political, financial and military center of power for the known world. Implicit in Paul’s announced intention of his letter is that while Caesar may claim to be god, the only true and living God has sent His Son to be the Savior for the entire world.

Paul’s introduction to Romans also gives me an important insight into my understanding of the Gospel: the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Gospel isn’t good news because I believe it or because of how the Gospel has changed my life. The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, is a fact of human and divine history. It is for this reason that Paul would write, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:2 NRSV). That simple sentence embodied everything Paul wrote in Romans 1:1-7.

My Takeaway:

Jesus, all for Jesus

All I am and have and ever hope to be

Jesus, all for Jesus

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans

Jesus, all for Jesus

For it's only in your will that I am free

Jesus, all for Jesus

Jesus, All For Jesus

Robin Mark

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Paul’s Final Greetings

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

July 7, 2021

Paul’s Final Greetings

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.

2 Thessalonians 3:16a

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:14-18

In 2:2, Paul mentions the church may have received a letter from him that was a forgery, and this may be why his closing emphasizes his own signature. Paul similarly closed his letters of 1 Corinthians, Colossians and Galatians.

I especially was drawn to Paul’s benediction in the verse quoted above. What a wonderful prayer for his friends, and a prayer we can incorporate into our lives:

“May the Lord of Peace give me his peace at all times and in every situation, I encounter today.”

My Takeaway: I was drawn to Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians after reading of Paul’s encounters there in Acts 17. My abiding takeaway from these mediations is from 2 Thessalonians 1, as I ask God to enable me to live a life worthy of his call, and that the name of my Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way I live.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (v.18)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

An Exhortation to Proper Living

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

July 6, 2021

An Exhortation to Proper Living

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

In this passage, Paul urges the church to take responsibility for their life, and to hold one another accountable for their growth and maturity in the life of Christ. Regrettably, these attributes of the first century church are not a priority in many churches today.

Recently, there has been much discussion about whether it is appropriate to withhold communion for a church member. In response, a person wrote on social media a long message that concluded with, “You were appointed an ambassador of the Good News, not a bouncer at the door of Club Heaven.” That message received much support, and I’ve seen it copied and pasted on Facebook pages. It is a nice thought, but it is heresy, and negates everything Paul taught about church discipline.

As we have seen throughout our reading of 1 & 2 Thessalonians, God calls us to be holy. We can’t become holy on our own. It is God working in us, and our Christian community coming along side of us that enables us to become the people God has called us to be: just like Jesus.

My Takeaway: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Paul’s Request for Prayer

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

July 5, 2021

Paul’s Request for Prayer

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

As Paul began this closing section of his letter, he asked for prayer. His first request is for the Gospel to rapidly spread and be honored wherever it goes. When I read Paul’s request, I am convicted of how infrequently are my prayers for the Gospel message to spread and be honored in my church, community and nation. Paul’s other requests can also serve as a good model for our prayer life.

In verses 2 and 3, he asked for protection from evil people, and the evil one. His request reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from the evil one . . .” (Matthew 6:13), and also Pauls’ exhortation on the armor of God, Ephesians 6. In verses 4 and 5, Paul edifies his friends and prays for their spiritual growth in a way that reminds of me of his beautiful prayer for spiritual wisdom in Ephesians 1:15ff.

My Takeaway: Paul’s final prayer request commends a life of patient endurance. As I noted last week (June 22), a hallmark of the first Christians is their patience. Their patience was rooted in God’s character and a confident assurance God will fulfill his promise of the return of Jesus in final victory.  I am reminded once again that if I am to develop Godly patience in my life, I need to spend much more time in scripture and prayer than I do on social and news media.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Believers Should Stand Firm

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

July 2, 2021

                  Believers Should Stand Firm                      

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Paul begins today’s passage by reminding the Thessalonians of their salvation—"a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.” (v.13) Because of their right standing relationship with God, they (we) can “share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.14) They were called, as we are called, to “stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching” Paul had provided them, both in person and through his letters. (v.15)

Paul then points to the fruit of our salvation – eternal comfort through our hope (remember this hope is full of confidence and assurance) of being at peace in the presence of God. Our hope, our assurance comes because we are saved by God’s grace through our faith in the person of Jesus Christ.

My Takeaway: Paul believed it is essential that we are completely convinced of our destiny to live eternally with the glorious Lord Jesus. This vision of our eternal hope enables us to stand firm and trust God to comfort us and strengthen us as we witness to the truth of Christ.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Events prior to the Lord’s Second Coming

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

July 1, 2021

Events prior to the Lord’s Second Coming

Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Paul used relatively recent history, such as the former Roman emperor Caligula’s plan to erect a statue of himself in the Temple in Jerusalem, and current events to paint a picture of the total depravity that will overtake the culture and usher in the Day of the Lord. His intent was to affirm the certainty of Christ’s return in Final Victory, not give us a literal description of how Christ’s return will be revealed.

Paul’s discussion in today’s reading reminds me of Jesus’ teaching on the unforgiveable sin. (Matthew 12) The sin isn’t unforgiveable by God; it is the individual is so lost in their own way, they don’t want to change; they don’t ask for forgiveness. Thus, as Paul says, they enjoy evil rather than believe the truth.

My Takeaway: Paul’s message, then and now, is that many will turn from evil and turn to God, because of the witness of the followers of Jesus who refuse to compromise their faith on the altar of cultural relevance.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.