Truth For The True Disciple by W. Frank Walton
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"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, `If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free'" (John 8:31-32).
Jesus, whose piercing omniscience could read the hearts of men, knew that many of those Jews present only had a shallow profession of faith. He is after something deeper, to make us His true disciples. In our text, Jesus deals with three of the most profound concepts known to man: knowledge, truth and freedom.
1. Knowledge. Jesus said we can know some things. Some act like the only thing they know for sure is that they don't anything for sure. We do not have to go through life in an agnostic haze. As rational, freewill creatures made in God's image, we have the unique human capacity of searching self-awareness and an inner conscience. We are endowed with our Creator with a mind that can think, reason and choose right from wrong. It's better to know a few things that are right than a lot of things that aren't so. In Jesus "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3).
Jesus appeals to our minds, not merely our emotions, to know divine truth. Our mind is a fertile field. We can cultivate in our minds the knowledge and love of God the Father, the Son, and His saving truth (Mark 12:30; Jn 14:15; 2 Pet 3:18, 1 Tim 2:4). The focus and cultivation of such knowledge will improve our minds and shape our destiny. We will get out of our Bible study according to what we put into it. If our study is undisciplined and hit-or-miss, then our knowledge will be uneven and spasmodic. The disciple's consistent quest for the knowledge of the truth is power for the right kind of living.
2. Truth. Truth is "the radiant manifestation of reality." Jesus confronts us with ultimate reality about God and man. The truth about sin and salvation is found in God's one and only book, the Bible. "Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). This awesome truth will confront us all on judgment day (Jn 12:48). "Love of the truth" is essential to be saved (2 Thess 2:10). "Knowledge of the truth" planted in the human heart and obeyed in faith will lead us to the throne of God, where there is bliss forevermore (1 Tim 2:4).
3. Freedom. Jesus claims He alone can make us free from sin and self: "if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (Jn 8:36). How many anguished souls struggle with guilt, self-excusing rationalizations and despair? Do they say, "I can't help it...? That's just the way I am...I guess I'll never change"? No, this is not the self-talk of a true disciple of Jesus. We can follow Him everyday and become better in every way. With Jesus, the Great Liberator of Mankind, we're not a human being but a human becoming.
"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40). The goal of the truth is to continually change us into true disciples (lifelong learners) of Jesus everyday in thought, word and deed.
"Those That Labor Among You" by Randy Harshbarger
"We urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, NKJV).
Those who labor hard, whether elders, preachers, or other concerned teachers of God's word (whether men or women), ought to be appreciated for their work's sake. Elders watch on behalf of the souls of God's people; be thankful! Leaders among the people of God need to make sure they are worthy of recognition and honor; when this is so, other Christians need to esteem them and appreciate them for their work's sake (1 Tim. 5:17). When men are able and ready to serve the needs of the church, the church needs to applaud their efforts. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to recognize and yield to the service provided by the household of Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:15-16). Why should it be otherwise? "So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another" (Rom. 12:5). We are one; let us make sure we act like it.
Why did the Thessalonians need this extra dose of prodding? Were they resentful of the instructions they had received? In any case, Paul begins gently by saying: "We urge (beseech, KJV) you, brethren...." The word brethren helps focus attention on the family aspect of their relationship with each other; they were brothers and sisters together in the Lord. For this reason, they must conduct themselves in a manner that would promote the health and prosperity of the body.
Paul made three points about these leaders. First, they were laboring among the people of God; they worked hard and unselfishly for the good of the church. While these actions are not peculiar to men who serve as elders, men who function as shepherds among the people of God should be working hard and unselfishly.
Second, these men "...are over you in the Lord...." This suggests some idea of authority or rule among these Christians at Thessalonica. Elders are men who care for, give aid to, and protect the souls of God's people; they are under scriptural mandate from the Lord (1 Pet. 5:1-4). But Christians have responsibilities to recognize the spiritual leadership of these spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17). Yes, all Christians have mutual duties and responsibilities to care for each other; elders are men charged specifically with such work (1 Tim. 3:5).
Third, these leaders were "admonishing" the Thessalonians. Paul used this same word in Acts 20:31 when recounting his service to the church in Ephesus: he "...ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears." He corrected but did so without cause of provocation.
Short Exhort: Matt. 24:37-39 - Written and/or Compiled by
David J. Riggs
(http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)
"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matt. 24:37-39)
The Pearl Harbor attack demonstrated that not only were an Admiral and General unprepared, but the whole nation as well. Nearly everyone, in their satisfaction with the trivia of everyday living, ignored all the evidence that an attack was coming. In spite of all the evidence, people were astonished when the attack came.
The Bible repeatedly informs us regarding the Second Coming of Christ. Men are warned to flee from the wrath to come. They are warned that sudden destruction will overtake them. It will come as suddenly as the blinking of an eye, and unexpectedly as a thief in the night. In spite of all the warnings, men continue to be preoccupied with their everyday trivia. When the Lord comes, they will be awakened with a blow far more destructive than Pearl Harbor.
Let us not let that day take us unawares.
PSALM 119 - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
SCHIN. (Ps 119:161-168)
[161-165. (Compare Ps 119:46, 86).]
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth
in awe [reverential, not slavish fear, which could not coexist
with love (Ps 119:163; 1Jo 4:8). Instead of fearing his persecutors,
he fears God's Word alone (Lu 12:4, 5). The Jews inscribe in the
first page of the great Bible (Ge 28:17), "How dreadful is
this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this
is the gate of heaven!"] of thy word.
[162. (Compare Mt 13:44, 45). Though persecuted by the mighty,
the pious are not turned from revering God's authority to seek
their favor, but rejoice in the possession of this "pearl
of great price," as great victors in spoils. Hating falsehood
and loving truth, often, every day, praising God for it, they
find peace and freedom from temptation.]
162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor lying [that is, as in Ps 119:29, unfaithfulness
to the covenant of God with His people; apostasy.]: but thy law
do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous
judgments.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall
offend them. [or, "cause them to offend" (compare Margin).]
[166-168. As they keep God's law from motives of love for it,
and are free from slavish fear, the are ready to subject their
lives to His inspection.]
166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways
are before thee. [I wish to order my ways as before Thee, rather
than in reference to man (Ge 19:1; Ps 73:23). All men's ways are
under God's eye (Pr 5:21); the godly alone realize the fact, and
live accordingly.]
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