Have you ever pray or wish to someone you hate to be “struck by lightning” or to be “slip with his feet”? Did you told “You fool” every time you get angry with others?
Murder while praying is happening everywhere including in the Church.
This is a very somber reminder to all Christian who pray to God. They must make sure that when praying particularly during in the church worship service, there should be no anger or thought of hatred toward others. No hatred whatsoever to your husband/wife or in any members of your household and including the relatives.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 1 Tim 2:8 NIV
Jesus teaching about anger in Mat 5:21-26 can be clearly understood, “Anger is the same as Murder”. The Lord mentioned the 6th commandment in that scriptures, “You shall not murder” in which the full meaning is, “You shall not anger”.
If and when a Christian pray either in their house or in the church or everywhere with having anger, thought of hatred and resentment or bitter against someone, it is a direct transgression of the 6th commandment. Already he committed murder and more so, he might be in the danger of the fire of hell (v 22).
Therefore, when we pray let us make sure that our heart and mind are free from any sin and without anger, wrath, bitterness or hatred. But if we get angry the Bible tells us what to do:
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary . Mat 5: 23-25 NIV
In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Eph 4:26-27 NIV
Jesus teaching on the commandment “Thou shall not murder” is now “Thou shall not angry”. The “Now” commandment is what we should keep so to keep us from anger-murder.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
“Work Out” the Relationship
“Work out your salvation” is all about the working out by all saved person to build a loving and harmonious relationship with each other. And it is only can be fulfilled by surpassing the Law which is the Ten Commandments.
Building a right relationship among the believers is the very much concerns of Apostle Paul on his writing in Phil 2:12, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.
It is very logical why Paul urging the Philippians believers to “continue to work out your salvation”:
• We are a person born with a sinful nature, which is called “childhood-well used-selfishness-sinful nature-ingrained-habit”.
It means, I love to be first, I want to be above from others, I don’t want others to boss me around. Selfishness is an ingrained habit that need to be work out. It can only be done by learning the biblical principles of giving. The bible tells, “It is more blessed to give than to received”(Acts 20:35).
• We are not a person who easily to get along well with others.
In other words we are so easy to get angry with others even in some small matters. If they critic me, or say unkind words towards me or they making a fun of me and laugh at me I burst with anger on them. We need to work out this problem and it can be resolve by learning the biblical principles of forgiving.
• We are a person inclined to be disobedient and work not so well when a leader is not present.
“When the cat is away the mouse goes astray”, and that is true, we are like the mouse. Likewise, when a manager or the boss is not around the employees don’t do their job. Just the same in the Church, when the pastor is absent the workers and the members become insolent or wary to each other. More so if the pastor will be gone for a long time, envy and strife shall build up among them.
We must understand that Christianity is a social religion. Meaning, each of us believers must have a genuine fellowship or right relationship to all kinds of people specially to our brethren. Whether they are poor or rich, educated or not and whatever color of the skin all believers should be in harmony on following or obeying the command that say, ”Love your neighbor as yourself”.
If the believers for in some reason shall be against to other believers, what would be their difference from the unbelievers- the unsaved? When a believer will be against the other believer there would be a strife to each other. And when there are strife there are hatred and when there are hatred there are murder committed. Why there is a murder being committed? In the Bible, Jesus teaching about anger is very clear that “hatred which is also anger is the same as murder” (Mat 5:21-26). In that case, it is very plain to tell, all of them are not different from the person who murder someone. They are all murderer! (This case actually happened in the Corinthian Church 1 Cor 1:10-13)
Murder is a direct transgression of the 6th commandment, “You shall not murder” in which Jesus fully explained it as “You shall not be angry”. Apostle Peter also has more teaching on that case he said, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1Jn 3:15)
Note: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” and “ no murderer hath eternal life”. Note also the word “brother”, why on that verse mentioned brother? As what usually happen in the family, when the parents particularly when the father is not present there would be envy and strife among the children.
All believers are children of God and each children have their own traits, temperament, and upbringing. As what it said, we are a “childhood-well used- selfishness-sinful nature-ingrained habits”, in which we are to make every effort to “work out” to transform ourselves from that condition. After we become completely transformed then we are no longer the same with the person who murder- who is unbeliever- who is unsaved.
The Law which is the Ten Commandments portrays and teach only one thing- relationship. Right relationship to God and to all man is what we are about to “work out”. If we have no right relationship to God and to all man, we are just like the unbelievers and the unsaved. That is why we need to “continue to work out our salvation” by surpassing the Law.
• As an individual believer we are to work out to remove completely our sinful nature-ingrained habit of being selfish, easily to get angry-hateful and bitter.
• As a Church we are to work out with all of our effort not to become like the Corinthian Church full of envy and strife and with all kinds of immorality.
Building a right relationship among the believers is the very much concerns of Apostle Paul on his writing in Phil 2:12, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.
It is very logical why Paul urging the Philippians believers to “continue to work out your salvation”:
• We are a person born with a sinful nature, which is called “childhood-well used-selfishness-sinful nature-ingrained-habit”.
It means, I love to be first, I want to be above from others, I don’t want others to boss me around. Selfishness is an ingrained habit that need to be work out. It can only be done by learning the biblical principles of giving. The bible tells, “It is more blessed to give than to received”(Acts 20:35).
• We are not a person who easily to get along well with others.
In other words we are so easy to get angry with others even in some small matters. If they critic me, or say unkind words towards me or they making a fun of me and laugh at me I burst with anger on them. We need to work out this problem and it can be resolve by learning the biblical principles of forgiving.
• We are a person inclined to be disobedient and work not so well when a leader is not present.
“When the cat is away the mouse goes astray”, and that is true, we are like the mouse. Likewise, when a manager or the boss is not around the employees don’t do their job. Just the same in the Church, when the pastor is absent the workers and the members become insolent or wary to each other. More so if the pastor will be gone for a long time, envy and strife shall build up among them.
We must understand that Christianity is a social religion. Meaning, each of us believers must have a genuine fellowship or right relationship to all kinds of people specially to our brethren. Whether they are poor or rich, educated or not and whatever color of the skin all believers should be in harmony on following or obeying the command that say, ”Love your neighbor as yourself”.
If the believers for in some reason shall be against to other believers, what would be their difference from the unbelievers- the unsaved? When a believer will be against the other believer there would be a strife to each other. And when there are strife there are hatred and when there are hatred there are murder committed. Why there is a murder being committed? In the Bible, Jesus teaching about anger is very clear that “hatred which is also anger is the same as murder” (Mat 5:21-26). In that case, it is very plain to tell, all of them are not different from the person who murder someone. They are all murderer! (This case actually happened in the Corinthian Church 1 Cor 1:10-13)
Murder is a direct transgression of the 6th commandment, “You shall not murder” in which Jesus fully explained it as “You shall not be angry”. Apostle Peter also has more teaching on that case he said, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1Jn 3:15)
Note: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” and “ no murderer hath eternal life”. Note also the word “brother”, why on that verse mentioned brother? As what usually happen in the family, when the parents particularly when the father is not present there would be envy and strife among the children.
All believers are children of God and each children have their own traits, temperament, and upbringing. As what it said, we are a “childhood-well used- selfishness-sinful nature-ingrained habits”, in which we are to make every effort to “work out” to transform ourselves from that condition. After we become completely transformed then we are no longer the same with the person who murder- who is unbeliever- who is unsaved.
The Law which is the Ten Commandments portrays and teach only one thing- relationship. Right relationship to God and to all man is what we are about to “work out”. If we have no right relationship to God and to all man, we are just like the unbelievers and the unsaved. That is why we need to “continue to work out our salvation” by surpassing the Law.
• As an individual believer we are to work out to remove completely our sinful nature-ingrained habit of being selfish, easily to get angry-hateful and bitter.
• As a Church we are to work out with all of our effort not to become like the Corinthian Church full of envy and strife and with all kinds of immorality.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Love God With All Of Your Mind
Anyone who says they love God must learn to love Him with all of his mind. It means our whole mind must be focus on God alone. In whatever we think, do and say God will glorify. That’s how the state of our mind should be, (all things starts in the mind) because oftentimes our “mind’s eye” see different things including the detestable things in the sight of God. When the mind’s eyes see things not pleasing to God that mind is called “carnal mind”. Therefore in loving God with all of our mind, the mind must be a whole mind not half-mind which is carnal mind.
How to love God with all of our mind?
To love the Law “Now” is to love God with all of our mind. Like David in his Psalm we must love the Law, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long”. Ps 119:97NIV
In the New Testament there is another way to love the Law as what the Apostle Paul wrote in Phil 4:8, (NIV) "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Think about "these things."
When we meditate the Law or “Think about these things” it becomes a by words in us. When it become a word, it becomes our actions. Then that actions will becomes habits. And when the habits formed it builds a character.
Altogether, the positive results shall be the change of mind which will be develop into the likeness of the “mind of Christ”.
How to love God with all of our mind?
To love the Law “Now” is to love God with all of our mind. Like David in his Psalm we must love the Law, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long”. Ps 119:97NIV
In the New Testament there is another way to love the Law as what the Apostle Paul wrote in Phil 4:8, (NIV) "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Think about "these things."
When we meditate the Law or “Think about these things” it becomes a by words in us. When it become a word, it becomes our actions. Then that actions will becomes habits. And when the habits formed it builds a character.
Altogether, the positive results shall be the change of mind which will be develop into the likeness of the “mind of Christ”.
Monday, March 1, 2010
You must fall in love with the law
This is a reminder that if anyone (who claimed Christians) will not fall in love with the law (the Law “Now”) the chance of falling into deliberate sin will take place and will continue in your mind. Simply to say that if one will not fall in love with the law he will fall into sin again and again to the sin which is called, “Sin I hate to do, but I do”.
It is real in many believers, there is a sin they hate to do but oftentimes they do. They keep falling to the sin (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life) they inwardly known is sinful and evil. That is the big problem in many Christians today. Big problem because they are putting their self in the danger of the fire of hell (Mark 9:43-49). And that problem will not be resolve unless you will not fall in love with the Law.
Understand that the Law is perfect to change the soul- the mind. (Psa 19:7)
You must fall in love with the “Law Now” and surpass them. Also meditate them all day long so you can utter to God the words,
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long. Ps 119:97 NIV
It is real in many believers, there is a sin they hate to do but oftentimes they do. They keep falling to the sin (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life) they inwardly known is sinful and evil. That is the big problem in many Christians today. Big problem because they are putting their self in the danger of the fire of hell (Mark 9:43-49). And that problem will not be resolve unless you will not fall in love with the Law.
Understand that the Law is perfect to change the soul- the mind. (Psa 19:7)
You must fall in love with the “Law Now” and surpass them. Also meditate them all day long so you can utter to God the words,
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long. Ps 119:97 NIV
Monday, February 22, 2010
Faith is not the Standard of Christian Living
Faith is not the Standard of Christian living nor it is the standard of God.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 NIV
Note: if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Unequivocally and without a doubt, LOVE is the standard of Christian living and the standard of God. LOVE was clearly expound by apostle Paul as he stated it as follows:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV
From that well given meaning of the word LOVE, there is a very important matter we must understand. Because as far as the LOVE and LAW which is the Ten Commandments is concern, they both have a direct relation to each other.
Love is patient – directly related to the 6th commandment
Love is kind – directly related also to the 6th commandment
It does not envy – directly related to the 10th commandment
It does not boast – directly related to the 9th commandment
It is not proud – directly related also to the 9th commandment
It is not rude – directly related to the 5th commandment
It is not self-seeking (selfish TLB) – directly related to the 7th and 8th commandment
It is not easily angered – directly related to the 6th commandment
It keeps no record of wrongs – directly related also t the 6th commandments
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth – directly related to 1st,2nd and 3rd commandments
Summing Up All:
LOVE which is directly related to the Law which is the Ten Commandments is the standard of Christian living which is also the standard of God given to all men. God requires every Christian to surpass the Law.
If ye love me, keep my (ten) commandments. (Joh 14:15)
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 NIV
Note: if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Unequivocally and without a doubt, LOVE is the standard of Christian living and the standard of God. LOVE was clearly expound by apostle Paul as he stated it as follows:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV
From that well given meaning of the word LOVE, there is a very important matter we must understand. Because as far as the LOVE and LAW which is the Ten Commandments is concern, they both have a direct relation to each other.
Love is patient – directly related to the 6th commandment
Love is kind – directly related also to the 6th commandment
It does not envy – directly related to the 10th commandment
It does not boast – directly related to the 9th commandment
It is not proud – directly related also to the 9th commandment
It is not rude – directly related to the 5th commandment
It is not self-seeking (selfish TLB) – directly related to the 7th and 8th commandment
It is not easily angered – directly related to the 6th commandment
It keeps no record of wrongs – directly related also t the 6th commandments
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth – directly related to 1st,2nd and 3rd commandments
Summing Up All:
LOVE which is directly related to the Law which is the Ten Commandments is the standard of Christian living which is also the standard of God given to all men. God requires every Christian to surpass the Law.
If ye love me, keep my (ten) commandments. (Joh 14:15)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Invaluable Tool Neglect By Christians
Looking to the mirror is the one thing not neglect by man especially of women . Imagine the appearance of a person who have used once in his lifetime to look into the mirror? Without looking to the mirror we can actually see our dress if it is neat and clean. But if we do not use mirror to see our own face how can we tell the look of our hair and our face especially the eye, maybe there is a mote or speck which may plank at anytime.
Mirror is invaluable tool needed anytime especially to women. Women will not leave home without first thoroughly looking their self to the mirror. Through that mirror she can clearly see if the make-up, lipstick and hairstyle are fair and nice looking. So it is with men, where actually in his childhood he did not regard to look in the mirror and he doesn’t care what he looks like. While in his puberty conspicuous attention to the long presence in front of the mirror becomes frequent. He look meticulously if he has prim hair and smooth face. But turn very anxious if he see a pimple grows big in the nose.
Likened to a mirror, the Law which is the Ten Commandments is also a mirror:
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass(mirror NIV): For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Jas 1:23-25)
Take heed, if in our daily routines and activities we neglect to use the mirror of the Ten Commandments which the bible called them the "perfect law of liberty", many dirt (sin) we not aware of will pile up . Sins that dwell and will again root in deeply in the whole being shall manifest. Sins that should be hated was repeated again and again and becomes recurrent.
Because of neglecting the mirror of the Law, many who claimed Christians turn out to be carnal Christians until they become entangle by the sin that becomes alive again in the members of the body:
Eye- Lust of the eyes
Hand- Lust of the flesh
Tongue- Lying and Boasting
The Bible define exactly what sin is, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1Jn 3:4)
Do you want freedom from the sin you do repeatedly and always struggle? Freedom form the sin “I hate to do but I do”? Use the mirror of the Ten Commandments which is the Law Jesus said, "I Now tell you". Use that mirror before you leave your home, before you sleep, when you are walking or running, on the road, in restaurants and in all places at anytime and in any given situation.
Do not neglect and disregard that important tool (the mirror of the Law – the Law "Now") carry it day and night. And make all effort to surpass them.
Mirror is invaluable tool needed anytime especially to women. Women will not leave home without first thoroughly looking their self to the mirror. Through that mirror she can clearly see if the make-up, lipstick and hairstyle are fair and nice looking. So it is with men, where actually in his childhood he did not regard to look in the mirror and he doesn’t care what he looks like. While in his puberty conspicuous attention to the long presence in front of the mirror becomes frequent. He look meticulously if he has prim hair and smooth face. But turn very anxious if he see a pimple grows big in the nose.
Likened to a mirror, the Law which is the Ten Commandments is also a mirror:
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass(mirror NIV): For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Jas 1:23-25)
Take heed, if in our daily routines and activities we neglect to use the mirror of the Ten Commandments which the bible called them the "perfect law of liberty", many dirt (sin) we not aware of will pile up . Sins that dwell and will again root in deeply in the whole being shall manifest. Sins that should be hated was repeated again and again and becomes recurrent.
Because of neglecting the mirror of the Law, many who claimed Christians turn out to be carnal Christians until they become entangle by the sin that becomes alive again in the members of the body:
Eye- Lust of the eyes
Hand- Lust of the flesh
Tongue- Lying and Boasting
The Bible define exactly what sin is, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1Jn 3:4)
Do you want freedom from the sin you do repeatedly and always struggle? Freedom form the sin “I hate to do but I do”? Use the mirror of the Ten Commandments which is the Law Jesus said, "I Now tell you". Use that mirror before you leave your home, before you sleep, when you are walking or running, on the road, in restaurants and in all places at anytime and in any given situation.
Do not neglect and disregard that important tool (the mirror of the Law – the Law "Now") carry it day and night. And make all effort to surpass them.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
See What’s On Your Mind
Is there in your mind a pattern of evil thoughts that recurring oftentimes? Do you have some evil thoughts running in your mind that you entertain and hard to resist?
See what’s on your mind. Maybe there are sexual and lustful fantasies, or maybe thoughts and feeling of hatred, bitterness or vengeance towards someone or maybe some negative thoughts that keep occupying your thinking making you to feel sick, tired and stressful. If you do, then your mind is not totally renewed. No peace of mind. Worst, you transgress the law which is the law that Jesus said, "I tell you now..."
• The Big Problem: The mind
By observing yourself, you will see that whatever evil thoughts conceived in your mind the members of the body as well as the whole body follows naturally. It becomes natural, what the body desires to do is what on the mind such as the lustful thoughts, worldly and devilish thoughts. The more you resist it in the mind the more your body wants it. That where the problem begins. The sin “I hate to do I do” develop into a tough struggle. You are now one with Apostle Paul who went through in the experienced of struggling with sin.
• The Solution: Surpassing the Law
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul… (Psa 19:7)
The word “soul” means “mind” and the word “converting means “change”.
Therefore we could say that the Law is perfect to change the mind. In other words, the Law is perfect to renew the mind from being worldly and carnal into spiritual mind. The Law by surpassing them, is perfect to convert, to change, to renew, to reform “little by little” the mind until it becomes wholly the mind of Christ.
By keep on surpassing the law ( practicing the Law that Jesus said “Now I tell you” and the Law established by the Apostles) it will form a habit. When the habit begin to form, that habit will conceive in the mind until both mind and body with its members becomes so natural to obey the Law which is the Ten Commandments.
It will really take time to surpass the Law (you will struggle) but it has worth and excitement.
In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. (Php 4:8)
Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. (Php 4:9)
See what’s on your mind. Maybe there are sexual and lustful fantasies, or maybe thoughts and feeling of hatred, bitterness or vengeance towards someone or maybe some negative thoughts that keep occupying your thinking making you to feel sick, tired and stressful. If you do, then your mind is not totally renewed. No peace of mind. Worst, you transgress the law which is the law that Jesus said, "I tell you now..."
• The Big Problem: The mind
By observing yourself, you will see that whatever evil thoughts conceived in your mind the members of the body as well as the whole body follows naturally. It becomes natural, what the body desires to do is what on the mind such as the lustful thoughts, worldly and devilish thoughts. The more you resist it in the mind the more your body wants it. That where the problem begins. The sin “I hate to do I do” develop into a tough struggle. You are now one with Apostle Paul who went through in the experienced of struggling with sin.
• The Solution: Surpassing the Law
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul… (Psa 19:7)
The word “soul” means “mind” and the word “converting means “change”.
Therefore we could say that the Law is perfect to change the mind. In other words, the Law is perfect to renew the mind from being worldly and carnal into spiritual mind. The Law by surpassing them, is perfect to convert, to change, to renew, to reform “little by little” the mind until it becomes wholly the mind of Christ.
By keep on surpassing the law ( practicing the Law that Jesus said “Now I tell you” and the Law established by the Apostles) it will form a habit. When the habit begin to form, that habit will conceive in the mind until both mind and body with its members becomes so natural to obey the Law which is the Ten Commandments.
It will really take time to surpass the Law (you will struggle) but it has worth and excitement.
In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. (Php 4:8)
Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. (Php 4:9)
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