This has been a very trying week. We had storms again, but I am pleased to report that my roof seems to be OK with the repairs I made. Time will tell. I thank you for taking time to read the sermon this week, and I hope that all of you are doing very well.
Last week, we looked at what Paul told us about moving forward in our walk with the Lord. We have not yet arrived. All of us, and Paul included himself, still have things that we need to work on in our lives to be more like Jesus. We keep pressing ahead doing all we can as we are aided by the Holy Spirit to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord Jesus.
Now, in our passage for this week, Paul urges the people to follow his example for living. He urges them not to follow after the ways of those who claim that they are believers, yet they are living in a manor that is contrary to the way of the Lord. Paul says that they are actually as a result of their behaviors enemies of the cross. He goes on to say that what they do is disgusting. Even though they may think that they are on their way to Heaven, the fact is, they are actually on the road to hell.
In order to more fully understand what Paul is saying here, I think we need to also look at what James had to say about this type of thing. James said that some say they have faith. That is well and good. However, if you say that you have faith in Jesus, but you don't demonstrate that through the way that you live your life, you are just deceiving yourself. A true possession of faith manifests itself in a change of life. We are transported from the darkness into light. When a person really and truly comes to faith in Jesus, that person has a change. That is what repentance means. It means to change one's mind. We change our mind and heart in regard to our old way of living, and we make the commitment to live according to the way that Jesus lived and taught us to live.
True faith results in following the example and teachings of Jesus. If a person claims to be a follower of Jesus but does not demonstrate that that faith is reality, that is not a person that we need to follow as an example for our lives. We need to look to those who have followed Jesus faithfully in thought, word and deed. Those are the ones who we can pattern our lives after.
Now, a note on all of that. Ultimately, the one who we should look to as our pattern and guide in life is Jesus. We are to keep our eyes on Him and follow Him in His way. We need to read His teachings and put them into practice in our lives. We need to love others as He has called us to do. We need to do unto others as we would have done unto us as Jesus said in the Golden Rule. He is the perfect example. He is Lord. And if He truly is our Lord, we will do what He tells us to do. His way will be a reality in our lives.
Paul goes on to tell us that we are citizens of Heaven. We are to follow the values of that kingdom and its king the Lord Jesus. We are waiting with eager anticipation for the day when Jesus will return and make all things new. While we are waiting, we need to be living for Him.
When the Lord returns, we who are His will receive a new body like unto His glorious body. We will live with Him on this earth. And He shall reign forever and forever. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that I will get to feeling better. I am doing a lot better. I know that the Lord is at work. Thank you.
Continue to pray for peace in this world. Ukraine needs peace. I am thankful that some aid is getting into Gaza. That area and Israel need peace, and the remaining hostages need to be freed. We also need to pray for peace in Sudan, Haiti and the other troubled areas of this world.
Please pray that the fires in Canada, Spain and the US will be extinguished. Pray for the safety of the firefighters.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Vietnam and Turkmenistan. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will start chapter four of Philippians. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all.
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