Flourishing in Fruit: Our Conduct is Our Fruit (Part 2)

The Fruit of Righteousness   

    In our last lesson we learned about the fruit of repentance and how Paul’s rebuke (see 1 Corinthians 5) led the Corinthian brethren to bear that fruit (2 Corinthians 7:8-12). I believe we can also conclude that the Corinthians went on to bear the fruit of righteousness, because Hebrews 12:11 teaches us that God’s chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness by those who are trained by it. When we are corrected by God (through His word, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 1:16-17) and allow ourselves to be molded and trained by what He says – repenting by removing the bad and implementing the good (just as the Corinthians brethren did) – then we, too, can go on to develop the fruit of righteousness!

    In Philippians 1:9-11 we read Paul’s prayer for the brethren in Philippi:

• that their love might abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (v9)
• that they might approve the things that are excellent (v10)
• that they may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ (v10)
• be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God (v11)

    Righteousness is doing what is approved by God. For example: walking in love (Ephesians 5:1-7, 1 John 4:7-11), walking in the light (John 3:16-21, Ephesians 5:8-14), and walking in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21). It is the daily, ongoing determination to obey God’s commands and instructions (1 John 3:7), not our own notions of what we think is “right’ or ‘good’ (consider 1 Corinthians 10:2-3). Read and think on 1 John 2:3-6; if we walk just as Jesus walked and follow His steps (1 Peter 2:20-24) we can be sure of the path - and God will be glorified!

“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.” (Proverbs 21:21 NKJV)

    Another needed part for the production of this fruit is found in James 3:18; there James tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18). He states this truth immediately after talking of the untamable tongue and the need for wisdom that comes from above (Hebrews 3:1-17); a wisdom that teaches us good conduct (good fruit production) by purifying our hearts/minds of cursing, bitter envy, and self-seeking.

    God’s wisdom enables us to live in peace (and contentment, Philippians 4:4-13), because when we walk uprightly (Psalm 37:37), we can be at peace with God (1 John 1:9, Acts 8:21-24) and with man (Matthew 5:22-26, 44-48, Ephesians 4:26-27). We are to pursue peace with all people (Hebrews 12:14, Romans 12:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-4), without it we cannot hope to see God. If we want to be aligned with God, we must ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5) and use that wisdom to develop the fruit of righteousness (Ephesians 5:17)!

    What you do is your fruit. What are you doing?  

    Do you recall God to your mind each morning, ask Him for wisdom, and determine to walk with careful consideration of His commands and instructions throughout your day? Do you do your very best to learn what is right in God's sight by reading and studying His word and by putting it into practice; making it an ongoing effort throughout your lifetime so you can abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (Hebrews 5:14)? Do you train yourself to recall God's instructions to your mind and follow them so that you can walk in sincerity and without offence and live in peace with Him and with mankind? These choices will encourage the fruit of righteousness to develop and flourish in our lives!

You can do it! So can I!!

 

Flourishing in Fruit: Our Conduct is Our Fruit (Part 1)

    While our hearts and minds are where the buds originate, and where they can be allowed to blossom, it is the next step of development that makes our fruit obvious to others: our conduct; the end result of our thoughts and intentions is the fruit we produce.

Fruit Worthy of Repentance  

    John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1) prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry, telling people, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). He told the Pharisees and Sadducees that they needed to prepare themselves and “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8).

    Repentance is acknowledging your sin and being abhorred by it, not wanting to return to it, and it embraces a new daily determination to follow a better course and to make better choices. Think about the second half of Romans 12:9 as an easy to remember definition of repentance: “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

    True repentance isn’t just saying ‘sorry’ for sinning and then going on with life without a new direction, determination, or purpose – consider Matthew 12:43-45 – the old ways (that led us into sin) must be removed and replaced with new ways – God’s ways! Please read and meditate on Ephesians 2:1-10 and Titus 3:8, 14.

    In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Paul rejoiced that the brethren in Corinth heard his rebuke (against their sin), were made sorry by it, and that their sorrow led to repentance. They were made sorry in a “godly manner.” Consider what he says to them:

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produces in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11 NKJV)

    The Corinthians did not regret giving up the sin that separated them from God, they sorrowed for having committed it, and because they wanted to be free from it they became diligent to clear themselves of it (turned wholly from it, with absolute determination never to return to it, Romans 13:14); they were angry with themselves for committing this sin against God, and their proper fear of Him increased and motivated them to quickly make it right. They proved themselves to be repentant by their vehement desire and zeal to do what was needed and right in God’s sight (consider 2 Peter 3:9) – they truly bore the fruit of repentance!

    What you do is your fruit. What are you doing?  

    If you have sinned, upon realizing your sin, do you immediately begin to produce the fruit of repentance by following the example given of the Corinthians’ godly sorrow? Do you think on your wholesome fear of God, turn from your sin and the path that led you there, ask God for forgiveness, and give renewed focus and effort to getting back to following Jesus’ footsteps? Are you showing God, and others, that you are willing to make changes and sacrifices for good? Do you bear the fruit of repentance?

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing In Fruit – We Must First Be Mindful of the Bud

    This post began as what would have been a small side note in this series, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt that this matter is worth our whole attention. It is vital that we develop honest and reliable eyes that will carefully examine the buds that develop through our habits (as we work to replace the bad ones with good, Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:21-24) and those buds that can crop up unexpectedly.  

    Jesus gave instruction throughout his teaching to be watchful of our hearts – hatred and murder begin there with angry thoughts and lack of mercy (Matthew 5:21-26, 44-48), and adultery begins there with lustful thoughts and lack of self-control (Matthew 5:28, Ephesians 5:2-7, Romans 13:14). God through the apostle Paul gave warning to the Ephesians, and to us, to resolve anger within the day of its very budding so that you do give not place (foothold) to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27, and consider Genesis 4:7, and we are to help others in this matter, Hebrews 3:12-13).

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Proverbs 4:14-15 NKJV)

    We need to be always watchful and nip bad/wrong thoughts in the bud to keep them from blossoming because if we don’t, all too quickly an opportunity will present itself and if we have allowed corrupt thoughts to flourish, our energies will be used to produce the outcome we are nurturing and that fruit is sin (James 1:14-15 and consider Romans 6:15-21).

Irritated with your husband? Nip that bud by praying to God about it; give it all to Him, and ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). Then talk to your husband with love and respect (Ephesians 5:33), and work on a resolution together; always remembering that you also have tendencies and habits that can irritate him!

Angry with a family member, friend, neighbour, coworker, ‘that stranger who cut you off,’ etc.? Nip that bud and take your troubles to God, ask Him for wisdom. Talk to your family member, friend, neighbour, or coworker, peacefully (consider Romans 12:17-18 and James 3:17-18). Whether it is someone you know, or a stranger, someone you talk with regularly or someone you are unable to talk with, always be sure to read and apply Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:44-48, His example in 1 Peter 2:20-24, and Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:19-21.   

Immoral thoughts toward a male friend, neighbour, coworker, celebrity, etc.? Nip that bud by praying to God about it and asking His forgiveness, ask His help to find better ways to spend your free time (read your Bible, visit the widows, the sick, etc.). Don’t think that just because it’s budding privately* in your mind that it is okay to keep it – the fruit it can develop is deadly and will decay, if not destroy, more than you can imagine. *You may think your thoughts are hidden but God is aware of your thoughts (consider Genesis 6:5, 1 Chronicles 28:9, and 1 Corinthians 3:18-20) and He wants you to acknowledge them so you can remove what is certain to become bad fruit while it is in its beginning stages of development.

• If you are married, recall to your mind Matthew 5:28 (it applies to women looking at men, too!). Don’t let that bud develop into the blossom of flirtation (if it is a celebrity, don’t feed your fantasy with more movies/shows), think on the fact that you are a Christian, a child of God (Ephesians 5:1-7)! Recall your wedding vows (your promise before God) to your husband and consider Proverbs 31:10-11 – let the heart of your husband safely trust you to be faithful with your whole heart and with your whole mind! Read and consider Hebrews 13:4-5.
• If you are unmarried, recall to your mind Matthew 5:28 (it applies to women looking at men, too!). You are doing yourself no favours by nurturing the improper thoughts that can bud in your mind. Take heed of the advice, given three times, by the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon: “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.” (2:7, 3:5, and 8:4) – Until a man is rightfully yours (in marriage), do not allow improper thoughts to blossom because they can all too easily become actions! Read and consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Hebrews 12:14-17, and Hebrews 13:4-5.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV)

    Just as the farmer is watchful of bud formation knowing it leads to fruit, we also need to be very attentive to what 'buds' in our hearts/minds and determine whether that bud ought to be nipped immediately or nurtured to blossom and develop fruit. We need to be using God’s word (hearing it and doing it, James 1:21-27) so that our senses are exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14).

    From wherever you are right now, begin to examine the buds developed (and developing) in your mind; nip the bad ones to allow room for the good ones to flourish! The health of your soul is worth the daily, if not the moment to moment, efforts needed to keep yourself pure (1 John 3:3) and holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) so you flourish even more in 2024 in good fruit!!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing Even More in 2024… in Fruit

    Here in Southern Ontario hundreds of trees in the fruit orchards are flourishing in blossom. The local farmers know that each blossom signifies the potential for fruit, but not every blossom will develop into good fruit. They are always watchful of incoming threats because our changeable weather can bring frost and hail storms or swing from summer heat back to late winter chill in a matter of hours and damage the blossom; lowering, if not altogether removing, its ability to become good fruit.

    We can get stuck in our blossoming stage where we like the idea of good and of doing good but the effort needed to see it through is lacking. We can plan to go to church services/studies or to grow in our faith; we can have nice ideas and talk about them with others, but do our good intentions ever come to fruition? Do we really listen and let God’s word penetrate our heart and let it change us for the better or do we let the world and its ways envelop us like a heavy frost, chilling our zeal and wilting our potential, as soon as we leave the assembly? Do we act on our nice ideas to help another or do we let busyness like a gusty wind pull that blossom from our tree?   

    The devil happily provides distractions so that our blossoms don’t become good fruit. He will tempt us to drop our guard and encourage us toward selfish pride so that we fill our day with things that do not benefit. He wants nothing more than for our fruit to be blighted and wormy; he wants us to be a part of his diseased orchard where he’ll leave us to become further infested and rot.

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19 NKJV)

    God wants us to produce good fruit. We, as Christians and members of the kingdom of God, are to be bearing the good fruit of God’s kingdom (consider Matthew 21:43). Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 12:33), and we have within us (as humans with free will) the potential to bear either the fruit of sin (which leads to death) or the fruit to holiness (which leads to everlasting life, Romans 6:21-23); we can choose to be either a tree lost in the darkness of the devil’s decaying orchard or we can be planted and flourishing in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13-14).

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:16-17 NKJV)

    We all are blossoming with potential for good! We need to be determined that we go on to flourish this year in abundance of good fruit. We must remain on guard and be watchful (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18), and keep ourselves firmly rooted and nourished through study and application of God’s word (Matthew 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We must prune out the bad (thoughts, words, habits) and graft in the good (thoughts, words, habits, Proverbs 23:7a, Ephesians 4:29-31, 2 Timothy 2:22, Galatians 6:10) so that the fruit we produce is always good and beneficial!    

    Throughout the month of May, if the Lord wills, we will learn what good fruit is and why it is vital that we bear it.

Are you ready to Flourish Even More in 2024 in Fruit? Me, too!

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing in Holiness – Every Part Must Do Its Share

    As we conclude our study on ‘Flourishing in Holiness’ I would like you to consider a few more verses that speak of holiness. As you read these verses I would like you to keep in mind Ephesians 4:14-16:

 

“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love , may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (NKJV)  

 

    Each of us need to be flourishing in holiness. If each one does their part, then we can better help each other grow stronger and we can better help establish new Christians in the faith.

 

“”Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1 NKJV)

 

    It is worth our every effort to keep our hearts and minds focused on wholly trusting and properly reverencing God (Hebrews 12:28-29) so that we use our time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17) and remove what is filth and put on only what is holy. Are you actively identifying and removing filth in your heart and mind and replacing it with holiness?  

 

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging of the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, holy women who trusted in God, also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV)

 

    As women pursuing holiness, our focus is on God and joying in His wisdom, proving to the world God’s good and acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). We develop gentle and quiet spirits, we respect our husbands and do not belittle them; we submit to them as the leader and head of the home. Are you putting worldly purchases on display or are you displaying God’s word?  If you are married, are you respecting your husband and submitting to him as head?

 

“God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV)

 

    God loved us so much that He sent His Son to live (giving us an example in how we should walk, 1 Peter 2:20-24, 1 John 2:3-6) and to die for us, to free us from the bondage on sin – how can we choose to continue in uncleanness when such a price was paid for our redemption? Are you being an example of uncleanness or holiness?

 

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” (Hebrews 12:9-10 NKJV, see also Hebrews 3:1)

 

    God wants us to succeed. He has provided all that we need to do just that! He wants us to be corrected and understand the folly of bad habits and our dalliances with sin. God wants us to be partakers of His holiness – are we letting Him correct us?  

 

“Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26)

 

    God gave us one another and we are to greet one another in sincerity of heart and purity of mind. We should always be looking out for each other’s best interests – helping each other stay the course and draw closer to God (James 4:7-8). Are you doing your part? Are you paying attention to your brethren so that you can be guide them back if you see they are ‘growing cold’ (Matthew 24:12-13, Galatians 6:1-2), are you listening and observing so you can comfort them in their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)? Are you making an effort to love your brethren with a pure and sincere heart so that you can benefit them in their walk?

 

“If anyone defile the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are… …having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 3:17 and Ephesians 2:20-22 NKJV)

 

    We need to respect not only our own bodies, but the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), and do all that is necessary to keep ourselves holy, and do our part for the whole (Ephesians 4:16) – are you doing your part?

 

“…just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV, see also 1 Peter 2:9)

 

    God knew that there would be people who would seek Him and He provided His Son (and His sacrifice) to redeem them from the captivity of sin, so they could learn more of Him through His word, draw near to Him in obedience, and access Him through prayer for all that they needed by way of grace, mercy, comfort, and strength; so that they would be holy and without blame before Him in love. Are you seeking God as you should? Are you learning, drawing nearer, and accessing Him through prayer each day?

 

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV)

 

    We don’t need to be fearful of Jesus’ return if we are putting daily effort into pursuing what is holy (1 John 2:28-29). Are you allowing God to make you increase and abound in love for your brethren and all others so that He can establish your heart blameless (without fault) in holiness?

 

    God calls us to be holy; He commands us to be holy. He has provided all we need! Are you using all that God has provided to pursue holiness so that you can flourish in it? Are you becoming more like the Lord and less like the world?  By your example, are you helping your brethren to pursue holiness or half-heartedness? Learn to love God enough to want to be a partaker of his holiness, respect Him enough to cleanse yourself from sin’s filth, and joy in His promises enough to stay the course in becoming holy!  Are you ready to do your part?

 

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing in Holiness – God Commands It

    Last week we looked at Bible verses that tell us that God is holy and that He called us with a holy calling (through the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) to be holy. When we, who are now Christians, heard God’s call (through Bible reading/study), obeyed the gospel message, and were baptized for the remission of our sins (Mark 16:15-16), God forgave us of all our past offences, washed them away, and gave us a new beginning – if that is not reason enough to do all that is necessary to become holy and set apart from the world, then I would like you to consider the commands found within God’s word:

 

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

 

    Anyone digging in their heels about having to give up some unwholesome ‘guilty pleasure,’ you may be thinking, “That’s Paul’s plea; it’s not really a command;” please consider that Jesus’s very commission to Paul was “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified (note: that means set apart) by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18). Paul’s words were from God (2 Peter 3:15-16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2:17), so that all who read them would know the Truth and have instruction in how to live properly before God.

 

“”Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1 NKJV)

 

“…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior (“have behavior becoming holiness,” KJV); not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things…” (Titus 2:3 NKJV)

 

    All of God’s commands and instructions, either direct or through inspired men (2 Peter 1:16-21), have always been for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24-25) so that we might be partakers of His holiness (see Hebrews 12:3-11). God tells us to no longer be slaves of sin – Jesus’ sacrifice freed us from that bondage – and just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He raised us from the deadness of sin (Ephesians 2:1-8) to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). We now walk in this new life as willing servants, as “slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:15-18), and the benefits arising from righteousness are holiness (or sanctification) in this life, and in the end, everlasting life (Romans 6:22).

 

    Think on these verses today. Take the time today and each day through this week, if the Lord wills, to read and reread Romans 6. We are to be holy – be less like the world as we become more like the Lord – it is a command, and we are without excuse. It is for our good and God has provided all that is needed for us to overcome and succeed in this pursuit; it is now up to us to flourish in our servitude to righteousness so that we may be holy in all our conduct!

 

    Are you ready?

 

You can do it! So can I!!  

Flourishing in Holiness – Why is it Necessary?

“…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…” (1 Peter 1:15 NKJV)

    Why is holiness necessary? Because God who called us is holy; He is pure and set apart from sin and evil (it does not, cannot, dwell with Him, Psalm 5:5) making Him not only the source, but also the absolute standard for purity and holiness.

    God, who is holy, called us. How?  By the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). You heard the gospel – the ‘good news’ of Jesus – you believed it (Romans 10:17), and you obeyed it (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37-38, 8:30-39). God called to you through His word and you answered His call through faith and obedience to His commands.

    God called us with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:8-9) – not because we were worthy – but because He is holy and He loved us (1 John 4:8-10), and loves us still! God does not want any to perish, He wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9); He wants all to be saved and come to the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

“…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 NKJV) 

    God called us in holiness to be holy, not unclean (1 Thessalonians 4:7, please read verses 1-8 also). God sent His only begotten Son to live and to die, a sacrificial Lamb, “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed” (Titus 2:11-14). How can we, who have heard and obeyed the gospel and have been baptized for the remission of our sins – released from the very bondage of sin that held us captive – turn back to sinful practices?     

“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as truth is in Jesus; that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which is created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJV) 

    We must regard God as holy (Leviticus 10:3) and understand that to be in His presence we too must be striving – doing all that is necessary – to be holy (Hebrews 12:14); we need to diligent in removing our old habits and determined to replace them with the new holy habits He has told us to busy ourselves with (ex: 2 Timothy 2:22, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3, Titus 3:8, 14, etc.).

    God is holy. He has called us with a holy calling to be holy, sacred, and set apart/different from the world (Romans 12:2) – His word provides us with all we need to know to flourish in holiness. Take time this week to read the book of Leviticus, taking note of the numerous times ‘holy’ is mentioned; let it open your eyes to the fact that we must be holy.

    Let us learn to reverence and hallow God properly so we can truly appreciate the clean slate, the “new man,” He has granted us, created in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24) – He gave us a head start, now we need to finish the race (Hebrews 12:1-2)! 

    Are you running toward the goal?

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourish Even More in 2024... in Holiness

    Last month we spent our time together looking at the need to purify ourselves as God is pure – we do this because we hope to see Him one day (1 John 3:1-3), and this month, as the Lord wills, we will study, what I believe to be the sister-attribute that we all need to be flourishing in: holiness, because, like purity, without it we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

“…as He who called you is holy, you also 
be holy in all your conduct, because 
it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”” 
(1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJV)

    Pureness and holiness are similar:

• Pure means clean, untainted by impurities/evil, without fault
• Holy means sacred, set apart (to be exclusively the Lord’s), different (than the world) because you’re like the Lord

    Purity has a lot to do with our inner selves – our hearts, souls, thoughts, and intentions – the things we let in and influence us, whereas holiness is what others can see; it is our example, our actions, and behaviours. We will purify ourselves and do all that is needed to keep ourselves pure because we understand that we, as Christians, are now holy and set apart (from the world) for God’s service (Romans 6:19, 12:1-2). We need pure thoughts and motives to be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15).

    We must first look to God and acknowledge Him as holy (Leviticus 10:3). It is our regard for Him in this matter that will help us to understand the importance of being holy in all our conduct.  We can then look to Jesus, who is also our example in holiness. Described in Hebrews 7:26 as “…holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners…” Jesus died for us so that He could present us “holy, and blameless, and above reproach in [the Father’s] sight” (Colossians 1:22).

“As God has said: ‘I will dwell with them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do no touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16b-7:1 NKJV) 

       God wants us to perfect holiness, He wants us to accomplish it, to see it through to the very end, which is everlasting life (Romans 6:22) – it is there that we will see Him, it is there that we, too, can join in praising Him, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty”!

    Are you ready to flourish even more in 2024 in holiness?

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourish Even More in 2024… in Purity – A Summary

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

What is Pure?

    The text above tells us unequivocally that God is pure, and from other Bible verses we learned that all that comes from Him is pure; God is the very source of purity:

• His words are pure, very pure; every one (Psalm 12:6, 119:140, Proverbs 30:5-6)
• His commandment is pure (Psalm 19:8)
• His instruction is pure concerning baptism (the waters of baptism, Hebrews 10:22, consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 3:15 and Mark 16:15-16, it is part of righteousness and necessary for salvation)
• His wisdom (James 3:17)

 

What Needs to Be Pure?

    We learned that every part of us needs to be pure, because every part is linked – and we with each other – so we must give constant attention to:

• Ourselves (1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 24:3-5, 51:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 1 Timothy 4:12) and our example so we can properly teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5)
• Our souls (1 Peter 1:22-23, also read and consider John 3:1-8, 1 John 1:8-10)
• Our religion (how we put God’s instruction in action, James 1:27, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
• Our conscience (1 Timothy 5:2, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 10:19-23, 1 John)
• Our hearts (Acts 15:9, and consider Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:22)
• Our words (Luke 6:43-45, Proverbs 15:26, Ephesians 4:29-32, Proverbs 25:11-12)
• Our minds (2 Peter 3:1, Proverbs 16:2, 30:11-14, John 8:43-45, Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:6-10, and Philippians 4:8)
• Our eyes (Luke 11:34, read and consider Psalm 101:3-4)
• Our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Romans 12:1-2, consider Matthew 5:27-30, Ephesians 5:1-7, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:13-18, also read and consider Colossians 3:1-17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

 

Why do we purify ourselves?

    We purify ourselves because God is pure and He has told us that we must also be pure, if we hope to see Him (1 John 3:2-3, Matthew 5:8). We purify ourselves because we have come to understand and appreciate that we were purchased with Jesus’ blood; we are not our own, we belong to God, and anything belonging to God is to be pure. Jesus’ sacrifice granted us cleansing and when we are baptized our sins are washed away and our souls became pure and spotless (Acts 22:16). From that point on we do all that is necessary to maintain our purity before God because we look forward to seeing Him and being found by Him without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:10-14, 1 John 2:28).

…we were purchased with Jesus’ blood;
we are not our own, we belong to God,
and anything belonging to God is to be pure.

     Without Jesus’ sacrifice we would still be held helpless in bondage to sin (Ephesians 2:11-13, Romans 6). Jesus died to redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people – Christians – who are zealous for good works ---> people using their purified hearts, minds, eyes, words, and bodies for good (Matthew 25:34-46, Titus 3:1, 8, 14)! God has told us what practices cause impurities (with command to remove them) and has graciously told us what good and pure things we must practice instead – He has provided all we need to maintain our purity – it’s up to us to make proper use of His provision of both time and instruction!      

    Denying self, taking up our crosses, and following Jesus (Matthew 16:24, 1 John 2:3-6) won't always be easy, but it sure will be worth it! When we consider what awaits us, what God holds out for us in both blessings and in hope for eternity, what He asks of us is small (Romans 8:18-19) – it is worth our every effort and our every sacrifice!

    Are you ready to love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind (Matthew 22:37)? Are you preparing yourself to flourish even more in 2024 in purity?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish Even More in 2024… in Purity – What Needs to be Pure?

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

    As children of God we all hope to see Him as He is, so we take this passage seriously and work on purifying ourselves daily, so we can look like Him who is pure.

    Last week we learned of all that is pure:

• God (1 John 3:3)
• God’s words (Psalm 12:6), every word (Proverbs 30:5-6), they are very pure (Psalm 119:140)
• God’s commandment (Psalm 19:8)
• The waters of baptism (Hebrews 10:22)
• Wisdom from above (James 3:17)

    Pure means clean, untainted by impurities/evil, without fault so that means that God, His words, His commands, and His wisdom are all pure, clean, untainted by evil, and without fault. Think on that again for a moment: no sin can be in God’s presence (Psalm 5:4), His words and commands are for our good always (Deuteronomy 6:24-25), and His wisdom is a tree of life from which we will obtain unsullied guidance that will lead us home to eternal life with Him (Proverbs 3:13-26). It also means that the waters of baptism (Hebrews 10:22) are without fault and it is there that we are washed and made pure from all our sins; it is there that we become children of God and begin maintaining the purity God granted us.

    This week, let’s look at what needs to be pure:

1. WE DO! If we are children of God, we need to be pure (1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 24:3-5, 51:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 1 Timothy 4:12) and we need to be teaching younger women, by word and example, to be pure and chaste (Titus 2:3-5).
2. Our souls. We purify our souls by obeying the truth and being born again (John 3:1-8, in the pure waters of baptism) of incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:22-23) and we maintain that purity by confessing our sins to God whenever we stumble (1 John 1:8-10).
3. Our religion. How we serve God day to day is visible to others. Do we prove by our words, choices, and actions that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect? (Romans 12:12) We can, by loving and helping widows and orphans in their troubles – doing all we can for those who need help (James 1:27, 2 Corinthians 9:8).
4. Our conscience. We, like Paul, can serve God with a pure conscience (1 Timothy 5:2, 2 Timothy 1:3). When we trust that God has washed away our sins when we were baptized, we, too can serve Him with a pure, untainted conscience (Hebrews 10:19-23). If you need reassurance, please take time to carefully read the letter of 1 John –  when you sin, confess it to God and He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1:9), if you practice righteousness you are righteous (3:7), etc. You can know, you can have confidence, and you can have a clear conscience!
5. Our hearts. Our hearts are purified by faith (Acts 15:9, and consider Hebrews 11:6) and only the pure of heart will see God (Matthew 5:8), and loving one another as God commands is only accomplished when it is with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22, think about Matthew 5:44-48), we cannot be double-minded and hope to be a benefit to God’s work (James 4:8, Romans 12:9). A pure heart is necessary to be a real help to our brethren who, alongside us, are fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace – we need to be showing them what it looks like to call on the Lord (wholly reverence Him, lean on Him, and learn from Him) out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).
6. Our words. Our words show others where our hearts are focused; we need to keep our hearts pure so our words will be too (Luke 6:43-45). The words of the pure are pleasant to the LORD (Proverbs 15:26) and we are to use our words to build others up (Ephesians 4:29-32) – pure words of love and humble help, showing sincere consideration for their souls (Proverbs 25:11-12).
7. Our minds. Our minds need to be pure (2 Peter 3:1) so we do not taint God’s pure words and commands, tweaking them to suit our impurities (Proverbs 16:2, 30:11-14) and so we aren’t led astray by the lies of the devil (John 8:43-45) or by teachers and preachers who don’t tell us the Truth (Matthew 7:15, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:6-10). We need to fill our minds daily with God and His pure words of guidance and instruction and keep our minds pure by being mindful of what we listen to, watch, read, and scroll (consider the things we are to think on, Philippians 4:8).
8. Our eyes. Our eyes need to be pure (Luke 11:34). Our eyes will always be open to find what we keep our mind focused on – for example: if you keep thinking about white vehicles, you’ll begin noticing them everywhere. If we keep thinking on evil desires our eyes will find opportunities to fulfill it (read and consider Psalm 101:3-4).
9. Our bodies. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, you are God’s, and not your own (1 Corinthians 6:18-19), we are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2) and use our bodies (every part of them, as seen above) to glorify God, not to pursue lusts (consider Matthew 5:27-30, this applies to women toward men as well, whether in reality, on screen, or in books/magazines). We need to be alert to our thoughts, words, and actions, being careful that there is not even a hint of impropriety (flirtations, lewd speech, etc.) or immorality (lust, fornication, etc.) in them (Ephesians 5:1-7). Our bodies are not for sexual immorality but for the Lord. Sexual relations are a blessing within marriage (Hebrews 13:4) and anything outside of the bounds of marriage is sin (1 Corinthians 6:13-18, also read and consider Colossians 3:1-17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

    God is pure, His Word is pure; this includes, of course, Jesus (John 1:1-5, 14) – we need to know God the Father so we can imitate Him as dear children (Ephesians 5:1), we need to know the Son and walk as He walked (1 Peter 2:20-24, 1 John 2:3-6). We need to learn of their purity and conform ourselves to it (Romans 8:29). We need to study and know God’s pure commands and abide in them, asking Him for wisdom when we are lacking (James 1:5, 3:13-17) so that we can easily see what is pure (good) and what is impure (evil, Hebrews 5:14).

    Are you ready to flourish even more in 2024 in purity?  Our pure and holy God has provided us with all that we need to be wholly pure in His sight – let’s reverence God and His provision enough to inspect our hearts, minds, and habits, and to make the necessary changes to maintain our purity each and every day!  

You can do it! So can I!!  

Flourishing Even More in 2024… in Purity – What is Pure?

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

    We need to be purifying ourselves because God is pure. This action is ongoing; it is a continual effort put into learning and doing what is necessary to be pure and to maintain purity. Jesus granted us access to purity by His sacrifice (Titus 2:14) and we become pure when we are baptized; having our sins washed away (Acts 22:16, Romans 6:4, 1 Peter 1:22-23), but now what?

    First, let’s learn what is pure:

• God (1 John 3:3)
• God’s words (Psalm 12:6), every word (Proverbs 30:5-6), they are very pure (Psalm 119:40)
• God’s commandment (Psalm 19:8)
• The waters of baptism (Hebrews 10:22)
• Wisdom from above (James 3:17)

    As we continue (or begin) our practice of purifying ourselves, we need to learn of God's purity so that we comprehend that He is in every way worthy of our whole faith and trust. We need to learn to keep our eyes on God (Colossians 3:1-2) and imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1) because He is pure. We need to read His words and obey His commands (James 1:21-25) because they are pure. If we have not already, we need to recognize our need and wash in the pure waters of baptism. And we need to ask God for wisdom because He will liberally give us the purest form (James 3:13-17)!

    As the Lord wills, spend time each day this week with God in prayer and in reading His word - think on the hope you have to one day see Him as He is. Determine to put His commands into practice and ask Him, in faith, for wisdom – He won’t be upset if you ask for it daily! Doing these things will develop a desire in your heart and mind to be pure just as He is pure! Are you ready?

You can do it! So can I!!