December 20th 2015
Are You In The World, Or Of The World?
John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Are you in the world, or of the world? Are you trying to be an overcomer? Just what does that term mean to you? It is a phrase that is often said, but yet, it is a bit confusing to me. Believing we are no longer of this world, because we have turned away from worldly thoughts and beliefs, is possibly one meaning for overcoming. Is that really totally possible? You were born into this world as a member of mankind, and you started out learning how to survive in this world, mostly from your parents. Next you continue to grow in knowledge through some form of formal education, but many of the teachers are worldly people too. If there was a church also involved as part of that training, then you also learned about a different explanation of reality!
If your family did not attend a church of their choice, then you are likely not attending a church on a regular basis. Some reading this were taken to church by those who raised them; some of you may have attended on your own, because your parents chose not to attend a church on a regular basis, maybe not at all! If you were taken to church by your parents, then you did not get the option to choose a church of your choice. Some people in this type of church environment will stop attending a church, as soon as they can choose for themselves.
You may be wondering by now, where this commentary is heading, as so far it is only about attending a church that is chosen by you, or by you deciding not to attend a church. If anyone chooses to not attend any organized church, then it seems to me they cannot be able to be an overcomer in this lifetime! How could you not desire to associate with other Christians at a church of your choice, and expect be an overcomer of this world? We must live here in this world, and the only real escape from worldly experiences is being in the presence of other likeminded believers. How can you recognize worldly beliefs when you only associate with people who are worldly people?
Followers of Jesus Christ are expected to be working on becoming more Christ-like, and Jesus chose to attend the church of His day on a regular basis. Remember the story about when Jesus was only 12 years old, and He was lost for three days, and when Mary and Joseph found Him what He said about where He was. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" (Luke 2”48-49) Jesus chose to go to the temple, and to be with other members of His faith, who were knowledgeable of the Scriptures of that day.
We are all sons (children) of God, if we are baptized into Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Jesus calls us to love those who are not easy to love. Jesus even told us to love those who may hate us and are persecuting us. It is possible to love someone you do not like, but only if we are working on becoming an overcomer! Now maybe we are getting at what becoming an overcomer may be about.
Jesus told John about what becoming an overcomer would result in heavenly rewards. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:5) Overcoming worldly ways will result in having Jesus “acknowledge his (your) name before my Father and his angels!” Jesus here is comparing you, the overcomer, to those who gave their lives during the tribulation period. Please remember you get your name in the book of life, because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice by dying for your sins on the cross, not because of anything you do in this life, not even being an overcomer!
Peter wrote about how believing what Jesus did for you although you have never seen Him, and therefore, loving Him because of the indescribable gift that you can be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” During this busy holiday season we need to be overcomers more than ever to keep this time in the context of the Advent/Christmas season for which Jesus was born. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9) The reason for the season, though you have not seen Him, you love Him
This season is about salvation not really about decorations and presents. The real joy for the overcomer is the presence of Jesus in your life, not just at this joyful time but in everyday life. However, this joy should be accentuated now, as there is no negative side to this wonderful Christmas story! This season needs to be a time of seeking joy, because we can concentrate on the joy of giving, as this is the celebration of when God gave all mankind the greatest gift of all!
Are you seeking Jesus during this Christmas season by believing without seeing? You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) Are you seeking Jesus with good will towards men? Giving gifts is always a good idea, especially if the gifts are given to someone who otherwise may not receive a gift during this gift giving season. We are admitted sinners, but with Jesus help we can still give good gifts. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)
Have you already received the indescribable gift from God? If you have then you should pass it on! Salvation is the only gift that will last forever. Is there someone you know of who apparently has not yet received the greatest indescribable gift? Can you give them the story of Christmas, so they too can be written in the book of life? Now that is truly the greatest gift anyone can give for Christmas!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Are you in the world, or of the world? Are you trying to be an overcomer? Just what does that term mean to you? It is a phrase that is often said, but yet, it is a bit confusing to me. Believing we are no longer of this world, because we have turned away from worldly thoughts and beliefs, is possibly one meaning for overcoming. Is that really totally possible? You were born into this world as a member of mankind, and you started out learning how to survive in this world, mostly from your parents. Next you continue to grow in knowledge through some form of formal education, but many of the teachers are worldly people too. If there was a church also involved as part of that training, then you also learned about a different explanation of reality!
If your family did not attend a church of their choice, then you are likely not attending a church on a regular basis. Some reading this were taken to church by those who raised them; some of you may have attended on your own, because your parents chose not to attend a church on a regular basis, maybe not at all! If you were taken to church by your parents, then you did not get the option to choose a church of your choice. Some people in this type of church environment will stop attending a church, as soon as they can choose for themselves.
You may be wondering by now, where this commentary is heading, as so far it is only about attending a church that is chosen by you, or by you deciding not to attend a church. If anyone chooses to not attend any organized church, then it seems to me they cannot be able to be an overcomer in this lifetime! How could you not desire to associate with other Christians at a church of your choice, and expect be an overcomer of this world? We must live here in this world, and the only real escape from worldly experiences is being in the presence of other likeminded believers. How can you recognize worldly beliefs when you only associate with people who are worldly people?
Followers of Jesus Christ are expected to be working on becoming more Christ-like, and Jesus chose to attend the church of His day on a regular basis. Remember the story about when Jesus was only 12 years old, and He was lost for three days, and when Mary and Joseph found Him what He said about where He was. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" (Luke 2”48-49) Jesus chose to go to the temple, and to be with other members of His faith, who were knowledgeable of the Scriptures of that day.
We are all sons (children) of God, if we are baptized into Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Jesus calls us to love those who are not easy to love. Jesus even told us to love those who may hate us and are persecuting us. It is possible to love someone you do not like, but only if we are working on becoming an overcomer! Now maybe we are getting at what becoming an overcomer may be about.
Jesus told John about what becoming an overcomer would result in heavenly rewards. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:5) Overcoming worldly ways will result in having Jesus “acknowledge his (your) name before my Father and his angels!” Jesus here is comparing you, the overcomer, to those who gave their lives during the tribulation period. Please remember you get your name in the book of life, because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice by dying for your sins on the cross, not because of anything you do in this life, not even being an overcomer!
Peter wrote about how believing what Jesus did for you although you have never seen Him, and therefore, loving Him because of the indescribable gift that you can be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” During this busy holiday season we need to be overcomers more than ever to keep this time in the context of the Advent/Christmas season for which Jesus was born. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9) The reason for the season, though you have not seen Him, you love Him
This season is about salvation not really about decorations and presents. The real joy for the overcomer is the presence of Jesus in your life, not just at this joyful time but in everyday life. However, this joy should be accentuated now, as there is no negative side to this wonderful Christmas story! This season needs to be a time of seeking joy, because we can concentrate on the joy of giving, as this is the celebration of when God gave all mankind the greatest gift of all!
Are you seeking Jesus during this Christmas season by believing without seeing? You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) Are you seeking Jesus with good will towards men? Giving gifts is always a good idea, especially if the gifts are given to someone who otherwise may not receive a gift during this gift giving season. We are admitted sinners, but with Jesus help we can still give good gifts. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)
Have you already received the indescribable gift from God? If you have then you should pass it on! Salvation is the only gift that will last forever. Is there someone you know of who apparently has not yet received the greatest indescribable gift? Can you give them the story of Christmas, so they too can be written in the book of life? Now that is truly the greatest gift anyone can give for Christmas!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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