February 5th 2017
Jesus Died To Allow You To Overcome This World, So Do Not Cling To It!
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Do you find it difficult to imagine how wonderful it may be in heaven? Our value system in this life is usually established either through having very little, and wanting to have more stuff, or through having enough with our needs being met and still wanting more stuff, or by having it all, and still wanting more stuff! Most of us who live in the USA would identify with one of the above described tendencies. A word search in the entire NT of the Bible looking for “being content” replied with ONE hit. Yes, it is true that in the entire New Testament only one verse was found with an expression of contentment! Paul wrote this verse to the church at Philippi. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12).
Is Paul speaking to you in this statement of being content with what you have managed to possess in this world? Most of us, if we are truthful, would not really be able to say we are content with our worldly possessions. Jesus left us able to collect immense treasure of heavenly wealth, as His death on that cross assured us of being in line to walk into heaven, escorted by Him, immediately after we die to this worldly life. Yet, we still want more of what this life provides in worldly stuff! Come on, you know it is true! It is very difficult to place a value on some wonderful gift, which cannot be seen, right now! I want it all, NOW, my sinful nature screams!
This world is a cursed place, but you could get a different perspective, as Paul seemed to have, and think as he did, when he said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” So, what was Paul’s secret on being content with whatever he had? It may have been the power he got from Jesus. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13). Can the disciples of Jesus Christ be content in this world, because we really believe that when we die, we will have everything we want and need? The true answer is likely, NO! However, even though our sinful nature causes us to be envious of others possessions, there can still be a strange peace that Paul also wrote about. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).
Being peaceful even in the midst of turmoil is a wonderful gift. Try to think positive in this world of turmoil in which we find ourselves today! It seems there is more hatred and violence than I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime right now! The more we try to be Politically Correct and let people do whatever they want, we get closer and closer to total chaos in this world of envious people! Sin is the real problem and it all started with that first sin committed by Adam and Eve, when they lived in the presence of God, and had only one command to obey! Please parents teach your children to be respectful of the possessions of others, else they have no reason to NOT steal what someone else has, because their jealousy tells them to take it!
Children must be taught to not just take what some other child has, as their sinful nature tells them they should have whatever they want. You do not have to teach them to steal stuff from other children, it is born into them, thanks to the fall of man. They will say, “Mine!” when they see something they want, it does not take “need” to propel them to grab another child’s stuff, even if they already have it! This is unfortunately not just a childhood problem, as many adults were never taught, or learned this valuable trait of respecting the right of others to have stuff in this world. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11). Jesus was trying to help us place a higher value on eternal promises than on worldly possessions that we cannot take with us when we leave this world.
James wrote about the choice we have in this life to either choose a friendship with Jesus or with the world. We cannot have both the love of the worldly and be in awe of God. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:4b-6). Our sinful nature inherited through the curse, causes us to be envious of the earthly wealth of others. We may spend too much of our allotted time working for worldly stuff, and shortchange our needed commitment to Jesus.
Paul wrote about setting a priority in life about the need to work to earn a living, and keeping God in mind when we work for and with other members on mankind. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24). Work in this world to gain the needs of life, but remember that Jesus died so that despite your sinful nature you are destined for heaven, because of what He did for you, and be grateful! It is by grace that you have been saved not by anything good that you did. However, if you believe this statement then, you should witness such a belief to other who do not believe it, as you do!
Jesus was giving a message to His disciples (us too) about how they would abandon Him when the going got tough, and He needed their help, and especially in need of their moral support, so to speak! "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 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." After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (John 16:32-17:4)
Jesus completed the work His Father in heaven gave Him to do on this earth. Now we have eternal life through Him, if we accept His offer of salvation. Remember too, that in fulfilling His work, he also overcame the world for His followers. Therefore, do not love this world as you are no longer part of it. So, you can be an overcomer, if you choose life, instead of choosing the world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Do you find it difficult to imagine how wonderful it may be in heaven? Our value system in this life is usually established either through having very little, and wanting to have more stuff, or through having enough with our needs being met and still wanting more stuff, or by having it all, and still wanting more stuff! Most of us who live in the USA would identify with one of the above described tendencies. A word search in the entire NT of the Bible looking for “being content” replied with ONE hit. Yes, it is true that in the entire New Testament only one verse was found with an expression of contentment! Paul wrote this verse to the church at Philippi. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12).
Is Paul speaking to you in this statement of being content with what you have managed to possess in this world? Most of us, if we are truthful, would not really be able to say we are content with our worldly possessions. Jesus left us able to collect immense treasure of heavenly wealth, as His death on that cross assured us of being in line to walk into heaven, escorted by Him, immediately after we die to this worldly life. Yet, we still want more of what this life provides in worldly stuff! Come on, you know it is true! It is very difficult to place a value on some wonderful gift, which cannot be seen, right now! I want it all, NOW, my sinful nature screams!
This world is a cursed place, but you could get a different perspective, as Paul seemed to have, and think as he did, when he said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” So, what was Paul’s secret on being content with whatever he had? It may have been the power he got from Jesus. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13). Can the disciples of Jesus Christ be content in this world, because we really believe that when we die, we will have everything we want and need? The true answer is likely, NO! However, even though our sinful nature causes us to be envious of others possessions, there can still be a strange peace that Paul also wrote about. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).
Being peaceful even in the midst of turmoil is a wonderful gift. Try to think positive in this world of turmoil in which we find ourselves today! It seems there is more hatred and violence than I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime right now! The more we try to be Politically Correct and let people do whatever they want, we get closer and closer to total chaos in this world of envious people! Sin is the real problem and it all started with that first sin committed by Adam and Eve, when they lived in the presence of God, and had only one command to obey! Please parents teach your children to be respectful of the possessions of others, else they have no reason to NOT steal what someone else has, because their jealousy tells them to take it!
Children must be taught to not just take what some other child has, as their sinful nature tells them they should have whatever they want. You do not have to teach them to steal stuff from other children, it is born into them, thanks to the fall of man. They will say, “Mine!” when they see something they want, it does not take “need” to propel them to grab another child’s stuff, even if they already have it! This is unfortunately not just a childhood problem, as many adults were never taught, or learned this valuable trait of respecting the right of others to have stuff in this world. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11). Jesus was trying to help us place a higher value on eternal promises than on worldly possessions that we cannot take with us when we leave this world.
James wrote about the choice we have in this life to either choose a friendship with Jesus or with the world. We cannot have both the love of the worldly and be in awe of God. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:4b-6). Our sinful nature inherited through the curse, causes us to be envious of the earthly wealth of others. We may spend too much of our allotted time working for worldly stuff, and shortchange our needed commitment to Jesus.
Paul wrote about setting a priority in life about the need to work to earn a living, and keeping God in mind when we work for and with other members on mankind. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24). Work in this world to gain the needs of life, but remember that Jesus died so that despite your sinful nature you are destined for heaven, because of what He did for you, and be grateful! It is by grace that you have been saved not by anything good that you did. However, if you believe this statement then, you should witness such a belief to other who do not believe it, as you do!
Jesus was giving a message to His disciples (us too) about how they would abandon Him when the going got tough, and He needed their help, and especially in need of their moral support, so to speak! "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 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." After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (John 16:32-17:4)
Jesus completed the work His Father in heaven gave Him to do on this earth. Now we have eternal life through Him, if we accept His offer of salvation. Remember too, that in fulfilling His work, he also overcame the world for His followers. Therefore, do not love this world as you are no longer part of it. So, you can be an overcomer, if you choose life, instead of choosing the world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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