January 19th 2025
Remember, Perfection Is Coming To Those Who Choose To Become Disciples Of Jesus And Continue His Teaching!
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Do you feel held back from experiencing true freedom and you seek to find it? Then the question becomes “freedom from what?” We all need to think about the freedom we all already have. In this country we are free to imbibe in many vices that can bring us great harm, and that makes us become a danger to others. We can now in many states use drugs that slow our responses, and then legally drive very high-powered vehicles capable of obtaining high speeds. This combination of freedom makes the user/driver become a deadly weapon just waiting for an accident to happen.
Sorry for the above departure from a message that hopefully gives the reader hope to follow the messages Jesus has given to His disciples that may help us become valued citizens in this cursed world. Knowing the truth has always been difficult, but it is currently more difficult than it was in the past. The main reason for this is that there is so much information available that discerning what, if any of this vast information is true. Social media presents many views on the same issue that it becomes difficult to trust any of the ideas being presented. In the selected verses Jesus tells those “Who had believed him!” that faith is the answer to finding the truth for yourself. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Are you studying your Bible and attending the church of your choice to hone your belief by mingling with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ to absorb the truth that Jesus Christ brought to this cursed world some two thousand years ago? I believe you must do this to gain the knowledge that will then set you free in this confusing world! What do you believe? Stop - think about your answer to this question. This thinking in this confusing and confused world could become a great New Years resolution. If you do not now mingle with fellow believers, you should consider making a change in your Sunday schedule to include attending a church you can choose. If you are attending a church now, maybe you can attend more regularly or get more involved in opportunities to serve Jesus through the programs of your selected Church!
Working on becoming more Christ-like is a good idea any time of the year, and as followers of Jesus we are supposed to be working on that result. Everyone who is attending a church is a sinner and thus, we are all tempted to indulge in the fun times this world offers. Jesus came into this world without a sinful nature as we were all born with, but we can read about how Satan tempted Him. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how Jesus came to know how we are tempted by being tempted Himself. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Jesus came into this world to save all sinners through showing us grace knowing we may again commit sins, yet we all should be working on becoming more Christ-like every day. Paul wrote to the Galatians and for us that we can become one with other believers. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28).
Please remember that when you become a true believer and thus follow the teachings of Jesus Christ you may become misunderstood by people who do not believe in or follow Jesus. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:11-12). To non-believers we have beliefs that they do not ascribe to and thus to them we are like aliens.
Paul wrote to the Philippians and for us about conducting ourselves among our brothers and sisters in Christ and with non-believers so we may avoid needless conversations and disagreements. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16). Paul desired to feel good about his teaching when it leads to a friendly atmosphere among all other people.
Now this commentary comes to the topic of loving all other human beings. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:20-21). Loving someone you like is a daily task, because of our sinful nature we are not always easy to get along with. Yes, this is a two-way street, as we both have a sinful nature, and a desire to have everybody agree with our opinion!
Jeus told us we must love everyone, even those we do not particularly like, and He went farther to tell us we must also love those who have chosen to be our enemies! He told us we can do this by being perfect, as God is perfect. Of course, perfection is not possible in this cursed world. Therefore, Jesus expects us to continue being open to seeking to discover the best in other people. Remember, perfection is coming to those who choose to become disciples of Jesus and continue His teaching! However, that perfection is not possible until you leave behind your sinful nature, when you die and depart this cursed world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Do you feel held back from experiencing true freedom and you seek to find it? Then the question becomes “freedom from what?” We all need to think about the freedom we all already have. In this country we are free to imbibe in many vices that can bring us great harm, and that makes us become a danger to others. We can now in many states use drugs that slow our responses, and then legally drive very high-powered vehicles capable of obtaining high speeds. This combination of freedom makes the user/driver become a deadly weapon just waiting for an accident to happen.
Sorry for the above departure from a message that hopefully gives the reader hope to follow the messages Jesus has given to His disciples that may help us become valued citizens in this cursed world. Knowing the truth has always been difficult, but it is currently more difficult than it was in the past. The main reason for this is that there is so much information available that discerning what, if any of this vast information is true. Social media presents many views on the same issue that it becomes difficult to trust any of the ideas being presented. In the selected verses Jesus tells those “Who had believed him!” that faith is the answer to finding the truth for yourself. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Are you studying your Bible and attending the church of your choice to hone your belief by mingling with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ to absorb the truth that Jesus Christ brought to this cursed world some two thousand years ago? I believe you must do this to gain the knowledge that will then set you free in this confusing world! What do you believe? Stop - think about your answer to this question. This thinking in this confusing and confused world could become a great New Years resolution. If you do not now mingle with fellow believers, you should consider making a change in your Sunday schedule to include attending a church you can choose. If you are attending a church now, maybe you can attend more regularly or get more involved in opportunities to serve Jesus through the programs of your selected Church!
Working on becoming more Christ-like is a good idea any time of the year, and as followers of Jesus we are supposed to be working on that result. Everyone who is attending a church is a sinner and thus, we are all tempted to indulge in the fun times this world offers. Jesus came into this world without a sinful nature as we were all born with, but we can read about how Satan tempted Him. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how Jesus came to know how we are tempted by being tempted Himself. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Jesus came into this world to save all sinners through showing us grace knowing we may again commit sins, yet we all should be working on becoming more Christ-like every day. Paul wrote to the Galatians and for us that we can become one with other believers. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28).
Please remember that when you become a true believer and thus follow the teachings of Jesus Christ you may become misunderstood by people who do not believe in or follow Jesus. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:11-12). To non-believers we have beliefs that they do not ascribe to and thus to them we are like aliens.
Paul wrote to the Philippians and for us about conducting ourselves among our brothers and sisters in Christ and with non-believers so we may avoid needless conversations and disagreements. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16). Paul desired to feel good about his teaching when it leads to a friendly atmosphere among all other people.
Now this commentary comes to the topic of loving all other human beings. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:20-21). Loving someone you like is a daily task, because of our sinful nature we are not always easy to get along with. Yes, this is a two-way street, as we both have a sinful nature, and a desire to have everybody agree with our opinion!
Jeus told us we must love everyone, even those we do not particularly like, and He went farther to tell us we must also love those who have chosen to be our enemies! He told us we can do this by being perfect, as God is perfect. Of course, perfection is not possible in this cursed world. Therefore, Jesus expects us to continue being open to seeking to discover the best in other people. Remember, perfection is coming to those who choose to become disciples of Jesus and continue His teaching! However, that perfection is not possible until you leave behind your sinful nature, when you die and depart this cursed world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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