November 15th 2020
Live As Though Today Is Your Last Day On Earth. Some Day You Will Be Right!
John 15:18-19 (NIV)
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
During this time of unrest in our world with the pandemic continuing to claim lives and disrupt our businesses and cause people to be out of work and struggling to even stay alive. It seems to be a great time for those of us who believe that Jesus is still in control to tell someone about Jesus Christ, and that having Him in your life has allowed you to still have a good perspective on life. As Jesus taught us that following Him allows us to still have a peaceful feeling about our life.
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." (John 16:33). Do you believe that Jesus is in control when we see people suffering so much and not being able to share their love by being with the people they love who live in another household because of the pandemic? As Thanksgiving Day is nearing, we already know that we cannot be with our friends and relatives to celebrate that special day.
A positive note on this situation is that we may have the capability to see those people we love on Thanksgiving Day via some electronic connection. If you have such a capability you might think of someone who does not have it and try to allow them to join in on your equipment to see their relatives during this Thanksgiving season. Paul wrote about the peace of God which we can connect with through prayer, and result in a peaceful feeling. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7).
I find it difficult to write positive uplifting commentaries during this time of unrest and seeming hatred brought on by just disagreeing with someone on most any important issues. When Jesus walked this earth there was a form of peace as the Roman empire controlled almost everything. However, during this time the religious leaders that Jesus’ family followed did not identify Him as the long-awaited Savior. Even during such a time Jesus always taught His followers to show love to everyone. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35). So, followers of Jesus Christ are expected to extend love to everyone following this new command. As Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you! ‘
Paul wrote about how becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ changes us and we become a new creation, thus being able to put aside our personal needs and spending some of our time to help those who need our help. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a change comes about because of what Jesus did to pay our debt so that we are freed from the control of our sinful nature, which we all inherit from the original sin of Adam. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, even though we are still sinners we can claim our righteousness through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice! We cannot be perfect as Jesus was, but we are much improved by taking on the righteousness of God.
Before Jesus came to be our Savior the Old Testament writers knew their salvation was dependent on doing the sacrifices God required them to do. They believed that God walked with them through times of trouble and in times of plenty. The writer of Psalm 23 wrote, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4). We must remember that Jesus is synonymous with God as He was both God and man while He walked this earth as the Son of Man, as He often referred to Himself.
Paul wrote about how we as followers of Jesus should perform our work on this earth. 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). For those reading this who have retired from their earthly job, remember you are still employed by Jesus Christ as you are responsible for helping those who cannot help themselves. This is a lifetime commitment for all true followers of Jesus Christ. an old adage says, “The Lord helps those who help themselves!” I do not believe this is really a Biblical based comment, but even if it is, followers of Jesus Christ are expected to “Help those who cannot help themselves!” Who do you work for? Are you employed for your lifetime by a Jewish carpenter?
Jesus once told His followers how they would be recognized by people in this world. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16). Your good deeds will alert others as to whom you owe your freedom! Go therefore and try to sin no more.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
John 15:18-19 (NIV)
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
During this time of unrest in our world with the pandemic continuing to claim lives and disrupt our businesses and cause people to be out of work and struggling to even stay alive. It seems to be a great time for those of us who believe that Jesus is still in control to tell someone about Jesus Christ, and that having Him in your life has allowed you to still have a good perspective on life. As Jesus taught us that following Him allows us to still have a peaceful feeling about our life.
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." (John 16:33). Do you believe that Jesus is in control when we see people suffering so much and not being able to share their love by being with the people they love who live in another household because of the pandemic? As Thanksgiving Day is nearing, we already know that we cannot be with our friends and relatives to celebrate that special day.
A positive note on this situation is that we may have the capability to see those people we love on Thanksgiving Day via some electronic connection. If you have such a capability you might think of someone who does not have it and try to allow them to join in on your equipment to see their relatives during this Thanksgiving season. Paul wrote about the peace of God which we can connect with through prayer, and result in a peaceful feeling. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7).
I find it difficult to write positive uplifting commentaries during this time of unrest and seeming hatred brought on by just disagreeing with someone on most any important issues. When Jesus walked this earth there was a form of peace as the Roman empire controlled almost everything. However, during this time the religious leaders that Jesus’ family followed did not identify Him as the long-awaited Savior. Even during such a time Jesus always taught His followers to show love to everyone. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35). So, followers of Jesus Christ are expected to extend love to everyone following this new command. As Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you! ‘
Paul wrote about how becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ changes us and we become a new creation, thus being able to put aside our personal needs and spending some of our time to help those who need our help. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such a change comes about because of what Jesus did to pay our debt so that we are freed from the control of our sinful nature, which we all inherit from the original sin of Adam. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, even though we are still sinners we can claim our righteousness through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice! We cannot be perfect as Jesus was, but we are much improved by taking on the righteousness of God.
Before Jesus came to be our Savior the Old Testament writers knew their salvation was dependent on doing the sacrifices God required them to do. They believed that God walked with them through times of trouble and in times of plenty. The writer of Psalm 23 wrote, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4). We must remember that Jesus is synonymous with God as He was both God and man while He walked this earth as the Son of Man, as He often referred to Himself.
Paul wrote about how we as followers of Jesus should perform our work on this earth. 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). For those reading this who have retired from their earthly job, remember you are still employed by Jesus Christ as you are responsible for helping those who cannot help themselves. This is a lifetime commitment for all true followers of Jesus Christ. an old adage says, “The Lord helps those who help themselves!” I do not believe this is really a Biblical based comment, but even if it is, followers of Jesus Christ are expected to “Help those who cannot help themselves!” Who do you work for? Are you employed for your lifetime by a Jewish carpenter?
Jesus once told His followers how they would be recognized by people in this world. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16). Your good deeds will alert others as to whom you owe your freedom! Go therefore and try to sin no more.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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