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Thought for the Week.03-27-16.Holy and Godly Living
Studies in 2 Peter 3 “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Couched in the interrogative, this teaching is actually intended more for exhortation than for questioning. Peter begins with the assumption that his readers accept that God always keeps His promises and that those same readers accept the Lord’s promise to destroy the earth by fire. He then moves to the exhortation that in view of there coming a final day when the universe as we know it shall be burned up, all people should be careful to conform their lives to the principles the Lord has laid down. Rewards and consequences have been motivational tools used to stimulate acceptable behavior since the beginning, from Adam and Eve forward. The Lord has expected people in every generation to conduct themselves according to His Holy standards. Today, of course, it is no different. For the reward that we all seek, we must live holy and godly lives. Thought for the Week.03-20-16.Day of the Lord
Studies in 2 Peter 3 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Teaching throughout the scriptures assures us there is coming a day when the world as we know it shall be destroyed—that is, the observable universe as well as the earth and all its contents will be consumed with fire. A distinctive characteristic of this awesome event is that it will come as a surprise to everyone—without warning. It will be as sudden and unexpected as when a thief robs a house. People will be living their lives and doing what they do with no thought that all will be destroyed at any time. Doubting that it will happen or ignoring the direct teaching about it will not prevent it from happening. The theme of the scriptures is not that we should worry about that day. The theme of the scriptures is that we should live our lives in such a way as to be prepared—whenever it happens. Thought for the Week.03-13-16.Just Sow the Seed
Studies in Ecclesiastes 11 “In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). Using yet another metaphor to carry forward his theme of liberality under all conditions, the preacher here uses sections of the day to illustrate his point. He introduces this theme in verse one: “cast your bread upon the waters.” Since a metaphor is meant to provide a direct comparison, we can easily understand that he is not talking just about sections of the day. He could easily be describing the sections of life: youth and old age. As well, he could easily be using his discussion of literal charity to teach about the spiritual good that we may do—that is, the spiritual treasures we may sow. Writers of the New Testament promote this theme in several places: for example, Paul teaches “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). The message is whether it is morning or evening, whether we are young or old, we do what God has instructed us to do without hesitation, allowing Him to bless or reward as He sees fit. Thought for the Week.03-06-16.The Works of God
Studies in Ecclesiastes 11 “As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes all things” (Ecclesiastes 11:5). In the context of teaching about the rewards of liberality, the preacher drives home his point that all things work according to the will of God, even if we don’t understand the process. Works of nature and the conception and growth of a human being are mysterious to man but not to God through whose providence all things work. We know the wind is going to blow at some point yet we do not see it; we do, however, see the result of its blowing. We do not fully understand how a baby develops in its mother’s womb, but we witness the result of that growth process when the child is born. So it is with God: we don’t understand all about how God works, but we do see the result of His works that come about through His divine providence. That should be enough for us. God has promised to watch over His people, and, through faith, we accept that He will do just that. |
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September 2023
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