• **Notifications**: Notifications can be dismissed by clicking on the "x" on the righthand side of the notice.
  • **New Style**: You can now change style options. Click on the paintbrush at the bottom of this page.
  • **Donations**: If the Lord leads you please consider helping with monthly costs and up keep on our Forum. Click on the Donate link In the top menu bar. Thanks
  • **New Blog section**: There is now a blog section. Check it out near the Private Debates forum or click on the Blog link in the top menu bar.
  • Welcome Visitors! Join us and be blessed while fellowshipping and celebrating our Glorious Salvation In Christ Jesus.

Christ's Law

.
● 1Thess 5:5-6 . . We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us
not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Christians walk a strange path. On the one hand they have to be ready to leave this
Earth and join Christ on a moment's notice, while on the other hand ready for a
long stay, i.e. live like there's no tomorrow, and yet live like there are years to
come.

Those two dissimilar expectations balance each other so that we don't live to
extremes in either direction: always keeping in mind that as we came into this
world empty-handed we will leave it empty-handed. So be prepared to suffer the
loss of every personal item in your possession that you hold dear; along with every
project, every pastime, and every endeavor. (1Tim 6:7)
_
 
.
● 1Thess 5:8 . . Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on
faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

There's likely any number of explanations for "the day" and probably all are useful.
However, we can narrow them all down to just saying that we who belong to the
day are alive to God as opposed to when we were at one time dead to God.

According to Rom 8:23-25 the "hope" of salvation regards another body.

"We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait
eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we
were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already
has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

This hope isn't a wishing hope, nor is it a hope-for-the-best hope, nor a cross-your
fingers hope. The Greek word basically means to anticipate with pleasure and
confident expectation.

* When I was young and strong, the resurrection wasn't very meaningful. But now
in my 80's, and breaking down from cancer and old age; I have a very different
outlook.
_
 
.
● 1Thess 5:11 . . Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, just as
in fact you are doing.

Building up is just the opposite of tearing down. Christians in Galatia were busy
doing the latter.

"But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one
of another!" (Gal 5:15)

Biting and devouring one another describes cannibals and carnivorous beasts.
_
 
.
● 1Thess 5:12-13a . . Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard
among you, who are over you in The Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the
highest regard in love because of their work.

I would say that if the officers in your church are just too impossible for you to
respect then it's time to abandon ship. Don't mutiny though because mutiny is just
as much a sin as heresy. The rank and file aren't called to reform church officers;
but to cooperate with them. (Heb 13:17)

If they can't cooperate with them; then I sincerely believe the rank and file should
leave and find a church where they can because Christ isn't pleased with grudging
cooperation; rather, with whole-hearted unity. (cf. Mark 12:30)
_
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top