“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Pt. 1:15-16 NKJV) The apostle Peter instructs those in Christ Jesus (cf. 1 Pt. 5:14), to be holy in all of their conduct. Conduct describes our manner of life or behavior. The reason our conduct must be holy is because God is holy (cf. Lev. 11:44-45). His very name is holy (Ps. 111:9). What does it mean to be “holy” though? The word “holy” means to be set apart exclusively for the service of God. Holiness is the opposite of profane or common (cf. Ex. 31:14; Lev. 21:6). God made a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel with several of the plagues (Ex. 8:23, 9:4, 26, 10:23). This is significant as it shows very well the concept of holiness. Israel was God’s holy nation (Ex. 19:6), the church is Israel today (Gal. 6:16), thus the church is God’s holy nation (1 Pt. 2:9). Christians are to be set apart from the world as we have been called out of the world (darkness) into God’s marvelous light (1 Pt. 2:9; 1 Jn. 5:19; cf. Jn. 15:19). Our goal is to imitate Christ and Christ is holy (1 Cor. 11:1; Heb. 7:26). Holiness keeps God in His proper place in our hearts, and places us in our proper place (cf. Mt. 6:33, 22:37-38; Jn. 10:1-5; 1 Cor. 11:3). A failure to understand holiness is a big reason why the church is more like the world than she should be. When darkness begins to snuff the light instead of the light dispelling the darkness, the church’s influence wanes. This is why Jesus told His disciples not to hide their light (Mt. 5:14-16). Let us not talk like the world, dress like the world, and behave like the world. Instead, let us be more and more like God’s holy Son, Jesus! Trent Thrasher
AI or Artificial Intelligence has come on the scene of late and is finding its way into our phones, software programs, and now even Bible study software. It is significant that the first definition for “artificial” in the first dictionary I researched reads, “humanly contrived often on a natural model: man-made” (Merriam-Webster). The word “man-made” has as its definition, “manufactured, created, or constructed by human beings specifically: synthetic” (Merriam-Webster). In other words, those things that are artificial are made by human beings. Can humans really manufacture or create intelligence? When we discuss intelligence, we are discussing the ability to learn, understand, and reason. All these things come from one source ultimately, and that is God (Pr. 2:6). God is our teacher (Jn. 6:45; Mt. 11:29, 23:10) and His Word thoroughly equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God called the wicked Israelites to reason with Him regarding their sin in Isaiah 1:18, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’” God has knowledge and understanding that far transcends mankind (Ps. 139). Furthermore, we must take our direction from God, or the results are disastrous (Jer. 10:23; Pr. 3:5-6, 14:12). It is the epitome of pride for humankind to think they can contrive their own intelligence. Make no mistake about it, those that have cut God out of their thinking march headlong into foolishness, quite the opposite of intelligence (Ps. 14:1-3). Nobody or nothing can learn for us. Nobody or nothing can understand for us. Nobody or nothing can reason for us. Nobody or nothing can study the Bible for us as God has required each individual to show themselves approved to Him (2 Tim. 2:15). Be sober, be vigilant, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (1 Pt. 5:8-9; Php. 2:12). Trent Thrasher
“And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26 NKJV) If I were to conduct a survey with the question: what is a Christian?, the answers would be sure to vary. Regardless of what a person thinks, the term “Christian” is a biblical term therefore, it has a biblical definition (cf. 1 Cor. 2:10-13). There are only three times in the Bible where the term “Christian” is found:
First, the term is actually a name which contains the name of Christ. The prophet Isaiah, through the revelation given to him, prophesied about this new name in Isaiah 62:1-2 when he wrote, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.” This God did in Acts 11:26 when the Gentiles were ushered into the one church. Prior to this point in time, those that adhered to Christ’s teaching were called “disciples” meaning “learners” (cf. Jn. 1:37). Christ is the only name connected with salvation and Christians are not ashamed to wear His name (Acts 4:10-12). Second, a Christian shares in the sufferings of Christ (1 Pt. 4:12-19). This makes complete sense since every Christian is a member of the body of Christ (cf. 1 Pt. 5:14 “in Christ Jesus”). Those Peter wrote to had been born again (baptized) and thus added to the one church (1 Pt. 1:3, 23; Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13). If we live godly in Christ Jesus we will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Praise God that those who suffer with Christ will also be glorified with Him (Rm. 8:17-18; 2 Tim. 2:11-12). Finally, a Christian is one who follows Christ (1 Pt. 2:21-25). Christ is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pt. 5:4), and Christians are His sheep (Jn. 10:1-30). The sheep listen to (obey) the Shepherd. Following Christ is a daily task (Lk. 9:23-26). Jesus always did those things that pleased the Father which means that He always sought to do the Father’s will (Jn. 8:29, 6:38, 4:34). Christians will make every possible effort to do the same. What is a Christian? It is a glorious name which contains the name of the Savior. It is one who shares in the sufferings of the Savior. It is one who follows the Savior wherever He leads through His Divine Word. Are you a Christian? Trent Thrasher
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Mt. 6:33 NKJV) The above passage is either true or false. Since Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life said it, and He spoke by authority from His Heavenly Father who cannot lie, we believe it to be true (Jn. 14:6, 12:49; Tt. 1:2). When Christ said, “seek” He was not asking, He was commanding. Since God gave Christ all authority in heaven and on earth, we must obey Him to be right (Mt. 28:18). Jesus is commanding us to prioritize the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The nations of the world (cf. Lk. 12:30) were seeking basic physical necessities (food, drink, and clothing) which the Father knows we all have need of (Mt. 6:25-32). To seek only those physical things, without prioritizing and seeking the spiritual, is the main reason anyone is wordly, fleshly, or carnal in their thinking. Such thinking causes problems including envy, strife, and division (1 Cor. 3:1-3). To illustrate the point, if someone told you that you had to deny Jesus or they would terminate your physical life, what would your response be? Most, if not all, would make the bold claim of Peter and the other disciples to Jesus in Matthew 26:35 NKJV, “…Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.” Yet, we read of Peter denying Jesus not once or twice, but three times that very night (Mt. 26:69-74). Peter had already started to falter when he distanced himself from Jesus (Mt. 26:58). What did Peter prioritize? Answer that question, and you will see why he did what he did. Of a truth, when we do not give Christ our all, we cannot follow the commandment to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is why Jesus requires us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Mt. 16:24-26). This is why Jesus requires us to be willing to give up anything and everything that stands in the way of our being His faithful servants (Lk. 14:25-33). Jesus is denied more in action, or the lack thereof, than in speech. Such is seen in Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins, parable of the talents, and the sheep and the goats. Matthew 25 concludes with the final location of the inactive goats, everlasting punishment, and the active sheep, eternal life (Mt. 25:46). Both locations are everlasting or eternal. Both locations are real. Only one, Heaven, is available for those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everyone else will find themselves forever tormented with what could have been. Speaking of priorities, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37 NKJV emphasis mine). If that is true in my life, I will have no problem assembling with the saints at every opportunity (e.g., Bible classes, worship services). I will have no problem reading and studying my Bible daily. I will have no problem praying without ceasing. I will have no problem reaching out to the lost in evangelism. I will have no problem doing what the Lord says, in fact, His wish is my command. We need more kingdom first Christians! Trent Thrasher
“in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” (1 Tim. 2:9-10 NKJV) As we continue the thoughts from last week, God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve with tunics of skin (Gen. 3:21). These garments went from the shoulders to the knees. In connection with covering nakedness, there is also the instruction for our apparel to be modest with propriety and moderation. The word “modest” is the idea of orderly, well-arranged, or seemly. “Propriety” means with a sense of shame and is translated as “reverence” in Hebrews 12:28. This word would always restrain a good person from an unworthy act or in other words, something that would cause shame. “Moderation” is connected with self-control (cf. 1 Tim. 2:15) and reason (cf. Acts 26:25). When all concepts are combined we see that our clothing should be such that we do not draw excess attention to ourselves, “braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,” but would be orderly, reverent, and with self-control. The true beauty of anyone is their godliness and good works (cf. 1 Pt. 3:3-4). If more time was spent in pointing others to Christ than drawing attention to ourselves more good could be accomplished! This is the point. As stewards of our bodies let us be sure that our bodies are adequately covered and that we are not drawing excessive attention to ourselves. To make it plain (Hab. 2:2): miniskirts, low cut clothing, short shorts, sheer or see-through clothing, tight fitting clothing such as spandex, yoga pants, or leggings, most (if not all) prom dresses, muscle shirts (or no shirt), tank tops, cheerleading outfits, and the like all fall into the category of lacking modesty with propriety and moderation and many times expose nakedness. This clothing will draw attention to the human body and oftentimes that is the very design of the clothing. Let us as Christians be good stewards of our bodies and not set a stumbling block before others. Trent Thrasher
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