“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Th. 5:23) God created all three parts of man: spirit, soul, and body. This is seen in the creation of the first man where God formed his physical body from the dust of the ground, breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit), and man became a living being (soul) (Gen. 2:7). There is a sense in which man is a two-part being composed of the inner man and the outer man (2 Cor. 4:16; Rm. 7:22; Eph. 3:16). Our bodies are a temporary dwelling place just like a tent (cf. 2 Pt. 1:12-15). This means that we are sojourners and pilgrims on the Earth (1 Pt. 1:1, 2:11). That also means that this Earth is not our home and it too is temporary (2 Pt. 3:1-12; Heb. 1:10-12). While here on Earth, our bodies must be sanctified or set apart for the purpose of glorifying God (1 Cor. 6:18-20). Whatever we do in our bodies should be to the glory (honor) of God. God owns our bodies which means we are stewards of our bodies. That means we must keep our bodies pure and sound. This also means that we must keep our bodies covered as God requires us to do. The first man and woman were naked and not ashamed, until sin came into the world (Gen. 2:25, 3:7-11). From this time forward, God has required us to clothe our bodies to cover our nakedness (Gen. 3:21). Observe that Adam and Eve’s fig leaf coverings (translated as “belt” in 1 Kgs. 2:5) were not adequate to cover their nakedness. The word translated as “tunics” (Gen. 3:21) is also found in Exodus 28:4 as attire for the priests. This word describes a garment that covered at least from the shoulders to the knees. The priests were also required to wear linen pants which reached from the waist to the bottom of the thighs (down to the knee) to cover their nakedness (Ex. 28:42). We can then deduce that any clothing that exposes more skin than this exposes nakedness which is shameful (cf. Isa. 47:2-3). In other words, this does not bring glory to God and must be avoided. As stewards of our bodies, we must always be mindful that lust begins by looking (Mt. 5:28). Adequately clothing our bodies guards against lust which leads to other sins such as fornication and adultery. Trent Thrasher
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” (Ecc. 3:1 NKJV) There are sixty seconds in a minute, sixty minutes in an hour, twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, and fifty-two weeks in a year. What we do with these precious intervals of time is wholly dependent on our prioritization. With regard to worry about food, drink, and clothing, Jesus prioritized the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:25-34). With regard to worship, the first day of the week has been prioritized (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Proper prioritization of time, a precious resource, is essential to being a good steward. Hence, we must redeem the time which means to use it as wisely as we possibly can (Eph. 5:16). Consider what Jesus accomplished in a brief time with a careful study of the Gospel accounts. He was very aware of time (cf. Jn. 2:4, 7:6-8, 12:23-28, 13:1, 17:1). There is a time to be born, and a time to die (Ecc. 3:2). Physical death is an appointment we all will keep as long as the heavens and earth remain (Heb. 9:27; Jos. 23:14; Col. 1:16-17). Eventually the physical creation will be burned up at the final day and hour though none of us knows when that is (2 Pt. 3:10-12; Mt. 24:35-36; Mk. 13:31-33). The realization of this point results in being alert and watchful since salvation is getting closer (Rm. 13:11; cf. Mt. 25). When we pass into eternity let it be said we used our time effectively as servants! Trent Thrasher
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38 NKJV) Jesus requires us to give and what a wonderful requirement it is! There is great benefit in giving as we also will be the recipients of giving. Look at how Jesus described the gift:
In comparison to the seed God has given us, how are we doing in the sowing department? To state it another way, in comparison to the time, money, health, possessions, etc. God has given us, how are we doing in the giving department? “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (Pr. 11:25 NKJV). Let us give! Trent Thrasher
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Lk. 16:13 NKJV) The Greek word translated as “servant” in this passage (oiketes) denotes a household servant. That is very interesting as each member of the church is a member of God’s house i.e., His family (1 Tim. 3:15). Jesus says it is not possible to serve two masters. This makes sense as our allegiance would be divided to the point of hating the one and loving the other, or clinging to the one and despising [to think little or nothing of] the other. A house divided against a house falls (Lk. 11:17). Furthermore, God will not accept any position but first in our hearts (Lk. 10:27-28; cf. Ex. 20:3-6). Jesus goes on to state that it is not possible to serve God and mammon [riches; treasure; wealth]. This statement is made at the end of the parable of the unjust steward (Lk. 16:1-12). When it comes to stewardship, our use of what God has entrusted us with is of critical importance. The details matter in faithfulness (Lk. 16:10). We never want to be guilty of wasting God’s goods (Lk. 16:1; cf. Mt. 25:14-30). To encourage us to be good stewards and servants, consider a few passages:
Trent Thrasher
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;” (Job 19:25 NKJV) Job had lost a lot (family, possessions, and health cf. Job 1-2), but he had not lost hope. He had hope in a redeemer that he proclaimed lived and would stand upon the earth. The apostle John stated so much when he began his Gospel record (Jn. 1:1-14). Through Christ’s sacrifice we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:3-7; Col. 1:12-14). The one hope (Eph. 4:4) remains available for any honest and good hearted person who hears the Word, keeps it, and brings forth fruit with patience (Lk. 8:11, 15). God blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:12-17), and we have confidence He will do the same for His faithful servants (Titus 1:2). I know that my Redeemer lives and I look forward to being with Him some day! Let us look forward to spending eternity with God and the faithful of all ages (cf. Rev. 7). Trent Thrasher
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