“..pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith;…” 1 Timothy 6:11
I am worth more, not less. More of your time, heart, attention, desire, pursuit.
You are blessed as you give more, and you cheat yourself with less.
Who gets to lower My standard?
Since when did lowering My standard become the good news of the gospel and “grace”?
No, shall it never be. Instead “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
That means “to make every effort to do one’s best, to be eager, earnest.”¹
And grace is the power provided to successfully make that earnest effort.
Grace, “when received by faith, transforms man and causes him to love and to seek after the righteousness of God. Charis” (the English transliteration of the Greek word for grace) “is initially regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit in which spiritual life is given to man and by which his nature is brought under the dominion of righteousness.”¹
“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing…” 1 Timothy 6:3,4
“…discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it hold promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7,8
Be and do. Live a radical life of obedience empowered by the Spirit of God.
“..seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3
Obedience (obeying God)= LOVE (loving God)-John 14:15, 21, 23.
Do you want to follow Me? Love people and……
…………do what you want?/whatever you think ‘loving’ is? NO.
Come, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me (Luke 9:23)
where “there is nowhere to lay your head,” (Matt. 8:19, 20).
In other words, “No, it’s not EASY.”
But..
Obedience = SUCCESS. (Joshua 1:7, 8, Psalm 1:1-3)
And how will you know HOW to be obedient?
STUDY THE WORD.
And listen to Me.
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
…….study, practice, and teach….
“These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:15
¹ definition from Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament.
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