Posts

Showing posts from September, 2021

Christians Not of This World

Do Not Love the World 1 John 2:15–17 (NIV): "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." When John talks about the world (κόσμος), he is referring to the system of human existence regarding earthly joys, cares, and sufferings.  John tells us to not love (ἀγαπάω) the world, which means to have high satisfaction or pleasure regarding earthly desires.  He even goes on to say that if anyone loves the world that God's love is not in them (Arndt, et. al., 2000). In the next sentence, John goes on to describle things of the world.  The first one he talks about is lust (ἐπιθυμία), which is a desire for something forbidden or excessive.  When he talks about flesh (σαρκός) he is referrin

Reasons for Standing Strong for Christ

Reasons for Standing Strong Paul writes to Ephesus, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV) . Strong in the Lord and His Mighty Power The term Paul uses for strong (ἐνδυναμόω) means to become able to function with the use of inner or moral strength.  Paul uses the term Lord (κυριακός) in this instance to raise Him above the human level where the Lord is transcendent.  The word used for power (κράτος) has to do with the working of God's strength.  In other words, Paul is telling us to become able to function with moral strength that comes the working of God's strength within us (Arndt, et, al., 2000).     Full Armor of God and Against Devil T

Sexual Immorality

Sexual immorality is discussed a lot in the Bible and is considered a sin.  Here are a few of the major passages that talk about it that are broken down so that one could understand what it consists of in the context of Scripture. Sexual Immorality - Paul Paul states, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality" (1 Corinthians 6:9 ESV).  The word immoral (πόρνος) refers to one who is a fornicator.  According to Baker Encyclopedia, a fornicator "refers to every kind of illegal sexual intercourse, that is, any intercourse except that between a husband and wife" (Gerig, W., L., 1988).  The word adulterer (μοιχός) refers to someone who is unfaithful to a spouse, and homosexuality (μαλακός) refers to being passive in a same-sex relationship (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  Paul in Romans states,  " For their women exchanged na