Romans 8:17

{Romans 8:17} and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ if indeed we Jointly suffer with him, that we may also be jointly glorified with him. -- Restoration Light Improved Version.

It appears that Paul is referring to two levels of relationship in this verse. The first is that of sonship, which makes one a general heir of God, but the second is that of being joint-heirs with Christ, which calls for more than that which is required to be a son. To be joint-heirs with Christ means one receives the highest reward, receiving a glory that is even greater than that of the angels. Such a high reward, however, requires suffering that is of the same level that Jesus himself suffered. Indeed, very, very few of God's children actually obtain this highest reward.

Titus 3:5 - Saved Through Mercy

Not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. -- Titus 3:5

The term, “works of righteousness” in our text, appears to reflect works under the Law Covenant, or possibly by works of conscience by which some would seek to justify themselves. Jewish believers in Christ, before they became believers, were seeking justification according to Law. Paul reported of the Gentiles, although without the Law, have a law to themselves, by which many sought justification by their works. (Romans 2:13-15) Paul later says, however, that neither the Jew or the Gentile was justified by their works. (Romans 3:9) No one was actually justified, made straight, declared righteous, by means trying to keep the Law Covenant. (Ecclesiastes 1:15; 7:13; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20,28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11,24; 5:4) The Law, being, weak due to sinful flesh, never, of itself, effected justification for anyone. (Romans 8:3) It is only as one is justified, regenerated, renewed by the Holy Spirit, that one, as a new creature in Christ, is made sinless, straight, just. For such, it is reckoned, or counted, that the old creation has passed away, and all things have been made new; by partaking of the powers of the age to come, it is as though the present age has already passed away. –  2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-10; Hebrews 6:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5.

Related:

The Right Foundation of Faith

Psalm 149:5 -- Let the Godly Rejoice

 {Psalm 149:5} Let the godly rejoice in glory. Let them sing for joy on their beds. -- RLIV.

"The godly" above in the Hebrew signifies ones with piety, having devotion to God. It is these that the Psalmist addresses with a call to rejoice in being honored to have the privilege of such devotion, as well as any special rewards that may eventually come those with such devotion.

A bed signifies a place to rest. The rest of those who belong to Christ is, of course, his faith in God and in the Lord Jesus. It is not, however, a passive rest but the Psalmist tells us to "sing" while upon our beds; this, we believe, refers to actively telling others about God and His Son, what they have done and will do for us and the whole world of mankind.

Psalm 18:3 -- I will call upon Jehovah

1 Timothy 3:13; Isaiah 2:3 - Evil Grows Worse But Soon to Be Removed

2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. -- World English.

Isaiah 2:3 - And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. -- American Standard Version.

It is often observed how the prevalence of sin continues to increase, and sin is often presented as being good. The tendency of this course of man into greater darkness confirms the teaching of the Bible that the tendency of sin is downward toward deeper degradation and departure from the ways of Jehovah. Ever since the sin of Adam, mankind has been living in what the Bible calls "the present evil age." (Galatians 1:4) The Bible speaks of the world before the flood of Noah's day, how it had become corrupted, and how that world was destroyed. (Genesis 6:11,12;  2 Peter 3:6) The same has been true of the long dispensation since the flood -- the dispensation in which we are now living, which is also to pass away. (2 Peter 3:7,10) Jehovah, however, foreknew the predominance of evil. Jehovah, therefore in His Word has foretold the prosperity of sin for a time, and that "evil doers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Timothy 3:13) until the due time should come when a third dispensation set in the Divine Plan for Messiah's Kingdom shall be inaugurated. Only the powers of the age (dispensation) to come will be sufficient to grapple with and suppress the powers of evil so long entrenched in the earth. And thus it is written, the Messiah shall rule the nations "with a rod of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27) and then his kingdom will become "the desire of all nations." (Haggai 2:7) At that time, all nations shall learn the ways of Jehovah. -- Isaiah 2:2-4. 

Psalm 121:8 - Jehovah Will Keep Your Way

Psalms 121:8 - Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore. -- American Standard Version.

As applied to those who belong to Christ in this age, we should understand the application of the above to be to the new creature, not to the sinful flesh. Jehovah will keep the way of His sons throughout the time in this present evil age, as well as throughout eternity, whether at home, outside of the home, on land or on sea, indeed, even while in the oblivious condition of sheol. God, through His spirit, is ever with His people, and thus the new creature, as long as he earnestly seeks Jehovah through Jesus, will always be under Jehovah's protection, in this life, while in the death condition, and after being rescued in last day from death into all eternity.

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1 Corinthians 9:24 - Run That You May Win

{1 Corinthians 9:24} Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run even so, that you may win. -- American Standard Improved Version.

Paul is using the races of his day as an example of the effort needed for a Christian to win the prize of joint-heirship with Christ. He is not speaking of obtaining life through Jesus, or of justification through faith by means of faith in Jesus, etc. He is not speaking of becoming a child of God. Through faith, we become reckoned as justified and become begotten (of the spirit) again as new creatures in Christ. (John 3:3; Romans 3:28; 5:1; 8:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Having become a child of God, we are later given a place (Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5 - adoption in many translations) in the kingdom, receiving rewards based on what we have done while in the present body. (2 Corinthians 5:10) The goal set before us is to become, not just heirs of God as sons, but also joint-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) Sadly, I believe that, while many consecrate themselves to God, very few actually attain the prize of their high calling. (Philippians 3:14) Paul likens the effort needed to obtain that prize to a runner in a race, in which many run, but only one wins. The same kind of vigilance and resolution is needed to attain the prize of joint heirship.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that any will actually be allowed to live for eternity who do not prove themselves fully in harmony with God and Jesus. Thus, I believe that the Bible shows that even if one does not attain the prize of joint-heirship with Christ, such will still eventually need to attain the same kind of integrity towards God and Jesus as demonstrated by those who do attain the prize of joint-heirship. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

See also:

Daily Heavenly Manna for April 9

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Isaiah 58:1 - Awake, Zion

Isaiah 52:1 - Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.  -- World English Bible version.

Isaiah 52 is variously applied. Some apply this to Israel returning from the Babylonian exile; some to the Millennial age, and some to the church in this age or to the resurrection and glorification of the church.

I believe it is basically referring to the full restoration of Israel in the age to come. The prophetic call for the Holy City to awake does provide a picture of the Kingdom Age when the Holy City will be loosed from the shackles that now hold Jerusalem in blindness to their Messiah and the time when "all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:25) I believe that eventually, through Jesus' ruling over Jerusalem all nations of the earth will be blessed with the knowledge of Jehovah and will learn Jehovah's ways, and then there will be healing for all nations and peace all over the earth. This is all part of the Gospel, the Good News concerning our Lord Jesus and what he is yet to do. -- Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Revelation 22:2.

Nevertheless, the command to awake is similar to the command given to Christians in Romans 13:11 and Ephesians 5:14. An application could also be seen to the eventual glorification of the church. --  Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Psalm 62:5 - My Expectation

03-24 - Hebrews 13:5 -- God Never Leaves His People

{Hebrews 13:5} Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you." -- American Standard Improved Version.

At times we may feel that we should not have a share in the common aches, pains and suffering of mankind under the curse. If we have consecrated our life to our Heavenly Father and His Son, we should seek to be content in whatever our Heavenly Father may provide for us. Paul himself had to learn to be content, and he tells us that he had come to know how to have an abundance and also how to be lacking. He tells us he could do all this through Christ, who gave him strength. (Philippians 4:12,13) We who are sons of God also need to have this faith in God through Christ, for our Heavenly Father has assured us that He will not forsake us. This does not mean that he will forever spare of from the death of our bodies that we presently serve in, but it does mean that he will be with us to give us strength through Christ through all our phases of life. Our part is to put faith in his promises.

Related:

Daily Heaven Manna for March 3

Precious Promises to Help in Trials -- Tom Gilbert

The Conquest of Fear

Covetous Conversaton

Be Content With Such Things as Ye Have

God Will Be With Use -- Dawn Magazine

Some Related Scriptures: Genesis 28:15, Exodus 2:21, Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, 1 Samuel 12:22, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalms 37:25, Psalms 37:28, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:17, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:34, Luke 3:14, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:6-8. 

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1 Kings 18:21 - Baal Vs. Jehovah

How long halt ye between two opinions? If Jehovah be God, follow Him: but if Baal, follow him. -- 1 Kings 18:21 

 Comments by Ronald R. Day, Sr.: 

In the world's day of judgment, every individual will need to decide whether they want to serve Jehovah or Satan. In this sense, Baal spoken of in our text would represent Satan. After the 1,000 years of judgment have ended, it will be made apparent as to who wishes to serve Jehovah and those who wish to serve Satan. In Elijah's day, the Baal worshipers were put to death. While we believe that those Baal worshipers died the death in Adam (not the second death), in the final judgment of the world, those who side with Satan will not die the death in Adam, but they will die the second death. Then it will be true that "the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there." -- Psalm 37:10, World English. 

 However, the members of the church enrolled in heaven have decided in this age that they will serve Jehovah through Jesus. Along the way are many temptations to serve Satan, and many times the servant of Jehovah may fall short due to temptations. If, however, the child of God, after having acquired the accurate knowledge of the truth, and then willfully sins, he has, in effect, chosen to serve Satan rather than the God and Father of Jesus. Such have become like those Israelites who chose to worship Baal, but they cannot again come under the condemnation in Adam, so they thus come under a new condemnation, the second death for which there will never be any sacrifice offered. 

 We should, therefore, be diligent throughout each day so as to be determined to serve our God, Jehovah, rather than to serve Satan. Putting our full trust in Jehovah, we have his assurance that He will sustain us. Thus, we can firmly trust Him, come what may.

Related:
Daily Heavenly Manna for December 16

1 John 1:5 - God is Light

 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. -- 1 John 1:5, World English.

Obviously the word "light" is being used figuratively, representing, in this instance, righteousness. God is the highest epitome of every true virtue and everything that is righteousness. He has nothing in him at all that is unrighteous, wicked. As new creatures, the child of God is righteous, and in this sense the child of God is also light. The new creature, however, in this age, has to perform righteousness by means of his sinful flesh, and thus the light of righteousness may not be fully seen in the flesh, since it often falls short of the glory of God. All such sin is covered by the ransom sacrifice of Jesus.

If we stay in fellowship with God as His children, we are assured that His Spirit will guide us in the path of righteousness through what he has revealed in the Bible. Thus, the child of God cannot walk in darkness as long as he is following what is revealed.

1 Thessalonians 5:5,6 - You Are Sons of Light

John 8:31,32 - If You Remain in My Word

John 8:31-32 -  Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32]  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." -- World English.

The word "disciple"  refers to being a pupil, a student, of a person or a certain philosophy. In the broad sense of the world, one can be a student of the Bible without actually becoming a student, a disciple, of Jesus. Only if one -- as a student of the Bible -- has an active goal of making the words of Jesus their own philosophy as actually applied in life can it that the Bible student is also a disciple or student of the Lord Jesus. And then, it is not a matter of simply vocalizing an acceptance of those words, but to be a disciple of Jesus means to continue in those words, giving application of the words of the Lord Jesus in all affairs of life, and even beyond this life. It is a resolved commitment for eternity.

Having remained in his Word, our Lord promises that then we will know the truth, and the truth would set us free. In stating this, Jesus was referring to specific truth. He was not referring to knowing the truth about everything in the entire universe, although for those who become join-heirs with Christ, it is possible that when they are exalted along with Jesus to such a high position of glory, they will be enabled to understand almost everything about the universe. In the present age, however, we can only hope to understand certain truths as revealed in the Bible, and that understanding is relative to our growth in such understanding. (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18) Sadly, it appears that many of the consecrated may remain as "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1) all their lives in the present age, making very little progress in the way of the truth. May we always seek to grow in knowledge, and as understand truths as revealed in the Bible, we will be correspondingly be set free from errors related to that truth.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 20

Bible Standard (comments and other aids)

Video

Expanded Comments

The Truth Shall Make You Free

How to Know the Truth

The Four Freedoms

Freedom in Christ

Prisoners of the Mind

Being Set Free

1 Peter 1:14,15 - As Children of Obedience

1 Peter 1:14,15 -  As children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior. -- World English.

These words are not spoken to the world, but the regenerated child of God. As children of God, we must be fully, wholly obedient to our Heavenly Father. It is in our sinful flesh corrupted by Adam's sin that we fall short in full obedience. (Romans 5:12-19; 8:3,20-22) Otherwise, if the regenerated child of God sins, it is fully willful sin, and for such there will never be another sacrifice given. (Hebrews 10:26) Nevertheless, the new creature in  Christ is called upon to bring the body into subjection to the new mind in Christ (Romans 6:18,19; 1 Corinthians 9:27), and thus our behavior should be holy, in harmony with our consecration to the Heavenly Father. Thus, we should seek to know God's will regarding anything that we do, say or even think, and bring ourselves into harmony with His will in every way possible.

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Daily Heavenly Manna for March 19 * BSM Aids * Expanded Comments * Video

Perfecting of the Saints

Fashioning Ourselves as Obedient Children

1 Peter 1:13 - Prepare Your Minds for Action

1 Peter 1:13 -  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -- World English.

The Greek word rendered "prepare" above literally refers to binding one's garment around the waist. The expression came to be used figuratively to denote being prepared for a work that needed to be accomplished. It is similar to the English expression "buckle down", referring to setting one's minds to tackle a task with determination.

In application, Peter is referring to having a sober (alert) mind constantly aware of putting away the works of the flesh and the attractions of the world, and being holy -- consecrated -- in mind and conduct.  We should renew such determination each day and throughout each day. This calls for us to throw aside any unnecessary cares of this world, and increase our zeal in doing what is right in the sight of our Heavenly Father. 

Due to our sinful flesh, we will have many set-backs along the way; these should not deter us. We should quickly come to the Heavenly Father through Christ regarding any form of sin (Romans 8:34; 1 John 1:9; 2:1), and we have the assurance that He is able, if our hearts are in the right place, to make us stand. -- Romans 14:4; Jude 1:24.

Related:

Daily Heavenly Manna for March 18 * BSM Aids * Video

Hope to the End

The Christian Hope

Called to be Holy

A Call to Holy Living

Running the Christian Race to Win the Prize

 

Matthew 25:28-29 - To Everyone Who Has Will be Given

 Matthew 25:28-29 -  Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.   For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away.  -- World English.

The child of God is held responsible to make use of whatever abilities and circumstances God has granted. Jesus points out that being given these "talents" does not necessarily mean that one will use such "talents" properly. If we succumb to fleshly desires, we may use these talents for self-gain rather than for the praise of our Heavenly Father and the blessing of others. The more we have been given, the more we are expected to use what we have been given in the service of the Heavenly Father. Failure to properly use what God has granted could result in losing what we have.

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Daily Heavenly Manna for March 17 * BSM Aids * Video

Stewardship of the Pounds and the Talents

Use It or Lose It

Renewing Our Vows

What is a Talent?

1 John 3:14,16 - We Love the Brothers

1 John 3:14 -  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn't love his brother remains in death. 

1 John 3:16 -  By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  -- World English.

Here we have the basis for knowing that we have been justified and no longer under the condemnation of death through Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) Do we have love for our brothers who also love God and the Lord Jesus? Are we willing to lay down our lives for our brothers in Christ, irrespective of color of skin, nationality, or even sectarian ties? While we may have love for our brothers in Christ, we may fall short in this love due to various inclinations of the flesh to restrict such love along carnal lines of thinking. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Galatians 3:28) We should certainly pray for our Heavenly Father to grant us strength and understanding so as to overcome such restrictions.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Daily Heavenly Manna for March 16 * BSM Aids * Video

Because We Love the Brethren

Loving the Brethren

In Consideration of Love

Hebrews 10:38 - Righteous Live By Faith

Hebrews 10:38 -  But the righteous will live by faith. -- World English.

The word, in effect, seeks to walk by sight, which is not the faith spoken in our text. The one who belongs to Christ should seek to walk by the things not seen, putting faith in the invisible heavenly Father through Jesus. Those who have been reckoned righteous through faith in Jesus should not consider the act of being justified to be the end of the matter. That faith should become the force behind everything the child of God does. Through faith, we study what God has revealed to us in the Bible, that we may produce righteous fruit to the glory of our Heavenly Father and His Son. -- Matthew 7:19; Galatians 5:22,23; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 2:2.  -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Daily Heavenly Manna for March 15 * BSM Aids * Video

The Just Shall Live

God's Work of Faith

Have Faith In God (Part 1)

Have Faith in God (Part 2)

Proverbs 16:32 - He Who Rules His Spirit

Proverbs 16:32 -  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.  -- American Standard Version.

Self-control is needed both to resist the works of the flesh as well as to develop the other fruits of the spirit.

Solomon observes that it is more important to be slow to anger than to be mighty. Of course, due to our sinful nature, anger is very hard to suppress. Thus it should be our goal to have control of all our inclinations, affections and passions so that they are brought subjection to God's will. Our chief battle in developing Christ-likeness is within ourselves. Through prayer, faith in the Heavenly Father, study of his truths in the Bible and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we may eventually have rule of our spirit. Due to our flesh, however, we will, however, at times, fail and need to come to the Heavenly through the throne of grace. -- Hebrews 4:16.

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A Perfect Hatred

The Psychological Moment

The Necessity of Self-Control

Philippians 3:15-17 - Think This Way

Philippians 3:15-17 -  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect [mature, full-grown], think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, this God will also reveal that to you. Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example. -- World English.

All who truly belong to Christ should be of one spirit in faith, hope and love. Such will move ahead in service of their Lord in accomplishing his purposes. All have their mind on this same goal, and should be seeking to develop themselves to perfection in the spirit of faith, hope and love. This does not mean that in the flesh we will no longer make mistakes, but it does signify a level of perfection in the spirit of love, faith and hope that can no longer be corrupted.

While it may be that at some point in this present evil age we will have perfected our faith and love, this should not in any way give cause to think that we have made it and thus that we no longer need to think as the apostle spoke of in the verses preceding. Indeed, if we think we have become so perfect, we may even become lax in our diligence toward our faith as well in love, which would demonstrate that we had not actually reached the goal Paul wrote about. Such should refocus their minds and seek by prayer and Biblical study and by the earnest endeavor to purify their hearts to progress into the unity of the spirit. -- Ephesians 4:3. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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This One Thing I Do

Holding Fast At the Mark

Hebrews 12:1 - Surrounded By Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 -  Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. -- World English.

The apostle is telling us to look back at those faithful ones of old spoken of in the preceding chapter. We should note their sufferings and yet how they maintained their faith in God regardless. Surely they are fine examples that should provide a stimulus for our faith and zeal. Who of us in our service to God and Jesus have not experienced similar experiences, or have not seen similar experiences in others who are fellow servants of the Lord Jesus?

The apostle tells those who belong to Christ to lay aside all things of this world that may hinder us in our calling. This does not mean that absolutely everything we might consider to be weights and hindrances is to be cast aside. For instance, a man who is married and has children should not cast these aside, but at the same time, they should not become of greater importance so as to replace our service to God and Jesus.

The race set before us, however, is not the same as that set before those faithful servants of old. We have been called to become joint-heirs with Christ, to become kings jointly with Christ in the Kingdom. To obtain this goal calls for us to have even greater zeal and willingness to suffer for Christ and His God. We believe, however, that most of the Lord's servants will fall short of obtaining this grand prize, although most of them will attain a lower reward than that of being joint-heirs with Christ. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Role Models

03-10 - Hebrews 3:13 - Exhort One Another

Hebrews 3:13 -  Exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today;" lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. - World English. 

The Greek word rendered as "exhort" above means to call to one's side, speak to, comfort, console, encourage. It indicates the giving by word, prayer, entreaty or otherwise whatever is needed to help each other to remain faithful. As we each seek to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, we also should be willing to receive encouragement from others. We live in a world that is deceived (2 Corinthians 4:3,4; Revelation 12:9; 2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 5:19), and it is easy to be ensnared by the deceptions so as to begin thinking that what is right in God's eyes is wrong, etc. -- 2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 4:14

By "Today" possibly the apostle is referring to each day of the Christian's life in the present evil age. As long as we live in the present age which is under Satan's deceptions, each and every day brings its temptations and a need to aid each other so as to not be taken away by the deceptive philosophies of this age.

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Daily Heavenly Manna for March 10 * BSM Aids * Video

If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

A Good Work Done and Completed

Hebrews 6:10 - Labor of Love Rewarded

Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  -- New King James Version.

NO child of Jehovah should be content to let the days of the present harvest time go by with their golden opportunities for service and co-operation without seeking each day to lift the royal banner himself, and to publicly show forth the praises of Him who hath called him out of darkness into light, or without assisting and co-operating with others whom Jehovah in His providence has placed in more advantageous positions for public service. -- Adapted excerpt from: "Baptism Unto Repentance Not Baptism Into Christ." Z.'03-59 R3152:3

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God is Not Unrighteous

God is not unjust; unlike man who has been made crooked, Jehovah remains loyal to His Word. Due to the fallen condition of man, we may easily forget the labors of love our brothers in Christ perform for us. This is not so with our Heavenly Father. He does not forget, and will not fail to reward those who do perform labors of love towards fellow believers in Christ. God's "name" is closely tied with his justice, love, wisdom and power. God is just, and what he promises will come true. 

It is God who rewards His children for their service to Him through Christ. While we should aid our brothers in Christ, the full judgment is not left up to any of us who belong to Christ during this age. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

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Labor of love

The motivation behind our labor should be: love for God, His Son, our brothers, and for our neighbors in the world. We should want to bring honor to the name of our Heavenly Father, not just in preaching truths to others, but also in every manner of labor that we do, especially that which we do for the "saints", those consecrated to Jehovah and His Son. We are assured that God does not forget our work for Him, so whatever we may do to honor his name to the best of our ability and circumstances, we know that it will be rewarded in the Kingdom.

There is a danger in performing works on behalf of the saints in that we may develop an inclination to seek our reward from them. This could lead to disappointment and discouragement, since our brothers in Christ may not give us the praise and/or "reward" as we may have expected. Or their praise could lead to pride of self, so we begin to think more of self than we should. Thus, we should guard our motives in whatever work we may do on behalf of our brothers in Christ, for if we labor with the wrong motive, we will be judged by God through Christ accordingly. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related Scriptures:

Proverbs 14:31

Proverbs 22:9

Proverbs 28:27

Proverbs 31:20;

Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 18:5, 6

Acts 11:29\

Acts 24:17

Romans 12:13

Romans 15:25,26

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

2 Corinthians 8,9

Galatians 5:13

1 Thessalonians 1:3
1 Thessalonians 1:6,7

2 Timothy 1: 18

1 John 3:17

1 John 3:18

Related Online:

The Labor of Love to be Rewarded

Preparing for Graduation

Labor's Love Rewarded

She Hath Done What She Could (Poem)

1 Corinthians 12:18 - God Has Set the Members of the Body

1 Corinthians 12:18 -  But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. -- World English.

We should always remember that everyone who belongs to Christ is being used by God as it pleases him. If we use carnal reasoning, we might, in effect, think that we can do a better job than God, and bring forth a unified organization along carnal lines rather than the unity of spirit (Ephesians 4:3) that should prevail among those who belong to Christ. Nevertheless, many have taken to forms of sectarianism and give devotion to this or that man, or group of men, to accept whatever such men may say as being true. -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.

Along this same line of reasoning, we may tend to reject a brother as being a Christian,  based on some disagreement regarding a non-fundamental application of a scripture. Again, it is not up to us to judge whether this or that brother is of the body of Christ based on such disagreements of some application of scripture. At the same time, we should understand that God has given us various ones to help us eventually attain the unity of faith based on a knowledge of God's Son, so that the body of Christ becomes a full-grown man. -- Ephesians 4:11-13. 

The phrase "as He desired" (or "as He willed") indicates that placements and gifts are not accidental or based on human merit, but are arranged by God’s deliberate wisdom and pleasure. This surely indicates a Divine supervision in the Church. And yet, we are also warned that there would arise false teachers who would lead believers into a gospel that is different from that taught by the apostles. All of this, however, still falls under God's divine supervision, for God allows such so that the faith of brothers may be tried, and that those of true faith may become manifest.

Holiness of life and completeness of dedication are two aspects of God's desire that are evidently the same for every member of Christ's body (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 12:14,15). On the other hand, God's desire for each member of Christ's body to serve in the household of faith may differ greatly. Nevertheless, it is God, not ourselves or even other people, who must decide our place in the body of Christ. -- 1 Corinthians 12:18.

We may hold elections to choose elders and deacons, etc., but even this is overseen by God. He may allow us to choose a brother who is not qualified, or who turns out to be one who would lord it over the flock, demanding everything has to be as he says. This can usually be rectified, but sometimes it is not. Regardless, the fact that God may use a church to appoint such does not mean that the one appointed will be faithful in his assignment.

At times, a brother may be doing a work of preaching without having received any appointment from a church. This does not mean that God himself has not chosen him for the work he is doing. If his work is from God, it should be manifest in what he preaches as being in harmony with God's Word. 

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03-07 - 1 John 4:12 - Love One Another

1 John 4:12 -  If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. -- World English.

While this verse is often read to mean to love fellow believers in Christ, it may have a broader application, that is, that we should love all others, whether in Christ or of the world. (Luke 6:27-36) And yet it is a love that is first of all a love for God, in harmony with appreciation of His love for us and the whole world dying in Adam. (John 3:16,17; 1 John 2:2,5; 3:17: 4:7-11) It is this love that should distinguish the regenerated child of God from all others. It is a love that can be seen in action on all occasions. It is a love that is willing to overlook the frailties and imperfections of others. The goal of those who belong to Christ is to perfect this love in their hearts. Indeed, eventually, all who are to live forever must have this love perfected in their hearts.

And yet, there is a special love that we should have for our brothers in Christ. Such love should be willing to lay down life for each other. Indeed, this, we believe, is possibly the greatest test on all the regenerated children of God, and it possibly along the line of love that many will fail to attain the prize that Paul wrote about in Philippians 3:14. Most of those consecrated who do not attain that prize will, we believe, have to go through further disciplining before they will be proven fit for eternal life, although they will have lost the greatest prize for which they were called. -- Luke 12:47,48.

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03-06 - Philippians 4:11,12 - Content In Whatever State

03-05 - Philippians 4:8 - Moral Excellence, Praise

{Philippians 4:8} Finally, brothers, ... if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise, think about these things. -- RLIV.

The Greek word rendered above as "moral excellence" can refer to valor. Many translations render as "virtue." As applied to the Christian's thoughts, it should not be understood as simply abstaining from evil thoughts, but also of thinking on all the principles of right conduct in God's sight. 

Of course, one who belongs to Christ should not be thinking of seeking praise for himself, but at the same time, should be seeking to ponder any elements of character that are praiseworthy in harmony with the righteous principles given in the Bible.

Nevertheless, it is our mind, our thoughts within ourselves that determines who we really are. One may have an outward appearance of love and caring, but the outward appearance may not be what is in the heart. (Proverbs 23:7) We should be always be striving to control our thoughts to harmonize with love for God and Christ, for fellow believers, and for neighbor, which basically means to bring our thoughts in harmony with the admonition given by the apostle Paul. It is by our thoughts that these characteristics truly become our own, and our thoughts then produce the righteous qualities in action.

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03-04 - Philippians 4:8 - Whatever Things Are Pure, Lovely, Good Report

{Philippians 4:8} Finally, brothers, ... whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report..., think about these things. -- RLIV.

The worldly mind may reason that any thought that is not considered sexually immoral is pure, but the child of God has higher standards. If one belongs to Christ, he should recognize that any thought that advocates selfishness, pride, envy, jealousy, or malice is impure, and thus should not be entertained. Purity of thought is about repelling any thought that is not pure is God's eyes, but it is also about thinking on the pure things that God has revealed, both in the Bible and in creation around us.

The Greek word translated as "lovely" appears to refer to that which is worthy of affection, as something to be prized. That which is prized of the new creature should be not what the world might seek, but rather the things of God. Of course, throughout each day, we have many things to do, and we should set our minds upon the tasks we need to do, but in all we do, our thoughts should subjected to our goal of pleasing our Heavenly Father. There are many influences that may surround us that may seek to turn our attention away from our main goal in life, and thus, we need to guard our thoughts from becoming infested with anything that is not in harmony with pleasing our Heavenly Father and His Son.

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03-03 - Philippians 4:8 - Whatever Things Are Just

Finally, brothers, ... whatever things are just, ... , think about these things. -- Philippians 4:8, RLIV

The Greek word rendered as "just" refers to that which is straight, right. Of course, Paul is referring to what is right in God's eyes. Today, we live in a society that has created its own thoughts about what is right and wrong, so their consciences have been figuratively seared with a branding iron. When one comes to Christ, one has to have their conscience retrained so as to know what is right and wrong in God's eyes. This can only be done by diligent prayer and study of God's Word to determine what is just in God's eyes. By such we would then set our minds on things that are truly just. In doing so, we should at the same time reject thoughts that are not right in God eyes.

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