Hello Joe!
Wow, it's been over a decade since we last saw you and your family. I guess the last time we saw all of you was our last day there at First Baptist. I realized how long it has been when I recently heard about your twins, Gabby and John, graduating from college! Please congratulate them for us.
I'm sure you must be a proud dad! I remember your extreme devotion to John's involvement in baseball. You shuffled him from town to town and tournament to tournament all through his childhood and teenage years. You sacrificed much in time and money to ensure his training and development; and I hear that it all paid off when John was named SEC player of the year and was drafted in the first round of the Major League draft. Wow!
I also recall how devoted you and your wife, Sharon, were to Gabby's education. You challenged her to excel in all of her subjects. I remember our conversations together about how weary you two were; Sharon from diligently tutoring and preparing Gabby two hours per night in her homework, and you from working that extra job to put back money for her college education. "It takes a lot of money to get through Med school" I remember you saying. Well, that too has paid off! I see that she got into that prestigious medical school and just graduated top of her class! Please tell "Dr. Gabby" we said hello!
I read the article in the paper about the two of them. They spoke very highly of both you and Sharon. They stated their sincere appreciation for the sacrifices that both of you made for their future. They even spoke of how you always made certain that at least twice a year the whole family got away together on an "adventure vacation". They knew those vacations were costly, but they treasured them. It is refreshing to hear about the great family-time y'all had together!
But Joe, I spoke with our mutual friend from First Baptist, Bob, yesterday (which is how I found out about your family news) and he shared that you guys no longer attended church there. He actually said that you told him y'all wanted to, but you were just too busy right now with everything else going on in your lives to be able to go faithfully. Joe, you've gone to extremes, at any cost, to ensure your children's future. You've practically given your life for the sake of your children's success! That is certainly to be admired... but to what extreme have you gone to bring Gabby and John up "in the training and admonition of the Lord"? At what cost have you taught them the Word of God that they may know Him in salvation, and love and serve Him in life? As a father, how diligent have you been to be a living model and example to them of what it means to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind"? How much sleep have you sacrificed for the purpose of praying and interceding for Gabby and John?
Joe, my friend, by diligently and tirelessly investing in your children's future careers, but neglecting their spiritual upbringing, you've done nothing more than help Gabby and John "gain the whole world and lose (their) own soul"! They applaud you now for preparing them for life in this world, but what will they one day say of your neglect in preparing them for the life to come? What will it really matter on judgment day that they both had fame and popularity, financial and material wealth, status and recognition? Oh, my friend, you are their father...............!
So reader..... are you Joe?
Ephesians 6:4
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Do You Know So?
"I thank You that I can know that I know that I know that I'm saved!" These are the words that I remember a deacon praying many years ago when I was a teenager. He knew that genuine salvation of the Lord was not a "hope so, maybe so", but a "know so" salvation. The apostle John wrote the letter of 1 John so that his readers "may know that (they) have eternal life, and that (they) may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13). Assurance of salvation and continued faithfulness are the fruit of the message of 1 John.
"Now by this we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments... whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:3-5) John gives numerous "tests" of salvation in his letter, one of which we find here. These verses reveal that a genuine believer is marked by a life of obedience. The word "keep" in that passage is in the present tense meaning continued, repeated obedience (an obedient lifestyle). The Christian life begins with an obedient response to the Lord Jesus' command to "repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15), and proceeds in continual and consistent obedience.
John, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, also says that "whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him." At the center of the believer's obedience is a heart of love for His Savior (John 14:21), therefore, he knows the Lord's commands, he loves His commands, and desires only to grow in his obedience to them. He doesn't want to be free from God's commandments, but to run freely in them (Psalm 119:32)!
As the genuine believer obeys the Word of God he is matured and changed by the Word of God; his mind is renewed and his walk is transformed! (Romans 12:2) A genuine faith produces visible fruit. Verse 6 reveals that this fruit is a Christ-like walk of obedience. "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
Many people make professions of faith and say "I know Him", but they live with a disregard for the commands of Scripture and are uncaringly disobedient to them. The Lord says clearly through the pen of the apostle John that they are liars and the truth is not in them! (1 John 2:4)
Are you lacking assurance of your salvation? Then take inventory of your heart and life and lay it against the message of God's word! Do you love the Lord's commands? Do you find joy in obeying them? Are you grieved and convicted when you disobey them? Are you growing in your obedience?
Assurance is gained not in a card that we signed, a prayer that we prayed, or a parent's affirmation, but in a changed life! A life made new by the power of God through the Word of God, evidenced by obedience! As one writer, Don Whitney, said - "The obedient life is a truly converted life!"
Thank You, Jesus, for providing a "know so" salvation!
"Now by this we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments... whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:3-5) John gives numerous "tests" of salvation in his letter, one of which we find here. These verses reveal that a genuine believer is marked by a life of obedience. The word "keep" in that passage is in the present tense meaning continued, repeated obedience (an obedient lifestyle). The Christian life begins with an obedient response to the Lord Jesus' command to "repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15), and proceeds in continual and consistent obedience.
John, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, also says that "whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him." At the center of the believer's obedience is a heart of love for His Savior (John 14:21), therefore, he knows the Lord's commands, he loves His commands, and desires only to grow in his obedience to them. He doesn't want to be free from God's commandments, but to run freely in them (Psalm 119:32)!
As the genuine believer obeys the Word of God he is matured and changed by the Word of God; his mind is renewed and his walk is transformed! (Romans 12:2) A genuine faith produces visible fruit. Verse 6 reveals that this fruit is a Christ-like walk of obedience. "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
Many people make professions of faith and say "I know Him", but they live with a disregard for the commands of Scripture and are uncaringly disobedient to them. The Lord says clearly through the pen of the apostle John that they are liars and the truth is not in them! (1 John 2:4)
Are you lacking assurance of your salvation? Then take inventory of your heart and life and lay it against the message of God's word! Do you love the Lord's commands? Do you find joy in obeying them? Are you grieved and convicted when you disobey them? Are you growing in your obedience?
Assurance is gained not in a card that we signed, a prayer that we prayed, or a parent's affirmation, but in a changed life! A life made new by the power of God through the Word of God, evidenced by obedience! As one writer, Don Whitney, said - "The obedient life is a truly converted life!"
Thank You, Jesus, for providing a "know so" salvation!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Who's Influencing Your Children?
Many years ago there was a phrase that was often quoted to parents, it went something like this: "It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your child is?". Another, maybe more timely, question came across my desk just the other day, it simply asked “It’s the 21st Century, do you know who and what is influencing your child?”. Check out these names: 50 Cent, Korn, Eminem, Lil’ Kim, Flo Rida, Nelly, Britney Spears, J-Lo, and Madonna. Do you recognize these people? It is likely that your kids and grandkids do. Though their names are somewhat unique and catchy, these popular music artists’ message, one of selfishness, profanity, and immorality, is nothing worth “catching”. Sadly, teens everywhere are stamped with their influence. You can see it in their clothes, hear it in their vocabulary, and watch it in their attitude and behavior.
However, even in a culture that is sin-soaked and hell-bound there is hope for raising kids and teens to know Jesus and honor Him! The Word of God is sufficient for instruction in all of life. That includes parenting! Deuteronomy 6:5-9 clearly states that we, the parents, are to be the primary influence for godliness in the lives of our children!
First, verses 5 and 6 begin with instruction for us in our personal lives: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” We must genuinely love the Lord, and treasure His word within our hearts to obey it! We cannot live lives of hypocrisy ourselves, and expect our teens to reject sin and love God. May they see in the life of their parent one who has forever been changed by the power of the gospel and lives in the light of His grace and mercy!
Second, verses 7 through 9 give us the model for practically discipling our children: “You shall teach them (His commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” We must be intentional and direct in teaching our children the Word of God diligently! In doing so to take every opportunity, whether while sitting around the dinner table, walking through the neighborhood, driving to and from a ballgame, tucking them into bed, or preparing to begin the day, to teach and apply the word of God. We must be aware of “teaching moments”, for we are accountable to the Father for the stewardship of our children! What a responsibility and privilege we have!
So, who is influencing YOUR child? Are you?
However, even in a culture that is sin-soaked and hell-bound there is hope for raising kids and teens to know Jesus and honor Him! The Word of God is sufficient for instruction in all of life. That includes parenting! Deuteronomy 6:5-9 clearly states that we, the parents, are to be the primary influence for godliness in the lives of our children!
First, verses 5 and 6 begin with instruction for us in our personal lives: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” We must genuinely love the Lord, and treasure His word within our hearts to obey it! We cannot live lives of hypocrisy ourselves, and expect our teens to reject sin and love God. May they see in the life of their parent one who has forever been changed by the power of the gospel and lives in the light of His grace and mercy!
Second, verses 7 through 9 give us the model for practically discipling our children: “You shall teach them (His commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” We must be intentional and direct in teaching our children the Word of God diligently! In doing so to take every opportunity, whether while sitting around the dinner table, walking through the neighborhood, driving to and from a ballgame, tucking them into bed, or preparing to begin the day, to teach and apply the word of God. We must be aware of “teaching moments”, for we are accountable to the Father for the stewardship of our children! What a responsibility and privilege we have!
So, who is influencing YOUR child? Are you?
No Re-do's in Eternity!
(originally written May '02)
I have always loved sports. I especially like the thrill of the last second buzzer-beating shot, the late scoring drive, and the bottom of the ninth game-clinching home run. I remember as a young boy, I would take my basketball out in the front yard and pretend to make the last second shot to win the “Big Game”. I would count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, then pick up my dribble and take the shot! Usually the ball would thud off of the rim and miss the goal. But that was the great thing about being all by myself, I could make up the rules! “Wait!”, I would say, “he was fouled! He gets two free throws and another chance to win the game!” I call that a “re-do”. Anytime I would miss, I would call re-do and I got another chance! It was great! Of course I would re-do until I finally made the shot, and I was the hero!
This reminds me of a Scripture that I’m sure we are all familiar with, Hebrews 9:27. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. How many people have exited this life, only to wish they could call “re-do”? The rich man in Luke 16 is a sobering picture of someone who wished he could call re-do, listen to his plight. “The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes…….he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame’…..Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” The truth was, he chose to reject the word of God in his lifetime, and now was realizing the judgment of his sin.
I am thankful for reminders, and today I was reminded of the seriousness and urgency of “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This morning I was at the funeral of a family friend. Thankfully, when Mr. Kilgore passed this life he was present with the Lord Jesus! But last Friday when he woke up, he didn’t know that he would not lay his head on his pillow that night. We are not promised tomorrow... our life is but a vapor...
The message is still the same, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”, Luke 13:3. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. And Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37. Have you responded to the gospel in repentance and faith? There are no re-dos in eternity!
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving this wretched sinner!
I have always loved sports. I especially like the thrill of the last second buzzer-beating shot, the late scoring drive, and the bottom of the ninth game-clinching home run. I remember as a young boy, I would take my basketball out in the front yard and pretend to make the last second shot to win the “Big Game”. I would count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, then pick up my dribble and take the shot! Usually the ball would thud off of the rim and miss the goal. But that was the great thing about being all by myself, I could make up the rules! “Wait!”, I would say, “he was fouled! He gets two free throws and another chance to win the game!” I call that a “re-do”. Anytime I would miss, I would call re-do and I got another chance! It was great! Of course I would re-do until I finally made the shot, and I was the hero!
This reminds me of a Scripture that I’m sure we are all familiar with, Hebrews 9:27. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. How many people have exited this life, only to wish they could call “re-do”? The rich man in Luke 16 is a sobering picture of someone who wished he could call re-do, listen to his plight. “The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes…….he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame’…..Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” The truth was, he chose to reject the word of God in his lifetime, and now was realizing the judgment of his sin.
I am thankful for reminders, and today I was reminded of the seriousness and urgency of “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This morning I was at the funeral of a family friend. Thankfully, when Mr. Kilgore passed this life he was present with the Lord Jesus! But last Friday when he woke up, he didn’t know that he would not lay his head on his pillow that night. We are not promised tomorrow... our life is but a vapor...
The message is still the same, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”, Luke 13:3. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. And Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” John 6:37. Have you responded to the gospel in repentance and faith? There are no re-dos in eternity!
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving this wretched sinner!
Servanthood
In a world where self promotion and name recognition is the key to success; we find in Scripture a stark contrast! The Word of God blasts a clear call to self-abasement, humility, and servanthood!
In Matthew 20 we find the mother of Zebedee’s sons coming to Jesus to secure a place of greatness for her sons, that one may sit on His right hand and the other on His left hand in His kingdom. In contrast, what she and her sons, James and John, along with the rest of the disciples received was a lesson on servanthood! Jesus replied with these words, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave”. Position in the kingdom cannot be lobbied for or even earned, but is appointed by the will of the Father. We are not to seek a position, but to serve a Person – the Lord Jesus Christ. By extension our service to the Lord Jesus will be revealed in our service to others!
The word translated “slave” here in verse 27 is “doulos” meaning one who gives himself up to another’s will; one who is devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. The pursuit of the Christian is not to be one of status but of lowliness, not of loftiness but of humility, given over to the will of the Father and the service of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
I was refreshingly reminded of this life of servanthood a few weeks ago while reading Roy Hession’s, The Calvary Road. In his chapter entitled, “Are You Willing to be a Servant?” He points out five marks of the servant revealed in Luke 17:7-10. I would like to point out four of them. 1. He must be willing to have one thing on top of another put upon him, without any consideration being given him. How completely the servant labors for and serves his master before ever thinking of himself. 2. In doing this he must be willing not to be thanked for it. How often we serve others, but when there is no gratitude or thanks we wallow in self-pity that we are not appreciated. 3. He must confess that he is an unprofitable servant. That is, that we are truly useless to God and man in ourselves. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” Rom. 7:18. If we do serve faithfully it is no thanks to us, but to the Lord Jesus that dwells in us! 4. He must admit that doing and bearing what he has in the way of meekness and humility, he has not done one stitch more than it was his duty to do. We were created and redeemed to serve!
What a contrast to the world’s standards! To be high, we must be low. (James 4:10) To be great in the eyes of the Father, we must be servant of all! What an honor to be a servant of the Master, the One who was willing Himself to be a Servant! (Philippians
2:6-8).
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
In Matthew 20 we find the mother of Zebedee’s sons coming to Jesus to secure a place of greatness for her sons, that one may sit on His right hand and the other on His left hand in His kingdom. In contrast, what she and her sons, James and John, along with the rest of the disciples received was a lesson on servanthood! Jesus replied with these words, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave”. Position in the kingdom cannot be lobbied for or even earned, but is appointed by the will of the Father. We are not to seek a position, but to serve a Person – the Lord Jesus Christ. By extension our service to the Lord Jesus will be revealed in our service to others!
The word translated “slave” here in verse 27 is “doulos” meaning one who gives himself up to another’s will; one who is devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. The pursuit of the Christian is not to be one of status but of lowliness, not of loftiness but of humility, given over to the will of the Father and the service of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
I was refreshingly reminded of this life of servanthood a few weeks ago while reading Roy Hession’s, The Calvary Road. In his chapter entitled, “Are You Willing to be a Servant?” He points out five marks of the servant revealed in Luke 17:7-10. I would like to point out four of them. 1. He must be willing to have one thing on top of another put upon him, without any consideration being given him. How completely the servant labors for and serves his master before ever thinking of himself. 2. In doing this he must be willing not to be thanked for it. How often we serve others, but when there is no gratitude or thanks we wallow in self-pity that we are not appreciated. 3. He must confess that he is an unprofitable servant. That is, that we are truly useless to God and man in ourselves. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” Rom. 7:18. If we do serve faithfully it is no thanks to us, but to the Lord Jesus that dwells in us! 4. He must admit that doing and bearing what he has in the way of meekness and humility, he has not done one stitch more than it was his duty to do. We were created and redeemed to serve!
What a contrast to the world’s standards! To be high, we must be low. (James 4:10) To be great in the eyes of the Father, we must be servant of all! What an honor to be a servant of the Master, the One who was willing Himself to be a Servant! (Philippians
2:6-8).
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
Competing Against Myself?!
I love to compete! Whether it be bowling, basketball, or even golf (at which I am not very good), I love competing for victory! It is this imagery that the apostle Paul uses to illustrate the disciplined Christian life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. He clearly explains that he was competing for a prize; but he wasn’t running an athletic event for a physical crown, but running a spiritual race for an imperishable one! It was not the temporal that he was concerned with, but the eternal!
We find that Paul had an adversary in his race, his own body! It was his body that he fought, disciplined, and brought into subjection lest he should become disqualified and lose his reward. This word “disqualified” does not mean a loss of salvation, for we know that our salvation is “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13-14) and “kept by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:5). Rather, it means to become disapproved. Paul was not willing to allow any desire or right of his “hinder the gospel of Christ” (9:12) and, therefore, displease his Lord and Master!
In verse 12 we see that Paul, though having every right to receive materially from the Corinthians for his spiritual labor, did not use that right but chose rather, to “endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ”. His reward was to preach the gospel without charge and not abuse his authority in the gospel. He gladly set aside the temporal gain for the eternal reward!
A missionary setting aside the comforts and securities of home to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to a foreign land; an elderly lady choosing to do without hot water and a daily paper that she might have more to give to the Lord’s work; a college student giving up his weekly trip to the golf course to spend that time teaching Backyard Bible Clubs in his neighborhood; a dentist who could make an abundance of money working forty hours a week, choosing rather to invest twenty of those hours ministering the gospel through dentistry to inner-city families - what a beautiful picture this is! The laying aside of rights, privileges, and material gain for the sake of the gospel!
Sadly, many are more concerned with the promotion of their standard of living, than they are standing and promoting the gospel of the living Christ! Money, time, and energy is funneled into the perishable “things” of their lives, rather than being deposited into the eternal work of the kingdom of God. May it not be said of us!
Scripture is clear: “if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). The rule in 1 Corinthians 9:25 is, “everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things”. We must be temperate, self-controlled, and faithful in keeping our eyes off of the temporal if we are to receive the imperishable crown and full reward of pleasing our Savior!
Let us not become “entangled with the affairs of this life, that (we) may please Him who enlisted (us) as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4).
We find that Paul had an adversary in his race, his own body! It was his body that he fought, disciplined, and brought into subjection lest he should become disqualified and lose his reward. This word “disqualified” does not mean a loss of salvation, for we know that our salvation is “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13-14) and “kept by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:5). Rather, it means to become disapproved. Paul was not willing to allow any desire or right of his “hinder the gospel of Christ” (9:12) and, therefore, displease his Lord and Master!
In verse 12 we see that Paul, though having every right to receive materially from the Corinthians for his spiritual labor, did not use that right but chose rather, to “endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ”. His reward was to preach the gospel without charge and not abuse his authority in the gospel. He gladly set aside the temporal gain for the eternal reward!
A missionary setting aside the comforts and securities of home to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to a foreign land; an elderly lady choosing to do without hot water and a daily paper that she might have more to give to the Lord’s work; a college student giving up his weekly trip to the golf course to spend that time teaching Backyard Bible Clubs in his neighborhood; a dentist who could make an abundance of money working forty hours a week, choosing rather to invest twenty of those hours ministering the gospel through dentistry to inner-city families - what a beautiful picture this is! The laying aside of rights, privileges, and material gain for the sake of the gospel!
Sadly, many are more concerned with the promotion of their standard of living, than they are standing and promoting the gospel of the living Christ! Money, time, and energy is funneled into the perishable “things” of their lives, rather than being deposited into the eternal work of the kingdom of God. May it not be said of us!
Scripture is clear: “if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). The rule in 1 Corinthians 9:25 is, “everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things”. We must be temperate, self-controlled, and faithful in keeping our eyes off of the temporal if we are to receive the imperishable crown and full reward of pleasing our Savior!
Let us not become “entangled with the affairs of this life, that (we) may please Him who enlisted (us) as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4).
A Vessel of Honor?!
Thessalonica was a city filled with idolatry and immorality. This evil permeated the life of the Thessalonians. Sexual immorality could even be found as part of their pagan religious rituals. It was this life of idolatry and sin that the Thessalonian believers repented of upon the hearing of the gospel! (1 Thessalonians 1:9). But it was also in this immoral setting that the Thessalonian believers lived out their new life in Christ!
It’s no wonder that when the apostle Paul writes his letter to them he “urges and exhorts” them to walk pleasing to God, and to know how to behave themselves in sanctification and honor (4:1-4). Their need was to “come out from among them and be separate”! When Paul spoke to them of their sanctification, he was lifting up the Christian’s high calling to holiness!
During my study of 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 a few weeks ago, I was meditating on those words “sanctification” and “honor” in verse 4. When specifically thinking on the word “honor” I thought of reverence as a proper definition. Realizing that I may not fully understand the meaning of the word that we have translated “honor”, I decided to look that word up. I found that the Greek word is “time” (tee-may’) and it’s full meaning almost put me on the floor! In one moment the Lord opened my mind to the fuller meaning of Paul’s charge to the Thessalonians to “possess (their) vessels in…honor”.
Here is the definition of the word “time”: A valuing by which the price is fixed; a valuing of the price paid; a valuing of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold.
Did you get that? My mind immediately rushed to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “You are not your own…for you were bought at a price”! That makes my heart do somersaults! Do you see what it means, child of God, to “possess your vessels in… honor”? Paul is saying to the Thessalonians, and by extension to us, that we ought to live our lives in a manner which reflects the value of the price paid for our redemption! Need I remind you that the price paid for your redemption and sanctification was the very life of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary! It cost the Father His only begotten Son! What a high price! When the Father sees our conduct, He sees the value that we place on Jesus’ sacrifice!
In this day many live their lives doing just enough to get by. They work just hard enough to not be fired, practice their sport just hard enough to not lose a starting position, and go to church just enough to not get a “we’ve missed you in Sunday School” call. My friend, this may get them by in this world’s eyes, but not in God’s! He gave all in Jesus, how dare we give Him as little as possible! Dare we look to the cross of the Lord Jesus and say, “Thanks for saving me from hell, but I’d like to hold on to my sin”? That is blasphemous!
Being reminded of the price paid for our salvation ought to rid us of any longing for the old life of sin, but rather fix our eyes on pleasing the One who gave all for us! What a privilege – to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus!
It’s no wonder that when the apostle Paul writes his letter to them he “urges and exhorts” them to walk pleasing to God, and to know how to behave themselves in sanctification and honor (4:1-4). Their need was to “come out from among them and be separate”! When Paul spoke to them of their sanctification, he was lifting up the Christian’s high calling to holiness!
During my study of 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 a few weeks ago, I was meditating on those words “sanctification” and “honor” in verse 4. When specifically thinking on the word “honor” I thought of reverence as a proper definition. Realizing that I may not fully understand the meaning of the word that we have translated “honor”, I decided to look that word up. I found that the Greek word is “time” (tee-may’) and it’s full meaning almost put me on the floor! In one moment the Lord opened my mind to the fuller meaning of Paul’s charge to the Thessalonians to “possess (their) vessels in…honor”.
Here is the definition of the word “time”: A valuing by which the price is fixed; a valuing of the price paid; a valuing of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold.
Did you get that? My mind immediately rushed to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “You are not your own…for you were bought at a price”! That makes my heart do somersaults! Do you see what it means, child of God, to “possess your vessels in… honor”? Paul is saying to the Thessalonians, and by extension to us, that we ought to live our lives in a manner which reflects the value of the price paid for our redemption! Need I remind you that the price paid for your redemption and sanctification was the very life of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary! It cost the Father His only begotten Son! What a high price! When the Father sees our conduct, He sees the value that we place on Jesus’ sacrifice!
In this day many live their lives doing just enough to get by. They work just hard enough to not be fired, practice their sport just hard enough to not lose a starting position, and go to church just enough to not get a “we’ve missed you in Sunday School” call. My friend, this may get them by in this world’s eyes, but not in God’s! He gave all in Jesus, how dare we give Him as little as possible! Dare we look to the cross of the Lord Jesus and say, “Thanks for saving me from hell, but I’d like to hold on to my sin”? That is blasphemous!
Being reminded of the price paid for our salvation ought to rid us of any longing for the old life of sin, but rather fix our eyes on pleasing the One who gave all for us! What a privilege – to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus!
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