by Brother Bill

“…We don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Looking at the people in the Bible that are commended to us by God, they all shared a common bond in very diverse and difficult circumstances: they kept their eyes on the unseen God. They trusted God by holding onto His words of promise. By doing that, they pleased God, and their reward awaits them. God’s word always gives His chosen people a “Sight by faith.”

Probably no child of God ever suffered more for his faith than the apostle Paul. In his own words, Paul said, “…We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Paul describes in plain words his sight by faith: “…Our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

What is God’s word teaching here? Just this: By faith, Paul looked at his present affictions and troubles and saw that they were (in light of eternity), trivial and temporary; by those same eyes of faith, he saw that God was very present in his trials and tribulations and was working them out for an eternal glory for Paul.

If you are a child of God, know that whatever trial you may be facing today, your Father is present and working it all out for your good, because you are His child; He loves you and has called you to be His child; and you love Him because He loves you and has adopted you.

Here is your strength and encouragement in your daily life: the Holy Spirit lives within you to help you see that, “…It is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 And here is our confidence: “…God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we may ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20 Great is our Father’s faithfulness to help us and keep us until the day Jesus returns for us, or calls us home.

God help us to keep our eyes on Jesus!

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net

“…Now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

I grew up in a religion that believed in teaching and training a child, when they reached the age of reason (about six), the beliefs and practices of that religion. The teaching was grounded in this central point: They were the true church, and they were the interpreters and teachers of all truth. Any teaching outside of the church was false and heresy, and would send you to hell.

As a young child, I had a fear of going to hell laid on me that wouldn’t quit. The church laid upon me many rules and regulations, that if I broke them, I would surely go to hell, unless I could get to the priest and confess them. I left that religion when I was thirty, and joined a protestant denominational church, which was altogether different, but in only some ways.

This particular church taught that they were the true church, and they were the interpreters and teachers of the truth. The big difference was this: the first church based their truth on tradition handed down through the centuries by men, while the second church based their teachings supposedly on the Bible. But in a different way, they laid down rules and regulations that, if not followed, would also send you to hell. Both churches imposed fear and guilt on their followers.

The good news of Jesus Christ is very simple, and it is for all. It is God’s message from heaven that says, “If you will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, He will wash away your sins, and set you free from the slavery of fear, guilt and condemnation.”

The true church of God is simply the corporate body of those who believe in Jesus. It is not an organization or institution with some earthly head; the true church of Jesus Christ is His body, of which He is the Head. It is through the working of the Holy Spirit in the believers that Christ leads, guides and directs His church. And what is the main work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives?

The work of the Holy Spirit in believers is to form them into the image of Christ, according to the will of God. Jesus Christ is the full expression of God’s glory. And so, the Holy Spirit works in us that the fullness of the glory of God revealed in His Son, may also be seen in us. The Holy Spirit also bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God.

God has made Himself our Father; He has birthed us, giving to us a new heart and a new nature. As His children, we no longer live under the law of sin and death; no more fear of condemnation and going to hell. His children have been set free from all of that. When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized into His death—we are dead to this world, and this world is dead to us.

When we were baptized into Christ, we were raise to a newness of life; a life that seeks to live for Him, serve Him and ever to please Him. The Bible is so clear on what pleases our Father: “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

The only sure path in this life for a child of God to please God is to trust Him, read His word and obey Him.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net

“If you love me, you will obey what I command…Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him…If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”

John 14:15-24

When Jesus came into the world He said: “…Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.”  Hebrews 10:7  Everything Jesus said, did or didn’t do was in obedience to His Father. Jesus lived to honor and please His Father by obeying Him in all things. From His baptism to the cross, and everything in between, Jesus perfectly obeyed His Father’s will. So perfect was His obedience that He would declare, “I and the Father are one”. The raising up and seating of His Son in Heaven at His right hand was His Father’s testimony that Jesus had indeed perfectly obeyed and carried out His father’s will on earth.

Jesus sends a clear message to His followers that if they love Him they will likewise seek to do the will of God by obeying His commands and teachings.

If they do the Father will love them; He and His Son will make their home with

them. What a promise… but it hinges, not on what we may say or profess, not on the works we do, but on our obedience to Christ’s commands. Then, most assuredly, words of grace and works of love, the fruit of holiness, will spring forth from that obedience to the glory of God.

How may we say we are followers of Jesus Christ if our minds and hearts are given to anything less than obeying the will of God? How can an individual, a congregation or a denomination that professes to be Christian approve and promote a lifestyle that is plainly contrary to the will of God, such as sexual immorality?  Jesus warns: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” John taught: “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” Matthew 7:22-23 1 John 2:4

Paul prayed this for the church: [We ask] “… God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:9

The life of a child of God is about growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. It’s about adding to your faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11

“To obey is better than sacrifice” God said that.

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net