Dec 19- 2 Timothy TDB indicates that somehow Paul has been arrested and returned to jail in Rome. He has had one trial and all of his followers have deserted him. Earthly death is fast approaching. Paul reminds Timothy 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. The laying on of hands is an interesting topic. Some Holistic religions claim physical healing power while most consider this a spiritual healing. Can God work through the laying on of hands, or course He can, just not in my neighbor hood it appears. We need to understand that there are no magical biblical formulas for the ministry of the church. Laying on of hands has no power in itself, but only if the Holy Spirit works through us. Laying on of hands is only holy when it is done in agreement with Gods Word. Times are dim for Pauls earthly life. 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia, except Luke, has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Are we truly there today, is the end close? or will it just get worse and worse. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Once again, Paul preaches salvation thru Jesus but declares our duty is to do good works. Lets talk about good works. The New Testament speaks about two aspects of grace: the idea that grace is from God and sufficient to cover our sins and receive salvation, and the idea that grace does not free humans from their responsibility to behave morally. ******************************************* I cant count the number of times i have heard Ephesians 2:8-9 spoken, read, preached on, discussed, praised and held to be the ultimate statement of Gods free salvation. Lets read Eph 2: 8-9 . 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. . But i can count on 1 finger the number of times i have heard Eph 2:10 quoted. And why is that??? And verse 10: 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ************************************************************** Wait a minute, i am saved, i dont have to do good works, do I? Perhaps one should read ones bible more carefully. God has prepared us to do good works, which he has selected. Like faith, we can reject what the Lord desires for us. Paul says that Gods chosen one who has been made holy by grace must show faith by actually loving (see Galatians 5:6) and in this way obeying the law. Remember the 2 commandments, Love your God with ALL your heart and love your neighbor(all people) as yourselves. The Epistle of James concludes that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). By works the author here appears to include both acts of charity and righteousness according to the laws of the Spirit (Romans 8:2) If you truly love God and Man, what must you do? Show them. Do something. The proof is in the pudding they say, and i am sure they are right, whomever they are. The Protestant principle of Sola fide states that no matter what a persons action, salvation comes through faith alone. The Sola fide views holds that James is not saying that a person is saved by works and not by genuine faith, but that genuine faith will produce good deeds, however, only faith in Christ saves. So what do we do. I cant presume to tell you what to do, pray to the Lord and ask for guidance. Remember, he has selected good works for us to do. Do something for someone else, with no personal motive, no gain for you, look to help others as you are able. And remember, Who shall be the greatest? The one who serves! And as Paul would close 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:20:23 +0000
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