As I need no longer be dominated by sin (Ps 119:33) but instead enjoy the privilege of living with and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the truth of God - through Jesus, who conquered sin, and condemnation, and even death, on our behalf. God, in Christ, has given me the ability - the empowerment - to not only be free from the condemnation of sin and the fear of death - but also to choose to not live under sin’s destructive influence and consequence in this life, here and now… So, in Jesus, I can
Overcome the flesh (and its depravity, or, propensity for sin, to sin) sin, no longer being my nature, my first love, my deepest desire… (Rom 7:5; 8:1-17)
Choose to act righteously - as now, my nature having been made new, I am righteous and good in Jesus - His nature and character are in me by His Spirit - and therefore I/we can “participate in the divine nature” and live Jesus’ life in me by, and in cooperation with, the Holy Spirit (1Cor 1:30; 2Cor 5:17,21; 2Peter 1:3-4; Gal 2:16; 5:1, 13-23)
So now, that the Spirit in me is my life and ambition, I can live out my faith and righteousness - as now it can be, and is, my desire and goal (Rom 14:17-19; 2Cor 5:9; Col 1:10)
Though I must remember, that if I do sin, God forgives and restores me to effectiveness in Him (Ps 32:3-5; 2Peter 1:8-10; 1John 1:9; 2:1-2)
Though the battle between the flesh and the Spirit still rages on, I do not “have to” succumb to the desires of the flesh, instead, I “get to” listen to, follow, and walk, in step with the Spirit, living under its/His influence
4:2 “as a result, they (we) do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires - or flesh, but rather for the will of God.” (Gal 5)
Making decisions according to self - done apart from faith, independent of God’s inworking. This is displeasing to the Lord - even those things that seem “respectable”. So, those decisions we make, that are unaided by God’s Spirit and truth, that originate from self or empowered by self that proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us - what is not transformed by God, that are prompted or governed by the flesh - cannot be pleasing to Him. These self-empowered works are the “filthy rags” God’s word speaks of. (Isa 64:6)
But instead, in Jesus, we can live a God prompted, God, directed life...
But now, by the Spirit of God in me, for God and His will - that that is what brings me life and true peace, joy, and satisfaction - a new and renewed vision and ambition for life
This posture sets my eyes above - on Jesus and His desire or my life expressed in His world
Living with and seeing life and others with the same attitude as Jesus (John 13)
John 13:1-5
1It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
As, as the end of Jesus’s earthly life drew close, He remembered His Father, He remembered His Father’s promise, He remembered His relationship and role and with a humility strengthened and emboldened by this truth - He knelt, first before the Father, entrusting Himself and His welfare, and then knelt at the feet of each disciple - assured of Who and Whose He was, where and from Whom He’d come and confident of where and to Whom He was going - with no fear of condemnation or loss, He gave of Himself, His dignity, and served lovingly (showing the full extent of His love) and humbly...
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
The end of all things is near…
The end - imminent
But, this need not alarm you - trouble or frighten (John 14; Rom 8:1-17; 1Thes 5:9)
We knew this was coming, instead, we should be rejoicing as the party is at hand! Who shall I bring?!
This should though alert you - cause our senses to be heightened to
The reality of the times - they are short - act wisely
Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NIV
So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. NASB
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. NKJV ...apply our hearts unto wisdom
So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely. NETB
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have. CEV
Ephesians 5:15-16 “...making the most of every opp.”
Inspire you to anticipate - to cheerfully, joyfully, look forward to what’s to come (1Thes 1:10; 4:16-18; 5)
Embolden you to act - in love without fear (1John 4:7-19)
...be alert and of sober mind
Alert to the time and times - allowing the times to dictate a keen awareness of what is at hand
Sober, circumspect, as to how to make the most of each opportunity the urgency of the times present in light of what is coming
...so that you may pray.
It is our being able to pray that enables us to…
Not only be alert and aware
But, to navigate and respond with
Prudence - consideration and prayer
Insight and discernment
Understanding and wisdom - that is life skill
Enabling us to be directed by the Spirit of Truth - loving as Christ loved us
Encouraging one another
Sharing with those who do not know
This is the art of being present - knowing the ultimate outcome, we need not be distracted - but instead, one now can live life with...
Right perspective
Proper priority
Good practice
So...
8Above all…
...love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Love each other deeply/sincerely/committedly - from the heart
Love covers… sin. Covering sin
9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Hospitality…
Without grumbling???
10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,
...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
If you are prone to anxiety and fear, it is essential that you take into account peters admonition here that we need not be afraid, or fear what others fear, workout conspiracy with a cold conspiracy. As the fact is or the truth is, Jesus has declared that he would return in that in the meantime we are to live a life confident of who we are and him in valved in his saving grace is and then live a life of love because those graces have saved us.
Therefore, Peter gives us a remedy for anxiety. First of course is just to remember who’s we are and who we are and that Jesus promised eternal life with him.
But on top of that, we are to not live this life as he did. Those focusing on the needs of others and loving others as we have them loved.
There is something to be said about turning our eyes from our anxieties, fears, and troubles, and placing them on the hearts of others and their needs.
1Thes 5
The Day of the Lord
1Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Final Instructions
12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22reject every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit - or entrust - themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
