King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Chapters: Romans 12-16
Message: An Armor of Light
Hello My Friend,
This past Sunday, it was announced in front of the entire congregation, that I stepped up to teach the kids full-time. On Tuesday, I received an email that I had been selected for the 2019 Best of Orlando Award in the Category of Religious Organization for I’m Following Jesus Online Missions. I can honestly tell you that I take no pride in this., and have no idea how that happened. All I do is minister the Word of God, and I do not even feel like I am doing a very good job at that. This reminds me of the song, Faces. “Then he showed me the faces of the ones who’d come because of me. So many faces that my life had led to Calvary. All those years I thought nobody saw, as I labored in lowly places. That’s when Jesus smiled and showed me all the faces.” You see, from my end, I do not see how many people I reach, but Jesus does, and one day I will get to see all the faces that my puny little ministry ministered to. And the thing is, it is not a puny little ministry, this is Christ’s ministry, and I just happen to be the one He chose to oversee it. Every, faithful, saved, born again Christian has something that Jesus has called them to do, we do not even have to be very good at it, all we need to do is be willing.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” – Romans 12:6-13.
“Let love be without dissimulation.” Dissimulation; A false or counterfeit appearance which conceals the real opinions or purpose. Something incredible happens as you walk with Christ, you begin to love as Christ does. It is not necessarily our actions that show Christ in us, it is our disposition through our actions that does. My pastor said it best, “You can spot a true Christian in the room as soon as they see them.” Our appearance ought to be genuine in and out of the walls of the church, if we are living different lives than we appear to be living publicly, then it will eventually come out for all the world to see. Let me tell you, by ministering to them as Christ does, there is no need to judge one another, He brings their own convictions to themselves. Paul reminds us that we are all subject to the power of God, therefore, we are to live as our conscience allows.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” – Romans 13:1-6,11-12.
“and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” Every soul who resists the power of God, meaning, does not receive Christ, receives damnation to themselves. They will have no one to blame for the evil that will be placed upon them, but themselves. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” We do not realize it, but God does use worldly people to convict souls to repentance. Remember, He will use the reprobates to judge His people (Romans 9:22-23). “For for this cause pay ye tribute also:” This is not referring to giving tithe in the church, this is what God lays on the heart to give to God’s ministers. For example, someone just handing you some money out of the blue for no cause other than they just felt led to do so. “for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” We do not know when our last breath will be, therefore, we all we have is today. Since we have no idea when Christ will return, as His ministers, we need to be ready and prepared for that day. This has nothing to do with our own salvation as we are already saved, this is about putting on the armor of light that shines Christ in this dark world. Do you realize how many saved people need the armor of light shone upon them? New converts, backsliders, charismatics, those living in sin. They do not need harsh judgment, they need us to love them as Christ does. Does that mean we condone and look sin away? No. That means we address them as Jesus would if He were standing there in front of them. Paul stresses the importance of not becoming a stumblingblock to those who are weak in their faith, for we all will stand before Christ.
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” – Romans 14:1,4,8-13,21.
“but not to doubtful disputations.” Disputation; A reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something. To receive one who is weak in their faith does not mean we are to be best buds with them, it means we are to show the same respect to them that we would want shown to us. Okay, here is the thing, we all have our own convictions, what I believe God wants me to do may not necessarily be what He wants you to do. With that said, we must understand that God will never tell us to do something that goes against His Word, if we are living in sin then we can expect God to judge us. Jesus said, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” – Matthew 18:15-17.
“that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” We are responsible for our own actions, if we take care of our own selves then we will not be so convicting of others. If we do everything we can to show them that we love them, they will respond. We must be careful not to be too harsh or critical of those who are weak in their faith. And if they are knowingly living in sin, they know what they are doing is wrong, and are probably being convicted every day, but it does no good for us to pounce on them. We can love them and show them righteous judgment without being critical of them. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” – Romans 15:1-7.
“be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” Let me tell you, there are a lot of saved, born again Christians who choose to engage in sinful behavior, but as long as the doctrine of Christ remains the same let them live how they live, it is God they have to answer not us. If we live how God directs us then we will respect the person through Christ in us, and live our own lives as He sees fit for us. And if that means to love them is to simply separate from them then that is exactly what we need to do. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” – Romans 16:17-20,25-27.
Today’s Prayer: Holy Spirit, I do not always give You the credit You deserve for the amazing things that I am able to do through You. You are my guide, my teacher, my conscience, my director, my wisdom, and the one who shows me how to use all my knowledge for good. Thank You for all these things, and give me Your power and show me how to use it to bring glory to the Father and the Son. No matter where I go or who I run into let me be an armor of light that shines Christ in me to whomever I encounter. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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