January 31st - Peddling the Word of God

“For we are not as the majority, who are peddling the word of God...”
(2 Corinthians 2:17)

Here is Strong’s definition of the word "peddling" used above:

2585 kapēleúō – properly, to act as an unscrupulous merchant, i.e. "a huckster" who profits by "peddling the Word of God" for personal gain. 2585 /kapēleúō ("peddler") is only used in 2 Cor 2:17 – of people "marketing the ministry" (the Word of God) for fast gain.

"There are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1:10-11)

We should take care of our own family and those dependent on us!

"Now if anyone is not providing for his own, and especially for his family, he has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever."  (1 Timothy 5:8)

"For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you may be wanting, you can always do well to them..." (Mark 14:7)

Hucksters want you to think that giving to their various ministries is giving to God, and promise those gifts will come back "squeezed down and shaken together, and running over". However, it is my observation that giving to these ministries makes the peddler rich, and those who depend on you poorer. 

The Bible tells me that if you give to hucksters when your family has unmet needs, you have "disowned the faith".

January 30th - Religion, what is it?

"...they had certain questions concerning their own RELIGION..." (Acts 25:19)

"Now Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus, averred, Men, Athenians! On all sides am I beholding how unusually RELIGIOUS you are. For passing through and contemplating the objects of your veneration, I found a pedestal also, on which had been inscribed, To an Unknowable God. To Whom you are ignorantly devout, This One am I announcing to you." (Acts 17:22-23)

The Greek word for "religion" is the noun "deisidaimonias" and means "superstition". The Greek word for its adjective, "religious", is "deisidaimonesterous" which means "very fearful of god". The word is actually two words together meaning "dread" and "teach".  This Greek noun and its adjective are used only two times in Scripture. 

Religion is superstition and fear of a god or gods who then become "objects" of  "veneration".

Paul, at the Areopagus in Athens some 1,950 years ago, told these religious people about the unknown God whom they were afraid of. Such is needed among religious institutions today.

"The God Who makes the world and all that is in it, He, the Lord inherent of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made by hands, neither is He attended by human hands, as if requiring anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all. Besides, He makes every nation of humanity dwelling on all the surface of the earth, specifying the setting of the seasons and the bounds of their dwelling, for them to be seeking God, if, consequently, they may surely grope for Him and may be finding Him, though to be sure, not far from each one of us is He inherent, for in Him we are living and moving and are..." (Acts 17:24-28)

The true God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is spirit and is all around us. It is He who gives life and breath. The nations of the world are part of one single "race" created by God called humanity.

"The race, then, is inherently of God; we ought not to be inferring that the Divine is like gold, or silver, or stone, a sculpture of art and human sentiment. Indeed, then, condoning the times of ignorance, God is now charging humanity that all everywhere are to repent, forasmuch as He assigns a day in which He is about to be judging the inhabited earth in righteousness by the Man Whom He specifies, tendering faith to all, raising Him from among the dead." (Acts 17:29-31)

Paul told the Athenians that the real God is not like the gods "objects of your veneration". The real God judges "humanity" "in righteousness" by the "Man" whom he raised "from among the dead", Christ Jesus.

The God of Scripture does NOT give us a "spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind".

“God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Christ Jesus pronounced His "righteous" judgment on sinful humanity from the cross as He was dying for their sakes...

"...Father, forgive them, for they are not aware what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

"...Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture..." (1 Corinthians 15:3)

Religious people are to "repent" from the "veneration" of the false gods they worship and turn to one and only God, who gave His Son to save us from Lord Jesus Christ. 

So, if you fear a god who might eternally torment you in hell, then repent and turn to the true God. Be as our Apostle Paul who said...

"For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

January 29th - Those Who Seek God will Find Him - and be Rewarded

"The ration of Sin is death, yet the gracious gift of God is everlasting life, in Christ Jesus, our Lord."  (Romans 6:23)

"For in GRACE, through faith, are you SAVED, and this is not out of you; it is God's gift, nor of works, lest anyone should be boasting." (Ephesians 2:8)

Being "SAVED" refers to what happens to people after they die. Jesus died as the "wages" for our sins (since he had none of his own) and was buried. Yet three days and nights later God raised him to life. This salvation from death shows the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus the Messiah.

"Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest...yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and lack the glory of God. Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-25)

The Greek word for "JUSTIFIED" is "dikaioo" and means "I regard as righteous". By the Grace of God, sinners are regarded as righteous "in Christ Jesus". 

Salvation from death is freely granted to sinners as a "gift" to all for "Jesus Christ's faith". We deserve to perish (stay dead), but God is going to save us anyway. This is the gospel, the good news we are to trust and proclaim.

"Christ has been roused from among the dead, the Firstfruit of those who are reposing.  For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead.  For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive...that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 28)

The cross of Christ is sufficient. Those who require sinners to become righteous in order to be saved are "enemies of the cross".

"...for many are walking, of whom I often told you, yet now am lamenting also as I tell it, who are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose consummation is destruction, whose god is their bowels, and whose glory is in their shame, who to the terrestrial are disposed." (Philippians 3:18-19)

Those "enemies" think sinners must DO something themselves to become righteous, therefore denying the sufficiency of the cross. They are...

“...hypocrites, for they are fond of standing in the synagogues and at the corners of the squares to be praying, so that they may appear to men.  Verily, I am saying to you, they are collecting their wages! Now you, whenever you be praying, enter into your storeroom, and, locking your door, pray to your Father." (Matthew 6:1-6)

In seeking God with all our heart we find "the righteousness of God" in "Jesus Christ's faith".  We find what the sinless Jesus did for sinners according to the will of God - He made peace with God for on our behalf.

"...God was in Christ, reconciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them...For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)

God has a plan for sinful humans. Our only "hope" is HIS plan, not the plans conceived by political or religious institutions.

"For I know the plans that I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart..." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

All will one day joyfully confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory to God our Father.

"God highly exalts Him, and graces Him with the name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee shall be bow, celestial and terrestrial and subterranean, and every tongue shall acclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11).

January 28th - The Kindness of God Leads to Repentance

Paul informed the Romans who were judging the sins of others...  

"Do you really think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things (sin) yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment?" (Romans 2:3)

This is true of everyone in the human race. So, what judgment is being talked about that humanity will not escape? The answer is DEATH and Paul later tells them plainly... 

"All sin and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of Sin is death..." (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

The only reason we are not dead yet is God's kindness, patience, and tolerance.

"Or are you despising the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, being ignorant that the kindness of God is leading you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

It is the "kindness of God" that leads us to repentance rather than the fear of what God might do to us. 

"Repentance" is a word that means to stop and think about where you are heading, and then turn around IF you find you are heading in the wrong direction. 

"Repent, then and turn about for the erasure of your sins, so that seasons of refreshing should be coming from the face of the Lord..." (Acts 3:19)

We all need to think about what we do daily. Yet, we also need to think about what we believe about God from time to time - and be willing to turn around and head back toward the truth that God sacrificed His Son as the final sacrifice for the salvation of all humanity.

"...these things am I writing to you that you may not be sinning.  And if anyone should be sinning, we have an Entreater with the Father, Jesus Christ the Just. And He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, yet not only ours, but the sins of the whole world also." (1 John 2:1-2)

"...trust in the living God who is the Savior of all mankind, especially believers. These things be charging and teaching..." (1 Timothy 4:10)

In Old Testament times, God laid all the sin of Israel upon a sacrificial animal once a year on the day of atonement which cleansed the people of their sins that year. But that is no longer necessary because the blood of Jesus has "taken away the sin of the world".  And His blood has redeemed and washed every sinner clean, both Jew and Gentile, believer and unbeliever, "for all time". 

"Lo!, the lamb of God Which is taking away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"…not through the blood of he-goats and of calves, but through His own blood, He entered once for all time into the holy places, finding everlasting redemption." (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12-26)

God is not the angry god of man made religions. Rather, He is a loving Father whose love for you is everlasting. Such love leads to thanksgiving, not fear. 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136:1)

When people realize "the kindness of God" they repent and turn from worshiping the false gods of religion - and embrace the true God's free gift of eternal life.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

January 27th - Grace is Greater than Sin

"For by GRACE are you saved..." (Ephesians 2:8)

“Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all humanity for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all humanity for life's justifying. For even as, through the disobedience of the one human, the many were constituted sinners, thus also, through the obedience of the One, the many shall be constituted just." (Romans 5:18-19)

Are the sins of humanity greater than the "GRACE" of God? No, of course not.

What does the Bible say above? 

It says that "all humanity" who received "condemnation" for Adam's sin are the same all humanity who received "life's justifying" for the one act of righteousness of Jesus. When you read all of Romans Chapter 5 this truth becomes abundantly clear. 

It clearly says that the "many" who "were constituted sinners" are the same "many" who are "constituted just".

"...yet where sin increases, GRACE superexceeds, that, even as Sin reigns in death, thus GRACE also should be reigning through righteousness, for everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)

The grace of God is greater than the sins of humanity and that is very good news!

January 26th - Hope for Humanity

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God…." (Romans 8:18-19)

There are more schools of higher education, government bureaucracies, and religious institutions on this planet today than at any other time in history; and yet they have failed to bring peace and unity. 

Does the Bible give a reason why? yes

"…for the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it..." (Romans 8:20)

It was God who "subjected" the creation to futility. The educators, governments, and religions of humanity will continue to try to repair the world but will fail. Creation can be "set free from its bondage to corruption" only by the God who "subjected" it in the first place - humanity can only "wait for it with patience".

"...the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God...in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience..."  (Romans 8:21-25)

Only those who love God know that He is working it all for "good"...

"...we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28)

God has declared that ALL creation will be "set free from its bondage to corruption" and "obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" when they are "conformed to the image of His Son". Humanity is predestined to enjoy the new creation.

"...For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

God will save humanity because Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, has ransomed "ALL".

"There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for ALL...by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous...at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the gloy of God the Father." (1 Timothy 2:5-6...Romans 5:21...Philippians 2:10-11) 

There is hope for humanity in spite of the chaos seen in the world today. Humanity has done a poor job of having dominion over the Earth. That will change - soon I hope!

"Yea, I am coming swiftly. Amen, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all of the saints! Amen!" (Revelation 22:20-21)

January 25th - Eat, Drink and be Merry, Life is no longer Meaningless

"Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom."  (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

The author of Ecclesiastes was the master of common sense. He spent his life seeking common sense answers to all of life's experiences. If the author was King Solomon...

"He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority...And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon." (1 Kings 4:32-34)

All that wisdom told him "everything is meaningless". 

"I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless--like chasing the wind...There is nothing ahead but death anyway. There is hope only for the living...the dead know nothing." (Ecclesiastes 1:14;9:3-4)

He knew about God and and His commandments so Solomon's final advice as to what we should do in this life was to...

"Fear God and obey His commandments, for this is everyone's duty. God will judge us for everything we do..." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

This fear and judging was not a fear of judgment AFTER death for he had concluded that "the dead know nothing". He was referring to the consequences for bad behavior in this life.

He told us  what he thought God "approves" in this life...

"Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne! Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9: 8-9)

Again, the wisest man of the time had no hope in life after death and that made him "most miserable". The apostle Paul said people without hope of the resurrection continue to be miserable as they approach death.

"If in this life only we have hope...we are of all men most miserable." (1 Corinthians 15:9)

But there is good news! After the birth, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, God gave humanity information about what happens after death, and now we have the  "blessed hope" of life after death.

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people...look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. " (Titus 2:11, 13)

"...I tell you a secret, when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed. For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die. So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: “Death is destroyed; victory is complete!” ...thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

It still makes common sense to fear God and obey His commandments, but unlike Solomon, we know life is not "meaningless" even though it seems so at times.

Believers have three things to carry into the next life - faith, hope and love.

"Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

So eat, drink and be merry today, enjoy your family - and fear God in this sinful life destined for the grave. - but know that the best life is yet to come!