Therefore, putting away all falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. Let no evil come out of your mouths, but only such as good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those that hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
March 2016 - Page 3 of 3 - GraceAndWorks
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
As I look at this subject, several different ideas come to mind. Football teams, basketball teams, track teams, office teams, church, etc. We win “By a mile,” “By the skin of our teeth,” “By an inch,” or by “The hair of my chinny-chin-chin.” Most teams have two different teams within the team, defense and offense. There are also different positions and responsibilities for each individual.
It’s “March Madness” time in college basketball where a champion will be crowned. The university, athletic director, coach, and players all make up the team. For sake of argument the university is the owner. The athletic director is the CEO. The coach is the hands on boss and the players are the employees. Each has a responsibility to the team based upon their talents. The coach has to be able to run the players and not only get the best from them, but, also keep them on the same page. Practice and preparation is vital to the success they all want, which is winning the games they play. The offense is used to score the points and the defense is used to keep the other team from scoring. Most of us talk about the high scorer or top rebounder. We don’t stop to consider the bench or roll players because they are not as “Important” or are they? Remember this is a team effort and everyone is needed, depending on their talents. The better the team is prepared the better the chance is for them to earn the championship crown at the end.
Christianity is a direct parallel. It involves team play. Again for sake of argument, God/Jesus are the owners. God’s word is the CEO. The preacher is the coach and the rest of us are the players. Each of us has a responsibility based upon our individual talents (Ephesians 4). Practice and preparation (continued study) will let us use these talents to the fullest. If we all use our talents to the best of our ability the individual congregation will grow and be the success that God wants. The church has two teams also, offense and defense. The offense does the things necessary to keep everything positive and growing by using God’s Word. The defense also uses God’s Word to keep Satin out of the church. As individuals, if we do all we can and perform to our capabilities, we will win the race. In the end we will earn the “Crown of Life.”
God has a plan laid out for us and all we have to do is follow it. Search and study the scripture, it’s there for you. I don’t think we can gain heaven by “The skin of our teeth’ or by an “Inch” or a “Mile.” We need to stick to God’s plan and execute it to the fullest and by His Grace we will be given the “Crown of Life” and eternal salvation.
Now we commend you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat any one’s bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we may not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command; If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. A son who gathers in summer is prudent, but a son who sleeps in harvest brings shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a prating fool will come to ruin. He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But your commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power which enables Him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fail; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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