Friday:
3T "And yet words fitly spoken, coming from SANCTIFIED hearts and lips, AND SUSTAINED by a godly, CONSISTENT Christian deportment, will be AS apples of gold in pictures of silver."
I would like to quote Weymouth's NT in Modern Speech in regards to 2 Peter 2:8.
"But when righteous Lot was sore distressed by the gross misconduct of immoral men He rescued him.
8 (For their lawless deeds were torture, day after day, to the pure soul of that righteous man--all that he saw and heard whilst living in their midst.)
9 Since all this is so, the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from temptation, and on the other hand how to keep the unrighteous under punishment in readiness for the Day of Judgement."
KJV says "Lot vexed with the FILTHY CONVERSATION of the wicked"
And Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary- says the following:
Believers are cautioned against false teachers, and the certainty of their punishment shown from examples. (1-9) An account of these seducers, as exceedingly wicked. (10-16) But as making high pretences to liberty and purity. (17-22) #1-9 Though the way of error is a hurtful way, many are always ready to walk therein. Let us take care we give no occasion to the enemy to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or to speak evil of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These seducers used feigned words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. Such are condemned already, and the wrath of God abides upon them. God's usual method of proceeding is shown by examples."
What should OUR conversation consist of?
1 Corinthians 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:...that you stand fast in ONE spirit, with ONE mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
1 Tim.4:12 "...Be thou an EXAMPLE of the believers in word, IN CONVERSATION, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
James 3:13 "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of A GOOD CONVERSATION his works (I believe fruit of Spirit-Gal.5:22) with meekness of wisdom."
1 Peter 1:15 -16 "BUT as He which hath called you is holy, so BE YOU HOLY in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION; because it is written, Be you holy, for I am holy."
A very IMPORTANT MATTER for each one to consider is mentioned in the Discussion Questions #3.
Based on this week's study is "roasting" a person or joking around about someone an appropriate Christian behaviour?
I've been guilty of this, and perhaps, before allowing oneself to "be a part of the problem", perhaps it would be wise to ask ourselves "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
So we have choices, being a part of the problem or part of the solution!
SOP says "Perfection of character is attained through exercise of the faculties of the mind, in times of supreme test, by obedience to EVERY requirement of God's law. men in positions of trust are to be instrumentalities in the hands of God for promoting His glory, and in performing their duties with the utmost faithfulness, they may attain perfection of character." 2Sm160
Dear Heavenly Father!
What a privilege that WE can have You as our Father, and that we can be Your children. Father, thank You for the study of Your Precious Word, and the Wonderful and exceeding precious promises You have given us. Father, we ask that Jesus Christ might live fully and completely in us. Control our eyes and ears and mouths as we contemplate the things around us. May we ever realize that "by beholding we become changed", and Father may we be changed into Your likeness, let our minds be as in Christ ,and may we walk in the steps of the Master.
This I pray for EACH reader and poster , in Jesus' Name and for His sake, AMEN and Amen!
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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!
Bro. Laurie