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The Fruit of the Patience: Speaking The Name of The Lord

July 9, 2018

For a moment, stop and consider the patience of God. Having created mankind in His image and given them the purpose of being an emissary of God’s will on earth, the people quickly turned to rebellion. They had one rule and were unable to be obedient in that. Thus, mankind fell to sin and cracked the fabric of creation and reality in the process. Yet, despite this, God knew hearts of the people could be returned to Him. Thus, over thousands of years, God lead the people to the cross where Jesus would die for their sins. Even now, we rebelled against God and, in His great patience, God pursued us even though we ran from it. God extended his grace and mercy to mankind who wanted nothing to do with Him but was doomed to die from their sins without intervention. God is patient and extends that patience to us as well. As a fruit of the Spirit, a Christian carries himself in patience in the context of the world. Through our patience for the things of God and for the people of God, we proclaim the name of God, putting our faith on full display. We remain patient for the promises and patience for the people.

The Parables of Mark: The Salt

July 5, 2018

At the end of Mark 9, Jesus tells this brief parable: “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50, NIV). At first glance, verses 49 and 50 are only thematically related, in that they both refer to salt. Context, though, paints a different picture of the parable of the salt told in Mark’s Gospel. Directly preceding these verses are a dire warning against teaching falsehood and preserving oneself from the ravages of sin.

Revelation 3:14-22 To The Church in Laodicea

To The Seven Churches – Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-22

July 4, 2018

The city of Laodicea was known for a few things that allowed them to be financial self-sufficient. First, the minerals that had built up around the area allowed them to become the center of ophthalmology, producing various eye salves which people came from all around to be treater. Then there was the fine wool they produced fine clothing with in order to produce elegant clothing. Finally, with their centralized location along major trade routes, Laodicea had riches beyond understanding. Likewise, the church profited from their surroundings, becoming supposedly self sufficient in the process. Yet, for all of it’s riches, the water of that particular area was borderline undrinkable, causing people to often vomit. Thus, with a set of dual aqueducts, water traveled from two cities to be used in the town. The Hieropolis became known for their hot springs which acted as a medical mineral baths. Colosse, on the other hand, had a cold water spring that seemed to continually produce cool and refreshing water. By the time the water reached Laodicea, it too had become lukewarm and disgusting, becoming known for people causing people to vomit.

The Fruit of Patience: Long Suffering

July 2, 2018

While “patience” is a valid translation of the greek word “μακροθυμία” other translations, in an effort to keep to the other aspects of the meaning translate the word as “long suffering” which, very clearly, means suffering for a long time. This understanding of the word brings out an understanding of the word patience that encompasses the most dreaded part, time. A person does not need patience in order to endure a quick event, rather to have patience a person must endure it over time awaiting the goal in mind. Neither does one need to have patience during pleasant experiences. Patience is not enduring the outpouring of riches, but rather looks ahead to the outpouring of blessings that will one day come. Patience, then, is rooted in the hope of a future and eternal glory that cannot be stripped away. For the Spirit filled Christian, this patience expressing itself by standing strong and enduring through whatever the world has to offer and to set our eyes on the eternal glory that is before us. Patience is not about standing in an effort to achieve greatness but rather and understanding that Jesus already has on our behalf.

The Parables of Jesus: The Clean and The Unclean

The Parables of Mark: The Clean and The Unclean

June 28, 2018

The Pharisees highly valued strict adherence to the law. For the Pharisees, faith was expressed through obedience to the word of God, an idea they initially embraced with a good heart. Yet, as their religious rule continued, the leaders continually added to the law. They heaped more and more requirements on the people beyond what they could endure. The belief persisted that each person should be judged by the actions he displayed on the outside. Jesus, however, having a greater understanding of the intended purpose of the law, gave a different interpretation.

To The Seven Churches – Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13

June 27, 2018

The church in Philadelphia, by human standards, would not have been successful. While they were in a large city, this city was loyal to Rome and resistant to any Christian influence. They did not present a great deal of wealth or influence. They city had been ravages by volcanic activity and earthquakes having to be rebuilt in the image of the Rome. Yet, for everything stacked against this church, it is mentioned by name by Jesus Christ in Revelation. Furthermore, like the church in Smyrna, Christ brings nothing against the church but rather exhorts them to continue in the faith.

The Fruit of Patience: From God Through Us

The Fruit of the Patience: From God Through Us

June 25, 2018

Our time and God’s time stand in opposition to each other. While we may think that instant spiritual satisfaction is best for us, God sets patience inside of us for His perfect timing. Even the very notion of time is different for a God who stands outside of it. There is no boundary that God cannot traverse and even the constraints of time do not apply to God. As a display of His grace and mercy, God is patient with the world, giving all the opportunity to approach the one true King. God is patient and for the Spirit filled Christian, that patience works in us as well.

The Parables of Mark: The Mustard Seed

June 21, 2018

In Mark 4 Jesus tells four parables back to back. Within each parable, there are themes woven throughout the fabric, tying them all together. First is the imagery of the Kingdom of God which most would understand to be an infinitely powerful Kingdom. Even in our day, we read through the biblical imagery and see the vastness and superior nature of the Kingdom of God. Yet, where our own preconceived notions fall short is in the nature of what brings about the Kingdom of God. For example, we would not expect that the Kingdom is brought about by something that would at first seem so inconsequential—a mustard seed.

To The Seven Churches – Sardis – Revelation 3:1-6

June 20, 2018

As this letter to the church in Sardis starts, we are reminded of the nature of God. He is all knowing and sovereign overall. He holds the sevenfold Spirit and reigns from the throne of God. We see similar things in the church Ephesus whom had lost their love and passion. Yet, the condition of Sardis is much more grim. The church remained dead though the world saw them as alive. There is more to their faith than merely going through the motions but an in-depth relationship with Jesus Christ and the expression of the presence of God in every aspect of their lives.

Fruit of Peace: Bringing Peace To The World

The Fruit of the Peace: Bringing Peace To The World

June 18, 2018

The Spirit inside of us intends to bring peace to the world, through what we think, what we say, and what we do. The world, however, intends to further the descent into sin. While we bring peace, it stands in opposition to the world. People tend to think that peace and passivity are interchangeable, that if we simply do not call a person out or hold them accountable, that we will be peaceful. As we see from our past two articles in this series, nothing could be further from the truth. Peace is forged in the flames of discipleship and holiness. To be a peacemaker is to be one who bears witness to the source of our peace. For the Christian, we give a taste of the everlasting and eternal promise and home that God offers to all people. This is the expression of the peace that Spirit expresses through us.