The Devotional - A Look at the Book #577

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #577

by Jesse Abel

Papa J's rules for Livin #1

Success follows people who do things that others refuse to do. If we refuse to take out the trash, we will also refuse to listen to sound judgment. If we listen to sound judgment, we will take out the trash. Profoundly simple; Yup! Luke 14:34-35

The Devotional

Each of us has that processing center in our heart where we sort out the things to share and the things to keep secret. I call this unseen place our “heart of hearts.” This reminds me of the surfaced submarine, in that; five percent is exposed above the water while ninety-five percent remains hidden under the water. We know each other by what we reveal, but you know you by what you do not reveal. As believers in Jesus Christ we have come to the Light to be the light of Christ to the world, or to be fully clothed in His Righteousness. (John 3:19 and Colossians 1:13-15) In these verses we can learn that we have been given light and while some darkness will always remain in our heart of hearts we are encouraged to become more like Christ because we have been redeemed by His Blood. We must therefore live as those whose sins are forgiven (LIGHT) and not as those who live and love the darkness. The joy and light of the LORD is available to each of us who are increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-12.

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:5-15 – Again as said yesterday… we live in a deceptive world. What looks normal is so normal looking that it is extremely hard to know what is false. Our technology is able to detect counterfeit money and watch abnormal activity, but where the rubber meets the road; we fail and fall daily as victims to the false lead of many and varied activities of darkness. You know the score in all of this so I will not labor the point, but will set my sights on the apostle’s effort in these verses to point us to truth.

In our current church stewardship we do not have apostles, although there are some who would like to be identified as such. This identity does not make them false apostles it simply shows that they lack understanding in certain truths in scripture. Or even more visible; the untrained person in speech or writing does not make that person a false teacher when that person is gifted by God since God is not a respecter persons as we might be. So what is it then that makes a person a false apostle or false teacher of the Living Word of God? The apostle answers the question in verse 11. God’s Love for people; those saved and those who are unsaved. God knows!

So in order to expose false apostles and teachers we must continue to do what God has commanded us. John 13:31-35, we are to have His love for one another. Those who commend themselves to be something other than what they are; are false. Just as the secular world is full of counterfeit operations, so is the spiritual world. False teachers and deceitful workers promote fear; but perfect love casts out all fear because there is no fear in the love of God. Satan will torment those of us who practice righteousness by promoting fear. But true teachers of the Word of God promote love, because we are being perfected by love. 1 John 4:12-19