Blog Archives

So That All May See Your Progress

2/25/2018

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

Throughout Scripture, there is several common themes that continue to reappear. One of them is the need to be obedient to God in spirit and in truth.

I Timothy 4:11-16 (ESV): Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

You can see from the passage, the apostle Paul is telling Timothy what he needs to do to progress in the faith. On the truth side, there is the need to read and understand scripture. As you grow in understanding, you need to teach. On the spirit side, you need to conduct yourself with love and purity. Growth cannot occur unless you are working on spirit and truth. It is not enough to understand scripture if you do not care about living the values they portray. It is also true it is not enough to love others, if you are not interested making sure your advice is scriptural. There is the need to be consistent in word and deed.

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

As God's children, our goal is to please Him. Even though we may have the best intentions, it is not our place to set the standard. We have to be humble enough to accept the fact we do not always have the best ideas. Choosing to focus on spirit is to devalue the need to understand scripture. On the other hand, choosing to focus on truth is to devalue the need to do all things in love and purity. There is a balance Christians need if they want to be effective when encouraging and bringing others to the faith. It is God's desire for all to be saved and to come to repentance. As Christians, it is our mission to bring His desire to fruition; and the only way to accomplish our goal is to live as the Father commands.

This Book Shall Not Depart

2/17/2018

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

When attempting to build unity, it is important to remember your actions will speak as loud as your words. The apostle Paul encourages us to make sure our actions are aligned with our words.

If we want to understand God and His will, there is only one way to accomplish this. Reading His inspired word found in the Bible will enable you to know God on an intimate level. You will be able to see His passion, creativity, love and wrath. You will also see where His focus has been from the beginning.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

One of the things you will notice throughout Scripture is God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This is important because that means no one should come with new a new revelation God “just told them.” The apostle Paul said, when that is which is perfect is complete (the Bible), that which is done in part (prophecies and other spiritual gifts) will be done away with (1 Corinthians 13:10).

So how does God talk to us today? I went to a barbeque and there was a person there who was dressed to impress. He was wearing a suit, with designer sunglasses and loafers. Someone asked him about being overdressed for the occasions and he said that God told Him to wear those clothes. He said God wanted him to look good. He even went as far as to say God woke him up at 5:00am and told him to buy designer socks. As awesome as not having to decide what to wear each morning could be, God is not concerned about our fashion.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV): This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

You will see throughout Scripture, the emphasis of God and His Spirit is on the Word. Most of the time you see the Holy Spirit being quoted in the New Testament, he is quoting God’s word in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit was working through the apostles in a similar manner. The apostles were writing and quoting the revelation of the Holy Spirit in their writings. When the apostles were not quoting God, they were speaking from their own mind and conscious. This is why each writer in the Bible has a different and distinct writing style, without contradicting another. For matters outside of the word of God, the apostles spoke from their own thoughts and experiences. For matters pertaining to the word of God, the apostles spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. If you cannot find a verse in the Bible telling you what socks to buy, then you should not expect the Spirit of God to share a personal revelation.

Peaceful and Quiet Life

2/11/2018

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

When attempting to build unity, it is important to remember your actions will speak as loud as your words. The apostle Paul encourages us to make sure our actions are aligned with our words.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV): First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If our actions are not unified with Christ, they can become stumbling blocks. While they are ultimately accountable for their actions, there are people who leave the church due to the actions of another. There are also people who never enter a church because of the actions of another. Understanding this, we know why living a life of peace and humility is essential to Christianity. You do not want to assist someone being apprehensive about being added to the church.

Recognize that Paul is living in a time when “kings and all who are in high positions” were persecuting Christians. Paul experienced firsthand the unjust rulings of those in power. He was imprisoned, beaten and eventually murdered by those in power. The same holds true for Jesus Christ. He was flogged and murdered on the cross by those in power, yet, it does not change what is expected of us.

1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV): Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Since Christians are supposed to rejoice in suffering, it removes our ability to change our behavior in the presence of mistreatment. As long as you are suffering in the name of Christ, know your suffering is an opportunity to share God’s glory. When you share His glory while enduring the tough times, it will be a proclamation to God’s power. On the other hand, if you retaliate or mistreat others, it will show you are no different from the next person and a hypocrite to the faith. If you live a worldly life, but proclaim to be a Christian, your behavior will turn people off to the faith. With Jesus having the desire for everyone to be saved, we must always be mindful of our behavior, ensuring it is aligned with the pattern of Jesus Christ and his apostles.

Comfort and Assurance

2/3/2018

By: Undre Griggs, Jr.

We all seek peace, but where do we look for it? The Bible says we will find peace in the work of righteousness.

Isaiah 32:17-18 (NKJV): "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

What type of a life does a righteous person live? We can see in the above verse that they live a quiet and humble life. There is also the need for us to devote our entire life to Christ. Because of sin being introduced into the world, we are no longer able to be righteous on our own. Our flesh is weak, easily corrupted, and our transgressions separate us from God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (ESV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

If we want to be righteous, we need to live a life focused on learning and spreading the word of God. When we devote our life to Christ, we will give Him all the glory for our accomplishments. Whether those achievements are at work, at home, or helping someone in need; the glory goes to God. It is because of our faith that we feel compelled to live righteously. We know that Jesus is going to come for those who love Him and keep His commandments.

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Devoting our life to serving the Lord and understanding His word is grooming us to be holy. Our works and efforts are spiritual offerings to the Lord in an effort to give thanks for Him giving His son for our sins. That is why quietness is a trait of the righteous; they know that without Jesus’ sacrifice they would be condemned with the rest of humanity. The promise of receiving a reward on the Last Day is a blessed assurance those who live for Christ will enjoy. Be patient in all interactions, knowing the reward the righteous receive.

So That All May See Your Progress

This Book Shall Not Depart

Peaceful and Quiet Life

Comfort and Assurance

Dean Road
church of Christ

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So That All May See Your Progress

This Book Shall Not Depart

Peaceful and Quiet Life

Comfort and Assurance

Dean Road​church of Christ

Categories

Archives

Dean Road
church of Christ