1 Corinthians 2:12

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”  (1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV). This verse is from a section where Paul is teaching us that wisdom is from the Spirit and through the Spirit we gain an understanding of spiritual things. As we read through the section our verse is in, we come to a well-known verse: “But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"—” (1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV). That which God has prepared for us is revealed through the Spirit. By the Spirit of God, we are able to comprehend the thoughts of God.

In this context we are now ready to look at our verse. As believers, the Spirit that is from God dwells within us to give us understanding of the things freely given to us from God. To gain a fuller understanding of this, we need to read further in our section. The Spirit interprets spiritual truths to those who are spiritual (verse 13) and as a result we are able to understand and accept things of the Spirit that make no sense to the natural person (verse 14). If we are to understand God and his ways, we must have the Spirit of God living within. It is the Spirit of God that sets us apart from the natural person who is not able to understand spiritual things or accept them.

Prayer

Father, thank you that the Spirit dwells within us and provides us with evidence that we are saved and also provides us with an understanding at the spiritual level. He is also referred to as the Spirit of truth, the Helper and the Comforter. He teaches us spiritual truths, helps us in times of need and comforts us during difficult times. Lord Jesus, thank you for asking the Father to send him to us and Father, thank you for sending him. 

Isaiah 26:3

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV). Our verse comes from a song that was sung in the land of Judah. Our verse has three elements to look at: kept in perfect peace, a mind that is stayed, and who we trust in. The end result of perfect peace comes from a mind that is connected to trust. Therefore, we need to establish what that trust is. Trust is defined by Google as “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” It is that which I lean upon for assistance in my weakness or need. Our verse points out that our trust is to be in God because he is capable of meeting our needs and is reliable.

The next important element of perfect peace is a steadfast mind or one that is stayed on something. That something is pointed out here to be trust in God. The mind that stays focused on trusting God and does not waver is the one that obtains results. Thus, trust makes the mind steadfast and only those who stay themselves upon God can obtain that kind of mind.

The mind that is established as steadfast is the mind that provides the possessor with perfect peace. It is the mind that is kept by God and is the mind that cleaves to God. This perfect peace, this peace of God will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Prayer

Father, peace seems to allude so many people leaving their hearts and minds unguarded against the powers of darkness and the deceptions of the world. Only the one whose mind is stayed on you has perfect peace because he trusts in you. The choice is ours as to who or what we trust. 

Lamentations 3:22 - 23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV). According to Jewish tradition, the book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah. He describes the condition of the forsaken city of Jerusalem, which had been burnt to the ground and utterly demolished by the Babylonians in 586 BC, in contrast to the magnificent splendor that it once possessed. God allowed this destruction as a form of chastisement because of disobedience by the people of Judah. The reason for God's chastisement on the people of Judah and on the city of Jerusalem are spelled out in the form of an appeal made to God to remember the great suffering of his people and to take vengeance upon the conquerors of His city and the people of Judah.

In this context of disobedience resulting in suffering, we find hope in the Lord because of his love, mercies and faithfulness. His love is described as being steadfast; it is fixed in place, is reliable and can be depended upon. No matter what sin I commit I know it will not change his love for me. His mercies are described as never coming to an end or running out. The sin I commit will result in consequences, but his mercy will never be withdrawn as it is continually renewed each day. His faithfulness is great toward me; I know I can always count on his support. When going through difficult trials and he seems to not be there with me, I know that he has not left me and in his time he will provide.

Prayer

Lord, thank you that your steadfast love never ceases, that your mercies never come to an end, and that your faithfulness is great. We really deserve justice, but out of love that defies comprehension you have saved us and continue with us when we act unbecomingly. 

Isaiah 41:10

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10 ESV). Looking at the context of this verse we find Isaiah is writing about God’s protection for the people of Israel. The Lord claims to be the first and the last and has power over all the nations on the earth. No matter who would mount a threat against Israel, God will protect them. God has chosen them as a people through whom he would reveal himself and who were to share him with others. As they engage in their assignment and are threatened by others, God tells them to “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

How can we lift this verse out of context and apply it to us in the church? The answer is found in verse 9: "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”  (Isaiah 41:9 ESV). Israel failed in carrying out their assignment, so God raised up the church to do their work. We “who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”  (1 Peter 1:1-3 NASB). Then looking at “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB), we find we were chosen by God and created in Christ Jesus for good works. Those good works are the same as the assignment given to Israel. We are to reveal God in the person of Jesus Christ to the world and as we do we can claim the promise of our verse for ourselves in serving God.

Prayer

Father, as I study the context of popular verses that are lifted out of context and used for various applications, I am beginning to understand why Christians today do not understand the Bible. From a collection of verses like this one, used to preach and teach from and to use in writing devotionals, we have created a false context of the Scriptures based on our application. As a result, we have lost the original intent of the verses. Based upon these verses, we think we know what the Bible teaches, but we don't. Father, we desperately need to “Be diligent to present [ourselves] approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB). 

1 Corinthians 3:16

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?”  (1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV). The paragraph just before our verse is about the works we do. Those works will be tested by fire at the end of our life to determine their quality and thus our reward. It is possible that the fire will burn up everything and we will suffer great lost and experience great shame, but we are assured that we will not lose our salvation.

With this reminder of the importance of building on the foundation of Jesus Christ with gold, silver and precious stones and not with wood, hay or straw, we come to our verse of focus. In view of working to build things, God has created within each of us believers, a temple in which God’s Spirit dwells. This temple sets us apart from those of the world and determines that we are holy and of special value. God then gives a solemn warning that if anyone were to destroy this temple of God, God will destroy him. It is questionable whether anyone can destroy this temple because some have killed believers and then later they themselves became believers. The apostle Paul is an example, but those who kill believers and remain unsaved will face God’s wrath for an eternity.

Prayer

Father, thank you that as born again believers we have been created as temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells, providing us with evidence that we are saved. What an awesome concept, to realize that God lives within each of us. How sobering this should be and how radically this should affect our behavior, especially in view of the trial by fire that each of will face in our evaluation. 

1 John 5:13

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 NASB). This is another salvation verse that is only partially used. That part is “believe in the name of the Son of God [and] have eternal life.” The problem with that is that the demons believe but do not have eternal life. It appears that the assurance of eternal life lies in the things that have been previously written. It is important that we understand what was written and how it relates to our belief.

Looking at what was written before our verse we find in verse 12 that we are to have the Son in our life; we are to accept him into our life as an active part of our life. John wrote about Jesus coming by water and blood (verse 6). Some say this refers to the time Jesus was stabbed while on the cross and water and blood came from his side, proving his death. Others refer to Jesus starting his public ministry by being baptized in water and then shedding his blood on the cross at the end. Both provide evidence that Jesus was the Son of God, who died in our place to secure our salvation. Evidence of our belief is found in our love for other believers (verse 1), in obeying his commands (verse 2), and we overcome the temptations of the world (verse 4).

We can look back further and find more things written that should be evidenced in the life of a believer. Belief is to be based on more than a simple prayer. It is to be evidenced by a changed life. Today many believers show little evidence of salvation and little evidence of spiritual growth. Without this evidence, eternal life is questionable.

Prayer

Father, I believe the simple prayer of a child is sufficient for salvation, but in the days and years to follow there must be growing evidence of salvation. I pray that we will grow to become more like Jesus.

John 5:24

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24 ESV). When a verse begins with “Truly, truly” or “Verily, verily” or something similar, it is like underlying or writing in bold to emphasize importance. Therefore, what Jesus is saying in this verse is important. Associated with this verse in context is the importance of showing honor to Jesus as well as hearing his words and believing the Father. This honor, hearing and belief results in eternal life and avoidance of eternal judgment.

Related verses on belief and judgment are “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16, 18 ESV). “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47 ESV). “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” (1 John 3:14 NASB). Out of love the Father sacrificed his Son that we might have eternal life and evidence that we do is found in our love for others.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Thank you for our inheritance that is secure in heaven, waiting for our arrival. Thank you for the kindness of your grace and love that we will enjoy forever. Thank you for the forgiveness of our sin and the peace we have with you. Thank you for allowing us to know and love you.

Romans 5:8

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 ESV). The general context from which this verse comes is peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of our sin there was enmity with God, but while we were dead in our sin, he showed his love for us by sending Christ to the cross to purchase our salvation. Through the death of Jesus, the law has been satisfied, justice has been served, providing us with peace with God.

We were spiritually dead and without God’s help we had no way to stop going down the road leading to hell. In spite of our disobedience, God’s love which he had for us at the time of creation never wavered, causing him to send his only Son in the person of Jesus Christ to die for us. God reached out to us in love through Jesus Christ providing us with an option of accepting his gift of salvation.

Prayer

Father, it is hard to comprehend why Jesus Christ was willing to die for the ungodly, but for the joy set before him he was willing, out of obedience, to endure the shame and suffering of the cross. That joy was from knowing that he would love and have intimate fellowship with those who were to receive the gift of salvation. Father, have mercy on us and help us love as we should in return by our obedience to your will. Father, thank you that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Revelation 3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NASB). In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation we find seven letters specifically written to seven churches. Our verse of focus is found in the seventh letter, the one to the church at Laodicea. This is a lukewarm church, like many churches today, in which Jesus is very displeased. This is a church filled with wealthy members who feel they have need of nothing and thus do not realize that they have great needs. As we read through the letter we will stop at the verse before ours.

Jesus says to them: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent.”  (Revelation 3:19 NASB). Who are those whom Jesus loves? Are they unsaved or believers? In Hebrews 12:6: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (ESV). This language would suggest these are believers, who like many in our churches today, are lukewarm in their relationship with the Lord. Before it is too late and they stand before the judgment seat of Christ, they are to repent of their sin and zealously live for the Lord.

If we look ahead to verse 21: “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21 NASB). What did Jesus overcome? He overcame the temptation to not continue down the road of suffering that would lead to his death on the cross. We are to overcome the temptation to not deny Jesus under persecution. Today, believers who are living under persecution are willing to suffer, go to prison and even die before they would deny Jesus. They demonstrate what it is to overcome.

Our verse seems to set in the context of belief and is thus referring to believers, not to those who are yet to be born again. Scripture supports the Father choosing those who will believe, who he gives to Jesus as a gift to receive eternal life. Jesus does not knock on the door of our heart to enter for salvation, but to encourage us to abide deeply in him in fellowship, thus removing the condition of lukewarmness. The condition of being lukewarm applies to believers not to unbelievers. Lukewarmness is seen in believers today who embrace comfort, safety and security over being obedient to Christ. Therefore, our verse is an example of one that is used out of context for the purpose of salvation when it should be used to challenge believers to suffer, if need be, to live godly lives.

Prayer

Father, as I prepare these lessons I have a growing concern over how pastors and teachers are improperly guiding those under their leadership. As they pick and choose verses and lift verses out of context to support their sermon topic or belief, they are developing a body of believers who don't know the Bible and are not willing to suffer for their faith. As a result, church growth in not taking place in America, but in countries where there is persecution. Here lukewarmness is settling in. Father, have mercy on us and if need be, bring persecution here to encourage us learn and obey the Scriptures. 

Titus 3:5

“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5 ESV). The context our verse is from is about godly living and being heirs of grace. We are reminded how to live and it was pointed out how we used to live. In order to make this transition from sin to godly living, God would have to be involved. It is out of kindness and the love of God our savior that our verse becomes reality.

When we are born physically we are spiritually dead in our sin and no matter how hard we try we can never become acceptable to God to where he would grant us eternal life. While we were dead in our trespasses he made us alive together with Christ as an act of grace through faith. Through the death of Jesus Christ, justice was served, freeing God to extend mercy to us.

Regeneration refers to the new birth or being born again. In a broad sense this idea of regeneration can be applied to all of creation to be set free from its bondage to corruption and we being part of creation we groan with it as with pains of childbirth (Romans 8:20-23). The washing refers to the cleansing process of removing our sin through regeneration.

The renewal of the Holy Spirit is the process known as sanctification. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us to help us become more like Jesus. It is the process of replacing our sinful nature with God's Holy nature.

Prayer

Father, thank you for choosing us, causing us to be born again, and transforming us into the image of Jesus. Thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of our sanctification. Thank you for the living hope you have given us of spending an eternity in a loving caring relationship with you and Jesus. 

1 Peter 3:18

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,” (I Peter 3:18 NKJV). This verse begins with the word “For” so we need to look back to establish the context this verse is related to. We find it is about suffering for righteousness’ sake and how we should respond. The theme of the book of 1 Peter is “Hope in the midst of suffering.” That hope is found in Christ suffering on the cross for our sin. With this context in mind we are ready to look at our verse.

Just as these believers were suffering for their righteous living, Jesus Christ also did by suffering on the cross for our sins. Jesus had done nothing wrong, but because of his love for us and the joy set before him, he was willing to accept our sin and thus the wrath of God because he knew that he could continue to love us for an eternity as the heavenly family of God. By dying in our place for our sin, justice was served and God was then able to show us mercy and through grace offer the gift of salvation thus bringing us to God. Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but in three days he was raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of his Father in heaven.

Prayer

Father, thank you for giving your Son and for his willingness to die in our place for our sin, providing our salvation. I pray that we will express our love and gratitude through our obedience to do the work you prepared for us to do. I pray that we will love others with the same sacrificial love in which you loved us. 

Ephesians 2:8 - 9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB). The context of this verse is about being made alive in Christ. We were dead in our sin and did what we wanted to do. God described us as children of wrath. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5 NASB). He did this to show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Jesus Christ. The section is then brought to a conclusion with the verses we are considering today.

If one wonders how we are saved, the answer is found here; it is by grace through faith. Grace is receiving a gift we don't deserve and we receive the gift simply by accepting it through faith. As the gift giver, God in his sovereignty decides who will receive gifts and then prepares the sinful heart to desire it. It is very clear that our salvation is not of our doing, it is a gift from God, it is not by any effort on our part. Romans 3:10-12 makes it very clear that unless God prepares the heart it will not want the gift of salvation. If you are a believer are you better than someone who isn't. That would be like a child in an orphanage choosing a family to live with and not the family making the choice. All we have to do is to accept salvation as a gift from God. Be assured that no one desiring to be a Christian will be denied.

It is most unfortunate that these two verses are usually separated from verse 10 when used in sermons or Bible studies. Verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB) gives a reason God saved us in the first place. He created us in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing work for him. He didn't leave us here for our own entertainment, but to work at seeking for loss sheep (unbelievers chosen by God) to bring to Jesus and help grow in Christ-likeness. These three verses must stay together or you end up with believers that care more for themselves than they do the unsaved.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the gift of salvation; for the kindness of your grace. Thank you that justice was served through Jesus Christ, allowing you to show us mercy. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us as assurance of our salvation. 

John 1:12

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” (John 1:12 ESV). The context of our verse is about the Word, who was before all things and through him all things were made. In him was life and that life provides light by which we gain understanding of spiritual things. This Word became flesh whom we know as Jesus Christ and is the one our verse speaks of.

This verse is another if then statement in which two conditions need to be met in order to obtain the result. First, we must humbly come to Jesus and receive him into our lives. We are to embrace who he is and devote our lives to loving and serving him. Second, we are to believe in his name, which means we are to accept the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, the coming Messiah. The fact that Jesus is the Son of God living in the flesh of man is a great stumbling block for many, but it is the central tenant of the Christian faith. Meeting these two conditions gives us the right to become children of God, but what is the meaning of “right”?

What level of understanding of the two conditions is necessary? What about a child? I was a child when I was saved and at the time I didn't understand those conditions, so what does this verse mean? I believe the key lies in the word “right” or in some translations “authority.” In his sovereignty, God the Father chooses who will become children in his family. Like a fetus conceived in the womb, each loss sheep is to be searched for and spiritually nourished to the point of spiritual birth. It is these whom the Father has chosen, that have the right to become children of God. At the appropriate time the Father causes the spiritual birth. As a child, through faith I was saved and through faith I would grow in my understanding of the two conditions.

Prayer

Father, the reality that only the ones you grant the right to become children of God will be born again, is a very difficult concept for some to accept. However, the Scriptures are clear that no one desiring to be a Christian will be excluded and no one granted this right will be left behind. It is amazing how many are being led to salvation through dreams and visions in highly restricted areas of the world. Father, thank you for granting the right to become children of God and in preparing those hearts to be born again.