Pursue Holy Living

13 I command you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when testifying before Pontius Pilate. 14 Obey this order without fault or failure until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 The timing of this appearance is revealed by God alone, who is the blessed and only master, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality and lives in light that no one can come near. No human being has ever seen or is able to see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:13-16, CEB)

Obey this order without fault or failure until Christ comes again.

This command was the command from yesterday, pursue holy living. And what is Holy Living?

Being righteous, faithful to God. Sharing love with the world. Not seeking fame or fortune. But sharing love that was showered on you with the world. Do that until Christ comes again. Easy enough.

Love People. Love God.

Grab hold

11 But as for you, man of God, run away from all these things. Instead, pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life—you were called to it, and you made a good confession of it in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12, CEB)

Run away from all these things… What are all of these things?

The verse right before these two is “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.”

We are supposed to pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness over becoming rich. In the verses before this the author says that we came into this world with nothing and we will leave with nothing, we should be content with food and clothing, and not seek for more than we need.

Because eternal life is ours to grab hold of, we were called to it and it is ours to have, now. Not in the future.

Grab hold of life eternal with God and be faithful to God and show the love God has showered on you to the world.

Love People. Love God.

Commandment

9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 I give you these commandments so that you can love each other. (John 15:9-17, CEB)

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love. What are the commandments?

We could say they are the 10 commandments, or the Laws of the Torah. Or maybe it is the commandment Jesus gives us in just a little bit here.

This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends.  So we need to love each other, just as Jesus loves us. Meaning we need to love people when they are doing what will keep them from being in relationship with us, because that is how God loves each of us.

We were chosen by God to share the love God has given us with the world.

You see if we get unhung up on keeping all of the Levitical Laws or the 10 commandments, which according to the twist Jesus gave them are impossible for any of us to keep, we will be in a deep dark place because of our lack of upholding the commandments. But if we focus on love. Loving everyone. God will continue to fill our cup as we pour it out for others.

Love People. Love God.

Servant

42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One[a] didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Mark 10:42-45, CEB)

We are not to lord our leadership over others. We are to be servants of all.

Remember, Jesus washed Judas’ feet. We are called to serve, not be served.

Love all and fight for them to be who they were made to be by God.

Love People. Love God.

Acceptable

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. 38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, 41 not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43, CEB)

Have you ever met a follower of God you did not agree with? If you haven’t you need to expand your bubble!

I have met a lot of people who follow God but do not believe the same things I do. I have lost friends because they thought I was not doing what God called me to do, when I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I was following God. How can this be?

Peter tells us here. “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to God.” If I am worshipping God and doing what I feel is acceptable to God at this point in time, then I am beloved by God. We should not judge another for not being where we are in faith, for we are all on a journey to deepen our lives and relationship with God. If you believe you receive forgiveness. And your belief can be different than mine and we still both believe in God.

You see we are all uniquely created by God and so we will not have the same faith.

So love as God loves you and make sure the world knows they are loved by God and let God work.

Love People. Love God.

Forbidden

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Company. 2 He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. 3 One day at nearly three o’clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Startled, he stared at the angel and replied, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said, “Your prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. 5 Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. 6 He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff. 8 He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa. 9 At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. 11 He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!” 14 Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” 16 This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven. 17 Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate. 18 Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there. 19 While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, “Look! Three people are looking for you. 20 Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went downstairs and told them, “I’m the one you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They replied, “We’ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 Peter invited them into the house as his guests. The next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa. 24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Anticipating their arrival, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” 27 As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. 29 For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.” 30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ 33 I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.” 34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. (Acts 10:1-34, CEB)

What is forbidden? Or what is unclean?

According to the Law, there are things we can not eat. And things we can not do.

But here Peter has a vision of a sheet with all the unclean animals and is told to eat. But he says nothing unclean has ever touched my lips. And the response is that what God has made is not unclean.

As I write this devotional Arkansas just passed and then over turned a veto of the governor on HB1570 which prohibits trans people under 18 from getting medical treatments to help their gender dysphoria. And North Carolina is starting the talks on Senate Bill 514 which will do the same there. These lawmakers are calling what God has made unclean. And everything that God has made is clean.

Maybe you think this is a stretch for this set of verses, but in Peter’s day, as Peter said, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders.” Greeks and Jews could not associate because of the Law. But Peter was told by God that this is not the way.

We need to love everyone even if we don’t agree with them or their lifestyle. We are called to love and share God’s love, not try to make everyone like us.

Love People. Love God.

Orphaned

18 “I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) asked, “Lord, why are you about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word that you hear isn’t mine. It is the word of the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. 26 The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you. 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away and returning to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me. 29 I have told you before it happens so that when it happens you will believe. 30 I won’t say much more to you because this world’s ruler is coming. He has nothing on me. 31 Rather, he comes so that the world will know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up. We’re leaving this place. (John 14:18-31, CEB)

Jesus is telling the disciples that they will soon be the only ones who can see him. Because the world isn’t ready to see his revelation. And he wanted them, and us, to know that even though the world would say he is not here, he is still here. God is always with us and we are never alone. Even when the world will leave us behind, God will always be with us.

And when the anxiety of the world boils up and seems to make the world around us black, God is always with us to give a peace that the world doesn’t understand.

I remember that I started doing these daily devotionals in early 2012. It was when I had resigned my call and was looking for the next call. Little did I know then that it would take me almost 2 years to find that next call. But I was focused and knew that God was with me. I wrote these devotionals for the world, but also to remind myself that God is always with us. even in what seems the darkest times, God will never leave us orphaned.

God is always with us. Love the world like God loves you.

Love People. Love God.

pure

17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine. 18 Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts (James 3:17-18, CEB)

It is pure.

Is anything pure anymore?

It seems like everything has some kind of filler or preservative in it.

But wisdom from above is pure, and peaceful, fair and genuine. It is easy to spot this, because there is a lot of selfish motivation in things we do. When someone is peaceful, gentle, merciful, fair and genuine it shines through.

Let this be your life, that it is purely led by the motivation of Christ to be made known in the world.

That will change the world!

Love People. Love God.

Fruit

16 I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. 17 A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. 18 But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. 19 The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21 jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other. (Galatians 5:16-26, CEB)

The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, because they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21 jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that.

What is sexual immorality? In a society where men could have multiple wives and concubines? Is this obviously clear what is sexually immoral?

Doing whatever feels good? It feels good to work at the soup kitchen and to serve those who are being held down by circumstances outside of their control, so according to this I shouldn’t do that.

Losing your temper, not sure but I do not think that Jesus was calm when he flipped tables in the temple. He burned with a holy anger, but we can’t lose our temper because that is selfish.

Following after your own desires is not clear cut as this passage wants to make it, but if we can be fruity and live in the fruit of the spirit, which is love. Love all, and spread the love that God has given you.

some say there are 9 fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But I read this as the fruit of the spirit is love. Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are elements of love. If we love, we will be focused outside of ourselves and the things we do will be for others, not ourselves.

Love People. Love God

trimmed

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6 If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples. (John 15:1-8, CEB)

Are you fruity?

Do you produce fruit?

Jesus is the vine and the father if the vineyard keeper. The keeper trims back and removes branches that do not produce fruit. And the branches that do produce fruit, are pruned so they produce more fruit. SO if you don’t produce you are removed, and if you produce you are cut back to produce more. You do not miss the cutting.

We must be connected to Jesus, but the Father will be trimming us to help us be more fruity in the world!

So go and love as God loves you and share your fruit with the world!

Love People. Love God.