Walk in Love

January 6, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5; 2 John 4 – 11 Lesson Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – 5; 2 John 4 – 11 “Walk in Love” is a great topic for the start of a new calendar year. As Christians, we need to be reminded sometimes that we are called to walk in love. Of course, the word walk is used here as a general description of one’s day-to-day activities that comprise a lifestyle. For Christians, love is an action word that finds its motivation in the needs of others. It’s better for us when we are motivated by needs rather than personality, gratitude, interpersonal relationship, or self-gratification. Needs can oftentimes be more clearly defined and, with care, properly distinguished from desires. Our lesson passages were penned by the two greatest writing apostles, Paul and John. Paul admonished the Christians in Thessalonica to stand fast and hold the traditions which they were taught as converts of Christ. This was much needed encouragement for them because they were becoming confused by the uninformed teaching of others. Sadly, whenever God is doing a work among people, there are always those who would seek to overthrow the faith of believers with teachings that are contrary to the word of God delivered by those who have been anointed as God’s messengers. Weeks, months, or perhaps even years of sound doctrine can be put to the test by nonsensical teaching proposing to offer something for nothing or an easy way out. That’s when established traditions that have been approved by God and proven over time can be a stabilizer. I often cringe when people brag about not being a member of a “traditional” church. Much confusion has been brought into today’s local congregation by the teachings of those who desire to be overnight sensations. Whatever has been right, they will declare it to be wrong. Whatever has been wrong, will often be declared right by the same false teachers. The Thessalonians were being confused by those who were mistakenly teaching an incorrect relationship between the gathering of the believers, known as the rapture of the church, and the times of tribulation known as the Day of the Lord. Paul, again, set matters straight by reminding them that the church will not enter into the Tribulation according to the word of prophecy. The persecutions the believers were enduring were not part of the Day of the Lord. Therefore, they were admonished to endure the persecutions even as the apostles were experiencing the same. This was happening because there were still wicked people in the world who were not saved. Paul admonished believers to trust God and pray for deliverance for themselves and the apostles. John echoed Paul’s instructions and sentiments to the Christians he sent a letter to. The problem, as described by John, was the presence of many false teachers attempting to mislead the Christians. John labeled those false teachers as antichrists and deceivers. They spread false teachings and also denied that Christ had come into the world. John’s solution for Christians, as was Paul’s, was for them to walk in love and thereby fulfill the commandments of God. Robert C. Hudson December 13, 2018

Love and Worship God

December 16, 2018 Background Scripture: Psalm 103:1 – 17a, 21, 22 Lesson Passage: Psalm 103:1 – 17a, 21, 22 When it comes to praise and worship of God, there is probably no greater biblical witness to describe it than the sweet psalmist of Israel, David. David wrote half of the psalms in Israel’s hymn book. His psalms cover the gamut of emotions of a God-fearing person who puts their trust in Him. In our lesson today, David gives us at least fifteen reasons to praise God. Then he calls upon all, everywhere, to join him in praising God. In summary of David’s list, he admonishes us to praise God for the many benefits and blessings that He graciously bestows on us. God’s grace extends to us benefits and blessings that we don’t deserve and cannot earn. Likewise, David calls upon us to praise God for His mercy towards us. God’s mercy spares us from the just punishment we deserve or from the dire consequences of our actions. Even when we knowingly are headed in the wrong direction and won’t turn back, God continuously watches over us. God’s mercy is tempered with patience so that He is slow to anger. Our sins and iniquities are enough to justify cutting us off from the blessings of God forever. Instead of executing justice through punishment, God extends mercy. Rather than deal with us according to the transgressions we have made against His righteousness, God removes our transgressions far from us so that He can nurture us as His dear children. God’s actions remind me of a parent changing their baby’s diaper. No matter how gross the situation may be, the parent cleans it up and removes it far from the child. Then, the parent showers the child with love as though the mess never existed. There is never a question as to whether a parent ought to do such a thing. Good parents delight in caring for their children. Parents don’t despise the child who cannot walk, talk, or care for himself. Rather, a good parent will carry the child, talk to and for the child, and take care of everything the child has need of. And many of these parental graces don’t come with an expiration date—if there is a need. Likewise, God does not deal with us according to our errors. He remembers that He formed us out of dust and has pity on us. Patience may be too weak of a word to describe God’s longsuffering. David said God’s mercy is eternal. There is no beginning or end to the mercies of God. When one considers all of the reasons on David’s list for praising God, we should realize that everything on David’s list fits us too. Not that we have experienced what David experienced, but the list covers experiences as well as potential. We cannot boast about what we have not done because too often that results from lack of opportunity and not righteous discretion. No one or nothing within the realm of creation is excluded from the call to praise God. The heavenly host, the servants of God, all of creation, and my soul should bless the Lord! That’s heaven and earth joining the worshiper in praising God simply because He is God. Robert C. Hudson November 9, 2018