All The Days Of Our Lives: From Loath To Love

Has the passing of each hour of the day become an occasion for loathing..? ...do any find that joy is as fleeting as water through a sieve..? There is a remedy-

Begin by examining yourselves{rf. 2Cor13:5}; discern, at this moment, whether or not everything you have said, done, and/or thought has been done in a manner which could be characterized as honoring and having reverence for God{rf. 1Cor10:31}.
To discern correctly, we must first establish what is the acceptable standard. The ONLY standard by which we may test and discern the genuine-ness of our profession of faith in Jesus Christ is by that standard which God's Son, Jesus Christ, set for us{rf. 1John2:6}.
Furthermore, within the words in red{i.e. Red-letter Editions}, we discover that Jesus expressly instructed and authorized His Apostles to speak and teach on His behalf{rf. Luke10:16}; meaning that the writings penned by His Apostles which appear outside of the Gospels{i.e. Letters and Epistles} are as authoritative as Christ's own words for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness{rf. 2Tim3:16}.

[So then, having established that the whole of the New Testament has the authority of Jesus Christ upon it, let's continue-]
Within the NT Scriptures we are expressly and explicitly given the standards which God, through Christ and the Apostles, has established. Some examples of those standards can be found in 1Corinthians13 where we are taught what things are essential in all human relations; in 1Corinthians7 we discover the blueprint for successful and God-honoring marriages; in Galatians5 we are given criteria by which we may discern between the works of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit...

Now, what all this brings us back to is this- Examine yourselves!

Do you want to love life and enjoy every minute of it? Then take to heart the message of this devotional and ponder it along with these inspired words from Peter:

1Peter3:10-11
10 For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, 11 and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it,..

...are there resentments in any one's heart{rf. Matt6:14-15,18:21-35/Heb12:15}; are there foul words or critically harsh words spoken{rf. Eph4:29/Col3:8/Matt12:34-37}; does your entertainment consist of things which God abhors{rf. Col3:17(NLT)/Ps101:3/Job31:1/Matt5:8}...? ...TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO WHAT IS GOOD!{rf. 1Thess5:22/1Peter3:11}... ...confess and repent of such things and God can be trusted to be faithful and just in forgiving you and cleansing you of all such things{rf. 1John1:9}; from this point on diligently strive to imitate Jesus in all you think, do, and say{rf. 1John2:6/Eph5:1} -then you will begin loving all the days of your life! 

REFUTATION OF KJV ONLY-ISM

The KJV, like other translations, is a VERSION{*note the "V" in kj-V} of the scribal copied autographs which God has preserved for millenia. A scholarly study of these autographs, using Textual Criticism coupled with Lexical Semantics; thus understood in their in their original form and language(i.e. Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek); reveals that the essential differences between most *English* translated VERSIONS and the autographs amount to the semantical difference between the words "dog" and "canine." For instance: James2:3 KJV- 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the >gay< clothing, HCSB- 3 If you look with favor on the man wearing the >fine< clothes ...the Greek word translated both "gay" in the KJV and "fine" in versions such as ESV and HCSB is: λαμπρός / lampros [G2986]. Note the literal meaning as presented in Thayer's Greek Lexicon: Thayer Definition: 1) shining 1a) brilliant 1b) clear, transparent 2) splendid, magnificent 2a) splendid things, i.e. luxuries or elegancies in dress or style ...now then, in today's social economy, which translation do any of you think represents the literal "thought" which James intended to convey: "gay" clothing or "fine/splendid" clothing? [Just a short "FYI:" Versions of Scripture are classified as "Formal Equivalent"{e.g. "Word for Word rendering (ex. KJV, ESV)}; "Dynamic Equivalent"{e.g. "Thought for Thought" rendering (ex. NLT, NIV)}; “Paraphrased”{(ex.The Message, The Amplified Bible)}; and a more modern approach: "Optimal Equivalent"{e.g. the combination of F.E. and D.E. to attempt optimal conveyance(ex. HCSB)}. As stated previously, the differences between these VERSIONS in what is TAUGHT within Scripture is essentially negligible at most.] Also NECESSARY to consider is that meanings of words from the KJV era have changed over the centuries. Take for instance Gen1:28. In Gen1:28 Adam and Eve were commanded to be fruitful and "replenish"[KJV] the Earth. In our modern dictionaries, "replenish" means "to fill *again.*" However, in the KJV era, "replinish" simply meant- "to fill/complete." Most unabridged dictionaries still contain this original definition and Webster's Dictionary of English Words[c. 1828] contains only the original definition[ http://www.webstersdictionary1828.com/... ]. So, when the NLT reads "Fill the Earth..." -it is ESSENTIALLY [or more accurately stated "Dynamically"] equivalent to the KJV "...replinish the Earth." Quarrels over VERSIONS sincerely detract from the goal of Scriptures in WHATEVER language they may be translated into... [question- are Scriptures translated today from **the autographs** into foreign languages less authoritative than foreign versions translated from the KJV?]; ...which said goal is to reveal God and His will for mankind through His Son... ...virtually all versions I have read and compared have this common goal and achieve it! KJOnly-ist are similar to the Pharisees in this one respect... ...the insistence on KJV-only against all other *versions* of Scripture works to prevent some others from coming to an understanding of the Scriptures [and entering God’s kingdom] which even some KJOnly-ist fail to comprehend themselves. Christianity is not about translations brothers and sisters -it's about **genuine** LOVE FOR GOD! ...and my ESV, KJV, HCSB, NLT, NASB, NKJV, NASB, NKJV, NIV,.. **each one** **clearly and equivalently** teach me what "love for God" is [and personally, I think the NLT; pertaining to this particular verse; captures the *purest* and clearest essence of what the Holy Spirit intended to convey through John]: 1John5:3- ESV--> 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. KJV--> 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. HCSB--> 3 For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, NLT--> 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. NASB--> 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. NKJV--> 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. NIV--> 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome

"...And this is what was preached to you as the Gospel" -1Peter1:25

Since "the Gospel of Christ" is the "power of God unto salvation..." ...it is paramount that we comprehend precisely and thoroughly what the "gospel" is, according to the Apostles of Jesus Christ, if we are to be saved by its power -right?
Now, I will not use many words here, but I will direct your attention to a chapter of Scripture; 1Peter chapter1; which will take about 3 to 5 minutes to read. Be sure to read the entire chapter and I want you to specifically note the latter of vs25:
--> "...and this is the word that was preached as the Gospel to you." [HCSB]

[...assuming you have read the chapter -yes? Then please continue]
So essentially and apparently, Peter set about to sum the Gospel within the first chapter of his epistle. Will you reflect with me, now, upon a few points of this "good news" summarized by Peter in 1Peter1; which is RARELY presented nowadays as part of the "Gospel?" -a few points which, if/when, ignored render the "Gospel" *incomplete* and thus "the power unto salvation" effectually impotent?

[Taken from HCSB]
vs13 "...get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined..."
vs14-15 "As obedient children... (15) "...as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in ALL your conduct..."
vs17 "...you are to conduct yourselves in reverence..."
vs22 "By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves... (or, "Having purified yourselves by/through obedience to the truth.)

Please keep in mind that 1Peter ch1 represents only a summary... ...obviously the Gospel consists of more than just what is summed in 1Peter1... ...but within this passage it is inarguably dictated that the biblically prescribed Gospel consists of a call to holiness... ...the whole of the NT presents holiness as an ACTION -i.e. vss15,16 "...BE(*action* verb) holy"... ...Jesus wasn't "just" holy, Jesus *DID* holy... ...and "if we claim to be Christian then we will pursue diligently the imitation of Christ"(1John2:6 paraphrased).

My closing thought, "salvation" is not merely a "moment of conversion" and/or moment of baptism event... ...we are expressly and explicitly told in 1Peter1:5 that "THROUGH FAITH" God is "protecting us{e.g. as a mother hen guards her chicks} *until salvation is revealed on the last day*." In ch1{vs17}, and as we continue through the Epistle of 1Peter, we are admonished to persist in the pursuit of holiness with reverence toward God THROUGHOUT our mortal lifespan.

Please understand, that nothing expressed here suggests that what we do procures our salvation; nowhere have I conveyed a "works-based" salvation nor legalism... ...allow me to present a word-picture describing salvation as conveyed by Eph2:8,9{and Scripture in general}:

Picture a motorists who has just received a speeding ticket for doing 75 in a 55... ...his court date is set for 6weeks later. During this time, the motorist obeyed all traffic laws... ...at his court appearance, despite all his obedience, the motorists was still declared guilty for his speeding... ...understand, then, that no amount of obedience cancels out even a single act of disobedience{e.g. "all have sinned"}... ...thus, there is nothing we can do to rescind any of our crime(s) and therefore we stand as guilty regardless of ANY amount of "good"... ...the only way to have our record wiped clean is by the order of the Judge... ...we owe for the penalty of our crime(s); but Jesus [the Judge's Son] settled that debt for us... ...thus, on account of WHAT JESUS DID, God declared that, through faith{*see Addendum} in His Son, He would "forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness"{cp. 1John1:9}. So you see, then, we are not saved by our own deeds but by the *Judge's* gracious decision on account of *His Son's self-less sacrifice on our behalf*{"...for you are saved by grace"}... ...so then, apart from Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace, salvation could not be possible regardless of ANY amount of obedience. Interesting to note, so many excise vs10 from Eph2:8-9; yet, when verse10 is "the cherry on top" of what Paul sought to convey with vss8-9:
"For we are His creation- created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared ahead of time so that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.
...in other words, and enjoined with vss8-9; "You are saved by God's grace and not your own works for which one may boast; indeed, God created us for doing good works [inferred: "What boasting is there in doing what we are SUPPOSED to be doing?" You see, Jesus taught that after having done ALL, we should humbly accept and acknowledge that we've been unprofitable servants because we've merely done that which was our duty to perform{Luke17:10]

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*Addendum: "Faith" is biblically defined as: -trust in God's word{e.g. as immutable truth}; -dependence upon God's work/providence; and -obedience to God; rf. Hebrews11 and James2:14-26;.. ...outcrops of faith include repentance from, and godly remorse for, sins{cp. Mark1:15/Acts17:30/2Cor7:20