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}.
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...
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,..
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!
