2 Peter 1KJV ” ³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  ⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Do note the preciousness of God’s promises.   Why are they so precious?  Through the promises, we are able to become partakers of the divine nature and escap the corruption in the world.

Mark 4 KJV “⁹ And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.  ¹⁰ And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.  ¹¹ And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:  ¹² That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.  ¹³ And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?   ¹⁴ The sower soweth the word.  ¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.  ¹⁶ And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;   ¹⁷ And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.  ¹⁸ And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,  ¹⁹ And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.  ²⁰ And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.  ²¹ And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?  ²² For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.  ²³ If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.  ²⁴ And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

Wherever there is a treasure of great worth, scripturally we are warned that are is a deceiver and thief looking for an opportunity to steal it.   The two verses below illustrate that the Word of God itself and specifically the promises in the Word are a great treasure indeed.   Mark 4 warns us that Satan is indeed waiting to snatch away the Word from our hearts before it can truly take root as He understands It’s (His, Jesus’) power to set us free and bring us into our full inheritance.

What is motivating Satan to do so?     First, he has been covetting what God gave to Adam and Eve from the very beginning.   Scripture tells us that Satan longed to be like the Most High…   And the God created Adam and Eve and as a free gift gave them dominion over all the earth.    What Satan gained at the Fall was the dominion of the Earth.   Scripture plainly calls Satan the god of this world.   Anyone who discover who they are in Christ is freed from His dominion and rule.  But it is far worse for him… Not only are they delivered from him, but they have dominion over him and have the power cast him out and to come against all of his works.    Basically, those who believe and receive and act on God’s promises and receive their inheritance also walk according to His ways… Including going about doing good and destroying all the works of the devil.      Every promise he can block, every disciple he can lead astray, every word he can subvert, every command he can undermine is in his interest to do.

In simple terms, wherever there is a promise of God, there is a desperate and cunning thief bent on stealing it motivated by hate and self-preservation.

2 Corinthians 4:4 King James Version (KJV)  “4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Hebrews 11:4-6 King James Version (KJV)
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

1 John 3:8 King James Version (KJV)
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 1:12-14 King James Version (KJV)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

This is so so so encouraging when you consider that it was through a similar translation into relationship and right standing with God that Enoch did not “see death.”

Hebrews 11:4-6 King James Version (KJV)
“4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Therefore, since we are warned of this “roaring lion” who is looking for his next victim, we must be vigilant, prepared at all times to submit to God, and resist the devil…  Guard the seeds that have been sown in your life.    Pray vigilantly for the seeds sown in others.  Knowing in absolute confidence that He who is in us is the greater, and that in our submission to God, the devil will surely flee from us.

1 Peter 5:6-9 King James Version (KJV)
“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

James 4:6-8 King James Version (KJV)
“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

There are some topics, like pro-life vs pro-choice, evolution vs creation etc. that came up this week. In order to act in gentleness and love towards all, we must prayerfully navigate through these waters and also respect that not all people in the room hold the same view of these things. Understanding the position of the leadership of the church is also an essential part of this equation, so we must at all times strive to remain in a spirit of unity and brotherly love.

If these come up in the group meeting time again, I will be encouraging people to post here. The goal is not to avoid or silence anyone who is passionate or to deny that scripture has much to say on these things, but to provide a more appropriate forum for discussion. We are all doing the best we can with the information we have. There is a reason why some of these topics have such a huge capacity to offend or stir up overwhelming emotions in some.     

A verse to consider.    Absolutely there is a time and a place to seek out unity on a matter especially when we are personally convinced of it’s biblical mandate.  When, how and to whom we present are all essential considerations.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁴ The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. ²⁵ He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

Our goal is to encourage everyone to study the Word for themselves and to, over time, as the Lord leads, let Him be Lord of every area of our lives. This is a lifelong process that is unique to each person. The things that one person may have studied in depth and are passionate about may never reach the top of another person’s pile. God is working on each of us in different areas and in different ways so there is really no room for comparison.

I cannot strongly encourage us enough to stay away from statements like “All Christians must/should/ought to _____________________”   when discussing areas of applied theology like the ones listed above.   

Although it is good to be passionate about things that we believe God has convicted us about, we must do all things in the context of loving relationships.   Therefore, our present knowledge and  understanding ought to always be expressed in meekness  and gentleness, and as mentioned, in the appropriate time and place – leaving room for those who don’t hold the same beliefs/understandings/convictions to, by the grace of God, and in His timing for them, increase their knowledge, grow, and learn. Each of us must remain humble at all times, leaving room for God to show us where our own knowledge and understading may be lacking.

1 Corinthians 13:2 English Standard Version (ESV) “2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

My hope in creating this post is to