Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 1, 2020

“I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews;  to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;  to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak;  I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”  1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

———————

How do we reconcile Paul’s teaching in today’s Scripture with his opposition of Cephas (Peter) in the following Scripture?

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles;  but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.  The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”  Galatians 2:11-14.

Wasn’t Peter being all things to all men?  

The answer is that Paul concluded that “they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel”?  Galatians 2:14.

We also see in today’s Scripture that the purpose of being all things to all men (“To the Jews I became as a Jew, … to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law”) was to save them.

“Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;  just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”  1 Corinthians 10:32-33.

“…  I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”  Verses 22-23.

We need to be straightforward about the truth of the gospel, but there are things which we can accept.  

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.  I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself;  but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.  Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.  Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food.  All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.  It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.”  Romans 14:13-21.

Food and drink are only two examples.  There are many other examples of things about which we can disagree with our brother, but which are not important and are not worthy of giving offense.

But, we cannot accept a different gospel.  

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”  Galatians 1:6-9.

Notice that Paul stated in today’s Scripture:  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel”.  Verse 23.  In other words, Paul pleased men in all things, so long as those things could be done for the sake of the gospel.  Paul would not accept a different gospel just to please men.

The Scripture that immediately follows the above strong warning of Galatians 1:6-9 is “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or am I striving to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:10.

People will only be saved through the true gospel.   

Jesus said both in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7:  ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Jesus also stated in John 4:23-24:  “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Not any kind of worship will suffice, but “worship in spirit and truth”.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 11:1-4.

Not any kind of zeal will suffice, but zeal “in accordance with knowledge”, or in other words, in accordance with truth.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Not any kind of faith will suffice, but “faith in the truth”.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”.  2 Thessalonians 2: 10-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 30, 2020

“For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 9:15-18.

“But I have used none of these things.  And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case;  for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one.  For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion;  for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.  For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward;  but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.  What then is my reward?  That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”  1 Corinthians 9:15-18.

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When the Apostle Paul states:  “But I have used none of these things.”, he is stating that he has not used his right to get his living from the gospel as in “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:14.

“That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”  Verse 18.

“and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.”  Acts 18:3.

“and we toil, working with our own hands;  when we are reviled, we bless;  when we are persecuted, we endure;”  1 Corinthians 4:12.

Today’s devotion will focus on verse 17:  “For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward;  but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.”  

“if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;  …  of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.”  Ephesians 3:2 and 7.

God has given to each one of us a measure of grace and gifts to use for the building up of the body of Christ. 

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  …

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”  Ephesians 4:7 and 11-12.

We are all stewards, and because of the stewardship entrusted to us by God, we are required to be trustworthy stewards.

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”  1 Corinthians 4:1-2.

Let us remember the Parable of the Talents.

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.  To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability;  and he went on his journey.  Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.  In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.  But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

“Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them.  The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me.  See, I have gained five more talents.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things;  enter into the joy of your master.’

“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me.  See, I have gained two more talents.’  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things;  enter into the joy of your master.’

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.  And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground.  See, you have what is yours.’

“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.  Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.  Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance;  but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness;  in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 25:14-30.

But, there is hope!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 29, 2020

“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 9:1-14.

“Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?  Are you not my work in the Lord?  If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you;  for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

My defense to those who examine me is this:  Do we not have a right to eat and drink?  Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?  Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?  Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense?  Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it?  Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I?  Or does not the Law also say these things?  For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?  Or is He speaking altogether for our sake?  Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.  If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?  If others share the right over you, do we not more?  Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.  Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar?  So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”  1 Corinthians 9:1-14.

—————–

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.  Freely you received, freely give.  Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff;  for the worker is worthy of his support.”  Matthew 10:7-10.

“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”  Verse 14.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13.

Today’s Scripture pierces through our thoughts and intentions to not properly support our ministers.  Today’s Scripture does not allow us to only superficially agree that our ministers should be able to get their living from their service without having to work at another full-time job without also working in our hearts to judge our deceit and to cause us to give as we should to allow our ministers to do so.

“If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”  Verse 11.

“Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them.  For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”  Romans 15:27.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 28, 2020

“Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” 

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians chapter 8.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.  If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;  but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.  …

However not all men have this knowledge;  but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol;  and their conscience being weak is defiled.  But food will not commend us to God;  we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.  But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?  For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.  And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.”  1 Corinthians 8:1-4 and 7-13.

—————

Like today’s Scripture, the following Scripture warns us to not use our liberty so as to put a stumbling block in our brother’s way.

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.  I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself;  but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.  Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.  Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.  Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food.  All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.  It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.”  Romans 14:13-21.

“…  Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.”  Verse 1.

“If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge;  and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”  1 Corinthians 13:2.

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”  Romans 14:19.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 27, 2020

“But I want you to be free from concern.” – “not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:32-40.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“But I want you to be free from concern.  One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;  but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided.  The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit;  but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  This I say for your own benefit;  not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

A wife is bound as long as her husband lives;  but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.  But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is;  and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.”  1 Corinthians 7:32-35 and 39-40.

—————–

Today’s Scripture and devotion focuses on the benefits of being single.

Likewise, we read earlier in this chapter the following verses.

“Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.  I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.  Are you bound to a wife?  Do not seek to be released.  Are you released from a wife?  Do not seek a wife.  But if you marry, you have not sinned;  and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.  Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.”  1 Corinthians 7:25-28.

“This I say for your own benefit;  not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.”  Verse 35.

We remember the story of Mary and Martha and how we can be worried and bothered about so many things when only one thing is necessary.

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village;  and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations;  and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?  Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42.

Although today’s Scripture and devotion focus on the benefits of being single, we should remember the benefits of being married in my devotion written on April 22, 2020.  Here is a link to it followed by a few quotes – https://reformeddoctrine.com/2020/04/22/however-each-man-has-his-own-gift-from-god-one-in-this-manner-and-another-in-that/

“Today’s Scripture teaches us that “each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.”  Verse 7.  (1 Corinthians 7:7).

It is a gift from God to be single.

…

But, it is also a gift from God to be married.

“An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.”  Proverbs 31:10.

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.”  Psalm 127:3.

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.”  Psalm 128:3.

“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4.

…

In summary, it may take a lifetime to understand what is God’s gift and will for us.  We can pray for what type of gift that we want.  But, most importantly, we trust in the LORD with all of our heart and do not lean on our own understanding.  We do not reserve our happiness until we obtain what we want.  We are happy if we are single, and we are happy if we are married.  God does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.  In any event, what is most important is that we reach heaven.”    

In conclusion, whatever gift that we receive from God, let us remember:  “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”  James 1:17.

“It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.”  Proverbs 10:22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 26, 2020

“The world is passing away, and also its lusts” – “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:25-31.

“Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.  I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.  Are you bound to a wife?  Do not seek to be released.  Are you released from a wife?  Do not seek a wife.  But if you marry, you have not sinned;  and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.  Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.  But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;  and those who weep, as though they did not weep;  and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice;  and those who buy, as though they did not possess;  and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it;  for the form of this world is passing away.”  1 Corinthians 7:25-31.

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“Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  The world is passing away, and also its lusts;  but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”  1 John 2:15-17.

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”  Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:27-29.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2.

“while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:18.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;  and he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:8-10.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 24, 2020

“Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.” – “only one thing is necessary”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24.

“Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk.  And so I direct in all the churches.  Was any man called when he was already circumcised?  He is not to become uncircumcised.  Has anyone been called in uncircumcision?  He is not to be circumcised.  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.  Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

Were you called while a slave?  Do not worry about it;  but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.  For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman;  likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.  You were bought with a price;  do not become slaves of men.  Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.”  1 Corinthians 7:17-24.

—————

It is noteworthy the emphasis that is made in today’s Scripture, by repeating it three times as shown by my bold italic font, that each one is to remain in that condition in which he was called.

We can get so focused, worried and bothered, and busy on improving our earthly condition that we can neglect our spiritual condition.  Only one thing is necessary which is our salvation.

We learned this from the story of Mary and Martha.

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village;  and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?  Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42.

The Apostle Paul also teaches us the importance of focusing on our salvation.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14.

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price illustrate this point.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:44-46.

If we can improve our earthly condition without being worried and bothered and without neglecting our spiritual condition, then we can do it.

“Were you called while a slave?  Do not worry about it;  but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.”  Verse 21.

We belong to God and can and should trust God to provide all that we need.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

In conclusion, we are content in whatever circumstances that we are.

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”  Philippians 4:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 23, 2020

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:8-16.

“But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry;  for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her.   And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband;  for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.  Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave;  the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”  1 Corinthians 7:8-16.

——————–

My mother died in 1996, and my father died in about 2007.

My father filed papers in Court in about 1977 seeking to obtain a divorce, and my mother fought the divorce.  She did not feel that today’s Scripture (“Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave”) applied, because even after he filed the papers (and could have avoided at least a long and hard fight if he admitted that he was not a believer), he continued to claim that he was a believer.

My father did finally obtain a divorce from the Court in about 1979 after a long and hard fight.

But, in any event, my father’s salvation was most important to my mother.  Even, if my father was not a believer, my mother had hope.

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband;  …  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”   Verses 14 and 16.

I think that you could interpret the “For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” which is immediately after the Scripture “Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave;  the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.” as reason for a spouse to let go of her unbelieving husband.  In other words, there is no guarantee by not letting the unbelieving one leave that a spouse could save the unbelieving spouse.

But, my mother accepted my father’s continued claim to be a believer and interpreted both Scriptures as giving hope.

When my mother was permanently in a nursing home close to death almost 20 years after the divorce, and my father had remarried shortly after the divorce and was taking vacations around the world, my mother would repeatedly ask me:  “Do you think he will come back to me?”  And, I would be amazed at her faith and hope, and certainly not wanting to crush her hope, I would say;  “Maybe, Mom.”

My father never did come back to my mother, but, most importantly, I believe my father was saved.  I do not know at what point in time that he was saved.  I do not know if he was saved before he met my mother.  I do not know if he was saved during their marriage.  I do not know if he was saved after their marriage.  But, most importantly, I believe that he was saved before his death.

Today’s Scripture gives hope for spouses who are married to an unbelieving spouse.

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband;  …  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?”

“In hope against hope he believed, …  Without becoming weak in faith … with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”  Romans 4:18-21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 22, 2020

“However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:1-7.

“Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.  But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.  The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does;  and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  But this I say by way of concession, not of command.  Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am.  However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.”  1 Corinthians 7:1-7.

————–

Today’s Scripture teaches us that “each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.”  Verse 7. 

It is a gift from God to be single.

“But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.”  1 Corinthians 7:8.

“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  2 Timothy 2:4.

“But if you marry, you have not sinned;  and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.  Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.”  1 Corinthians 7:28.

“But I want you to be free from concern.  One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;  but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided.  The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit;  but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  This I say for your own benefit;  not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 7:32-35.

But, it is also a gift from God to be married.

“An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.”  Proverbs 31:10.

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.”  Psalm 127:3.

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.”  Psalm 128:3.

“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4.

In summary, it may take a lifetime to understand what is God’s gift and will for us.  We can pray for what type of gift that we want.  But, most importantly, we trust in the LORD with all of our heart and do not lean on our own understanding.  We do not reserve our happiness until we obtain what we want.  We are happy if we are single, and we are happy if we are married.  God does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.  In any event, what is most important is that we reach heaven.    

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:6-6.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm 104:11-12.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude;  and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”  Philippians 3:14-16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 21, 2020

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute?  May it never be!  Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her?  For He says, “THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.”  But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.  Flee immorality.  Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price:  therefore glorify God in your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

——————–

In a nutshell, we glorify God in our body by our body being a member of Christ’s body.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;  for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.  This mystery is great;  but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”  Ephesians 5:25-32.

We glorify God by being in Christ and showing off “the glory of His grace”.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-5.

We glorify God, because the accomplishment of the redemption of God’s own possession glorifies God.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.

“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

“Let the glory of the LORD endure forever;
Let the LORD be glad in His works;”   Psalm 104:31.

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