Do Not Think On These Things

Since hanging this visual of Philippians 4:8 on my office wall, opposite the door, I have been forced to look at it every time I enter the room. As a result, I’ve been thinking about some of the things that I should not be thinking about. That is, the truth and positive perspective exalted by the Scriptures on this poster, which we must put on, have reminded me of how false and negative some of our thought patterns can be, which must be put off. Therefore, I’ve come up with my own list of opposites, sinful thought patterns we each must put out of our mind while at the same time filling it with truth: “Don’t Think On these Things.”

• Whatever Is False (plane): ideas that are erroneous, wandering, and deceitful. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit (1 Thess 2:3).
• Whatever Is Dishonorable (atimia): a lifestyle that is degrading and shameful. Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor (2 Tim 2:20).
• Whatever Is Unjust (adikos): actions that are unjust, unrighteous, and wicked. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much (Luke 16:10, NKJ).
• Whatever Is Impure (akatharsia): any form of impurity and uncleanness. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints (Eph 5:3). 
• Whatever Is Unbecoming (aschemoneo): behavior that is unseemly, improper, and unsuitable. [Love] does not act unbecomingly (1 Cor 13:5).
• Whatever Is Offensive (proskope): a cause for stumbling. [G]iving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited (2 Cor 6:30). 
• Whatever Is Evil (poneros): bad, malignant, wicked, and worthless. [A]bstain from every form of evil (1 Thess 5:22).  Continue at  Paul Tautges

What Unbelieving Pagans Know about God and Why They Are Responsible for It

I am continually amazed at how much dense theology Paul is able to pack into a few lines of a letter. Consider, for example, just four verses: Romans 1:18-21.

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Paul has just finished exulting in the “good news” of the gospel (Rom. 1:15-17), but he now begins to paint a contrasting backdrop of the “bad news” for those who rebel against their holy creator. Whereas “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith” to all who believe (vv. 16-17), “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven” against all who suppress God’s truth (v. 18). Paul piles up the terms in reference to the godless Gentiles: on the one hand, “ungodliness and unrighteousness” describes what they do, and on the other hand “by their unrighteousness” is the way in which they go about their work of suppressing truth. The reality of the redundancy is repulsive: by their unrighteousness they perform unrighteousness.  Continue at Justin Taylor

John 3:16 Does Not Say God Loves The World

Before we get started, we must understand that no one is righteous, no not one, and none seek after God (Rom 3:10-11) – no one.

 Romans 3:10-11 KJV As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after (ekzeteo) God.

after (ekzeteo) – it is a verb that means to seek out, investigate, to seek out for one’s self, beg, crave.

The bible states that men do not seek God unless God, who has sets everything according to His will,  has chosen us (His elect) from the foundation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4-6 KJV According as he hath chosen (εξελεξατο) us in him before (προ) the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated (προορισας) us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will (θεληματος), (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

εξελεξατο – eklego – this is a past tense verb that means He ( God ) has already chosen before the foundation of the world. The word is derived from eklektos that means chosen, elect.   Keep Reading...