Quick Thought for Meditation – Strong Spirit – 2 Timothy 1:7; November 1, 2013

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

There is always a need for us to trust in God, but we must always remember that through the new birth and our faith the Lord has given us certain things as well.  We have been given a spirit of power, love, and a mind that can reason.  Those gifts though are not to make us trust in ourselves or the things around us but rather it is an understanding that through God we have power over our emotions.  That because of the love of God towards us we have the ability to love those around us and make a difference in the lives of others through our love.  Finally, we have a sound mind that can recall the things of God, what is taught in his word, and call to mind our need to trust in Him.  When we combine the power, love, and sound mind that we have those things should override our fear about what we may face.  That is the message of this verse.

Quick Thought for Meditation – Constrained Us – 2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 5:14

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”

So why was Paul willing to endure all that he did for the cause?  Here he answers that question with a quite simple response — because of the love of Christ in my life.  Paul viewed service to the Lord as a quite simple matter.  If the Lord loved us when we were unlovable in trespasses and in sins then we ought to follow after him and seek his good will in our lives.  Our service to the Lord should not be a show we put on for others, but rather ought to be motivated by knowing that Christ loved us first.  He loved us when we could not love him, therefore now being able to love him we should dedicate our lives to that cause.

Quick Thought for Meditation – A Conclusion – Galatians 6

Galatians 6:18

“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

And with this verse the Apostle Paul brings this beautiful, in-depth, and important epistle to a close.  Beginning with the term “brethren” to express his affection for the believers in Galatia.  Despite the harshness of tone he has taken with them and the bluntness of his teaching he finishes the thought with his love and prayers for this people.  We would do well to remember this lesson.  While we should never back away from the need to stand for the truth in Christ this standing does not have to be divorced from love and care.  At times standing for the truth takes a direct and straightforward approach as Paul did here, but it should always finish with expressions of love and prayer.  Let us follow the lead of the great Apostle in protecting the truth and loving God’s people.

Quick Thought for Meditation – Charities – Galatians 6

Galatians 6:10

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

This verse is possibly one of the most important points in all of this chapter for living in our modern world.  Almost without exception if you make a charitable donation to one organization you are going to get calls from 10 others asking for help as well.  There are charities for every cause under the sun out there today that if you tried to support just the most worthy of them all would drain your bank account.  And while there is certainly nothing wrong with picking a few charities and supporting them, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our first priority should be to those that are of the household of faith.  We should give to support the operations of the church (utilities, supplies, etc), to support the ministry, and then to support those that are in need in our own congregations, and finally to those that may be in need in sister churches.  Once we have given to each of these causes then we should look to give to those in need outside of the church.  Keeping always in mind that love is an action that must be done over and over again.

Quick Thought for Meditation – A Reward is Coming – Galatians 6

Galatians 6:9

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

The Apostle Paul here reminds us of something that we all know to be true but hate to admit.  Doing good for others in spite of ourselves often becomes tiresome and a bitter subject.  Thus, the wise apostle tells us that if we don’t wear down in our willingness to do good for others that we shall reap a reward in due time.  This reward is not heaven nor anything to do with heaven (ie our crown as some teach) nor is it financial and health her in time as others teach.  Rather, the scriptures teach the reaping comes in other forms.  It comes in the forms of spiritual peace and joy, the same care being given to you in times of need, watching those that you helped become more solid in Christ, and having a clearer image of what Christ has done for us.  When we receive any of those blessings there should be great joy in our heart and great thanksgiving for the grace of God that has made us able to help others.