Growing in the Lord-through faith and love

The Right Path

The Truth About Faith The Gospel of Salvation

The Truth About Faith The Gospel Of Salvation

Growing in the Lord

Together we need to grow in the teachings and commandments from God the Father, our Lord Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:21-27, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 1:1-4, John 14:15, Acts 1:1-4), along with the Apostles teachings (Acts 1:1-2, Acts 2:42, Romans 1:1-6), and the Hebrews writer (Hebrews 1:1-4), and the Lord’s brothers James and Jude (James 1:1, Jude 1:1), and the former teachings and examples of the Old Testament revealed to us by the men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit as written in the inspired word of God (John 16:5-15, Romans 4:1-5:1 NASB, Romans 15:4-6, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 NASB, 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB, Hebrews 6:10-19, 2 Peter 1:19-21). and live a life being faithful and obedient until death (Matthew 16:26, Luke 8:15, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:18-25, Hebrews 10:35-39, Hebrews 12:1-17 ASV, James 1:3-4, James 5:10-11, 1 Peter 2:19-25, 1 Peter 3:14-17 KJV, Revelation 2:10-11,3:10-11).

Strong’s Concordance is being used through-out the pages on this site to show the meaning of the Aramaic, Hebrew and or Greek word used, sometimes the meanings are different from Aramaic, Hebrew and or Greek translated to English. Each Strong’s concordance is noted either Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic and their number has been added for reference.

Strong's Concordance

Greek: auxanó: to make to grow, to grow (Greek added)

Strong’s Number: G837 (Strong's number added)

Original Word: αὐξάνω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: auxanó

Phonetic Spelling: (owx-an'-o)

Definition: to make to grow, to grow

Usage: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow.

HELPS Word-studies

837 auksánō – properly, grow (increase); become greater in size (maturity, etc.). 837/auksánō ("to grow") is key to authentic discipleship. Indeed, the Lord requires non-stop progress (development) in the life of faith.

After hearing and believing the inspired word of God (the word of truth) about Christ Jesus the gospel of your salvation Mark 1:1 and believing in him (Matthew 4:23,935,11:5,24:14, Acts 15:7, Romans 1:16, than receiving an allotted measure of faith that comes from God (Romans 12:3 NASB) and repenting your sins, confessing Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God and being baptized (Acts 2:38) receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and having an appeal to God for a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21), and becoming obedient to the faith (Romans 1:1-6 NASB, Romans 6:16-17 NASB, Romans 15:18 NASB), we can begin our walk-in newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:3-4, Romans 7:4-6, Romans 8:10-11), and be the children of God that God wants us to be (John 1:12, Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 3:26-28, Ephesians 5:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11, 1 Peter 2:2-5).

Our Lord Christ Jesus tells us that we are not to be part of this world, but be salt of the earth and a light in this world (Matthew 4:16, Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 6:22-23, John 8:12, John 12:46, John 17:1-26, Acts 13:47, Acts 26:18).

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are light of the Lord and to walk as children of light and shine as lights in the world (Ephesians 5:8-9, Philippians 2:12-16).

The Apostle John tells us that we are children of God and that we are not to love this world for all that is in the world, the lust (desire) of the flesh, the lust (desire) of the eyes and the pride (braggart) of life (2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 1 John 2:15-17), that this is not from the Father but is from the world and we are to do the will of the God, and place our faith and hope in him (Romans 5:2,12, 1 Peter 1:21) and abide in Lord Jesus (John 8:31, John 15:1-15, 1 John 2:24, 1 John 3:1-8) and overcome the world with our faith. (1 John 5:1-5).

James one of the Lords’ brothers tells us that “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

Strong's Concordance

Greek: epithumia: desire, passionate longing, lust (Greek added)

Strong’s number: G1939 (Strong’s number added)

Original Word: ἐπιθυμία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: epithumia
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah)
Definition: desire, passionate longing, lust
Usage: desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1939 epithymía (from 1909 /epí, "focused on" and 2372 /thymós, "passionate desire") – properly, passion built on strong feelings (urges). These can be positive or negative, depending on whether the desire is inspired by faith (God's inbirthed persuasion). See 1937 (epithymeō).

Strong's Concordance

alazoneia: boastfulness

Strong’s number: G212 (Strong’s number added

Original Word: ἀλαζονεία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: alazoneia
Phonetic Spelling: (al-ad-zon-i'-a)
Definition: boastfulness
Usage: boasting, show, arrogant display, ostentation; plur: occasions of ostentation.

HELPS Word-studies

212 alazoneía (a feminine noun derived from alē, "wandering, roaming") – properly, a vagabond ("quack"), making empty boasts about having "cures" to rid people of all their ills (even by producing "wonders," etc.).

There are many things for us to learn to understand as we seek to grow closer to God the Father, Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit. In these next couple of scriptural passages are some of the teachings for us to understand and learn.

In Matthew 5:13, our Lord Jesus Christ has given us guidance about being the salt of the earth.

In Matthew 5:14-16 we are to become the light of our Lord Jesus Christ to others.

In Luke 9:23, our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to deny-self, take up our cross daily and follow him. (see cited section below for in-depth interpretation James Coffman Commentaries Ephesians 1 verse 4).

In Acts 2:40 we are to save ourselves from this crooked generation (Deuteronomy 32:5, Matthew 17:17, Luke 9:41, Philippians 2:15) and we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling because it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13) who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4 NASB).

In 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NASB, we are to pursue righteous, godliness, faith, love and perseverance and gentleness, to fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life of which you were called.

In Titus 2:11-15 NASB, we are instructed to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

We need to be self-controlled and of sober mind along with being sound in our faith striving to live a life closer to the honor and glory that is part of the body, the church, Church of Christ, in Christ, for the sake of our prayers along with keeping fervent in spirit serving the Lord (Romans 12:11, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Ephesians 5:15-21, Colossians 3:1-24, 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Titus 1:9,13,2:2, 1 Peter 4:7-9).

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ tell us that “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

The Apostle Paul tells us that whatever you do in word or deed do it the name of Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17), and that whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).

We are to be subjects to the governing authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready for every good deed, to speak evil of no one, and to be peaceable and patient, showing every consideration for all men for this is the will of God (Romans 13:1-4, Titus 3:1-2 NASB, 1 Peter 2:13-16), we are also to honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king and always obey God rather than men (Psalms 2:1-12 NASB, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29, 1 Peter 2:17 NASB).

The Apostle Paul tells us “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11).

We are to "strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord and see it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15).

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ tell us to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), and “You shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy mind and all thy strength and love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-40).

The Apostle Peter asked “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; “but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing” (1 Peter 3:13-17 ASV).

The Apostle Paul tells us that one of the fruits of the spirit that we all need to bear is meekness, as we share our faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23 ASV) is to be humble (Proverbs 3:33-34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5-6), and conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity as we try to persuade others to become Christians, we need to pray that that our speech is always gracious, as though seasoned with salt so that we will know how to respond to each person (Colossians 4:6), and strive to always trying to have a good conscience, so that when we are slandered, those who revile our good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16).

Revelation 1:6

6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Deny … This is one of the strongest words in the Greek New Testament. There is a weaker form, also translated "deny," but it is [@arneomai]; this word, translated "deny" in the above passages, is [@antilego], a much stronger word; and Vine’s first definition of it is: "To deny utterly, to adjure, to affirm that one has no connection with a person, as in Peter’s denial of Christ." Vine’s Bible Dictionary. The meaning of our Lord is thus clear enough, a man must not predicate his hope of eternal life upon anything connected with himself. The faith that saves is not of sinners but of Christ.

How is the sinner’s identity renounced? (1) He confesses, not himself, or how saved he is, or how blessed he is, or what God has done for him; he confesses not himself but Christ! A lot of so-called "witnessing for Jesus" in these times is no such thing. It is, on the contrary, a witnessing of the prideful egotism of persons who are obviously glorying in how wicked they were and how gloriously they are now saved! Is the old identity of the sinner renounced or forsaken in such a "confession"? Indeed no; the last ugly details of the old life are dragged in and made a part of the confession; and the confession itself is not a confession of Christ but a confession that one is already saved!

(2) Identity inevitably involves a name; and a change of identity means a change of name; nor did any man ever deny himself until he had accepted the name of Christ. The Great Commission as recorded by Matthew required that people of all nations be "baptized into the Name," there being revealed no other way by which one may lawfully wear it. In his baptism, the person who would be saved renounces himself to be buried out of sight completely in the water. It is precisely this that makes the God-given ordinance of Christian baptism repulsive to many people and many churches who have no intention whatever of ever denying themselves!

(3) Through faith, repentance, and baptism "into Christ" the penitent rises to walk in newness of life (a new identity), being no longer himself, but Christ. As Paul stated it: "It is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20). Here then is the secret of that perfection required of all whom God will receive. It is the perfection of Christ, not of Joe Doakes, nor of any other mortal in his own identity.

What kind of righteous perfection, then, is in Christ? It is total and complete. Christ’s life was sinless, perfect, beautiful, holy, undefiled, and glorious. The righteousness of Christ is not relative but absolute like that of God; and that is the only righteousness that could ever save any person. How may sinners acquire it? How may such righteousness be accredited to mortals? Since true righteousness has never been identified with but one single, unique Person in the history of the whole world, salvation is achieved in the only way possible by identifying the sinful mortal with Christ who is righteous, and upon the prior condition of the sinner’s renunciation of himself. This is accomplished by transferring the sinner "into Christ," not by transferring Christ’s righteousness into sinners. The post-Reformation theory that proposes to make sinners righteous through God’s transference of the righteousness of Christ into sinners is impossible of any intellectual, moral or practical acceptance. To identify the righteousness of God with any person who had not achieved it would be immoral. Calling wicked sinners righteous does not make them so (no matter what they believed or did); but the acceptance of Christ (with all members of his spiritual body) as righteous is based upon the sinless perfection of the Son of God. Paul summed it all up in one glorious word:

"That we may present every man perfect in Christ" (Colossians 1:28). It is precisely that perfection that Paul had in view in the above verse where he spoke of being "holy and without blemish"!

(cited from “James Coffman Commentaries Ephesians 1” verse 4 section “The Perfection of Christians”)

The 7 Powers of God's Word (cited from Bibletalk.tv)

By: Mike Mazzalongo

God's power is revealed and experienced in His Word. This lesson outlines seven of these specific powers.

Jeremiah was a prophet who warned the people of Judah for many years concerning their eventual destruction because of idolatry and sin. He was ignored by the people, and in order to negate his preaching many other "self-appointed" prophets preached that all was peace and prosperity. Jeremiah's response to these false prophets is found in the 23rd chapter of his book where he says: "Is not my word like fire?" declares the Lord, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock? Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," declares the Lord, 'who steal my words from each other.' - Jeremiah 23:29-30

In other words, only the true word of God has any power, and God opposes men who simply quote each other and attribute it to Him. History shows that Jeremiah's prophecies were indeed true. And like the fire and hammer that crushes the rock, the Babylonian army marched in and destroyed Jerusalem — exactly as God's word had predicted. This story illustrates why I am not afraid or ashamed to say, "Because the Bible says so," when questioned on certain issues or challenged to defend my reasoning. You see, it's not just any knowledge that will result in experiencing God's power — only the knowledge of His word can lead a person to the true knowledge of Him and consequently His power.

General or scientific knowledge won't do it.
Knowledge of various religions won'tget you there.
Studies about God, Christianity, or theology can't provide the experience of God.

Only knowledge based on God's word will produce a genuine experience of God and His power. The reason for this is that the power of God is revealed and experienced in His word. To know His word is to know and experience His power. So that you can know what to look for, here are seven powers contained in God's word.

Power to Reveal — Genesis 1-2
The word of God has the power to reveal to us certain things that we could not know in any other way. For example:

How and when the world was created.
The reason man is the way he is - sin.
The true nature of God.
What happens to us after we die.

Human beings could study and speculate on these things for a thousand years and come up with many theories, but that's all they'd be, just theories because no one could really know. God's word, on the other hand, gives us an eyewitness, truthful, and detailed account of things about God and human existence that we could never know otherwise.

2. Power to Refute — 2 Timothy 3:16
God's word is a standard against which all philosophies, ideas, and proposed solutions for the human condition can be measured for accuracy. If God's word approves it, we can run with it; if the Word rejects it, nothing we can do will make it work, make it acceptable, or make it right.

Note that moral standards and spiritual ideas are always compared to the Bible in order to define and judge their value. For example, we don't compare butter to margarine, do we? Think for a moment, you've never heard a commercial say, "...this spread tastes just like margarine" have you? Butter is the definitive spread, not margarine. In the same way, spiritual concepts, morality, and Godly living are tested by searching the Scriptures because God's word is the standard for comparison, not human ideas.

The Bible cannot eliminate immorality, but it is the standard by which we judge and prove if something or someone is moral or immoral, worthy or unworthy.

3. Power to Reproduce — Luke 8:11
Jesus said that the word of God was like a seed. The analogy was that the Word had the power to grow or cause growth to happen. The Word planted in an honest and obedient heart can produce physical acts which can be seen and felt. God's word, planted in human hearts generation after generation, has produced Christians and the New Testament church century after century. The only way Christianity has survived for 2000 years is because of the reproductive powers contained in the Word. The only actual thing we hand down from generation to generation is God's word contained in the Bible. People die and buildings fall apart, but His word unfailingly produces the same thing every century - Christians who want to establish the church.

4. The Power to Re-Direct — 1 Peter 2:25
Peter says, "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

Every complete life-change, every turn-around that I read or hear about has one common element — God's word.

Someone began reading God's word (my own case).
Someone started a Bible study with someone else.
Someone heard a lesson or received encouragement based on God's word.

Many people have improved or changed their lives in a significant way based on a desire to improve. History shows, however, that only God's word has the power to completely transform and re-direct one's life in a totally opposite direction. For example, C.S. Lewis was a brilliant writer and professor at Oxford University in England. He was also an avowed atheist but was converted and eventually became one of the most prolific Christian writers, especially in the area of Christian apologetics. His experience is just one example showing that God's word has the power to transform and redirect our lives.

5. The Power to Revive — Psalms 138:7
The psalmist says, "In the midst of trouble, You will revive me." The word of God is able to bring comfort and hope, as well as strength and encouragement to those who are in sorrow and are suffering. We could not count how many times or how many people have read Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd...") in times of trouble and have been comforted by David's inspired words written almost three thousand years ago but meaningful for every generation. Whatever faith or faithfulness a person has, I have learned from experience that when they are at the point of death the family expects and needs to hear words of encouragement that come from God's word.

It is interesting to note that hospital patients, grieving widows, and lonely shut-ins rarely request Darwin's Theory of Evolution or the TV Guide to be read to them in time of pain and sorrow. God's word is what they ask for and need.

6. The Power to Reward — Hebrews 11:6
"For he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." The Bible tells us that the creation and our conscience are two different ways we can use to find God (Romans 1:19-20). Yes, we can discern that an intelligent and powerful being designed and created this universe, and our conscience helps us understand that this God, creator of humans, is a moral God, One who is pure and good. There is, however, no comfort or joy in knowing God only in this way, simply an understanding of how we fit into the whole.

The Word, however, reveals who God is, what He desires, and what He is preparing to give to those who believe and obey Him. The Hebrew writer says that God rewards those who look for Him, and the way to look for Him is to look for Him in His word. The rewards for seeking Him there are that:

We find the real Him, there.
We find what His will is, there.
We find a relationship with Him, there.
We find salvation, there (Romans 1:16).

God's word is the bonding mechanism between Himself and His people. It is our greatest and most precious reward.

7. The Power to Get Us Ready — Luke 12:40
Jesus said in Luke 12:40, "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming..." The Bible says that we will all meet God in one way or another. Either we die before He comes and face Him in judgement, or Jesus returns and we all face judgement. Either way, we must be ready (ignorance and disbelief will not exempt us from the judgement).

The word of God is the only source of information that can help us prepare for this sure event in our lives. It has the power to do this because God, in His word, shows us how to prepare for the "great day" in our lives:

A. He explains how Jesus has redeemed us. The Bible explains that death and condemnation are caused by sin, and how Jesus has redeemed or paid back our moral debt to God for sin by dying on the cross. This is the core message of the gospel.

B. He calls us to receive Jesus. Our debt for sin is paid and our souls are saved from hell when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord by believing in Him as the Son of God (and this belief is expressed in repentance and baptism - Acts 2:37-38).

C. God encourages us to repent. His word is full of examples of those who received great blessings because of their humble obedience and repentance. The Word tells us that true faith is demonstrated by sincere repentance (Matthew 5:8).

D. The Word demands that we re-live the cross. To prepare for the day of judgement one must re-live the day of atonement by being buried in the waters of baptism. For every person who has asked, "What must I do to be saved?" the Bible answers in Acts 2:38, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

E. The Word provides regeneration. The Word enables us to receive the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit provides the strength and ability to live the Christian life faithfully and productively. The Word is made alive in us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).

F. The Word prepares us for our resurrection. By announcing the resurrection, the Word draws us to Christ. When we are in Christ, the Word educates us concerning our own resurrection. Without the Word, we would only speculate about life after death. The Bible actually prepares us for that life.

G. The Word fashions our lips for rejoicing. Who knows how to act or what to say as an eternal being, fitted with a new body and looking forward to a very different existence in the heavenly realm? God's word gives us the words of praise and the songs of joy that enable us to begin rejoicing in the life that we now have in Jesus, and the eternal life we will experience with the Lord when He comes for us.

Only the word of God has the power to prepare us for a world we cannot see and hardly imagine, but one which is swiftly coming upon each and every one of us.

Tapping into the Power
Of course, the fact that there is power, realizing what that power can do for me, and knowing where that power is found are not enough (i.e. I have many electrical outlets in my home that provide power, but they are useless unless I tap into them).

It is the same with God's word. Unless we tap into the power in the proper way, all of that tremendous power will do us no good and produce nothing in our lives. This is the connection between knowledge and power. If we know the Word, we then experience its power. When we experience its power, we are experiencing God's power. Tapping into the power of God's word, therefore, requires three things that everyone can do:

1. Read the Word
The basic connection that begins the power to flow is made by reading the Word. Our goal, therefore, should be to make reading God's word a regular part of each day, like having breakfast or brushing our teeth. Once you feel the power of the Word surging through your life, reading the Word will come naturally as part of your every day lifestyle.

2. Respond to the Word in Obedience
There is a danger in thinking that if we read the Bible we have done God's will. We read the Bible in order to know God's will. Obedience, however, is what transforms knowledge into power, and power is what creates change. Powerful living is produced by powerful obeying.

3. Spread the Word
Obeying the Word brings power into your life. Sharing the Word multiplies that power in the lives of other people. We share the Word by example, by teaching others, by sharing both our faith and the gospel with non-believers and by serving others as the Word directs us. When we share the Word, we lead others to know God and enable them to empower others to do the same.

The Bible is the most printed and distributed book in the history of the world and yet millions remain unconverted. In addition to this, many who claim to be Christians are lukewarm and unproductive. I believe that even though the Word is out there, the majority of people have not yet tapped into it.

Summary
I think that most people would conclude that this lesson is mostly informational. A short book that highlights the various elements of power contained in God's word and how to access that power. In closing, however, I would add that in addition to information, this lesson also asks the readers to reconsider their own experience with the word of God to see if its power described here has been felt in their own hearts. If not, then maybe the simple reason is that they have not properly tapped into this power through the knowledge of His word.

Perhaps the true purpose of this little book has been to move you in some way, and the proper and Biblical reaction or movement would include:

Reading your Bible on a regular basis; there's no power without knowledge and there is no knowledge without the study of God's word.

Perhaps the proper reaction is not in the reading part, but in the obeying part. Let God's power to redeem, restore, and regenerate flow through your spiritual veins by obeying the Word! Obey the gospel and be baptized; obey the Spirit and start living a Holy life; obey the Lord and be faithful.
Finally, maybe it's time to take a step forward in your maturing process and begin serving, giving, or leading more as God would have you.

Whatever the proper response, do it before closing this book! (citation end)

Conclusion

There are many things for us to learn to understand as we seek to grow closer to God the Father, Jesus our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit. Our faith and love will be tested, and we need to realize that the suffering that we go through in our lives are tests to determine where we go either to heaven or to hell when we leave here. This was also part of the Old Testament examples written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Corinthians 10:1-12), and for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

Our endurance will be tested (Matthew12:33, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:1-5,15:4-5, Colossians 1:3-14, Hebrews 10:35-36, Hebrews 12:1-8, James 1:3-4 NASB, James 5:11 NASB, Revelation 1:9,2:2,2:19,3:10,14:12).

Our faith and love will be tested (Psalms 26:2, 2 Corinthians 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Hebrews 6:10-12, Hebrews 11:13-16, Hebrews 11:23-39, James 1:12 1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 John 4:1-3).

To be the children of God, we need to be the salt of the earth and the light of our Lord Jesus Christ carrying the message of the gospel pointing to Lord Jesus Christ through our words and deeds in truth and in love (Matthew 5:13-16, Luke 14:34-35, Acts 4:4 NASB, Galatians 5:13,6:1-2, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 4:6, James 2:15-18, 1 John 3:18).

In Philippians 3:13-18 NASB the Apostle Paul tells us to forget the past and strive forward for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus to let go of the past good and bad and continue to strive forward for the reward of spiritual perfection in Christ. To follow their examples and to finish the race that is set before us to receive prize of the crown of life.

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