Swift to Hear

Posted on February 5, 2025 by AntiochCMI

“Wherefore, my Beloved Brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

Swift (Def.): (Gr.): Tachus: Fleet, ready, speedy, quick

Hear (Def.): (Gr.): Akouo: Give an audience or attention, come to the ears, hearken, understand

There is immense wisdom to be obtained by one who learns the patience of listening. James counsels us to “be swift to hear”. Always be ready to hear the Word of the Lord. The Word of the Lord often comes swiftly, speedily, so we must always be on our guard, alert, with attentive ears to pick up or receive the word when it sometimes unexpectantly falls upon our listening ears.

Good hearing has much to do with good acoustics, the English word which comes from the Greek word, Akouo. Putting yourself in a place with good acoustics, spiritually speaking, enables us to more readily hear the Lord as He is speaking to us. Prayer, meditations, being quiet before Him, waiting upon Him are all good ways to be ready to hear Him.

The Prophets knew this well. Isaiah tells us:

“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; ‘In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; and you would not.'” (Isaiah 30:15).

We, like Israel, sometimes miss our opportunities because we are distracted with other things; nonetheless, the opportunities remain for those who have the right heart to seek the Lord and listen for His voice.

When you think of those mentioned in the Scriptures, the Book of Acts specifically, such as Philip (Acts 8), Paul (Acts 16:9), Cornelius (Acts 10), Peter (Acts 10), Ananias (Acts 9), you can see how they were all Swift to Hear in each of their circumstances. Ready to hear when the Angels came, the Visions were seen, the Light shone and the Word of the Lord was given.

Glorious, indeed, were those times when we were ready. Life-changing moments when the whole course of our direction was changed. Called here, sent there, chosen to serve our Master; ready, swift to follow His good word wherever we were led. One word, one dream, one vision, one visitation changed the whole course of our destiny. Swift to Hear is wise counsel to receive, to treasure, to hold fast to in all the days of our sojourn here upon this orb.

How are your acoustics? Is the ambient noise interfering? Are you distracted? Are you pre-occupied? Have you neglected those essential things that keep your heart ready and Swift to Hear? “In returning and rest shall you be saved” says the Lord. There, the word of the Lord has quickly come upon you; receive it, hear it, act upon it and your life will quickly change for the better.

It is amazing how God speaks to us; when God speaks to us; and by what means God uses to speak to us. Here you are reading a Blog and God is speaking. Hear Him, follow up with Him and let Him have His way. Pay attention. You have clearly heard Him. The acoustics are right, the distractions are gone. Now simply respond to His voice, His call, His promptings on your heart. Yielding is bliss, surrender is sublime. In following and pursuing there is great reward.

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This One Place

Posted on January 25, 2025 by AntiochCMI

“In My Father’s House are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Place (Def): (Gr.): Topos: A spot, location; figuratively condition, opportunity, scabbard

It is of the nature of the Lord to be very specific when it comes to arranging things. He can engineer circumstances and situations that will leave you amazed. This One Place, this one spot, this one location, as the scabbard is for the sword, or the sheath for the knife; there is one specific place for you to be in Him.

It is important for us to find that spot, that location for our lives; that place where we fit perfectly with nothing out of alignment, no awkwardness, no rubbing shoulders with others that is not palatable. This One Place is the perfect place for us to abide.

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you”. He will go to find the perfect spot for you in His Body, in His Father’s House. He knows us that well, and He knows the will of the Father better. Hopefully, we will oblige Him and yield to His leading and His assignments. Go where we are sent, abide where we are to abide, run when told to run and stay when the order is to stay.

This One Place, is the right place for us. Others may wonder why we are not with them, or wonder why we are not staying where we are, not understanding we must be with the Father, and where He places us at the right place, the perfect spot, as Jesus had to be with His Father and about His business (cf. Luke 2:49).

The desire to be in our place is an ancient one. Moses desired to see the Father’s Glory and prayed so, to hear the Father say, “you cannot see My Face, for there shall no man see Me and live. Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, there is a Place by Me, and you shall stand upon a Rock'” (Exodus 33:20-21).

There was One Place Moses could stand to see the Goodness of the Father; on the Rock, and that Rock was Christ (cf. I Corinthians 10:4). This One Place was the spot for Moses to be at just the right time when the Father passed by him on that day. On Christ alone is the perfect place for all time, for every situation, for every occasion in the Lord.

This One Place was the place where all of history met together to decide the fate of all mankind, Golgotha, the Place of the Skull (cf. Matthew 27:33). This is the place where everything was decided, where judgment was passed upon all sin, where the great exchange was made, where the transaction was completed.

“For He has made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Oh, may we be found in This One Place, may we be found in Him (cf. Philippians 3:9), in His Righteousness, the “righteousness of God in Him”. The fountain of all goodness, the fruit of all righteousness, holiness and peace.

There is another place that testifies of Him, the empty tomb. This One Place bears witness, not only to His death, but to His Resurrection.

The Angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified, He is Risen, He is not here; behold the Place where they laid Him'” (Mark 16:6).

One place of death, one place of life, testifying to the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.

The question is, have you found your place? Can you say, This One Place is where I stand. Here in the place prepared for me will I abide. Here I am found in Him, my Lord, my Savior, my Master and my God.

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I Have Chosen You

Posted on January 18, 2025 by AntiochCMI

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you” (John 15:16).

Chosen (Def): (Gr.): Eklegomai from Ek and Lego: To select, make a choice, choose out

Ordain (Def): (Gr): Tithemi from Histemi and Keimai: To place in a passive or horizontal position

There is an interesting picture being set forth before our eyes by our Lord. Essentially Jesus is saying to us, I have chosen you to live a surrendered life. Living a surrendered life is the fulfillment of the Vine/Branch modal; the Vine/Branch modality, Jesus says:

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

As we abide in Christ, we become the conduit of His Life, and it shows forth by His Life flowing through us to produce through us the fruit of His Divine Nature which is the Fruit of His Spirit. Jesus is saying, I Have Chosen You for this very purpose. I selected you. I made a choice, and I Have Chosen You. I chose you out of the world and brought you into Myself to bear much fruit.

There are so many who do not live this way. There are so many who in their own zeal, their own energy, their own enthusiasm go out to convert souls, to preach Christ. However, it is all out of their own learning, their natural education of doctrines, of theology and of a natural understanding of the Gospel. They may have some success, build their church with their own followers, or disciples, but it is not the modality of the Spirit as set forth by our Lord and Savior, our Master, Jesus Christ in the making of His disciples.

The idea of being chosen out from the world is clearly expressed by our Lord in His words to the Apostles:

If you were of the world, the world would love his own; but because you are not of the world, but I Have Chosen You out of the world, therefore, the world hates you” (John 15:19).

Jesus makes it very clear that being chosen is being chosen out; out from the world, out from the darkness, out from personal self-interest, self-seeking and personal ambition. We have been chosen out from, and chosen into Christ, to abide in the Light, in Life, in the True Vine. We have been chosen to live surrendered lives to do His will and not our own, even if my own will is for a noble cause (cf. Romans 10:4).

The reality is, God has not chosen us according to our abilities in the natural man, rather according to His eternal purposes and plans. James writes:

“Hearken my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him” (James 2:5).

Being chosen of God is a sovereign act of His own will. God does the choosing. He calls, He separates, He assigns our assignments as He wills.

As the Apostle wrote to Timothy concerning God’s calling:

“Who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Timothy 1:9).

What a blessed thought it is, indeed, to know we did not initiate our path in the Gospel of God in Christ, but as Jesus said, I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should bear much fruit. Let us accept our assignments, our calling, our purpose and find true Life in the Son.

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The Mind of Christ

Posted on January 9, 2025 by AntiochCMI

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Mind (Def): (Gr.): Nous from Ginosko: the intellect (divine or human); in thought, feeling, or will, by implication meaning, understanding

There is that deep within us, our mind, will, emotions displayed in our thoughts both intellectual and spiritual. This the Apostle tells us is what we have been graciously given by the Holy Spirit, the Nous of Christ, thus proving the Personhood of Christ, the Son of God, our Heavenly Father.

At the appearing of Christ to the disciples after His resurrection, Luke writes:

“Jesus said to them, ‘These are the words I spoke to you while I was with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me.’ Then He opened their understanding (nous) that they might understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).

The Mind of Christ has been imparted to us revealing to us His thoughts which by our spirit we can intuitively perceive, understand, or know. By this knowing we can confidently say the Lord revealed His will to me; therefore, I am going to do such and such, or take a specific course of action. Others may question your actions, but you can be confident you are acting in accordance with His will.

The Apostle wrote to the Church at Rome:

“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (nous), that you may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

In this Scripture we see there can be a proving, or approving in our spirit as to what is the will of God. If you are abiding in Christ you do not want to be outside the will of the Father. Indeed, this is how Christ, Himself lived His life in the Incarnation (cf. John 8:29). Having the mind of Christ You can have the assurance, just as Christ did, that you are in the perfect will of the Father in your speech and in your actions. You can know that in all things you are pleasing Him.

The Apostle exhorts us to live in harmony, unity and in one spirit with the Brethren.

“I beseech you Brethren by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind (nous) and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

It is important that we live not only in oneness with the Father, but with the Body of Christ, our Brethren, as well. This we can do when we are “perfectly joined together in the same mind”, the mind of Christ.

As in his Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle again emphasizes the importance of the renewing of the mind, as he wrote in his Epistle to the Church at Ephesus:

“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

Having the mind of Christ will fulfill the counsel of the Apostle to the Philippians:

“Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Thinking, whether intellectually or divinely with the mind of Christ, will give understanding, and the meaning of things related to God; it will provide the blessed assurance, confidence, boldness, and persuasion we need to go forth in the will of God. We will not be soon shaken by events, circumstances and challenges we face daily in our walk with the Lord. We will have soundness of mind and peace of heart in all we do. What a blessed way the Lord has given us in our walk of faith and labor of love in His everlasting Kingdom. All praise and glory be to His Name.

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The Determinate Counsel of God

Posted on December 30, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“Jesus of Nazareth, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Whom God has raised, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held of it” (Acts 2:23-24).

Determinate (Def): (Gr.): Horizo from Horion: To mark out or bound (“Horizon”), to appoint, decree, specify

There is a wisdom and knowledge that sees beyond the horizon, a pre-determined marking out a boundary of distance and time when an appointment is to be met with the reality of events occuring and coinciding with that which was purposed beforehand. Such was the case with Jesus in the Incarnation, His Life, the events of His generation then living when the determinate counsel of God was accomplished.

The Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost discerned the time and spoke to the people concerning the prophetic words spoken by the Prophets relaing to the death and resurrection of Christ. Daniel, Joel, and David, along with others prophesied thereto. David, in particular wrote:

“I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand that I should not be moved. Therefore, did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad; moreover, also my flesh shall rest in hope; becuase you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption”(Acts 2:25-27).

The Determinate Counsel of God was fully accomplished in the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. They happened in the days spoken of by Daniel concerning the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar relating to the four kingdoms:

“And the fourth kingdom shall be stong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that breaks all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise” (Daniel 2:40)

This fourth kingdom was the Roman Empire, and in the time of this kingdom the “Rock, not made with hands” came forth as the prophet foretold:

“While you (Nebuchadnezzar) were watching, a Rock was cut out, but not by human hands, and struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the Rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:34-35).

By the determinate counsel of God this was accomplished and the Kingdom of God was established among men. The Roman Empire is no more, but the Kingdom of God remains and reigns from His Holy Mountain, Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem wherein dwells righteousness.

The Lord has marked out His boundaries in time and eternity and has pre-determined by the decree of the Prophets and the decree of His Son through whom God has appointed a Day in which all shall be accomplished and the end of time shall come.

The reality of the determinate counsel of God cannot be ignored. It is self-evident to all who by grace through faith have come to believe. We can truly rest in the blessed hope in Christ Jesus:

“Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Beloved, let us hold fast our faith, let us believe and endure to the end, for we are called to inherit all the promises of God and to know and experience all the determinate counsel of God has spoken to us. Blessed, indeed, are all who believe.

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The Conflict of Life

Posted on December 23, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“Having the same conflict you saw in me and now hear to be in me” (Philippians 1:30).

Conflict (Def): (Gr.): Agona from Ago: the place of assembly for a contest, effort, anxiety, struggle

As in many lives, there was in the life of the Apostle, a daily struggle in the course of his race, his journey of faith, his calling as a minister of the Gospel of Christ. Gospel means good news. One would think that if one went about sharing good news his life would be one of acceptance, popularity, and favor from all who heard him. On the contrary, Paul’s life was one of constant struggle, for although he had much success planting churches in places like Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica and Galatia, yet the opposition was fierce even to imprisonment, stoning, and constantly being under duress from those who opposed him and his message of faith in Christ Jesus.

The Conflict of Life is primarily from those who have a vested interest in the status quo where they are in control, prosperous, religious rulers and keepers of the system, the traditions and the practices currently in place.

Particularly the Philippians were keenly aware of Paul’s struggles having witnessed his imprisonment in their City. Followers of the Goddess, Diana were particularly distressed lest she should “be despised and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipped” (cf. Acts 19:27b).

It was the same with Christ.

“He came to His own, but His own received Him not” (John 1:11).

Jesus, sent from the Father into our present cosmos, was “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; we hid as it were our faces from Him, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3).

Jesus was keenly aware of The Conflict of Life. The passion of the Christ; the shame and agony of the Cross were all laid upon Him. There was a great struggle against sin, the works of darkness, the High Priest and the Elders of the people, along with the Scribes and followers of the Law of Moses. Speaking of the Love of God, the Righteousness that comes by Faith, Repentance, were not popular topics and messages the leaders of the people wanted to hear, and opposed Christ violently.

The Conflict of Life is constant, with little reprieve. Therefore, it is incumbent that one who introduces change with a new message, albeit a message of hope, be well prepared for battle, for conflict with those who oppose. This one must be filled with the Life of Whom the message pertains. He must not come with just a message, but in the power of the Spirit, as did the Prophets of old. Jesus warned us beforehand of that of which we speak:

“These things I have spoken to you that you should not be offended. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God’s service. These things will they do to you because they have not known the Father, nor Me.” (John 16:1-3).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The Conflict of Life is predictable, but the greater One is here. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, then he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Oh, what a hope we have been given. What faith has come into our hearts. What joy of believing. What victory is ours in all the conflict of life.

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The Marring of God’s Inheritance

Posted on December 11, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“The Kinsman said, ‘I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine inheritance; redeem my right to yourself, for I cannot redeem it'” (Ruth 4:6).

Mar (Def): (Heb): Shachath: To decay, i.e. ruin

Marred (Def): (Heb): Mishchath from Shachath: Disfigurement, Corruption

There is that within a man of a certain type to preserve and protect in nature that to which he identifies, such as a bloodline, faith, culture, national identity, etc. Though an opportunity comes that may seem beneficial; yet, if that opportunity disrupts one of the above areas of identification, the response will be as the near kinsman redeemer: “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance”.

God’s Inheritance. The inheritance of God, the Father, is His Beloved Son and all those the Son has Redeemed by His blood and brought into Himself through the work of the Cross and by the Holy Spirit drawing them in through the New Birth.

“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him. In whom we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:10-11).

The Marring of God’s Inheritance. There is a marked distinction between the near Kinsman Redeemer and God, our Father, pertaining to inheritance. We have seen the reaction of the near Kinsman to reject the marring of his inheritance. Now we see the heart of the Father toward His inheritance, His Beloved Son.

The Prophet Isaiah writes:

“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. As many were astonished at Thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more that the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:13-14).

There was no self-interest with the Father in preserving the Glory and Honor of His Son when it came to His role as Kinsman Redeemer. There was no thought of rejection in the Redemption of Man. There was no fear that Man would ruin His inheritance. On the contrary there was an embracing of Man and a Redeeming of Man though it would, indeed, mar God’s inheritance in His Beloved Son. This marring of the Son was to the fullest extent. The Face that is “the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God” (cf. II Corinthians 4:6) was “marred more than any man”.

The Marring of God’s Inheritance was complete. The Hebrew word for mar includes within it and translated so, to ruin, destroy, corrupt (cf. Genesis 6:11-13). The marring of God’s inheritance was completed in the Cross. In the Redeemer, the Savior we were brought into the complete destruction of our old identity and nature when we were crucified with our Lord.

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet, not I, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Now, we who have been Redeemed by our Kinsman Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ are no longer marred, corrupt or subject to decay. We have been changed:

“If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (II Corinthians 5:17).

The marring of God’s Inheritance was completed and finished in the Son who took us into death and raised us again for our justification (cf. Romans 4:25). Now we have this prayer from the Apostle:

“I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the Glory of His Inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:16-18).

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Alive and Remain

Posted on November 25, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17).

Remain (Def): (Gr.): Perileipo from Peri Leipo: To leave over, to be left, to survive

When a great catastrophy occurs and there is much devastation such as from a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or bombing, there are many casualties, much loss of life, much chaos and destruction. Amidst all the damage, and carnage, there are those who survive, those who are alive and remain. This is that to which the Apostle refers. There are those who miraculously make it out alive to see another day.

Of such is Noah and his family, along with all the animals, cattle, fowl and creeping things. Jesus said:

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. Of that day and hour no man knows; no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. As it was in the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:35-37).

In the days of Noah only eight souls remained from the flood. At the end of the flood and the receeding of the water from the dry ground, only eight were left to be alive and remain. It is a stunning statement from our Lord, “so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be”.

To parallel this thought Jesus also said in the same discourse concerning the days of His return:

“Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).

There is a wonder to all these sayings, there is a glorious revelation. When we have endured all the devastation in our lives, all the hell bent chaos, all the loss, all the brokeness, all the destruction; when we have endured all that we could possibly endure, we still have hope, a blessed hope, an enduring hope of being caught up to be with the Lord. He will forever be Alive and Remain. He will forever be the Resurrection and the Life (cf. John 11:25). He will forever be, “the same, yesterday, today and forever” (cf. Hebrews 13:8).

Whether by life or by death we are the Lord’s. We belong to Jesus. We are His sons and daughters, His Brethren, His sheep, His disciples, His Body, His Bride to forever be alive and remain in Him and He in us.

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:18).

In this realm of the cosmos, we will endure many afflictions, trials, temptations, as the Apostle describes in His Second Epistle to the Corinthians:

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters; in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness,, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness; and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger; and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (II Corinthians 11:23-28).

In the realm of the Spirit we reign in Life by One in whom we hope, in whom we live and have our being (cf. Acts 17:28), in whom we are alive and remain forever.

Alive and Remain. Together let us rejoice for our Ark, Christ Jesus, is secure, and we are safe from all alarm as we abide in Him forever.

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Free To Be

Posted on November 19, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more” (I Corinthians 9:19).

Free (Def): (Gr.): Eleutheros: Unrestrained, Exempt from obligation or liability, Liberty

To be free to be is the joy of living in this world. To be unrestrained, free to go where one desires to be, to be exempt from obligations or liabilities is to be at peace with one’s self and with one’s fellowman. To live with no debt or obligation to anyone is a satisfaction for the soul, and a delight to the mind.

Such it was for the Apostle Paul, a citizen of Rome until his conversion came and his heart was changed. “Though I be free from all men” was his condition and station in life, “yet have I made myself servant unto all” was his new heart and mind in Christ Jesus, his Lord.

Jesus said, “If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

There is a mystery to be unveiled, a paradox from which to learn, an oxymoron to understand as we live in Christ, in the Spirit as freemen in the Kingdom of God. The Apostle never lost his freedom, yet chose to live otherwise, as a servant to all. A servant without debt or obligation, yet free to be an Apostle and servant of the Lord.

There is a reward for such a lifestyle, the winning of souls, the transformation of spirits and hearts to the image of Christ, and the advance of the Kingdom of God.

“My Brethren, dearly Beloved and longed for, my joy and crown; stand fast in the Lord, my dearly Beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

“For what is my hope, my joy, my crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming” (I Thessalonians 2:19).

There is a gain, there is a reward, there is a satisfaction, a rejoicing for the “servant of all”, for the one Free to be the called of God, the Chosen of God, the “servant of the Lord” (cf. Titus 1:1).

The free man and the servant are one in the Lord:

“For he that is called in the Lord being a servant is the Lord’s free man; likewise he that is called being free is Christ’s servant” (I Corinthians 7:39).

It is a gloriious blessing to be free to be free from the dominion of sin.

“Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).

“Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

Free to be what God created us to be in Christ is the crowning achievement of the Cross, the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God our Father. Live free, be free to be all God intended for you in His Son.

“Stand fast, therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

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Concerning Things Required

Posted on November 11, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“So, a man is to look upon us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this matter, moreover, it is required among the stewards that a person be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:1-2)

Required (Def): (Gr.): Zeteitai from Zeteo: To seek, request, demand

When one is given the responsibility to be a caretaker, a fiduciary, a trustee, a steward, or administrator, there is a requirement placed upon them to be found faithfull in their position of trust.

Faithful (Def): (Gr.): Pistos from Peitho: Dependable, Trustworthy, One who inspires faith and trust

This Pistos is especially true of stewards.

Stewards (Def): (Gr.): Oikonomos from Oikos and Nomos: A House Manager, Overseer, Treasurer

Concerning Things Required of stewards handling, and being an overseer concerning the mysteries of God, it is essential that they be found faithful. Faithful to God, faithful to handle rightly the mysteries of God, not being deceitful, or false so as to lead into heresy, or error. As the Apostle warned:

“We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (II Corinthians 4:2).

This is the manner concerning things required of us who minister in holy things, and there is no dispute the mysteries of God are these. James counsels us:

“My Brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment” (James 3:1).

Indeed, we are required to be found faithful, and to be unfaithful in our stewardship will bring us into the judgment of the Righteous Judge in that Day.

Concerning things required in this regard, the Apostle kept his eyes fixed on the Lord and worried little concerning the judgments of men:

“For myself it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human tribunal; rather I do not even judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified; rather it is the Lord who judges me” (I Corinthians 4:3-4).

“Concerning things required it is essential that we have right motives and desires. The Apostle again gives us wise counsel:

“Quit judging anything before the proper time until the Lord comes who will bring to light the hidden things of the darkness and will reveal the motives of the hearts; and then the praise will come to each from God” (I Corinthians 4:5).

Concerning things required there is a demand for earnest seeking, for it is of first importance for us as stewards. Jesus said:

“Seek (Zeteo) first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Stewardship over the things of God is a holy calling in the Lord, and the one thing He requires is faithfulness. In the oft quoted words of Jesus:

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter into the joy of your Lord'” (Matthew 25:23).

Concering things required we can clearly see that faithfulness is of utmost importance. Of course, the most faithful One is our Lord. The Apostle wrote:

“God is faithful by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9).

Brethren, let us be faithful in our stewardship and lay hold concerning things required of us. Let us diligently seek after them. Indeed, the demand has been placed upon us and we are accountable to fulfil them by His Grace. Faithful is He who called you, who also will perform it.

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