Daily Bread - June 29, 2019 (The Seventh Day - Genesis 2:1-3)

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Saturday, 29 June 2019 14:20

1 John 3:4 - Everyone who acts sinfully also does iniquity, for sin is iniquity. The word 'anomia' (ἀνομία), translated "iniquity" here, finds its ultimate meaning in the "mystery of iniquity", the great falling away of the last days, and the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:7.) However, it may be translated as "iniquity," "without law," "lawlessness," or "transgression of the law." 'Anomia' is the opposite of righteousness and holiness in every conceivable way. As doing righteousness and knowing God are joined together, even so are doing iniquity and not knowing God paired together. It is the description of those who are rejected and condemned by God (Matthew 7:23). Sin is revealed to be the acts of iniquity here in 1 John 3:4, and shown to be synonymous with sin in the Septuagint, "Happy are they whose iniquities (anomia/ἀνομία) were forgiven and whose sins (hamartia/ἁμαρτία) were covered" (Psalm 32:1). In the New Testament, it is also paired with that which causes the offense: "The Son of man shall send out His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that cause to stumble (scandalon/σκάνδαλον), and them which do iniquity (anomia/ἀνομία) (Matthew 13:41). It is translated by the Hebrew word 'beleeaal' or 'belial' in Psalm 18:4 (KJV), 18:5 (BHS), 17:5 (LXX), and 2 Samuel 22:5. Although 'belial' means "worthlessness," "ungodly," or "wicked men," it became a technical term for the Devil in both the community of Qumran and in the New Testament - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says, "for what fellowship has righteousness with iniquity (anomia/ἀνομία)? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial?" We are not the sons of 'belial' that we should walk in iniquity and sin (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:8). We are the sons of God, and in every way are to imitate our Father Who is in Heaven (John 1:12; Ephesians 5:1; 1 John 3: 1-2, 7).

 

Daily Bread - June 28, 2019 (The Sixth Day - Genesis 1:24-31)

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Saturday, 29 June 2019 08:47

1 John 3:3 - And everyone that has this expectation in Him purifies himself even as He is pure. Part 2 ~ As He Is Pure The word used here for pure, 'hagnos' (ritually pure/ἁγνοὺς), is never used in the Gospels to describe the purity and holiness of Jesus. A closely related word, yet distinctively different, is 'hagios' (ἅγιος / "holy"). The first time that 'hagnos' appears in the New Testament is in 2 Corinthians 7:11 to describe the true heart and repentance of those at Corinth. It is used by Paul in the context of that which is pure or chaste (2 Corinthians 7:11, 11:2; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; Titus 2:5). The way that it is used by both James and Peter also denotes that which is chaste, being of pure thoughts, and clear of any immorality (James 3:17; 1 Peter 3:2). We are called to walk in the same obedience and purity that Jesus walked in (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 1:7). The blood of Jesus purified us from all sin and iniquity, and now we are to remain pure and chaste, free from the contamination of immorality and unholy behavior.

 

Daily Bread - June 27, 2019 (The Fifth Day - Genesis 1:20-23)

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Thursday, 27 June 2019 08:46

1 John 3:3 - And everyone that has this expectation in Him purifies himself even as He is pure. Part 1 ~ Continue In The Purity Granted By The Blood Of the utmost importance to us is that we recognize how a person is purified. Only by the blood of Jesus Christ is a person made pure (1 John 1:7, 9, 2:2). The word 'hagnizein' (ἁγνίζειν) is a rare word in the Greek New Testament. It is used in the Old Testament for ritual purification. One example is in Exodus 19:10-11, where God commanded Moses to make the people pure, because the Lord was going to appear before all of the people. The Levites also had to purify themselves before going into the presence of the Lord (Numbers 8:21). The concept of ritual purification is further emphasized by the following word used to describe the ritual purity of Jesus, 'hagnos' (ἁγνοὺς). The idea being related is that once a person is made pure by the blood of Jesus, then they are to continue in that purity, even as we are to be holy because He made us holy. We are called to live consecrated lives so as not to be contaminated by yielding our members to sin; for He was manifested to take away our sin, and in Him is no sin (1 John 3:5). As Paul said, "Having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the spirit and flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). What is important to recognize is how Paul said this in light of us being righteous, not unrighteous; light, not darkness; Christ, not Belial; the temple of God, not the house of idols; and the sons of God who touch not the unclean things (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

 

Daily Bread - June 26, 2019 (The Fourth Day - Genesis 1:14-19)

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Wednesday, 26 June 2019 08:15

1 John 3:2 - Beloved, we are now the children of God! And it has not yet been manifested what we shall be, but when He is manifested, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. Part 3 ~ We Shall Be Like Him Even though John was allowed to look upon Christ Jesus and handle him with his hands, there still remains a far more extraordinary revelation of Him yet in the future. The revelation of Jesus is reserved for that time that we are allowed to see Him in all of His glory. Just as Jesus has given us the glory that He had in His earthly ministry, He will also share with us in the eternal glory that He has with a resurrected body. One day, the corruptible body will put on incorruption, just as Jesus showed us in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42-55). As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:49). Our vile corruptible bodies will be changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). This does not mean that we will be equal to Him, for He will always be God, and we His servants. He is the Redeemer, and we are the redeemed.

 

Daily Bread - June 25, 2019 (The Third Day - Genesis 1:9-13)

Written by Pastor Mark Spitsbergen

Tuesday, 25 June 2019 11:39

1 John 3:2 - Beloved, we are now the children of God! And it has not yet been manifested what we shall be, but when He is manifested, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. Part 2 ~ The Manifestation of the Sons of God! God expects us as His sons to be consecrated to the holiness and purity of Jesus, our Savior (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). On that day when Christ Jesus appears, we shall also appear with Him in glory, receive our eternal and glorified bodies, and see Him as He is. Although He dwells in light no man can approach unto, nor can any man see, yet as His sons we will be allowed to see Him as He is (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 3:2). This event demarcates the time when all things will be made new. The bondage of corruption will be removed from all creation at the time of the resurrection of all the sons of God. It is for this reason that all creation groans, awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God that will be revealed at the time of the resurrection (Romans 8:18-23).