Romans 8:38-39

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

These verses speak of the love that God has for His people, a love that is everlasting. Chapter eight of Romans is glorious, in that it lays out what the love of God is all about. It starts by declaring that there is no longer condemnation for those who have accepted the grace provided through the death of Jesus Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:1-2. All mankind throughout history, because of sin, were separated from God. And we could not correct this on our own, for it would take a perfect sacrifice. This was not possible for us to do because one sin, no matter how small, makes any sacrifice we give, imperfect. Thus the need for a perfect man to become the sacrifice was necessary, which was accomplished through Jesus Christ the Son of God, the only man who was sinless throughout His life. “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4.

Also, He cares for His people in this life and throughout all eternity. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30. God is at work in us and for us. He directs our affairs in such a way that, for those who love him, the outcome is always beneficial. The ‘good’ of which Paul spoke of is not necessarily what we deem as good or best. The good is conformity to the likeness of Christ. With this in mind it is easier to see how our difficulties are part of God’s total plan for changing us from what we are by nature to what he intends us to be. Moral advance utilizes hardship more often than not.

Based on this we can see that God is on our side in all situations, and He presents this via a rhetorical question. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32. Notice what Paul said here, if He gave His only Son to be sacrificed for us, why would He hold back anything from us? And because of this, our sins have been addressed, for we are forgiven/justified. There is no charge that can be brought against us, for all our sins have been addressed. “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34.

And because of this, Paul asks another rhetorical question. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35. No one can actually condemn us for Jesus intercedes for us. But we may suffer on account of this. In the next verse he quotes the psalms. “But for Thy sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Psalm 44:22. However, through all the suffering and death, God is always with us. And because of this, we actually conquer those who cause us to suffer. “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

Now after all this, Paul answers the questions he asked above; If God is for us who can be against us, and who can separate us from the love of Christ? “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39. God will never let anything happen to us that is not intended for our good no matter our perspective, and there is nothing in all creation, in the past or present and anything that is to come, that will cause God not to love us, His children. Paul was a man of unshakeable confidence in the love of God. He feared neither the tangible hardships of life nor the intangible fears that creep into the consciousness of any normal person. It is important that we attain this same faith so that we never question His love for us. And by this firm faith in His love for us, we can be at peace no matter what.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Hebrews 13:1

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Hebrews 13:1 

“Let love of the brethren continue.” – Hebrews 13:1     

When we read this verse it implies that brotherly love already exists within the church, but the writer was telling them it was important to continue in it. And we must be careful that we today do the same. There are many things that can do away with it, and we must eliminate them in order to keep brotherly love alive. Jesus felt this was so important, He declared it a new commandment. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35. This is important regarding how the world sees us. If people see two Christians arguing and speaking harshly to each other, they may decide the Christian life is no different than what they see now.

We must see others better than ourselves; therefore we must seek our brother’s and sister’s good to their edification. Unfortunately, the church today is divided into various denominations, and unfortunately beliefs as well. We must look for peace and unity with all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Hold firmly on to what you believe, for we must not change what we believe on a whim. But wherever you see anything of Christ, confess relationships there, and act as a brother or sister in Christ with all who declare Christ as Savior.

Brotherly love is a major theme of the New Testament. In a healthy family, brothers and sisters love one another and look out for each other. If one family member is in trouble, the whole family rallies around to help. The old adage “He ain’t heavy; he’s my brother” captures God’s ideal for His children. We are to be kind to each other the way brothers and sisters in a loving family are.

Scripture gives examples of people practicing brotherly love. After David ascended to the throne of Israel, he said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1. He had no relationship with Saul’s extended family, yet, because of his close friendship with Saul’s son Jonathan, he wanted to show brotherly love to Jonathan’s family. When the church at Antioch heard that the church in Jerusalem would soon be suffering from a famine, they gave sacrificially to help relieve their brothers’ and sisters’ financial burden. “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.” Acts 11:27-30.  Churches in Macedonia and Achaia also contributed to the poor in Jerusalem. These are all examples of brotherly love.

And one last thing. We are actually called to love everyone, including our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.

I want to encourage everyone reading this to be kind to, and love all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. However, we are also called to love the unsaved, to bring them to the Lord, including our enemies. When we love everyone, we will show the reality of our Christian walk. When we as a church are in unity, we show that the body of Christ is a good and safe place to be, and when we love our enemies, we may make a big difference in their lives by making them not an enemy anymore. Love is the solution for reaching the lost and working together as the body of Christ. We will be amazed at what we can accomplish if we do all.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

1 John 5:3

Verse of the Day Devotion 1 John 5:3 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3

When we believe and accept the salvation provided through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, we become born of God and become His child.  “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.” 1 John 5:1. And notice what this verse says, if we love the Father, then we love Jesus and all children born of Him.  And these denoted as ‘all children born of Him’ are all those who are true Christians.  But we must remember, we are called to love our enemies as well. “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.

Now, because of what we read in verse one, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.”  1 John 5:2. Our love of God’s followers is a proof that we love God. Our love of God is the cause why we love his children, and our keeping the commandments of God is the proof that we love him.  Just as our love for our brothers and sisters is the sign and test of our love for God, so our love for God, tested by obedience, is the only basis of our love for our brothers and sisters. John was not contradicting a similar verse in chapter four where he said, “If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21.  Rather, he was insisting that love for God and love for our brothers and sisters cannot be separated. 

Now in our focus verse we read,  “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3.  First, let us look at what Jesus said was the greatest commandment in the Law.  “And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.  Jesus said that the greatest commandments were love of God and love of our fellow man.  By keeping His commandments we are proving our love for both God and everyone else.  And I want to make this point, we should not follow the law just because we are commanded to, we should follow the law because we love God and man.

Now one last thing.  If we believe our focus verse is true, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3, then we cannot accept a concept called antinomianism.  The word antinomianism comes from two Greek words, anti, meaning “against”; and nomos, meaning “law.” Antinomianism means “against the law.” Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism takes a biblical teaching to an unbiblical conclusion. The biblical teaching is that Christians are not required to observe the Old Testament Law as a means of salvation. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament Law. The unbiblical conclusion is that there is no moral law God expects Christians to obey.

Once again, we are called to obey the law, but not because it will save us, but because it shows the love we exhibit is true and not fake.  There are many who claim to be Christians that believe it is OK to sin because they are forgiven of all sins.  However, if you love God, you cannot purposely sin. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18.  We are called to keep the law showing our love, and also to be a light in the world.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Ephesians 4:2

Verse of the Day Devotion Ephesians 4:2 

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

Paul here begins a discussion regarding the importance of unity in the body of Christ. He starts by saying the following, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”  Ephesians 4:1.  He is calling the church as a whole to walk in a manner worthy of the calling placed upon them. This calling is twofold. First, that the Church is to be composed of both Jews and Gentiles. There should be no holding one group above another but all are to be looked at equally. Paul also made this clear to the Church in Galatia. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28. Everyone follower is equal in the eyes of Christ.

And second, the Church is a ‘holy’ people, set apart from the secular world, like Israel in Old Testament days, to belong to God. And this is the idea expounded on in this section of Ephesians. And how are we to walk worthy of our calling?  “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3.  And as theologian John Stott says, “Therefore, because God’s people are called to be one people, they must manifest their unity, and because they are called to be a holy people, they must manifest their purity. Unity and purity are two fundamental features of a life worthy of the church’s divine calling.”

The first thing Paul mentions is ‘lowliness’ or ‘humility’. This lowliness is essential for unity.  Pride lurks behind all discord, while the greatest single secret of concord is humility. The idea is, if instead of maneuvering for respect from others, we give others our respect by recognizing their God-given worth. Through humility, we will be advancing harmony. 

Next he adds ‘meekness’ to the picture. This is essentially kindness. It is mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit. It is not a synonym for weakness. On the contrary, it is in essence the gentleness of the strong, whose strength is under control.  It is the not asserting personal rights, either in the presence of God or of men. It is particularly appropriate in pastors and other church leaders who should also use their authority only in a spirit of gentleness.  So, as you can see, lowliness and meekness form a natural union, for one cannot exist without the other. Another natural pair is the next two on the list, longsuffering and forbearing. Patience is longsuffering towards aggravating people, for example what God in Christ has shown towards us, while forbearing one another speaks of that mutual tolerance without which no group of human beings can live together in peace.

Then there is love, which embraces the other four, and is the crown and sum of all virtues, since to love is constructively to seek the welfare of others and the good of the community. Paul  lays this out also to the Church in Colossae, where he wrote, “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14. 

It is absolutely essential that we follow what Paul is saying here, loving everyone equally and working toward the unity of the body as Christ has called us to.  I have seen too many churches where this has not been followed, and it has not worked out at all and is diminishing the impact to it’s members and the community around them as a whole.  It is up to all of us to truly join the body of Christ together in the bonds of love through our humility and gentleness, with patience and forbearing. And when there is true unity, the world will see this and understand what this Christian life is all about.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Corinthians 13:13 

“But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13   

In first Corinthians 12, Paul is writing about spiritual gifts which are given by the Holy Spirit to the Church, distributed to each as He chooses.  Therefore, one Christian may receive one type of gift while another receives a different gift.  However, in chapter 13, he discusses the three gifts that are not only common to all, but those three which will remain forever, for they are eternal gifts.  These being faith, hope and love.  The word translated “abide” in our focus verse is the Greek word menō meaning not just to be here now, but also to remain, stay and not to depart.  This same word is used in the Book of Acts where Paul tells the centurion, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31. The soldiers needed to stay and remain in the boat to save everyone in the ship.  And then in Hebrews we read, “For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.” Hebrews 10:34.  Again, the word translated abiding is the same Greek word menō.  Here the idea is that their property may be seized here, but in the next life in heaven, it will remain eternally.

So, based on the Greek word menō, the three gifts faith, hope and love will remain forever, not like the gifts which are distributed to some. “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8.  In this verse, we see a contrast of three gifts which will go away and the three gifts in our focus verse. 

The Corinthian church members were priding themselves on the fact that they could speak in tongues and demonstrate other attention-getting gifts. However, Paul reminds them of the gifts that the Corinthians so desired were but temporary; faith, hope, and love, the foundational gifts, are permanent and therefore more to be desired.  Paul then corrects them by reminding them of that which is better.  “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31.  

The three gifts, faith, hope, and love are gifts that are present today and will be with us forever.  Faith in the Son of God will not cease in the eternal state; we will not stop trusting Jesus just because our faith has become sight.  “Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-7. Today, we have faith aside from sight. In eternal life, we will continue to have faith but it will be in conjunction with sight. If anything, our faith will grow for our trust in Him will be greater.  As for hope, Jesus is our Blessed Hope.  “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14. Our hope will not end simply because Jesus, our blesses hope, has come. For the entire time we are there, our expectations will always be for good because we are eternally with the foundation of our hope.  And finally, love.  We must remember that the basic and essential part of God’s nature is love. “And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”  1 John 4:16. God is love; therefore, love is eternal, both eternity past and eternity future.

There is a vast difference between the gifts given to selected Christians, i.e.: tongues, prophecy, the gift of knowledge, etc. However, the three mentioned in our focus verse are eternally with us who are Christians and enter our everlasting home with Jesus for He is our blessed hope,  love embodied, and our faith will be secure with Him.  What a beautiful life to look forward to.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Revelation 2:4

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 2:4 

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” – Revelation 2:4

In Revelation chapters two and three we see letters to seven churches in Asia, those being Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.  The apostle John is writing to these seven churches regarding their current situation. Our focus verse refers to the Church of Ephesus.  He starts by describing their positive attributes.  “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake and have not grown weary.”  Revelation 2:2-3.  He knows the works they do and how they toil long and hard.  The idea here is excessive labor where they work incredibly hard to do the work they are called to do.  They also do not tolerate evil people who attempt to cause trouble within the church and when anyone claims to be an apostle, they test them to see if they are truly apostles. 

He speaks highly of them in regards to their works,  However, there is one thing that he has an issue with which is laid out in our focus verse, “‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4.  Now, this statement can be looked at in several ways, and in my studies I see two that stand out.  One is their love for the Savior/God and the other is their love for each other.  I believe he is speaking of both.  They had lessoned the love they had at first for God and His people.. It was less glowing and ardent then when they started.  They were not as passionate and enthusiastic as they had been before and thus was seen in how they conducted themselves. 

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, he said this.  “Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31.  To Him, love is the most important attribute to show.  And this love is to be exhibited to all, God and our fellow man.  But to the Ephesians, it was the work they did that was most important.

I have met many who work very hard in service to the church and they endure much pain and suffering in the process.  However, they do not love God as they used to and neither their fellow man.  Too many times I have seen very knowledgeable Christians who are very learned in the scriptures and Christian concepts; however this is their major focus.  They spend more time on learning and showing everybody what they know, and not enough time in the concepts of love.  And this is what John was showing the Ephesians. 

Let everyone of us examine ourselves deeply and see if we have fallen into this error.  There is nothing wrong with doing good works.  We are called not to give credence to evil deeds.  However, if we do these things while our love decreases for God and His people, we need to look at what has gone wrong and make some adjustments in our lives.  If we truly love God and our neighbor as ourselves, then good deeds will follow.  However, if we do things because we have to and not because we get to, then love begins to lessen.  Focus on love first, and all the other things will happen naturally.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Luke 6:27-28

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 6:27-28

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28

This is probably one of the most difficult requirements Jesus gave to His disciples, and ultimately us who are His modern-day disciples.  He tells us in many places to love others, but here He specifically says to love our enemies.  Matthew records it in his gospel as follows, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44. It is so easy for us to hate those who hate us or those who do us harm or steal from us.  Or we may not hate them but will have no desire to do any good to and for them.  However, He requires us to do much more.  He says we are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us.  We are not to think badly of them, but to pray that God will turn their hearts to Himself and be willing to be used by Him for this purpose.   

The attitude we are to have is not one of anger or hatred.  God loves everyone and desires all to be saved.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.  And this is the main reason He desires us to love our enemies.  Both to bring salvation to the lost and to bring correction to the saved who struggle in sin and think badly of others.  In fact, in the next verse he goes further.  “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.” Luke 6:29.  We are to be patient under injuries that are being put upon us and benevolent toward the unthankful.  Matthew adds the following in his version.  “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:40-41. The basic idea here is that we are not to return evil for evil, but if possible, show your love by going beyond their demands. 

He then again takes it a step further.  “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.” Luke 6:30.  Whatever sense we put on the Lord’s precepts, not by force, but by consent, having either lent them, or sold them to him: for if they were taken away by force, the person so taking them was to be deemed a thief and a robber, and to be treated as such; but one that takes them by agreement, and is not able to make a return of them, or to give a valuable consideration for them, of such an one ask them not again: do not exact or demand them, but give him a release, as the law requires.  This law is found in Deuteronomy 15:1-2, “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts. This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S remission has been proclaimed.” Deuteronomy 15:1-2.  I know this is a part of the Jewish Law, however the idea has also been told by Jesus to His disciples.

Jesus then continues this idea with the following.  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.” Luke 6:32-34.  Jesus is saying here if we only love those who love us, do good to those who do us good, or only lend to those we expect to have it returned, how different are we from what the world does.  Our love for others should go far beyond what the world expresses. 

He then concludes as follows.  “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36. He lays it out clearly.  We are to be merciful to all just as God the Father is merciful.  We are to be kind to ungrateful and evil people just as He is.  What is more important, getting our way or letting God have His way?  He desires us to be a light in the darkness,  shining out to the world the truth of the gospel and the love and salvation God has for them.  We may be wronged or taken advantage of but look what lies ahead in the new heaven and earth.  Really, there is no comparison.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Psalm 86:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 86:15  

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 86:15 

This psalm addresses a situation where David was suffering because of ruthless and evil men.  “O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.” Psalm 86:14.  David is referring to a band of men who do not honor God, in fact they consider themselves to be above or more important than God, if they believe in Him at all.  They are terribly violent ones who breathe out nothing but cruelty and will slaughter as many as they have to. 

However, David is not alone.  He cries out to God for encouragement.  “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:15-17.  In our focus verse, He declares God is merciful and compassionate and tender hearted, as a parent is to his children being rich and plenteous in His mercy.  He also declares He is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness. 

After this, David calls out to God for help.  “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.”  Psalm 86:16.  In these verses he is asking God to help him through all these troubles.  Help to be saved from these evil people who have caused him much trouble.  He asks God to be merciful and gracious to him and to give him the strength necessary to make it through these trying times.  And then he asks for a sign from God.  “Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”  Psalm 86:17.  The sign was to bring shame on those who hate him because you have helped and comforted him.  This would probably cause them to doubt their ways and their ability to hurt David.  He desired that God would show them that they can do nothing harmful to him when God is involved.

So, I want to ask the following question.  When you find yourself in difficult situations, what do you do?  Do you spend time mourning and crying?  Do you cry out to God for help, or do you just cry out?  God does not change and neither do His mercies.  “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20.  When you find yourself in a situation where you do not see any good coming from it, go to God.  There is nothing impossible for Him and there nothing He does not foresee.  Trust Him in every way, for in Him we will be comforted and have victory.  “Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:31-33.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Romans 13:8

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 13:8   

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8

Paul is very clear in this verse.  We are not to be indebted to anyone.  In earlier verses in this chapter, Paul tells them they are to be subject to the government.  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1-2.  And this includes the paying of taxes.  “For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.”  Romans 13:6.  Whatever is owed to someone, pay it to them.  If it is money pay them.  If it is property or goods, give it to them.  If it is respect, give that to them.  Basically, if we owe anything to anyone, pay it.  This is our responsibility to those who govern us or provide goods and services we need.  However, there is a different standard for all others.

In our focus verse we read, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8.  In other words, pay all you owe to everyone, and let your only outstanding debt be the debt of love.   Jesus said this as recorded in the book of Matthew when in answer to a question from a Jewish lawyer said, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.  We are to show the same love to others as we show ourselves.  Thus, in loving our neighbor we fulfill the law. 

Now there are many ways in which we can fulfil this.  One of them is to help someone who is troubled.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.  We are to have sympathy, feel for each other, and consider the case of a distressed brother or sister like this distress was our own.  Paul wrote to the Colossians the following, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14.  This verse fully explains how we are to love our neighbor.  We are to have compassion on our neighbors, being humble and meek with patience, helping others through their difficult times by helping them bear their burdens.  And we are to forgive them just as Christ forgave us, even if we feel they do not deserve it.

This verse says we are to love our neighbor and not cause them harm by holding back whatever is owed to them.  All debts are to be addressed and paid; however, we are to give them all the love we have.  This means treat them as Christ did us, whereby He sacrificed His life to save ours.  And this is the love we are to show others.  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12. This is the type of love we are to have for our neighbor, even those who hate, despise, or want nothing to do with us.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Galatians 5:22-23 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

This section of scripture speaks of the dichotomy of the flesh and the Spirit.  It starts with the following, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.  He is telling Christians they must walk by the Spirit because then they will not focus and fulfil the things of the flesh.  This is so because if the Spirit of God dwells in and rules our heart, then the whole carnal mind will be defeated.  In other word, the only way to overcome the corrupt desires and propensities of our nature is to submit to the influences of the Holy Spirit.  And he goes on in the next verse to describe this dichotomy.  “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” Galatians 5:17.  Paul is saying here that both of these things are in opposition to each other.  As Christians, when we want to do what is right, our flesh wars against us.  But, if we want to do what is wrong, then the Spirit clarifies this wrong to you.  Paul spoke of this struggled in His letter to the Romans.  “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” Romans 7:19.  Paul himself struggled, but He fought it off and lived the life devoted to Christ. However, he was not under the law as the devout Jews were, for He was led by the Spirit and therefore was not under the law but was under grace.  “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

Paul then says that the deeds of the flesh are evident, meaning they are well known and plainly seen.  He then lists them in the next three verses.  “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19b-21.  Note the wording at the end of this verse, ‘inherit the kingdom of God’.  Those who inherit it will enter it.  Jesus tells us who will enter the kingdom of heaven.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21.  It is those who do the will of the Father; those who walk in the Spirit. 

However, as our focus verse states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.  These are the things that the Spirit leads us to do.  Note these are called the ‘fruit of the Spirit’.  Paul is using the analogy of a tree.  Living according to the Spirit of God produces good fruit, and likewise the deeds of the flesh as listed above produce bad fruit.  “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16-20.

It is important that we, as Christians, focus our attention on being led by the Spirit of God and not our own fleshly desires.  Our flesh leads to all types of sins, while the Spirit leads us to bearing fruit that is pleasing to God.  And, as stated above, the flesh and the Spirit are at enmity with each other, in other  words we cannot be beholden to both.  It is either one or the other.  Therefore, we must decide which we choose.  We may desire to be led by the Spirit, but we may give in to our desires of the flesh.  If we find this is us, we must sincerely repent and turn away from these worldly ways.  We must sorrow for our disobedience to God, for this sorrow leads to repentence.  “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.