THE BIBLE SPEAKS DAILY (NOVEMBER 12th, 2024).


TODAY'S TOPIC: BE "APPROVED IN CHRIST."

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18.

"...But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends..."

The thought of being approved, and commended  by the Lord Jesus Christ, is very heart warming.
 No doubt it is the very thing all lovers of the Lord, want to hear. 

Paul wrote to the Romans and singled out one Brother Apelles, who obviously had stood the test of faith, saying, 
"Salute Apelles approved in Christ" (Rom. 16:10). We know not what his trial of faith was to have received so favorable an accolade from Paul, but we do give emphasis to the fact that inspiration says he was "...approved in Christ." 
Paul further wrote, 
a. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendth"  2Cor. 10:18.
b. "...but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God..." Romans 2:29.

The term "Approved" translates "dokimos" and is said to mean, one who is proved, and tried; in the New Testament it refers to one whose faith is tried, and has passed the integrity test; confirmed by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This goes without proving that one can do what the faith of the Gospel teaches only as he knows that faith. This is further supported by what Paul wrote to Timothy: 
"...Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). 
One's right actions before God are dependent upon what the Lord teaches; so, He teaches one to study, to be approved!!!
Out of this study of God's Word, one can "show himself approved unto God." 
This means that all your attitudes, thoughts and conducts must first be verifiable, and confirmable from Word of God, the Bible. Then one could be said to be bearing noticeable fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15). 
Jesus said, 
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. . ." (Matt. 7:24). 
Therefore, one's approval before God depends on: 
a. Hearing the Word of God.
b. Knowing the Word of God.
c. Doing the Will of God.
d. Teaching others the Will of God.

On the opposite direction, Paul said that Sinners and Gentiles do not approve God in their minds, so God gave them up to an unapproving mind, 
"...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;" Romans 1:28 NKJV
God was not proved in the hearts of the Gentiles, they rejected Him; in turn, He gave them over to a mind unapproved, to do the things unbefitting. 
The words "retain" and "reprobate" translate, in its negative form, the same word Paul used about Apelles. 
These Gentiles, (like the sterile soil of Hebrews 6:8, where the word "rejected" translates adokmos), were cursed. 
"...For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned..." Hebrews 6:7-8.
This underscore how a Christian needs to prove himself with the beautiful deeds the Will of Christ demands in his life: "...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven..." Matthew 5:16

Therefore, if any called Christian is lukewarm and sinful, this will not be approved in Christ Jesus. If it progresses without repentance and fruitfulness in life, this will be lost in the Judgment. 
Let the example of this ancient believer, Apelles, motivate one and all to a life of faithful service to Jesus Christ in spite of all problems of this World.

Beloved, clothe yourselves with love for God, and obey His commandments, only this can bind us all together, in perfect harmony with Him.
Regardless of what else you put on, wear this garment of love, it's your basic, all-purpose garment. 
Never be without it.

Every believer in Jesus Christ has the responsibility to live right according to His Life, to be a doer according to the Word of God, and not just a Hearer who forgets. 
Christians must be motivated by the reverential fear of the Lord, so that we can learn to live carefully, and begin to make a difference in the World we live in.
  
The man's duty: fear God and keep His commandments.

You are called to be a Servant: To take responsibility for your thoughts, attitudes,  dispositions, and actions. 
You are called to selfless services, sacrificial love (Agape) towards God, and to all Mankind.

BE "APPROVED IN CHRIST.

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Everlasting Father of my spirit. Help me in all my ways to be obedient to you. Help to make this the goal of my life.
Kindly forgive me my past oversights and my disobedient hearts of ingratitude. Help me to mend my ways from now onward, as I pledge my commitment and dedication to you.
Please, heal the Sick and provide for the Poor among us, AMEN!

Read, Study, and Meditate on the Word of God, to Do it, and to Teach others, as well.

credits: Earl Robertson; Benson Omole.

For questions and comments please contact us on: +2348060066660; +2347069554486; +2347070020042.
Or, benoomole@gmail.com; omolebenson@gmail.com 
Listen to us on:
a. FRCN PROGRESS FM ADO EKITI, every Thursday by 6.30pm.
b. FRESH FM ADO EKITI, every Friday by 6.30pm.

This work is under the oversight of The Church of Christ Ekute Quarters Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria.

THANKS.

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