Approval (Rev. 2:6)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 02/14/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  Approval

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Revelations 2:6

 

            Message of the verse:  6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  (NAS95)  6 Yet you have this to your credit, that you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I myself detest. (Philips)

            Jesus commended these believers for their hatred towards the deeds of those who were called Nicolaitans, who took advantage of “Christian Liberties.”  Paul has written much about the liberties that believers have and on one occasion he has written, “may it never be” to a question that was written concerning taking advantage of Christian Liberties. 

            The people of this group thought it okay to eat meat that had been offered to idols and they also had committed adultery and said that was okay too.  There were people who believed that the things that were done in the flesh were okay because they were misguided people trying to take advantage of true Christian Liberties.  At any rate what they did was sinful and the Lord hated it and commended those believers at Ephesus for hating it also.  A true believer in Jesus Christ should hate what He hates, and He will always hate sin. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I too am to hate sin, but to have a “Christian love” for those who practice sin and it is easier with some than with others.  The Lord Jesus Christ has grace and mercy to me each and every day of my life, and without that I could not stand before Him, so in turn I too, am to have grace and mercy to others, especially believers.

 

The Word of God has again been a challenge to my heart as I have read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to trust the Lord that He is in control of all things that are going on in my life including what is going on with Kim and her pregnancy that has big problems, with my job, with our investments, and with all that Sandy is going through as we live here in Aruba, especially what to do with the dog.