Article for Advent service December 18, 2024
1 Timothy 4:1–3 1Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
There are many unfortunately that have fallen from faith in God. Some now think that having faith in themselves will give them salvation. Some also think that it is cool to embrace demonic practices and their salvation will be with their chosen god. And still others who practice demonic rituals disguised as being of good nature think they might find salvation through their good works.
We have nations who are being misled by liars and deceits who take advantage of those who cower and let them rule. Marriage between man and woman is becoming less and less. Marriage of man to man and woman to woman is becoming more and more. Evil is said to be the new good and good is said to be the new evil.
God has given us food to eat, and man, as hard as they try, tries to improve on the foods we eat not realizing the consequences of playing God with God’s creations. What is natural is becoming unnatural and what is unnatural is becoming natural. We have flipped the script and believe we have made life better. Yet the news reports the grave tragedies of our sinful world, and these tragedies are getting worse.
Hollywood makes the criminal look like the hero and the new craze seems to favor the killer. What part of going backwards don’t we understand? I hear many say they would love to see the second coming of our Lord happen soon. I too ask Jesus Christ to come now. This is good that we look for Christ’s second coming as some of us do not forget the promise of our savior to return to collect us from the four winds of this world.
1 Timothy 4:4–6 4For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 6If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
Look at what we have to be thankful for. Look at what we, at times, take for granted. God has provided many good things in our world. We have many foods for all people, fruit, vegetables, beef, pork, poultry, fish, and birds. There is beauty all around us and God gives us much for building shelters and making clothing.
What God has given to us should be shared with all and no one should starve, go without clothing, or be without shelter. There are means for us to share and means for us to help one another. But for this to happen we must obey Jesus Christ who loved us first and who tells us to love one another.
1 Timothy 4:7–9 7Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
To obtain godliness it takes believing in God. We believe Jesus Christ is God, Jesus Christ is our savior, and we cannot save ourselves. We believe that Jesus is coming again, and we believe He will bring us into the rest of our eternal life.
This is godliness to believe Jesus Christ died for our sins and will cloth us with His righteousness. This is godliness when the Holy Spirit works in us and through the word of God to sanctify us. That is the Holy Spirit helps us become Holy and right to obtain the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 4:10 10For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
God is everyone’s savior whether they believe or not. To believe is to have eternal life with God, not to believe is to enter the bottomless pit. But we believe because Jesus Christ died for our sins and is coming again to take us to the place, He has prepared for us so that we can be where He is always. Amen.
Written by Pastor Curtis A. May
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