The Lord Jesus commands us to love as the result of the gospel: we’re to believe we’re loved and love others in return - “Now the end result of the commandment [to preach Christ] is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and faith unfeigned” (vs5).
This isn’t a feeling, but it is the purpose of the gospel that MUST be preached - “As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying, which is in faith” (vs3-4). We are not to ponder, doubt, and debate our salvation; receive it FULLY and freely, even as God gives, and love others because you’re saved.
Paul was an apostle, sent by God, according to God’s command. Each of us is COMMMANDED to serve the Savior, and He gives GRACE, mercy, and peace to all who preach in truth - “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord” (vs1-2). We are not only graciously (freely) saved, but mercifully also, so that our misery and failures are relieved. We are peaceful with God because He’s reconciled us, ever to be at peace with us, by the cross. He punished the Savior, so He’ll never forsake us for any reason.
We who preach are preachers of the gospel! The law is good to condemn, but it serves no purpose in producing holiness - “From which [gospel] some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talk; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm (vs6-7). The gospel is God’s ONLY message to stir up faith, so make sure you hear it and your pastor is DEVOTED to the cause. Don’t be swayed by untruths, stories, and moral fables. Hear the saving message of Christ - a God whom you must believe, who FREELY saves by faith alone.
This gospel PRODUCES the required love. Just go out and love people as forgiven, even if sin stains your mind and you’ve fallen, again. Love people as blessed of God, and know that your loving obedience will be blessed also.
Many preachers think they’re smart and talk loudly about keeping the law, but they have no clue. The law is for UNBELIEVERS who’re under the curse - “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and those that profane holiness, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for homosexuals, for men stealers, for liars, for oath breakers, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust” (vs8-11). The righteous man lives by faith in the Son of God, receiving GRACE, mercy, and peace. Our HOPE before God is real, so we live, not by rules that measure our merit, but by grace that reveals God’s infinite heart.
This isn’t a feeling, but it is the purpose of the gospel that MUST be preached - “As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying, which is in faith” (vs3-4). We are not to ponder, doubt, and debate our salvation; receive it FULLY and freely, even as God gives, and love others because you’re saved.
Paul was an apostle, sent by God, according to God’s command. Each of us is COMMMANDED to serve the Savior, and He gives GRACE, mercy, and peace to all who preach in truth - “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord” (vs1-2). We are not only graciously (freely) saved, but mercifully also, so that our misery and failures are relieved. We are peaceful with God because He’s reconciled us, ever to be at peace with us, by the cross. He punished the Savior, so He’ll never forsake us for any reason.
We who preach are preachers of the gospel! The law is good to condemn, but it serves no purpose in producing holiness - “From which [gospel] some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talk; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm (vs6-7). The gospel is God’s ONLY message to stir up faith, so make sure you hear it and your pastor is DEVOTED to the cause. Don’t be swayed by untruths, stories, and moral fables. Hear the saving message of Christ - a God whom you must believe, who FREELY saves by faith alone.
This gospel PRODUCES the required love. Just go out and love people as forgiven, even if sin stains your mind and you’ve fallen, again. Love people as blessed of God, and know that your loving obedience will be blessed also.
Many preachers think they’re smart and talk loudly about keeping the law, but they have no clue. The law is for UNBELIEVERS who’re under the curse - “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and those that profane holiness, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for homosexuals, for men stealers, for liars, for oath breakers, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust” (vs8-11). The righteous man lives by faith in the Son of God, receiving GRACE, mercy, and peace. Our HOPE before God is real, so we live, not by rules that measure our merit, but by grace that reveals God’s infinite heart.
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