by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 19, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In the day to day of our life as believers we will encounter challenges that test the strength of their convictions. One particularly daunting hurdle is the criticism and accusations of hypocrisy hurled by unbelievers. The Bible acknowledges these struggles and offers profound guidance on how to navigate such trials with resilience and grace.
Embracing Blessings in the Face of Ridicule
As followers of Christ, it’s not uncommon to face ridicule and be labeled as hypocrites by those who may not share our beliefs. Yet, let us find comfort and even joy in the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:11-12, reminding us that we are blessed when others revile us on account of Him. The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us when we endure insults for the sake of Christ (1 Peter 4:14-16).
Overcoming Evil with Good
In the midst of accusations, Romans 12:21 encourages believers not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. Responding with kindness and love in the face of criticism is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Christ’s love within us.
A Firm Stand in Faith
Even if the world despises our beliefs, as stated in John 15:18-19, we are reminded that we do not belong to the world, and our allegiance is to a higher calling. Romans 8:31 reassures us that if God is for us, who can be against us? Our foundation is in Him, and no accusation or mockery can shake the solid ground of our faith.
The Blessed Path of Perseverance
2 Timothy 3:12 forewarns that all who desire to live a godly life will face persecution. However, this should not discourage us but instead serve as a confirmation that we are on the right path. Trials, accusations, and ridicule can be stepping stones to spiritual maturity and steadfastness (James 1:2-3).
Navigating Trials with Unshakable Joy
In the face of these challenges, let us not be dismayed but remember Isaiah 41:10—God is with us, strengthening and upholding us. Our joy is not dependent on the opinions of others but grounded in the unchanging love of our Creator God, Jesus Christ.
Dear believer, if you find yourself labeled a hypocrite, stand firm in the joy and peace secured in Christ. You are not alone in your daily walk, and the accusations of today may be the stepping stones to a more profound and resilient faith. Keep shining your light, overcoming evil with good, and embracing the blessings that come with standing strong in Christ through the study of His word daily.
#JoyInPersecution #StandStrongInFaith #OvercomeWithLove
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 17, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In 1 Timothy 4:16, the apostle Paul charges Timothy with a crucial directive: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” The context here is paramount, pointing to the significance of sound doctrine, not as a broad set of teachings from cover to cover but specifically as the mysteries revealed to Paul for the Church.
Paul expands on this in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, describing believers as “stewards of the mysteries of God” entrusted by Christ to be faithful servants. These mysteries, hidden since the foundation of the world and revealed to Paul after Christ’s ascension, form the core of Pauline theology.
Remember, Peter’s last words before he is martyred admonishes his readers to read read Paul’s epistles for things regarding salvation. Not Peter’s sermon at Pentecost! Not Christ’s earthly ministry!
As stewards of these divine secrets, believers are called to a faithful adherence to the revealed truths concerning the Church, the Body of Christ, and the gospel of grace. The mysteries include the unique blessings and responsibilities of the Church distinct from Israel’s prophetic program.
To “take heed” implies vigilance and careful consideration. Believers are urged not only to understand these mysteries but to guard them against distortion or dilution. The mysteries are the very essence of Paul’s gospel, centered on faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, distinct from the teachings during Christ’s earthly ministry. Where the focus was the promised (promised to Israel) King and the kingdom is at hand.
By holding fast to these mysteries, believers fulfill their role as stewards, faithfully conveying the distinct truths of the Church Age. The charge to be faithful stewards aligns with Timothy’s responsibility to “save both yourself and those who hear you.” The salvation here pertains not to eternal salvation but to the preservation of doctrinal purity and the impact of sound teaching on the lives of believers. Saving them and us today from false teaching and the tsunami of deception and persecution poured out on believers.
In conclusion, believers are called to be faithful stewards of the mysteries revealed to Paul, diligently preserving and proclaiming these truths for the edification of the Church and the glory of God.
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 16, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of the last days, revealing a world marked by moral decay and perilous times. As we observe the present state of affairs, it’s striking how Paul’s prophetic warning aligns with the reality unfolding before us.
The list of characteristics—lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, blasphemers, disobedient, unloving, unthankful, unholy, and more—reads like a snapshot of the world around us. The warning isn’t a mere historical footnote but a timely revelation of the challenges facing the believers today.
Today, deception abounds, seismic shifts in society’s moral fabric are evident, and signs of unprecedented unfathomable immoral events are on the rise daily. Just as Paul foretold, we witness an alarming increase in apostasy within the Church, a surge of self-centeredness, and a disregard for the values of godliness.
The urgency of Paul’s message becomes clearer with each passing day (hour). The perilous times he described are not a distant prophecy but a present reality. As believers, we must heed Paul’s admonition to recognize the signs and fortify ourselves against the encroaching moral decay.
In this contemporary landscape, marked by deception, chaos and confusion, the relevance of Paul’s words cannot be overstated. As we navigate these perilous times, let us stand firm in our faith, anchor ourselves in God’s unchanging truth (His word), and find encouragement in the promise of Christ’s imminent return. The world may be in turmoil, but we, as the body of Christ, can find strength and assurance in the enduring hope of the gospel.
May we be vigilant, studying the word of God, discerning the signs, and steadfast in our commitment to living out the transformative power of God’s Word in these challenging times.
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 16, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In 2 Peter 3:15-18, the apostle Peter provides instructions to his Jewish audience (and for us today), in his last words before martyrdom, urging them to turn to the epistles of Paul for things pertaining to salvation. Rather than pointing to Christ’s earthly ministry, Pentecost (his own sermons), or the Gospels, Peter acknowledges the wisdom given to Paul by the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus. This divine wisdom, hidden until around 40 AD, unravels the mystery of the gospel of the grace of God and doctrine for the body of Christ.
Warning!
Due to men’s failure to comprehend the hidden wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7) revealed to Paul, they have opted to twist scripture to align with their theology. This aligns precisely with the warning Paul issued in Acts 20:29-31.
Acts 20:29-31
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Takeaway
Let us follow Peter’s guidance and study the teachings of God’s grace for the body of Christ exclusively found in Paul’s writings. Acknowledge them as a guiding light for the salvation of this lost world and for gaining knowledge into the unfolding of God’s magnificent plan of redemption.
2 Peter 3:15-18:
“And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You, therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 13, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:8
In a world captivated by fleeting pleasures and the mantra of self-gratification, believers are anchored in the unshakable truth that “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). The divine love we embrace isn’t mere sentimentality; it’s a supreme power (the gospel), rooted in the sacrificial love God demonstrated through Jesus Christ (the finished work of the cross).
2 Corinthians 5:21 echoes this love, emphasizing Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. In a culture overshadowed by humanism and self-indulgence, our calling is to shine as beacons of God’s unwavering love. It’s a love that stood firm at Calvary, where Jesus willingly took our place, bearing our sins, and triumphantly rising from the grave.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
As the world drifts away from all semblance of love (2 Timothy 3:3) we are called to embody the transformative love that mirrors Christ’s finished work of the cross. In every circumstance, love endures, triumphs, and holds the power (Romans 1:16, the gospel is the power) to transform hearts.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16
Takeaway
Amidst these perilous times and a world becoming unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, and despisers of good (2 Timothy 3:1-3), let’s anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God’s word—love never fails. The heartbeat of the gospel is a love that conquered sin, death, and the grave. Let this truth illuminate our lives, compelling us to love all with the same sacrificial, unyielding love that our Savior poured out for us.