by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 26, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In the complex landscape of relationships, the Bible offers timeless wisdom, especially when it comes to the sacred institution of marriage. The apostle Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians, provides invaluable guidance regarding the importance of spiritual compatibility in the union between believers. While he doesn’t directly address the scenario of believers marrying unsaved partners, his counsel on being unequally yoked with unbelievers sheds light on the matter.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul cautions against forming deep bonds with those who do not share our faith, highlighting the stark contrast between righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness. This principle underscores the significance of spiritual harmony in relationships, particularly in the sacred covenant of marriage.
‘Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ‘
II Corinthians 6:14-15
Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 7:39, Paul stresses the importance of marrying “only in the Lord,” indicating that believers should seek partners who share their commitment to Christ. This admonition extends to both men and women, emphasizing the need for spiritual alignment in marital unions.
‘A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. ‘
I Corinthians 7:39
While the decision to marry is deeply personal, rooted in love and companionship, believers are urged to consider the spiritual implications of their choices. Marrying an unbeliever can introduce significant challenges and potential conflicts, particularly in matters of faith and values.
Throughout Scripture, we find examples of godly men who faced consequences for marrying unsaved women. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, suffered the spiritual consequences of marrying foreign wives who led him astray from God (1 Kings 11:1-4). Similarly, Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman brought him grief and ultimately led to his downfall (Judges 14-16).
As followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to Him, and our relationships should reflect this foundational truth. By prioritizing spiritual compatibility and seeking partners who share our devotion to Christ, we honor God’s design for marriage and safeguard against unnecessary strife and discord.
In conclusion, let us heed Paul’s counsel and pursue relationships grounded in faith, the gospel, and mutual devotion to live godly lives. May we entrust our hearts and futures to the guidance of God’s Word, trusting in His perfect plan for our lives and relationships.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 25, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
‘Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’
Colossians 3:12-17
Friends, we need doctrine more than ever, all the time. We must be in Paul’s letters, examining, studying his epistles as he is the apostle to the Gentiles. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another… Colossians 3:16.
In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul provides a powerful blueprint for living a life that reflects the transformative power of Christ’s love. He urges believers to clothe themselves with virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and above all, love—the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:12-14).
As children of God, we are called to emulate Christ in our interactions with others, extending grace and forgiveness as He has done for us. In a world marked by strife and division, our conduct should stand as a beacon of Christ’s love, drawing others to Him through our words and deeds.
Moreover, Paul emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, encouraging us to bear with one another and to forgive as Christ forgave us. This unity is not merely a superficial harmony but a deep-seated bond rooted in our shared identity in Christ.
Central to Paul’s exhortation is the supremacy of Christ’s peace ruling in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). When we allow His peace to reign within us, it transcends our circumstances and empowers us to approach life with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Furthermore, Paul underscores the significance of God’s Word dwelling richly in us, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions (Colossians 3:16). As we meditate on His Word and sing praises to His name, we are filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reverence for all that He has done for us.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word, which illuminates our path and guides us in righteousness. Clothe us, O Lord, with Your virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, and love, that we may reflect Your image to the world. May Your peace rule in our hearts, and may Your Word dwell richly within us, shaping us into vessels of honor for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bible Study:
Colossians 3:12-17
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 24, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
“No cry for the demise of Israel, no matter how loud or persistent, can alter the course set by the Creator of all things. The warning is clear: those who defy God’s warning in Genesis 12:3, those who seek the downfall of the Jewish people, risk being crushed by a force mightier than any in the universe.”
Have you ever considered the significance of Israel in God’s eternal plan?
What is it about this small, yet fiercely contested piece of land that stirs such passion and conflict?
The answer is found in God’s Word, which unequivocally states that the Jewish people, and the nation of Israel, were created and chosen by God Himself (Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 7:6-7; Exodus 19:5; Amos 3:2; Deuteronomy 32:8).
In the midst of a world that harbors an unprecedented level of animosity towards the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, there stands a truth that is as unshakeable as the mountains of Zion: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has not, and will not abandon His chosen people.
The prophet Jeremiah, in verses 32:37-43, paints a vivid picture of God’s love for His chosen people, the Jewish people, forever intertwined with God’s eternal plan.
Furthermore, in Zechariah 2:8, God speaks to His chosen people, Israel, addressing them as the “apple of His eye.” Consider the tenderness of this analogy. The Lord describes His people as the “apple of His eye,” highlighting their preciousness. Like the eye, which is delicate and vital, God’s chosen ones (Israel under covenants and the Church under grace) hold a special place in His heart. Harming them is akin to touching the very core of God’s heart.
Despite Israel’s current state of unbelief, despite the challenges and trials, the Jewish people remain God’s chosen, a reminder of His faithfulness and His unwavering love.
A love so profound that even when the majority of the world, including a large portion of Christendom, chooses to turn their backs on Israel, God’s promises remain steadfast.
This is a serious matter, for those who oppose or dismiss God’s covenant people. Those who curse God’s chosen people tread on dangerous ground. The promise made in Genesis 12:3 still rings true today: those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed, and those who curse Israel will find themselves relegated to the forgotten pages of history.
The Psalms echo this truth, with Psalm 89:24-37 declaring the unbreakable nature of God’s covenant with David. God’s promises, the scripture reminds us, are not contingent upon the present circumstances or behaviors of the Jewish people. Even when Israel stumbles in unbelief, God’s commitment remains unyielding.
So, those who chant slogans of hate, who dream of a free Palestine “from the river to the sea”, should tread with caution. The force that holds the universe together, Jesus Christ, stands as a vigilant guardian over His chosen people.
No cry for the demise of Israel, no matter how loud or persistent, can alter the course set by the Creator of all things. The warning is clear: those who defy God’s warning in Genesis 12:3, those who seek the downfall of the Jewish people, risk being crushed by a force mightier than any in the universe.
The scriptures, particularly Psalm 89:24-37 and Jeremiah 32:37-43, serve as a resounding reminder of this truth. God’s promises endure. His chosen people, the Jews, remain under the sovereign protection of the Almighty.
No matter the challenges or trials, Israel stands as a testament to God’s unwavering love and His unshakeable promises. This is the enduring story of Israel, a tale of divine love, of chosen people, and of promises that withstand the test of time.
Bible Reading:
‘Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”’
Genesis 12:1-3
‘For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. ‘
Zechariah 2:8
‘Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’ “For thus says the Lord : ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. ‘
Jeremiah 32:37-42
‘“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. Also I will set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. His seed also I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. “If his sons forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah’
Psalms 89:24-37
‘Thus says the Lord , Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The of hosts is His name): “If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.” : “If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the . “Behold, the days are coming, says the , that the city shall be built for the from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. The surveyor’s line shall again extend straight forward over the hill Gareb; then it shall turn toward Goath. And the whole valley of the dead bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the Brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be holy to the . It shall not be plucked up or thrown down anymore forever.”’
Jeremiah 31:35-40
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 23, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In a world often consumed by sensationalism and end-time prophecies, it’s easy for believers to lose sight of their chief calling: to be ambassadors for Christ. Too often, the clamor of headline hysteria overshadows the fundamental message of grace that believers are given to proclaim.
Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Our primary mission is to share the good news of God’s grace and reconciliation through the finished work of the cross. This message is not exclusive to pastors, evangelists, or theologians—it is the responsibility of every believer, regardless of status or title.
At the heart of our ambassadorship is the gospel—the message that God, through Christ, reconciled the world to Himself, not counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). This is the amazing message that we have been given to share with the lost world around us: that salvation is freely available through faith alone in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While Bible prophecy certainly has its place and importance, it should not overshadow our primary mission. We must not become so fixated on the 7 years of tribulation, that we neglect the urgent task of sharing the gospel today. We won’t be here anyway! The power of salvation lies not in headlines or speculations about future events that don’t even apply to us, but in the gospel message itself (Romans 1:16).
God’s ultimate desire is the salvation of mankind (1 Timothy 2:4), and He calls us to be active participants in His redemptive plan. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our labor in sharing the gospel is not in vain—it has eternal significance and impacts the destiny of souls.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainties, let us refocus our attention on our chief calling as ambassadors for Christ. Let us boldly proclaim the gospel of grace, knowing that it is through this message that lives are transformed and souls are saved.
Bible reading:
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
II Corinthians 5:19
‘that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.’
Romans 1:16
“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.”
I Timothy 2:4
‘who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ‘
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 22, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Introduction
The apostle Paul’s question (Galatians 3:2) to the Galatian church is just as relevant today as it was in Paul’s day. Modern day Judaizers (legalist) are perverting Paul’s gospel of grace worldwide. Denominations have always been guilty of adding to the finished work of the cross, deceiving the majority. Remember false teachers don’t come into a church with a whole new gospel but they add enough to make Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection powerless for salvation. Paul warns twice in Galatians 1, that if anyone even an angel preach any other gospel then the gospel he preached they are cursed by God. Strong language, but to the false teacher it means nothing.
Have you ever considered the question that the apostle Paul posed to the Galatian believers? The same question applies to believers today. ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses?
Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.’
What message? That Christ Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again three days later.
‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day ‘
I Corinthians 15:1-4
This question, found in Galatians 3:2, is far from being merely rhetorical. It is a sharp response to a grave distortion of the gospel—a perversion that threatened to undermine the foundational truth of the gospel of grace. That now, according to the new revelations given to Paul by the ascended and glorified Lord Himself; salvation is by grace through faith alone in the finished work of the cross apart from the law and works.
The Context
The context behind Paul’s question is crucial to understand. Men from the Jerusalem church, where Peter, James and John were the leaders, had infiltrated the congregations Paul had established. They were insisting (actually commanding) that salvation was not through faith in the death, burial and resurrection alone but required adherence to the Mosaic law and circumcision Acts 15:1,5.
‘And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ‘
Acts 15:1
‘But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”’
Acts 15:5
In effect, they were adding conditions, works to Paul’s gospel, a direct assault on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Paul had already made it clear in the previous chapter that if we are saved by the law, then Christ’s death was in vain (Galatians 2:21).
I do not set aside ‘the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’
Galatians 2:21
Against this backdrop, Paul’s question to the Galatians takes on an urgent tone.
He confronts them with the stark reality: their salvation was not dependent on law-keeping, circumcision, or anything other than faith alone in the gospel.
Paul’s Timeless Warning
Paul’s letter to the Galatians stands as a timeless warning against any attempts to water down or distort the simplicity of the gospel. It emphasizes the unchangeable truth that salvation is a gift of God, received by faith alone.
The apostle Paul’s apostolic authority is established in Galatians 1:1, while Galatians 1:8-9 warns of the severe consequences of deviating from the gospel he preached.
The distinctiveness of Paul’s gospel is further illuminated in Romans 16:25, emphasizing its revelatory nature. It was a secret, hidden in the mind of God until it was revealed to Paul. Similarly, Romans 2:16 underscores the significance of the gospel revealed to Paul, stating that all mankind will be judged by the gospel revealed to him.
In admonishing the Galatians, Paul not only defends the purity of the gospel in Galatians 2:5, from the Judiazers (legalist) sent from the Jerusalem church, but also highlights the liberating truth that salvation is by faith alone in the gospel apart from the law. Paul’s words resonate with clarity and remain relevant for believers today as most of Christendom has added everything they can think of to the flawless, finished work of the cross.
Embracing the Truth
As we reflect on Paul’s impassioned plea and warning to the Galatians, it is vital that we reassert our commitment to the gospel of grace, guarding against any attempts to undermine its sufficiency.
Embrace, with unwavering conviction, the truth that salvation is a gift freely offered to all who believe, by faith alone, in the finished work of the cross.
Bible Study
Here are the Bible verses as they appear in this post.
I Corinthians 15:1-4
Galatians 3:2
Acts 15:1
Acts 15:5
Galatians 2:21
Galatians 1:1
Galatians 1:8-9
Romans 16:25
Romans 2:16
Galatians 2:5