Walking With Christ

Webers.Home · Aug 19, 2021

.
• Gal 5:16 . . I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of
the base nature.

Some years ago, in a boatyard where I was employed on Shelter Island in
San Diego, I was listening to a young Christian boast of his dedication to
Christ. So I asked him: What about the command to walk in the Spirit? How
are you doing with that one?

Well, the brash, pleased-with-himself youngster admitted he didn't even
know what that meant, let alone how to do it. (chuckle) In regards to
"dedication" Mr. Super Saint hadn't even got to first base yet. (judging by
the fact that was on a third marriage the last time we touched base, I'd have
to say he never did get the hang of it.)

Anyway, there's nothing mystical about this. Walking in the Spirit is just
simply pleasing God rather than letting your natural impulses and/or your
own thinking control your conduct all the time.

For example: "Abstain from food tainted by idols, from promiscuity, from the
meat of strangled animals, and from blood." When a Christian complies with
those instructions; they're walking in the Spirit; but when they're
indiscriminately eating whatever, drinking whatever, and sleeping around
without regard for God's feelings about it; then they're fulfilling the lusts of
the base nature. It's that simple.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 20, 2021

.
• Gal 5:25-26 . . Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let
us not be conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Webster's defines "conceit" as: excessive self-appreciation of one's own
worth or virtue.

To my knowledge; there's nothing intrinsically wrong with having strong core
values and/or believing in yourself, but if you should find yourself somewhat
indignant and/or resentful when others don't believe in you, or when they
think very little of your core values; then watch out because that's a
symptom of conceit, and it will hinder you from obeying The Lord's orders in
regard to getting along with fellow believers.

The Greek word for "provoke" is prokaleomai (prok-al-eh'-om-ahee) which
means to challenge; viz: to get in somebody's face in an obnoxious,
assertive, militant manner; which is a kind of behavior that prevents people
from deserving identification with God's kin.

"Blessed are the peaceable: for they shall be called the children of God."
(Matt 5:9)

The Greek word for "envy" is phthoneo (fthon-eh'-o) which means: hostile
toward a rival, or towards someone believed to enjoy an advantage. In other
words; we're talking about a competitive spirit-- not the good-natured,
friendly kind but a malicious kind of competitive spirit that resents others
doing better than itself, or more popular than itself, or more recognized than
itself, or more admired than itself; viz; it's all about self.

Rivalry is a very destructive passion. It got Abel slain by his own brother,
and it got Christ slain by his own people. Rivalry makes otherwise sensible
people behave contrary to their own better judgment, and gets them
embroiled in oftentimes unnecessary vendettas; e.g. gender rivalry and
racial rivalry. Those two rivalries are very destructive social influences.
_

Kidron · Aug 20, 2021

Webers.Home said:

That is discipleship, which is not the same as walking in the Spirit.

So, i wanted to ask you a question.

Do you read, write, and speak, Koine Greek, fluently ???

Webers.Home · Aug 21, 2021

.
• Gal 6:1a . . Brethren, even if someone is caught in the very act of any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;

The Greek word for "trespass" is interesting. It can refer to willful
misconduct and/or to unintentional misconduct. Seeing as how willful
misconduct is dealt with harshly and summarily as per 1Cor 5:1-13 while in
this situation gently, then I'd say Gal 6:1 is referring to unintentional
misconduct; which doesn't merit a public flogging; but rather a quiet talk;
and the more private the better in order to avoid embarrassing the
unintentional offender.

Restoration doesn't apply to visitors; only to members on a church's roles;
i.e. the congregation. The visitors' business is none of our business so don't
go sticking your nose in it.

The Greek word for "restore" basically means to repair or adjust, viz:
restoration applies to maladjusted Christians, i.e. the ones whose
misconduct is habitual, and quite possibly detrimental to a church's overall
health.

A spirit of gentleness precludes the use of bullying, intimidation, rage.
yelling, demeaning comments, lecturing, scolding, biting sarcasm, ugly
remarks, carping criticism, brow beating, and such. Those kinds of behaviors
aren't gentle, no, they're cruel and abusive. They're also unwarranted when
the accused has committed an unintentional trespass.

NOTE: The instructions given in Gal 6:1 pertain only to spiritual Christians.
The garden variety, rank and file pew warmers— viz: marginal Christians
need not concern themselves with it.

In churches where people are conceited, assertive, confrontational,
embroiled in petty rivalries, debating, quarrelling, and maybe even jostling
for notoriety; the spiritual ones are obviously going to be as scarce as
California Condors.

"each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Gal 6:1b)

The Greek word for "tempted" is somewhat ambiguous. It primarily means
to test; but can also mean endeavor, scrutinize, entice, and/or discipline.

I think what the restorers are being cautioned against is going about a right
thing in a wrong way so that they themselves wind up taken to task for
conduct unbecoming. In some people's minds, the end justifies the means so
long as it benefits the so-called greater good. But that's Machiavellian
thinking rather than Christian thinking.

In other words: the restorers need to tread lightly because if they go after
an alleged offender like a lynch mob; then they themselves should expect to
be seen by others as a toxic menace and a threat to congregational peace,
trust, and cohesion.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 22, 2021

.
• Gal 6:2 . . Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

It's human nature to shun people with problems so they don't drag us into a
world of inconvenience and/or negativity. But that is not what I call fulfilling
the law of Christ; which reads thusly:

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

The love that is defined by "As I have loved you" is a kind of love willing to
suffer inconvenience, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, and disgrace for
the sake of another. Christ's love isn't a fault-finding attitude; it's a
supportive virtue: it doesn't only feel your pain, it gets involved in your pain.

Church can be the loneliest place on earth when nobody cares enough about
you to get involved in your pain; but instead would just as soon not know
about it. Sadly, there is about as much love for one another in modern
churches as there is amongst an audience of strangers at the movies. I
sincerely believe that a lot of that indifference has to do with modern
churches just simply being too big, too busy, and too complex; where
individuals are as anonymous and inconspicuous as a drop of pigment in a
bucket of paint.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 23, 2021

.
• Gal 6:7a . . Don't be deceived into thinking God is a silly old fool.

A silly old fool is a senior citizen that people know they can mistreat and/or
take advantage of without fear of complaint, resistance, or reprisal.

People in our day and age are easily persuaded that God is harmless and
that the Old Testament's version of God is obsolete, i.e. no longer someone
to fear since Jesus came along. But as God was capable of withholding
blessing for conduct unbecoming back then; He still is.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 24, 2021

.
• Gal 6:10 . . So then, whenever we have opportunity, let us do good to all
men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Good can take any number of forms but I think a useful description we could
apply here is "beneficial".

Jesus did good (Acts 10:30) i.e. he was very definitely beneficial; not just on
the cross or by his teachings, but in non practical ways too.

Those who are of the "household of the faith" are actually kin; viz: siblings;
and like they say: charity begins at home.

Some churches have what they call a deacon's fund; to assist members who
are down and out and/or in dire straits.

And don't overlook your church's senior citizens. Some may be getting up in
years and finding it difficult to even maintain their own homes and yards
anymore. Chores may not seem all that spiritual; but pitch in anyway if for
no other reason than your assistance is beneficial.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 25, 2021

.
• Gal 6:12-13 . .Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to
compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for
the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the
commandments themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that
they may boast in your flesh. (cf. Acts 15:5-32)

"boast in your flesh" is somewhat similar to missionaries and such bragging
about the number of their proselytes.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 26, 2021

.
• Eph 2:11-22 . .Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by
birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the
circumcision-- that done in the body by the hands of men --remember that
at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in
Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and
without God in the world.

. . . But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought
near through the blood of Christ. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners
and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's
household

Christians are prone to forget; and one of the things they forget is that their
religion didn't begin with the Roman Catholic Church; no, it began with the
Jews; and the purpose of Gentiles hearing the gospel is not so they can
replace the Jews as God's chosen people, but rather, so they can join them
and share in their blessings.

"If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive
shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the
nourishing sap from the olive root, don't boast over those branches. If you
do, consider this: You don't support the root, but the root supports you."
(Rom 11:17-18)

"Salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22)
_

Webers.Home · Aug 27, 2021

.
• Eph 4:1 . . As a prisoner for The Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy
of the calling you have received.

Not too long ago, a pastor in Arizona utilized a highway billboard to poll
people's opinion not of Christianity, rather; what people think of Christians.
Here's the gist of his message:

DESCRIBE CHRISTIANS WITH ONE WORD
Text Me-- 480-630-1152

The results of the poll can be viewed at iamlandonmacdonald on Instagram.

Some responses:

Hateful
Gullible
Ignorant
Satanist
Judgmental
Hypocritical

Not everybody despises Christians, but for sure everybody despises
a phony. i.e. Christians don't have to live the life of a saint to become a
saint, but they do have to life the life of a saint in order to merit the respect
their religion deserves.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 28, 2021

.
• Eph 4:2 . . Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, putting up with
another in love.

The Greek word translated "love" in that passage is agape (ag-ah'-pay)
which is fortunate because it doesn't necessarily speak of affection like the
Greek word phileo. It mostly pertains to personal conduct, e.g. civility,
courtesy, sympathy, thoughtfulness, tolerance, charity, kindness, lenience,
understanding, diplomacy, etc. which are common social skills that even the
most insensitive clod on earth can practice if they put their mind to it.

"Humility" is one of those virtues that people love to talk about; but rarely
ever seem to exemplify. The Greek word is a tongue twister. It's
tapeinophrosune (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay) which means humiliation of mind,
viz: modesty; defined by Webster's as free from conceit and/or vanity.

"Conceit" is defined as excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue,
viz: arrogance, i.e. a superiority complex and/or a master-race mentality. (A
conceited supervisor was a very key factor in the Chernobyl disaster. Had he
been more reasonable, and less arrogant, the disaster might've been easily
averted.)

"Vanity" is defined as inflated pride in oneself, viz: narcissism and/or self
adoration.

Cosmetics and figure-shaping undergarments don't really qualify as the kind
of vanity that Paul is talking about; which is a kind of vanity that goes way
beyond just trying to look your best.

Sinful vanity is an ugly creature. It's self aggrandizing and it isn't gentle
either, on the contrary; vanity can be quite cruel and competitive, caring
only what's best for itself. Vanity abhors associating with people whose
station in life is decidedly below its own; and God forbid someone below
themselves should have the nerve to correct either their conduct or their
knowledge.

"Patience" is defined as the power, or capacity, to endure without complaint
something and/or someone difficult or disagreeable; especially when it
comes to certain folk who seem to have a knack for getting on people's
nerves.
_

Kidron · Aug 28, 2021

Webers.Home said:

Are you trying to say that all your sins are accidents and that you never chose to do them?

Webers.Home · Aug 29, 2021

.
• Eph 4:3 . . Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace.

The Spirit is the one thing that all born-again Christians have in common
regardless of their denominational affiliation. The Spirit keeps them
combined them in a unified fraternity held together with stronger force than
a labor union.

Peace can be roughly defined as the absence of strife, e.g. debating,
quarrelling, rivalry, competition and/or envy, etc.

The Spirit has much to say in regard to Christian social skills; and if each
and every believer would listen to Him, the natural result is going to be
harmony wherever and whenever they associate with one another.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 30, 2021

.
• Eph 4:17-19 . . So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must
no longer live as the pagans do, in the futility of their thinking. They are
darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because
of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having
lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to
indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

The Greek word translated "sensitivity" is apalgeo (ap-alg-eh'-o) which
refers to apathy; defined by Webster's as a lack of feeling or emotion and/or
a lack of interest or concern, i.e. indifference. This is the only place in the
entire New Testament where apalgeo appears so we can't compare its use in
other contexts.

There are immoral people out there who wish they could stop themselves
but can't. I wouldn't call them indifferent; apalgeo applies to hard-core
immoral folk who view themselves as perfectly normal and satisfied with
themselves just as they are; having neither wish nor interest in any other
way of life.

The Ephesian church had a number of those hard-cores in their midst that
needed to wake up and realize that their attitude was maybe acceptable as
citizens in the Ephesian culture of that day, but thoroughly unacceptable as
Christians in any day. One of the very things they cherished, and that made
their lives worth the living, had to go.
_

Webers.Home · Aug 31, 2021

.
• Eph 4:20-24 . .Surely you heard of Christ and were taught in him in
accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to
your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by
its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to
put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness.

When God completed the six days of creation, He went on sabbatical (Gen
2:1-3). The six days were all bounded by an evening and a morning. The
seventh wasn't bounded; i.e. it hasn't ended, indicating that God has yet to
resume creating things for the current cosmos. So then, the new self spoken
of in the passage above isn't for the current cosmos, rather, it's a self
created for a cosmos yet to come. (Isa 65:17, 2Pet 3:13, Rev 21:1)

The Greek word translated "desire" is epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah) which
means: a longing.

Epithumia by itself doesn't indicate sinful desires. The very same word
describes The Lord's personal longing to dine in the company of his apostles
just prior to being crucified. (Luke 22:15)

The kind of longings in view are "deceitful" which is from the Greek word
apate (ap-at'-ay) and means delusion, which Webster's defines as: a
persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self, or persons or objects
outside the self, that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the
contrary-- in other words: deceitful longings are delusional longings,
a.k.a. pipe dreams.

For example: the old saying "The grass is greener on the other side" which
of course is an unreasonable expectation. Some people sincerely believe that
they would be happier if only they had more money. Well; sad to say,
money can be guaranteed to buy you neither love nor happiness.

Delusional longings get people to chasing after pots of gold at the end of
rainbows that may or may not satisfy; viz: sometimes the dream is better
than the reality. Meanwhile, their life clock is winding down while they're in
pursuit of those pots and they are steadily becoming more and more secular
and unspiritual. Paul "insists" that Christ's followers avoid squandering their
time and energy chasing after delusional longings; viz: keep their feet on
the ground and their heads out of the clouds.
_

Webers.Home · Sep 1, 2021

.
• Eph 4:25 . . Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his
neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

One's neighbor is not the same as one's brother; i.e. the former is an
acquaintance, the latter is kin.

The command is directed at "each" of you— i.e. individuals —because one
dishonest Christian disgraces all Christians, and raises questions about the
credibility of their religion because dishonesty is the oil that lubricates
propaganda machinery.

NOTE: Dishonesty is an unkind, destructive behavior. (Prov 26:28)
_

Webers.Home · Sep 2, 2021

.
• Eph 4:26a . . In your anger do not sin.

Anger isn't eo ipso evil. It's how one manages their anger that matters. It
can be a very useful tool when it's applied by somebody who knows what
they're doing. For example:

"And when Jesus had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved
for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man: Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the
other." (Mark 3:5)

Everybody gets angry from time to time; just don't let it drive you to doing
something contrary to your better judgment, e.g. violence, profanity, malice,
cruelty, uncivil behavior, spite, ugly remarks, emotional outbursts,
demeaning comments, grudging, hysteria, shouting, shrieking, spraying
spittle, throwing things, etc.
_

Webers.Home · Sep 3, 2021

.
• Eph 4:26-27 . . Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place
to the devil.

The Greek word translated "wrath" indicates rage; defined by Webster's as
violent and uncontrolled anger.

People in that state of mind are susceptible to doing things, and saying
things, that they will very much regret later.

Apparently the Devil is quick to find uses for Christians stuck in a lengthy rage,
i.e. they become what's called in the spy business; an asset.
_

Webers.Home · Sep 4, 2021

.
• Eph 4:28 . . He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must
work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have
something to share with those in need.

Isn't is just amazing that early Christian church members were active
criminals? Yes, right there in the Ephesian church were thieves. Ironically
Paul didn't forbid the Ephesian Christians to steal, no, of all things; he
ordered them to stop stealing; and not only to stop stealing, but to stop
stealing for a living!

You'd think church would be the one place on earth where you'd be safe
from crime, but not so. Back in the 1970's I sang bass in the choir of a
monster Baptist church in San Diego. The 90+ member choir would meet in
a rehearsal room and the ladies would all leave their purses in there when
we moved out to be seated in the loft. The room had a very sturdy door and
was always securely locked when we left the room.

Well, one Sunday morning when we returned to the room, that Fort Knox
door and its lock were smashed open and all the ladies' purses were rifled.
No other door in the hallway was damaged so the break-in wasn't random,
viz: that burglary was an inside job.
_

Webers.Home · Sep 5, 2021

.
• Eph 4:29 . . Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who
hear them.

"helpful" is from the Greek word oikodome (oy-kod-om-ay') which means: to
build up (as opposed to tearing down).

"foul or abusive" is from the word sapros (sap-ros') which means: rotten,
i.e. worthless (literally or morally) viz: inappropriate.

The foul and abusive category no doubt includes not only profanity, but also
biting sarcasm, thoughtless remarks, demeaning comments, chafing,
relentless fault-finding, sneering, ridicule, mean spirited rejoinders,
mockery, and unnecessary criticism.

FAQ: Why was it okay for Jesus and John the Baptist to sometimes speak to
people in an abrasive manner?

A: Special men of God-- e.g. prophets, priests, etc --operate under orders
differing from what's required of ordinary rank and file pew warmers. (e.g.
John 3:34, John 8:26, John 8:28, John 12:49, and John 14:24)
_

Walking With Christ

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member