Option 2: We can Love and Share Jesus with Pagans

Photo by KOUTA

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.  But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Insights: I apologize for missing yesterday’s Thoughts by Scott.  I will resume today and hopefully do a double posting.  The second option regarding the way we treat pagans is to love and share Jesus with them.  This option is the very reason Jesus has left you here.  If all salvation was about was our spending eternity with Jesus, then the moment we received His free gift of eternal life, He would have taken us home to His glory.  He did not, however, take us home at that moment.  In fact, He left us here with a mission to go and tell the pagans of this world that there is a Savior who loves them and died for them.  We are to be bold in our declaration that Jesus is Lord of all and there is no way one can enter into heaven apart from Him.  Beloved, let me encourage you to draw a line in the sand and turn toward Jesus.  Don’t let excuses and fears prevent you from sharing Jesus with other people.  Let Jesus’ name be on your lips and be ready in season and out of season to share the reason for your hope.  May God’s favor be on you as you walk in boldness through His Spirit.

Questions:

 1. In what ways do you share the gospel with pagans?

 2. What could you do to be even more affective at sharing Jesus with them?

Prayer: Father, I understand it is Your job to save the pagans from their sins.  You, however, have commissioned us to go and tell them about You.  Give me the courage and boldness to declare Jesus at every possible moment.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Option 1: We can Ostracize and Reject Pagans

Photo by Nathan Rupert

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.  But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Insights: Monday we learned the world is full of pagans.  Yesterday we began to examine how we think about these pagans.  We also were informed there are really only two options as to how we are going to respond to these pagans.  Today we will look at the first option, which is to ostracize and reject them.  As I shared yesterday, when I go to Walmart and I see people that look, act, talk, dress, smell and any other descriptive word you wish to use, and they are different from me, I all too often ostracize and reject them.  I think we in the church of the United States see them as being the enemy when in reality Satan and his demons are our enemy.  These people are just lost and in need of a Savior.  I, however, see and respond to them as if they are the enemy.  As a result, I ignore them and do not engage them in conversation.  My actions say, “I would rather have you spend eternity in hell than for me to get outside of my comfort zone and tell you about Jesus.  Beloved, you may feel this way at times yourself.  When we live life this way we are actually telling pagans, “Hey, you, clean yourself up, and then I will tell you about Jesus because then you will be worthy.”  How terribly sad we do not remember life from the vantage point of our own preconversion depravity.

Questions:

 1. Will you ostracize and reject the pagans?

 2. In what ways have you ostracized and rejected pagans in your past?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for ostracizing and rejecting the very people for whom Your Son died on the cross.  Let me see them as You see them, which is as sheep without a shepherd.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

What Are You Going to do About Pagans?

Photo by Flood G.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.  But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Insights: Yesterday we discussed the realities of all the pagans that live in the world.  Today I wish to just make you think about your own heart regarding them.  You have before you only two options regarding these pagans and tomorrow and Thursday I will write about those options.  You, however, have to choose which of these options you are going to embrace.  Your heart attitude toward the pagan world will reveal how you are going to respond to them.  As a result, I want you to think about your thoughts when you go to Walmart (and it does not have to be Walmart, it could literally be any place in which you frequent).  When you see a person who does not look like you, dress like you, talk like you, or smell like you, what kind of thoughts do you have toward that individual?  How you responded to this question reveals a great deal about your heart and what your response will be toward pagans.  Beloved, I must confess I have been wrestling with this issue for months and believe I have come to a point of resolve.  Friday, I will share my resolution.

Questions:

 1. In light of the fact the world is full of pagans, what are you going to do about it?

 2. Will you be a hinderance to the gospel or a proclaimer of the gospel?

Prayer: Father, I have not always chosen well in regards to the pagans of this world.  All too often I have shunned them for being lost instead of loving them with grace because of their need for a Savior.  Change my heart to love them the way You love them.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

The World is Full of Pagans

Photo by Viv Lynch

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.  But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Insights: These verses today in Thoughts by Scott are very descriptive of the world we live in today.  After reading these verses, I think it is pretty safe to say we are in the last days in which these difficult times will come upon us.  It is very easy to get caught up in the finger pointing of the world around us.  I probably ought to clarify that last sentence.  I find it easy to get caught up in the finger pointing of the world around me.  Beloved, I think the ease at which we “followers” of Jesus fall prey to this horrific finger pointing is one of the problems of the universal church found in the United States.  We have forgotten who our true enemy is and in forgetting this reality we attack those for whom Jesus Christ died.  A second challenge I sense we in the United States face is we expect lost people to get cleaned up before they come to know Jesus.  This long list of descriptive words about pagans is accurate because it is describing pagans.  Lost people act like lost people.  They say what lost people say.  They do what lost people do.  We ought not be surprised by this fact, but rather see the desperateness of their lives and become agents of grace for them.  I hope you become a grace agent.

Questions:

 1. To whom do you know that these descriptive words of Paul apply?

 2. Is it possible these words apply to you?

Prayer: Father, I am a sinful man and at times these words do describe my life.  I pray Your grace and forgiveness to be extended to me and may I as a result of your mercy extend mercy to others as well.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Are You a Vessel of Dishonor, Part 2

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Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: Yesterday we looked at the first three characteristics of dishonorable vessels.  The first was vessels of dishonor pursue youthful lusts.  The second was vessels of dishonor foolishly and ignorantly speculate about things they know nothing about.  The third was vessels of dishonor get themselves involved in quarrels.  Today we look at the final two characteristics of dishonorable vessels.  The fourth is vessels of dishonor need to repent in order to know the truth.  Notice Paul’s biggest concern is one’s relationship with Jesus.  One’s repentance leads to the knowledge of the truth and you will recall from Jesus, He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him.  In other words, truth is a person and His name is Jesus.  A vessel of dishonor needs a relationship with Jesus and that comes through repentance.  The final characteristic is vessels of dishonor are ensnared by the devil and held captive to his will.  When we reject the Lord and live life selfishly for our own desires, then we are going to be ensnared by the devil.  We will be held captive by him in order to do his will.  This kind of life is not what the Father desires for you.  He desire for you to be set free from such slavery and bondage.  The only way to be set free is to have a relationship with the Savior, Jesus.  Call on Him today and be transformed into a vessel of honor.

Questions:

 1. Is there something within your life of which you need to repent?

 2. Have you become ensnared by the devil in some way?

Prayer: Father, may my relationship with You and Your Son, Jesus, grow as Your Spirit guides and directs my life.  May I be humble enough to repent of sin and empowered to resist the devil so that I am not ensnared by his evil tactics. Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Are You a Vessel of Dishonor, Part 1

Photo by Joanna Bourne

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: The past two days we have looked at what vessels of honor look like.  The next two days we are going to look at what vessels of dishonor look like.  Today we will examine three attributes and tomorrow we will finish up with the final two.  The first characteristic of a vessel of dishonor is they pursue youthful lusts.  Now lusts are often associated with sexual sins, but the implications are much larger in scope.  This idea is more along the lines of the tenth commandment regarding coveting of others belongings.  In other words, we could lust after our neighbor’s wife and this would cover the sexual aspect, but we could also lust after their possessions, occupation, and many other things.  In all of these examples Paul’s admonition is one who is an honorable vessel will not get wrapped up in these lusts.  The second characteristic of dishonorable vessels is they foolishly and ignorantly speculate about things they know nothing about.  Have you ever had a conversation with an individual who knows everything about any subject?  More often than not this type of individual gets themselves into foolish and ignorant speculations because the reality is they do not know everything about every subject.  We ought to avoid such trappings to make ourselves appear better than we actually are.  The final characteristic we will examine today is vessels of dishonor get themselves involved in quarrels.  Again, do you know of someone who just likes to argue and fight just for the sake of being argumentative or hostile?  We ought to avoid such a lifestyle and individual.  No good will come from associating with vessels of dishonor.  Please understand, when I say avoid such individuals, I am not saying we ought not share Jesus with them.  I am saying that until Christ has transformed them, we need to not let them influence us and as a result we must make certain our time with such individuals is limited and intentional.

Questions:

 1. In what ways do you guard against youthful lusts?

 2. Would people describe you as a quarrelsome individual?

Prayer: Father, protect me from the temptations of life which may lead me down a path of youthful lusts, ignorant speculations and quarrels.  Grow me in grace to choose You over the guiles of this world. Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Are You a Vessel of Honor, Part 2

Photo by Walid Mahfoudh

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: Yesterday we learned three truths about vessels of honor.  These truths were vessels of honor are sanctified for good works.  Vessels of honor pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.  The third truth we learned was vessels of honor associate with others who have a pure heart in the Lord.  Today, we will learn four more truths about vessels of honor.  The first today is vessels of honor are kind to all.  I don’t know about you, but now I am meddling in my own affairs of life.  All too often I am an unkind individual, but I desire to be a kind individual to all with whom I come in contact.  The second truth today about vessels of honor is vessels of honor are able to teach.  I don’t think this requires us all to be preachers or Sunday School teachers.  I think this can even be our ability to live a life of character which inspires others to live more fully.  We are all teachers, but a vessel of honor is intentional about their desire to instruct others toward Jesus.  The third truth is vessels of honor are patient when wronged.  Just as with kindness, all too often I desire to get vengeance against those who have wronged me.  The Lord, however, instructs me to be patient with them just as He is patient with me.  The final truth is vessels of honor gently correct those who are in opposition with them.  When we win the argument but lose the soul because our attitude was not gentle, then did we really win the argument?  I think the answer is no.  We only win the argument when we have done it in the right attitude.  May hope is my life exemplifies the Lord.  Beloved, I pray we are all vessels of honor.

Questions:

 1. Are you kind the those who are difficult in personality?

 2. Are you able to gently correct those who are in opposition to you with the hope of winning them to your point of view?

Prayer: Father, I am so often not kind and patient with others.  Forgive me when I do not display Your character to a world in need of Your love.  Let me teach with gentleness Your amazing grace.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.