Angelic Conflict part 215: Human history (the Church) – Rom 12:1-21; Jer 10:23; Gal 6:9-10; Joh 7:20-21; 13:34-35; 2Pe 1:5-11.

Class Outline:

Title: Angelic Conflict part 215: Human history (the Church) - ROM 12:1-21; JER 10:23; GAL 6:9-10; JOH 7:20-21; 13:34-35; 2PE 1:5-11.

 

 

In COL 3:1-17 we see the clear contrast between good and evil. As in the last sentence in our chapter:

 

ROM 12:21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

In its essential nature untruth is antigod being as it is not only a misrepresentation of the Person and character of God, but a distortion of His purpose and ways.

 

It is truly amazing to think that such a thing exists in God's universe, and is in fact commonplace and prevalent.

 

Satan chose not to continue in the precise sphere into which he was placed by the infinite will and benevolence of God. But it is not alone a case of one sphere as over against another; it is also a case of the choice of one principle or philosophy of life as over against another.

 

In his impious action, the great angel proposed a course of independent achievement which at once in principle dethroned the God of truth end enthroned self. Every feature of this intention was in opposition to, and independent of, God. Such violence will not be rightly estimated apart from a due consideration of the fact that the creature - angel or man - is designed to be guided by God alone.

 

Man and angel need divine guidance.

 

JER 10:23

I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself;

Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

 

The creature was not given a steering mechanism. Only divine guidance can steer us properly.

 

Evil is man trying to do what only God can do.

 

ROM 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy [lacking in pretense or show, but genuine]. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

 

If we are to be like God or the image of Christ we must be against sin and for good. Someone might observe that this is obvious and needs no discussion; but the very presence of the command in the Bible reveals that there is a tendency in all of life to allow the good to slip away. We must cling to it or hold it fast.

 

The progressive idea that there are no absolute truths is attractive to the world of mediocrity and compromised, which world has many lazy minded inhabitants.

 

One can never reconcile truth with untruth or the world system with the plan of God. These are mutually exclusive.

 

"cling" - kolla,w[kollao] = to join fast together, to glue or to cement together. "good" - avgaqo,j[agathos] = good of intrinsic value.

 

intrinsic - belonging to the real nature of a thing; not dependent on external circumstances; essential; inherent [Webster's]

 

Everything that is of God's will is good from verse 2.

 

We have a tendency to get complacent. When we do not see the results of the good we do, there is a natural inclination to trend towards futility and weariness in doing good.

 

We must cling to divine good, which is application of doctrine, fruit production, application of the will of God; glue ourselves to it, knowing that it is this alone that is rewarded and has lasting value.

 

GAL 6:9-10

 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

 

2TH 3:13

 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

 

ROM 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love [philadelphia]; give preference to one another in honor;

 

Our salvation has aspects of the past, the present, and the future. The sins of the past, and our fallen state, have been removed. We have been turned around and no longer face eternal separation from God and are headed toward eternal association with Him in heaven, to be occupied with Him in the government and administration of the universe.

 

In the present we daily find ourselves walking with the past done and the future secure so that in confidence we can walk in the calling that God has graciously called us to. Part of that calling is to love one another. Philadelphia is used here because it is a love of the brethren, the royal family of God with whom we will be united to for all time. Like all love that is in any relationship, brotherly love is based on agape love.

 

We are definitely not called to be attracted to every member of the body of Christ, but this is a love amongst brothers and sisters that are united in a common purpose, much like soldiers.

 

"devoted" - filo,storgoj[philostorgos] = used only here; devoted to family affection.

 

"brotherly love" - [philadelphia] The bond that binds members of the body of Christ in common purpose; the true love that exists between good brothers and sisters.

 

In its earliest appearances philadelphia denotes the love for blood brothers, sisters, and other family members. Putting both words together truly emphasizes the bonded type of nature that should be in the body of Christ, but unfortunately is rare. It is to be as the Son and the Father.

 

MAT 12:49-50

And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

 

JOH 17:20-21

"I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.

 

JOH 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

 

/Moulton-Milligan indicates that secular documents of NT times share this [philadelphia] meaning of "the love of those who are brothers by common descent ... and ... of kindness to sisters."\

 

In the NT the definition extends to those who are brothers and sisters in the Christian faith, those who have entered the royal family of God.

 

This is a oneness that could not have originated in fallen mankind. It is the oneness of the Godhead. It is a unity that is divine. What was lost with God at the fall was restored and made even greater in Christ and so we have been brought into oneness with God and this should be manifested in a oneness in the body of Christ.

 

Brotherly love, just like agape love, must be genuine rather than hypocritical in 1PE 1:22.

 

1PE 1:22

 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere [without hypocrisy; same word ROM 12:9] love of the brethren [philadelphia], fervently love [agape] one another from the heart,

 

Philadelphia is a virtue that Christians must cultivate, 2PE 1:7, and therefore it is not of attraction or emotion, though these can result as responses.

 

2PE 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence [virtue], and in your moral excellence, knowledge;

 

2PE 1:6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance [hupomeno], and in your perseverance, godliness [well devoted];

 

2PE 1:7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness [philadelphia], and in your brotherly kindness, love.

 

2PE 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless [barren - yielding no return] nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

A believer who is not growing is idle, barren, and unfruitful. Their position in Christ is not producing anything spiritually practical in life.

 

It's not who we are in personality of talent that is important, but that we become more and more like Christ. That true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is transforming us into the image of Him which treasure produces tremendous returns to His glory in which we share.

 

It requires a Christ-like character in order to be entrusted with divine blessings.

 

2PE 1:9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted [cannot see far and therefore cannot see past the immediate world surrounding him], having forgotten his purification from his former sins.