Is That In The Bible? 13

~ All Things in Moderation ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  For example consider the statement: “All things in moderation.”  This is a tricky one.  On the one hand if taken to the extreme, for example to sin in moderation, then it is clearly false with regard to the overall teaching of Scripture.  However, with regard to good things the concept of not going to extreme in any one area is found in Scripture. 

Scripture  ~  “I have seen everything in my days of vanity: there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.  Do not be overly righteous [pious], nor be overly wise [arrogant]:  Why should you destroy yourself?  Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish [Hebrew poetry often contrasts a previous statement]:  Why should you die before your time?  It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all” (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18).

“Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Philippians 3:21a, KJV). 

Comment  ~  Do you live a life of appropriate balance?  If not, what needs to change?  Are you willing to make the effort to change?

Note  ~  A previous Abundant Life Now post entitled “Balance” (published on June 29, 2017) provides a little more explanation of this passage.  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 122

~ The Fear of God Brings Contentment ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:16-17).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Bible Simile, 4of14

~ The Bible is Like Seeds—It Is Sown, Some Will Take Root, Some Will Produce ~

Bible Similes  ~  The Word of God likens itself to a number of practical items.  “The Word is like…”  In this series we will look at some of the similes of the Bible which are presented clearly in the Bible itself. 

Like Seeds (a parable given) ~  The first step in a harvest is sowing seed.  “And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Jesus from every city, He spoke by a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed.  And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.  Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.  But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.’  When He had said these things He cried, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” (Luke 8:4-8)…

Like Seeds (a parable explained) ~  …“Then His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘What does this parable mean?’  And He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that “Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”  Now the parable is this:  The seed is the Word of God.  Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.  Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:9-15).  Not all seed that is sown will produce! 

Application  ~  Allow the Word of God to take root in your life.  “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .