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Christian Verbs :: Z is for Zeroing

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On August 16, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The verb ‘zeroing’ means to adjust or reduce to nothing or naught. When used as a slang, it can be used to imply ‘kill’ and is used mostly in congressional proceedings such as “zeroing” (killing) a bill or proposed law.

As Christians, we are to imitate Jesus Christ, the savior, who being in the form of God, considered it robbery to be equal with God, and made himself of no reputation, taking upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the (shameful and cursed) death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).  In other words, Jesus who made himself of no reputation means that Jesus zeroed Himself. He zeroed Himself for us so that we who are empty earthern vessels can be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit of God.

We are to mortify (kill) our selfish desires of the heart from which proceeds evil thoughts and actions (Matthew 15:19) and seek a change of heart to one that is after God’s own heart. Jesus’ words are very clear – only those who lose their life will save it. To be a ‘Zero’ for Jesus is to be a Hero for Him.

Philippians 2:6-8 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christian Verbs :: Y is for Yoking

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On August 13, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines ‘Yoking’ as ‘joining with’. Jesus asked us, his believers, to take His yoke upon ourselves and to learn from him. In other words, he want us to join with him. Just as an ox cannot go on its own way, when it is yoked with another, as they prepare the soil, when we are yoked together with Jesus Christ, we cannot go after our own selfish and sinful desires, as we co-labor (work together) in preparing the hearts of the unsaved to receive the gospel truth.

We can be yoked with the liberty of Christ Jesus or we can be yoked with the bondage of sin. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1).

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Galatians 5:1 (KJV)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Christian Verbs :: X is for X-ray

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On August 12, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

When the word X-ray is used as a verb, it means “to examine”. When we go to a doctor, the doctor examines us to determine if we are of good health or if we are sick. Likewise, we are to ask the LORD to examine us. In other words, we are to ask the LORD to X-ray us, so that there are no wicked ways in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24)

In addition to the doctor examining us, we often check ourselves at home to make sure that we are healthy. As Christians we need to do the same. We have to take time to introspect ourselves regarding our spiritual health. In other words we need to X-ray (examine) ourselves to ensure that we keep the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) for the just(ified) shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4), as many in the latter days will depart (fall away) from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1).

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Psalm 26:2 (KJV)
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Christian Verbs :: W is for Watching

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On August 11, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray so that they do not fall into temptation because the flesh is weak, though the spirit is willing (Matthew 26:41). The Apostle Peter writes that we need to be sober and watch unto prayer, because the end of all things is at hand (1 Peter 4:7). Those who do not watch are in for a surprise for Jesus shall come as a thief at an hour that is unknown (Revelation 3:3). Those who watch are not only those who do not fall prey to temptation but they are also blessed (Revelation 16:15). Only those who watch and pray always, may be accounted worthy to escape all the things that shall come to pass, and be able to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).

As Christians, not only are we, to be on watch (guard) so that we do not fall to the schemes of the devil, but we are also to watch (gaze) for the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (KJV)
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Christian Verbs :: V is for Visiting

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On August 10, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Bible informs us that the LORD visited Sarah at the appointed time as He had said He would (Genesis 21:1). The Psalmist questions as to who man is, that the God of the universe should be mindful of him and visit him? (Psalm 8:4). Luke 1:68,78 records that God visited the people as the Redeemer in the person of Jesus Christ, and when Jesus comes to the city of Jerusalem, he wept, because the people did not know of God’s visitation (Luke 19).

The point that is paramount is that even God visits His people, and we as imitators must do likewise. In fact, Jesus lets us know that when we stand before Him to give an account, we must be prepared to answer the question as to where we were when those that were sick and in prison wanted us (Matthew 25: 31-46).

As Christians, we need to visit not only those who are sick and in prison, but also our brethren in the ministry (Acts 15:36) and the fatherless and the widows (James 1:27). To those who are sick, we need to present Jesus as the Balm of Gilead, to those in prison, we need to affirm that only in Jesus is true freedom. Our brethren need to be encouraged in the Lord by our visitation and the fatherless needs to be affirmed of God the heavenly father of all. To the widow, Jesus the Bridegroom must be presented. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).

Let it not be said of us that we did not visit the least of the brethren of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

James 1:27 (KJV)
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Christian Verbs :: U is for Urging

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On August 9, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Apostle Paul urges the Church at Corinth to follow him (1 Corinthians 4:16). It is this same Paul who once entitled himself to be the chief of sinners. How is it then that one can make such a pressing request? First we must recognize that Paul was not urging his heaters to follow him, but to follow him as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

The only way that such a request could be made is when the sinner is turned to a saint, by being clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, for even man’s righteousness are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). To be clothed with robes of righteousness is to believe in Jesus Christ, for Abraham believed It was imputed to him as righteousness (Romans 4:22). Jesus, the sinless became sin so that we the unrighteous may be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As Christians we need to urge others to be Christ-like and this means that we need to awake to righteousness and not sin (1 Corinthians 15:34) for only then can we urge others to follow us as we follow Christ.

Christian Verbs :: T is for Teaching

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On August 6, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

As Christians we need to be teachers as was our Lord Jesus Christ. One the titles that was given to Jesus Christ, was that He was a teacher from God (John 3:2) and the people identified Him to be so, because they recognized that He could not do the miracle He did unless God was with Him. The Psalmist writes “Come my children, listen to me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11) which is the beginning of all wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The last order before Jesus’ ascension known familiarly as the great commission starts with the instruction to first go and then teach as it reads “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. It also tells us that we need to teach the nations to observe God’s commandments, but we need to first recognize that in order for us to be like Jesus, teachers from God, we need to have God with and in us. And in the presence of sin, God cannot exist. So if we have any unconfessed sin in us, we need to first confess and repent. Only then can we be teachers. This is why King David repented and sought that the Lord restore unto him the joy of Salvation and uphold him (not cast down) with His freeing spirit, for only then, only then could he teach other sinners like himself, God’s ways (commandments) and sinner shall be converted unto God. (Psalm 51:12-13).

As Christians, we need to be teachers from God and of God, but before we embark on this mission, let us first examine our lives and seek God’s grace and mercy, confessing our willful sins, so that we can then teach others God’s ways. Praise God, that the steps of a  good man are ordered by the Lord and He delighted in His ways; though he falls, though he falls, He shall not be cast down for the Lord upholdeth him in His hands (Psalm 37:23-24)

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Psalm 51:12-13 (KJV)
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Christian Verbs :: S is for Sanctifying

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On August 5, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

To sanctify is to be set apart. The very first time the God gave His commandments, He required that the firstborn of all man (and beast) be set apart (sanctified) for him because He claimed them to be His(Exodus 13:2) and then He told Moses to go and sanctify His people and the priests by washing their clothes before facing God (Exodus 19:10, 22) but Moses responded by saying, that the people could not come to face God even if cleansed by their own accord (Exodus 19:23). From the book of Exodus throughout the old testament, there are many times, the voice of God is heard either directly from Him or through His prophets, requiring that one sanctify himself/herself, but when we come to the New Testament, all the instances of the need to be sanctified is recorded as one that is not required of man, but as one that has been granted by God, because of His Son, Jesus Christ. See, we cannot sanctify ourselves by washing ourselves, but the blood of Jesus Christ that washes our inward evil self is the only thing that can sanctify us (Hebrews 13:12).

In the Lord’s prayer as recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed that God sanctifies us (John 17:17) and then He makes a bewildering statement. He said, I sanctify myself for the sake of my people (John 17:23). In other words, Jesus was saying that He was setting himself apart from God and His divinity for you and me, so that we can be set apart from our humanity and be more Christ like in spirit, soul and body. Our beings are sinful and our flesh that war against the Holy Spirit of God is corrupt and cannot be set apart on its own will, but it is the blood of Jesus alone that can set us apart. My prayer is that of Apostle Paul; that the very God of peace sanctify me wholly; and I pray that my whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Let this be yours as well!

Exodus 13:2 (KJV)
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

Exodus 19:10-11,22-23 (KJV)
10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

John 17:17-19 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (KJV)
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Christian Verbs :: R is for Repenting

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On August 4, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

Did you know that even God repents? He does not repent as we do, because He is sinless, blameless, pure and Holy, but He repents when he has to chastise us for our sinfulness. 1 Chronicles 21 records the incident of how David was enticed by Satan to do the evil of numbering his people which was an expression of his own abilities and not his dependence on God and so God sent forth an angel to destroy Jerusalem and seventy thousand men were killed. God’s disciplining arm was indeed an expression of His love, for God chastises whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6). But when God’s judgment fell on His people for the sin of David, God said, “Enough“, and He held back the punishment. He prefers our repentance over His revenge/repayment; our confession over His chastisement.

Jesus started His ministry preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near”. The counsel that is given to the Church of Ephesus is that they ought to repent because they had forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-5). This counsel is very much applicable to each one of us as well. In our humanness, we have the tendency to forget and forsake our first love and fall, many times not realizing as to how far we fall. We backslide foolishly when we seek short term pleasure in exchange for long term pain, making mistakes and hurting not only God, but many a times our beloved ones. It is therefore important for us to first remember and then repent; remember from where we have fallen, so that we can experience the depth of grace, as to how far God and our loved ones needs to reach down, to lift us up back out of the miry pit. The road to restoration begins with repenting our sins to God and reconciling with the ones we have hurt. The blessed assurance that remains, thankfully is that no matter how sinful we have been, there is no accusation or condemnation in Christ Jesus. God is willing to forgive us, when we earnestly seek Him and repent of our evil ways. He says, “Come let us reason together;  though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be like wool.”  (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus expressed that the prayer of a penitent (repenting) sinner will not go unheard by God and we can be assured of this. His unconditional love and grace extends from the purest of saints to the vilest of sinners (and I count myself to be one among the latter).

As Christians, who have the foreknowledge of Salvation, when we backslide, we need to remember and repent (which is to turn back completely) so that God can restore in us a clean heart, one that genuinely loves Him and His people. When we repent, we need to confess for when we confess, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

1 Chronicles 21:15 (KJV)
15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV)
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Christian Verbs :: Q is for Quenching

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On August 3, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

To quench is to put out or extinguish and we are asked to take up the shield of faith (above all) wherewith we shall be able to quench (put out) the fiery darts of the devil. It is however, important to recognize that we do not put out the fiery darts (trials and temptations) but instead we need to merely take up the shield of faith, that protects us against these darts. It is also important to recognize that we ought not to quench (put out) the Holy Spirit of God that dwells in us (1 Thessalonians 5:19). For when we quench the Holy Spirit, the flesh that is at war with the Spirit triumphs and makes us sin that leads to death, trampling the Son of God and nullifying his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:26-29). So as Christ Ones we ought to quench the fiery darts and also quench not the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (KJV)
19 Quench not the Spirit.

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