Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
“And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, we who are saved should me mindful always to not only look to our own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail, and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
My brothers and sisters in Christ, scripture reminds us, that, when we are strengthened that we must strengthen our brothers, that we should bear the scruples of those who are weak, and not to please ourselves, that we should carry one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the Law of Christ. How then could we think that when God saved us that we should just stay saved? My brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot be soldiers for Christ and ignore the battle cry. We are daily being called to the frontlines, so that we could help to save those of the faith who are weak and to help them to stand.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:13
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-9
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.51:1
Remember not the sins of my youth, or my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O Lord. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Yet, you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die? Ezekiel 33:11
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out; then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Acts 3:19-20
Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42
Do not spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will come on you unexpectedly; so, keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Ecclesiastes 8:11 reminds us that, when a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. “Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice; with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. But understand this, if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, God has been patient with us, but his promises are true; therefore, let every one of us come to repentance and be found ready when the Son of Man appears.
The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:11
“I was young and now I am old, yet, I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble.” The Lord’s chosen are blessed!
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12
”Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Do not participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5
“The acts of the flesh are obvious, when you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear; sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Lord, our desires forces us give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds; cleanse us from all fleshy thoughts and set our minds on the things of the spirit. Amen!