Bible Studies

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Peter may have thought more highly of himself than he ought (1), evidenced by how he was troubled when the Lord asked him three times if he (Peter) loved Him more that what his fellow apostles did.

While not responding by comparing himself to the other apostles, Peter insisted that he loved the Lord. The Lord then challenged Peter to demonstrate his love for Him by feeding and leading His flock (2).

OPeter would become the primary apostle to the Jewish converts, whereas Paul would become the primary apostle to the Gentiles.

Genuine love for the Lord is demonstrated by obedience (3) John 14: 15). Church Age believers demonstrate their love for the Lord by obeying the 2Pet. 3: 18 command to grow in the knowledge and in the James 1: 22 application of the Word of the Lord, and then by participating in the Great Commission (4).

An individual or a congregation suffers spiritual starvation as a result of either NOT being fed, or NOT eating the food that is being provided. If the individual or a congregation is not being fed, the pulpit is culpable. If the individual or congregation is being fed, but not digesting and metabolizing the food, the individual or the congregation is culpable.

Spiritual starvation is a self-induced condition brought on by choosing not to pursue an adequate source of spiritual edification, or by choosing not to take in, digest, metabolize, and apply the Word of God when it is being offered.

Especially during the end times, pastor-teachers are going to be faced with the challenge of teaching the compromised congregation. The challenge will be to teach what the congregation need to hear instead of what it may want to hear.

Especially in the end times, born-again believers are going to be faced with the challenges associated with locating an adequate source of spiritual edification, and the demands that the life of Biblical discipleship will impose.

In a James 1: 22 scenario, the plate is being filled with the necessary information, but the one(s) sitting in the pews fail to take it in, and/or apply it to their daily lives.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves (James 1:22 NASB2020).”

This is where the daily setting aside of dedicated time comes into the picture.

Assuming that it is the type of local assembly (Church) that God designed that oneis attending.  just going to Church (or otherwise connecting with a Biblical Ministry) for one hour out of 168 hours every week, in of itself, will not supply one with enough nutrition to prevail in spiritual combat.

Lacking a daily supply of spiritual nutrition, a weakened born-again believer will frequently find himself being defeated in Roman 7: 14 - 15 scenarios.

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate (Romans 7: 14‭-‬15 NASB2020).”‬‬‬

‬‬‬‬ Being born-again does not, in of itself, make one an advancing disciple. Apostate church-goers and stay-at-home do-it-yourselfers (without the guidance of a Biblically-qualified pastor teacher) could find themselves unwittingly promoting the devil’s agenda if they do not continue to grow in the ACCURATE knowledge of the Lord.

They can become the blind leading the blind (5).

End of Part Three …
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(1) Romans 12: 3 (2) John 21: 15-18 (3) John 14: 15 (4)Matthew 28: 19, 20 (5) Matthew 15: 15

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