JUNE 2004

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 6. The organized life.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Self-control – accusative singular feminine noun – enkrateian – e*gkravteian = self-discipline, or self-control.

Egkrateia also means an “organized life.”

1. Having the right priorities – “A time for everything,” ECC 3:1-8.

2. Bible doctrine which will give you the capacity to organize your life and have inner happiness with the right priorities.

Doctrine of election = “equal privilege, equal opportunity for all.”

NEH 8:18 And he read from the book of the Law of God daily, from the first day to the last day.

PRO 8:30 Then I [doctrine] was beside Him, as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,

PRO 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts.

LUK 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

LUK 19:47 And He was teaching daily in the temple; and the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him,

LUK 22:53 While I was with you daily in the temple,

ACT 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

PSA 145:2 “Everyday will I bless thee”
PSA 61:8 “I will perform my vows or my responsibilities daily”
PSA 72:15 “Daily shall He be praised”
PSA 119:164 Seven times a day I will praise Thee because of your righteous judgments.

PSA 1:2 “But his delight [the mature believer] is in the Law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
ISA 8:9 “My Lord, I have called daily upon you.”
ACT 20:31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
2CO 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

ACT 2:46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,
ACT 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

The believer must have organization in his use of time, in his use of energy and to have the right priorities in life.

“Redeem the time because the days are evil,” EPH 5:16.

An individual who can triumph over himself is greater than an individual who captures an entire city in battle.

When an individual lacks self-control he is totally defenseless from the attacks of the cosmic system.

JAM 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man, able to control the whole body as well.

PSA 39:1 I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, while the wicked are in my presence.”

ROM 6:12 Therefore do not let the sin nature reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,

Egkrateia [self-control] = good manners when you are sitting in Bible class – you refrain from talking, moving around, etc.

Every athlete went through identical training no matter what his event.

Only the believer inside the PPOG is living the Christian way of life, and therefore is qualified to compete in the angelic conflict.

There was a group called the agonistai who were people who just worked out to stay in shape, which is just sheer agony.

The athletai or the athletes were the ones who trained under the rules of the national gymnasium for ten months.

You were not allowed to leave the large walled area of the gymnasium for ten months, and you had to exercise under the authority of the gumnasiarch, the ruler of the gym (analogous to the pastor).

a. You could not leave for any reason.
b. You were on a strict diet which everyone ate (other foods being analogous to distractions of the cosmic system).

c. Everyone participated in group exercise naked outdoors, regardless of the weather (analogous to everyone getting the same doctrinal teaching).

d. Daily trumpet calls had to be met each day at various times; if you missed one you were disqualified.
e. Everyone had equal privilege and opportunity to compete.

1. He received a crown of ivy leaves, which represented the rewards he would receive when he returned home.
2. He had a special entrance cut into the wall of his hometown city which he passed through when he returned home. Then a plaque was put up after the wall was sealed up again.

This is analogous to having your name recorded in the permanent historical record section because of your invisible impact during the Church-age –
REV 3:12a “The winner, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God.”

3. He rode in the best chariot through the city in a parade.
4. He received a lifetime pass to all future games.
5. He received a great amount of money.

6. An ode was written to him by a poet.
7. A statue of him was put up in the public square.
8. His children were fed and educated at public expense.
9. He was exempt from all income taxes for life.

“Much to say” – adjective polus + noun logos = “much doctrine.”

Dull of hearing = you have been undisciplined concerning the perception and metabolization of Bible doctrine.

They have horizontal dependencies.

1CO 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2CO 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

PHI 2:1 Since therefore there is encouragement in Christ, since there is comfort from virtue-love, since there is fellowship of the Spirit, since there is tendernesses and compassions,

PHI 3:10 that I may come to know Him, and the power of [behind] His resurrection and the participation of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

PHM 1:6 and I pray that your fellowship with doctrine may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

1JO 1:3b indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

“Practice” – accusative singular feminine noun hexin = “habit.”

What are spiritual adults? They are people who cultivate habits.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama, Part 7. The baby wants the spectacular while the adult cultivates habits.

Thursday, June 3, 2004

Self-control – accusative singular feminine noun – enkrateian – e*gkravteian = self-discipline or self-control. Self-discipline and self-control are based upon humility, and are a manifestation of basic virtue.
Egkrateia = “organized life.”

“Much to say” – adjective polus + noun logos = “much doctrine to communicate.”

Is it difficult to explain because he is not advanced or prepared to communicate it?

It is difficult to explain because his congregation had become undisciplined and slow.

“Dull of hearing” = you have been undisciplined concerning the perception and metabolization of Bible doctrine.

When believers become undisciplined they become incapable of understanding advanced doctrine, and then they start yearning for the basics again.

They have horizontal dependencies.

This is a picture of a believer who has retrogressed back into spiritual infancy looking for a spiritual nursery to baby-sit them.

What characterizes these type of believers – they have horizontal dependencies which they have cultivated = they are more interested in fellowship with other believers than fellowship in the Word or learning doctrine.

1CO 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2CO 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

PHI 2:1 Since therefore there is encouragement in Christ, since there is comfort from virtue-love, since there is fellowship of the Spirit, since there is tendernesses and compassions,

PHI 3:10 that I may come to know Him, and the power of [behind] His resurrection and the participation of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

PHM 1:6 and I pray that your fellowship with doctrine may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

1JO 1:3b indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Practice – accusative singular feminine noun – hexin – e@xin = “habit.”

What are spiritual adults?
They are people who cultivate habits.

What kind of habits?
Perception, metabolization and application of Bible doctrine.

The baby wants the spectacular while the adult cultivates habits.

Just like the marching around Jericho for seven days resulted in the falling down of the walls because God said it would work, JOS 6:3.

If the believer cultivates spiritual habits on a daily basis it will bring in fantastic rewards and blessings.

ISA 5:20 They call evil good, and good evil; they substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; they substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

HEB 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the habit of some, but gathering together for the purpose of encouragement.”

JOH 4:23-24 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The authority that you have over your own life is your very own volition and your right of self-determination or self-control.

1TI 4:7-8 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Godliness is simply a lifestyle for the “spiritual” believer.
Why does it say to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness?

It requires self-control and organization to execute the PPOG even if you have Bible doctrine as your number 1 priority.

1TI 4:8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Exercise is used as an analogy to godliness because “exercise” requires self-control.

“Godliness” is the result of consistency in the perception of doctrine.

The one thing you have in this life as a believer which will be profitable for you for ever and ever and ever is “godliness or spiritual living.”

Self-control means:
a. Dedication
b. Commitment
c. Instruction
d. Discipline

1. Self-control
2. Assembling together
3. Concentrating on the teaching
4. Good manners
5. Silence
6. Not commenting
7. Not disturbing
8. Not moving-around
9. Objectivity
10. Persistence in spite of distraction.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama, part 8; The attitude of willing to be victorious, and the will to excel are the things that endure.

Friday, June 4, 2004

Perseverance – accusative singular feminine noun – hupomonen – u = patience, endurance, perseverance, or persistence.

In spite of opposition or distractions, you are someone who is not influenced by others.

Hupomone = courageous endurance in spite of all opposition.

The fourth member of the chorus = “consistency.”

1. Virtue (includes respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.

Endurance only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.

This word is used for the ability of the believer to persevere when being pressured, JAM 1:12.

JAM 1:12 Happy is the one who perseveres under trial: for once he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

LUK 8:15 – used for those believers who stick with doctrine in spite of all the pressure the kingdom of darkness tries to put on doctrinal believers.

The attitude of willing to be victorious, and the will to excel are the things that endure.

Trials, temptations, disappointments – all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly.

Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.

2CO 6:4 But in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

2PE 1:6 and in your knowledge, [gnosis – Biblical academic information] [epichoregeo], self-control, and in your self-control, [epichoregeo] perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness;

The fifth member of the chorus line – godliness – accusative singular feminine noun – eusebeian – eu*sevbeian = living the spiritual life.

Professor Gunther Bornkamm of Hiedelberg University defines eusebeia: “Christian faith and life, conduct in relationship to God, and manner of life.”

Professor Bornkamm –
“In the pastoral epistles, eusebeia denotes a particular manner of life.” “Eusebeia actually denotes the spiritual life of the believer.”

This spiritual life, eusebeia, only functions by epignosis or metabolized doctrine circulating in your soul.

1. Godliness is derived from EUSEBEIA which connotes the duty and responsibility of the royal priesthood to God under operation grace.

2. Godliness or the spiritual life is related to our Lord’s residence in the PPOG for His life, 1TI 3:16.

3. Godliness or the spiritual life refers to residence, function, and momentum inside of the PPOG for your life. This is synonymous with experiential sanctification.

4. 1TI 4:7-8 – godliness or the spiritual life is compared to physical exercise.

5. Godliness or the spiritual life is related to your perception of B.D. –
TIT 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the doctrine of those elected by God and the epignosis knowledge of doctrine which is pertaining to the spiritual life,

6. Godliness or what you do in the spiritual life is also indestructible, 2PE 3:11.

7. Godliness is the Christian way of life in the PPOG, 2PE 1:3.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek Drama. Part 9. Love that has virtue is love that loves for no personal reason.

Sunday, June 6, 2004

1. Virtue (includes respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.
5. Godliness – living the spiritual life.

Brotherly kindness – sixth member of the chorus line – accusative singular feminine noun – philadelphia -filadelfivan = brotherly love.

In the perception and metabolization of Bible doctrine, real impersonal love is developed = love for all believers; an objective, unbiased love that emphasizes the subject who is doing the loving rather than the object.

“I love you”

Once a believer metabolizes Bible doctrine, they will receive the power and the motivation to love God as well as believers.

MAR 3:21 And when His own family heard of this [that He claimed to be the Son of God], they went out to take custody of him; for they [members of His family] were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

JOH 7:5 For not even his brothers were believing in Him.

Per-act-ind – hestekasin = they have been waiting outside for Him for a long time.

TLJC taught that His followers are even closer to Him than His natural family and closest relatives.

1TI 2:4 He wills all men to be saved and to come to the epignosis knowledge of the truth.

Relationship with God must have priority over relationship with people.
Relationship with members of the royal family of God must have priority over relationship with family.

Personal love is minus virtue.

MAT 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?

Love that has virtue is love that loves for no personal reason.

Impersonal love requires virtue because the person doing the loving is loving from virtue within not reasons without.

Personal love is directed toward a few with whom you are compatible, while impersonal love is directed toward all. “I love you.”

Virtue is found in “impersonal love” and a person who has virtue also has a capacity for personal love.

ROM 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The only personal love that has any real virtue is personal love for God, which is the function of your royal priesthood.

Virtue love toward God is personal.
Virtue love toward man is impersonal.

Personal love toward God is the function of your royal priesthood.
Impersonal love toward man is the function of your royal ambassadorship.

“Brotherly love” is the function of your royal ambassadorship rather than your priesthood.
Your ambassadorship is your relationship with man.

The only way you can love mankind with virtue is to love all mankind.
This requires “impersonal love and virtue” in the one doing the loving.

In personal love toward God we have virtue as a priest.
In impersonal love for mankind we have virtue as an ambassador.

2CO 5:14 For the love for Christ motivates us.

The Stoics rejected Bible doctrine and biblical teaching but taught that God wants you to perform good deeds and have reverence toward Him.

You cannot love God from your priesthood unless you have metabolized doctrine.

Legalistic believers always persecute, yet they usually are very moral.

Those with “virtue love” tolerate and love the legalists.

1. This “brotherly love” or virtue love is how we fulfill the divine mandate –
MAR 12:31 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
2. This love is a love that “covers sins,” it does not repeat them, PRO 10:12; PRO 17:9, 1PE 4:8.

PRO 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
PRO 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
1PE 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

3. This “brotherly love” gives us the ability to fulfill MAT 5:41-42 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

GAL 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
GAL 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
GAL 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

4. This “brotherly love” causes us to treat one another as we would treat the Lord, MAT 25:34-40.

5. “Brotherly love” is a revelation to others that we are the students or disciples of the Lord,
JOH 13:13-15; JOH 13:34-35.

6. “Brotherly love” is revealed by an unselfish desire to lose one’s life, JOH 15:12-13.

7. Brotherly love is without hypocrisy and manifested by affection, ROM 12:9-10.

ROM 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

8. “Brotherly love” is not a love of independence or self-preservation,
GAL 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
EPH 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

9. This love is totally from divine power and not from human emotion,
1TH 3:11-12 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you;

10. This brotherly love is manifested by a relaxed mental attitude.
LUK 6:27-28 But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1. The Lord’s Supper is an examination as to where you stand with true Christian fellowship, not with people but with God.

1JO 1:3 “Indeed our fellowship is with the Father,”
1CO 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
2CO 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

2. The communion service is a test of your fellowship with the truth or Bible doctrine.
3. Ritual without reality is meaningless, therefore it is imperative that you understand the ritual you are about to partake of.

a. The bread speaks of the impeccability of the humanity of Christ and His qualification to go to the cross as the lamb without spot and without blemish.
b. The cup represents the salvation work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

4. Past failures or wrongs may have consequences, but the work of our Lord on the Cross is the constant reminder of our restoration and our Father’s love for us.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 10. Impersonal love is proclaimed the ultimate Christian virtue.

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Brotherly kindness – the sixth member of the chorus line – accusative singular feminine noun – philadelphiafiladelfivan = brotherly love; a system of thinking, not a feeling or emotion.

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

In place of mental attitude sins, brotherly love insures the serenity of mind that lays the foundation for toleration, flexibility, courtesy, and thoughtfulness of others.

Doctrine in the soul is the “raw material” from which the Holy Spirit manufactures the fruit of the Spirit.

If you are negative toward doctrinal teaching and refuse to store up God’s word in your soul, the filling of the Spirit will be rejected and the believer will lack the power or divine energy to love.

In the absence of doctrine the old sin nature dominates the inner spiritual conflict for control of the soul.

By giving doctrine number one priority in your life, you will rise above the pettiness that promotes mental attitude sins toward others.

JOH 13:1 having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

MAT 10:37-38 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

The growing believer’s impersonal love establishes his inner strength and separates him from people, organizations and activities that would clutter his mind with false concepts.

Verse 38 – taking up one’s cross occurs in the soul and it is mental separation from the influences of the cosmic system, Satan’s world.

1. Impersonal love emphasizes the subject; personal love depends on the attractiveness, capacity, and response of the one who is loved.

2. Impersonal love is a love that does not require intimacy, friendliness, or even acquaintance with the object of love.

3. “Brotherly love” = the consistent function of your own integrity toward other people.

JOH 13:13-15, “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for {so} I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet.For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

4. Personal love requires that you know the object with some degree of intimacy.

Phileo love (philadelphia) – personal love in the Bible is mentioned before agape love – impersonal love in the Bible.

1. You should be closer to some members of the Royal family (philadelphia love) than members of your own earthly family, MAT 12:46-50.

2. If you cannot love your fellow-believer whom you can see (with philadelphia love), you cannot love God whom you have not seen, 1JO 4:20.

3. If you do not love God then you cannot really love yourself properly, 1JO 4:19.

4. If you do not have love for yourself, you cannot love your neighbor, MAT 19:19.

1. You should be closer to some members of the Royal family (philadelphia love) than members of your own earthly family, MAT 12:46-50.
2. If you cannot love your fellow-believer whom you can see (with philadelphia love), you cannot love God whom you have not seen, 1JO 4:20.
3. If you do not love God then you cannot really love yourself properly, 1JO 4:19.
4. If you do not have love for yourself, you cannot love your neighbor, MAT 19:19.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 11. Personal love is designed for interaction with a few; impersonal love is designed to benifit the human race.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

The seventh member of the chorus line – accusative singular feminine noun – agapen – a*gavphn = impersonal love for all mankind.

Titus 3:2 “Speak evil of no one.”

1. Virtue (respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.
5. Godliness – living the spiritual life.
6. Brotherly love – love for members of the Royal family.
7. Agape love – impersonal love for all members of the human race.

1. Impersonal love emphasizes the subject; personal love depends on the attractiveness, capacity, and response of the one who is loved.

2. Impersonal love is a love that does not require intimacy, friendliness, or even acquaintance with the object of love.

3. “Brotherly love”= the consistent function of your own integrity toward other Christians, members of the Royal family. JOH 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

4. Personal love requires that you know the object with some degree of intimacy.

5. Phileo love (philadelphia) – personal love is mentioned before agape love – impersonal love, 2PE 1:7.

a. You should be closer to some members of the Royal family (philadelphia love) than members of your own earthly family, MAT 12:46-50.

b. If you cannot love your fellow-believer whom you can see (with philadelphia love), you cannot love God whom you have not seen, 1JO 4:20.

c. If you do not love God then you cannot really love yourself properly, 1JO 4:19.

d. If you do not have love for yourself, you cannot love your neighbor – agape love or impersonal love for all mankind, MAT 19:19.

6. Only a few people qualify as objects of your personal love whereas all mankind are to be the objects of your “impersonal love,” MAT 5:43, LUK 6:20-38.

7. Personal love is designed for interaction with a few.
Impersonal love is designed to benefit the human race.

8. Personal love creates weaknesses – you bring your own problems into any personal relationship, as well as the problems of the one you love.

9. Personal love is never stronger than the integrity of those involved in the personal relationship. Impersonal love is the integrity that alone can strengthen and stabilize personal love.

10. Personal love may lead to compromise the norms and standards and values of the individual.

11. In 1CO 13:13, impersonal love is proclaimed the ultimate Christian virtue.

Agape love does not think with evil thoughts, 1CO 13:5.

12. Personal love is legitimate and potentially wonderful, but it is virtue-dependent, hinging on the virtue of impersonal love which represents the highest degree of integrity the soul can attain.

13. “Impersonal love” produces independence.

14. Impersonal love does not depend on emotional stimulation or attraction.

1JO 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 12. The policy of impersonal love is simple “integrity toward all.”.

Friday, June 11, 2004

1. There must be personal love for God, called agape – a love based upon thought, understanding the thoughts of God.

2. Once personal love for God is cultivated then love for self or spiritual self-esteem is produced.

3. Once a believer has love for self, he can now develop personal love for members of the Royal Family with impersonal love as the foundation and strength of his personal love.

4. This will then lead you to the most difficult and yet most powerful love you can have – impersonal love for all mankind.

JOH 13:34-35

This love requires the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit enabling the believer to love – impossible with man, but possible with God.

It must be impersonal because some Christians are admirable while others are among the most arrogant self-righteous, obnoxious, people on the face of the earth.

MAT 25:40 “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, {even} the least {of them,} you did it to Me.”

The only love you can possess for most individuals is based not on their weaknesses or incompatibility with you, but on the strength of your own character.

It will be manifested by courtesy, thoughtfulness, sensitivity to the feelings of others, including tolerance and flexibility in non-essential areas of disagreement or dispute.

ROM 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

The policy of impersonal love = “integrity toward all.”

The key to this virtue-love is when you as a believer priest have personal love for God for that is where real virtue begins.

It is only “personal love for God” that will ever develop the “inexpressible happiness” of 1PE 1:8.

Reacting in life = the result of preoccupation with self.

Happiness depends upon virtue manufactured from your personal love for God.

This “love” manifests itself by the integrity of the subject exceeding the repulsiveness and obnoxiousness of the object.

1. Virtue (respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.
5. Godliness – living the spiritual life.
6. Brotherly love – love for members of the Royal Family.
7. Agape love – impersonal love for all members of the human race.

“To be” – “are yours” – pres-act-part – huparchoo = to keep on existing or to keep on being present, to be present or at hand, or to be ready for action.

Pres-act-part – pleanazo = to keep increasing, or to keep on existing in abundance, or superabound.

“They render” – pres-act-ind – kathistemi = to prevent.
The dramatic chorus line will prevent you from being neither useless (ineffective) nor unfruitful (unproductive).

Kathistemi – futuristic present tense = if the dramatic seven chorus line is presently in you it will lead you to a future action – you will neither be useless nor unfruitful.

Comedy has to do with succeeding, prosperity, and having a RMA.
Tragedy has to do with handling the adversities, difficulties, or the disasters of life.

Active voice – kathistemi = the dramatic seven chorus line produces the action of the verb – to prevent you from being useless and unfruitful.

Indicative mood = a dogmatic statement of fact.

Useless – adjective – argous – a*rgouV” = lazy, inefficient, inactive, careless, indifferent, apathetic; to shun the labor which one ought to perform – a procrastinator.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 13. What the dramatic chorus line will accomplish in your life.

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Quality – demonstrative pronoun tauta – tauta = the qualities or the virtues mentioned in verses 5-7.

1. Virtue (respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.
5. Godliness – living the spiritual life.
6. Brotherly love – love for members of the Royal Family.
7. Agape love – impersonal love for all members of the human race.

2PE 1:8 For if these qualities keep on being present within you and keep on increasing,

They render – pres-act-ind – kathistemi = to prevent.
The dramatic chorus line will prevent you from being neither useless (ineffective) nor unfruitful (unproductive).

Useless – adjective – argous – a*rgouV” = lazy, inefficient, inactive, careless, indifferent, apathetic; to shun the labor which one ought to perform – a procrastinator.

Unfruitful – accusative plural adjective – akarpous – a*kavrpou” = unproductive, without fruit, contributing nothing to the instruction, improvement, or comfort of others.

1CO 14:14 – to contribute nothing to the support and comfort of others.

MAT 13:22 – the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches cause the believer to become unfruitful.

MAT 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

JUD 1:12 – those who are minus water or Bible doctrine are those considered to be akarpos – without fruit.

If you cannot take doctrine in and apply it to your personal life you will never be spiritually self-sustaining and therefore you will be inefficient.

MAT 6:21 for where your treasure [money] is, there will your heart be also.

“In the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” – prepositional phrase – eis + accusative of epignosis – eis epignosin – ei*” e*pivgnwsin = metabolized doctrine.

Your whole Christian life centers around how much knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ you have.

Metabolized doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ gives the believer the proper motivation to live.

Motivational virtue, love for God, must precede production and Christian service.

Otherwise, the believer’s production is wood, hay, and straw and will be burned up as useless and unfruitful works at the judgment seat of Christ, 1CO 3:11-15.

Personality conflicts and policy conflicts are all resolved by the same factor – occupation with TLJC.

As a royal priest you have motivational virtue toward God.
As a royal ambassador you have motivational virtue toward man.

Metabolized doctrine produces virtue.
Virtue produces proper motivation.
Proper motivation produces Christian service.

To lack – pres-act ind – parestin + negative me – mhV pavrestin = if these qualities are not near, or are not present, have not been stored up, or have failed to develop.

Blind – nominative singular adjective tuphlos – tuflov” = blind in the sense of blindness in the soul or blackout of the soul.

He is blinded by either arrogance or animosity toward doctrine.
Or he is blinded by indifference or apathy toward doctrine.

In the first system arrogance blinds him.
In the second system animosity toward truth blinds him.

The target of Satan’s first system is the believer’s ego resulting in pre-occupation with self to the exclusion of reality, ISA 14:12-14.

The target of Satan’s second system is truth or Bible doctrine resulting in antagonism toward Christ, His body, and doctrine itself.

One system emphasizes self over God.

The other system emphasizes human viewpoint over divine viewpoint.

One system was developed by Satan before the human race – living for “self rather than God.”
The other system was developed by Satan at the fall of the human race – human viewpoint over divine viewpoint.

Tuphlos – blind = mental blindness.
Tuphlos comes from “tuphoo” = to have a head full of smoke or to be inflated with pride.

1JO 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

TLJC – “those who were blind were those who cleaned up the outside but not the thought pattern,” MAT 15:1-20.

MAT 23:24 – the mentally blind “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.”

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 14. All believers are to be motivated by the calling of God and the election of God.

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Short-sighted – pres-act-part – muopazon – muwpavzwn = to be near-sighted, to see dimly, to shut the eyes willingly, to see only what is near, to be carnally or earthly-minded.

Muopazo = to be extremely limited in one’s understanding, to fail to understand the real meaning of life, being so limited in understanding as to not comprehend one’s real purpose in life.

Purification – genitive singular noun – katharismou – kaqarismou = two categories of cleansing.
a. Initial cleansing from sin – at the cross where all of our sins were judged. When we believed on TLJC, ACT 16:31, all of our past sins up to salvation were completely blotted out and forgiven, ISA 43:25, ISA 44:22.

b. Once we commit sins after salvation we name and cite them, 1JO 1:9, and are completely cleansed experientially and brought back into fellowship.

“More diligent” – adverb – mallon – mallon + aor-act-imp – spoudasate – spoudavsate = making every effort or being motivated even more.
Mallon = more than or much more.

2TI 2:15 “Study to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

Spoudazo = to be eager and motivated about something and therefore applying oneself to a task with diligence.

Spoudazo = to be serious about something, being busy at doing something, paying attention to something, being zealous and eager.

The most common meaning of spoudazo = “to do one’s best.”

The motivation comes from being “aware” of the PPOG, your personal sense of destiny or very own drama, the angelic conflict, the distribution of your fantastic blessings, etc.

“Make” – pres-mid-inf – poieisthai – poieisqai = to make, to produce, to work, to accomplish, to perform.

MAT 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

EPH 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1TI 2:10 but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to spirituality.

1TI 5:10 having a reputation for good works; she has shown hospitality to strangers, she has washed the saints’ feet, she has assisted those in distress, {and} she has devoted herself to every good work.

1TI 6:18 Instruct them to give graciously, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

EPH 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service,

COL 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2TI 2:21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things [cosmic involvement], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

MAT 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.”

TIT 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.

TIT 2:14 He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

TIT 3:14 And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

“Make certain” – accusative singular feminine noun bebaian – bebaivan = to be firm, steadfast, sure, well-grounded, unwavering toward something.

It is the will of God that all believers are motivated by two doctrines, verse 10 – the calling of God, the election of God.

When these doctrines become a spiritual reality through the function of EPH 4:23, that you be renewed in the breathing of your soul, then you will have great motivation.

“Calling” – accusative singular direct object -noun – klesin = calling, invitation, or a legal summons.

Klesis – “calling” = the divine invitation to embrace not only salvation but the plan of God and your personal sense of destiny resulting in the execution of your distinctive individual drama.

1CO 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;

ROM 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Definite article toi – toi” + adjective kletois – klhtoi”= the “called” ones.

1. Rationalism
2. Empiricism
3. Faith. The merit of faith is in the object.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 15. The divine invitation to participate in the greatest victory ever won.

Friday, June 18, 2004

“Calling” – accusative singular direct object – noun – klesin = calling, invitation, or a legal summons.

Klesis – calling = the divine invitation to embrace not only salvation but the plan of God and your personal sense of destiny resulting in the execution of your distinctive individual drama.

You have been invited by God to obtain eternal salvation and to have the privilege of bringing glory to Him through the execution of your very own personal drama in the midst of the angelic conflict.

1. Rationalism
2. Empiricism
3. Faith

The merit of faith is in the object.

The spiritually dead person can make legitimate decisions to listen to the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ, but these positive decisions which originate from spiritual death have no ability apart from the ministry of God the Holy Spirit.

Pre-salvation grace or common grace.

a. Common grace – the Gospel is presented and made understandable.
b. The divine call – the personal invitation to believe on TLJC.
c. Efficacious grace – the unbeliever’s faith is made effectual.

There is an invitation which is called in the New Testament, “the calling of God.”

ROM 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

God does not revoke His call because He knows that some will not respond to His invitation.

1. Common grace – the H.S. makes the Gospel understandable.
2. Divine call – the invitation of God the Father to believe in TLJC.
3. Efficacious grace – the H.S. making faith alone in Jesus Christ effective for salvation.

2CO 6:2 – quoted from ISA 49:8 – is an evangelistic concept that goes back to the Old Testament.

There is an acceptance that takes place before salvation but that acceptance is accepting the information that God the Holy Spirit has presented concerning TLJC and how to be saved.

If a person receives the information, he still does not have the faith to believe and therefore God the Holy Spirit takes the faith of the spiritually dead person and makes it effectual.

JOH 1:12 But as many as received Him [the information concerning TLJC], to them He gave the right to become[in the future] children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name,

EPH 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that [grace, salvation, faith] not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

The spiritual death of mankind makes it necessary for the grace of God to function on our behalf.

In the function of common grace, the Holy Spirit acts as a human spirit so that those who are spiritually dead may be enlightened on one subject only, the Gospel.

Once understood, the next step in the invitation is from God the Father, He invites you through your understanding of the Gospel, to believe in Christ.

a. The invitation of God the Father to believe in Jesus Christ. b. The election of the believer.

Make – pres-mid-inf – poieo = to do, to make your calling and election sure.

Motivation and progressive changes are two principles that go together.

Many people lack motivation because they have nothing in the soul to make life interesting.

HEB 11:25 – they choose to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 16. The great character trait called “contentment” is the basis for all happiness in life. .

Sunday, June 20, 2004

1. Virtue (respect, loyalty, devotion).
2. Knowledge – perception of doctrine.
3. Self-control – organized life.
4. Perseverance – endurance or consistency.
5. Godliness – living the spiritual life.
6. Brotherly love – love for members of the Royal Family.
7. Agape love – impersonal love for all members of the human race.

“Choosing” – “Therefore, brethren, be motivated even more to make your calling and election a spiritual reality.”

a. The invitation of God the Father to believe in Jesus Christ.
b. The election of the believer.

Motivation and progressive changes are two principles that go together.

They do not realize the calling of God upon their life or the divine invitation to participate in the greatest victory ever won.

They can move from “drug stimulation” or “lust stimulation” to alcohol and substance abuse, but these things have no fulfilling and lasting gratification.

HEB 11:25 – they choose to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

Turn to JAM 1:14

One out of every 5 people have mental problems.

“Lack of motivation” causes people to quit in life and even die in some cases.

As a substitute for motivation they accept some form of artificial cheap stimulation.

They are going to have that great character trait called “contentment,” which is the basis for all happiness in life.

One of the definitions of a zombie is a “will-less” person.

Without motivation there is no progressive change, no enthusiasm.

The calling of God upon your life or the divine invitation to participate in the greatest victory ever won.

Turn to JAM 4:13

“Most of the good times people have do not carry them in times of disaster.”

Turn to ECC 6:12

HOS 8:7-8 For they sow the wind, And they reap the whirlwind. Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies.

If you are in fellowship with Him, He will prepare you for the future as a loving father tries to prepare his children.

No one is able to discern what is coming after the situation in which he now finds himself in.

Why should a person make extensive preparations along one line ­ like acquiring wealth and riches – if he has absolutely no knowledge of what the future holds?

He may require strength of character, but all he has is a strong fortune.

He may need the certainty of divine hope and confidence, but his hope is built on the uncertainty of riches.

The difference between those who can stand the rain, the floods, the winds and those who cannot is because one group applied what they heard, the other group did not.

Solomon learned this lesson the hard way; rather than listen to God’s command not to associate with foreign women, Solomon disobeyed by marrying many non-Israelites who eventually turned his devotion away from the Lord, 1KI 11:1-4.

God disciplined him by raising up foreign adversaries who brought much turmoil to his final years as Israel’s ruler (1Ki 11).

ECC 2:17-18, So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

2PE 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be motivated even more to make certain about His calling and election;

PRO 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it {flow} the springs of life.

PRO 23:26 Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.

The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The illustration of virtue in Greek drama. Part 17. The hope of your calling.

Wednesday, June 30, 2004

“Therefore, brethren, be motivated even more to make your calling and election a spiritual reality.”

You have been called or invited by God. It is an invitation whereby grace can change you.

The call of God describes the mechanics of salvation and the beginning of realizing the calling of God upon your life, or the divine invitation to participate in the greatest victory ever won.

MAT 11:28 TLJC said “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

“Come to me” – “come” = believing upon TLJC not asking Him to come to you.

We do not invite TLJC into our heart –
JER 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

Instead of faith, some propose substitutes like inviting Christ into your life.

EPH 4:22 The old self is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,

In the call of God, the invitation is from God to us not from us to God.

ROM 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

1TH 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

When you respond to the invitation and believe in Christ, God provides for you everything that you need in salvation.

a. The invitation of God the Father to believe in Jesus Christ.
b. The election of the believer where the unique equality factor of the Church-age takes place.

Once the Gospel is presented the invitation from God the Father is given to the spiritually dead person to believe in Jesus Christ.

The “calling of God” is irrevocable – even though God knows who is going to respond and who is not, He still sends out the invitation = the doctrine of the unlimited atonement.

The calling of God – broke the silence between God and man.

1CO 1:26 – “consider your calling.”
You should think about and consider the calling of God upon your life or the privilege of receiving the divine invitation to participate in the greatest victory ever won.

2CO 5:16-17 Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

2CO 5:17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

The issue is you are a new creature in Christ, and the main issue now is your spiritual life.

2PE 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

GAL 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.

The “hope of your calling” is the absolute confidence that when you believe in Jesus Christ you have eternal life and tremendous blessings designed personally for you by God in eternity past.