The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:10-11

I have read through Ephesians many times and I have covered it with highlighter, but Paul's last statements have to be my favorite. This conclusion is like most, it gives you the takeaway. Paul tells us if we remember nothing else, we should remember to be strong in the Lord.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:12-17

The conclusion of Ephesians is packed with information. It's easy to lose sight of Paul's purpose of in writing this.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Our war is not against people, this world, or anything we can see...it's against Satan and his demons. With that in mind, let's look at how to fight the devil

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

What was the purpose of the belt?
The belt is very important, it holds your scabbard and any of your weapons. If you forget your belt, you would also leave behind your weapon.

with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

What was the purpose of the breastplate?
The breastplate protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Without a breastplate, any attack could become fatal, but with a firm breastplate, those same attacks can be ineffective.

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

What was the purpose of the shoes?
A soldier needs shoes. Battle can create debris. Even pebbles and twigs can be painful to the barefoot.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

What was the purpose of the shield?
Shields in the Roman army were three and a half feet tall and nearly three feet wide. This would offer a lot of protection from enemies.

Take the helmet of salvation

What was the purpose of the helmet?
The helmet protects the head from attacks

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

What was the purpose of the sword?
The sword is the only thing Paul lists that can be used offensively. Without a sword, we are just well-armored moving targets.

The bible is the only offensive weapon given to us. That is why it is vital to use the bible when you trying to convert a nonchristian. You must fight for people with your sword, armor in place.

-Ruth

Sources
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-belt-of-truth.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-breasplate-of-righteousness.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shoes-of-preparation-gospel-of-peace.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-shield-of-faith.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-helmet-of-salvation.htm
http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/bible-teachings/armor-of-god-sword-of-spirit-word.htm

Photo Credit:
http://bloggingwithjames.jamesduncan-writer.net/2011/09/27/warriors-in-armor/

God Provides

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

These are some pretty powerful words. God equips us to do whatever we need to do. Equip means to provide whatever is needed for use or for any undertaking. 

This is the authors conclusion, and that's because he wants to leave the Hebrews with an outstanding promise from God. He wants them to know that God will provide, that even when you feel like giving up, God will provide.

We should also desire to be equipped

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

1 Kings 3:9

This is were Solomon asks God for wisdom. God was so pleased with his request that he gave more than just wisdom, he gave him glory and wealth. If we desire to have wisdom and desire to be equipped, God will equip you and he will give you wisdom (James 1:5)

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

James 4:6

If you are humble enough to tell God you need his help, he will show you favor.

God is willing to equip us, but the question is will you let him?

You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

Acts 7:51

Do not quench the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

These three verses tell us the we can resist, quench, and grieve the Holy Spirit. So while we are equipped to do anything God wants us to do, the choice is ours. Knowing that God has taken the time to prepare you for life, how could you resist him?

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Ephesians 4:11-14

Sources:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/dbdbg/view.cfm
http://preceptaustin.org/hebrews_1320-21.htm
http://www.celebrationchurchlive.com/2012/06/08/god-equips-the-called/

Photo Credit:
http://sacredsharingsforthesoul.blogspot.com/2013/02/all-things-through-christ-by-cc.html

Prayer

I've been doing a study on prayer (and how God wants us to pray) for a few days, and I am going to share what I found out about prayer.

Preparation:

• Pray alone. (Mathew 6:6; Mathew 14:23)

I am not saying group prayer are wrong, the bible actually does encourage it (Mathew 18:20). What I mean by this point is that the group prayer should not be the only praying you do. While group prayers are good, you also need some time to talk with just God.

• Awareness (Romans 8:26-27)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Be aware that you prayers are never going to be the way God wants them to be (We don't even know what should pray about). Just be aware of the fact that you can't pray in the right way.

What does God look for in Prayer?

• Heartfelt reverence (Hebrews 5:7)

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Hebrews 5:7-9

• Emotion (Hebrews 5:7)
• Praise (Mathew 6:9; Luke 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:12)
• A humble spirit (Proverbs 28:9; Mathew 6:7-8)
• Boldness and Persistence (Luke 11:8; Hebrews 5:7)
• Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:13)
• Admitting your needs and the needs of others (Luke 11:3-4; Mathew 6:11-12; James 5:13; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18) 
• Asking for strength when your tempted. (Luke 11:4; Mathew 6:13)
• Prayer for your enemies (Mathew 5:44)

Conclusion:

God wants us to pray all the time! (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

2 Peter: Wallowing in the Mud (Part 5)

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;
5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)--
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
2 Peter 2:4-9

This is a clear theme of scripture, God does not tolerate sin and unrepentant soul. God punishes those who rebel against him, but he rescues those who look to him.
Are the fallen angels (verse 4) in jail waiting for their punishment, or are they in a different kind of prison? These fallen angels may be demons (Eph. 6:12) and have been banished from heaven like Satan (Isaiah 14:12-18; Luke 10:18; Ezekiel 28:13-19) where they now dwells in the earth, or are they in legitimate prison cell?
But that's not the point of this passage. The point is that God will punish the ungodly, and you don't want to be ungodly when he unleashes his final punishment (the end of the world).

10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;
11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.
12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
2 Peter 2:10-13

*“Pleasure” can, of course, be a neutral or even positive thing; God has himself created many things to give his people pleasure. But the Greek word here for “pleasure,” hedone, is the word from which we derive “hedonist,” one who lives for only pleasure. The Greeks numbered this kind of pleasure among their four “deadly sins,” sometimes contrasting it with reason*
Taken From: http://www.gracepointdevotions.org/2010/10/04/2-peter-2-commentary/

14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed brood!
15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.
17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
2 Peter 2:14-17

Balaam (Number 22-24) was greedy and followed money instead of God.  Balaam also taught immorality (Nu 31:16; Rev 2:14). So the false teachers have left the biblical way and have gone into Balaam’s errors, greed and impurity.

18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
2 Peter 2:18-19

They promise freedom, perhaps from any law or restraint of the flesh. Yet, Peter says, the very ones who speak of freedom are “slaves of depravity–for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” This is a perfect example of what Jesus has said: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). So though the false teachers talk of religion and freedom, they do not know the Son; for as Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.
21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 2:20-21

Verse 20 mentions the possibility of reverting to the old ways after having “escaped the corruptions of the world” through knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Is it possible, then, for Christians to lose their salvation? Many would answer affirmatively on the basis of this and similar texts (For example: Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrew 10:26).  But this verse asserts only that false teachers who have for a time escaped from worldly corruption through knowing Christ and then turn away from the light of the Christian faith are worse off than they were before knowing Christ.

22 Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
2 Peter 2:22

The easiest thing to do is lay in you mud, especially when you've just been cleaned. The hardest thing is to be strong and let your shiny new look remain.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Proverbs 26:11

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Photo Credit:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pig-dung-spread-around-drugs-188139

Sources:
http://www.gracepointdevotions.org/2010/10/04/2-peter-2-commentary/

http://www.gotquestions.org/Lucifer-Satan.html

Baptism

These are the main verses used by people to say baptism IS needed for salvation

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 3:21

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:4

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

This verse is often used to say that baptism is part of salvation, but we know from other scriptures that it is not, lest there be a contradiction.  What is going on here is simply that repentance and forgiveness of sins are connected.  In the Greek, "repent" is in the plural and so is "your" of "your sins."  They are meant to be understood as being related to each other.  It is like saying, "All of you repent, each of you get baptized, and all of you will receive forgiveness."

Taken from: http://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Matthew 3:11

I'll start with the big verse that says baptism isn't needed for salvation. This one pretty much says it all. These are clips from John three. So a Pharisee comes to Jesus and Jesus explain how to become a Christian.

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

John 3:3-6

If you just look at verses 5, you could say Jesus said baptism is needed for salvation,  but quite the opposite is true The following verse says "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." 

And then Jesus said:

that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.

John 3:15; 18; 36

3 verses uttered by Jesus say "Faith only"

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Baptism is a work.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Roman 4:1-11

Circumcision was the old testaments version of baptism. Faith is simple, and yet so incredibly complicated. All you have to do is believe. You don't need to be baptized or circumcised. Those are symbols. You just have to believe.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:3-8

Baptism is a symbol of being one with Christ.

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatians 3:27

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:13

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 23:39-43

This man was not baptized, and he is in heaven.

And then there's Acts 10.The holy spirit came upon Cornelius (Romans 8:9, 1 John 3:24) and his household and THEN they where baptized.

Baptism is clearly a symbol of faith, and not a part of it. If you believe baptism is necessary for faith, then you must ignore numerous passages that state otherwise.

Sources:

http://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation

http://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html

Photo Credit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus-army-baptism.jpg

Mercy and Grace

One thing that took me a while to tell the difference between is mercy and grace. I always thought that they where synonyms, but they sure are not.
So first, I'll start with mercy. If you show mercy, then you're NOT doing what someone deserves.
Now I'll do grace. If you show grace, then your're doing MORE what someone deserves.

God saved us by grace and through mercy.

For it is by grace you have been saved
Ephesians 2:8a

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:5a

Here is one of the only verses that is about both grace and mercy.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

In the case of salvation, God has to show us both mercy AND grace. Mercy because, as Christians, we are not going to hell. And grace because, as Christians, we are going to heaven.
And, even after that, God shows grace by blessing us and mercy by forgiving us

But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Nehemiah 9:31

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalms 103:8

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Romans 9:14-21

God made us. God is free to be gracious and merciful.

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?
Isaiah 45:9

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"?
Isaiah 29:15-16

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 2:12-13

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 1:21

Forgiveness: MY thoughts

Forgiveness is an interesting topic, and it is the one I have chosen today. I spend several hours debating with my family over what I though forgiveness was. And I'm going to tell you MY interpretation of what the bible says about forgiveness.
I have been told to forgive as God forgave me...So how does God forgive, anyway?

declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Jeremiah 31:34b 

Forgiving isn't being able to have amnesia, but rather when you forgive someone, your saying that you will not dwell on their sin or bring it up. God doesn't hold our sins against us after we've been forgiven.

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalms 103:12

God removes sin from us, it completely takes it away. But I haven't yet got to the part that I had an argument about, I'm stilling getting there. I just need to make sure everyone understands that. Let me ask you this: 

When does God forgive us? When we ask for it.

So does that mean we forgive other WHEN THEY ASK FOR IT?

So am I saying you can be angry and bitter until forgiveness is asked? NO WAY!

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

You get ride of bitterness, anger, and rage BEFORE you forgive. These two verses say we should...

1. get ride of sin
2. be compassionate
3. forgive

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

Ephesians 4:26

So you CAN be angry (Jesus was) but you must not sin and you must no dwell on why you are angry. So, now, here's back to what God does.

God, the perfect one, does not forgive until we confess, or ask for forgiveness

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

So when WE ask, he WILL forgive. BUT he doesn't forgive us UNTIL we ask. Were suppose to forgive like God, right? So that means that we shouldn't forgive UNTIL the person who wronged us asks for forgiveness...RIGHT?

One thing my mom said was that we we are not God (I agree) and we shouln't forgive like him (I disagree, Note Luke 17:3-4)

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Luke 17:3-4

Jesus says "If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." 
Jesus, the perfect son of God, says that IF HE SAYS 'I REPENT' YOU SHOULD FORGIVE

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Mathew 18:15-16

If you forgive someone before they repent, you cannot rebuke him or her. This is why Jesus says not to have unconditional forgiveness.
My family brought these two verses to my attention:

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Luke 23:24

Was Jesus sinning? Was Stephen sinning? No, and no.
Neither Jesus or Stephen said "I forgive them" they said "God, forgive them." I MY OPINION these two where saying, God, do not hold this against them. (Stephen was saying that, but that's what I THINK Jesus was saying as well). Jesus did not sin, but he was ready to forgive the men who killed him, as was Stephen and, had they asked for forgiveness, I think Jesus would have also said "Father, I forgive them."

Here's a summary of all this:

1. Forgive like God forgives
2. When you forgive, you are saying that you will not bring up the offenders sins anymore
3. God forgives us when we repent
4. We should forgive others when they repent
5. If someone sins, you should talk to them alone and show them how they have sinned

Anything I said that was not clearly stated in a bible verse is MY OPINION I tried to make it clear what was my thought and what is God's word.

-Ruth

It's Not You!

The verse Epesians 2:8-9 is a verse that tells people how to become a christian, but I want to point out a few words.


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.


I just want to point out that your are a christian not by works, but by grace. God says that twice in this passage through Paul. 2 times. It must be important.


For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:3


Paul wrote both of these verses because Paul knew without a doubt that his faith was not of himself. Paul was once known as Saul. He killed Christians and watched them be stoned, but was miraculously converted to a christian by God. Paul knew that all he was was not of himself because if he had not seen Jesus, the light, then would probably be killing Christians all of his life. This is not of yourself. This is what Paul was sure to tell to those from Roman and Ephesus. He probably told this to other places he visited, maybe even by mouth. But Paul was sure of it. 
Maybe you experienced something like Paul were your eyes were opened, or maybe you came into God's family in a more "basic" way. (Basic in quotation marks because no matter how you became a Christian, God sees it all the same) But anyway, maybe you came into God's family in a more "basic" way, it doesn't matter...you should be aware that IT'S NOT YOU! 

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought!

The Unfamiliar Judges: Conclusion

While I was reading through Judges, I noticed that animals are used for symbols and by digging deeper into the scripture and Googling stuff, I found that ordinary peopled used ordinary thing to do extraordinary things. Like Samson! He did some messed up things even while he was serving God and God forgave him. He married people that he wasn't suppose to and when when he was tied up and trapped in his sin, God gave him last chance and he ended up killing himself to finish the work he was called to do. The people in the bible where not out of the ordinary, but God still used them. Time and time again, God demonstrates his love for us, killing his son being the biggest example. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) And God is and always will be the same! God used ordinary people 1,000's of years ago and he still does today. I think that message is said time and time again in Judges.  

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:11-12

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Ephesians 4:17-32

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.