His Word Today

⁹ “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” ¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry” (Matthew 19:9–10 (ESV).  

Like His statements in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus invoked His own sovereign authority in today’s text. He correctly interpreted Deuteronomy 24:1-4, wherein He recognized the biblical authority of the Old Testament. He then heralded an additional truth: “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”  

Sexual immorality (πορνεία; porneia) refers to fornication or any and all sexual sins violating God’s institution of marriage (Gen.1:27; 2:18-25). Therefore, any sexual behavior that is not consensually between a binary heterosexual husband and his wife is sexual immorality. This includes such behavior as pre-marital sex, adultery, rape, child molestation, homosexuality, bestiality, pornography, etc.   

“Immorality is a term that encompasses all sorts of sexual sins. Both here and in Matthew 5:32, Jesus includes this “exception clause,” clearly permitting the innocent party in such a divorce to remarry without incurring the stigma of one who “commits adultery,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

However, even with the exception clause in place, divorce should always remain a last resort between couples and never a first option. The ultimate goal in any marriage is to remain married until death (Romans 7:1-3).

Is there another exception clause providing for the possibility of a biblical divorce? I Corinthians 7:12-16 provides a second scenario for a biblical divorce.

1 Corinthians 7:12–16 (ESV) says, “¹² To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. ¹³ If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”

Within a marriage, if one of the spouses is an unbeliever and both individuals agree to remain married, they should remain married. This is because the believing spouse is a witness of the Gospel before the unbelieving spouse (I Peter 3:1-6). However, if the unbelieving spouse leaves the marriage, the believing spouse is no longer under the bondage of the marriage vows. They are free to marry another in the eyes of God.

“When the bond is broken in any of those ways, a Christian is free to marry another believer. Throughout Scripture, whenever legitimate divorce occurs, remarriage is assumed. When divorce is permitted, so is remarriage. By implication, the permission for a widow to remarry (1 Cor. 7:39–40; Rom. 7:3) because the “bond” is broken, extends to this case where there is no more bondage,” continues Dr. MacArthur.

“Some may have been reluctant to let go of their unsaved spouse, who wanted out and was creating discord in the home—thinking they could evangelize the spouse by hanging on for the purpose of seeing that one converted. Paul says there are no such assurances and it is better to divorce and be at peace (v. 15), if the unsaved partner wants to end the marriage that way.”

“Our emotions can get in the way of biblical decision-making. We therefore need an outside perspective to help us discern how to deal with troubled relationships. Pastors and elders, who are called to look out for our spiritual well-being, must deal wisely with troubled couples, considering the situation in order to apply God’s Word correctly. Life-changing decisions cannot be made independently, they must be made within the church,” concludes Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁷ “They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” ⁸ He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. (Matthew 19:7–8 (ESV)

“It is one thing to say to a man, ‘If you don’t like your wife, go right ahead and divorce her.’ It is an entirely different matter to say, ‘If you are convinced that you have a good reason to reject your wife, you must at least provide her with a bill of divorce.’ Besides, you better carefully consider what you are about to do; for if you subsequently regret what you have done it may very well be impossible for you to regain what you have lost.” – Dr. William Hendriksen

The Pharisees’ question to Jesus concerning divorce did not cease with His initial answer (Matt. 19:3-6). They did not respond with silence, but rather with a follow-up question. “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?”

The Pharisees referred to Deuteronomy 24:1-4. As usual, they did not properly interpret the Old Testament text. Jesus responded by saying, ““Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.”  

Jesus made an important observation. Moses did not command people to get a divorce for any and all reasons. Rather, he allowed them to do so within specific guidelines within the Law of God. The word allowed (ἐπιτρέπω; epitrepo) means to permit or to give permission.

The only reason Jesu gave for this permission was because of the hardness of the people’s heart; their thinking, emotions and will. Hardness of heart (σκληροκαρδία; sklerokardia) means to be completely unyielding and stubborn. This supports the fact that divorce is only a last resort response to hard-heartedness between couples.

“Moses had done everything in his power to discourage divorce. It was only because of the stubbornness of the people that Moses had made a concession! In this concession of Deut. 24 the Pharisees are far more interested than in the institution of Gen. 1:27; 2:24. So Jesus points back once more to the original marriage ordinance, that is, to the way it had been “from the beginning,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

Malachi 2:13–16 (NASB95) says, ¹³ “This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. ¹⁴ “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. ¹⁵ “But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. ¹⁶ “For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously.”

Let all of us who have understanding apply God’s Word in our minds, emotions and wills. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

³ “And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” ⁴ He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, ⁵ and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? ⁶ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:3–6 (ESV)

Returning to our study in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus traveled into Judea from the northern region of Galilee (Matt. 19:1-2). His Galilean Ministry was completed. It is in this extended discourse (Matt.19:3-20:16) that Matthew recorded Jesus’ various encounters with people and teaching opportunities. Large crowds followed Him. He also healed many individuals.

The first teachable moment occurred with the subject of divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:3-12). The discussion began when the Pharisees came up to Jesus to test Him, as they often did ((Matt. 12:1–14; 15:1–20). To test (πειράζω; periazo) means to explore or to prove. The Pharisees did not want biblical answers to their questions. Rather, they wanted to trap Jesus in His biblical responses to their questions.

Their question was, ““Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” The phrase “is it lawful” (ἔξεστιν; exestin) means to have authorization or permission. The Pharisees repeatedly asked Jesus if there was authorization for a man to divorce his wife for any and all reasons, charges and accusations? For example, there were some who taught that if a wife broke a dish, a husband would have sufficient grounds to divorce her.

“A hotly debated difference of opinion existed between the rabbis Shammai and Hillel (both near-contemporaries of Christ). The Shammaites interpreted the law rigidly, and permitted a man to divorce his wife only if she was guilty of sexual immorality. The Hillelites took a wholly pragmatic approach, and permitted a man to divorce his wife indiscriminately,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

However, a wife was not permitted to divorce her husband for even biblical reasons. She could not initiate divorce proceedings. This reveals a discriminatory and hypocritical culture existing at this time.

Jesus’ answer was both biblical and direct. “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” Jesus quoted from Genesis 1:27. This not only indicates Jesus recognition the Old Testament was biblical authority, but also that is was relevant in addressing social and moral issues. Jesus also affirmed the validity of heterosexual marriage to be solely between a binary male and a binary female. The Old Testament remains relevant today.

Jesus also said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? This biblical reference is from Genesis 2:24.

Jesus then said, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” To separate (χωρίζω; chorizo) means to divide what was previously joined or coupled.

“The marital relationship was established as the first human institution. The responsibility to honor one’s parents (Ex. 20:12) does not cease with leaving and the union of husband with wife (Matt. 19:5; Mark 10:7, 8; 1 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 5:31), but does represent the inauguration of a new and primary responsibility. “Hold fast” carries the sense of a permanent or indissoluble union, so that divorce was not considered (cf. Gen. 3:16). “One flesh” speaks of a complete unity of parts making a whole, e.g., one cluster, many grapes (Num. 13:23) or one God in three persons (Deut. 6:4); thus this marital union was complete and whole with two people. This also implies their sexual completeness. One man and one woman constitute the pair to reproduce. The “one flesh” is primarily seen in the child born of that union, the one perfect result of the union of two. Cf. uses of this verse in Matt. 19:5, 6; Mark 10:8; 1 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 5:31. Permanent monogamy was and continues to be God’s design and law for marriage,” states Dr. MacArthur.

Jesus set forth the biblical ideal. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, until death. This is the biblical standard all Christian couples must keep in mind when difficult issues in marriage occur.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ² And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. ³ And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” (Matthew 19:1–3 (ESV)

‘So, we see how neatly the Romanists deal with the Scripture, making of it just what they want, as if it were a wax nose, that one can pull this way and that.” – Martin Luther

Returning to our study in the Gospel of Matthew, today’s text reveals Jesus traveled into Judea from the northern region of Galilee. His Galilean Ministry was completed.

“Though He has made a few excursions into Gentile areas (Matt. 8:28–34; 15:21–39), Jesus’ roughly three years of public ministry have thus far been confined mostly to the region of Galilee (4:12–25; 9:1–7; 10:5–42; 17:24–27). But we see now that He has left Galilee for Judea (19:1–2), the place where His time among His disciples will conclude with His death, resurrection, and ascension,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

The phrase “beyond the Jordan” refers to an area immediately east of the Jordan River called Perea. While technically Perea was not a part of Judea, Herod the Great and his sons ruled both areas. Jesus’ ministry in Perea lasted only a few months. It was from there that He would travel to Jerusalem for His crucifixion (Matthew 20:17-19).

It is in this extended discourse (Matt.19:1-20:16) that Matthew recorded Jesus’ various encounters with people and teaching opportunities. Large crowds followed Him. He also healed many individuals.

The first teachable moment occurred regarding the subject of divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:3-12). The discussion began when the Pharisees came up to Jesus to test Him, as they often did ((Matt. 12:1–14; 15:1–20). To test (πειράζω; periazo) means to explore or to prove. The Pharisees did not want biblical answers to their questions. Rather, they wanted to trap Jesus in His biblical responses to their questions.

Their question was, ““Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” Talk about entrapment. This is like asking someone, “Have you stopped beating your wife? Yes or no!” On the surface, it appeared to be a no-win situation no matter how Jesus answered.

The phrase “is it lawful” (ἔξεστιν; exestin) means to have authorization or permission. The Pharisees repeatedly asked Jesus if there was authorization for a man to divorce his wife for any and all reasons, charges and accusations? For example, there were some who taught that if a wife broke a dish, a husband would have sufficient grounds to divorce her.

“Now the issue is divorce, and the Pharisees’ question (19:3) is rooted in the controversy over marriage in their day. First-century Jews interpreted Deuteronomy 24:1–4, which allows for divorce on the grounds of “indecency,” in two major ways. Rabbi Hillel and his students understood “indecency” liberally, allowing a husband to divorce his wife for anything not up to snuff, even the quality of her cooking. More conservative were Rabbi Shammai and his disciples. They generally read the divorce-permitting ground of “indecency” as lewd sexual behavior. Even so, Shammai allowed those who divorced for other reasons to remarry. For reasons of their own, the Pharisees want to know whose view Jesus prefers,” explains Dr. Sproul.

“A hotly debated difference of opinion existed between the rabbis Shammai and Hillel (both near-contemporaries of Christ). The Shammaites interpreted the law rigidly, and permitted a man to divorce his wife only if she was guilty of sexual immorality. The Hillelites took a wholly pragmatic approach, and permitted a man to divorce his wife indiscriminately,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

However, a wife was not permitted to divorce her husband for even biblical reasons. She could not initiate divorce proceedings. This indicates a discriminatory and hypocritical culture existing at this time.

When next we meet, we will examine Jesus’ biblical answer from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. We must always strive to not only seek to know what the Bible says, but also what a particular biblical passage means, and how we may apply it in our lives. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24)

“Mortification (of sin) involves the habitual weakening of sin, and constant fighting against it with a measure of success. The battle needs to be perpetual because each manifestation of sin contains the seeds of sin’s dominion, and inclines to the same end. There is a necessary universal crucifying of the flesh by which sin is weakened.” Sinclair Ferguson

By the same standards and principles outlined by Dr. Ferguson regarding the mortification of sin, the fostering of the Fruit of the Spirit involves the habitual strengthening of this fruit and the constant nurturing of it with a measure of success. The effort needs to be perpetual because each manifestation of the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control contain the seeds of righteous dominion and inclines to the same end. The Holy Spirit provides a necessary and universal nurturing by which holiness grows.

The metaphor of fruit would not have been lost by the first century reader and recipients of Paul’s letter. In an agricultural society where orchards abounded, the constant discipline of pruning, or mortification of dead branches, and caretaking of the living branches was a daily activity: in season and out of season. The harvest of plenty depended upon the farmer’s preceding pruning, nurturing and cultivating.

When the Apostle Paul concluded his list of the Fruit of the Spirit, he added this qualifying statement: “against such things there is no law.” What did he mean?

What Paul meant was no outside law can produce the Fruit of the Spirit. No legislation has the ability to produce these qualities within the heart of man. In fact, the law is against and in opposition to such characteristics. It cannot produce them. Only the Holy Spirit is able to accomplish such a work and produce such qualities of spiritual vitality.

It therefore stands to reason that if an individual does not have the indwelling Holy Spirit, there will be no Fruit of the Spirit in their life (Romans 8:9). In other words, the Fruit of the Spirit is available only for believers in Jesus Christ.

Finally, what does Paul mean by the statement “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires?” One biblical commentary adds this explanation.

“They (the believer in Christ) nailed it to the cross once for all when they became Christ’s, on believing and being baptized (Ro 6:3, 4): they keep it now in a state of crucifixion (Ro 6:6): so that the Spirit can produce in them, comparatively uninterrupted by it, “the fruit of the Spirit” (Ga 5:22). “Man, by faith, is dead to the former standing point of a sinful life, and rises to a new life (Ga 5:25) of communion with Christ (Col 3:3). The act by which they have crucified the flesh with its lust, is already accomplished ideally in principle. But the practice, or outward conformation of the life, must harmonize with the tendency given to the inward life” (Ga 5:25). We are to be executioners, dealing cruelly with the body of sin, which has caused the acting of all cruelties on Christ’s body.”

What practices and disciplines are a part of your daily life in Christ by which the Holy Spirit assists you in mortifying your sin? Are you reading, contemplating and memorizing Scripture (Psalm 1; Psalm 19; Psalm 119)? Are you constantly in prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17)? Are you maintaining weekly worship habits by gathering with other believers and submitting to the preaching of God’s Word (Hebrews 10:24-25)?

These are but three disciplines Scripture gives us by which believers may, and can, mortify their sin. May God give each of us the strength and desire to be obedient to His command to do so.

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“The Holy Spirit is the only sufficient means of true mortification. Mortification is a gift of the Crucified, Risen, Ascended Christ, and is mediated through the Spirit. He works in three ways. He causes the heart to abound in grace and in the fruit of the Spirit. The antidote to corruption is being filled with the Spirit. But He also acts in a real physical efficiency on the root and habit of sin, for the weakening, destroying, and taking it away.” Sinclair Ferguson

Self-control (ἐγκράτεια; enkrateia) means to actively exercise complete control over one’s desires and actions. This pursuit is a cooperative effort by the believer in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. In other words, self-control is to make one’s heart (intellect; emotions; will) obedient to the Word of God.

I Corinthians 9:25-27 says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

The Apostle Paul saw the importance of exercising self-control in his personal walk in Christ. He knew that it only took one, unguarded moment to undermine a lifetime of ministry and service.

Proverbs 4:23-27 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”

Self-control involves guarding what you say. It also means guarding what you look at or gaze upon. Additionally, it means considering where you are going and what you plan on doing when you arrive at your destination. Self-control means to turn away from evil.

Dr. R. C. Sproul says, “Basically, to have self-control means that we behave in a manner appropriate to the given situation. It means we defer when it is appropriate to defer. It means we speak when we need to speak. It means that we control our tempers and do not blow up every time things do not go our way. It means that we ignore the minor mistakes of others instead of trying to prove that we are always right.”

However, self-control also means that we stand for the truth of God at all times. We do not compromise the truth.

Dr. Sproul comments that, “When we seek to practice self-control in our lives, we must take care that we do not become wimps. Jonathan Edwards offers helpful advice by saying that when it comes to matters of truth and integrity, we cannot yield to other people. If someone is teaching rank heresy, for example, exercising self-control and behaving in a manner appropriate to the situation means that we call attention to the matter and stand up for the truth.”

Are you a person who displays self-control? What are your strong areas regarding this Fruit of the Spirit?  What are your weak-points? Ask God to reveal to you the areas of your life where your self-control is strong and the areas in which you need His strength to become more self-controlled.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.” Puritan John Owen

Mortification is not only the elimination of sin in the believer’s life but also the fostering of Christ-like qualities. Today, we examine the fruit of gentleness.

 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

These are but three Scripture references concerning the subject of gentleness. They specifically, and respectively, speak of the believer’s attitude, speech and behavior. Gentleness is not only appropriate toward fellow believers in Christ, but also toward unbelievers.

Gentleness (πραΰτης; prautes) is defined as meekness and mildness. It is not being harsh with other people; not only in our attitude but also in our actions.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Gentleness (prautēs) marks a person who is submissive to God’s Word (cf. James 1:21) and who is considerate of others when discipline is needed (cf. “gently” in Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25; “gentle” in 1 Cor. 4:21; Eph. 4:2; “gentleness” in Col. 3:12; 1 Peter 3:16).”

I learned to be gentle in spirit and behavior in raising a daughter who possesses a sensitive personality which can be easily hurt. I learned that a soft voice and a pleasant face goes a long way to foster gentleness, even when discipline was required. It is also no coincidence that my daughter’s husband constantly displays a gentle spirit.

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Church, asked, “What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness” (I Corinthians 4:21)? He knew the church was in need of spiritual correction in a number of areas. However, he also understood that such discipline and correction was to be done in a spirit of gentleness.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “When we speak of a gentle person we are not speaking of someone who is reticent or fearful. Rather, the biblical view of gentleness presupposes strength. No one who has ever walked the earth has had absolute power except our Lord Jesus who is the very God of the universe. However, Jesus did not exercise His strength in an abrasive manner or use it to bully others. Rather, He tempered His strength with gentleness. He stood for truth when it was appropriate, but He also gave grace to sinners like the woman at the well when they were repentant (John 4:1–45). Such should not surprise us, for it is in God’s nature to be merciful with those whom He calls to Himself.”

Resolve today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to display a spirit of gentleness to those with whom you come into contact and conversation. May your gentle spirit be evidenced by all.

May the LORD’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Habakkuk is 2:4 says, “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” This verse is restated three times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). It not only refers to the basis of our relationship with God but also the believer’s perseverance in that relationship.

In explaining Romans 1:17, Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Paul intends to prove that it has always been God’s way to justify sinners by grace on the basis of faith alone. God established Abraham as a pattern of faith (Rom. 4:22–25; Gal. 3:6–7) and thus calls him the father of all who believe (Rom. 4:11, 16). Elsewhere, Paul uses this same phrase to argue that no one has ever been declared righteous before God except by faith alone (Gal. 3:11) and that true faith will demonstrate itself in action (Phil. 2:12–13). This expression emphasizes that true faith is not a single event, but a way of life—it endures. That endurance is called the perseverance of the saints (cf. Col. 1:22–23; Heb. 3:12–14). One central theme of the story of Job is that no matter what Satan does, saving faith cannot be destroyed.”

God calls the believer in Christ to live a life of faithfulness. Faithfulness (πίστις; pistis) in this context means to be a person who trusts in, depends upon, is committed to and honors and worships the Lord Jesus Christ by grace alone in His person and work. Additionally, it also means to be an individual who is trustworthy, dependable, committed and honorable.

A faithful person is a person of integrity. He is an undivided individual. What they say is what they do. What they do verifies what they say. It is a person in whom you can trust, depend, commit to and honor.

A faithful individual is a blessing as a husband, wife, son, daughter, father or mother. What a joy to have grandparents who are known by their faithfulness.

Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

Do you want to leave a legacy of favor and good success? Do you want to be remembered as a successful individual? Then be a person of faithfulness.

Consider the faithful legacy of Onesiphorus. Is he unfamiliar to you? I’m sure he is to many. However, he was a man one could trust, depend, commit to and who was honorable. This is what the Apostle Paul had to say about Onesiphorus in 2 Timothy 1:15-18.

“You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me—may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.”

Paul knew the pain of unfaithful people like Phygelus and Hermogenes. They were among the many who proved to be untrustworthy not only to Paul, but also to the Gospel.

However, Onesiphorus was one of the few who proved to be faithful. He refreshed Paul while the apostle was in prison. He was not ashamed to be seen with Paul. He also earnestly searched to find Paul upon arriving in the City of Rome. Onesiphorus also served the Lord in Ephesus. He demonstrated to the apostle and to the church that he embodied faithfulness.

Are you known by your faithfulness to the Lord and to others? Are you striving to not only live, but also leave, that kind of legacy? What a heritage to leave for those who follow is a life of faithfulness.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!