Even that title for today’s Lesson hints at the pen of Paul he Apostle! Who wrote in Philippians 1:20 … “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, THAT IN NOTHING I SHALL BE ASHAMED, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

Never ashamed of anything about Jesus! That’s for sure. He, our dear Lord, is perfect in every way imaginable! But I do not think that’s the exact emphasis Paul is making here.

Paul is saying, if I understand him rightly, that he never wants to do anything for Jesus in any way that would produce “shame” in his own heart, THAT HE ALWAYS DEMANDS THE BEST OF HIMSELF … so that he will never be “half-hearted” or “embarrassed” or even “lethargic” (lazy) … at his performance/service/ministry for Jesus’ Sake!

“That in nothing I shall be ashamed.”

And Paul, I suspect, accomplished that high and noble goal for his life! At the end he could truthfully say (unashamedly) that he had fought a good fight! And kept the faith! And finished the course! (Without any embarrassment or hypocrisy apparently!)

The verb “to be ashamed” in Greek is “aischuno.” I can only find it (as a verb) five times in the whole New Testament! (Now it’s quite different as a “noun,” around a hundred times!)

The action described means … “to disfigure!” To do something that makes one “lower his head.” Or “get red in the face.” Or have to “turn his head” in embarrassment!

Another Lexicon adds … “to mar, to tarnish!” Anything that blights my testimony for Jesus! For that I should indeed “be ashamed.” Thus “to make ugly!”

Maybe “to take the smile off my face” or “rob me of the glow in my countenance!” When it domes to loving and serving Jesus of course. That’s the context.

Finally one Greek source adds “to be disgraced!” Like Peter when he denied the Lord those three times that night!

“That in nothing I shall be ashamed.”

Wow!

Preacher, ever been ashamed of a sermon you praeched?

Sunday School teacher, every been embarrassed at a lesson you’ve “fed” that hungry class of yours?

Red in the face (in the Eyes of the Holy Spirit anyway) at that golden opportunity to witness for Jesus that you casually let slip away? Or simply ignored?

Or the hours you wasted over the weekend virtually doing nothing … with you Bible Study goals going unmet?

One could continue the list “ad nauseum,” I guess. (Meaning until it makes us all sick!)

Just the incising power (a quick slit or two) of God’s sharp “two-edged” Sword (His inerrant Word) might cut away that excess “worldliness” that makes us “do less than our best” for Jesus!

“That in nothing I shall be ashamed.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

2 Corinthians 13:14 is one of those verses that depicts the Trinity of Almighty God more succinctly that usual.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

By Biblical “Name” … each “Member” of the Trinity, in a single Sentence!

We cannot ignore any of the “Persons” mentioned here. That would be a false move now labeled “Modalism.” Not can we totally separate “Them,” which would end up being some form of “polytheism!”

We worship ONE GOD … who is THREE in Essence. (The very word “Trinity” means “tri” (three) in “unus” (one) … THREE IN ONE!

But just how important is belief in that doctrine, the “Trinity?” The Fact of God’s Tri-Unity?

Vitally important!

Look at Creation …

Genesis 1:1 … “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” This refers to God the Father!

John 1:3 … “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Referring to the “Word” … He being Jesus! Paul adds to this Point in Colossians 1:16 … “For by him were all things created.”

Now look back to Genesis 1:2 …“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Creation week … the Holy Spirit “fluttering,” bringing order out of chaos!

The Trinue God … Father, Son and Spirit … making this universe!

Clearly so!

Now look at Salvation …

God the Father … His Idea … “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:15

God the Son … His Death, His Blood … “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:9, speaking of Jesus!

God the Holy Spirit … “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Jesus died, offering Himself …”through the Holy Spirit” unto God the Father!

Amazing!

I suggest that every major doctrine of the Bible, every significant Move of God … is accomplished through His Whole Being … via Father/Son/Holy Spirit Interaction/Communion/Fellowship/Unity!!!

Glory to the Godhead!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Just a thought to “chew” and “digest” throughout the day. And if you should do so, no telling what nourishment. what meat, what revelation/illumination the Lord will impart to you!

Hallelujah!

.

It is said (by a Bride describing her Bridegroom) in Song of Solomon 5:16 … “Yea, He is altogether lovely.”

This morning in my heart better words could not be found and applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour.

He is indeed “altogether lovely.”

The Hebrew word used here, a noun in fact, is spelled “machmad,” suggesting “that which is desired!” Well, since it’s masculine (the noun) the meaning better expressed is “He Who is Desired!”

Anyone “hungry” for Jesus, today?

In the King James Version of Scripture “machmad” is also translated “pleasant” 7 times, “goodly” 1 time, and “beloved” 1 time.

And the modifier “altogether” is “kol” in Hebrew, “all!” The “whole” of anything!

Jesus is “completely” pleasant, goodly, beloved, lovely!

Take some time this morning and tell the dear Lord how much you admire Him. And love Him. And frankly, WORSHIP Him!

See if you do not agree … He is THE BEST Bridegroom every!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

Paul said it most powerfully in Philippians 3:10, expressing one of his life goals … “THAT I MAY KNOW HIM.”

And Paul had already been saved several decades when he penned those challenging words, about “knowing” God!

Paul’s Statement here suggests that really knowing God (personally and experientially and intimately) takes time!

One Greek source defines “ginosko” (the verb Paul used for “knowing” God) like this: “knowledge obtained by proximity and familiarity to the thing known.”

Wow!

But, the big question, HOW can one so know Almighty God? Especially after reading Texts such as 1 Timothy 6:16 … “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

So bright … humanly unapproachable!

How?

Via His WORD, THE HOLY BIBLE … yes knowing Him even experientially!

A Chapter, a Paragraph, a Verse, even a Clause or Phrase of Holy Scripture! And yes, sometimes even a Word (just a noun, verb, or any other part of speech)!

But not just reading (casually) that Block of Scripture … rather, thinking upon it, meditating through it, chewing it carefully!

I read this quote earlier today … “Meditation is like a Meal for the Soul!” For the heart, the mind, the spirit!

That’s how one gets to know God!

Listen to Jeremiah agree with Paul on this Idea of knowing God. “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 in part.

Wow!

Jesus even defined eternal life this way, in terms of knowing God! “And this is life eternal, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

Knowing God … so possible that “friendship” with Him is not only a possibility, but maybe an obligation! “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the FRIEND OF GOD.” James 2:23, alluding to Isaiah 41:8.

Jesus again … “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15, friendship based on sharing “secrets!”

It’s a life-long endeavor, delight … KNOWING GOD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS!

And should be with us, as with Paul the Apostle, a life-long GOAL!

KNOWING GOD!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Anyone interested?

.

I am currently only writing Lessons on Monday through Friday mornings. That’s partly due to our heavy travel schedule and preaching appointments that dominate Saturdays and Sundays. And rightly so … God called me to declare His Word!

But I would like to remind you of our “Evening Meditations” that are posted on Facebook and YouTube nightly.

Watch one soon.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell