Morning Moments

FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE

Now we come to the New Testament references to really discover whose NAME all those Old Testament references were referring to:

(1 Jn 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

He has forgiven our sins to honor His Name! To unforgive sins that God says have been forgiven for Christ's sake would be to dishonor His Name and He does not do that. It is why He says they are cast into the depths of the sea, remembered no more, behind His back, and as for as East is from West.

(3 Jn 1:7) Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

The brethren who came to report to John regarding those who were scattered but walking in truth, John says they did not received from the Gentiles NOT because of their own sake of the Jewish believer's sake, but for Christ's sake.

(1 Cor 4:10) We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

Paul, no doubt was considered by the Jews who had know of his reputation before receiving Christ, as a fool for giving up all that he had in position and possessions to follow Jesus Christ, but he considers himself a "fool" for Christ's sake and in so doing, he is not concerned about anything other than honoring the NAME of the LORD, even though he was despised for it. There is no place in Christian Leadership for TIMIDITY, for God has not given us "the spirit of timidity, but of love, and of power, and a disciplined mind."

(2 Cor 4:5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Paul makes in clear in this text that he gladly considers himself a servant of the saints, but he is not doing it to win their favor, but to win them to faith in Jesus Christ. Hence, it is for Christ's sake that he serves. What a difference this makes in our attitudes as servants. Servants are sometimes mistreated - Is is for our sake? Servants are sometimes criticized - Is it for our sakes that we suffer. NO! Peter wrote, "...What glory is it when you are buffeted for you faults, if you take it patiently and suffer for it? If you do well and suffer for it THIS is acceptable to God." Because we are not suffering for our own sake, but for His.

FOR THE SAINT'S SAKE

(2 Cor 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

He who made it all and owns it all, humbled himself and became "one of us", not born into wealth, not elitist, not among the academics and intellectuals, but a simple carpenter who knew what it was like to have to work, to be satisfied with little, etc...one of the common folks...he became poor FOR OUR SAKES that we may become rich toward God In Him.

(Php 1:29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

The servant is not above his LORD! If the Lord suffers, so must the servant. But WE suffer for His sake that we might become sharers of His afflictions and fellowship in His sufferings, so that we might know too the power outflowing from His resurrection.

(2 Tim 2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul does not ask anyone for sympathy or pity, rather he bears up under anything and everything that comes for Christ's sake as an example to the saints of for example's sake to them. He has learned to trust God regardless! He has become content, not critical, and he does not ask for sympathy but prayer support, not pity but prayers and praise.

(Phm 1:9) Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Paul writes to a slave owning brother whose slave has run away to Paul and came to know the Lord, so Paul is returning the slave with a letter asking that the slave be treated as a brother in Christ, and that if the slave owes anything, let it be accounted debt to Paul and he will repay it. At this point, the apostle is up in age and in a prison. The slave had proven himself a faithful brother and loyal servant to Paul, so Paul asks that his request be honored for LOVE'S sake.

(Col 1:24) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Once again we discover the heart of Paul regarding the suffering he went through. His attitude has already been seen as suffering for Christ's sake, but now he says that it is also an example to others of the grace and goodness of God that is also available to each of us. Peter says that we are to follow Jesus' example and Paul's suggests that we are to follow his also. Suffering is a vital part of practical sanctification. Receive it and don't resist it or reject it. Rejoice in it!

(2 Cor 2:10) To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

Paul acknowledge his willingness to forgive the Corinthian brother whom he previously had suggested be given over to the devil for the destruction of the flesh, but who had obviously repented. I think we can safely assume that their response to Paul was the good news of the brother's repentance and so Paul is prompted to say to them, upon the basis of your report, and because you have forgiven him, for your sakes, I forgive him.

All of these verses simply indicate to us that "AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD," as John wrote. In other words, we live, love, forgive, and not complain to glorify God and for the benefit of those around us, as an encouragement to them.

BLESSINGS!