Posts by Yong Joo Park:
Evasion & Pursuit Strategies
2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
See v22a. “Flee the evil desires of youth”
The term “Flee” is understood if v26b is read.
“escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (26b)
- the trap of the devil: the devil traps through the evil desires, therefore flee!
- has taken them captive: the trap was in order to captivate, therefore flee!
- to do his will: people you see doing what is wrong are his captives, therefore flee so that you may be neither captivated nor doing his will!
See v22b. “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Pursue is related to ‘goals’ and ‘actions’. This word “pursue” indicates that we are asked to not only actively flee negative sources but also actively pursue positive directions.
In Ephesians 6:14 and 16, “righteousness” is “the breastplate” and “faith” is “the shield”, among the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) to put on.
“along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”: let us surround ourselves with right people of right purpose and right motives.
Good reading materials during mid-year recess are found @ http://christiscoming777.com/.
The information in the above website includes what to know about ‘the traps of the devil’ so that we may not be ensnared.
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified
1 Thessalonians 4:3-12 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or […]
The Supremacy of the Son of God
Colossians 1:15-23 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in […]
In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
A man reaps what he sows
Galatians 6: 7-10 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will […]
My power is made perfect in weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1-4 1Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance 2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited […]
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:58 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called
Philippians 4:4-14 4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
