“Be Ye Therefore…” – Followers of God

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Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…

Introduction

This is the sixth in the ‘Be Ye Therefore’ series. The term Christian means literally, to be like Christ. At Antioch they were first called Christians meaning ‘little Christs’. They were identified with and their way was identical to Christ.

Become As Little Children

Jesus in Matthew 18:3 told His followers that they must be converted and “become as little children”, humble and trusting in the Lord for not only salvation but also the daily providential care of the Father.  Remember when we were children?  I never worried where my next meal was coming from.  I didn’t worry about how the light bill would get paid.  I know my Dad would take care of our family.  That is the same trust God wants from His children.  Paul tells us to follow, some say imitate or strive to be like, our heavenly Father.  When I was a child, I wanted to be like my Dad.  I still do.  I remember when he would take me and my siblings walking in the woods.  He seemed to be able to walk so quietly, hardly disturbing the forest floor.  I would try to walk in his footsteps because I wanted to be able to walk like that.

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Ready

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Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Introduction

This is the fifth in the “Be Ye Therefore…” series.  Christ had just told His followers not to seek after the riches of this world which are temporal but to seek the kingdom first and then says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Then the parable starts with blessed are the servants whom, when their lord returns, he finds them watching or ready for him.  (By the way these two thoughts are related, for earthly treasure often keeps us from watching or even loving His appearing)  He goes on to say that if the good man of a house knew exactly what hour the thief would come, he would have prevented him from breaking into the house.  He would have been waiting in that specific hour to catch the thief.

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Merciful

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Introduction

This is the fourth in the “Be Ye Therefore…” series.  In this passage of scripture Jesus has just told His followers to love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, be ye therefore merciful.  Then He tells us why… because our Father in heaven is merciful and we are children of the Highest.  And He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.  This is the second time in this series that Christ is essentially reminding us to be like Him.  Mercy is an attribute of God’s character.

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Wise as serpents, and Harmless as doves

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Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Introduction

This is the third in the “Be Ye Therefore…” series. In these last days, a Christian needs spiritual discernment now more than ever.  The Lord is reminding His disciples that as they serve among enemies within and without, they are to combine the wisdom of the serpent and the simplicity and humility of the dove.

We Have Met the Enemy… And He is Us

Christ reminds believers that He is sending us forth as sheep among wolves.  But wolves will also creep into our midst.  The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders this in his final meeting with them before going to Jerusalem and imprisonment, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30  This is why it is particularly important in the last days to heed the advice of our Lord.

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Perfect

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Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Introduction

This is the second in the “Be Ye Therefore…” series.  Christ is speaking here during what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. He starts out this part of His sermon with verse 20 of this chapter.  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20) He goes on to describe the kind of righteousness a person must have to enter the Kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is when Christ sets up His everlasting kingdom here on earth and heaven rules here. Anyone who enters will have to be perfect as the Father is perfect. When Christ brings up several points of the law such as adultery, He shows that God’s standard of righteousness is higher than we can attain to. Why, if a man even looks with lust on a woman he has committed adultery. The pharisees had reduced righteousness to just an outward showing of obedience to the law.

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Courageous to Keep and Do His Word

Introduction

Here at ServantsJournal.com we strive to possess a servant’s heart for service and for the things of God.  We also want to encourage fellow believers in their walk too.  I found something unique and fitting.  In God’s word numbers have symbolic meaning.  For instance the number five is the number of grace.  Eight is the number of new beginnings.  And seven stands for perfection or more properly completion.  Well, a while back there was this phrase that stood out in my mind, BE YE THEREFORE…

In searching for every instance of that phrase in the bible, I found that it only appears exactly seven times!  How appropriate!  When thinking of an encouraging thought, that which I would say to you appears seven times which is the number of completion.

The phrase ‘BE YE THEREFORE’ appears once in the old testament and six times in the new testament.  In each case, the phrase is used to encourage God’s people to be or do that which is for their good and for God’s glory.  There are, in total, seven short posts in this series.  I hope it will bless you the reader and help you to be a more complete (see why seven is important? 🙂 ) servant of God.