1PETER romans 2 TIMOTHY 3 JOHN God speaking personally to you as His child
ephesians james 1JOHN hebrews
2 PETER
1 TIMOTHY
2 CORINTHIANS
2 THESSALONIANS
1 THESSALONIANS
for today
2 JOHN
COLOSSIANS
jude
philippians AS REVEALED IN
THE EPISTLES OF PAUL
TITUS
philemon
galatians 1 CORINTHIANS
Kingdom Faith Roffey Place Old Crawley Road Horsham West Sussex RH12 4RU
Š Colin Urquhart 2012 Colin Urquhart has asserted his rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
For more information visit www.colinurquhart.com
Contents Introduction Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Ephesians Colossians Philippians Galatians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon
The Truth for Today This book is not scripture but is based totally on the letters of the New Testament. It is not intended to replace these letters in the form handed down to us through the centuries. Here these letters have been put into a personalised form, as God speaking personally to one of His children. The purpose behind such an approach: This re-enforces the truth that these scriptures are certainly the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. As such God speaks directly to us through His Word. This helps the reader to receive these truths in a personal way so that they can have practical impact on his or her life. This enables the reader to become more familiar with the voice of God. This also gives increased understanding of God’s Word and shows that it is as relevant for today as it was when first written. Because the epistles are put in a form in which they are addressed to believers today, personal details of both the authors and those to whom these letters were originally addressed have been omitted. However, the eternal truths contained in the scriptures have been retained in a form that speaks into our contemporary situation. For many years I have used the scriptures in this way to great personal benefit. As a pilot I sent a copy of one of the epistles to several hundred readers to gain their reactions. These were exceedingly positive, many commenting on how the Word of God had come alive for them in a fresh way. The approach God the Father is speaking to one of His children. He reveals biblical truths about Himself and explains what He has accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ. He makes clear how His child is to relate to Him and live to fulfil His purpose of his or her life. Because the text of the New Testament is followed as closely as possible we can be sure that what is written here is the truth that both encourages and challenges believers. Any phrases of explanation reflect biblical teaching.
There are two ways in which to use this book. It can be read, much as you would read a letter today. Accordingly, the verse numbers have been omitted. However, chapter numbers have been retained simply as reference points for those who want to refer to the New Testament text. Subject headings have been included also for ease of reference, although these do not form part of the text. This book can also be used devotionally. One way of doing this is to take a manageable section and write down what God is saying to you the reader. What begins with revelation of the truth then becomes prophetic, as the Lord speaks personally and directly into your heart. The Truth New Testament This book is based on the text of The Truth New Testament. Many have said that this version has been a great blessing to them, helping them to receive personal revelation through the scriptures. They have appreciated the Study Edition as the teaching there has given increased understanding of God’s Word. My prayer is that this book will continue this process of bringing fresh revelation and increased understanding of the New Testament, while at the same time showing believers how personal God wants to be in His relationship with them, and how clearly He will speak to us as His children.
The Truth for Today as Revealed in the Letter to the Philippians 1 My call on your life You are My beloved, called to be My servant, a saint together with all those who live in Christ Jesus through My grace. I have called you and set you apart to live for Me. I am your Lord and your God, your Father and Friend, and I have raised you up with the anointing I have been pleased to give you. I want you to be an example to My people and to fulfil the particular ministry that I have for you. I place some in positions of authority to oversee the lives of My children and to serve them in My Name, to be those who will lead them by being good examples to them of how to live in ways that please Me! They are able to exercise My authority in love because they are themselves submitted in their hearts to My authority. My Fatherly love for you As your Father I impart My grace and peace to all who belong to Me through their faith in My Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that I always want to give to you although you deserve nothing from Me. I also want to keep you in the peace that is made possible by living at one with Me, fulfilling My plan and purpose for your life day by day. There is never a moment of time when you are not in My thoughts. Because of My love for you I am aware of all that takes place in your life. My desire is that, as one of My children, you are filled with My joy. You are My witness I want to use all My children to spread the good news of My heavenly Kingdom. This has been possible for you ever since the very beginning of
your personal relationship with Me. From the time when you came to know Me personally, I have been able to use you to make Me known to others. The closer you live with Me, the more impact you will be able to make on those who do not know Me. I want you to be confident in your witness to others because you are secure in your relationship with Me. Although you are already My witness, there is so much more I want to do in you to increase the effectiveness of your witness to others. When I begin a good work in you I always want to complete that work. It is I Myself who enables this continual process to take place in you. I want to use you in the most effective way to prepare that way for the time when My Son will come again in triumph and glory! I encourage you with the truth I have such love for you that I always want to encourage you. Daily you are able to share in My grace, to lay hold of the rich inheritance I have provided for you by making you one with My Son, Jesus. All My resources are available to you, regardless of the situation in which you find yourself! Sometimes you feel hemmed in and restricted by what takes place. Sometimes you encounter stiff opposition because you speak out boldly in My Name. Sometimes you are persecuted for standing up for the truth of My Word. Yet in all these situations I am not only with you, but am able to work in you by My Spirit. I am always faithful to you and will never leave you to your own devices, nor will I ever forsake you. My love for you is real and has already been demonstrated through My willingness to send My Son to die for you personally. My love is not like the fleeting affection that is common in human relationships. My love is steadfast and reliable; it never changes with circumstances. How could I continue to live in you in the person of My Spirit unless I truly loved you? My desire is that your love for Me grows ever stronger as your response to this great love I have for you. I also want your love for others to increase, that you express My love both to your fellow believers and to those who need to know Me.
Always depend on Me and My love for you The more you depend on Me, the closer you will walk with Me. You will know Me better and I will give you greater insight into the truth of My Word. This will enable you to know clearly My will for you, remembering that I want My best for you and that in every situation I am working for your good. As My beloved child you are able to walk in My pure and blameless love every day of your life, until I call you home to be with Me in My eternal glory! This is not the kind of love that is based on human desire. That often leads to disappointment and even guilt when such love fails or is misdirected. This is the love that endures for ever and never fails you! Walking with Me in this love will enable you to bear much fruit for My glory! This fruit is the result of the way My Spirit works through you to impact the lives of others with My life, My love, My power and My victory. It is the fruit that can only be produced because you live in Christ and He in you! It is the fruit that is the product of the bond of love that exists between Me and you as My child. Sometimes you wonder why I allow you and other believers to be placed in difficult, even traumatic, situations. Such occasions are inevitable because you are living in the light of the truth in a world that is full of spiritual darkness. Because you are called to be My witness in such a world, others will inevitably know that you stand for the truth of My Word, and they will see how you are an encouragement to others who have to face similar adversity. They will see how you are able to overcome in such situations because of your trust in Me. They will also be encouraged by the bold and fearless way in which you proclaim the truth of My Word, regardless of the difficulties you have to face. Right motives Beloved, it is a sad fact that some preach about My Son out of wrong motives. They seek glory and honour for themselves, and act as if in rivalry with other believers. However, there are those who preach out of right motives, concerned about the welfare of those they want to reach with the gospel, rather than being concerned about their own reputation and prestige. Right motives are the product of hearts that are right, hearts full
of love for Me and for others; love that compels them to speak both to proclaim and defend the truth of the gospel. Those who preach about Jesus out of selfish ambition are not sincere, and are inclined to speak against others whose hearts are pure and whose motives are therefore right. At least you can take consolation that others hear the gospel, even if the motives of those who proclaim it are not always right! Of course it is always much better to peach out of right motives, for then the effectiveness of the preaching will be far greater. But you can rejoice in every way in which the truth of Jesus is made known to others! Look to the future with joy No situation should ever prevent you from continuing to rejoice in Me, for I am always ready to encourage you, and My Spirit lives within you to enable you to remain true to Me, no matter what the circumstances. Your rejoicing demonstrates that you are living in the freedom you have in Christ, My Son. Do not expect to fail or imagine that you will act in ways that will later cause you to feel ashamed. Look to the future with positive expectations because your hope is in Me. I will always give you the courage you need so that I will be exalted, glorified and blessed as I enable you to overcome. You live in Christ Jesus and will continue to live in Him through your loving obedience to Him. This means you can look forward to sharing fully in the heavenly inheritance you have because of your unity with Him. Until then, I want to use you fruitfully for My Kingdom purposes. You can see that it will be wonderful when you leave this earth and are promoted to My heavenly glory. But it is also wonderful to be used fruitfully for My glory while you remain on earth. On the one hand you long for the glory that is to come when you will be able to enjoy Me without all the opposition of the world, the flesh and the devil, rejoicing that a rich rewards awaits you in heaven. But on the other hand, even though at times the going seems difficult, you want to fulfil faithfully all I have planned for you to do on earth before I call you to your heavenly home. Your witness can open up the way for others to know Me and become numbered among those who will inherit My heavenly glory along with you.
So I know you will serve Me willingly and faithfully, content that you will have all eternity to enjoy Me! It is good that you want to help others in any way possible to know Me, to progress in their walk of faith and to live in the fullness of My joy! This is why it is so important that you allow the joy I have placed in you to overflow and be freely expressed through you! Your example to others An important part of your witness is to behave in ways that are worthy of Me and are a clear demonstration that the gospel is expressed in your lifestyle! This means that you will show love to others as I have shown My love for you, and that you will live in unity with them, resisting anything that would come between you and your fellow believers. Together you will not allow any amount of opposition to silence you or deter you from remaining faithful to Me. At the same time your perseverance in faith serves as a warning to others who oppose the truth and therefore face eternal destruction. I Myself have saved you from such judgment because of your faith in My Son, Jesus Christ. Compared with this wonderful salvation and the eternal life you will enjoy as a result, the cost of your obedience to Me is negligible. This is the cost you share with all who remain faithful to Me, as you are well aware. 2 Being at one with Me because you live in Christ and He in you, gives you great encouragement. See how you are strengthened by His love within you. This love that has been imparted to you by My Spirit enables you to be tender-hearted and compassionate, like Me! It gives Me joy to see the ways in which you relate in unity with other believers, in the love you have for one another and in the way that together you obey the leading of My Spirit to enable you to fulfil My purpose for your lives, both individually and corporately. To maintain this unity it is important that you never act out of selfish ambition. Neither are you to be conceited or guilty of empty vanity! Instead you are to be like Jesus, following His example of humility. Think of others as being better than yourself. Of course you have to act in responsible ways
concerning personal matters; but you have to be equally concerned about the welfare of others around you! Your attitude should reflect that of Christ Jesus Himself! When My Son became Man As My Son He is God by nature. But He did not hold onto His divine status, His equality with Me, His Father in heaven. He was prepared to make Himself nothing by coming to share in your humanity as a humble servant. He was human in every respect, even though He retained His divine nature. He humbled Himself to such an extent that He obeyed My will for Him perfectly and never acted independently of Me. His obedience to Me meant that He had to die on the cross as if He was a guilty criminal. Yet this obedience enabled Me to raise Him from the dead and exalt Him to the highest place in heaven. Now His Name is far superior to any other name, for He has accomplished everything I sent Him to do! Eventually every being in heaven, on earth and even in the underworld will have to bow at the Name of Jesus! Every tongue will have to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, that I have been glorified fully in My Son. My life in you My beloved child, it is so important for you to obey Me without needing others to encourage you to do so! Live as one who knows that he is saved and is thankful to have received this wonderful gift of salvation. Live in awe of who I am and in the knowledge of My unfailing love for you. Dread the very idea of ever denying Me or standing against My purpose for your life. I am always at work within you, first so that you want to do what is right in My eyes, and then to enable you to do My will! So let there be no arguing or complaining among you as believers, no matter what I ask of you or what challenges confront you, but live blameless and pure lives because you have right heart attitudes towards one another and so do not grumble and complain about others. Maintain your witness as My children, the children of light, called to serve Me and remain true to Me although you live in an unrighteous and depraved generation.
You are to shine like stars in the universe as you share the Word of life with others, demonstrating that I am the Light of life! On the Day when Jesus returns you will share completely in the glory and triumph that belongs to Him! Whatever sacrifices you have to make to express My life through your life, are nothing by comparison. When you serve others, encourage them in their faith so that they will be contented, no matter what their circumstances; then they will be full of My joy! Encourage others Always encourage those I use to spread the good news of My Kingdom. Cooperate with these brethren in whatever ways are possible, and show genuine concern for them. Even among believers, there are many who are still so concerned about their own interests, instead of showing concern for the issues of My Kingdom. You can be a spiritual father to those who are young in the faith and who need nurturing in their spiritual lives. Encourage them to be useful to Me as those who share the gospel with others through the witness they give, by the way in which they live as well as by what they say. Remind them never to be overcome by their circumstances, for I am able to change the circumstances of those who trust in Me. Show how thankful you are to those whom I use to encourage you and to care for you spiritually and to express My compassion for you when in need. As you show mercy to others so I will ensure that others will show mercy to you in practical ways. If you are ever sick, it is by My mercy that you are able to receive your healing, and through that same mercy you are able to heal others in My Name! Remember not to be anxious about anything either in your own life or in the lives of others for whom you are concerned, for anxiety never has any beneficial effects. It accomplishes nothing and only makes situations appear worse than they really are!
The Truth for Today The Truth for Today series comprises of the following titles: The Epistles of Paul:
Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Ephesians, Colossians & Philippians Galatians, 1 Thessalonians & 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon
Coming soon: The General Epistles
Also available: The Truth New Testament The Truth New Testament Study Edition Major Themes from The Truth Version
All these books by Colin Urquhart and other titles & teaching materials are available online: web: www.kingdomfaith.com/ResourceCentre email: resources@kingdomfaith.com telephone: 01293 854 600
1PETER 2 TIMOTHY
3 JOHN
ephesians
1 THESSALONIANS
2 CORINTHIANS
THESSALONIANS
james 1JOHN 1 TIMOTHY
hebrews 2 PETER philemon For more information visit: www.kingdomfaith.com/TheTruthForToday
2 JOHN romans
COLOSSIANS
philippians
jude 1 CORINTHIANS
TITUS