He'll Do All This!

Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

We saw in chapter 1 Who Christ is: Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, and Soverein Lord. In chapter 2 we saw What He has done: everything needed to provide us forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Paul now builds on that to point us to what Christ Will do: take us to be with Him where He is.  In light of that, Paul then goes on in the rest of the chapter calling on us to live life in a manner worthy and fitting as followers of Christ.  This involves putting off all the old, sinful behaviors which were part of our heading away from God and putting on the lifestyle of wanting and waiting to be with Him.  It also involves us examining all those relationships affected by Him as Reconciler: famly, work, community, and having Him transform them as well.  He will do all this!  Let's see what changes He will make today. 

He Did All That!

 Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

We saw yesterday that Christ is everything we need: creator, sustainer, savior and reconciler. Based upon Who He is, we should then realize that He has done: He has filled us and fulfilled for us everything that needs to be done for our forgiveness and victory over sin an death.  Nothing else needs to be done. The One Who is all that has done all that. 

He is all that!

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

In his opening to this letter, Paul informs his readers that he is praying for them, as he has heard of their faith in Christ as God's way to salvation.  He encourages them and us to live a life of thankfulness and holiness in response to God given us this great Gift.  Paul then, in the verses above, points out exactly Who Christ is: Creator, Sustainer, Head, Fully God, and The One Who reconciles man to God.  The list is intended to overwhelm us with Who Christ is, and that it does. If that is Who He is, we should be thankful and determined to live lives worthy as recipients of His salvation.

The Core of Joy

 

Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Many Bible scholars will tell you that the major theme in this letter is joy, and that is true.  But joy does not exist in a vacuum; it can and must be fostered. It is always closely connected to peace, and that peace is promoted by time spent with God, allowing Him to transform our thinking, and then following the teachings we find therein. When our mind is transformed, and we find that peace, we experience His joy.

Press On!

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Paul begins this chapter by pointing us to the fact that it is the righteousness of Christ alone that allows for our salvation.  All of our efforts, background, and ceremonies are of no avail in providing our justification.  In one of his "get real" passages, Paul here makes it clear he has not become "sinlessly perfect," but that he is pressing on and pursuing the prize set before us: becoming more like Christ and knowing we will be with Him. Paul calls on his readers and us to join him in this journey and also warns us that there are many traps and dangers along the way trying to distract us.  Don't fall for them; Press on.

My Strength and My Portion

 Psalm 73:23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Having made it almost halfway through the Psalms, one might have gotten the impression that only David always thought the world was against him.  But in this psalm of Asaph we find much the same perspective: he is surrounded by wicked people who seem to prosper; they are fat and happy and seem to have an easy life. People look at him in his sufferings and tell him his must be doing something wrong.  As he struggles with this inconsistency, he turns back to his relationship with God.  Simply put, in this life he can count on God's presence and power, and in the life to come there is more of His presence and all the glory one will ever want and need.  

Long Live the King!

 

15 Long may he live;
    may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
    and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
    may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
    like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!

We are very accustomed to reading psalms by David.  This one is attributed to his son, Solomon.  He begins by asking God to give the king justice, righteousness, and a heart for the needy. He then proceeds to ask God to broadcast his name and spread his influence.  He wants God to bless the king so the people will be blessed.  The ultimate goal is that the name of the Lord will be blessed.  In real life Solomon forgot that goal at times, but this psalm gets it right. Long live the king, that God may be glorified through him.

Worthy Examples

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

The first half of this chapter is one of my favorite portions of scripture, describing the humility of Christ, which not only provided us the salvation we need; it also provides us an example to emulate.  But we often stop there, failing to follow up with the appropriate response we should have.  We should live lives of reverent obedience, joyful unity, sincere holiness, and persevering trust in God and His Word.  Paul goes on to give two examples of believers both he and they know fit that description: Timothy and Epaphroditus - men who had humbly served both him and the Ephesian church.  May we follow their example.

Confident in Consistency

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul loved to travel, taking the Gospel across the Roman Empire, but he also liked staying a spell with God's people.  Obviously, he could not do both to his heart's content, but he did love to revisit the people and places he had been to see how his fellow believers were doing.  He was very confident about this group of believers.  They had encouraged and supported him in ministry, and he sensed that God had a lot in store for them. This made him love and pray for them all the more, waiting the see what God would do. I can identify. 

Stand Back-to-Back

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

After giving more instructions on sticking together as believers, Paul uses this infamous imagery of a soldier in full armor - only it's not an individual soldier, it's a whole garrison, standing side by side, and at times, back-to-back, to fight with and for one another. By standing back-to-back, they "had each other's back".  That is what shared faith, prayer, and truth do - help us protect each other.  Let's not think of the Christian life a "me in my armor" against the world, but us a fellow believers standing firmly together in Chirst. 

Imitation, Not Immorality

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

As with almost all of the passages we read each day, these excerts rarely do full justice to the whole chapter.  There is just too much truth to summarize in a  few verses.  Paul begins this chapter by calling this body of believers to imitate him and not return to a life of immorality. They are to walk, to live life with a full appreciation of the impact they make on one another's walk with Christ, doing everything they can to help one another grow in his/her faith, putting that goal above their own self-gratification.  Paul then goes on to talk about the husband-wife relationship, using it as an illustration of Christ and the church, but also how in that relationship, two believers can help one another in their Christian walk, the husbands demonstrating Christ-like sacrifice, and the wives showing respect, just as they should for any other believer. 

Keep It Together!

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

These words introduce Paul's application of everything he had been saying to and about the church.  Each and every member within the Body has one overriding responsibility: keep the Body of Christ together in good functioning form.  It begins with a humble spirit and a patient heart. Paul then goes one to emphasize how important such unity is to the Holy Spirit, who has gifted the Church with everything needed to both build one another up and reach out to a world that needs Christ.  Paul concludes the chapter with examples of what will and will not contribute to this pursuit of maintaining unity.  In one sense they are very obvious, but in reality they are all ways we fail to do our part. Kept the Body together. Don't let it fall apart. 

Hurry Up, Lord!

 

Psalm 70:4 May all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
    say evermore, “God is great!”
5 But I am poor and needy;
    hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
    O Lord, do not delay!

12 Psalm 71:12 O God, be not far from me;

    O my God, make haste to help me!

13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;

    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered

    who seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually

    and will praise you yet more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,

    of your deeds of salvation all the day,

    for their number is past my knowledge.

16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;

    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

Psalm 70 is a ascribed to David, and sounds like a familiar story, with David beginning by saying: "Make haste, Lord, they are out to get me!"  He immediately falls into this tune of trust and hope in God.  Psalm 71 is not ascribed to a particular author but the theme is the same, beginning with a proclamation of trust in God.  Both psalms have that sense of urgency: make haste, do not delay, hurry up Lord!  Psalm 71 goes on with the author committing himself to proclaim the righteousness and greatness of God, even though he feels like he is getting old and losing steam, wondering if he will ever see what he has been asking for.  He closes by reaffirming his trust in God. Don't give up!

An Acceptable Time

 

Psalm 69:9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,
    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,
    it became my reproach.
11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,
    I became a byword to them.
12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,
    and the drunkards make songs about me.
13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
    At an acceptable time, O God,
    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.

Like many of the psalms of David, this one finds him calling out to God in desperation. He feels as if he is drowning in his tears as he calls out to God.  Many will recognize verse 9 above as words applied to Jesus as He cleansed the temple.  David for a long time could not even go to the House of the Lord (at that time the Tabernacle); he was too busy running from his enemies.  David looks to God for the "acceptable time" for his prayer to be answered.  This rather lengthy psalm goes one to talk about all the evil being plotted against him, but in the end, once again, David commits to trusting God and calls on his people, and all peoples, to do so as well.  

Inner Strength

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

As Paul opened this chapter he revealed to his readers and to us the "mystery of the Gospel": how we too could be a part of God's people.  It was a call entrusted to him and the other apostles and passed on to us. This moved him to pray the prayer above - for inner strength that comes not from us, but the Holy Spirit - the strength to believe, to trust, to have faith in God's plan and not our own, which is based upon His endless love and His desire to fill our lives with all He intends.  May His Holy Spirit do that is us today. 

Don't Forget...

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

This paragraph in the middle of the chapter is surrounded by two well-known and deeply profound sections of scripture.  The chapter begins with the amazing grace of God, seen in His offering salvation by faith in Christ. After these section Paul talks about the reconciliation that has been made between us and God, and between us an one another.  He then pulls it all together in the picture of the Church united, but a glorious temple with Christ as our Cornerstone.  (Yes, you do need to read the full chapter to get the full effect.)  What the verses above remind us of is our tendency to forget where we have come from. It was a problem with Old Testament Israel, the church at Ephesus, and still is with us today. Remember where you were and what God has done to draw you near to Him. 

To The Praise of His Glory...

 

Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

As Paul introduced this letter he jumped right in, mentioning all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ: choosing us, adopting us, redeeming us, forgiving us, pouring out on us His grace. He then tells us above that originally God showed all these things to the apostles, then, through them to this body of believers, so that they might be "to the praise of His glory." Paul wants us to know from the offset that it is all from Him and to Him.  He then goes on to remind us that this calling also includes all that we need to live it out: wisdom, knowledge, hope, power, and authority.  We have these things as an inheritance that we can tap into right now, and also know that there will be plenty left for the age to come.  May we live "to the praise of His glory."

Thank You, and Watch Out!

 Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Paul opens this chapter with a long string of greetings and "thank you"s to those who had been faithful to him and to the ministry of Christ.  He then turns their attention to the fact that others would oppose them and the Gospel through divisions, false teaching, and selfishness - all of which are very infectious.  They, however, also have the grace that is needed to withstand such attacks and stay true to God's will for them. Just as Paul had them to support him, they had one another and the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen one another. 

Pleasing the Person

Romans 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Paul and the other writers of the New Testament warn us against being people-pleasers, but here he also reminds us not to live to please ourselves.  There is Someone, however, Whom we are to aim to please: God.  Christ did, not only setting the precedent for us, but the standard and statement to do so.  It is not always easy to get along with others, even in the Family of God, but God will give us the endurance we need to stick and stay together to glorify Him. 

The Rider in the Heavens

Psalm 68:32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

These closing words of this psalm of David summarize David's focus on God's leading His people to victory over the envious peoples of the world.  He begins by picturing enemy nations fleeing for their lives, scattered across the earth, yet, they cannot help buy be drawn back to Jerusalem, the city of God and His temple.  On one hand they are rebellious, on the other they know deep down He is the Almighty God they should serve. So David calls on them to come and worship Him, to see Him as He really is: above the clouds ruling and reigning over all the earth, and especially present among His people.

Praise It Forward

Psalm 66:1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.” Selah

Psalm 67:5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

    let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;

    God, our God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us;

    let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Above we find the opening verses of Psalm 66 and closing verses of Psalm 67.  The psalmist  begins by calling the whole world to praise his awesome God. He then reminds his people of God's deliverance from Egypt through the sea, His provision in the promised land, His protection from their enemies, and His answering their prayers.  He then begins Psalm 67 with a heartfelt prayer that God would bless the nations through blessing them.  The result of our praise is to draw others to praise Him too.