Meditation if often said to be something that is done in eastern
religions. Buddhists and Hindu worshippers often clear their mind of
all worldly thought and focus their minds on both nothing and everything
at the same time. By learning to focus their minds they learn clarity
of thought, serenity and self-control. Many people want to take the
lessons of meditation from these other religions and adopt that into
Christianity.
But we shouldn’t mix other philosophies with Christianity; we
shouldn’t mix truth with the lie. And the good thing is we don’t have
to learn from eastern religions to discover the truth about meditation –
the bible had meditation first.
It says this in Genesis 24:63 – “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening…”
Early saints used to go out into the fields and meditate. Abraham also
meditated – he would go out in the warmest part of the day and sit and
be still.
But when the bible uses the term “meditate” it doesn’t mean the same
thing that eastern religions mean. In Joshua 1:8 God says this:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful
to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Let’s dissect this verse. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth…”
this means that Joshua is commanded to speak words that come from the
word of God. He was meant to understand the teachings of God in such a
way that he could explain exactly what God meant and what that meant to
daily life. The first thing we learn about meditation is that godly
meditation is first understanding that every part of our lives is
directly impacted by our understanding of what God wants us to do.
But in order to have the ability to speak and think as God wants us to speak and think we must first “meditate on it day and night”.
This means that the believer never stops meditating. The believer
first reads and thinks about the word of God and how it impacts his or
her life and he doesn’t stop thinking like that even when he sleeps!
That’s how deep Christian meditation is.
The Christian reads and prays to get a message from God. He believes
that God wants to speak directly to him and about his life. But this
is only the first level of meditation. In the next step the Christian
takes that message and thought and expands it so that he is in touch
with God every second of the day.
But meditation isn’t just some mental exercise. We aren’t just supposed to be philosophers. We meditate “so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it”.
The Christian’s meditation is purposeful – as we focus our thoughts and
think and speak the way God would have us to do we will be more
obedient and more purposeful.
Some believers struggle with discipline. Perhaps you have an anger
problem, want to lose weight or maybe you have battles with lust. Did
you know that meditation is the key to beating those sins? The
meditation absorbs the thoughts of God and those thoughts naturally do
battle with the sinful thoughts that try to enslave us.
And the more we meditate the more successful we will be: “then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”. Meditation leads directly to success. As we focus on God’s thoughts we take on the mind of the victorious.
There are many other benefits to godly meditation – foresight,
clarity, vision, wisdom, deeper knowledge, revelation, peace, the hand
of God may rest on us, deeper prayer – and you see all of these benefits
as you search through God’s word. As you meditate on the Word of the
Lord you will be blessed.
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Studying Through Colossians: Chapter 4
Chapter 4:
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
One important aspect of prayer is watchfulness. Jesus said this:
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Mark 14:37-38]
When Paul discussed spiritual warfare he said this:
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saint... [Ephesians 6:18]
For the Christian prayer is watchfulness and prayer is not effective if that prayer is not watchful.
But prayer is also active; it makes us a spiritual part of every ministry we pray for.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
There are two important points. First, Paul believed that prayer would move God to open doors for the work of the ministry. In Paul’s mind prayer led to results.
Second, Paul’s message focused on clarity. Often times we communicate God’s word thinking about complex issues but Paul focused on making God understood.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
This is general wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to “redeem the time” and to be gracious with our speech. The wise person seasons his speech – he doesn’t season so little that his words are bland and he doesn’t season so much that people spit out what he says. He follows the path of the Preacher who –
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. [Ecclesiastes 12:9-10]
Paul moves on:
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Paul used a team to do ministry. All of these men are faithful men who endured struggles and continued to develop as Christian leaders used them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul was committed not only to team ministry but a network of churches that worked together, gave together and prayed together.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
One important aspect of prayer is watchfulness. Jesus said this:
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Mark 14:37-38]
When Paul discussed spiritual warfare he said this:
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saint... [Ephesians 6:18]
For the Christian prayer is watchfulness and prayer is not effective if that prayer is not watchful.
But prayer is also active; it makes us a spiritual part of every ministry we pray for.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
There are two important points. First, Paul believed that prayer would move God to open doors for the work of the ministry. In Paul’s mind prayer led to results.
Second, Paul’s message focused on clarity. Often times we communicate God’s word thinking about complex issues but Paul focused on making God understood.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
This is general wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to “redeem the time” and to be gracious with our speech. The wise person seasons his speech – he doesn’t season so little that his words are bland and he doesn’t season so much that people spit out what he says. He follows the path of the Preacher who –
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. [Ecclesiastes 12:9-10]
Paul moves on:
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Paul used a team to do ministry. All of these men are faithful men who endured struggles and continued to develop as Christian leaders used them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul was committed not only to team ministry but a network of churches that worked together, gave together and prayed together.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Studying through Colossians: Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
Practical Outcomes of Philosophy:
In Chapter 2 Paul discussed the dangers of an unchristian philosophy – hedonism, asceticism, spiritualism and religion – and how these things try to answer the questions of the world without God. These types of thinking aren’t just wrong they are immoral and lead to evil and a frustrating and self-defeating existence.
Paul commanded them in the end that if they had died with Christ they ought to stop thinking of Christ in fleshly ways. Now he instructs them on how to live now that they have been raised with Christ.
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.
For the Christian the death and resurrection of Christ is not just important when we first came to believe. The Christian is not just saved once – in a way he is saved continually through following the pattern of Christ who died on this earth and rose again and ascended to heaven.
In that same way we ought to die to this world and set our minds on heavenly things. Paul says it this way in another place:
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. [2 Corinthians 5:16]
What does it mean to see things in the flesh or set your mind on the earth? We set our minds on the earth whenever we do not see the hand of God in all things. The person that does not think it important to read their word and pray is not setting their minds on the things above. The person who gives in to despair is acting as if God has not ordained victory. The person who believes that men are generally good is acting as if God has not already spoken on this issue.
Setting your mind above incorporates an understanding of the truth that is more than superficial. It is not just an intellectual pursuit – it is theology and it is life. It is a pattern of thinking, acting and reacting that incorporates the truths of God. Setting your mind on things above takes concentration, training and meditation.
In other words the only way to follow these commands is to set ourselves under the ministry of the word and prayer. Faithful men of God have the gift to open understanding and God grants revelation and opened eyes to those he chooses. Without the ministry of the word and prayer we would be left trying to accomplish this command on our own and it would be all to easy to try and rely on the flesh and not the spirit. The church facilitates all of the commands of God.
When we follow the pattern of Christ we follow the pattern found in Romans 8:30 –
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We who are called into salvation will be made righteous. And those who are made righteous will be glorified.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Following the pattern of Christ we must put to death sin. Many people would like to make sin a pet or imprison sin, but scripture calls for a more thorough solution. To play with sin is to underestimate its allure and power – in some ways the one who refuses to put sin to death has already fallen prey to the allure of sin and may have already fallen into enslavement without even realizing it.
The things listed are important but Paul says something interesting – covetousness is idolatry. Covetousness is wanting things that belong to someone else. Idol worship is Satan’s way of stealing worship that doesn’t belong to him.
But even more implicitly covetousness is idolizing the self. The one who no longer things ownership is important is one who has decided to make himself the Lawgiver.
No one ought to be deceived by sin. Because of the sins listed God is bringing judgment and throwing men into hell. Hell is a most important doctrine because it demonstrates the holy zeal of God who makes no peace with evil and is not satisfied until everything is perfect. But the Christian is not one who goes around pointing out everyone that is going to hell – as some do and shame the church – the Christian realizes that he too was subject to the judgment of God. Because he now understands the purpose of God he ought to put those sins away.
Part of putting sin to death is just being honest with each other. Often times Christians will do the indefensible and attempt to hide the truth from the eyes of their brothers. If we are really serious about putting sin to death we have to stop lying. We have to acknowledge the devastating and the embarrassing – we have to have open hearts. And there is no excuse for not opening our hearts because we are all one in Christ.
But Christianity is not a “do not” list. It incorporates positive and negative actions.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
One of the most important things we must put on is the ability to bear with each other. Often times unity exacts its own price in small annoyances, irritations and conflicts for the more we are unified together the more our divergent opinions matter. The Christian is primarily an part of the Church – he must first realize that he cannot serve God outside of the body of Christ and that leaving the Church is never the first solution to anything. Then he must strive to be agreeable and a person who is possible to bear with.
We must forgive as Christ forgives. Some interpret this wrongly as an attitude that sees sin and decides to continually think nicely of the other person. This is not the attitude Paul is calling for. Christ continually called out sin yet he was willing to do whatever it took to win souls to Himself. He forgave the repentant, not just anyone who asks for an apology.
This type of forgiveness is often difficult for some to understand because they have given their minds over to the ways of the world, not Christ. But we must come to understand that as God will only forgive those who repent we can only forgive those who repent. Forgiveness demands judgment.
Above all this we must understand proper Christian love. When we become loving we reach true unity. Love leads to fulfillment – it will produce the harmony that our hearts wish for.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The peace Paul speaks of is the true unity that can only be accomplished when men and women are united in both mind and purpose. It incorporates an acceptance of reality because what happens is ultimately God’s will. Rather than trying to earnestly change reality this person is trying to change themselves to be in tune with the Spirit of God.
Part of achieving peace is letting the word dwell in us and we cannot let the word dwell in unless we actively participate in the ministries of the word and praise. The ministry of the word makes the word understandable, applicable and powerful for us in ways we could not do on our own. The ministry of praise makes the word dwell with us in a different way. Praise ministers directly to the heart and at the same time praise is an outpouring of the heart. Praise trains the heart to love God.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
When we truly put on Christ we will see changes in our personal relationships. Paul commands wives to submit to their husbands because it is “fitting in the Lord”. To submit means “to align oneself under” – in other words wives are to support their husbands as the leader of the home because this is the way that God made men and women. It is “fitting”.
Husbands are to love their wives and not “be harsh with them” – this suggests a display of self-control and leadership with care. The Husband is not a Lord over a servant, he is king to his queen.
The two commands work together to fulfill the central needs of men and women. Men need respect and a Christian wife meets that need; women need attention and affection and the Christian husband meets that need. Both husband and wife ought to meet the needs of the other in ways that the other will receive and ultimately enjoy.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
The child’s main responsibility is to obey their parents – while they are still at home the parents represent the authority of God to them. At the same time Fathers are the leaders of the home but that should not lead them to abuse their power. Proper biblical leadership puts an emphasis on the limits of power.
22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
The bondservant was essentially a slave. Paul reminds us that God never promises to deliver every believer from every distressing or injustice circumstance we may find ourselves in; he promises to empower us to live righteously despite our circumstances.
We may think slavery is unjust or that our workplace is unjust but that does not excuse us from obeying God. The bondservant is to obey their masters in everything. Paul uses the expression “not by way of eye-service” – we have to remember that obedience is not just an outward expression; it is the overflow of an obedient heart. Just as it would be wrong for a husband to outwardly loving and inwardly bitter it would be wrong to outwardly obey while inwardly resenting authority.
Thus the believer is to work for the Lord because ultimately that is who pays him. And Paul makes it clear that the Lord pays everyone – he pays the righteous and rewards them according to his grace and their works and he pays the wicked and punishes them according to their works. There is no favoritism in reward or judgment.
The Master’s responsibility is to be just and fair. The Master realizes that even if he has no earthly limit to his power he will be held into account for every use of his power.
Practical Outcomes of Philosophy:
In Chapter 2 Paul discussed the dangers of an unchristian philosophy – hedonism, asceticism, spiritualism and religion – and how these things try to answer the questions of the world without God. These types of thinking aren’t just wrong they are immoral and lead to evil and a frustrating and self-defeating existence.
Paul commanded them in the end that if they had died with Christ they ought to stop thinking of Christ in fleshly ways. Now he instructs them on how to live now that they have been raised with Christ.
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.
For the Christian the death and resurrection of Christ is not just important when we first came to believe. The Christian is not just saved once – in a way he is saved continually through following the pattern of Christ who died on this earth and rose again and ascended to heaven.
In that same way we ought to die to this world and set our minds on heavenly things. Paul says it this way in another place:
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. [2 Corinthians 5:16]
What does it mean to see things in the flesh or set your mind on the earth? We set our minds on the earth whenever we do not see the hand of God in all things. The person that does not think it important to read their word and pray is not setting their minds on the things above. The person who gives in to despair is acting as if God has not ordained victory. The person who believes that men are generally good is acting as if God has not already spoken on this issue.
Setting your mind above incorporates an understanding of the truth that is more than superficial. It is not just an intellectual pursuit – it is theology and it is life. It is a pattern of thinking, acting and reacting that incorporates the truths of God. Setting your mind on things above takes concentration, training and meditation.
In other words the only way to follow these commands is to set ourselves under the ministry of the word and prayer. Faithful men of God have the gift to open understanding and God grants revelation and opened eyes to those he chooses. Without the ministry of the word and prayer we would be left trying to accomplish this command on our own and it would be all to easy to try and rely on the flesh and not the spirit. The church facilitates all of the commands of God.
When we follow the pattern of Christ we follow the pattern found in Romans 8:30 –
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We who are called into salvation will be made righteous. And those who are made righteous will be glorified.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Following the pattern of Christ we must put to death sin. Many people would like to make sin a pet or imprison sin, but scripture calls for a more thorough solution. To play with sin is to underestimate its allure and power – in some ways the one who refuses to put sin to death has already fallen prey to the allure of sin and may have already fallen into enslavement without even realizing it.
The things listed are important but Paul says something interesting – covetousness is idolatry. Covetousness is wanting things that belong to someone else. Idol worship is Satan’s way of stealing worship that doesn’t belong to him.
But even more implicitly covetousness is idolizing the self. The one who no longer things ownership is important is one who has decided to make himself the Lawgiver.
No one ought to be deceived by sin. Because of the sins listed God is bringing judgment and throwing men into hell. Hell is a most important doctrine because it demonstrates the holy zeal of God who makes no peace with evil and is not satisfied until everything is perfect. But the Christian is not one who goes around pointing out everyone that is going to hell – as some do and shame the church – the Christian realizes that he too was subject to the judgment of God. Because he now understands the purpose of God he ought to put those sins away.
Part of putting sin to death is just being honest with each other. Often times Christians will do the indefensible and attempt to hide the truth from the eyes of their brothers. If we are really serious about putting sin to death we have to stop lying. We have to acknowledge the devastating and the embarrassing – we have to have open hearts. And there is no excuse for not opening our hearts because we are all one in Christ.
But Christianity is not a “do not” list. It incorporates positive and negative actions.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
One of the most important things we must put on is the ability to bear with each other. Often times unity exacts its own price in small annoyances, irritations and conflicts for the more we are unified together the more our divergent opinions matter. The Christian is primarily an part of the Church – he must first realize that he cannot serve God outside of the body of Christ and that leaving the Church is never the first solution to anything. Then he must strive to be agreeable and a person who is possible to bear with.
We must forgive as Christ forgives. Some interpret this wrongly as an attitude that sees sin and decides to continually think nicely of the other person. This is not the attitude Paul is calling for. Christ continually called out sin yet he was willing to do whatever it took to win souls to Himself. He forgave the repentant, not just anyone who asks for an apology.
This type of forgiveness is often difficult for some to understand because they have given their minds over to the ways of the world, not Christ. But we must come to understand that as God will only forgive those who repent we can only forgive those who repent. Forgiveness demands judgment.
Above all this we must understand proper Christian love. When we become loving we reach true unity. Love leads to fulfillment – it will produce the harmony that our hearts wish for.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The peace Paul speaks of is the true unity that can only be accomplished when men and women are united in both mind and purpose. It incorporates an acceptance of reality because what happens is ultimately God’s will. Rather than trying to earnestly change reality this person is trying to change themselves to be in tune with the Spirit of God.
Part of achieving peace is letting the word dwell in us and we cannot let the word dwell in unless we actively participate in the ministries of the word and praise. The ministry of the word makes the word understandable, applicable and powerful for us in ways we could not do on our own. The ministry of praise makes the word dwell with us in a different way. Praise ministers directly to the heart and at the same time praise is an outpouring of the heart. Praise trains the heart to love God.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
When we truly put on Christ we will see changes in our personal relationships. Paul commands wives to submit to their husbands because it is “fitting in the Lord”. To submit means “to align oneself under” – in other words wives are to support their husbands as the leader of the home because this is the way that God made men and women. It is “fitting”.
Husbands are to love their wives and not “be harsh with them” – this suggests a display of self-control and leadership with care. The Husband is not a Lord over a servant, he is king to his queen.
The two commands work together to fulfill the central needs of men and women. Men need respect and a Christian wife meets that need; women need attention and affection and the Christian husband meets that need. Both husband and wife ought to meet the needs of the other in ways that the other will receive and ultimately enjoy.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
The child’s main responsibility is to obey their parents – while they are still at home the parents represent the authority of God to them. At the same time Fathers are the leaders of the home but that should not lead them to abuse their power. Proper biblical leadership puts an emphasis on the limits of power.
22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
The bondservant was essentially a slave. Paul reminds us that God never promises to deliver every believer from every distressing or injustice circumstance we may find ourselves in; he promises to empower us to live righteously despite our circumstances.
We may think slavery is unjust or that our workplace is unjust but that does not excuse us from obeying God. The bondservant is to obey their masters in everything. Paul uses the expression “not by way of eye-service” – we have to remember that obedience is not just an outward expression; it is the overflow of an obedient heart. Just as it would be wrong for a husband to outwardly loving and inwardly bitter it would be wrong to outwardly obey while inwardly resenting authority.
Thus the believer is to work for the Lord because ultimately that is who pays him. And Paul makes it clear that the Lord pays everyone – he pays the righteous and rewards them according to his grace and their works and he pays the wicked and punishes them according to their works. There is no favoritism in reward or judgment.
The Master’s responsibility is to be just and fair. The Master realizes that even if he has no earthly limit to his power he will be held into account for every use of his power.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Studying through Colossians: Chapter 2
Chapter2:
Paul keeps on talking about the struggle of working for the gospel. Working for the Lord is not easy. Paul struggled because he was fighting to help the people of Colossae grow into the church God meant them to be.
He also struggled because he was unable to minister to them face to face.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul wanted their “hearts” to be encouraged – in other words he wanted a real change in character that would make them uplifted, encouraged and motivated saints. Paul wanted to encourage every believer but he thought it more important that each believer have encouragement placed in their own hearts – in other words he wanted Christians to be able to encourage themselves.
When we are properly encouraged we will fight for unity. Paul wanted them to be “knit together in love”. When we reach for God’s riches, wisdom and knowledge we ought to reach for these things as a unit, not as individuals. Pursuing God is a team game.
Paul teaches us that understanding Christ isn’t just an intellectual pursuit. It helps us to stand against the arguments of the world.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
When we truly understand Christ we won’t be deluded by Satan. Satan has one tact and that is the same tact he used against Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: he lies. Satan will paint a picture or present an argument that seems difficult to answer; he attempts to confuse, deceive and discourage a believer.
Understanding Christ stops Satan in his tracks. When we understand Him we won’t be deluded; we will maintain good order and firmness. We will be strong.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
The more we understand Christ the more we will be rooted in the truth. This passage speaks to the purpose of biblical leadership, a purpose we learn of in Ephesians 4:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [Ephesians 4:11-16]
Paul was fulfilling his purpose by building the people of Colossae (and us) by writing this epistle. And as we grow stronger in the Lord we will grow in our Thanksgiving – in other words the more we understand what Christ did for us the more we will be thankful for it. A lack of thankfulness shows that we don’t understand or value the sacrifice Christ gave.
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.
The danger was falling to philosophy. Paul alluded to this danger before, but now he gets more specific: following the thoughts and philosophies of the world around us is dangerous for our faith.
Philosophy is “empty deceit”. Often times we are beguiled by the clever words of men. We hear the philosophies of the world and recognize the thought it took to devise them, but Paul looks at all the work it takes to build worldly philosophies and sees the evidence of a dedicated liar. Everything that isn’t from Christ is from the Father of Liars.
This is the human tradition – to be fooled and live lives that lead to nothing worthwhile. The Preacher said it correctly when he looked at everything “under the sun” and saw only vanity. “Under the sun” summarizes the state of humanity without God – the thoughtful Christian is cynical about anything human that has not been redeemed by God.
The Elemental spirits of the World in this case probably means a combination of demons and false gods. Some were worshipping idols, not knowing that they represented demons. Some people worship false gods designed by Satan to divert worship from the True God. In both cases true worship is being perverted and directed to the elemental spirits of the world and not to Christ.
The cure to the problems of human philosophy is a deeper understanding of Christ, and Paul expounds on the truths of Christ in this next section:
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.
Christ is everything that human philosophy isn’t. He is first real. He exists and is relevant.
He is the physical form of God. Unlike the idols that depicted a warped version of God based off of human imagination and demonic inspiration he is Emmanuel, God with us. Christ fills us and leads us directly, not vaguely. He transcends the commandments of Jewish law because he cuts off the impurity of the heart and separates us by redeeming our souls instead of making a mark on the body.
He is alive and gives life, while philosophy and the human tradition leads to death, destruction and decay. He doesn’t make an endless list of do’s and don’ts – he also crucifies our debt and the legal demands that led to our debts. He leads to victory while philosophy often leads to doubt and despair.
The world has its own solutions to the human condition. The first of which is religion:
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Religion is not Christianity and Christianity is not a religion. A religion is best defined as a set of behaviors and attitudes people assume will get them closer to God. Nothing is more useless than this type of hopeless religion.
People “feel” closer to God when they speak old English, so they refer to God as “thou”. People “feel” in touch with God when their music is intense, so they love intense music. Some people have superstitions or patterns that they think get them closer to God. Even teachers develop set patterns and try to impose these patterns on others.
Actions matter – and Paul would never argue that they don’t – but religion doesn’t get us any closer to God. These religious festivals and rites may feel good, but the best way to stand close to God is to recognize that Christ is God. The one who is stuck on religion is really letting style trump substance.
The second solution is asceticism:
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Asceticism is the belief that denying worldly pleasures will lead us to a higher spiritual state. The bible doesn’t preach asceticism; it preaches discipline.
The bible calls on believers to fight the lusts of the flesh and to live controlled lives but we are also to enjoy life. The married are to enjoy sexual union. The one who eats should enjoy his food. Parents should enjoy their children. As the Preacher says:
24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. [Ecclesiastes 2:24]
Nothing is gained by living miserably. Christ gave us life so that we can live it and live it more abundantly.
The third solution is spiritualism. This is the pursuit of spiritual things we cannot and do not understand. Thus you will have people interpreting scripture based on what they feel. Others seek for knowledge on things scripture is not clear on, like the nature of angels and demons, the last days or how the world was before the flood. Others think they have visions and pursue these visions as if they are inspired by God.
Paul addresses this bluntly: spiritualism is nothing but arrogance. It presumes to know things that we cannot know. Often times it is based on the world’s fourth solution: hedonism.
Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure above all else. The ones who give into hedonism, ascetism and spiritualism forget that Christ nourishes the spirit. Asceticism doesn’t think we’re supposed to be nourished, spiritualism looks to someone other that Jesus and hedonism doesn’t even care about spiritual nourishment.
When we focus on Christ we find our true fulfillment and we will grow.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
These man made solutions may seem like they do something but they are actually no help in our battle against sin. Having absolutely no pleasure in life does not lead to discipline. Instead of relying on the world’s philosophy Paul urges us to rely on Christ.
Paul keeps on talking about the struggle of working for the gospel. Working for the Lord is not easy. Paul struggled because he was fighting to help the people of Colossae grow into the church God meant them to be.
He also struggled because he was unable to minister to them face to face.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul wanted their “hearts” to be encouraged – in other words he wanted a real change in character that would make them uplifted, encouraged and motivated saints. Paul wanted to encourage every believer but he thought it more important that each believer have encouragement placed in their own hearts – in other words he wanted Christians to be able to encourage themselves.
When we are properly encouraged we will fight for unity. Paul wanted them to be “knit together in love”. When we reach for God’s riches, wisdom and knowledge we ought to reach for these things as a unit, not as individuals. Pursuing God is a team game.
Paul teaches us that understanding Christ isn’t just an intellectual pursuit. It helps us to stand against the arguments of the world.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
When we truly understand Christ we won’t be deluded by Satan. Satan has one tact and that is the same tact he used against Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: he lies. Satan will paint a picture or present an argument that seems difficult to answer; he attempts to confuse, deceive and discourage a believer.
Understanding Christ stops Satan in his tracks. When we understand Him we won’t be deluded; we will maintain good order and firmness. We will be strong.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
The more we understand Christ the more we will be rooted in the truth. This passage speaks to the purpose of biblical leadership, a purpose we learn of in Ephesians 4:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [Ephesians 4:11-16]
Paul was fulfilling his purpose by building the people of Colossae (and us) by writing this epistle. And as we grow stronger in the Lord we will grow in our Thanksgiving – in other words the more we understand what Christ did for us the more we will be thankful for it. A lack of thankfulness shows that we don’t understand or value the sacrifice Christ gave.
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.
The danger was falling to philosophy. Paul alluded to this danger before, but now he gets more specific: following the thoughts and philosophies of the world around us is dangerous for our faith.
Philosophy is “empty deceit”. Often times we are beguiled by the clever words of men. We hear the philosophies of the world and recognize the thought it took to devise them, but Paul looks at all the work it takes to build worldly philosophies and sees the evidence of a dedicated liar. Everything that isn’t from Christ is from the Father of Liars.
This is the human tradition – to be fooled and live lives that lead to nothing worthwhile. The Preacher said it correctly when he looked at everything “under the sun” and saw only vanity. “Under the sun” summarizes the state of humanity without God – the thoughtful Christian is cynical about anything human that has not been redeemed by God.
The Elemental spirits of the World in this case probably means a combination of demons and false gods. Some were worshipping idols, not knowing that they represented demons. Some people worship false gods designed by Satan to divert worship from the True God. In both cases true worship is being perverted and directed to the elemental spirits of the world and not to Christ.
The cure to the problems of human philosophy is a deeper understanding of Christ, and Paul expounds on the truths of Christ in this next section:
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.
Christ is everything that human philosophy isn’t. He is first real. He exists and is relevant.
He is the physical form of God. Unlike the idols that depicted a warped version of God based off of human imagination and demonic inspiration he is Emmanuel, God with us. Christ fills us and leads us directly, not vaguely. He transcends the commandments of Jewish law because he cuts off the impurity of the heart and separates us by redeeming our souls instead of making a mark on the body.
He is alive and gives life, while philosophy and the human tradition leads to death, destruction and decay. He doesn’t make an endless list of do’s and don’ts – he also crucifies our debt and the legal demands that led to our debts. He leads to victory while philosophy often leads to doubt and despair.
The world has its own solutions to the human condition. The first of which is religion:
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Religion is not Christianity and Christianity is not a religion. A religion is best defined as a set of behaviors and attitudes people assume will get them closer to God. Nothing is more useless than this type of hopeless religion.
People “feel” closer to God when they speak old English, so they refer to God as “thou”. People “feel” in touch with God when their music is intense, so they love intense music. Some people have superstitions or patterns that they think get them closer to God. Even teachers develop set patterns and try to impose these patterns on others.
Actions matter – and Paul would never argue that they don’t – but religion doesn’t get us any closer to God. These religious festivals and rites may feel good, but the best way to stand close to God is to recognize that Christ is God. The one who is stuck on religion is really letting style trump substance.
The second solution is asceticism:
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Asceticism is the belief that denying worldly pleasures will lead us to a higher spiritual state. The bible doesn’t preach asceticism; it preaches discipline.
The bible calls on believers to fight the lusts of the flesh and to live controlled lives but we are also to enjoy life. The married are to enjoy sexual union. The one who eats should enjoy his food. Parents should enjoy their children. As the Preacher says:
24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God. [Ecclesiastes 2:24]
Nothing is gained by living miserably. Christ gave us life so that we can live it and live it more abundantly.
The third solution is spiritualism. This is the pursuit of spiritual things we cannot and do not understand. Thus you will have people interpreting scripture based on what they feel. Others seek for knowledge on things scripture is not clear on, like the nature of angels and demons, the last days or how the world was before the flood. Others think they have visions and pursue these visions as if they are inspired by God.
Paul addresses this bluntly: spiritualism is nothing but arrogance. It presumes to know things that we cannot know. Often times it is based on the world’s fourth solution: hedonism.
Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure above all else. The ones who give into hedonism, ascetism and spiritualism forget that Christ nourishes the spirit. Asceticism doesn’t think we’re supposed to be nourished, spiritualism looks to someone other that Jesus and hedonism doesn’t even care about spiritual nourishment.
When we focus on Christ we find our true fulfillment and we will grow.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 ( referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
These man made solutions may seem like they do something but they are actually no help in our battle against sin. Having absolutely no pleasure in life does not lead to discipline. Instead of relying on the world’s philosophy Paul urges us to rely on Christ.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Study Through Colossians: Chapter 1
The Epistle to the Colossians
Introduction:
Colossians is Paul’s letter to the people of Colossae. The people of Colossae weren’t saved from hearing the gospel from Paul – they heard the message from Epaphras, a member of Paul’s team that was from the area. The church in Colossae shows us how faithful ministers – men and women who are dedicated to building up God’s people and have a heart for souls – can be prospersous even when the world continues to attack the church with its vain philosophies.
Chapter 1:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Paul always ministered as part of a team. In the start of almost every letter Paul wrote you will find that Paul didn’t just identify himself as the author – he highlighted the contributions of his teammates. They stood together even when Paul had to say something controversial or when Paul had to get aggressive – they were partners to the end.
In the same way our ministry must be a team game. There are star players on every team, but for the team to be the best it can be everyone must participate and give their all to prepare and do the work of the ministry.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Love verifies faith. Paul knew that the people of Colossae were saved because he could see their love for the saints. He was able to thank God and pray for them because what he saw was the genuine saving faith that changes hearts and leads to changed lives. We shouldn’t take people at their word – every claim of faith must be tested and verified by both a heart change and a change in actions.
Faith is gained by hearing or the Word. The bible taught salvation by faith from the very beginning. Moses said this:
11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. [Deuteronomy 30:11-14]
In other words we aren’t saved by difficult actions, or by some epic trek or pilgrimage to some distant land or to the heavens. We don’t have to ascend to heaven to find the path to salvation. The path to salvation is simple: it is in the words that are preached to us; everyone who hears the words of God and believes in them will be saved.
And salvation is verified by actions. The word isn’t just given so that we can understand it; it is near to us “so that you can do it”.
And Moses goes on:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. [Deuteronomy 30:15-16]
Notice he doesn’t tell them to sacrifice a bull. He doesn’t tell them about the intricacies of the law – he commands them to love the Lord and walk in his ways. If you have faith enough to love God and walk in his ways you will be blessed. And we can look at that word “blessed” as synonymous with the greatest blessing: salvation.
Paul builds on Moses’ theme and goes on:
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [Romans 10:5-12]
This passage is not teaching the Lord’s Prayer or that words lead to salvation (as some teach); Paul is saying that if you truly believe in Christ – which we can test by a heart change and a confession – you will be saved. Everyone who believes is saved. And if you are saved you will be justified, or made righteous.
This is why Paul says this: “everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame”. Paul means this two ways: first, that when we stand before God we will be honored and praised for believing in Jesus Christ, but second that the righteousness God creates in the believer will enable that believer to live a triumphant life, one that will not lead us to be put to shame.
And this salvation does not discriminate. It is not based on sex or race; it is based on calling on the name of the Lord.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [Romans 10:13-17]
How can people call on the name of the Lord if they don’t believe in who he is? We are like artists, depicting the image of God in words and actions. Demonstrating his power by the Spirit – if we should depict something other than Christ we are telling people to call on a power that is not Jesus Christ. But when we demonstrate who Jesus is they can call on him.
When we depict who Jesus is we might meet with rejection. Isaiah laments the fact that he preached for a long time and not many believed his word – even though everything he prophesied happened people treated him like a kook, a lair and one who spread hate. But we cannot be deterred by a little unbelief. Because faith comes from hearing and hearing is enabled by the word, the choosing, of Christ.
The people of Colossae believed because they heard the “word of truth” – the gospel of Christ. Their ears were opened by God. They listened to Epaphras and believed.
But belief isn’t the end of our faith. It is the beginning:
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
A lot of people try to drift along in their faith merely believing in Jesus Christ. Some want to generically “believe in God” and think that this belief is good enough. Those people should question whether they really have a saving faith.
For the truly saved believing is just the beginning – Paul was thankful that they were saved but now he was praying that they gained knowledge, wisdom and understanding. We should not be at the same level we were last year; God demands relentless growth, because whatever does not grow he prunes:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [John 15:1-7]
Jesus makes it clear: he demands growth and whatever doesn’t grow gets cut. Verse 8 if taught correctly would be very controversial, because Jesus doesn’t just accept people by their words – he wants them to prove they are disciples by growing.
In the same way Paul encourages these believers to grow. He wanted them to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding because all of those things lead us” to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”.
Paul also calls on the believers to be strengthened with God’s power so that we can endure. Endurance is the best test of real belief, because if a life doesn’t change completely and for the long term it is not a life that has been changed by God at all. Strength is more than just walking around in confidence – it leads us to actually enjoy this Christian life and live with an attitude of thankfulness.
And if we really want to learn about strength we need to focus on Christ.
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.
Jesus Christ is the picture of God; he is the physical realization of God on earth. He created the worlds, he existed before time began and holds all things together. He is the head of the Church, he is the leader of those who were resurrected. He will bring everything together and he makes peace through his blood.
When we think of Jesus we cannot help but to burst into praise. We worship him because he is God and we cannot help but be thankful when we consider what he has done for us:
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
We weren’t neutral to God; we hated God and the things of God. We didn’t just do some grey things; we were doing evil. We were summoned to righteousness; we were changed. And we will continue to be changed… if we pass the test of endurance.
Paul continually preaches the test of endurance and the gospel of the truth.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Paul was a faithful minister of the gospel and he was called to continue the work of suffering that Christ left to his apostles. It can be said that leadership in the church is a calling of speaking and suffering – we must speak the words of God as Oracles of God but we must be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel like faithful imitators of Jesus Christ.
Paul suffered because that is part of the ministry of leadership. He was a minister or a servant of the gospel because God called him to be a ministry. Paul considered his mission this: to make the word of God fully known and to teach everyone and warn everyone so that he could present the believers as mature warriors, willing to fight and able to win.
Written By: Brian C. Kenner
Introduction:
Colossians is Paul’s letter to the people of Colossae. The people of Colossae weren’t saved from hearing the gospel from Paul – they heard the message from Epaphras, a member of Paul’s team that was from the area. The church in Colossae shows us how faithful ministers – men and women who are dedicated to building up God’s people and have a heart for souls – can be prospersous even when the world continues to attack the church with its vain philosophies.
Chapter 1:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Paul always ministered as part of a team. In the start of almost every letter Paul wrote you will find that Paul didn’t just identify himself as the author – he highlighted the contributions of his teammates. They stood together even when Paul had to say something controversial or when Paul had to get aggressive – they were partners to the end.
In the same way our ministry must be a team game. There are star players on every team, but for the team to be the best it can be everyone must participate and give their all to prepare and do the work of the ministry.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
Love verifies faith. Paul knew that the people of Colossae were saved because he could see their love for the saints. He was able to thank God and pray for them because what he saw was the genuine saving faith that changes hearts and leads to changed lives. We shouldn’t take people at their word – every claim of faith must be tested and verified by both a heart change and a change in actions.
Faith is gained by hearing or the Word. The bible taught salvation by faith from the very beginning. Moses said this:
11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. [Deuteronomy 30:11-14]
In other words we aren’t saved by difficult actions, or by some epic trek or pilgrimage to some distant land or to the heavens. We don’t have to ascend to heaven to find the path to salvation. The path to salvation is simple: it is in the words that are preached to us; everyone who hears the words of God and believes in them will be saved.
And salvation is verified by actions. The word isn’t just given so that we can understand it; it is near to us “so that you can do it”.
And Moses goes on:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. [Deuteronomy 30:15-16]
Notice he doesn’t tell them to sacrifice a bull. He doesn’t tell them about the intricacies of the law – he commands them to love the Lord and walk in his ways. If you have faith enough to love God and walk in his ways you will be blessed. And we can look at that word “blessed” as synonymous with the greatest blessing: salvation.
Paul builds on Moses’ theme and goes on:
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [Romans 10:5-12]
This passage is not teaching the Lord’s Prayer or that words lead to salvation (as some teach); Paul is saying that if you truly believe in Christ – which we can test by a heart change and a confession – you will be saved. Everyone who believes is saved. And if you are saved you will be justified, or made righteous.
This is why Paul says this: “everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame”. Paul means this two ways: first, that when we stand before God we will be honored and praised for believing in Jesus Christ, but second that the righteousness God creates in the believer will enable that believer to live a triumphant life, one that will not lead us to be put to shame.
And this salvation does not discriminate. It is not based on sex or race; it is based on calling on the name of the Lord.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [Romans 10:13-17]
How can people call on the name of the Lord if they don’t believe in who he is? We are like artists, depicting the image of God in words and actions. Demonstrating his power by the Spirit – if we should depict something other than Christ we are telling people to call on a power that is not Jesus Christ. But when we demonstrate who Jesus is they can call on him.
When we depict who Jesus is we might meet with rejection. Isaiah laments the fact that he preached for a long time and not many believed his word – even though everything he prophesied happened people treated him like a kook, a lair and one who spread hate. But we cannot be deterred by a little unbelief. Because faith comes from hearing and hearing is enabled by the word, the choosing, of Christ.
The people of Colossae believed because they heard the “word of truth” – the gospel of Christ. Their ears were opened by God. They listened to Epaphras and believed.
But belief isn’t the end of our faith. It is the beginning:
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
A lot of people try to drift along in their faith merely believing in Jesus Christ. Some want to generically “believe in God” and think that this belief is good enough. Those people should question whether they really have a saving faith.
For the truly saved believing is just the beginning – Paul was thankful that they were saved but now he was praying that they gained knowledge, wisdom and understanding. We should not be at the same level we were last year; God demands relentless growth, because whatever does not grow he prunes:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [John 15:1-7]
Jesus makes it clear: he demands growth and whatever doesn’t grow gets cut. Verse 8 if taught correctly would be very controversial, because Jesus doesn’t just accept people by their words – he wants them to prove they are disciples by growing.
In the same way Paul encourages these believers to grow. He wanted them to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding because all of those things lead us” to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”.
Paul also calls on the believers to be strengthened with God’s power so that we can endure. Endurance is the best test of real belief, because if a life doesn’t change completely and for the long term it is not a life that has been changed by God at all. Strength is more than just walking around in confidence – it leads us to actually enjoy this Christian life and live with an attitude of thankfulness.
And if we really want to learn about strength we need to focus on Christ.
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.
Jesus Christ is the picture of God; he is the physical realization of God on earth. He created the worlds, he existed before time began and holds all things together. He is the head of the Church, he is the leader of those who were resurrected. He will bring everything together and he makes peace through his blood.
When we think of Jesus we cannot help but to burst into praise. We worship him because he is God and we cannot help but be thankful when we consider what he has done for us:
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
We weren’t neutral to God; we hated God and the things of God. We didn’t just do some grey things; we were doing evil. We were summoned to righteousness; we were changed. And we will continue to be changed… if we pass the test of endurance.
Paul continually preaches the test of endurance and the gospel of the truth.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Paul was a faithful minister of the gospel and he was called to continue the work of suffering that Christ left to his apostles. It can be said that leadership in the church is a calling of speaking and suffering – we must speak the words of God as Oracles of God but we must be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel like faithful imitators of Jesus Christ.
Paul suffered because that is part of the ministry of leadership. He was a minister or a servant of the gospel because God called him to be a ministry. Paul considered his mission this: to make the word of God fully known and to teach everyone and warn everyone so that he could present the believers as mature warriors, willing to fight and able to win.
Written By: Brian C. Kenner
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Some Key Points to Growing Spiritually
Here are some things you can do to help you grow spiritually:
Putting off your old self- (1 Peter 2:1-3 ,Gal 5:19-21)
Putting on a new self -(Gal 5:23-24)
Put discipleship to practice-(Matt 28:19-20)
Encouraging One Another instead of bringing one down- ( Heb 10:24-25)
Are you living a manner of life worthy to the gospel-Phil 1:27
Are you standing firm in a unity of mind and spirit?
Are you being filled with the Holy Spirit?
Do you have the right focus?
What about your prayer (col 1:9) Is there action following your prayer? ( 1 Peter 1:12)
Action... read Acts 8: 26-34... its about Philip... He was open to the spirit.
Questions to ask yourself:
Are you letting God speak to you?
Are you letting others define who you are or are you letting the bible define who you are?
Are you allowing your mind to be open to the Spirit calling, doing what you are called to do?
From Zeal Bible Ministry (of Sweet Communion Baptist Church)
Putting off your old self- (1 Peter 2:1-3 ,Gal 5:19-21)
Putting on a new self -(Gal 5:23-24)
Put discipleship to practice-(Matt 28:19-20)
Encouraging One Another instead of bringing one down- ( Heb 10:24-25)
Are you living a manner of life worthy to the gospel-Phil 1:27
Are you standing firm in a unity of mind and spirit?
Are you being filled with the Holy Spirit?
Do you have the right focus?
What about your prayer (col 1:9) Is there action following your prayer? ( 1 Peter 1:12)
Action... read Acts 8: 26-34... its about Philip... He was open to the spirit.
Questions to ask yourself:
Are you letting God speak to you?
Are you letting others define who you are or are you letting the bible define who you are?
Are you allowing your mind to be open to the Spirit calling, doing what you are called to do?
From Zeal Bible Ministry (of Sweet Communion Baptist Church)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Lets be Reasonable
Philippians 4:4-7, "rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Traditionally the concept taught from this section would zero in on verse 4 “rejoice in the Lord always…,” and verse 6-7, do not be anxious about anything, pray, and the God of peace will sustain you. However there is this small phrase that is often neglected yet is SO important in the context of God’s peace guarding your hearts. It is the concept of a) our reasonableness and b) the knowledge of the Lord being at hand. Today we are simply going to look at the concept of our reasonableness being known.
Our reasonableness, what does that even mean? How does that apply or fit into the context of anxiety? What could God possibly mean by putting the phrase sandwiched between these two phrases we use without a second thought every time something negative occurs in our lives? Insight into these questions I would argue is given by starting at verse 2 of the same chapter. Paul writes to the “true companion” to work with two women and laborers in the church to agree. But that agreement must be centered on and glorifying to the name of God. It is not a trite mentality that states we will merely “agree to disagree” rather he is saying find your agreement and the solution to your argument in the Lord. Seek His guidance and direction in the process of the decision being made, and by all means be willing to sacrifice your thoughts, feelings and devotions to a false notion at the altar of the Lord rather than to stubbornly and foolishly sacrifice your reputation and Christian testimony over something that is not God honoring.
What we see is because of a misplaced devotion, because of misplaced thoughts, praises, and rejoicing we quarrel and fight doing more harm to the mission and the work of God than helping it. Because of our selfish pride and in reality our unreasonable attitudes the ministry is hindered, the work is stalled and the task that God has appointed is going neglected. Paul’s encouragement is this…
1) Agree in the Lord: Submit to God and His word and direction over your own personal stake that you have claimed. God has shown repeatedly that He is not pleased with a quarrelsome, contentious people. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that the church of God is not to be known for its contentiousness amongst each other but rather its agreement in the Lord. The church is not to be characterized by divisions that are in the end dishonoring to the name of Christ but are to be perfectly unified in the Spirit of God and in the bond of peace. The people of God ought to agree in the Lord.
2) Rejoice: The rejoicing is however in the Lord once again, it is a mind-frame shift that we must accomplish. It is a focus on God and His will rather than our will. When we focus our thoughts and attentions on the Lord rejoicing ought to be a natural outpouring. If God is chiefly concerned with His glory and His name then our focusing on Him will automatically cause rejoicing. It will cause us to rejoice in the Lord at the difficulties we face as well as the pleasantries that we experience. This is why Ecclesiastes warns us, in the day of prosperity take joy but in the day of adversity consider. Has not God made both (paraphrase mine). God wants us coming to Him and finding our utmost joy and rejoicing in Him and His work and plan.
3) Let your reasonableness be known to everyone: Reasonableness, being in accordance with reason, not extreme or excessive. Reasonableness is what ought to define the Christian. We are not to be those who are riddled with concerns and worries about things like judgment day (May 21st or October 21st), anxieties, stubbornness on things that are not of God and not glorifying to God. We are not to be those who cannot even be spoken to because of our excessive behavior; we are to be reasonable in our decision making,in our discussions, in our actions. We are not those who have lost control of themselves and have been given over to every fleeting emotion or passing fad that comes across our path. We are to be those who in the context of the body of Christ can communicate and be reasonable with one another, who can take into account the thoughts and concerns of others, those who seek to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are to be reasonable people, competent and focused on the task that God has assigned.
So as we approach the throne and mind of God in our desire to walk with Him and serve Him, ask yourself, am I being reasonable? Is God directing me to do this task that seems to go against His orderly character? Why do I desire to be excessive in my actions that are not bringing glory to God or magnifying His holy name? Am I offering “sacrifice” to God that in the end is nothing more than a selfish, self-centered view of extreme devotion to anything or anyone but God? Christians are to be reasonable people, approachable, and competent…this is the Spirit that God has imparted to us, this shows whether we are truly rejoicing in and focusing on God.
Traditionally the concept taught from this section would zero in on verse 4 “rejoice in the Lord always…,” and verse 6-7, do not be anxious about anything, pray, and the God of peace will sustain you. However there is this small phrase that is often neglected yet is SO important in the context of God’s peace guarding your hearts. It is the concept of a) our reasonableness and b) the knowledge of the Lord being at hand. Today we are simply going to look at the concept of our reasonableness being known.
Our reasonableness, what does that even mean? How does that apply or fit into the context of anxiety? What could God possibly mean by putting the phrase sandwiched between these two phrases we use without a second thought every time something negative occurs in our lives? Insight into these questions I would argue is given by starting at verse 2 of the same chapter. Paul writes to the “true companion” to work with two women and laborers in the church to agree. But that agreement must be centered on and glorifying to the name of God. It is not a trite mentality that states we will merely “agree to disagree” rather he is saying find your agreement and the solution to your argument in the Lord. Seek His guidance and direction in the process of the decision being made, and by all means be willing to sacrifice your thoughts, feelings and devotions to a false notion at the altar of the Lord rather than to stubbornly and foolishly sacrifice your reputation and Christian testimony over something that is not God honoring.
What we see is because of a misplaced devotion, because of misplaced thoughts, praises, and rejoicing we quarrel and fight doing more harm to the mission and the work of God than helping it. Because of our selfish pride and in reality our unreasonable attitudes the ministry is hindered, the work is stalled and the task that God has appointed is going neglected. Paul’s encouragement is this…
1) Agree in the Lord: Submit to God and His word and direction over your own personal stake that you have claimed. God has shown repeatedly that He is not pleased with a quarrelsome, contentious people. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that the church of God is not to be known for its contentiousness amongst each other but rather its agreement in the Lord. The church is not to be characterized by divisions that are in the end dishonoring to the name of Christ but are to be perfectly unified in the Spirit of God and in the bond of peace. The people of God ought to agree in the Lord.
2) Rejoice: The rejoicing is however in the Lord once again, it is a mind-frame shift that we must accomplish. It is a focus on God and His will rather than our will. When we focus our thoughts and attentions on the Lord rejoicing ought to be a natural outpouring. If God is chiefly concerned with His glory and His name then our focusing on Him will automatically cause rejoicing. It will cause us to rejoice in the Lord at the difficulties we face as well as the pleasantries that we experience. This is why Ecclesiastes warns us, in the day of prosperity take joy but in the day of adversity consider. Has not God made both (paraphrase mine). God wants us coming to Him and finding our utmost joy and rejoicing in Him and His work and plan.
3) Let your reasonableness be known to everyone: Reasonableness, being in accordance with reason, not extreme or excessive. Reasonableness is what ought to define the Christian. We are not to be those who are riddled with concerns and worries about things like judgment day (May 21st or October 21st), anxieties, stubbornness on things that are not of God and not glorifying to God. We are not to be those who cannot even be spoken to because of our excessive behavior; we are to be reasonable in our decision making,in our discussions, in our actions. We are not those who have lost control of themselves and have been given over to every fleeting emotion or passing fad that comes across our path. We are to be those who in the context of the body of Christ can communicate and be reasonable with one another, who can take into account the thoughts and concerns of others, those who seek to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are to be reasonable people, competent and focused on the task that God has assigned.
So as we approach the throne and mind of God in our desire to walk with Him and serve Him, ask yourself, am I being reasonable? Is God directing me to do this task that seems to go against His orderly character? Why do I desire to be excessive in my actions that are not bringing glory to God or magnifying His holy name? Am I offering “sacrifice” to God that in the end is nothing more than a selfish, self-centered view of extreme devotion to anything or anyone but God? Christians are to be reasonable people, approachable, and competent…this is the Spirit that God has imparted to us, this shows whether we are truly rejoicing in and focusing on God.
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