12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Thoughts: We are God's own people when we believe. We are sanctified- not because we no longer make mistakes or sin- but because the Holy Spirit lives in us. We are to take off the filth of the world, and put on the beauty of Christ- described as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Such virtues are originally and distinctively Christian. The ancient world knew a lot about bragging, but the meek and kind were not seen as the ones who would inherit the earth. Another great Christian virtue is forgiveness. We believe we are forgiven, so we are called to forgive others as we have been forgiven. But love is the tie that binds all these virtues together. Love makes compassion better; kindness more kind; motivates humility; puts others ahead so that gentleness and patience are important. Love encourages us to forgive and give a second chance. Love unites these virtues, but also unites us to God and to each other. God is love and those who abide in love abide in God and God in them. (1 John 4:10). So we know God cares about us- what we do, what we believe, how we treat others, how we forgive. God does not leave us be- or ignore us. He cares for us. In response to His love, we are called to love.
Prayer: Lord of love, help me to love you and others as you love me.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
5/21/15- Living for Christ
9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. (Colossians 3:9-11)
Thoughts: We have taken off the old clothes and put on the new ones. When we began to believe, we died to self. But we also began to live. Our way of thinking is being changed. We no longer think life is about us and about meeting our needs. As Paul said in Romans 12:2 we should transform our minds and not be conformed to this world and its way of thinking. We also understand that we no longer think of ourselves or others in the same way, All who are part of Christ (the "here" here), are equal. Christ brings value to all people. We are not valuable because of our talents, looks, intelligence, athletic ability, money or heritage. We are valuable and equal because of Christ. It is this true value that brings peace between us and God and us and each other no matter who we are.
Prayer: Let me die to self and live for you, O Lord, My God.
Thoughts: We have taken off the old clothes and put on the new ones. When we began to believe, we died to self. But we also began to live. Our way of thinking is being changed. We no longer think life is about us and about meeting our needs. As Paul said in Romans 12:2 we should transform our minds and not be conformed to this world and its way of thinking. We also understand that we no longer think of ourselves or others in the same way, All who are part of Christ (the "here" here), are equal. Christ brings value to all people. We are not valuable because of our talents, looks, intelligence, athletic ability, money or heritage. We are valuable and equal because of Christ. It is this true value that brings peace between us and God and us and each other no matter who we are.
Prayer: Let me die to self and live for you, O Lord, My God.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
5/20/15- Dying to Self
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.b 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices (Colossians 3:5-9)
Thoughts: Jesus said if anyone wants to follow Him they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). There is a dying to the earthly, temporary, this world- and- flesh way of life. Paul lists two sets of things we are to kill in order to follow Christ: sexual sins and greed. Then there is also sins of anger and filthy language. Paul says that greed is idolatry. How so? When we are greedy we think that we are number one and we deserve all the money, all the praise, all the attention- as if we were God. We are to rid ourselves of the filth of the world like they were old stinky, grungy clothes that need to be tossed away. There have been a few times when I have been working and sweating so much that my wife tells me to not even come in the house smelling like that- but to grab a towel and leave the terrible clothes in the garage by the washing machine. We do not want to enter into the presence of the Almighty with stinky behavior.
Tom Little grew up in New York. He became a Christian in 1967 and became an optomestrist missionary in Afghanistan in 1970. He served selflessly living among the people for years. In 2010 Dr. Little was ambushed by the Taliban. At his funeral, Libby, his wife said that Tom had died a long time ago- in 1967 when he gave his life to the Lord. Christ does not just come to fulfill our worldly desires. He bids us come and die and follow Him.
Prayer: Lord, you died for me and showed me how to live. Help me to really live my life by dying to the ways of the world.
Monday, May 18, 2015
5/19/15- Set Your Minds
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
Thoughts: We are called to rise above the mundane, the earthly bourgeois rules and thoughts that are consumed with the temporary and fading. Rather we are called to think and invest in what will last forever. We are called to "let our minds be" or "set your minds" focused on things above. When we became believers we died to something and we began living to something. We died to our old way of life- the way of living only for this moment and for this world. We lived to Christ who gave us an everlasting hope and eternal love. We died to this world and we are raised to focus our lives on eternal heavenly things.
Prayer: Lord, give me grace to focus my heart on you. When you appear, may my eyes be scanning the clouds for your coming- looking up instead of down.
Thoughts: We are called to rise above the mundane, the earthly bourgeois rules and thoughts that are consumed with the temporary and fading. Rather we are called to think and invest in what will last forever. We are called to "let our minds be" or "set your minds" focused on things above. When we became believers we died to something and we began living to something. We died to our old way of life- the way of living only for this moment and for this world. We lived to Christ who gave us an everlasting hope and eternal love. We died to this world and we are raised to focus our lives on eternal heavenly things.
Prayer: Lord, give me grace to focus my heart on you. When you appear, may my eyes be scanning the clouds for your coming- looking up instead of down.
Norman Rockwell painting of St. Patrick's
"Lift Up Thine Eyes" the marquis says- while people are busy staring at the sidewalk.
"Lift Up Thine Eyes" the marquis says- while people are busy staring at the sidewalk.
5/18/15- Not About the Rules
20Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:20-23)
Thoughts: Christianity is not about rules. For many years, growing up in the church, I thought it was. I rebelled as a teen against the rules for I saw hypocrisy in the church. It was only later that I realized that there are no perfect people- in or out of the church. But at least the church tries to do the right thing. It was only later that I realized that Christianity is not an ethical philosophy but a relationship with Christ. The faith gives an illusion that to be religious means to follow the rules. But there is grace. The grace of Christ means He kept the rules for us. Christianity is about love. Jesus summed up all the rules in two commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Rules tend to be earth based and earth focused- with culture pushing them back and forth. But without faith in God and love for God there is no power in rules (vs. 23).
Now Paul is not saying- there are no more rules. He is against the Pharasaical idea that keeping the rules gets us to heaven. He was also against the idea that we have to always live in resolute fear of breaking a rule. Perfectionism and legalism are not good ways to live. It develops an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) that makes each person keeping them hard to live with. We are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But we must bring in the whole counsel of God here. Paul is not tossing out being good. This would be anti-nominism (against the law). Calvin talked much about the moral law (the Ten Commandments) are good guides for life. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10- "For we are created for good works" In a few more words (3:5 ff) Paul says, "Put to death therefore the earthly ways- sexual immorality (note that this is first), impurity, lust, evil desires and greed." These are sins that come from within- not without. We seek and do God's will not because we have to (to get to heaven), but out of love and gratitude (the heart and grace). There is a huge difference. What we believe and what we do matter to the One who loves us and wants what is best for us. It is out of the heart that sin comes, Jesus said. We must get our hearts right with God. Christianity- is about love- having our hearts changed and going in the right direction- toward things above (not earthly things- whether sin or rules).
Prayer: Lord, move my heart. Change my heart so that it is in tune with yours. Give me grace to love you and my neighbor.
If you walk into a restaurant and you see a sign that says, "No shoes, no shirt, no service." Then you see a sign that says "you must wash your hands before serving." To obsess over those rules instead of seeing that the restaurant is about food would be wrong. But when you enjoy the food and the service, you want to make sure that it is done right for you and others too.
Thoughts: Christianity is not about rules. For many years, growing up in the church, I thought it was. I rebelled as a teen against the rules for I saw hypocrisy in the church. It was only later that I realized that there are no perfect people- in or out of the church. But at least the church tries to do the right thing. It was only later that I realized that Christianity is not an ethical philosophy but a relationship with Christ. The faith gives an illusion that to be religious means to follow the rules. But there is grace. The grace of Christ means He kept the rules for us. Christianity is about love. Jesus summed up all the rules in two commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Rules tend to be earth based and earth focused- with culture pushing them back and forth. But without faith in God and love for God there is no power in rules (vs. 23).
Now Paul is not saying- there are no more rules. He is against the Pharasaical idea that keeping the rules gets us to heaven. He was also against the idea that we have to always live in resolute fear of breaking a rule. Perfectionism and legalism are not good ways to live. It develops an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) that makes each person keeping them hard to live with. We are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But we must bring in the whole counsel of God here. Paul is not tossing out being good. This would be anti-nominism (against the law). Calvin talked much about the moral law (the Ten Commandments) are good guides for life. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10- "For we are created for good works" In a few more words (3:5 ff) Paul says, "Put to death therefore the earthly ways- sexual immorality (note that this is first), impurity, lust, evil desires and greed." These are sins that come from within- not without. We seek and do God's will not because we have to (to get to heaven), but out of love and gratitude (the heart and grace). There is a huge difference. What we believe and what we do matter to the One who loves us and wants what is best for us. It is out of the heart that sin comes, Jesus said. We must get our hearts right with God. Christianity- is about love- having our hearts changed and going in the right direction- toward things above (not earthly things- whether sin or rules).
Prayer: Lord, move my heart. Change my heart so that it is in tune with yours. Give me grace to love you and my neighbor.
If you walk into a restaurant and you see a sign that says, "No shoes, no shirt, no service." Then you see a sign that says "you must wash your hands before serving." To obsess over those rules instead of seeing that the restaurant is about food would be wrong. But when you enjoy the food and the service, you want to make sure that it is done right for you and others too.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
5/17/15- Not Worshiping Angels
18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Colossians 2:18-19)
Thoughts: There are those who think that anything spiritual is good. Voodoo religion- similar to African animism believes in demi-gods or spirits that lead up in step-fashion to the one creator God. New Age folk have many books on your guardian angel and how to get in touch, channel or worship them today. This verse in Colossians is one we need to listen to today. Jehovah's Witnesses have said that Jesus is the Archangel Michael. Yet, there are many instances when an angel said to not worship them (Rev. 19:10; 22:9). On the other hand, angels are messengers of God- and we need to listen to their message (Like Zechariah Luke 1)- as long as it does not contradict what scripture (God's Word) has said previously. Paul said, "Even if I or an angel from heaven preach a different gospel, [do not believe it] for they are accursed" (Gal. 1:8). Mediums, prophets, spiritists or angels who contradict what scripture has already said or invite to worship other gods are not to be believed- for God doesn't need to change His mind or contradict Himself (Deut. 13:1-5; 18:11,22) . Worship of false spirits is not a spiritual but an "Unspiritually minded" (vs. 18b) thing to do. We should all listen, rather, to the Head of the church and of all angels and spirits and creation- Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ is found true unity and faith-hope-and love.
Prayer: Lord, keep me from the temptation that anything spiritual/religious is good. Help me to understand that it matters what we believe. Help me to understand you alone are Lord and are worthy of all that I am.
Thoughts: There are those who think that anything spiritual is good. Voodoo religion- similar to African animism believes in demi-gods or spirits that lead up in step-fashion to the one creator God. New Age folk have many books on your guardian angel and how to get in touch, channel or worship them today. This verse in Colossians is one we need to listen to today. Jehovah's Witnesses have said that Jesus is the Archangel Michael. Yet, there are many instances when an angel said to not worship them (Rev. 19:10; 22:9). On the other hand, angels are messengers of God- and we need to listen to their message (Like Zechariah Luke 1)- as long as it does not contradict what scripture (God's Word) has said previously. Paul said, "Even if I or an angel from heaven preach a different gospel, [do not believe it] for they are accursed" (Gal. 1:8). Mediums, prophets, spiritists or angels who contradict what scripture has already said or invite to worship other gods are not to be believed- for God doesn't need to change His mind or contradict Himself (Deut. 13:1-5; 18:11,22) . Worship of false spirits is not a spiritual but an "Unspiritually minded" (vs. 18b) thing to do. We should all listen, rather, to the Head of the church and of all angels and spirits and creation- Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ is found true unity and faith-hope-and love.
Prayer: Lord, keep me from the temptation that anything spiritual/religious is good. Help me to understand that it matters what we believe. Help me to understand you alone are Lord and are worthy of all that I am.
He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son today I have begotten you' Or again, 'I will be his Father and He will be my Son.' And again when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship Him." (Hebrews 1:4b-6)
Friday, May 15, 2015
5/16/15- Time Obeservance
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
Thoughts: There are secondary religious observances that some keep and some do not. A little bit like the Nazarene vow of not drinking alcohol and not cutting hair. Nehemiah 10:22 and Leviticus speak of these minor holidays- observing a new moon or a religoius festival. Such things are times of rest or Sabbaths (plural here in the Greek). Such secondary things are replaced by the reality of Christ so that rule upon rule; law upon law that weighs us down no longer applies. This also applies to the dietary laws.
However, the surface interpretation that i have heard used of this verse that the Sabbath no longer applies is not what Paul was saying here. He was not somehow saying that one of the Ten Commands of the moral law has suddenly ceased to exist. Such an interpretation is only a recent eisegetical interpretation (reading into the text what we would like to be there). However, the concept of Sabbath has changed. We no longer observe Sabbath on Saturday (as most Jews do). Some would say that the concept of a day of rest, worship, and mercy is kept but the day has changed to the Lord's Day. Paul. himself worshiped on Sunday and preached then- in remembrance of the resurrection.
One of the reasons Christianity is dying in America is we have eliminated a time for worship in order to put work and productivity and busy-ness first. As a result our economy has not sped up- but has not been blessed by God. We do not need to be a slave to work and efficiency- as if having what we want whenever we want it is paramount.
Prayer: Help me to be full of grace and also to keep the moral Law. Keep me from judging others but help me to follow you.
Thoughts: There are secondary religious observances that some keep and some do not. A little bit like the Nazarene vow of not drinking alcohol and not cutting hair. Nehemiah 10:22 and Leviticus speak of these minor holidays- observing a new moon or a religoius festival. Such things are times of rest or Sabbaths (plural here in the Greek). Such secondary things are replaced by the reality of Christ so that rule upon rule; law upon law that weighs us down no longer applies. This also applies to the dietary laws.
However, the surface interpretation that i have heard used of this verse that the Sabbath no longer applies is not what Paul was saying here. He was not somehow saying that one of the Ten Commands of the moral law has suddenly ceased to exist. Such an interpretation is only a recent eisegetical interpretation (reading into the text what we would like to be there). However, the concept of Sabbath has changed. We no longer observe Sabbath on Saturday (as most Jews do). Some would say that the concept of a day of rest, worship, and mercy is kept but the day has changed to the Lord's Day. Paul. himself worshiped on Sunday and preached then- in remembrance of the resurrection.
One of the reasons Christianity is dying in America is we have eliminated a time for worship in order to put work and productivity and busy-ness first. As a result our economy has not sped up- but has not been blessed by God. We do not need to be a slave to work and efficiency- as if having what we want whenever we want it is paramount.
Prayer: Help me to be full of grace and also to keep the moral Law. Keep me from judging others but help me to follow you.
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