2016-12-30
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week, I recapped the elements of the prayer Paul wrote for the people living in Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea [COL 1: 1-14]. However, the principles in it apply to all of us. To see where Christ’s heart is, let’s begin with JN 15: 16-17, which are important words for us to understand. “You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask for in My name. This is My command: Love each other.”
All of us need some kind of plumb line for measuring how well we are doing, or what pleases God. Without that, we are lost. God doesn’t want our families to break down; He doesn’t want us to be materialistic and greedy. He wants the things that will insure the best for us, the things that will lead us to gaining eternal life and to be building His Kingdom on earth and in heaven. Despite our trials and losses, our disappointments, and our difficulties, God loves each of us dearly. He wants what is in our best eternal interests.
I’m led to begin reiterating what we learn further about our Lord Jesus Christ from COL 1 and 2. From my own first-hand experience spreading the word of God, particularly the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I can testify to the good that this does in people’s lives. It’s not because I take the time to spread this message of salvation and peace, but instead, it is the supernatural power to do good that faith in Christ brings. It’s about Christ Himself! We’ve looked previously at who Christ is, but not to the depth that information in Colossians gives us. So, it’s time to delve into COL 1: 15-20.
COL 1: 15, “He is the [visible] image of the invisible God, the Firstborn over all creation.” We know that the Father can’t be seen by the human eye; however, His impact on people’s lives can be perceived. Being faulty/imperfect as we are, humans need to see something to believe in it. The quintessential example of this is Christ’s disciple, Thomas. He doubted to the extent that he needed to place his fingers on the wound on Christ’s side and to see the nail marks on the hands and feet of our resurrected Lord [JN 20: 24-29]. Christ has made it clear that those who believe without actually seeing are blessed indeed. This means that if we take the first phrase of COL 1: 15 seriously, we will understand other verses and passages that tell us Christ has the fullness of God. All the Father has, Christ has. After all, Jesus Christ is the second personality of God. He is not a separate being. He is both Man and Deity.
Now let’s look at the second phrase in this same verse, “the Firstborn over all creation.” God would not lie; He has told us that Christ was the One to carry out creating the world. 1 PET 1: 20, “He [Christ] was chosen before the creation of the world, but revealed in these last times for your sake.” The Father made the decision to create, and the Son did the work of creating the universe. Despite the fact that his name isn’t mentioned in the OT, He is all over it! He is the Rock that is the “firm place to stand” that God placed us when He “lifted us from the slimy pit, the mud and mire,” in PS 40: 1-2. Christ is the “suffering Servant” of IS 53: 1-12. But we need to look at that word, “Firstborn.”
RO 8: 29 tells us “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers.” This clearly tells us that God knows whose faith in Christ is real, and we know that Christ was raised from death to eternal life. That He is the First among many brothers, gives true believers the hope of the resurrection. This is supported in both RO 6: 4 and 1 JN 2: 19, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life… The word and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” This should have a huge and positive impact on our thinking and our lives!
PRAYER: O Lord, Your name and Your word are of great value to us. PS 138: 2, 4, and 8, “I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name, for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word…May the kings of earth praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth…The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever---do not abandon the works of Your hands.” We submit to Your will and do so willingly. To know You and Your will for our lives, we must know and believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and listen to the direction and teaching of Your Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in our souls, as a great blessing. Long ago, You told us through Moses, in DT 8: 3b, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” It’s high time that we learn to pray often, to study Your word every day, and to spread that word accurately to those willing to listen. We are seeing our society crumble around us with families broken and hurting, with outrageous false teaching abounding, and with nuclear weapons that, in the hands of our enemies, can physically destroy us. Yet You have told us that our spirits will never die, if we keep our faith strong and are obedient to Your teaching. We offer You our praise and thanks for all You are and all You do, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m led to continue discussing COL 1: 16-20, as we learn more about Jesus Christ. Let me share something from a devotion that was given by the leader of our handwork group at church. She spoke of a lady deciding to walk along a sidewalk that shown like tiny glistening diamonds in the afternoon sun. Each sparkle is like something that is a blessing in one’s life. The leader had each of our group briefly share some sparkles in her life. Immediately, the Holy Spirit gave me three to share. They were: 1) my experience with the word of God, 2) the fellowship I have with each of our many friends, and 3) how much my husband’s health has improved lately. Others at our big table shared our common faith in Jesus Christ, and many other blessings in their lives. It was a very uplifting experience. I end this devotion with the hope that each of you will take time out to identify the many blessings our Lord has brought into your life. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2016. All rights reserved.
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