2019-03-08
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’m commanded by the Holy Spirit to continue supplying support Scriptures to COL 3:1-4: 6. An often-tender subject is that of forgiveness. This learned behavior often means taking the high road emotionally, even when sorely tempted to hold a grudge. Emotionally mature people know that grudge-holding is never constructive. We are told, in COL 3: 13 to “forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.” Furthermore, we are told, in COL 3: 14-17, to all good qualities “add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, which He gives us as a guide in decision-making, as you were called to peace as members of the body of Christ. Let the word of Christ dwell in you. And, be thankful.” Our very need for the wisdom of Christ’s words is the reason why all the citations from the Bible are in bold in my devotions- as a reminder to attend well to them. We are to do and say all we do in Christ’s name, giving our Deity all the credit, as it is due [PS 115: 1].
Our Lord wants us to open our hearts and minds to the promptings and direction of the Holy Spirit. The first time I read EPH 5: 21-25, it was quite necessary for me to pause and think it over. This was to assure myself I completely understood all its ramifications. “Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church…Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it.” Neither of these directives should be taken alone, but instead, should be considered in toto. Back in the 1960’s, a tremendous social revolution was going on in North America. For countless years beforehand, women had little to no voice in household decision-making or against sexual predation and harassment. Couples were fighting the battle of the sexes. Today, all of that is unnecessary, because men and women are assuming more equal roles. Both are now responsible for their own decisions and actions, as mature adults. Sexual harassment and predation are now considered unacceptable. The very definition of marriage more closely fits the Biblical one above. Expectations for ones’ role in the marital relationship are completely different. This attitude more closely mirrors what is found in COL 3: 14-17.
By now, doesn’t mean all the problems of the past solved. Still there is rampant fornication and adultery in our society. Some women take the attitude that since they can now work, making a salary, marriage isn’t necessary. Some men feel they can permanently avoid making a lasting commitment to any of the women they date. Due to both fornication and adultery, unwanted children are born, who pay the price. Often, they are not given the loving nurture they deserve. Even when born to a home with two working and married parents, this a lack of nurturing attention is often the case. So many people nowadays don’t understand that being a parent is the most important task life has to offer-even more important than their careers or material wealth. EPH 6: 4 tells us, “Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry and discouraged. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.” COL 3: 21, “Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.” Anytime God repeats a message, we are to consider it important. No one wants to see our next generations grow to adulthood as “collateral damage.”
In these devotions, I’ve often said that following God’s teaching helps us to avoid many pitfalls. The advice given in COL 3: 22-24, though given to slaves, is good for all of us. “Work as though you were working for the Lord and not for people in authority… For Christ is the real Master you serve.” Slavery is no longer acceptable in our time, but this advice is eternal in its wisdom and application. If the Lord’s advice were always followed, there would be no such thing as hazing of new hires or a toxic workplace. As long ago as the writing of LV 19: 18, we were told, “Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord.” As we surely know, this notion is repeated many times throughout the OT and NT. COL 3: 25 reminds us that all wrongdoers will be repaid by God for what they do, because He judges us all on the same standard. Our remarkably fair Lord sees each of us and never shows favoritism [COL 4: 1].
PRAYER: O Lord, no human has the fairness, wisdom, or depth of perspective that You have. That is why we need to cede leadership of our lives to You. Your word can be learned and applied in the past, present, and forever, helping us to avoid suffering unacceptably negative consequences. It comes against folly and the misery of serial foolishness. Our Lord Jesus has told us that being a real friend involves being transparent in sharing the Father’s wisdom and with willingness to give His life for those who are His friends [JN 15: 13-16]. He chose us first. You mean for us to feel the warmth of the unconditional love You have for us. We are also to feel it is important to learn His teachings and pass them on to non-believers, who will listen. We do this by sharing His words verbally at times, but more often by the example of living we set. This lengthy segment is the most important of this entire “Knowing God” series, because it deals with our vertical relationship with Him and our horizontal relationship with other humans. There are always new things for Him to teach us, if we keep our hearts open to the Holy Spirit and allow His love shown in our lives to bind us all together. God’s messages repeated emphasize just how much they matter to our lives. It is Your hope that as many of us as possible will believe in Christ and will gain eternal life. We thank and praise You forever, for saving us, loving us so much, and giving Your Son on the cross, so that we can be eternally forgiven, justified, and enjoy the fruits of salvation. In Christ’s holy/mighty name, we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: There are further instructions for believers in COL 4: 2-6. Next week, at the behest of the Holy Spirit, we will turn our attention to them. What a wonderful Lord we have! He can take us up from entrapment in the slimy pit of misery and set us on the firm foundation of a Rock [Jesus Christ]. He has done this for me, and He can and will do it for anyone who believes in Him. We can’t achieve the gifts of the Holy Spirit [GA 5: 22-23], salvation [JS 3: 16], justification [RO 4: 3], or eternal forgiveness [1 JN 1: 9] for ourselves. However, our loving God gave His only Son on the cross to die for us and resurrected Him to heaven. He did this to show us the depth of His love for us and to give us who believe those magnificent blessings above. He also showed us His supernatural qualities, so that we could believe in His Son and see the value of His “Love Letter” [Bible] to us and our lives. “I to my Lord; my Lord to me” is what this message means. It also shows “I to my fellow man; my believing fellow man to me.” These comments are designed to demonstrate crucial relationships in the pattern of the cross. And they are food for meditation! Praise and thanks be to the Lord!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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