2020-03-13
Good Morning Dear Ones,
A goal for all of us is to be balanced intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is an individual who is nourished in all four of these areas. This is a person who is obediently faithful to God, gets regular exercise, has a decent education, and who is not neurotic emotionally. Few people, relatively speaking, reach this ideal, but that should be the goal we set for ourselves to work toward. This ideal person is ethically righteous, desirous of having a great vertical relationship with the Lord, while at the same time achieving a balance between taking care of his needs and those of other people. For what does our ideal person pray? Obviously, the needs of others and his own needs are on the list. Humility in all relationships, God’s wisdom in decision-making, discernment, God’s direction [PS 51: 6; PS 119: 125] and intervention (when needed), a solution to mankind’s problems to be found, technological advancement within God’s ethics, advances in health care, peace between the nations, and effective spread of the Gospel matter greatly. These are not all the things we need, but trust in God to help us discover the rest.
The subjects mentioned above are placed in our minds by COL 4: 2-3, “Be persistent in prayer, keeping alert and thanking God that He will give opportunities to preach the Gospel and that the mystery of God (Christ in us) is in the hearts of believers. It was the reason that Paul was in house arrest in Rome at the time he wrote his epistle to the Colossians, Hierolaters, and Laodiceans. Praying that these Christians will remain firm in their faith was an important request of Paul’s, because of the competition from the Gnostics at the time. It was Paul’s greatest hope that those who would receive his letter would not only be firm, but also mature, fully convinced believers in Christ and living according to God’s will. Paul also hoped that his statements were clear, sufficient motivation of his own belief in what he was saying. The writing you are now reading carries with it the very same goals, even though I am not nearly as important a writer than Paul was.
A true believer in Christ who is mature in the study of God’s word (the Bible) not only wants to live by His teaching, but also feels the responsibility to convey it to whoever either hears him, sees his example, or reads his writing. This demands a thorough study of the Scriptures and accuracy in teaching them. 2 COR 5: 20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” EPH 6: 19-20, “God will give Paul a message that is bold in speaking about the Gospel, as he should make known the Gospel’s secret [a clear reference to the fact that Christ in believers and opens God’s great wisdom to them through Him]. Paul is an ambassador for the Gospel’s sake. Pray that he will speak about it boldly even though he has spent two years in prison.”
It stands to reason that if potential believers are treated with sensitivity and respect that they will be more open to hearing and accepting the Gospel than otherwise. Paul knew this and spoke about it in his advice for believers interacting with non-believers in COL 4: 5-6. “Be wise in actions before non-believers, making good every opportunity you have. Your speech should be pleasant and interesting and know how to give right answers to all.” This is a working definition of having “died to sin and being alive in Christ” [RO 6: 11] as I see it. Motivation for us to live according to Christ’s teaching is found in COL 3: 3-4, which bears repeating. “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your real life is Christ and when He appears, then you too will appear with Him and share His glory!” The life or death we hope for is described in RO 14: 7-8, 13, “We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. If we live, it is for the Lord that we live; if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So, if we live or die, we belong to the Lord…So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin.” And yes, we should pray that we understand our relationship with the Lord and refrain from hurting another’s resolve, to remain faithful.
PRAYER: O Lord, You have handed down the Scriptures for the training of true believers, to whom You give understanding of Your teaching through the Holy Spirit. It is Your will that we should live according to this teaching, profess faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and do what we can to spread these truths to other people. You desire a close, intimate relationship with us in our daily lives, and that the church should be unified in this Christian life. We can’t help but experience Your generous blessings, wise interaction and advice, and find rich benefit in living according to Your dictates. You have every right to demand righteousness, faithfulness, and obedience from us. We acknowledge Your supremacy and superiority to mankind, total knowledge, superior powers, and presence in our lives. We pledge to count our blessings and not spend our lives complaining about restriction of freedom to sin. We realize that any inner peace we feel or any good deeds we perform are from Your teaching. You love us as no other human can. It is with humble thanks and praise that we utter this prayer in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’ve been commanded by the Holy Spirit to discuss God’s goal of unity in the church next week. What a blessing it has been to have accepted Christ’s dominion over my life! I hope and pray you feel the same. My life has direction, blessing, and motivation to live as the Father would desire. It is my joy to share my faith and to thus grow in spiritual maturity. What a privilege it is that the Lord extends to me great friendships with other believers and potential believers! I have learned a lot from them, and my life has been changed for the better by them and by my Lord Jesus. For 51 years (to date), the Lord has granted me opportunities continuously study His word, to convey it to others through example, teaching, and writing, and to enjoy the fellowship of other believers and Himself. He has taken me through making tough decisions and walked me through discoveries of things I can do that I hadn’t made before. He has given me self-esteem that I didn’t learn in my childhood. He does this while at the same time giving me guidance in how I should spend my earthly time. Most of all, as I become older, He has given me an eternal perspective, so that I don’t have to fear the physical deaths of myself or other believers around me. I can love them and know that when their physical death comes, they are being brought home to the best Company they can have. This is what faith in the Lord Jesus does for me and all believers. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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