We are “made nigh” and made “one.” The enemy has been “abolished,” with the “middle wall of partition” that was between us broken down (Ephesians 2:13–15), making us “one body,” with common “access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:16–18).
November 16, 2009 - 4:41 pm
Tags: Christian, defiled, fatherless, Holy Spirit, james, pure, religion, widowed
Posted in Ba-manna-bread, Church and Politics, Instruction for Young Fathers, hike4fathers | No comments
Christians have a propensity toward religiosity. God addresses this folly with his command to, “take care of the fatherless and widowed” in our midst. When coupled with the fact that the fatherless and widowed are in every facet of our culture already, the church is hard pressed to explain its own lack of response toward alleviating their pain and suffering.
Indeed, those promises involve “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” We see the results of the power of God in our lives when our characters reflect “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11).
But wisdom is also identified with the ability to make beautiful clothing (Exodus 28:3) and to engineer and invent complex equipment (Exodus 31:2–6). Daniel was said to have “an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts” (Daniel 5:12). We are even promised that our “adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist” (Luke 21:15).
These spiritual resources are available for every believer “to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:7). We must pray that we do not waste these resources like the “wicked and slothful” servant in the parables of the talents and the pounds (Matthew 25:26; Luke 19:22).
October 27, 2009 - 5:36 am
Tags: character, Christian, christian purpose, colossian christians, God, grace, holiness, identity, Jesus Christ, living sacrifice, minds, purpose, reputation
Posted in Christian Identity | 1 comment
“Without blame” refers to our reputations. This character will only be fully realized in heaven (I Corinthians 1:8), but there is a present responsibility to “present your bodies a living sacrifice. . . . And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” (Romans 12:1,2).
The search for identity and meaning can drive one to great successes or tragic failures. For the Christian, however, the question is answered throughout Ephesians.
We are chosen! We are selected as a favorite out of “many [who] are called” (Matthew 22:14) “out of the world” (John 15:19). What a privilege! We are God’s choice to bear His name, represent His cause, and share His glory throughout eternity.
The Lord deserves praise for His protective and sustaining hand. It is He and He alone who is able to deliver. In his last recorded words, Paul, as he reflected on God’s faithful working throughout his life and ministry, exhorted us to give glory now and forever to Him. Soon, the executioner released him from his battered body to enjoy God’s everlasting preservation.
“And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalm 106:15).
Christians who complain about their circumstances would do well to ponder this sobering verse and its background. God had greatly blessed His people, Israel, delivering them supernaturally from slavery in Egypt, protecting them against their enemies–even miraculously supplying daily bread and water [...]
It is not enough merely to be saved; the babe in Christ should grow into Christian maturity. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). The babe will grow on milk for a time, but soon he needs more.
