Col. 1:28–Warnings for Purpose

Colossians 1:28–"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

Maturity does not come naturally, as some would prefer us to believe.  I speak of maturity in wisdom not physically, because the banana doesn't have to try to become ripe but the wise man does.

Maturity is, in many ways, a learned trait, a practiced perspective.  After all, there are plenty of immature elderly people just as there are quite a few mature young people.  The point, then, for the achievement of maturity is the recognition that it is a goal as much as it is an attitude.  I mean to say that if we strive for maturity with a mature attitude we will, no doubt, arrive at maturity.

Spiritually speaking, maturity in Christ is what we are aiming towards.  It is about obedience but it is also about focus, that we would focus on growing in Christ.  This growth occurs through practice and devotion, the staples of a diet meant to harvest maturity in Christ.  If this is our aim we should set ourselves on the task of studying His Word, praying in thankfulness, and loving God and our neighbors.  In this way and by the grace of God, we will become mature in Him. Which is, after all, our eternal goal.

John 14:23–If...

John 14:23–"Jesus answered them, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'"

There are many conditional statements in the Scripture, statements made that indicate the distinct and certain responsibility that God has placed upon humans to believe and to obey.  This is one of those statements.  In simple and candid words, Jesus is telling us to love Him and to keep His Word.

In reality, this is a direct assertion, a clear statement about what God desires from us.  We would do well to listen to Jesus' prescription.

Talk About Hymn

It's one of my favorite songs and it goes like this:

"Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity."

It was written almost two centuries ago by a man named Reginald Heber but the words still ring with beauty and truth today.  It is a song that brings generations together in one chorus to praise God.  In truth, this is why I love this song so much.  It is commanded that we sing to God and speak to each other with hymns and such (See Eph. 5 & Col. 3).  It is then a necessary and good thing for us to learn–I mean memorize–these classic and beautiful hymns of praise so that we may be able to join in song across ages to worship God with one, unified voice.  Now that sounds like a choir worth listening too!

2 Timothy 1:14–Guard the Deposit of Grace

2 Timothy 1:14–"By the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."

Salvation is a gift, a promise of eternity spent with the Holy Lord Almighty.  And while this gift has with it present blessings it culminates in a future unwrapping when Jesus will descend and reign over the new earth.  Because of this, we have a incredible responsibility to protect this great gift of salvation.  This means, among many things, that we will strive to make Christ the focal point of our daily lives so as to ensure that we would maintain proper priorities and perspective. Additionally, it means that we will make Bible study an important part of our every day.  In this way we will guard the deposit that has been entrusted to us: the Holy Spirit and salvation.

Isaiah 48:17–God Teaches and Leads

Isaiah 48:17–"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.'"

This verse comes at the beginning of a passage of judgement in which God judges the people of Israel for their apathetic indifference and for their utter disregard for His commandments and blessings.

Taken out of context, this verse can seem like a fine assertion, like: 'now remember, I am your God and I'm the One who is suppose to teach you the way you should go. So listen up.'  But it is void of those lovey-dovey connotations.  God is telling Israel–and us–that He is the Lord and deserving of our obedience and our praise.  Additionally, He is asserting within that statement a warning that those who would disregard this message will not go unpunished for their unbelief.

We would do well, then, to always keep proper perspective in focus as to who we are and who He is.  In this way, we will go a long way to ensuring a solid footing with each step as we will be stepping in faith that He is leading us in the way we should go.

Psalm 119:64–The Earth Is Full of Him

Psalm 119:64–"The earth, O Lord, is full of Your steadfast love; teach me Your statutes!"

Amen!

The realization and reckoning that the earth truly is full of God's unfailing and steadfast love can be a remarkably profound recognition.  I can remember times of tears just from the thought that God is in control, that everything is right, and that He is right there.  It can be easy for us to forget this truth when we spend our days hurtled through the hustle and bending in the bustle.  Because of this, it is good to simply re-assert our focus and the truth: that the earth and its inhabitants are God's, and that we desire to know who He is!

Let us do just that!

Romans 1:16-17--Righteousness of God Revealed

Romans 1:16-17-"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew and then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'the righteous will live by faith.'"

This verse is full of theology, brimming with the very heart of the the Gospel of Christ.  It speaks of the power of God, of His righteousness revealed, and how salvation is appropriated to God through faith.  But it is the last line, 'the righteous will live by faith,' that spurs me on to excitement.  To be sure, this statement is a combination of description and prescription, meaning that not only does it describe for us how the righteous will live, but it also prescribes for those who would desire to be righteous how they should live.  Because of this, this verse is as convicting as it is affirming.  It compels the believer who has determined to try to live righteously to ask the honest question: how well am I living by faith?

Perhaps we would do well to keep this question and this verse before us as we strive to live lives of godliness.

Amen.