Author: evangelist_breland

Colossians 3:5-11, NKJV 

In verses 5-7 believers are commanded to put to death their sinful and earthly members of idolatry. Before they became children of God, they walked in the idolatrous desires of their flesh, which led to God’s wrath coming upon the sons of disobedience. Now that they are new creatures in Christ, if they walk in the Spirit, they will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. They can live their best lives ever – enriched and victorious – with the blessed promise of living forever.

Paul told the Colossians: “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (v.8). “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (v.9). He encouraged them to stop behaviors that reflected their old way of life and let their daily walk reflect who they are as new creatures in Christ. Since God gave us the ability to be angry, use it for what is right and righteous but do not sin. In Matthew Jesus turned over tables of money changers and those selling doves in the Temple. He said that His house was a house of prayer; they were using it as a den of thieves.

They have put off the old man “and put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (v.10). Verse 11  declared: “Christ is all and in all;” nothing else is above Him. Live every day so God will be glorified. 

How many of you have ever done everything commanded of you without ever complaining or making a fuss about it? Recall that God delivered the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt. They complained that Moses brought them in the wilderness to die and would rather be back in bondage where they had food. How ungrateful they were!

Here Paul commanded the Philippians to “do all things without complaining and arguing” (v.14). “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7b). If believers obeyed God’s purpose for their lives without mumbling and grumbling, Paul said that they may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault, in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (v.15, AMP). Jesus said: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting…” (John 15:16, AMP). Christians can’t live “anyhow” like the unbelieving world. They must be blameless and sincere so that they will shine as lights “to the glory and praise of God” (1:10b).

Do all things without bumbling and grumbling, holding fast the word of life, Paul said, so that he may rejoice in the day of Christ that he has not run in vain or labored in vain (v.16). Are you holding fast the word of life, Jesus Christ, so that when He comes, you can declare with joy that your race has not been in vain?

Give God a hand clap and shout, “Hallelujah!”

Philippians 2:12-13, NKJV

While Paul was in jail in Rome, he wrote this letter to his Christian friends at Philippi. He affectionately called them “my beloved” (v. 12a). Paul never stopped praying for these saints, making requests for them with joy for he was confident that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:4-6). He urged the Philippian Christians to live humbly like Christ; He suffered and gave His life on the cross for sinners, and God has highly exalted Him (vv. 1-11). 

Paul urged the Philippians, just as they were always obedient in his presence, but now much more in his absence, to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (v.12). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” says: work out your own salvation “refers especially to freedom from strife and vainglory.” Strife and vainglory are selfish, disruptive works of the flesh. Exercise the faith that God has given you; grow spiritually and produce fruit of the Spirit which endures to everlasting life. Paul told them to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling.” Christians are expected to respect and reverence God and not go contrary to His will for their lives. Our responsibility is to align our lives with the work of God to fulfill the purpose that He has given us. “It is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (v.13).

Give God praise!

James 3:13-18, NKJV

Here in verses 13-18, James wrote about two kinds of wisdom – earthly and heavenly. He began by asking: “Who is wise and understanding among you (v.13a)?” His reference is to those who wanted to be teachers (v.1), yet the discussion applies to every child of God. He answered, “Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom (v.13b).” Those who are wise and have spiritual understanding will show it by how they live. The song writer said, “May the Works I’ve Done Speak for Me?” Children of God must use wisdom to conduct themselves humbly so even when unbelievers say evil against them, they may see their good works and glorify their heavenly Father when He comes (1 Peter 2:12, paraphrased).

 However, if they make provision for the flesh – hearts full of bitter envy and selfish ambition; then do not boast and lie against the truth (v.14). This is not godly wisdom; it is earthly, sensual, demonic (v.15). James declared that where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there (v.16). 

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (v.17). Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (v.18). Marks of earthly wisdom fulfill one’s lust of the flesh. Marks of heavenly wisdom fulfill one’s walk in the Spirit. Give God a hand clap and shout, “Hallelujah”!

John 8:33-36, AMP

Jesus continued His conversation of encouragement with those Jews who believed on Him. In vv. 31-32 He made His listeners a promise based on a condition. The promise to them was that they would be his disciples indeed (v.31) and know the truth (Jesus Himself), and the truth would make them free (v.32). Jesus declared that this promise would be based on the condition: “If you abide in My word” (v.31). In other words, continually obey His word: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (14:15, NKJV). True love for God is to habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts, which are not burdensome, or hard to obey (1John 5:3).

The Jews responded to Jesus that they were Abraham’s descendants and had never been in bondage to anyone. Therefore, how could Jesus say, “You will be made free (v.33)?” Jesus answered them with an absolute assurance that whosoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin (v.34). He declared that a slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the house] does remain forever (v.35). So, if the Son makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free (“John 8:36 – BibleGateway.com”). Therefore, we can choose to remain in bondage to sin and die – for the wages of sin is death – or accept true freedom through a relationship with Christ and abide in His word and live. The choice is yours. Give God glory!