Biddeford Church of Christ

As followers of Christ, there is an absoluteness to the hope we have in Christ Jesus and the eternal life that is ours through Him.  John wrote these comforting words in 1st John 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”    That said, there is still a “race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1) that needs our full attention, and with good reason.  Satan is on the prowl (1st Peter 5:8).  He is an opportunist, and he is looking for, you guessed it, opportunities to pull us back into his domain.  It is for this very reason we are exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God” so we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:16).  The One who has given us hope for eternity has also provided all we need to get home safely.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,

through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue….”

                                                                                                                                    2nd Peter 1:2-3

Once again, we see our Lord as the great provider, only this time, He is offering all we need to finish the race, survive the battle, outrun the adversary.  Peter wants his readers to realize the source with the words “His divine power.”  Paul’s words quickly came to mind, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  This word strengthens means to fill with power, make strong, to empower.  All the things we may face in life: all the obstacles that seem too challenging and impossible are only so if we rely on ourselves.  Jesus offers us everything we need to finish!  What does He offer?  All we need for life is the new life we now have in Christ Jesus.  What he gives also includes all that we need for godliness; that is, what we need to be respectful towards God.  When God invites us to “Be holy because I am holy” (1st Peter 1:16), He provides all we need to pursue that goal.  When He encourages us to “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1), He has given us the One to mimic to do so.  One person notes this important caveat, “He does not give life and godliness in maturity, but supplies us with the means of winning them for ourselves.”  All the tools we need, He provides!  All the protection we need, He gives!  All the help we need, He provides!  Where?  Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.  The Great I AM, Lord of lords, King of kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, He who is glorious and holy has invited His children to be a part of something so much bigger than just life as we know it.

“…by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,

that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped

the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

                                                                                                                                    2nd Peter 1:4

God doesn’t want us to claim salvation merely. He wants us to rise above the darkness that surrounds us so often.  Through Jesus, we can do it!  The promise maker is a promise keeper.  The ETRV says, “With these gifts, you can share in being like God.”  Not be God, but be like Him.  Partakers of the divine nature.  The very One who made it possible for us to escape the corruption in this world promises to provide us with everything we need to be partakers of the divine nature.  It is never a question of whether we can, but rather, whether we trust Him enough to provide us with what we need.  With faith in place, transformation, although challenging at times, is a given.  That is His promise.

Dennis

Many of us have had the arduous task of making a resume as we seek employment.  Merriam-Webster defines a resume as a short account of one’s career and qualifications and a set of accomplishments.  If you have made such a document, I would be willing to suggest that you only noted those things that shined a good light on you.  Would anyone share their tardiness, previous work problems, or any other blemish that might threaten a possible job?  How about those references?  Of course, we would provide names of those who would speak positively of us.

As he writes to the church in Philippi, the apostle Paul does so to keep them safe (3:1).  Safe from what?  The following words are harsh and direct, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” (Philippians 3:2).  Who are these people?  It was the Judaizers!  As one person said, they were “Jewish Christians who sought to induce Gentiles to observe Jewish religious customs: to ‘Judaize.'”  To them, placing confidence in Christ was not adequate, or so they taught.  The Greek word translated confidence, carries the idea of reliance upon.  If there was any way to put confidence in self, Paul would be the one.  He had the best of all resumes, a Judaizers dream list: circumcised on the eighth day, the stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrew, a Pharisee of the law, zealous to the point of persecuting the church… BLAMELESS! (Philippians 4-6).  That last word is powerful, for it means free from fault or defect, irreproachable.  The Judaizers would hang posters of Paul in their recruiting office.  Combine Christ and this guy Paul and you have it made… or do you?

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I

also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”

                                                                                                                                                                   Philippians 3:7-8

It is important to remember that Paul is writing this to help the Philippian Christians stay safe.  Safe from misplaced confidence.  Listen to how the ETRV translates v7, “At one time, all these things were important to me.  But because of Christ, I decided that they are worth nothing.”  What he thought was “gain” (his advantage, as an asset), he now sees them as “loss” (a detriment).  Why?  Because any list that places reliance on self minimizes the cross of Christ, diminishes His work, and elevates ours.  What he once held so dear, he now counts “them as rubbish,” that which is thrown to the dogs, i.e., refuse.  Why would he throw away his resume with such a great list of accomplishments?   Listen closely to what he goes on to say,

“…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law,

but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith….”

Philippians 3:9

Paul’s placement of his confidence has changed completely!  He had come to realize that no list is adequate, worthy of the claim of righteousness.  That only trust in Christ’s work on the cross could enable him to have such confidence.  That the best place to be found is “in Him.”  The law may have led him to Christ (Galatians 3:24), for which he could be thankful.  But all credit for who he knew himself to be now rest in Christ and Him alone.  His greatest desire now was simple, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11).  His resume would now read, “Paul, dead to self and alive in Christ.”  There can be no better resume one could write.

Dennis

I want to begin by expressing my thanks for the wonderful lesson John shared with us last Sunday.  As God’s children, it is vital that we grasp the amazing grace that is in no one else but Jesus Christ.  Through God’s demonstration of His love for sinful man (Romans 5:8), He provides an opportunity for man to be set free from sin through faith.  And as Paul revealed to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 2:10, that because of His grace, God brought forth our true purpose in that we are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…that we should walk in them”.   I guess the question could be, “Do I understand what Christ has made me [us] to be?”  What does it mean to be His workmanship and what are these good works?  Well, thankfully we have His word to provide the answer to these questions.

With those questions in mind, let’s consider today’s text.  The apostle Peter is seeking to exhort God’s redeemed in a process called transformation, i.e., spiritual growth.  Like with any endeavor, there needs to be a starting point.  First, they needed to be reminded that their “living hope” was “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1^st Peter 1:3).  As Peter sought to call them to duty, they were to first “rest (their) hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1^st Peter 1:13).  Don’t lose sight of the reason for doing good works!  Why?  Once you lose sight of God’s love, you lose sight of your intended purpose.  That said, what can truly help us along the way.  Here is what the Holy Spirit guides Peter to say.

…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word…

                                                                                                                                    1^st Peter 2:2

To do the good works God desires, we must, as newborn babies, crave the pure milk of the word.  The word “newborn” here means newly begotten, newly born which in the spiritual sense means that Peter is talking to young converts.   Okay, I realize that most of us have been in Christ for years: still, we can grasp the attitude being provided here.  He encourages them to “desire the pure milk of the word.”  Your translation may use the word crave.  It means to dote or be extremely and uncritically fond of.  What is it in life that you crave?  Listen to how the ETRV translates this, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit.”  I couldn’t help but remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”  Why is this so important?  Consider the following from Peter.

…that you may grow thereby. 

1^st Peter 2:2

This is one of those times I don’t like the ETRV rendering, which says, “With it you can grow up and be saved.”  This seems to suggest that there is some question about whether one is saved and thus vigorously pursues the word to affirm it.  The NIV reads, “so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”  The word of God enables the redeemed to expand their understanding and thus, grow in His likeness.  It His through His word that we can “try to learn what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10, ETRV).  It is through His word that we are able to become “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2^nd Timothy 3:17).  His word brings to view the good works we have been called to walk in.  Outside of that word, we wonder aimlessly and without purpose. 

I have been giving much thought to the amazing gift of Christ and the fact that He did it for me, for you, for all of sinful man.  This extraordinary gift put in motion not only redemption, but also to inspire us to learn what it means to be His workmanship.  To grow in our salvation and better understand the good works He has in store for us all.  So, are you hungry for God?

Dennis

I always appreciate feedback from my lessons, but I was touched by how many reached out to me this past Sunday to express some thoughts about it.  I suspect that it was the simple fact that we so desperately yearn for mercy.  Mercy from the Lord, of course, and from those around us, in our workplaces, the stores we patron, the homes we live in, maybe even ourselves at times.  Someone suggested that I build on that lesson with the intent of seeking to bring into view practical ways revealed in the scriptures on how we can show mercy.  As one of you brought out, the story of the Good Samaritan is a beautiful place to begin.

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this, and you will live.”

                                                                                                                        Luke 10:28

This was the response from Jesus after he and a lawyer had a conversation about inheriting eternal life.  It was more than a simple conversation, for the lawyer was testing Jesus.  So, what did Jesus mean when he said: “do this”?  In the previous verse, He talked of the need to love God and his neighbor fully. (v27)  But the lawyer did not end the conversation there. He asked another question, “And who is my neighbor?” (v29). Little did he know that now that the table was about to turn, and Jesus would be testing him.  Here, the story of the Good Samaritan begins, and we get a sense of the answer to this often-challenging question.

Realizing the story is familiar, I have chosen to be general in my approach.  First, we see this man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho: about a 17-mile trip known for being treacherous, which would be on this day.  Attacked by thieves and left for dead, he is in desperate need of help.  This man is the neighbor.  Someone in obvious need and unable to do anything about it, we have all seen them before.  Onto the scene comes first a priest, then a Levite, both fully aware of the text spoken by the lawyer to Jesus found in Leviticus 19:18 & Deuteronomy 6:5, understanding their call to love God and their neighbor.  Both “saw him” or “came and looked,” the same Greek word meant to stare and thus discern clearly.   Both knew of his plight, but neither came to his care. Instead they, “passed by on the other side” (vv31-32).  It reminds me of that quote from last week’s lesson, “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.”  When it comes to showing mercy, we often need not look for opportunities; but rather ready ourselves for when the opportunity presents itself.   Jesus found his life filled with such moments. The sinful woman in Luke 7:36ff who interrupted the meal at a Pharisee’s home and Jesus showed her mercy.  Many of the healings Jesus performed were opportunities that presented themselves and where He showed mercy over and over again.  These moments are often in front of us; it is just a question of whether we can see them or not.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

                                                                                                                        Luke 10:33

            The tension between the Jewish community and the Samaritans is essential to note.  At best, the Jews viewed the Samaritans as second-class citizens who were beneath them.  Like the other two, this Samaritan also saw the man in desperation.  The difference was that he had compassion; he pitied him, and it moved him inwardly.  I use both aspects of this word’s definition because it reveals the two sides of mercy.  First, something causes the inner person to be moved with compassion in a situation and put that pity into action.  He cared for the man on the spot, bandaging his wounds.  Then, he brought him to an inn and made sure his needs were met.  This took his time, money, and sacrifice.  Mercy is free, but not free.  Does that make sense?  It is free to receive but always costs the one offering it.

            Well, back to the story where we find Jesus asking the lawyer, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” (v36).  Notice, though, the question is not asked “who is my neighbor”; but rather, “who is the neighbor.”  The neighbor is the one who offered mercy and took advantage of the opportunity to care for someone in need.  So, Jesus responds, “Go and do likewise” (v37).

So should we go and do likewise.  Although we may look for opportunities to show mercy, many of those will come upon us.  The question is, will we be willing to see them?  Then, of course, will we be ready to act upon those God-given moments.  Practically speaking, every day, we have opportunities to show mercy: in our workplaces, the stores we patron, the homes we live in, maybe even ourselves at times.  Remember, blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Dennis

I have intentionally decided to deviate from the lessons I have been giving lately to focus on something of great importance.  If you have followed any of my meditations, this lesson may have a familiar ring to it, and for a good reason.  The subject I wish to consider today is that of mercy.  If you want to know the difference between grace and mercy, consider this quote, “Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance.  Grace gave him a feast.”  John Hagee writes, “Mercy requires that we learn to love others, to value their welfare more than our own!”  Jesus in Matthew 5:3-12 fills the beatitudes with life-changing exhortations, and this is where we begin.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Matthew 5:7 NKJV

The words which Jesus mentions in these verses are life changing.  Mourning: that is, to lament over our sinful state.  Meekness speaks of a mild, gentle, and humble person.  The idea of hungering and thirsting for righteousness speaks of one whose eyes are on the Lord, intent in their pursuit of Christ’s likeness.  Then, we come to the word merciful; it speaks of compassion.  Someone has said that “when a Christian shows mercy, he experiences liberation.”  Do you think that is true?  I do.  Maybe that is why Jesus said that those who offer mercy are blessed, fortunate, and well off.  But why?  The answer is as complex as it is simple.  The simple answer we will consider in a moment, but let’s first look at why it isn’t very easy.  The antonyms for mercy (compassion) are things like callousness, cold-heartedness, hardheartedness, heartlessness.  How do we view the homeless?  The addicts?  The broken and downtrodden?  That is one side of mercy.

The apostle Paul would use words like bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice (Ephesians 4:31) that speak directly to the absence of mercy towards those who have hurt us.  I know what that is like, and I suspect most of you do as well.  Emotionally, we are reactive people that seek overtly or subtly to seek revenge, make things right, even the score.  But if our world has taught us anything, there is no evening of the score.  You see, bitterness internalized is nothing other than a prison cell without bars.  So, Jesus wants us to know that how we see people, both those around us and those who have injured us, is critical to our spiritual journey.  Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

“Great blessings belong to those who show mercy to others.

Mercy will be given to them.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Matthew 5:7, ETRV

I like simple things, don’t you?  Well, here is the simple reason behind why those who show mercy are so blessed.  We receive mercy as a result of showing it.  One commentator writes, “No motive to mercy is so constraining as the feeling that we needed it and have found it.”  Still, another writes, “To us, guilty sinners; to us, wretched, dying, and exposed to eternal woe; he has shown his mercy by giving his Son to die for us; by expressing his willingness to pardon and save us; and by sending his Spirit to renew and sanctify our hearts. Each day of our life, each hour, and each moment, we partake of his undeserved mercy.”  Each cry for forgiveness.  Each request for longsuffering from the Lord, we experience His mercy.

My heart grieves at the state of our world, exasperated by the constant lack of mercy.  I have been guilty of it myself.  Lord, help Your church to rise above the darkness and be an example of mercy and compassion to the world around us.  May we do it because You are so merciful towards us.

Dennis

Just this past week, in our young adult gathering at my house, a meal was suggested for the next gathering.  It was sauerkraut.  So, for those who know me, you already are aware of my reaction, ”YUCK!”  What you might not know is the first reason for my displeasure.  It smells horrible…at least to me.  Yet, for others, it causes great anticipation for a tasty meal.  Here are some interesting things about our sense of smell.  It is said that a human can detect as much as one trillion distinct smells.  The scent cells in the human body are renewed every 30 to 60 days.  And guys, it is said that woman have a better sense of smell than we do.  Did you know that Christians give off a scent to the world around us?  Consider these words from the apostle Paul.

and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

                                                                                                                       2^nd Corinthians 2:14

The NIV uses the word “aroma” while the ETRV says “sweet-smelling perfume.”  Once again, the understanding of words enables us to grasp the picture which Paul is talking about.  First, the fragrance (aroma) is attributed to the triumph that is found only in Christ.  This Greek word used here depicts “victorious generals who led triumphant processionals after a great victory.”  In these processionals there would be incense that would be part of the public display of the victory that had be won.  Along with that would be the display of the one’s conquered.  So, what is Paul trying to get across?  Through the work of Christ, Paul, who was once an enemy of the cross of Christ in his persecution of the church (Philippians 3:6) is now a prisoner for Christ (Ephesians 3:1; Philemon v1).  Now held captive by the gospel of Christ, with hope and victory in his grasp, he “diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge” everywhere he goes.  What he says next is powerful.

For we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being

saved and among those who are perishing.

                                                                                                                         2^nd Corinthians 2:15

It is noteworthy to realize the subtle difference of the Greek word translated fragrance in v15.  The Greek word Osme used  in v14 can mean a good or bad smell, while Euodia is generally used to denote a pleasant smell.  Christ is that pleasant smell that is cast among the people by Paul as he preaches the gospel.  Here is the part of the processional that is hard to grasp, at least for us.  You see, in that processional were not only the victors (those saved by the gospel), but also enemies doomed for execution (those who refuse Christ).  The wonderful gospel message would produce two very different outcomes.  Paul would say, “To one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2^nd Corinthians 2:16).  Not everyone is going to see the gospel of Christ as a sweet-smelling message of hope, grace and truth, no matter how hard one might try.

Paul’s victorious journey in sharing the gospel was not linked to who did and who didn’t come to Christ.  He walked in victory because of the joy he now had as a prisoner of Christ.  His mission now was to share the fragrance of Christ with those he would come in contact with in his missionary journeys.  Some would respond positively to what Paul shared concerning the gospel of Christ, while others would oppose him.  Either way, Paul was victorious in Christ.

Dennis

With our bible class starting soon, I have been preparing diligently for the class.  While doing so, I came to realize something about one of the initial thoughts presented in the class already and the series of lessons that I have present recently concerning our God given task to evangelize.  With titles like “Walk This Way,” “The Old vs The New,” Let’s Be His Beacon,” and “Think Before You Speak,” the idea of personal growth seemed to be a common thread.  Truth be told, our need to rid ourselves of the old man and cloth ourselves with the new man is a daily and often challenging objective.  One of the stumbling blocks for me over the years is a word that repulses even the irreligious.  It is the word hypocrisy.  It is a word that I have had to face in my own walk with God.   With God’s grace and mercy, it no longer hinders me, but always reminds me of the ease to once again resurrect that old man.  So, here are a couple things to learn about hypocrisy.

Hypocrites!  Well, did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying…

                                                                                                                                    Matthew 15:7

We at times reside Jesus to some passive role in our world, but that is not how He conducted Himself in all situations.  He had strong words to say and often they were left for the religious leaders of His day.  The verse above is but one of many where Jesus confronts His listeners with a painful truth, they were hypocrites.  In Matthew 23:13-36 He uses this word to challenge His listeners no less than eight times.            So exactly what is meant by it?  The Greek word translated hypocrite means “a stage actor.”  Some suggest it comes from the one man play where the actor uses different masks to play a role.  Another suggests it was a mask that could augment the voice of the actor.  Simply put, it refers to someone pretending to be something they are not and with no intent on changing.  This is seen with these sobering words of Jesus, “These people draw near to Me with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).  Hypocrisy is a heart matter!  And those in the church are not exempt from it, including myself.

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.

                                                                                                                                    Charles Surgeon

            Recently I had a conversation with someone about this very thing.  Then, as I reviewed the material from the class Learning to Love, I came across this quote from Dr. Paul Faulkner in which he defined hypocrisy as one who “is pretending to be something they [you] never intend to become.”  If we go back to Matthew 15, we get this idea as Jesus says, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).  Through their traditions, they twisted the will of God, giving the appearance of godliness (hypocrisy) while defying God’s command.  They had NO intention of becoming what God wanted.  There is the distinction!  Intent!

            Why say this in the first place?  Transformation is a vigorous and often overwhelming process for many; it has been for me at times over the years.  The frustrations that surface as one painfully sees who they are in light of what God calls them to can be intense.  It can be so easy to look in the mirror and say, “What a hypocrite.”  But I find comfort in knowing some very important truths.  First, I am an imperfect disciple; even so, God loves me where I am at and that will never change.  Yet, He yearns for me not to stay where I am at, so He provides me with wisdom (through His word) and strength to move beyond where I am.  Flawed as I may be, and I am, I fear not the word hypocrite for it does not describe me, for I have no intention on remaining as I am.  Christlikeness is my goal.

Dennis

With the subject of evangelism on my mind, I came to a place in the book of Colossians that spoke loudly to me, and I wonder if it will you as well.  As chapter 3 closes out, Paul, with the Holy Spirit guiding him, talks about things like the Christian home (husbands, wives, and children vv18-21), Christian slaves (v22), and as chapter 4 begins, masters (4:1).  Then, there is this appeal, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving….”  Therein is a lesson in and of itself.  Prayer that seeks out God and realizes the blessings of which they have is mighty indeed.  These are efforts put forth by the redeemed, those who have and are putting off that old person and putting on the new (Colossians 3:1-11).  These seem to be more about us and not so much about them; that is, until the next verse.

“Walk-in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

                                                                                                                                    Colossians 4:5

These words may sound familiar, for Paul says something similar in Ephesians 5:15.  In both cases, the appeal encourages awareness and purposeful action.  Here, the church in Colosse is to be intentional in their conduct with those outside the church.  The ETRV says, “Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers.”  Why?  We may get some insight into this from Paul’s exhortation to Titus to show “yourself to be a pattern of good works” so that no “one who is an opponent maybe be ashamed, having nothing evil to say to you” (Titus 2:8).  Our behavior in the workplace, in our neighborhoods, and in our homes speaks volumes to those around us.  As one person writes, “Deal with them on the strictest principles of integrity, so that they may not have occasion to reproach the religion which you profess.”  We do this to redeem the time; that is, we see these as opportunities to influence the world around us for the cause of Christ.  With that in mind, Paul refers to one of our greatest assets, our words.

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt….”

                                                                                                                                    Colossians 4:6

Once again, the simplicity of the ETRV, “When you talk, you should always be kind and wise.”  Another translation uses the word “pleasant” in place of grace.  I am reminded of his messages to the church in Ephesus, that the intent of their words would be for “necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).  One person describes it as words that are “kindly, winning pleasantness which makes the talk of a good and thoughtful man attractive.”  The use of salt adds further depth to the speech of the Christian, towards those outside of God’s grace, for it is “the savor of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness,” void of the often-corrupt words of our broken world.

We offer to them something different, and we do so in part through our speech.  You see, it is through our actions, especially our conversation, that people today will recognize that there is something different about us.  It may cause someone to inquire why we are different from the world they so readily see each day.  It is then that God, working through us, may open a door as we are asked the question from those outside, “Why?”  It is then that we can begin to share with them “the hope that is in” us “with meekness and fear” (1st Peter 3:15).  Help us, Lord, to be ever vigilant in our endeavor to draw others to You.

Dennis

Soon, our Sunday morning bible class will start once again and we will pick up where we left off in our study of Willard Tate’s book, Learning to Love.  Study booklets have been updated and new books for those who need them have been purchased.  Those will be on the back counter by the bulleting board.  If your family already has a book, please do not take a new one for there are only a few available.  We left off in chapter three entitled Experiencing God’s Love.  If you have the chance, I encourage you to read up to chapter 3 to refresh your mind and get us ready for some discussion time in class.  The first class will be a review of what we covered up to this point.

But above all these things put on love…

                                                                                                                        Colossians 3:14

So, why learn to love?  Listen to how the ETRV translates the above verse, “Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other.  Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.”   Love is so crucial!  Notice, it is understood to be above the other virtues just mentioned.  Things like mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, even the often-challenging act of forgiveness.  You might be thinking, “Aren’t those things love?”  I would suggest that those things are the result of love, not love itself.  Paul said, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”  He would encourage the church in Ephesus to be “grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17).  That word “grounded” means to fix firmly.  1^st John, so rich with thoughts about our love for one another, puts is simply, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1^st John 4:11). 

As Christian, we are exhorted to pursue this idea of putting “to death your members which are on the earth” (Colossians 3:5) and “put off” (3:8) those things which the old man would do: that person who died with Christ.  At the same time, we seek to “put on the man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (3:10).  This is our quest!  This is our goal!  To be a reflection of Jesus our Lord and Savior.

…which is the bond of perfection.

                                                                                                                        Colossians 3:14

Okay, back to our need to learn to love.  What does Paul mean by the above thought concerning love?  The Greek word used here means that which binds together; a band, bond.  By extension is means uniting principle.  We are familiar with the love chapter of the bible, aren’t we?  Paul’s words that stand out to me in that chapter are, “but have not love” (1^st Corinthians 13:1, 2, 3).  The things I have done over the years, gestures of outward kindness, driven by guilt or obligation, are nothing of true value if love is not their source. 

Therein is the challenge for me at least, and the reason for my need to grow in my understanding of God’s love.  Sometimes I struggle with those things listed in v12, kindness, humility, longsuffering, forgiveness.  Could it be that the struggle is not with them alone, but with my understanding of love?  Maybe I have learned some things over the years that fight against what God calls me to do.  The only way past it is to earnestly seek to know His love, a love that is not simply for the world, but for me.  Help me Lord to understand Your love so that it can live through me and be offered to others.

Dennis

This past Monday, I had a procedure at the hospital, and while in the “room,” the nurse that was preparing me to receive the medication to put me to sleep asked me, “What do you do for work?”  Can anyone say open door?  Well, I told her what I do and also the address of the church building.  It turns out that she lives close to our building and then expressed her appreciation for the words on our sign out front.  I expressed my gratitude for her kind words, invited her to visit, and went off to sleep.           

When it comes to evangelism, sometimes it is our work that causes someone to think and inquire about why we do what we do.  So, how we involve ourselves in our communities can impact and create opportunities to share Christ with others. For example, on Thursday of this past week, I met with two people looking to locate a facility that can accommodate a community service project called Window Dressers.  It provides storm windows for those unable to afford them.  Assisting in such a way is a chance to give our facility greater visibility and serve the community.

            If there is one thing this last year and a half has done, it has brought much of our community service efforts to a halt.   Annual car wash, Thanksgiving baskets, food for the pantry, even service towards one another are just a few examples.  It is time we start refocusing and remembering that our efforts do not go unnoticed.  The idea of serving the community and one another caused me to think of what Jesus taught during His ministry here on earth.  With a multitude of people before Him, he said,

“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,

and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

                                                                                                                        Matthew 5:14-15           

Just how important are you to God’s great plan?  What He reveals here answers that very question, at least in part.  Jesus had just got done telling His followers that they were “the salt of the earth” (5:13).  Salt was an essential part of their lives, used in preserving food.  If that were not enough, now He tells them they are “the light of the world.”  Sirach wrote, “There is nothing more useful than salt and sunshine.”  Just how important is our light?  Paul would tell the Christians in Philippi that they were to “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).  In reality, we are not the source of that light but rather a reflection of His light.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).  Like the moon that reflects the sun, giving light in times of darkness, we to reflect the Son in an often dark and dreary world.  That is what we are meant to be!  We are that grand city on a hill.  One person writes, “There is no greater light for God than the church that is filling its mission in the community.”  As God works in and through each of us individually and collectively, we are to be that beacon in this dark world.

Let your light so shine before men that they may see

your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

                                                                                                                        Matthew 5:16           

As His disciples, Jesus encourages us to shine brightly!  How?  In part, it is through our good works, something we have been “created in Christ Jesus” to do, for we are “His workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10).  Doing good works for the cause of Christ presents the opportunity to point people toward God and His saving grace. Paul said that in “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1st Corinthians 10:31).  He would encourage the church in Colosse that in “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).  It is all about Him!  Pointing People to God is our objective.           

It is true, everyone needs to hear the gospel, and it is wonderful to learn how we can be more effective in evangelizing, that is, sharing the hope of Christ.  Sometimes though, before that can happen, we need to get their attention.  One way for that to happen is through good works. It is allowing God to work through us so we can shine His light in this world.  Lord, use us to be Your beacon of goodness to all those around us.

Dennis