Colossians 2:1-3 Elitism

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [Colossians 2:1-3 NASB]

The false teachers in Colossae claimed to have a special knowledge based on visions and spiritual superiority. According to their teachings, an elite few were able to fathom the "treasures and wisdom of knowledge." Paul turned their language around on them, making it clear that ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ.

The knowledge of Christ isn't for an elite set of priests and clergy, but is for all. Paul said,

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, [1 Corinthians 2:12 NASB]

In fact, God delights in confounding the elitists of the world;

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” [1 Corinthians 1:25-31 NASB]

Some people hear the word "prosperity," and immediately think about money. But Paul says that true wealth "comes from the full assurance of understanding." Our greatest treasures are not on earth, but in heaven. You won't inherit the kingdom of God because you are rich, or powerful, or intellectual. The smartest man in the room may be ignorant of spiritual truth. Stephen Hawking, for example, was considered by some to be the smartest man alive. But he denied the existence of God until the day he died.

Don't fall into the trap of elitism. Those who have a great deal of natural talent need to take special care. I have known musicians who come across as "divas" during the music service. 

Spiritual gifting can also lead to elitism. I was once part of a church in which a woman became known for her prophetic gift. She was surrounded by a group of followers who hung on her every word. When she walked from one place to another, her cadre would appear to clear a path for her. When the church leaders judged one or two of her "prophecies" to be false, she left the church to start her own, with herself as the pastor. Elitist thinking leads to division.

God wants you to have full understanding of Him. He has revealed Himself in the word of God. Study it; know it; pray as you read, and He will give you understanding. 

His Spirit will reveal Him to you. Jesus said,

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. [John 14:26 NASB]

As you seek God, and trust His spirit to teach you, it is possible you will interject your own thoughts and expectation. In other words, you may get it wrong. Don't worry about it. Don't hold back because of the possibility of error. If you are sincerely seeking Him, He will graciously guide you back into truth. This is also why we fellowship with other believers. We correct one another, we teach one another, and we learn from one another. The proverb says, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. [Proverbs 27:17 NASB]

Fellowship based on love for God and for the body of Christ is the opposite of elitism, and is the foundation for unity.

Lord God, I thank you that You have revealed Yourself to Your children; not just an elite few, but all of us. I pray that You will open the eyes of our understanding so that we will have complete confidence in You. 

Colossians 1:25-29 The Mystery

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. [Colossians 1:25-29 NASB]

The word of God is referred to as a mystery. The word "mystery" in biblical usage does not mean "a puzzle to be solved." Instead it means "a truth that can only be known by revelation." This mystery was hidden in ages past.

In the past, the Jews were God's only chosen people. It was to them alone that the word of God came, and it was with them alone that God made a covenant. Even though there were prophecies concerning the mystery, they were never fully understood. Joel prophesied;

“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. [Joel 2:28 NASB]

God promised Abraham;

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” [Genesis 22:18 NASB]

Israel had the promises and the prophecies, but they didn't understand them, because;

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. [1 Corinthians 2:12-14 NASB]

But now, the mystery has been revealed, which is, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Since Christ's Spirit indwells each of us, we have the hope of eternal salvation - our inheritance - which is an eternity in the presence of God.

Not only do we hope for an inheritance, we have hope of becoming Jesus' inheritance. As Paul says;

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [Ephesians 1:18 NASB]

We are His inheritance. One day we will meet Him, and our true nature will be revealed;

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. [Romans 8:18-19 NASB]

John describes this scene in heaven;

Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. [Revelation 19:6-8 NASB]

The church is the bride of Christ. The time to make ourselves ready is now, so that when the time comes, we will be clothed in righteous acts.

I am not talking about good deeds done in the flesh, in the hope of winning favor with God. Rather, I am talking about walking in the Spirit, and laboring with Him, according to His power.

Father, I thank you for the hope of glory. I pray for the grace to live a life that is worth of You, so that I will, in that day, wear the robes of righteousness. 

Colossians 1:24 Suffering

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. [Colossians 1:24 NASB]

Rejoicing in suffering is a common theme throughout the New Testament. It is mentioned so frequently that I can only conclude that we really need to be reminded over and over again.

Our motives for suffering are important. Paul said that he suffers for the sake of the church. Throughout Christian history, there have been many ascetic movements that teach that we should suffer for the sake of our personal holiness. In its most extreme forms, we have images of medieval monks lashing their own backs with a whip. 

In modern evangelical Christianity, many people fast in an effort to "crucify the flesh", or become more holy. Fasting is a perfectly valid spiritual exercise, but if you do it with the motive of denying yourself for the sake of your sanctification, then your motive is wrong. Sanctification - the process of becoming holy - is entirely by God's grace, just as salvation is. Any work you do, including fasting, to improve your sanctification is an act of the flesh, and is, therefore, counter to the Spirit of God. As Paul told the Galatians;

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [Galatians 3:3 NASB]

I have read a number of commentaries, and Paul's phrase "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions," has prompted a wide range of speculations.

The most far-fetched speculation says that Jesus' atoning work was not completed on the Cross, and that the church, as the body of Christ, must continue to suffer as part of the atonement. This qualifies as heretical teaching since the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus' atonement was completed on the cross.

A more common speculation agrees that Jesus' atonement was completed on the cross. Nonetheless, He continues to suffer, as His church suffers. This lacks the heresy of the previous speculation, but it is also not scriptural. We see in Hebrews;

...nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. [Hebrews 9:25-26 NASB]

Jesus suffered and died. He rose again, and ascended to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. His suffering is complete.

Much more likely, Paul is using poetic language (which he often does) to describe identifying with the sufferings of Christ. This was a common attitude in the early church. Early in the book of Acts, the apostles were arrested and tried. When the council thought to kill them, a scholar named Gamaliel convinced them to let the apostles live;

They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. [Acts 5:40-42 NASB]

Bearing afflictions with joy won' make you more holy, but it will make you more useful for the kingdom of God;

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. [2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NASB]

We don't look for suffering, but when it comes we embrace it. We allow it to mold our character;

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [Romans 5:3-5 NASB]

It is not natural to be happy about suffering. But if we turn to Jesus; by His grace, and through His Spirit, we can rejoice.

Father, I pray for the grace to endure suffering with joy. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for all things. 

Colossians 1:20-23 The Blood of Jesus

...and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. [Colossians 1:20-23 NASB]

It is the blood of Jesus than reconciles us to God. Not a superstitious recitation or incantation such as "by the blood you are cleansed." And it is not the taking of Communion, which is a reminder of the blood of Christ, and not the blood itself.

The blood of Christ refers to the price Jesus paid on the cross. In the scourging, His back was laid bare. There was not one piece of flesh left to distinguish the strokes of the whip. The crown of thorns tore into His scalp so that the blood ran down His face and body. He was nailed to the cross, so He was bleeding from His hands and feet. And when the soldier stabbed the spear into His side, blood and water poured out.

Jesus bore all of this willingly. He could have called on legions of angels to rescue Him, but he didn't. In His sacrifice, he took upon Himself all the sins of every person, past, present, and future. It is by the blood of Jesus that those who call on His name in faith are saved.

What does it mean to be saved? Every person who lives without Christ lives in the kingdom of darkness. They are slaves of sin, and slaves of Satan. In that sense, everyone who lives without Christ is "possessed" by the devil. They are his possession, even if they don't have a demon living inside them.

When we come to Jesus in faith, he translates us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Paul said,

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, [Ephesians 2:19 NASB]

We can boldly come to the throne of God, "holy and blameless and beyond reproach." 

Paul adds an interesting condition; he says, "if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard."

We are told in Romans;

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39 NASB]

There is nothing outside of us that can remove us from God's love. But we see here that we can move away from Him. Hebrews tells us;

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. [Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB]

I believe in God's grace. I can't begin to fathom the depth of His love. I am convinced that it is not an easy thing to fall away from God. We don't need to fear that if we mess up and commit a sin, that we will lose our salvation. God will convict you of your sin; He will discipline you; He will continue to draw you back to Himself, for years if need be.

I don''t know at what point a person falls away, or at what point they remove themselves from God's grace. Perhaps it is renouncing the faith. Or perhaps it is sinning so grievously and without repentance that they remove themselves from His grace. It is God who will judge that. 

As for us, let us not test the limits. Remember the sacrifice, and the price paid by Jesus' blood. Keep before you the hope of our salvation, which is an eternity spent with Jesus in Heaven. Set your mind on Jesus. Persevere. Keep your eyes on the goal, which is our hope, so that, having run the race you will finish well.

Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, by which I have been reconciled to You. Thank You for the hope of salvation. Please give me the grace to continue in You. Please continue to remind me of Your grace, so that I will not fall away. 

Colossians 1:15-19 The Deity of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, [Colossians 1:15-19 NASB]

The deity of Jesus is firmly established in this and other verses in the Bible. Jesus said of Himself, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." [John 14:9 NASB] The apostle John wrote;

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [John 1:1-3 NASB]

Jesus said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. [John 8:56-59 NASB]

When Jesus said, "I am," he was recalling the account from Exodus;

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” [Exodus 3:14 NASB]

In the Hebrew, I AM is the root for the name Yahweh. In essence, Jesus told the Jews, "I AM Yahweh." They understood exactly what He meant, which is why they tried to kill Him.

As God, Jesus created all things. In the physical world that includes the earth and everything on it, the moon, the planets, the sun and all the stars in infinite space. In the spiritual world, that means He created all of the angels and demons. Not only is He the creator, but He is preeminent and dominant over all of creation. Even the demons, who are in rebellion against God, will bow the knee to Him.

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians in response to heretical teaching which diminished Christ, and worshiped angels. They were teaching that Jesus was just one of pantheon of spirits and angels. Since there was only one Jesus, and many angels, then you were more likely to be heard if you prayed to the angels. They, in turn, would intercede on your behalf to God.

Paul addresses the heresy more directly later in the letter, but here he is establishing the identity of Jesus. He is God. Not one of many, and not a created being like the angels, but the Creator of the whole universe.

It is a common tactic with heretical teaching, and with cults, to attack the identity of God. Some deny the triune nature of God; that there are three persons and only one God. With their limited natural reasoning they say, "I don't understand it, therefore it can't be true." Some admit the deity of Jesus, but deny that He came in the flesh, as a man, thus nullifying His sacrifice. The most common attack is to deny the deity of Christ. They say that he was just a good man, or a prophet, or delusional.

For the Christian, it comes down to this: do you believe the Bible? The Bible teaches that Jesus is God, therefore we believe it.

We know this about Jesus: He is God, and has existed eternally as God. He came in the flesh, born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, though He was tempted in every way as we are. He gave His life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. On the third day, he rose again, and was seen by many witnesses. He ascended to the throne of God, where He sits today. And one day, He will return to physically rule on earth from His throne in Jerusalem. This is the gospel - the good news.

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You came in the flesh to live among us. Thank You for revealing the Father to us. Lord, You are glorious; I delight in Your presence. I praise and worship Your name which is above every name. 

Colossians 1:11-14 Joyously Giving Thanks

...joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [Colossians 1:11-14 NASB]

2 Chronicles tells of how Israel was conquered by Babylon;

All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon. Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete. [2 Chronicles 36:18-21 NASB]

It was the custom for a conquering army to relocate the population of the conquered kingdom. This is the image that Paul is conveying when he says that we have been transferred to "the kingdom of His beloved Son." Except, Paul is turning a negative image into a positive. The prince of darkness has been conquered, and we who were once his subjects, have been brought into the kingdom of Light.

We haven't been carried away as slaves. We have been made members of God's own household, and have been qualified to receive an inheritance.

The Bible says that it was "the Father, who has qualified us..." We have done nothing to qualify ourselves. We are receiving an inheritance, which is a gift; and not a wage. We cannot earn an inheritance.

In Him we have redemption. The word "redemption" means, "to effect deliverance, by means of paying a ransom". It was custom for destitute persons with a debt to be put into a debtors prison, where they would labor until they were able to pay their debt, or until somebody paid their debt for them. If the debt was extremely high, they would stay in prison until they died.

We owed a debt of sin that we could not pay. But God sent His Son, as a sacrifice, into the world. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross paid our debt in full. We owe Him everything.

Therefore, as the scripture says, we should be "joyously giving thanks to the Father." There is no other call to action today except to be thankful for all that God has done for us. He qualified us for an inheritance. He rescued us from darkness. And He redeemed us by the blood of Jesus.

Thank You, Father, that You have rescued us from darkness, and have brought us into Your light. Thank You that we share an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, together with all the saints. We magnify and glorify Your name. 

Colossians 1:11 Power

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience... [Colossians 1:11 NASB]

Paul is continuing his prayer for the Colossians that they would bear fruit for every good deed and increase in the knowledge of God. He also said;

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. [Galatians 6:9-10 NASB]

The strength to steadfastly continue doing good works, and to seek more of the knowledge of God, comes from God.

Jesus told His disciples;

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8 NASB]

At this point they had already received the Holy Spirit for salvation.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [John 20:21-22 NASB]

 They were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit. The event is described in Acts;

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance...But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRITAnd they shall prophesy. [Acts 2:1-4, 14-18 NASB]

Some have reasoned, based on this description, that it is necessary to speak in tongues in order to be baptized in the Spirit. Or that Speaking in tongues is a sign of the baptism. The scriptures, however, don't support that thought. The descriptions through the book of Acts of people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit describe a variety of manifestations; speaking in tongues, prophecy, or "power". As for seeking a sign, Jesus said,

"An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet." [Matthew 12:39 NASB]

When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you can expect a manifestation of power, as the power of God fills you. Not as a sign, but to strengthen and empower you to live more fully for Him.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is separate from salvation. You can be saved without ever have been baptized in the Spirit. So, how do you know whether you have been baptized? If you have ever had a personal experience with the power of God, then you can confidently say that you have experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you have never had such an experience, then you can be sure that you have not.

If you have never been baptized in the Spirit, pray that you will receive it, and wait on God. Do not try to work up some emotion or experience. That would be of the flesh, and counter-productive. Seek God fervently, and you will find him. Jesus said,

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” [Luke 11:13 NASB]

If you have received the Baptism in the Spirit, don't rest on that one experience for a life of power. Just as salvation is a one-time experience followed by a lifetime of being sanctified, so the baptism is a one-time experience followed by a lifetime of being filled with His Spirit.

It is necessary to continue in prayer, diligently seeking God, so that you may be continuously filled with His Spirit. Then you will have the power to continue steadfastly and patiently in His work.

Lord God, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will fill me with Your spirit, and strengthen me so that I will never grow weary of doing Your will. 

Colossians 1:9-10 God's Will

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [Colossians 1:9-10 NASB]

I think one of the most common questions Christians ask is "What is God's will for me?" It was Paul's prayer for the Colossians, and by extension, all Christians, that we know Gods will.

In the most general sense, this is easy to answer. It is His will that we be saved, that we bring others into the kingdom, and that we love one another. But the question that plaques so many believers is more specifically, "What does God want me to do? Am I supposed to be a missionary to Africa? Or pastor a church? Or teach Sunday School? Or anything else?"

In understanding God's will, we come to the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge may say, "I am supposed to share the gospel." Wisdom will tell you where and how; whether it is preaching in tent revivals, or sharing a quiet word with a coworker. Knowledge may say, "I am supposed to teach God's word to uplift believers." Wisdom will tell you whether you are supposed to stand up in front of a church, lead a small group, or share what you know in less formal conversations.

God gives each of us a gift, and it is up to us to identify that gift and use it for Him. Whether your gifting is in music, organizing events, helping others, or whatever. And don't get hung up on labels. My wife is gifted as a pastor. That doesn't mean that she "pastors" a church. She doesn't hold the title of "Pastor". But she listens and genuinely cares about other people, providing comfort and encouragement. She fulfills the definition of a pastor, and uses her gift every day at work and at home.

You can usually identify your gift as something that you do anyway. A person with the gift of evangelism can walk into a crowd of strangers, talk about Jesus, and make converts. He will do this without having to "work up" the courage, or feel strange doing it. It just comes naturally.

Knowing your gifting may take time and prayerful searching. It's a good idea to ask the opinion of others whose opinion you trust. We are told in Proverbs

A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, [Proverbs 1:5 NASB]

Once you have identified your gift, then what? James says, 

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [James 1:5 NASB]

Pray for wisdom and trust God to put a desire in you heart, or to place you where you need to be. He can lead you by opening or closing doors of opportunity. If you feel like you are called to be a missionary, then speak to the leaders of your church. If you believe God wants you to play your guitar during worship time, then speak to the worship leader. You may already be right where God wants you, but you don't yet realize it. Be open to using your gift right where you are.

Pray and ask for wisdom to know God's will for you. Step out in faith to do His work. The more your knowledge of God increases, the more faithfully you will be able to do His will. The more you faithfully do His will, the more you will increase in the knowledge of God.

Heavenly Father, I agree with Paul's prayer for myself and for the church, that we will be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, and that we may walk in a manner worthy of You. 

Colossians 1:5-8 Bearing Fruit

...because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. [Colossians 1:5-8 NASB]

Paul never visited Colossae. The church there was founded by Epaphras, who was saved during a visit to Ephesus. He spread the gospel that he had heard from Paul when he returned home, thereby starting the church in Colossae. Paul and Epaphras continued their friendship over the years, and Epaphras visited Paul during his Roman imprisonment, staying with him for some time to minister to his needs.

Paul spoke of the gospel "bearing fruit and increasing." Colossae was a perfect example of that. Paul was preaching in Ephesus. Then the word spread to Colossae through Epaphras, then those who heard it spread the word throughout the region. Jesus told this parable;

“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. “Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. “And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. “Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. “Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” [Mark 4:3-8 NASB]

It should be the desire of every Christian for the word of God to bear fruit in our lives. That doesn't happen by accident. It is God who gives the increase, but you have to be a willing participant.

Spend time with the Bible. Prayerfully read and study, planting and watering the seeds of truth. As the word grows in us individually, it is only natural that it will grow beyond us and into our community. Jesus said,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:19-20 NASB]

We are not all called to be preachers, nor are we all gifted to be an evangelist. Some would have you feel guilty if you are not standing on a street corner, loudly proclaiming the word of God. Some may be called to do that, but not everyone. We each have our own gifts and callings.

We do, however, have the love of God and the word of truth. We should take advantage of opportunities to share His love and speak His word into our lives and the lives of others. Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." [Matthew 5:14-16 NASB]

Paul said,

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [Ephesians 2:10 NASB]

You are not expected to walk in anybody else's gifting but your own. If you are called to evangelize, then preach the gospel boldly. If you are called to pastor, then offer comfort and encouragement. If you are called to teach, then do so studiously, being faithful to the word. Perhaps you are called to be an administrator or a helper; do your work gladly.

Whatever you are called to do, do it faithfully. Your work for the kingdom will be joined with that of the rest of the body of Christ, and will bear fruit, and increase.

Father, I thank you for Your word. I pray that it will increase in me, and that You will grant me the wisdom and boldness to speak Your word in the world. 

Colossians 1:3-5 Love

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel... [Colossians 1:3-5 NASB]

One of the themes throughout Paul's writings is the triad of "faith, hope, and love." In this passage, he is grateful to God for the report of their faith and love, which has resulted from hope.

It brings to mind the scripture;

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing...And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-3,13 NKJV]

People are motivated to act by many things. Pride and a desire to be recognized may motivate spiritual gifts. Intellectual curiosity may cause a person to delve deeply into the Bible, without ever coming to a knowledge of the truth. Outrage at the plight of their fellow man may motivate people to demonstrate, or become an activist. But if you are not motivated by the love that comes from God, then it is meaningless.

Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated for his passive resistance against British rule in India. Yet, as a Hindi, it cannot be said that he was motivated by God's love. Religious pride, yes. Nationalism, yes. His protests were effective, and benefited the Hindi people of India, but there is no eternal reward.

With God's love as the motivator, even small acts carry a reward. Jesus said,

“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” [Matthew 10:42 NASB]

Paul indicates that love results from our hope of eternal salvation. If your mind is turned heavenward, that is, towards the things of Spirit of God, it won't cause you to overlook the things of earth. On the contrary, as the Spirit leads, your eyes will be open to the needs of people around you. Your heart will have more compassion. If God's love is in you then it will overflow to others. The apostle John wrote;

We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. [1 John 4:19-21 NASB]

Love is a fruit of the Spirit. It is not something you can "work up". You cannot "fake it until you make it." The love of God comes from knowing God. Spend time in His presence. Walk in the Spirit so that the fruit of the Spirit will grow, and never lose sight of the hope of eternity with Jesus.

Lord, I thank You for the hope that You have given us; the promise of eternal life with You. I pray that Your fruit will grow in us, and that our love will be evident to all. 

Colossians 1:1-2 Saints

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. [Colossians 1:1-2 NASB]

Paul addressed his letter to the saints in Colossae. He was not speaking to a select few, but to every believer in Christ. According to New Testament usage, every believer is a saint. There is no canonization process and no proof of sainthood required. 

What is required to be a saint is to;

confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. [Romans 10:9-10 NASB]

We were once sinners. Paul wrote, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." [Romans 3:23 NASB] Regarding sin, he said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 6:23 NASB]

The apostle John told us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9 NASB]

There is an expression that some Christians repeat, "I am just a sinner saved by grace". That is not true. You are either a sinner or a saint. If you confess Jesus as you Lord, you are a Christian, and you are a saint.

The problem with thinking of yourself as a "sinner saved by grace," is that it implicitly gives you permission to sin. Your sins are forgiven, but that is not the same a having permission to sin.

Right living comes from right thinking. Paul said,

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:1-2 NASB]

By definition, a saint is one who is holy, sanctified, and set apart for God. That is how God sees you, and how you need to see yourself. God has placed His presence within you. We are told, 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. [1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB]

You have been freed from sin. It no longer has mastery over you. You once were enslaved by sin, but now, you belong to God. He said,

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. [Romans 6:22 NASB]

From now on, you serve God in righteousness. You can live a life of holiness, set apart from God. You are a saint.

Heavenly Father, thank You that you have called us to you and set us apart for Yourself. Thank you for forgiving our sins, and making us holy. 

Philippians 4:15-23 Giving

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [Philippians 4:15-23 NKJV]

Following up on his gratitude for the Philippians gift, he acknowledges their history of generosity. He reiterates that he did not seek the gift, but is grateful that their giving will bear fruit. He follows up with a promise; that God will supply their needs.

The first thing I notice about the giving of the Philippians is that it is a result of their own generosity. A number of churches teach that God requires a ten percent tithe of your income. That was true for the Jews under the Old Covenant;

‘And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. ‘If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. ‘And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. ‘He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’ ” [Leviticus 27:30-33 NKJV]

But we are no longer under the Old Covenant, but under the New Covenant;

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. [Hebrews 8:13 NKJV]

Whenever we give, it should not be out of compulsion or legalistic necessity, but from our hearts. Paul also says;

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. [2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV]

God has promised to supply all of our needs. Jesus said;

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” [Luke 6:38 NKJV]

 At this point, I would offer a word of caution. Jesus also said;

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [Matthew 6:33 NKJV]

If you give with the motive of getting more in return, then you are seeking financial gain over the kingdom of God. If you seek the things, you may or may not get the things, but it will be with frustration, and without God. If you seek the kingdom, you will find God, and He will provide the things. Our motivation should be this; God has been generous to us, therefore we should be generous.

There have been several times in my life when I have faced financial hardship. In every case, God has provided. I once had to have a back surgery. I did not have insurance, I lost my job because of my back, and did not see a way. But a surgeon offered to do the surgery for free, and we received help paying for the hospital. After the surgery, I found a new job. I won't say it was always easy, but our needs were always met.

If you give with the right motivation; that is, seeking first the kingdom of God, and giving joyfully and generously as you purpose in your heart, then your offering will be "a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God." This doesn't mean that you can buy God's favor. 

As a father, if I gave my son ten dollars, then learned that he gave two of those dollars to someone else who needed it, I would be thrilled and proud. It won't make me love him more, because I already love him as a father. Giving won't make God love you any more, and you won't earn more of His grace.

Giving from a generous heart will not benefit God, who owns the whole universe. But it will do wonders for your own spirit as you place the priority of God's kingdom above your own greed.

Father, I thank you that You have provided for all my needs. I pray for the grace and the wisdom to give back into Your kingdom. 

Philippians 4:10-14 Contentment

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. [Philippians 4:10-14 NKJV]

Paul is making reference to the monetary gift that was delivered to him by Epaphroditus (ch 2). He is grateful for the gift, though it was late in coming. 

Paul sets out to comfort the Philippian church regarding their delay in sending a gift. He acknowledged that they cared, but didn't have opportunity. Remember, he had been imprisoned in Caesarea, put on a ship for Rome and shipwrecked before finally arriving in Rome. It would have been hard to get anything to him until he was finally settled in the Roman prison.

He also comforts them by letting them know that, even though their gift was delayed, it wasn't a hardship for him. He was content.

He says he has learned, "both to abound and to suffer need." He is not writing theoretically, but from experience. He has had much, and has had little, and has learned, through it all to be content.

This is exactly opposite what the world tells us. Madison Avenue says, "Do you have a nice, solid, reliable car? You need a new, "sexier" car, with more bells and whistles." Or, "Do you live in a comfortable home? You need a newer, bigger home where you can entertain all of your "friends" who have come to admire your big home."

The world teaches us to never be content. Because if you are content, then you will stop wanting new things.

This doesn't mean that you never get anything new. After all, old cars eventually wear out, and need to be replaced. A family can outgrow a home and need a larger house. But examine you motives. Are you getting what you need? Or are you satisfying your lusts? Just because you desire a thing, that doesn't mean that desire comes from God.

A poor man may be discontent when he see people who have more than he does. A rich man may be discontent because, no matter how much he has, his appetites are never satisfied. A look at the rampant drug and alcohol abuse by Hollywood A-listers should tell you that money and fame do not result in happiness and contentment. But Paul said, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." [1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV]

Paul was able to be content, whether rich or poor, because, he said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

This is, possibly, one of the most "taken out of context" scriptures in the Bible. By "all things" Paul is talking about whatever state he finds himself in. He is talking about contentment. He is not promoting a "super-Christian" mentality. "I can do all things" doesn't mean that you can walk through walls or climb the highest mountain. It doesn't mean that you can exercise any gift that God hasn't given you.

I does mean that you can accept who you are and what you have, and be content. Paul offers the same sentiment in other words;

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, [2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV]

We are told;

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5 NKJV]

Contentment means we don't need to worry, because God will supply our needs;

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV]

Lord God, I am grateful for what You have given me. You have proven Yourself to be a faithful provider again and again. I trust that You will always meet my needs. 

Philippians 4:9 Doctrine

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. [Philippians 4:9 NKJV]

Paul is, once again, using himself as pattern for Christian life. Previously, he invited the Philippian church to emulate his behavior. He adds here that they - and we - should follow his teaching. We don't have the advantage of having witnessed his life or heard him teach, but we do have his teachings recorded in his epistles. Some of the things he taught were;

• The Trinity
  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV]
• The Deity of Jesus
  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [Philippians 2:5-6 NKJV]
• The Holy Spirit
  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV]
• The fallen state of man
  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:23 NKJV]
• Salvation by grace
  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. [Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV]
• Sanctification by grace
  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? [Galatians 3:2-3 NKJV]
• Death and resurrection of Jesus
  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, [1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NKJV]
• Second coming of Jesus
  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. [1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 NKJV]

Of course, there are many more teachings in the writings of Paul, but this covers some of the basic themes.

Just as Paul lived his life as an example, so we should live our lives that we may be an example. It is important to live a holy life, but it is also important to know what you believe, and why you believe it.

Don't just take my word for it, or a pastor's word, or a denomination's word. Study for yourself. The church in Berea offers a good example;

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. [Acts 17:11-12 NKJV]

Don't believe every new teaching that comes along. At the same time, don't hold on to the old teachings, just because they are what you've always been taught. Study for yourself. Know what you believe because you have studied and prayed, and have been taught by the Spirit of God through His word.

Father, thank You for giving us the Bible – Your word – for our instruction. Please speak to us through Your word. Open our hearts and minds to understand. 

Philippians 4:8 Spiritual Accounting

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. [Philippians 4:8 NKJV]

Paul tells us in Romans;

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [Romans 12:1-2 NKJV]

He also tells us;

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but might in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. [2 Corinthians 10:4-5]

I cannot emphasize enough how important the mind is to your spiritual walk. You can think Godly thoughts or godless. What you think will guide your spirit. Paul says,

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:5-6]

When Paul says, "Whatever things are true...meditate on these things," This is not the meditation they teach in yoga or eastern religions. He doesn't want you to visualize rainbows and kittens. Remember, Paul has just recently finished lamenting those "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things." [Philippians 3:19 NKJV] 

The word that is translated "meditate" or "think" in other translations is actually an accounting term. It is used by Paul when he says, "For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” [Romans 4:3 NKJV]

If we think in accounting terms, then whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy are listed on an asset sheet. (There is no debit sheet)

Consider a coworker who is hard to get along with. In the natural world, we could keep a balance sheet listing assets on one side and debits on the other. Then after careful accounting and consideration, we may decide he or she isn't worth our time.

In Christ, the debits are cancelled. We are to look only at the assets and see a person of value.

This is exactly what God has done for us because of Jesus' sacrifice;

just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,And whose sins are covered;  Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” [Romans 4:6-8 NKJV]

God, by His grace, sees us only as holy, righteous and virtuous. It is right that we do the same for others.

Lord Jesus, you are true. Whatever things are good are from You. I pray that you will give me the grace to keep my mind fixed on You, the source of all good things, and to see others as You see them. 

Philippians 4:6-7 The Peace of God

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV]

You've probably heard that the answer to anxiety is prayer. Like me, you have probably prayed and remained anxious. You then dismiss the "prayer" advice as a rote, pat answer. You would be half right. The answer is prayer, but the language of this passage indicates prayer with a certain attitude.

I am a firm believer that prayer is meant to be a conversation with God. I love to spend time with God in a relaxed, casual conversation. It has been during these times that I have received some of the most profound revelations about myself and my relationship with God.

But, when circumstances cause you to become anxious, a casual conversation, or a quick mention of your needs may not settle your mind.

"Supplication" means more than simply making a request. It means that you are coming from a place of total destitution and indigence. When you have nothing, then everything that you have is from God. It requires humility in God's presence, and knowing that whatever spiritual gains you have made in the past are meaningless in the here and now. Everything is of God.

When you are able to surrender completely to God, then you will be in a place to receive His peace.

His peace is beyond understanding. Your circumstances may not have changed; it has nothing to do with your own feelings. His peace is supernatural.

The peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Consider a city under siege. The invading army surrounds the city. The situation is dire. But you have a strong army defending your city. As long as that army is there, the enemy cannot get in. Consider, also, some the inhabitants of that city. They see the invading horde and, full of fear and anxiety, want to flee the city. The army that defends the city also keeps the inhabitants from fleeing in fear.

The peace of God is like the defending army. It will protect your mind and emotions from the circumstances that besiege you. Is your mind racing out of control? The peace of God will arrest it, and calm you.

How? Start by acknowledging that you have nothing to bring to the table. If the peace of God eludes you, then it may be that you are not destitute before God. Ask yourself, "What am I holding on to?" Be willing to accept the answer, and be willing to let it go. You have to realize that you have no strength or capacity to find supernatural peace on your own. 

Sometimes we allow anxiety to distract us, keeping us from prayer - the very thing we need to be doing. Don't let your anxious mind keep you from prayer.

Lord God, I confess that I have nothing to offer You. I rely completely on Your grace. Lord, when I see my circumstances, I become anxious, and Your peace eludes me. So I beseech You, Lord, as a destitute beggar, that you will meet my needs. I place my trust in You, and I give You thanks for Your mercy and bounty. 

Philippians 4:5 Gentleness

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [Philippians 4:5 NKJV]

Many of us are familiar with the King James version of this verse; "Let your moderation be known to all men." I have heard sermons preached on moderation based on this verse, with the conclusion; don't go to extremes. Anything is okay as long as it is not done to excess. And be spiritual, but not too spiritual.

The problem is that the meaning of the word "moderation" has changed since the 17th century. While we define moderation as being middle of the road, and without extremes, that is not the intent of the original language. The Amplified Bible describes the meaning of the word;

Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. [Philippians 4:5 AMP]

Jesus gave us a good example of this when the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him. First, he addressed the crowd, saying, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [John 8:7 NKJV] The crowd slowly dissipated leaving Jesus and the woman alone;

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” [John 8:10-11 NKJV]

Although she had been caught in sin, and was condemned by the law, Jesus was gentle, merciful, and gracious toward her.

Remember the context of today's verse. Two women in the Philippian church were having a conflict. Paul didn't take sides or tell them how to resolve their conflict, but he did offer some principles that, if followed, should help them come together; "rejoice in the Lord" and "let your gentleness be known to all men." That is, let your "graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience" be known to all men.

If there is a conflict in the church, and it causes a division, the reputation of the church (and Jesus) will be compromised. But if the world sees a conflict resolved by the gracious behavior of both parties, then the church's reputation will be enhanced.

This should be our attitude at all times; not just in conflict resolution. Paul said "to all men." So don't limit your gentle behavior to church time, or to your friends or family. Include your enemies. It works the other way; don't just be nice to strangers. We have all heard of men who are well-respected, upstanding people in public, but they go home and beat their wives and children.

Examine your life. Are you constantly in conflict? Are people afraid of you? Don't be like the servant who beat his fellow servants;

“the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, “and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [Matthew 24:50-51 NKJV]

As Paul reminded us; "the Lord is at hand."

Lord, please give me the grace to always represent Your best before all people. Please work out Your fruit in my life. 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [Philippians 4:4 NKJV]

This verse may be a follow-up of the previous passage about the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche. He has told them to "be of the same mind"; in other words, "Work it out." While settling the issue, rejoice in the Lord. It is hard to feud in the flesh when you are rejoicing in the Spirit.

At the time of this writing, the Philippian church was enduring persecution;

...and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. [Philippians 1:28-30 NKJV]

Writing to them from prison, Paul says, "Rejoice!"

This is not a positive affirmation. Offices love to hang posters with positive affirmations. "Be happy." "Happy Happens." "You are the best." "You are loved." I'm sure you've seen them. 

When Paul says "Rejoice in the Lord," He is not giving a mere affirmation. Affirmations are us trying to use the flesh to affect our spirit. If I say "I am happy" enough times, maybe I will feel it. If I say "I am loved" enough times, maybe I'll believe it. 

I am not against having positive affirmations as reminders, but they are not what we live by. And if we trust in them, then we are trusting in the flesh, which cannot please God.

He does not expect them to work up an emotional display. We are to rejoice "in the Lord". He is the source of our joy, and we rejoice in Him by seeking Him. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit;

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV]

You don't receive more of the Spirit by acting loving, joyful, peaceful, etc. You become more loving, joyful, peaceful, etc. by walking in the Spirit of God; acknowledging Him as your companion all day long in every circumstance. Rejoicing is a by-product of being filled with the Spirit.

Seek God and you will find Him.

Regardless of the circumstances, it is always good to rejoice in the Lord. If you are struggling, suffering, or being persecuted, you can find Joy in the Spirit of the Lord, and rejoice. If you are at odds with another Christian, you can find common ground by rejoicing in the Lord together.

Father, I delight myself in You! You are the reason I exist. You are my hope, and my goal. You alone are worthy of all praise, glory and honor; and I give it all to You! And in You, I rejoice! 

Philippians 4:1-3 Disagreements

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. [Philippians 4:1-3 NKJV]

Philippi was a colony of Rome, a predominantly Gentile city, with very few Jews. There were not enough men in the city to form a synagogue since it required a minimum 10 men who are heads of household. Since there was not a synagogue, the Jewish women would meet outside the city by the Gangites River for prayer.

Paul's pattern, when reaching a new city, was to preach first in the synagogue, and when the Jews rejected his message, he went to the Gentiles. On his second missionary journey, he came to Philippi. Since there was not a synagogue, he went to the women outside the city. Luke describes this;

And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. [Acts 16:13-15 NKJV]

Euodia and Syntyche are not identified anywhere else in the Bible, but it is generally agreed that they were probably among the women to whom Paul preached by the river. All we know of them is what Paul includes in this passage; that they labored with Paul in the gospel.

Apparently they had some kind of falling out or disagreement, serious enough that Paul felt compelled to address it. His method of handling a disagreement between mature Christians was very succinct and to the point. To paraphrase, he said, "Handle it!"

He did not take sides, but asked them to work it out between themselves, and come to an agreement. He trusted in their maturity to be sufficient, without telling them how they were to work it out. He did, however, ask another believer to help them.

There will occasionally be differences and divisions in the church. How we handle them is a measure of our maturity it Christ. If we lack maturity, there will be schisms, churches will split, denominations will be formed, and some will even go to war.

If we are mature, we will find common ground. After all, if we are all believers, then we all have Jesus in common. Don't be afraid to ask for help from a trusted mediator. The mediator may be a pastor, but any willing, mature Christian who is mutually trusted will do.

Paul said, "be of the same mind." We are one body in Christ, and there should be no division. We may not have the power to undo the divisions in the church, but we can choose not to perpetuate division. If we are truly seeking God, and not our own interests, then we will be able to find agreement.

Lord, please help us to heal the divisions between us in the church. Give us the wisdom to find our common faith in You. 

Philippians 3:20-21 Heavenly Minded

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. [Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV]

This passage is a follow-up to Paul's previous comment, "...whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things." [Philippians 3:19 NKJV]

When I was younger there was an expression that was common in the church. They would say of a person that "he is so heavenly minded, that he is no earthly good." It's an unfortunate phrase that was true only of those who exhibited false piety. It helped to teach a generation of young people to keep their minds on earthly things.

As citizens of heaven, our minds should be set on heavenly things. Paul told us;

that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [Romans 8:4-8 NKJV]

As citizens of heaven, though we walk on the earth, we live in the kingdom of heaven now, if we walk in the Spirit. We also look forward to the time when we trade our hope for reality. We will stand before Jesus in a transformed body. Paul said;

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NKJV]

Whether we die in the flesh and are resurrected, or are "changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet," [1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NKJV] We will receive a glorified body, in the image of Jesus. John described his encounter with Jesus in Revelation;

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. [Revelation 1:12-17 NKJV]

The take-away is that Jesus' glorified body is so stunning, that to see him is to faint dead away. We are promised a glorious body in His image.

After running all the races in this life, our ultimate prize is our own transformation. Keep that goal in mind. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your mind set on the things of heaven. There is no such thing as being too heavenly minded if you are truly seeking the things of God. Regarding earthly things, Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." [Matthew 6:33 NKJV]

Father in heaven, thank You for the promise of glory for Your children. I pray for the grace to keep my mind steadfast set on You.