Meditation

09/11/2020

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians3:11)

Well, on the surface what we have here is a clear and direct description of what God wants us to be. We are not this or that, carpenter or painter, incarcerated or people free to move wherever, and no one checking circumcision or not. Over simplification, maybe, but the point is that this is a new age, not the old age. What was is now different and from what used to be.

This new image is renewed in the knowledge which He did not reveal. This imaged overcomes those things such as race or religious rites, etc. which have separated us from one another. Christ becomes the only focus of attention. All else is forgotten. Those who have put on the new image should not be burdened with the old distinctions, all that matters is “Christ is all, and is in all.”

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, we so often get caught up in the details of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what He did for us, that we lose sight of Him. Jesus did what we could not or would not do for ourselves, He went to the Cross for our sins, to give us eternal life. In the process, He forgave those who persecuted Him and His followers, and those in authority that allowed for His death by the Cross, to fulfill the last of the Messiah’s signs. Beloved, this is what we need to pray for daily, that we might come to realize the depth of His love for us, that He would know just how much we love Him and that we ought to tell Him regularly. For it is in Jesus’ holy name, that we who claim to be Christians, honor Him for all He has already done for us. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“We are to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk!”

KNOWING GOD:

“If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1^st Timothy3:15)

God’s household is the church, a family trying to live in obedience to God. The church knows and teaches the truth because it serves the One who is Truth. People serving God by serving others around us, providing food, clothing, shelter. It’s the only way this works. We’ve all tried to live our own lives and failed miserably. Our joy comes from serving our fellow brothers and sisters of all sizes, shapes, colors, and backgrounds. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.

I AM:

“While we wait for the blessed hope—-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Chris, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is God. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus2:14-15)

Jesus is one of the Three Persons of the Trinity; therefore, it is this that allows the calling of Him as God and Savior. He coming again is the central reason Christians have hope. Jesus’ redeeming work was intended to make us able to live moral, obedient lives. Good works are not the root of salvation, but they are the fruit of salvation. Redemption means freedom from life of wickedness and to a life of obedience and purity. Christ died to provide us this redemption.

Christians are the people of God because of the work of Christ. The response of Christians to Christ’s work of redemption and purification is a life dedicated to Him and filled with good deeds, again the deeds being fruits of salvation, not the roots thereof.

Second Thought of the Day:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Matthew 12:46–50)

Jesus followed His own teaching, being willing to forsake earthly family for His Heavenly Father’s mission. He created a new family of persons obedient to God. People of God obey Him. Serving Christ and belonging to the fellowship of faith transcend all physical relationships. Christ creates a new family through obedience to the Father.

The closest and most precious human relationships are inside the family. Jesus calls us to even dearer relationships—-inside His spiritual family. These relationships are formed by total commitment to Jesus’ way of life. They may enhance normal family relationships. They may replace family relationships.