The apostle Paul had some very helpful things to say regarding the Christian character in his epistle to the Colossians. The main points of our article are borrowed from a portion of a sermon preached by brother Tim Jennings in Grand Prairie in April of last year. The sermon was titled "Put on Christ", and took Colossians 3:1-17 as its text.

As we begin yet another year, perhaps it would be a good time to make a resolution or commitment to develop (or continue to develop) a character that is acceptable to God.

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).

The apostle gives instructions to the Christians at Colosse to "put on" certain characteristics or graces. The literal meaning of the term, from the Greek, sheds some light on Paul's request. From Strong's, "(in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (lit. or fig.):--array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on." So, we are told to clothe ourselves with the following: tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. It does not take a word study to recognize the type person Paul is exhorting us to become in this text. It is difficult to comprehend individuals who claim to name the name of the Lord, and yet are antagonistic, mean-spirited, arrogant, prideful and impatient. Instead we should cultivate these Christian graces. To do less shows a lack of character on our part.

In verse 13 of the text, instructions are given to the Colossians (and us) to "bear (-ing) with one another." Again, a definition is helpful here. Strong says regarding the word bear, "to hold oneself up against, i.e. (fig.) put up with:--bear with endure, forbear, suffer." While this is important in all of your relationships you might note that contextually Paul is dealing with the attitude we should exhibit toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Again, it is difficult to understand those who claim the Lord, and yet exhibit absolutely no patience with their brother. When we consider how much God loves us, and how much he forgave us, we should be ashamed to be so "quick on the trigger" in becoming irritated and annoyed at those we are supposed to love.

Closely related to the Christian attitude of "bearing with one another", is the Christian action of "forgiving one another" mentioned in verse 13 of the text. As mentioned above, God so "loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" (cf. John 3:16), in order to facilitate the forgiveness of our transgressions against him. This shows God not only to be righteous in his attitude toward his creation, but also in his actions toward us. And He expects nothing less from his children. This lesson is clearly taught in the following passages: "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25-26).

Christ's model prayer, in Matthew 6:12, states, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." This is followed by verses 14 and 15 where Jesus says, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him" (Luke 17:3-4).

Of course, the command that encompasses all of these instructions, (as it does all aspects of the Christian life) is to love one another. Paul states, in verse 14, "But above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Love is always preeminent. It is the overriding motivation in all that we do as children of God. It governs our relationship and obedience to Him. It controls how we interact with our brethren, and all in the world. It touches every thought, every word, every deed ... at least it should!

Love is what binds us together as Christians. It is the basis of our redemption (cf. John 3:16). It is how we become most godlike (righteous) in our life. As John said, in 1 John 4:8, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." It is the greatest attribute of the Christian life (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13), and this is why Paul says, "But above all these things, put on love..."

As we enter into the year 1999, each of us would do well to examine our character and lives, and determine whether we are incorporating these graces, attitudes, actions and priorities into our lives as Christians. Paul has some good suggestions, are you listening?

via Reflections on the Scriptures (1/10/99)

Top

Life is a journey. We start out without the slightest idea where it will take us and spend the rest of our lives trying to find out which of those things sought and gained are worth the effort put forth. Some men go about seeking everything they can find and thus fall victim to what seems real but is not.

The inspired writer James made the observation that it is desire from within that cause us to fall into the snares that have been set. He writes in James 1:14-15, "Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death" (New Living Translation). Sin sets a snare for those who are going along unaware of the danger. It is made to look like, act and sometimes smell like the real thing but it is not.

The wise man spoke of those simple-minded men who seek the pleasures of life and ignore the deadly snares. Proverbs 7:5-27 reads, "I was looking out the window of my house one day and saw a simpleminded young man who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was strolling down the path by her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. The woman approached him, dressed seductively and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type who never stays at home. She is often seen in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.

She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, "I’ve offered my sacrifices and just finished my vows. It’s you I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! My bed is spread with colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. He has taken a wallet full of money with him, and he won’t return until later in the month."

So she seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter or like a trapped stag, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.

Listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death." (New Living Translation)

The pleasures of this life may look enticing, but they lead to ultimate destruction.

Jesus said, "If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Matthew 16:25-26, New Living Translation) For a moment's reckless folly, a soul is lost? Is it worth it all?

Top

An inspired writer found it needful to exhort Christians to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." (Jude 3). "The faith" refers to the gospel or the New Testament, the way of salvation. "Once delivered" suggests complete action, the faith or gospel has already been completely delivered. There are no more revelations in our day, for we are completely furnished to every good work by the Scriptures. (2 Tim. 3:17). The New Testament forbids that we add to the Word of God. (Rev. 22:18,19). We are restrained from preaching any gospel other than that preached by the apostles. (Gal. 1:8,9). Since we are limited to "the faith once (and for all) delivered", we need to open the Bible and let our faith be based thereon.

When we open the Bible, what do we find regarding faith? How many faiths are there? From the many conflicting views held in our day one would think there are many faiths. But does the Bible sanction these conflicting views? No, the Bible declares, "there is one Lord, one faith." (Eph. 4:4,5). If our faith is based on the Bible then we teach there is "one faith", not many faiths.

When we open the Bible we find that this one faith comes from the Word of God. "But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ." (Jno. 20:31). Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Rom. 10:17). We should not accept anything unless it is clearly taught in the Word of God. To do so is to walk by opinion and not by faith.

With an open Bible we learn that we must "all speak the same thing." (1 Cor. 1:10) But do all speak the same thing today? Do you urge people to agree on the Scriptures, to be of the same mind, or do you rejoice in the denominations that divide the professed followers of Christ? If our faith is based on the Bible we must teach as Jesus prayed, that all must be one. (Jno. 17:20,21).

The Faith that comes from an open Bible recognizes that all we need to believe and do in salvation has been revealed in the Scriptures. The faith has been "once delivered." The faith that comes from an open Bible is a faith of unity. There is one faith. The faith that comes from an open Bible is an obedient faith. Christ is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb. 5:8,9).

via The Noble Searcher

Top

Holy Bible - a titled inscribed on the cover of a book - a name setting apart from other books a compilation of writings spanning over a period of 1500 years. Forty different men from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the globe penned stories of history, words of poetry, laws of civil, criminal and religious regulations and narrated the lives of men and women who sought a home not yet possessed. This book of books unveils prophetic utterances fulfilled in diminutive detail over centuries of nations rising against nations and empires rising and falling. In exacting detail the stories spring forth from the pages of the Holy Bible that find themselves in accurate reliance of known facts - and some yet to be discovered.

The Holy Bible is a book unlike any book that has ever been placed in the hands of man. From its pages glow the love of God, the compassion of His Son and the power of the Spirit. In each word and within each sentence the mind is filled with the presence of yesterday and the hope of tomorrow. From the beginning of the creation of the world to the beginning of a new heaven and a new earth, each book unfolds the majesty of a Creator's love for His creation and His love in action by giving His only Begotten Son as a gift of salvation for my lost condition. I learn about God's love as He did not destroy mankind in the garden but cast him forth from His presence so that one day He could return in a garden called Gethsemane. The trials of man were to be measured by the sacrifice of an innocent man. Each book of the Holy Bible begins and ends with the message of the coming hope in a crucified Savior. Over the centuries of time, the revelation of the mind of God points to that moment in Palestine where the fully revealed word of God would become known.

After the darkness of that death, a new birth was given to man as He who died lives anew. The writers of the testament anew tell of the peace and hope afforded through the resurrected Savior. Death is no longer feared and life is understood in all of its complexity. One apostle wrote, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (The Apostle Paul - Romans 8:35-39).

The Holy Bible is a book that gives comfort in a life that is marred with discomfort. It gives light to a world filled with darkness. The words of the Holy Bible sound forth hope in ears filled with despair. Peace reigns within the halls of its chapters as war is fought all around. Through the power of the message of the gospel men who were enemies become brothers. From the depths of its mysteries the world is made known. The veil of secrecy is lifted when viewing through the portals of its books, the world beyond is known and eternity is grasped. No book can claim the power of this book. Only from the mind of God can such a book be given to mortal man. All that man needs to live on this earth and find happiness and all that he shall seek after in the veil beyond death is delivered from the hand of God. The Bible is the only word of God and no other book can match its message nor its power. While the critics and those who seek to add another testament rail against the power of its words, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in Heaven." Psalm 119:89.

Top

Fever is an easily discernable symptom of a disorder somewhere in the body. The primary problem may be a hidden infection that would not otherwise be noticeable until it was in an advanced stage. The presence of fever, however, reveals that the infection exists. The fever is a symptom of an underlying cause.

This does not lessen the significance of fever. Hospitals check a patient's temperature every few hours because the temperature gives such insight into the condition of the body. Sometimes a patient is kept in the hospital several days after he feels well because of a lingering fever. The fever indicates that "feeling well" can be deceptive and may not reflect a person's true condition.

Chronic absence from worship services is a fever-like symptom. It invariably is an indication of a more basic spiritual infection or disorder of some kind. The primary problem may be deeply hidden.

As a fever may possess a man who does not know what causes it, even so a man can neglect worship without being aware of the problems that cause him to do so. He can easily camouflage his lack of concern for worship by involvement in his work, his family, or some other interest. This is especially easy when his other interest is a worthwhile one. He is then better able to rationalize that his neglect of worship is reasonable behavior under his circumstances.

Deliberately missing a worship service is always spiritually significant. It is significant because it reveals the presence of a wound, an infection, a depression, or some other primary spiritual disorder. Furthermore, the fact that a person "feels well" about his spiritual life is not a guarantee of spiritual health.

Although the church should be more interested in causes than symptoms, it cannot avoid the implications of continued absence from worship services. This would be like a parent ignoring a high fever in his child. The fever is a symptom, but the primary cause may take the child's life if the fever is ignored. Absence may take a spiritual life if it is ignored.-----selected

Top

Mike Thomas

Would you go to a drive thru if the restaurant took 30 minutes to prepare your food? Would you use a microwave if it took 1 hour to heat a cup of coffee? Would you drive down a street that you knew had a stop light that took 20 minutes to change? Would you read this article if it were 100 pages long?

My point is obvious: we have all become spoiled with "quickness" in our society. "Same day delivery," "one hour photos," "pages per minute," "30 second commercials," "one second processing," et. al. We all expect things delivered in a hurry, and if they're not we'll take our business elsewhere. Don't get me started on certain McDonald's restaurants I know of!

The problem with a society built on immediate results is that we'll likely measure a product's quality by how quickly it's delivered. This is becoming even so with our learning. You can watch CNN or ESPN and get tons of up-to-date information at once with the "streamers" that flow along the bottom of the screen. Our newspapers and web sites have to give us quick and concise reports before we'll pay attention. We have audio books, subliminal learning, speed reading, and Cliff notes. There are even vitamins available that enhance your ability to memorize and comprehend complex subjects in little time. Is it not true that our attitude is becoming, "If I can't get it now, I don't want it all?"

In the midst of our lust for quickness may we not forget that some things take time to develop -- like a strong faith in God. If we're looking for an easy solution to our weakness for sin or for our ignorance of God and His will, we're in for a disappointment. There is no quick solution to these weighty problems. It takes long-term commitment, well beyond the overnight delivery thing, to become "partakers of the divine nature" of God (2 Pet. 1:4ff.) and to truly know Him. Patience is a must. And diligence is the chief cornerstone. Nothing worth having is gained without total commitment and focused determination -- which is why I don't wait at certain McDonald's!

Top