YEAR 1, WEEK 31, Day 2, Tuesday, 30 July 2024

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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 30 July 2024:

Colossians 3:1 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

While everyone else is seeking worldly security and comfort, Christians are seeking to grow closer and closer to Jesus as their ultimate priority, their life ambition, and their only source of joy and confidence. When Christ is your life pursuit, you are aligned with God’s purposes which is the reason behind everything happening to you. When you understand God’s intent and passion of Christ, you can make sense out of everything else. Without Christ and the truth of the Gospel, everything else is meaningless.

• Matthew 6:25-33 — “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
• Psalm 127:1 — Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Colossians 3:3-4 — For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The most important part of you is what cannot be seen; it is your spirit which is “hidden” with Christ, who also cannot be seen, “in God.” In fact, we don’t even comprehend who we really are “with Christ in God,” which is why Paul is constantly encouraging us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to understand the unseen truth of who we are because of whose we are; to be who we are, children of God, “unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe;” and to live up to our calling, abiding in God now, living life in the Kingdom now, with His power, for His glory, to bear fruit which lasts.

Too often, we limit ourselves to our own judgments of ourselves based on what we think about ourselves, or what other people think and say about us (the fear of man); and those extremely limited and inaccurate judgments are based on past or present evidence and not on what we are becoming, who we will be tomorrow, next week, into eternity. We judge ourselves unfairly, and we judge others even more unfairly, succumbing to the influence of Satan, the deceiver, the accuser, and the destroyer, who doesn’t want you to see the truth and live by the truth. The most important thing about us and everyone around us is not what we think about ourselves but rather what God thinks about us and the plans He as for us. We need to stop living by our perceptions and “feelings,” and start living in faith, trusting God at His word that He loves us beyond measure and will complete His promise of making us Christlike to be united with Him forever. Also, we need to stop looking at others based on who we think they are currently but based on what God would have for them and what they could be “with Christ in God,” and we must help them understand the unseen truth which changes everything.

Do you understand your value and the value of those around you? In a market, what defines the value of something is what someone is willing to pay for it and how much it could contribute to what is good (we call things of value “goods”). Well, the Father sacrificed His Son for you, so how valuable does that make you? And God says He has great plans for you for good works which He planned before time began. How valuable is that? “See a penny, pick it up.” What if you knew that every penny you saw on the ground would definitely, without question, grow in value to a billion dollars, would you let it just sit there? What is the real value of that penny? Similarly, since God has predestined those who love Him to become Christlike (Romans 8:29), how could we ever let ourselves or others sit idle in the dirt? How could we simply, carelessly step over those who are invaluable to God? Consider the below parables of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and human value:

• Luke 15:8-10 — “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
• Matthew 13:44 — “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

The silver coin and hidden treasure are of great value, but only valuable (value-able) when “found”. Think about it another way: How important (valuable) are your car keys? What good are they if they are lost? What do you do when you lose your car keys? Don’t you search for them frantically? And how do you feel when they are found? How valuable (value-able) are they when you have them? Do you ever take your car keys for granted? How much more valuable are people?

Are you seeking what is lost? When you look at outcasts, do you see dirty pennies and refuse to stoop down to pick them up, or do you see immeasurable worth waiting to be discovered? Are you willing to pay a great price for something of immeasurable value? In Matthew 25, Jesus says, those who are part of His Kingdom treat the pitiful and unrighteous as they would Jesus Himself. Are you living up to your calling?

• Romans 8:23 — For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
• Matthew 25:31-46 — “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Colossians 3:5-15 – Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…. put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another…. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…. forgiving each other…. put on love…. And be thankful.

Here is a practical test to see how well you are guarding your heart and growing in Christ. Which attributes are most apparent in your life? How consistent are you in those attributes. Have you “put to death” and “put away” the negative attributes, and have you “put on” the positive ones? Are you clothed in Christ?

Idols are things or desires in your life which you allow to influence you away from fidelity in your heart and actions to God. Idolatry is desiring what you shouldn’t (coveting), seeking fulfillment outside of God and His provision. Consider the Ten Commandments: intentionally, they start with putting nothing ahead of God, and they end with don’t covet. The more real God is in your life, the less you will care about the things (idols) which cause lust, hurt, and hate. God makes the pursuits of men meaningless. If you still desire what the world desires, you simply do not know God well enough.

Colossians 3:11 – Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Christians should never acknowledge, in positive or negative ways, any man-made social stratifications such as race, ethnicity, or economic status, that have historically divided people. We must rise above this perspective to the perspective of God who only sees saved and unsaved. Despite popular opinion, there is no real strength in unity or diversity, only in Christ who, in union with Him, empowers university – unity in diversity – as all people fulfill their God-glorify purpose and, with the fruit of the Spirit, use their unique gifts of the Spirit, to build up the body of Christ within the Kingdom of God on earth. Don’t reduce the Gospel or your mission as an Ambassador of Christ to merely a social justice crusade. Do not acknowledge any identity apart from our identity in Christ.

Colossians 3:13 – As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Christians should be the perfect example of forgiveness as their whole hope for eternal life depends on undeserved complete forgiveness. God forgave you freely, even while you continued to sin. You have no choice but to forgive unconditionally. God expects us to forgive others in the same way He forgave us, taking the pain upon ourselves in selfless sacrifice for those who hurt us, responding only in perfect love, offering grace rather than demanding our rights, responding as a complete slave though we are mighty children of God.

Colossians 3:15 — And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3 lists many negative attributes Christians should “put to death” or “put away” and many positive attributes Christians should “put on,” having been raised to new life in Christ. As the above verse points out, what rules in your heart will determine your behavior. The secret to a life of peace and purity is knowing Jesus and letting Him rule your heart.

• Ephesians 1:17-18 — …that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
• 2 Peter 3:18 — But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

As we grow in the knowledge of Christ and more fully appreciate the immeasurable riches of His grace, the more peacefulness and thankfulness will fill our hearts, and the natural result will be greater compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness poured out to others (Colossians 3:12-13). When we are truly secure in Christ, we will not be defensive or resentful towards others because we trust God for our defense and provision. (Colossians 3:24-25; see also John 19:11)

Colossians 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

To grow in the knowledge of Christ, we must remain in God’s word and remain in fellowship with other believers. We must also practice an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ praising God and worshiping Him with songs and hymns.

Colossians 3:17 — And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When you truly see yourself as Christ’s ambassador in every encounter with others, and when you publicly vocalize your faith in Him before others, you will naturally avoid “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk (Colossians 3:8),” as being clearly out of place, hypocritical, and disrespectful to the Lord. Proclaiming Jesus not only brings glory to God, it also helps you to hold yourself accountable. Try it and see.

Also, a Christian will do all things, including tasks unappreciated by others, thankfully and without resentfulness, complaining or grumbling (more on that below).

• 1 Corinthians 10:9-11 — We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
• Philippians 2:14-16 — Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life….
• James 5:8-9 — You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
• 1 Peter 4:7-9 — The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Colossians 3:18-21 – Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Households are schoolhouses for Christlike character development and spiritual growth. This is where we learn how to love God by loving and serving others. How we treat our family is a primary act of worship and demonstrates how much we really love God. Parents teach their kids about God and how to love God by how they demonstrate love in the house.

Colossians 3:22 – Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

God always looks beyond actions to judge the heart behind those actions. God wants you to do what is right with a sincere heart, motivated solely by love for Him and for others, not motivated by fear, pride, greed, or even duty – only love.

We are to serve those in authority over us as if they were God. We must treat our subordinates as Jesus would, as a true servant leader.

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men….

“There is an important difference between doing something for people and doing something for God. God always deserves our best effort. People will disappoint us, betray us, neglect us, and mistreat us. Some will constantly ask for what we can give while offering nothing in return. From our human perspective, these people deserve our minimal effort at best. What then should motivate us to serve people, except our love for God? God deserves our love, and He demands that we love others in the same way He does. We are to love our spouses, not as they deserve, but as God commands (Eph. 5:22-33). We are to treat our friends, not as they treat us, but as Christ loves us (John 13:14). We are to labor at our jobs, not in proportion to the way our employer treats us, but according to the way God treats us. God is the One we serve (Eph. 6:5).

Mediocrity and laziness have no place in the Christian’s life. Christians must maintain integrity at home and in the workplace. Working for God, as opposed to working for other people, changes our perspective as we view our endeavors in light of what He has done for us. Our toil then becomes an offering to God. We not only worship God at church on Sunday, but our labor throughout the week is an offering of worship and thanksgiving to the One who has given us everything we have. When people do not measure up to our expectations and we feel our efforts are being wasted, we must keep in mind that we are toiling for holy God. He is worthy of our best effort.” (Henry T. Blackaby)

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 30 July 2024: Grow in the love of Christ today by growing in your knowledge of Christ today, through prayerful Bible study, fellowship, ministry, worship, and evangelism.