What is necessary for remaining on fire for God

Colossians 4:16-18  "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you."

Note to the reader: For a more indepth version of this post, check out the other blogsite at: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/getting-revived-and-remaining-on-fire-for-god-some-exegetical-and-devotional-thoughts/

Introduction:

In yesterday's post we considered how a church or individual positions themselves to prepare for revival. We discovered from Colossians 4:2-15 that at least three necessary ingredients are required: prayer, evangelism and testimony. No doubt about is, the church at Colossae had begun with a mighty move of God - a Heaven sent revival. (Colossians 1:5-6) Furthermore, Paul prayed that the church would remain on fire for God in Colossians 1:11-12  "strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."  We offered the following definition of revival: "A revival is an extraordinary visitation by God's presence and power into the ordinary life of the church". Today we want to understand how such a momentum is maintained once it has begun. When revival comes, what must we do in its wake? How can we keep on fire for God. Certainly continuing to practice what we looked at should be priority. 

What is necessary in remaining on fire for God? Colossians 4:16-18

1. Focus on the scriptures. 

We read these thoughts in Colossians 4:16 "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea." Romans 10:17 reminds us that: "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." 1 Timothy 4:13 has Paul writing to Timothy: "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching." Why is such a devotion to scripture so necessary? Notice what Paul explains to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." These similar instructions are found in Colossians 4:16, and speak of the supernatural life changing and sustaining power of the Word of God preached, read and taught. In the history of revivals, no revival has been started or maintained apart from a concerted effort to "get back to the Bible". However there is one other necessary component for staying on fire for God...

2. Follow through. 

Notice what Paul writes in Colossians 4:17-18 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you." The word translated in Colossians 4:17 "Take heed" can refer to being aware and taking careful effort to be watchful and alert. Should we not being ever in a state of "expectation" when it comes to what God can do whenever we get in order with Him in prayer, evangelism, testimony and the Word. This is all part of our "follow through" in seasons where maybe the excitement of revival has waned and the revival services have ended.

Following through in this context speaks of finishing those commitments that we made. Archippus, undoubtedly the pastor of the church at Colossae, is commended by Paul to "stay in the saddle" so-to-speak. Jude writes in Jude 20-21 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holyfaith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

Closing thoughts

Today's post was all about working our way through Colossians 4:2-18 in consideration of how one prepares for revival and then maintains fervor for God. We saw that in preparing for revival, there must needs be prayer, emphasis on evangelism and testimonies with the outside world. Then in consderation of how we maintain our fervor and fire for God in the wake of a move of God, emphasis upon scripture and follow-through must ever accompany our church-lives and Christian lives. As Paul closes out in Colossians 4:18, may the same final word be what motivates and empowers us to apply what we saw today: "Grace be with you."

What is necessary in getting ready for revival

Colossians 4:2-4 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak."

Note to the reader: For a more indepth version of this post, check out the other blogsite at: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/getting-revived-and-remaining-on-fire-for-god-some-exegetical-and-devotional-thoughts/

Introduction:

Today's post will feature Paul's closing thoughts in Colossians 4:2-18. The whole theme of the book of Colossians is: "Jesus is Enough". This theme is gleaned from what appears to be the key verse to the epistle in Colossians 1:28 - "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with allwisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ." How is it that revival is prepared for, reinforced and maintained in the local church? As Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Colossae, such questions are answered in the final set of exhortations and encouragements that we find in Colossians 4:2-18. 

What is necessary in getting ready for revival. Colossians 4:2-18

1). Persistent Prayer. Colossians 4:2 

Persistent prayer represents the first ingredient necessary to preparing for a move of God - prayer. We see the opening phrase in the NASB regarding the command to pray: "Devote yourselves to prayer....". Do you and I rush through our prayer time? Or do we wait on God to speak to us in accordance to what we may have read in His word or heard in times past in sermons or Sunday School classes. The idea of "devoting oneself to prayer" speaks of waiting and not yielding to fatigue or pressing, non-essential priorities. The kind of prayer being commanded here in Colossians 4:2 indicates a choice to attend and wait in prayer. This posture is so necessary when preparing for revival. (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The persistence in prayer commanded here in Colossians 4:2 is coupled with the command to be vigilant, to be watchful. In the NASB we read: "keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving". The verb translated "keeping alert" comes from a root verb that has to do with being awoken, raised (from the dead) or what we could say in modern day terms, revived. Prayer is as much about keeping one's eyes open to the things around you as it is about keeping your eyes directed heavenward at the throne of grace. What is God doing around us and in us? Persistent prayer is necessary when preparing for revival, but notice also...

2. Evangelism. Colossians 4:3-4 

Paul then writes next in Colossians 4:3-4 "praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." Paul of course wrote these words while under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman Soldier. His incarceration gave him ample opportunity to share the Gospel with people who visited and with the soldiers who were assigned to guard him. 

We know that Paul's request for prayer was being answered based upon the background text to Colossians found at the end of Acts 28. Notice what Luke writes in Acts 28:30-31 "And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered."  When we make prayer and the great commission our increasing priorities, we are positioning ourselves to be ready for a might move of God. Notice the third necessary ingredient needed to prepare for revival....

3. Testimony. Colossians 4:5-15

What is a testimony? A testimony is a consistent lifestyle devoted to living out the living message of Jesus Christ before a watching world. Colossians 4:5-6 states: "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." The phrase translated in Colossians 4:6 "salt" is found in Mark 9:50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” As you begin to study the purpose of salt in the Bible, at least three uses are mentioned in conjunction with the life of faith.

First, think about what happens when you eat seasoned or salted food. Salt and seasonings makes one thirsty - thus as Christians, our concern for a strong testimony before God ought to be that others around us get "thirsty" for God.

Secondly, salt and seasoning in the scripture is sometimes used to describe the purity of a sacrifice. Leviticus 2:13 speaks of acceptable sacrifices before God in the Jewish sacrificial system:  "Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt." In the New Testament we as Christians are described as presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, Holy and acceptable unto God, which is our spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1-2) Testimonies before a watching world ought to communicate a thirst for God and a consistent pattern of "walk" matching with "talk".

But notice a third reality associated with salt in the scriptures - preservation. Matthew 5:13 speaks of the preserving quality the presence of believers have in slowing the tide of evil -  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." 

A solid testimony aims for cultivating thirst for God, purity before God and preserving the integrity of God in an otherwise godless world. Now to ensure these three necessary ingredients are not just abstract, colorless ideas floating in mid-air, Paul puts forth before his readers a listing of faithful believers with whom he either ministered the Gospel or of whom he knew about in the course of his travels. 

a. There was Tychicus, described in Colossians 4:7-8 as a faithful and beloved brother.         

b. In Colossians 4:9 we read of a man by the name of Onesimus. One can read Onesimus' story in the short little letter of Philemon, written at roughly the same time as Colossians. Onesimus whad been a run away slave who ended up in prison with Paul. Having been converted under Paul's own testimony and witness, Onesimus quickly became a major part of Paul's ministry and according to church history, not only obtained his freedom, but actually became a pastor.                                                                                             c. Colossians 4:10 mentions a man by the of Aristarchus, who is a fellow prisoner of Paul. It was common in some first century Roman imprisonments to allow the prisoners relatives and friends to visit them. This man may very well had spent some extended time with Paul in his rented quarters where he stayed during his house arrest.                               

d. We then come to a more well known figure by the name of Mark in Colossians 4:10. John Mark's past was a checkered one that started out strong, but then shortly after the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, Mark deserted the Apostle. Thankfully years later both were reconciled and Mark would be used of God to write the second Gospel we find in our New Testaments.                                                                               e. The next man mentioned by Paul is "Jesus, who is called Justus". Clearly we can see a mark of humility in this man, being that he wanted to be called "the just one" (i.e Justus) rather than named after our Savior and Lord. Furthermore, Paul speaks of this man as being an encouragement to him in Colossians 4:11.                                                   

f. The sixth man who evidences prayer, evangelism and a powerful testimony is Epaphrus. We of course meet this man early on in Colossians 1:7 "just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf."             
g. The seventh man mentioned by Paul that demonstrates a person who is prayerful, all about evangelism and a solid testimony is Luke, the great physician. This is the only passage we find in the entire New Testament where two Gospel writers are mentioned in the same context (Mark in Colossians 4:10 and Luke in Colossians 4:14).               

h. The eighth man, who is only mentioned by name, is Demas, found in Colossians 4:14.

Thus these eight men stand as pillars of example regarding those who are prayerful, all about the work of sharing the Gospel and serious about maintaining a Godly testimony - necessary ingredients in preparing for revival. Its one thing to be ready for revival, however how can one maintain the fervor and fire for God?

See tomorrow....

Your Job is your calling - Colossians 3:22-4:1

Colossians 3:22-4:1  Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth,not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
4:1  Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven."

Introduction:
The past couple of posts have looked at several ideas related to how the Christian functions in the work place. 

Viewing one's job as a vocation or calling
We have learned the idea that the jobs in which we work as Christians are to be viewed as a "vocation" or "calling from God" to serve and love one's neighbor as oneself. The context in which we hear God's calling to go and be a blessing is what we call a "station". 

The ability to do one's job comes from the Spirit's enablement or "anointing"
The ability to perform what is necessary to "get the job done so-to-speak" is the anointing power of the Holy Spirit. This "inner anointing" is provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit for every Christian to carry out their jobs with discernment and direction. Today's post aims to take all we have looked at as background information and simply unpack the text of Colossians 3:22-4:1. 

Unpacking Colossians 3:22-4:1 - How your job is your calling

What Paul writes in Colossians 3:22-4:1 is practically spiritual and spiritually practical. As a Christian works hard for the boss for the glory of God, and as the Christian employer provides a safe and equitable work environment where their employees can work and thrive, the authority of God's kingdom is made manifest. Even for unbelievers who either supervise Christian employees or the other way around, there ought to be a noticable difference in the atmosphere and demeanor of the Christ-follower. How can a Christian arrive at better understanding their job as their calling? Two insights drive the text in Colossians 3:22-4:1.

Motivation to do one's job comes from the fear of God.      Colossians 3:23
So why should employees obey their employers? Paul answers this question by noting that: "with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." The fear of God entails three motivations to drive Christians to be better employees: fear of God as leading to worship, dependance and faithfulness in one's work ethic.

a. Working hard from a heart of worship
When we fear God, it means to possess awe and respect leading to love and obedience. When Paul speaks of employees heeding their bosses, what begins as an obligatory obedience turns quickly into a willing submission. Fearing God has a way of purifying the heart, being that Proverbs 8:13 speaks of fearing God as being the hatred of evil. Whatever we fear the most will shape and mold how we think and act. When an employee is consciously aware that everything they do is in the sight of God, they operate in due diligence, whether the boss is looking or not. 

b. Working hard from dependance on God
The one who fears the Lord also recognizes that without God, there would be no job nor ability to earn a wage. Joshua 24:13 states - "And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat." 1 Corinthians 4:7 notes: "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" The heart that fears God cannot conceive of life without Him and will do all it can to maintain that conscious awareness that the Lord provides everything. Such an attitude guards a person from lapsing into pride and self-sufficiency. Only when the cross is at the center of one's fear of God can dying to self be a reality. 

There is a difference between obedience for the sake of getting a job so as to clock out or just get a paycheck versus putting one's heart into their work and knowing that in working for their employer, they are really working for their Lord. 

c. Working hard in faithfulness to God
Fear of God is vital in recognizing that one's job is a vocation or calling from God to serve Him and to love one's neighbor. In Colossians 3:24 we see reference to the believer's rewards that they will receive at the judgment seat of Christ. When Jesus comes to catch away His bride, the church, there she willl be with him in heaven while the tribulation period is occuring here on earth. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). During that time each Christian will stand before the Lord to give an account of the deeds done during their time here on earth. Included in that will be how the Christian took care of their time at work. 

To lose rewards over a matter like not working as hard as one could or slacking off when the boss was not looking ought to change how Christians work. Why? Because the Christian's heavenly rewards demonstrate faithfulness and they have something to lay at the feet of Jesus who worked for in them the desire to be faithful. (Revelation 4:10) 

So when an employee basis their work ethic on the fear of the Lord, they will come to view what they do as an expression of worship, dependance upon Him and faithfulness to Him. There then is a second motivation for arriving at viewing one's job as their vocation or calling, namely...

The Attitude at one's job is regulated by faith in Christ.   Colossians 3:24-4:1

Look at some of these amazing statements about Jesus in this text: Colossians 3:25 has Jesus being "the Lord whom you serve" and 4:1 calls Him "the Master in Heaven". We must remember that no one can say from their heart Jesus is Lord unless they have the indwelling Holy Spirit in them from salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:3) Employees and employers that have true saving faith will do what they do because of the conscious and willful recognition that Jesus Christ who saved them is also Jesus Christ who owns them. Employers have no right to treat employees unfairly. Why? In the words of one preacher I heard once say: "in Jesus they have been placed out of ownership and put into management." The company and employees under their authority is a stewardship and blessing given by Christ to them to tend for His sake. Likewise employees have no right to be dishonest or lazy. Why? Because even though they do work for their employer, Jesus is the One for Whom they are laboring. 

Truly then it can be said that for the Christian, their job is their calling as they do their work in the fear of the Lord and faith in Him. 

The Christian operating by the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the everyday world

Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Introduction:

In yesterday's post we got into the three callings God gives to the believer in Jesus Christ: the calling of salvation, sanctification (i.e holiness) and vocation (i.e work). We ended yesterday talking about the last calling, and the desire today is to dive a little bit further into the subject of vocation. Certainly what Paul has to write here in Colossians 3:22-4:1 deals with the matter of the work place. As I wrote a couple of days ago, the appropriate way to apply the statements made about "slaves and masters" is to view them in the modern day categories of "employee" and "employer". One of the reasons Paul is writing these words is to help readers to apply the central truth of Christ's all-sufficiency and Lordship to matters pertaining to family, to child-rearing and then of course the work place. How one functions as a Christian in the everyday workplace is covered under the discussion of "vocation". One area that is important to include in such a discussion is the matter of "the anointing of the Holy Spirit".

The anointing of the Holy Spirit 

Operating as an employee who is a Christian is as spiritual of a consideration as thinking upon heeding the call to pastoring or missionary work. The types of work may be different and the callings God gives for each might be distinct, yet the value each has in contributing to the overall accomplishment of God's purposes can be used equally by God. God certainly has used preachers and pastors in times past to initiate might movements of God, but so has He used business men to do the same work. The gifting and calling of God is certainly greater than any man, however God is greater than them all and will use each as he sees fit to accomplish His purpose. 

Such ability to not only model but be the presence of God in the work place derives from the spiritual authority delegated by God to the Christian.  The Bible uses the language of "anointing" to communicate this idea of spiritual authority. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is that ministry He does while indwelling the Christian that results in them having empowerment and insight to function and serve the Lord. At least two types of anointing are spelled out in scripture. 

The first is what I call an "outward" anointing. This has to do primarily with offices of every sort, whether family, govermental or within the church. God grants grace and ability to achieve that particular office. Clearly unbelievers or believers occupy positions or stations in families (parents) and in the culture (politics, doctors, police officers, teachers, etc). Thus for example in the Old Testament, we see godly King David and a Pagan King named Cyrus both referred to as "God's anointed" (Psalm 2 and Isaiah 45). Only Christian men are specifically assigned by God to occupy the Pastoral/Elder and Deacon offices of Christ's church. (1 Timothy 3:1-14 and Titus 1) and believers in general are called by God with graces that accompany other areas such as teaching, administrating. All authority comes from God. Period. 

The second type of anointing, what we will deem "inner anointing", refers to that spiritual authority that only comes through saving faith in Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:20 and 2:27 describes the indwelling Holy Spirit as being the Christian's "anointing", meaning the source of delegated authority from God to discern and live out the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 also describes this second type of anointing: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge."  Every Christian has the indwelling Spirit, and thus possess this inner anointing. Though all Christians have the inner anointing, each Christian will operate in different measure based upon how much they have taken in the scripture and have obediently yielded themselves to the Spirit's filling or influence. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:1,16). The anointing of the Holy Spirit is simply the empowerment and insight the Christian has from the indwelling Holy Spirit at work in and through their lives.

How so-called Christians are anointed by God to do extraordinary things
How can a Christian, working in an otherwise non-Christian environment, affect change? Certainly whatever station one is at in life, whether a parent, a doctor, a teacher, a laborer, a pastor or whatever the case may be, God has created the boundaries and abilities that come with each one. God has so-called and placed every believer where He wants them so they can be used by Him to impact others. 

In understanding the nature of one's vocation to do a certain task (again we will tie this to the term "outward anointing"), the Christian uniquely has that second anointing, that "inner anointing" or indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells the child of God to compell them work hard and love their neighbor as themselves. So how do these two anointings work together?

Over time, a Christian who has regularly given themselves to the scriptures and prayer will to the unsuspecting co-worker gain respect. As the Christian learns their place and accepts what they are doing as a call from God, their ability to be used of God can only increase. 

Closing Thoughts Just knowing that where you are is ordained by God (outward anointing) and that all that you need to do your job is supplied by the Holy Spirit of God indwelling you (i.e inward anointing) supplies the basis for Christian spiritual authority. Such authority must  not be viewed as imposing one's will on someone else but rather serving the Lord by loving one's neighbor for Jesus sake and doing one's job for God's glory. As Paul writes in Romans 14:7-8 "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s."

Focusing on what is important to take care of what is important - Colossians 3:1-4:1

Colossians 3:1-2 "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." 

Introduction:

Today's post is all about focusing on what is important to take care of what is important.  This title will function also as our main point of application. Below we will flesh this truth out by considering how we evalute our lives in general and particular areas ranging from our internal spiritual lives, marriages, parenting and jobs in light of focusing upon our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Focus on the things above, where Christ is, to order what you have going on in the things here below

Paul's point is to underscore the sufficiency and supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things from two vantage points: things above and things below. Whenever you look through a pair of binoculors, two eye pieces are used to bring into focus and proper perception whatever object your are viewing. In looking at "the things above", where Christ is, I am able to prioritize and manage the "things here below" in their proper perspective. Paul's usage of the "above and below" theme runs throughout Colossians 3. Colossians 3:1-14 serves to unfold what it means to give it all to Jesus, that is to say, taking everything here below and submitting it under His Lordship. 

Colossians 3:15-17 goes from the big picture to the little picture of what it looks like when I am finding Christian fulfillment in the Lordship of Christ, the Holy Spirit's filling ministry, the scriptures and thankfulness. The "things above" and "things below" theme understands that Jesus Christ is as much Lord in the heavens above as He is in and over our lives here below. 

Focusing on Christ above enables you to be on target with your family

As Paul writes on into Colossians 3:18-21, we see him continuing to take this theme of Christ's supremacy and Lordship and funneling it down into very specific and practical everyday affairs. How is it that you and I can have on-target Christian marriages? By keeping our focus on the things above, where Christ is. 

What about on-target Christian parenting? How is it that in living in the 21st century world we can be assured that we are on-target in how we deal with our children? Again the answer is clear from the overall context of Colossians 3: focus on the things above, where Christ is. 

Focusing on Christ above enables you to have the right perspective on your job

We then come to Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily,as for the Lord rather than for men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." As you broaden the context of this final set of specific instructions from Paul to include Colossians 3:22-4:1, as well as the wider context of Colossians 3:1-4:1,  you discover that the urgency to focus "on the things above, where Christ is" once more reaffirmed. 

Why is it that slaves ought to serve their masters with a heart aimed at pleasing God, rather than man? Why should masters exercise just and fair treatment of their slaves? These thoughts in Colossians 3:22-4:1 would had run counter to the slave/master mentality that was dominant in the first century. Some of criticized Paul and the authors of the New Testament for not issuing explicit statements denouncing the slave industry of Rome. However as Charles Quarles and Brett Selby in their resource: "Colossians, Christ is All you need" note: "At this time in in the history the Christian church was still small and did not have the political clout to abolish slavery any more than it could outlaw prostitution or infanticide. Although Paul did not call for the abolition of slavery, he believed that the Gospel radically reformed the institution. The Gospel so dramatically changed the relationships between slaves and masters that slavery by the normal ancient defintion practically ceased to exist in the Christian church." Certainly institutions such as slavery have no place whatsoever in society in general and definitely can never be shown to allign with the Gospel and Christianity in particular. 

To apply the statements we read here in Colossians, it is best to understand the relationship an employer as with their employees in today's world, and thus the route that seems appropriate in applying these passages.  Notice how often Paul instructs his readers (slaves and masters in his day, for us today, employees and employers) to do what they do in light of working for their Master - the Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 3:22 - "....but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord."

Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, do your work heartily,as for the Lord rather than for men."

Colossians 3:24b - "It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Colossians 4:1b - "....knowing that you too have a Master in heaven."

When you and I recognize that we all ultimately do out labor for the Lord Jesus Christ, everything changes - from motives, to quality of work to the willingness to work. 

Closing Thoughts:

Today's post was all about focusing on what is important to take care of what is important.  In fleshing out this main thoughts we considered how we evalute our lives in general and particular areas ranging from our internal spiritual lives, marriages, parenting and jobs in light of focusing upon our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. To God be the glory!

On-Target Christian Parenting - Colossians 3:20-21

Colossians 3:20-21 "Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasingto the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart."

Note: The reader is invited to look at a differently worded version of this post at the other blogsite: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/looking-at-on-target-christian-parenting-in-colossians-320-21/

Introduction:
I wanted to begin today's post with a text I received this week from a Godly man:
"We know Satan wants us to fail as fathers. In particular, I think he wants our boys. There are several reasons for this. First, Satan is like a shrewd financial investor seeking a huge return for his effort. He seeks the biggest bang for his spiritual destruction buck. Young men represent a golden opportunity for him if they can be led astray. Young men can do a lot of damage physically, financially, relationally and socially -when they are not serving the Lord. 

Second, Satan not only reaps immediate dividends from his investment in young men, he yields exponential long-term results. When Satan reviews his investment portfolio, he reveals the compounding problems he can create when men have lost their way. The history books are littered with men who had explosive, multi-generational negative impact, from the absentee father to the crooked executive to the ruthless dictator. Take down one man and you often get several generations afterward.

Finally, Satan destroys godly womanhood through the men. We are unwittingly dragging generations of women through the filth of our selfish passions and absence of leadership. Destruction of fatherhood gets calateral damage: the demolition of the Godly woman. 

So if you are a father of sons, you are one of satan's prime targets. Let us commit as men to stand in the gap for our boys. Let us pray for them, engage them, rebuke them, encourage them and inspire them to follow the Lord."

That text confirmed to me the direction I knew I was going to be heading this week in both these blog posts. Undoubtedly the book of Colossians urges readers to understand and apply the truth of: "Jesus is enough". Whenever husbands love their wives as Christ loves the church, she will desire to fulfill the command given to her to submit to his role as her covering or head. How a husband treats his wife will govern how she responds, and the manner in which she reacts to his leadership in the home. Today's post is aimed at identifying on-target parenting.

Point of Application:
So how can you know when your parenting is on target? The main point of application for today's post will propose the following answer: When your parenting is aimed at Jesus Christ, you will have all you need to thrive.


Normally in sermons or discussions on passages like Colossians 3:20-21, people like to point out the significance of the need for children to obey their parents. Undoubtedly this observation is true, however it does not cover all that is being communicated in the passage. 

In Ephesians 6:4 we note similar wording to Colossians 3:21: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Whenever we consider the things a father could do to disrupt the harmony in the home, Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:19,21 spell out the following things that a father ought not to do, followed by what he must do.

WHAT A FATHER SHOULD NEVER DO IN PARENTING

Ephesians 6:4 "Father, do not provoke your children to anger...". (NASB) The phrase translated "do not provoke your children to anger" speaks of not doing something that would intentionally incite a person to be frustrated or to be moved to outburst and retribution. The command here in Ephesians 6:4 is warning fathers to not engage in a parenting style that could intentionally irritate their children and create within them a resentment. Such activity speaks of a father whose parenting style and interraction with their child produces rebellion rather than right behavior.

The parallel worded passage of Colossians 3:21 reads in the NASB "Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart." A child who is "expasperated" by their dad represents a high tension spring just waiting to "let loose" by the slightest irriation. 

Perhaps we could say that in viewing both Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 together, both respectively warn against beginning to provoke the child, lest it leads to an all-out war later on down the road!

If fathers are to expect their children to submit to their authority or if they expect to produce children who will heed and respect them, they must parent in such a way as not to knowingly frustrate their child. Not only can such outcomes result from willful, intentional acts of bad parenting, but also in the opposite extreme of neglecting to set boundaries. (see Proverbs 13:24)

WHAT A FATHER SHOULD DO IN PARENTING
In as much as Paul issues for these negative admonitions to fathers to "not provoke their children to anger" in Ephesians 6:4 and "to not exasperate their children" in Colossians 3:21, what then ought Godly father be aiming to do? Certainly there are sins to avoid in these texts, however, what kind of parenting ought a father being exercising toward their children as seen in these texts? I find it interesting that in the positive commands given to the children to "obey their parents", the reasoning for doing so points to the Heavenly Father. Why is this significant? Whatever the Heavenly Father does and Who He is ought to provide the standard for earthly fathers.

Jesus speaks of the correlation between earthly fathers and the Heavenly Father in Luke 11:11-13 "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 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?”

Being that the Heavenly Father loves his redeemed people and provided all that is necessary for their salvation; obedience and submission ought to be a no-brainer. Why wouldn't a son or a daughter love a father who is nothing but loving, nurturing and caring? Thus by implication and based upon the character of the Heavenly Father, earthly fathers ought to love their children with the love of God through and through. (see the Father's character in James 1:17 & Matthew 6:25-33) They will know when to lovingly apply the firm hand of discipline and when to show the proper measure of patient and mercy.

Closing thoughts:

Today we considered on-target Christian parenting. Our main point of application was: When your parenting is aimed at Jesus Christ, you will have all you need to thrive.

On-Target Christian Marriages - Colossians 3:18-19

Colossians 3:18-21 "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 

Introduction:

The aim of Paul's letter to the Colossians is to communicate that Jesus is enough. We have been looking at Colossians off and on these past couple of months and have noted such important subjects as spiritual maturity, sharing in Christ's ministry in the local church, the importance of believer's baptism and giving it all to Jesus. In today's post we will be looking at what I'm calling: "On-Target Christian Marriages".

Point of Application:

When the bullseye of your marriage is Jesus Christ, you've got all that you need to thrive amidst a culture that is increasingly hostile towards marriage. Understand though that in aiming at that bullseye, the enemy of your soul will be aiming at you! Still, keep your aim, since the Target of faith is also the Author of it! Thus our point of application for today's message will be: When your marriage is aimed at Jesus Christ, the marriage will have all that it needs to thrive. To flesh out what Paul is writing here in Colossians 3:18-19, we can note two primary thoughts:

1. God's design of marriage

2. God's designation for men in marriage

God has designed marriage around Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:18-21

Marriage was not derived from man, but from God. In the garden of Eden God presented Adam his wife in Genesis 2:22-25. Why is it that God instituted marriage? So that there could be a human relationship that could express something about and find its most complete expression in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 states - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." 

In the heart and mind of God the Father, we see ample testimony from scripture that He already had individuals marked out whom he would call and convict to compose the bride, the church. (Ephesians 1:3-11) That bride would be gathered over the centuries by the Holy Spirit, one person at a time, in order to complete what God had ordained for the pleasure of His Son. As Jesus came to this world to die for sinners, He came to pay the price for His church. (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:10)  

Why is marriage and family so huge in the Bible? Because something is communicated about the Person of the Son in relationship to His bride the church. The Christian family's target must be Christ because God designed the family around Him. Christian counselor Jay Adams notes the following three differences that mark Christian marriages and families from other types of families:

1. Christians admit their sins.
2. Christians know what do to about their sins by using the scriptures to deal with them.
3. Christians progress (more and more) out of their sins and (more and more) into righteousness.1

So what is an on target marriage? Our main point of application for answering that question has been: When your marriage is aimed at Jesus Christ, the marriage will have all that it needs to thrive. God has designed marriage to be around Jesus Christ, but notice another reason why the target of the Christian family must be Jesus Christ....

God desginated the man to lead his family like Jesus Christ.

One thing that sticks out in the major New Testament passages on marriage is how much depends on the role of the man. When you look at the commands of Colossians 3:18-21, every single one requires a Christ-centered husband or father to facilitate the opportunities for wives to willingly submit and children to lovingly obey. Consider each of the commands in Colossians, and how they are conditioned upon the man's level of Christ-likeness in the family.

1. What a husband must never do Colossians 3:19. 

When wives are told to submit to their husbands, that is a voluntary submission. What will be the one way to ruin the communication and companionship in your marriage? When you deal with your wife in such a manner as to degrade her. By focusing on what not to do first, we can then see more easily what must be done in facilitating marriages that are targeted toward Jesus Christ. Paul writes in Colossians 3:19 "Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them." That word translated "embitter" speaks of harboring resentment, growing harsh and getting down right verbally abusive. Men, you and I need to be careful how we treat our wives! 

As one wise Sunday School teacher told me one time - the wife is like a rose, whose petals of life require tender loving care, respect and dignity. Each time we say a harsh word or mistreat them, we pluck off a petal. Over time if a man continues to act like an oaf, he will end up with a wife whose petals are gone, and is nothing but a stem full of thorns. 1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live withyour wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." Men, if you and I are not careful, our very prayer lives can be affected by how we treat our wives! There are undoubtedly warnings to heed. But now see what every husband must do as God's designated man to lead his family like Jesus....

2. What every husband must do. Colossians 3:18-19

What will ensure that the submission is done out of delight rather than simple duty. Plain and simple: when the husband is loving his wife as Jesus loves His church. Four times we read in the parallel Ephesians 5:22-33 passage that the husband is to love His wife. He is to love her sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25); spiritually (5:26-27); unselfishly (5:28) and sweetly (5:29). If a husband is loving his wife like Jesus Christ, then her role of submission will be a delight, not a drugery. 

Colossians 3:18 tells the wife to simply submit to her husband "as is fitting in the Lord." The husband is to be the type of man that will advocate activities and decisions within the home that are "fitting in the Lord." The only line drawn by scripture concerning how far a wife is to go in her acts of submission is one: Christ. 

Husbands, you and I ought to be the ones that encourage our families to go to church, reach out in love for Jesus' sake and lead our wives in prayer and children in family devotions. To be "fitting in the Lord" means "whatever alligns to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 5:33 states: "Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband." Husband, if you want respect, then you must love your wives as Christ loves His church. That is how it works. Consider the words of 1 Peter 3:8-9 "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, andhumble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."

Closing thoughts:

Thus our point of application for today's message was: When your marriage is aimed at Jesus Christ, the marriage will have all that it needs to thrive. To flesh out what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:18-19, we noted two primary thoughts:

1. God's design of marriage 

2. God's designation for men in marriage 2

Endnotes:
1. Jay E. Adams. Christian Living in the Home. Page 12. P & R Publishing.

2. God has so designed marriage around His Son, being that it most completely reflects the Son's relationship with His church, for Whom He came to pay the purchase price. In all reality marriage is but a shadow of the Son's mission to die and raise from the dead for sinners, especially His people. (1 Timothy 4:10). We also noticed too that God has designated men to lead their families like Jesus Christ. We saw what men ought not to do toward their wives. Then we observed from the commands given by both Apostles Peter and Paul that husbands are to love their wives sacrifically, spiritually, unselfishly and sweetly. 

How Scripture is its own best interpreter

Colossians 3:18-19 "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them."

Ephesians 5:22-25 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands,as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

In today's post I wanted the reader to see a tried and true principle of Bible study in action - namely, that the Bible is its own best intepreter. Called by the older title: "analogy of faith", the principle essentially teaches that when reading any Biblical text, seek out other passages that speak on that same topic and which provide fuller and clearer information. A shorter way of stating this principle is: "use easier to understand scripture to shed light on harder to understand scripture."

As the student of scripture regularly applies this principle, whole worlds of understanding begin to come forth. A great example is found in two sections of scripture from two New Testament books that were written by the same author, around the same time and about the same set of topics. 

The Apostle Paul had ended up under house arrest in Rome and spent the better part of two years preaching the Gospel from his rented quarters, chained to a Roman Soldier. During that time he ended up writing a total of four "prison letters" (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon). Two of those letters, Ephesians and Colossians, end in a remarkably similar manner and contain near the same wording. Such similarities are explained by the fact that Paul was the author, he was writing both roughly at the same time and was addressing identical topics at the end of each letter. 

The above verses represent portions of the two sections of Ephesians and Colossians that we will be looking at in this post: Ephesians 5:22-6:18 and Colossians 3:18-4:6. The aim is to simply demonstrate to the reader how the Ephesians texts sheds light and provides commentary upon the Colossians letter. Hopefully by the end of this post, the reader will conclude that indeed, scripture is its own best interpreter by comparing scripture with scripture (again, also called the analogy of faith). 

1. Colossians 3:18  Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the 

Lord.

Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, be subject to your own husbands,as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

So in looking at this first section, we can see the command given to wives in Colossians 3:18. The command is simple and straight forward. However we then ask the question: in what manner is the wife to submit? Colossians 3:18 gives a boundary: "as is fitting in the Lord". So clearly to voluntarily submit would be done except in cases where the wife is expected to do something that is not honoring to Christ. However more light is needed, and that is where Ephesians 5:22-24 comes in to give specific instruction by way of analogy. Paul employs the imagery of Christ's relationship to his church. In reading through the Ephesians passage, one sees the logic of mutual submission - namely that if a husband is loving his wife as Christ loves the church, then why wouldn't any wife not want to find the security, the protection and encouragement that comes to voluntarily yielding oneself to her husband. The more husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church, the more such submission will make sense. In all reality then, the "ball of burden" is clearly in the husband's court to make sure he loves his wife!

Now as the reader can see, Ephesians 5:22-24 shed immense light on Colossians 3:18. We won't comment on the remaining parallel sections of Ephesians and Colossians like we did above. However I will simply list those parallel sections by verse reference only and then close with some final remarks.

2. Colossians 3:19 & Ephesians 2:24-33

3. Colossians 3:20 and Ephesians 6:1-3

4. Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4

5. Colossians 3:22-25 and Ephesians 6:5-8

6. Colossians 4:1 and Ephesians 6:9

7. Colossians 4:2-4 and Ephesians 6:10-18

Closing thoughts

We aimed today to demonstrate the principle of "analogy of faith" or "comparing scripture with scripture". We utilized Ephesians 5:22-6:18 and Colossians 3:18-4:6 to demonstrate the fact that scripture is its own best interpreter. When comparing scripture with other scripture, the reader needs to be sure that both passages (or additional ones) are speaking about the same subject and that the additional passage's context is considered. Such a Bible study tool can prove invaluable when attempting to understand God's Word. 

Keys to Christian Fulfillment - Thankfulness

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

For the past couple of days we have been exploring the keys to fulfilled Christianity. The main point of application that we have been using in tying together the last two posts has been: The keys to fulfilled Christianity are Christ's Lordship, the Holy Spirit, the scriptures and thankfulness. Thus far we have considered how Christ's Lordship, the Spirit-filled life and committing scripture to memory provide the necessary elements for true spiritual fulfillment. In today's post we will conclude this series by focusing on one final key to Christian fulfillment - thankfulness.

Key #4 to Christian fulfillment: Thankfulness
I find it interesting that as Paul closes out Colossians 3, he mentions thankfulness twice. Notice the contexts in which we find this vital expression. In Colossians 3:16 we see thankfulness as a vital part of the corporate life of the local body of saints. When a church is exercising thankfulness, rather than grumbling, there will be a church that consistently experiences fulfillment. But then notice where else we find thankfulness - in activities outside the local church. In Colossians 3:17 Paul expands the Christian's life of thanksgiving to include "all things" do in the name of Jesus. Why? Because the greatest way in which we can be effective Christian witnesses is when we are demonstrating our fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 

Why is it that Paul mentions thankfulness twice? Could it be because we live in a thankless world that refuses to acknowledge the Creator of this universe who sent His co-equal Son to live, die, raise from the dead and ascend on behalf of it, and especially those who by grace through faith believe on Him? Romans 1:21 notes: "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Giving thanks like Jesus
When we give thanks as followers of Jesus Christ, we are directly positioning ourselves to glean from the sufficiency that is only found in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we find that in scanning through the four Gospels, Jesus Himself was often found giving thanks:

Matthew 15:36 "and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people."


Matthew 26:27 "And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you."
Mark 8:6 "And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people."

Mark 14:23 "And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it."

Luke 22:17 "And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves."
Luke 22:19 "And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

John 6:11 "Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted."

John 6:23 "There came other small boats from Tiberias near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks."

Giving thanks is the outcome of surrender to Christ's Lordship, being Spirit-filled and filled with the Word
As you journey throughout the rest of the New Testament, wherever emphasis is placed upon Christ's Lordship, the Spirit-filled life or taking in the scriptures - there you will find some reference to being thankful. For example, 1 Timothy 2:1 states - "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men." Or consider what we read in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Other scriptures too speak on the importance of thanksgiving as marking those who are surrendered to Christ's Lordship, filled with the Spirit and filled with the Word. (1 Corinthians 10:31) If you want to ensure that you are in the known will of God and are experiencing fulfillment, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 gives the clearest instruction: "in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Closing thoughts:
These past several days have been devoted to better understanding what it means to be a fulfilled Christian. Our main point of application has been: The keys to fulfilled Christianity are Christ's Lordship, the Holy Spirit, the scriptures and thankfulness. We saw that when Jesus Christ's Lordship is more visibly influencing how we live, peace is more readily accessible. As we aim to obediently heed the Spirit of God in the scriptures, we will be those filled or under His influence and taking in the scriptures for our nourishment. Then the overflow of these first three keys should be thanksgiving, which in itself feeds back into the desire to be surrendered to Christ's Lordship, Spirit and Word filled. These four keys together are what constitute being a fulfilled Christian.