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“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

Regarding our obligation (rather than our blessings) and our stewardship this is what it is all about.  Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Paul got it, too many religious people today do not.

Two points to make here.  First, our entire purpose in life, “whatever we do in word or deed” is to be done because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Religion is not an avocation, it is our job! “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Second, we have to do it Jesus’ way, not our own.  That is what the phrase “in the name of the Lord” means!  (cf. Matthew 7:20-21). The one accepted by God is the one who “does the will of My Father in heaven.”  This means it is not sufficient to “be sincere.” It means that serving God in a way that suits us, or going to a denomination that fits our lifestyles or preferences, is not legitimate.

We have a responsibility to Jesus to serve Him in His way, to do His bidding!

Jacob prayed a prayer to God concerning meeting his brother Esau, from whom he had taken a birthright and blessing. Before the meeting, Jacob said, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children” (Genesis 32:10-11).

Of course, Esau’s own profane behavior was part of the reason why he was rejected, and Jacob was chosen (cf. Hebrews 12:16). But, it seem that here Jacob realized there was cause for Esau to be angry, and that he had mistreated his brother due to his deceit. I think that Jacob’s description of himself is one what we should all consider. “I am not worthy of these least of all the mercies and of all the truth which you [God] have shown your servant.” It is very similar to Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:9, calling himself unworthy because, “I persecuted the church of God.” And yet, God blessed both of them. Jacob was received kindly by Esau (cf. Genesis 32:4,9), and Paul was made an apostle to the Gentiles. Because of God’s mercy! (1 Corinthians 15;10).

God’s mercy comes to each of us as well. None of us can approach our Lord as “worthy.”  But, His love for mankind brings out His mercy and grace. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-4).

The idea of judging is not welcome in society today, though it is necessary and prevalent. The question is, who should judge, and how should they do it?

The answer is found in these words. Judging is to be done carefully and righteously. Jesus said the same in Matthew 7:2-5. Fortunately, Christians are the most capable in this area, or at least should be, as they are to conduct themselves righteously, with ethics and honesty.

Though differences exist regarding the true meaning of the phrases, “the saints will judge the world” (2) and “we shall judge angels” (3) it is evident that Paul was elevating the place and ability of the saints above both of those groups.

So, what is the lesson? Act and think as a saint should act and think! (cf. 1 Peter 4:3-6). Doing so will allow us to make right and proper decisions, in every relationship whether it be family, friends, or brethren.

Christian discernment is a good thing!

The apostle Paul gives some very helpful instruction and insight on how Christians should get along with Christians in Philippians 2. It basically is a call for every child of God to be humble. Humility impacts our decisions and actions toward others. But, it should be true humility! Consider verses 3 and 4. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

The phrase, “let each esteem others better than himself” is an interesting one. First, the word esteem is used to indicate authority or control. One who is esteemed is a leader, one who is in control or important. In our context it is relative to how we view ourselves.  We do not consider ourselves as important as our brother in Christ.  He is more important than us.  So, our motivation is not self, but what is best for our brother.  If all Christians acted in this way, most of the issues that cause division would not exist.

This is seen in the phrase “better than self”, indicating that in our eyes, our brother is more important or superior.  And, in the verse to follow, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:4).

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13).

The grace of God has implications far beyond our redemption as the elect of God. It also indicates an ought. In effect, the grace of God teaches or trains us to know how we ought to act and focus our thoughts in response to its effectiveness in saving our souls

We owe a debt we simply can’t pay, “salvation.” But, we are to indicate clearly our thankfulness for the gift of redemption, (cf. Luke 17:11-19). The haunting words of Jesus, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine” (17).

Our show of appreciation for the gift of grace must be seen in our life’s response. We have spent enough time living in sin (cf. 1 Peter 4:3), and in response to God’s grace must live soberly, righteously and godly. This not only involves doing righteousness, but primarily denying ungodliness and the illicit desires that characterize the worldly.  Our motivation? An eternal reward in heaven, given at His second coming. Anything less is ungratefulness on our part!

“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

The phrase, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” is taken from Zechariah 8:16. Zechariah’s prophecies occurred following the return of the remnant from Babylonian captivity.  Note two points. First, honesty is a principle that should inform every part of our lives, and all of our relationships. Second, this is especially so with whom we share a special bond, “for we are members of one another.”

The bond the remnant shared was their cultural and national identities. They were Jews, part of God’s chosen people, with a obligation to keep the law.

Here Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians. Their bond was their shared faith in Jesus Christ. The same words were used by Paul to describe that relationship in Romans 12:5.

Honesty (putting away lying) is important in and of itself. God revealed time and again that lying, deceit, guile, are condemnable acts, and not worthy of God’s children (cf. Revelation 21:8).  Beyond that, our special bond as Christians demands that we treat each other honestly. To do less is to disrespect and endanger our fellowship as His children!

After his disciples were criticized by Pharisees for eating with unwashed hands, Jesus told a multitude, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matthew 15:11). This offended the Pharisees, who were bound by the traditions of the elders, and even was confusing to His own disciples. Peter asked Jesus, “Explain this parable to us” (15).

The explanation is simple. Jesus was using the process of digestion to show that what we eat is eliminated, but the things that defile a man are what come from the heart, come from within. Things like, “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (19).

Today, under Christ’s covenant, defilement is not physical, it is spiritual. Defilement is defined by our Lord as sin itself. Holiness is determined by the proper practice of our faith! “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

So disregard man-made traditions, restrictions, requirements. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23).

Take sin seriously. This is what affects our relationship with God. Ask yourself, “Have I defiled myself with sin?”

Paul wrote to the Colossians about prayer, asking for their prayers personally, “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).

However, his thoughts on prayer teach us a few important things, that are worth examining beyond Paul’s personal benefits from such intercessions.  First, there is the phrase, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…” (4:2).  The idea of continuing in prayer, and the idea of vigilance is important when making petitions to God.  He loves us!  The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us this. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?”  We need to understand the importance and efficacy of prayer, and not to be discouraged if our petitions are not answered by Him immediately. It comes in His time.

Second, we can’t emphasis too greatly the importance of offering thanks to God. “…being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (4:2). Christ illustrated the importance of thanksgiving in his words about the lepers He healed.  “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

God deserves vigilant prayer with thanksgiving!  Heed Paul’s words!

As Jeremiah lamented the rebellion of Judah, and the chastisement of his God, he nevertheless acknowledged God’s judgement was righteous and that His nature was merciful and good. And so he wrote, “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:25-27).

There are a couple of truths in this passage that are worthy of examination. Taking the last words first, we should acknowledge that it “is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.” While burdens, chastisements and distress are never easy, they do build character. The prophet knew that the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and God’s judgment of the people was, though harsh, very much deserved. To live through this would help the young know of the consequences of rebellion, and cause a turn to righteousness and steadfastness as the lesson was learned.

The second truth is that God does His own will in His own time. It is not appropriate for us to complain about these things. Job did , and even to the degree of his suffering, the answer of God was basically, “How dare you?” So, when things are going bad with us, little or big, and we chafe at trouble, let us not murmur and complain. Instead, let us “wait quietly for the LORD.” He is the preeminent Creator. As His people, let us not be presumptuous!

In Ephesians 4:4-6 Paul expresses a series of unique things that constitute the basis of our faith. Unfortunately these truths are often challenged by those who do not understand them. It is our basis for unity, a worthy walk as disciples of Jesus Christ.

• One body. The church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Not many churches. Denominationalism is sinful (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10-ff).
• One Spirit. The Holy Spirit, one of the three persons that are God (cf. John 14:26).
• One hope. The hope of heaven, available through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:19-20).
• One Lord. Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Acts 2:36).
• One faith. While various truths and messages from God preceded Christ’s covenant, today it is the sole means of approaching God. The Christian’s faith in Christ, its particulars revealed in the New Covenant (Jude 3).
• One baptism. Several baptisms are mentioned in the Bible. However, only one is universally commanded and applicable to every man. Baptism in water for the remission of sins! (Acts 2:38).
• One God and Father. Not polygamy.  Only Jehovah exists! (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6). Paganism is a lie.

Those who do not accept these truths are heretics. (Much of the religious world included). However, those who accept it are derided by most. Accept it regardless!

Do you have anything that is dear to you? Something that would be hard for you to give up for the Lord?  Paul certainly did. He told the Philippians in chapter 3 of the text that his position as a zealous Jew — circumcised, from Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a zealous Pharisee, blameless in his attempts to keep the law of Moses — was reason for him to have confidence in the flesh. And yet upon his witness of the resurrected Christ, leading to his conversion, he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

Why did he make such a sacrifice? For the same reason we will, if we have his wisdom! That he might “know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings… if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:10-11).

Do you want access to the power of Christ, and the hope of the resurrection? Then it is simple. Just like Paul you must be ready to give up all that is precious in your life and give yourself totally in service to the Master. There is absolutely nothing that this world offers you that is worth sacrificing your soul! (cf. Matthew 16:26). Something sobering to think about, isn’t it?!

Saul of Tarsus was chosen by God. Ananias told him, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). This choosing was for Saul’s apostleship. This was a point of emphasis for Saul throughout his life and ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. It headed almost every letter he wrote. For example, “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…” (Galatians 1:1).

In truth, God has chosen all who are Christians. Before the world began, God determined to select all and only those who answered the call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Paul wrote of this to the Thessalonians, giving thanks to God for the them, “…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Do you want to be one of the chosen?  The group has an open membership. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

In Titus 2:15, after revealing things that Titus should concern himself with at Crete, he wrote, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Who was Titus?  Well, he was a Greek man that Paul had converted. It seems that he was younger than Paul, because he is often put into the same category by the apostle and others as the young man Timothy. Paul’s words here seem to echo his admonition to Timothy in  1 Timothy 4:12, and he calls himself a spiritual father to both men because of his influence in having them converted. (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). Regardless, Paul had confidence in Titus as he did the work of an evangelist on the isle of Crete.

The phrase “rebuke with all authority” brings the question, who is Titus to speak to others in this way, and why should he not be despised for doing so? Well, the authority of Titus did not exist in his person or age, but in his work. The rebukes ultimately came from the Holy Spirit! In effect, Titus was merely the mouthpiece, a servant doing the Master’s bidding. His words had authority because what he was repeating in his exhortations and rebuke had their genesis with the Lord.

The phrase, “Let no one despise you” seems to be within the power of Titus. And so it is less about the unfair scorn of others, and more about Titus conducting himself so as to not be taken advantage of by evil men. He had to be diligent to refute error and deal with sophistry.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalms 119:9).

Our encouragements to read and study God’s word are constant.  That is because they are important. It only takes a few minutes to consider why:

1. God is in control.
2. God requires us to do His will in order to please Him.
3. His will is wholly contained in scripture which is readily available to all, and we are encouraged to use it!

It is like being able to take an open book test in school.  Even the smart kids are going to take advantage of the open book.  However, religiously many feel free to guess, to assume, to opine, to invent—all when God’s word is easily opened, and God’s will is easily found.

So, consider these truths while thinking about whether you are interested in reading the Bible through in this next year. It only take a few moments a day.  It shouldn’t be the sum total of your Bible study in the new year, but it is a good place to start.

I get this question just about every year, and I know that some Christians do not understand it either. So, here is a simple, concise explanation.

We rejoice at the birth of our Lord. We think of it often, but do not set aside a special day of remembrance because Jesus did not tell us to.

Jesus did establish a memorial for His death, as recorded in Matthew 26, and we remember His death each first day of the week, following the example of the Christians in the first century (cf. Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

But to do something that has not been explicitly authorized by God is to presume to know His will when He has not revealed it to us. No one can rightfully do so. “…Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 11:2). In fact, we are told, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

So, to be clear, we do not in any way object to the birth of Jesus. It was a wonderful event, bringing joy to mankind (cf. Luke 2:13-14). However, we respect the mind of our God, and as a church (congregation) we refuse to speak or authorize a practice that He has not spoken on.

Christmas is a religious holiday started by men. It is not found in scripture. So, we pass.