Month: August 2024

 

In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete.

–Colossians 2:9–10

Many people in today’s world rely on human philosophy to find meaning and direction in life. What is the answer to human philosophy? In Colossians 2:9, Paul reminded the Colossians, “In [Christ] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” God didn’t pour just a little bit of Himself into Jesus; He poured all of Himself into that tiny embryo in Mary’s womb. Jesus is the fullness of God in bodily form.

What does that mean for us? Look at verse 10: “In Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”Jesus Christ is the answer to every question and every need you have in life. The apostle Peter said, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

Warren Wiersbe put it this way: “When a person is born again into the family of God, he is born complete in Christ. His spiritual growth is not by addition, but by nutrition. He grows from the inside out. Nothing needs to be added to Christ because He already is the very fullness of God. As the believer draws on Christ’s fullness, he is ‘filled unto all the fullness of God’ (Eph. 3:19). What more does he need?”

Philosophers may say Christianity is too simplistic to offer solutions to today’s complex problems. But God’s Word says Christ offers everything we need for this life, while human wisdom is empty.

During the last couple of decades, many people have built their lives around the teachings of atheists like Richard Dawkins. In his book The God Delusion, Dawkins wrote, “Atonement, the central doctrine of Christianity, [is] vicious, sado-masochistic and repellent.” When I read that statement, I couldn’t help but think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:18–20: “The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

The wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God. It is bankrupt to provide lasting answers, and most importantly, it leads to eternal death. But the word of the cross leads to life. Jesus Christ is sufficient for every need you have–in this life and the next.

 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18

Two words in the English language are often confused and, therefore, misused: sympathize and empathize. Sympathy literally means “to suffer with.” Sympathy is expressed by feelings of pity or sorrow for someone’s suffering. You may not understand what the person is experiencing, but you feel badly for them. To empathize goes a step further. Empathy means “to understand and share in the suffering of another because you have experienced the same suffering yourself.”

Jesus expressed both sympathy and empathy. He was “moved with compassion” when He observed the spiritual condition of people—they were like “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). This was not something Jesus had experienced Himself, but He sympathized with the suffering of others. But when it comes to the suffering we experience in temptation, Jesus can empathize with us because “He Himself has suffered, being tempted.” Having experienced the same suffering, He knows how to come to our aid.

You are not alone when you are tempted. Jesus knows what you are experiencing. As He escaped temptation Himself, He will guide you through to victory over sin.

Our response to temptation is an accurate barometer of our love for God.

 

 

We may be hard-pressed to come up with a universally accepted definition of evil, but most of us know evil when we see it – or at least we think we do. For example, most (but not all) would say the gas chambers of Auschwitz were evil, as were the U.S. institution of chattel slavery, the serial murders of Ted Bundy, the packaged explosives of “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, and the domestic terror of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

God has placed in every human heart a conscience, which not only helps us discern right from wrong but universally testifies of a divine moral law giver (Rom. 2:14-16). And so, we know intuitively what evil is, and therefore we know who ultimately judges us for it. Or we should. The problem is, sin has knocked every human being’s moral compass off magnetic north.

Evil is not so much the opposite of good as it is the absence of good, or the perversion of good. Just as darkness may only be described in contrast to light, evil is only understood in relation to good. And that’s the rub, because all human beings, though made in the image of God, are evil. We all sin, and our sin separates us from an eternally and unequivocally good creator (Rom. 3:10, 23; 6:23).

As a result, we often call evil good, and good evil (Isa. 5:20). We willingly descend the long spiral of godlessness, rejecting the God who reveals himself to all people in creation and conscience (Rom. 1:18-20; 2:14-16). Incrementally, God delivers us over to the depravities of our hearts until we live in open rebellion against him, celebrating the very deeds for which we stand condemned (Rom. 1:28-32).

Put simply, we are evil. And although we may gloss over our wickedness, or compare ourselves positively with those we deem far worse than we are, it is a fool’s game. God is holy. We are not. And apart from God’s grace, we all share a common destination in the lake of fire.

When it comes to the character the Bible identifies as the evil one, our ability to discern between good and evil is even more precarious. In part, that’s because Satan is the embodiment of evil, so much so that he comes to us as an angel of light and makes wrong seem right, wickedness seem righteous, and evil seem good. He places a veil over our eyes, whispers soothing words into our deepest depravities, and makes a lie sound like the greatest version of our own personal truth.

 

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians about the danger of yielding to temptation. The desert was littered with the bodies of Israelites who ignored God’s warnings (1 Corinthians 10:5).

On their trek to the Promised Land, the Hebrews engaged in immorality, idolatry, and grumbling; and many were judged. These examples from Israel’s past “were written for our admonition”—as warnings about the dangers of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:11). “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” Paul warned (verse 12). But with that warning came a way of escape. Paul wrote that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear—that He always provides a “way of escape.” But we must take the way God provides.

First Corinthians 10:13 is not only a verse of comfort but also a verse of warning. Failure to resist temptation in the strength of Christ is to ignore God’s warning about the consequences of sin.

The best of saints may be tempted to the worst of sins.

 

 

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

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)

“… who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” (Romans 11:6)

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men …” (Titus 2:11)

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” (Acts 15:11)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

“… that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 3:23-24)

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace …” (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence …” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

“For if by the one man’s offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” (Romans 5:15)

“… having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20)

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

• For by grace you have been saved through faith
• Who has saved us … according to His own purpose and grace
• We have access by faith into this grace
• For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men
• Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved
• By grace you have been saved
• Having been justified by His grace
• Being justified freely by His grace
• Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ
• Given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace
• In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

How is grace defined:

1. Unmerited favor, mercy, compassion
2. Undeserved blessing, a free gift
3. Gods loving mercy toward mankind
4. Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness
5. God’s disposition to exercise goodwill toward His creatures
6. Synonymous with the gospel of God’s gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ
7. Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves
8. Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in providing salvation to sinners
9. The gift of God as expressed in His actions of extending mercy, loving-kindness and salvation to people
10. Unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification
11. The power and equipment for ministry

If we spent all of our earthly lives searching for the fullness of God’s grace we would never find the end of it. Yet, in this desire and searching of it we would grow in our understanding and knowledge of it. The worldly and fleshly would be discerned more clearly and our honor and glory for Jesus Christ would permeate more and more in our thoughts, words, and actions. It is a very weak and unfruitful life to live void of growth in the faith, power, and encouragement  God’s grace offers to those who seek knowledge and understanding of it. 

Great and precious promises are declared and revealed in God’s Word. This too is through His grace.  Salvation is by Grace, the infilling Holy Spirit is by Grace, Discernment is by grace, our talents are by grace, power and courage are by grace, understanding of God’s purpose and meaning for our lives are by grace, Fruits of the Holy Spirit are by grace, eternal life is by grace, Adoption into His family is by grace, Conviction of sin is by His grace, Forgiveness is by grace, Repentance is because of His grace realized, peace and rest for our souls is because of His grace, His Word was given to us because of His grace, sending Jesus to redeem us was by His grace, wisdom and knowledge are by grace, etc….

Hope, faith, trust, and reliance all find their beginning in our understanding and knowledge of the Grace of God. This understanding and knowledge should be sought after, ever-growing, and never ceasing. Maturing in this understanding and knowledge will have an affect on how you think, what you say, and what you do. It will refine how you honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions. It will fill you with purpose and meaning. It will expose the worldly and fleshly from the heavenly and godly. 

When we are maturing in the knowledge and understanding of God’s grace, how can we not become more humbled? Surely, one expression of maturing in God’s grace is how we likewise show grace to others, family, friends, strangers, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

We should never become neglectful or complacent in the desire of this knowledge and understanding of the Grace of God. 

 

How can a man be in the right before God?

–Job 9:2

Some years ago, a pastor from another state called me to ask for advice. Some people in his church had begun to study the Old Testament intensively, and they became convinced that the church needed to follow the regulations and rituals of the Old Testament law. I thought, How unbelievable that a group of Christians, who have been freed from the regulations and rituals of the Old Testament law, would voluntarily place themselves under those restrictions!

Then I remembered Solomon’s words: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). This pastor was experiencing the same thing the Christians in Colossae experienced two thousand years ago. Some people in the Colossian church were saying, “Jesus Christ is important, but He’s not enough. You also need to follow the rituals and regulations of the Old Testament law to be right with God.” In Colossians 2, Paul reminded us that only Jesus Christ can set us free from the power and the consequences of sin.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul identified four heresies that had invaded the Colossian church. These heresies all said Christ is not sufficient, so people need something else to be saved. Last week, we looked at the first heresy: human philosophy. Philosophy based on man-made wisdom is utterly bankrupt to meet our real needs.

Paul then confronted a second heresy in the Colossian church: legalism, which is the attempt to gain God’s approval through rituals and regulations. The Jewish Christians in Colossae were telling the Gentile Christians to be circumcised and follow the Old Testament law to be saved.

You may think that sounds ridiculous, but there’s a large segment of the church today that believes Jesus is important but not sufficient for our salvation. Some people, for example, believe we also need to observe certain rituals, such as baptism, the sacraments, going to the priest, or attending the right church. Other people believe we need to keep certain man-made regulations regarding our behavior or habits.

It is Christ alone who makes us right before God. Rituals and regulations deal only with our external behaviors–they do nothing to change our hearts. What we all desperately need is a renovation of our hearts. Only Christ can perform that kind of radical surgery.