Out Lines of our Christian Character

Out Lines of our 

Christian Character

Out Lines of our Christian Character

Colossians 3 v8/24   ". . But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve 
the Lord Christ . ."

    The believers at Colosse are here reminded that as Christians there are some things we must "Put-off" as inconsistent; some things we must "Put-on" as absolutely needful; some things "To-do" as a proof of their faith, and how they should be done as an evidence of true-hearted devotion.

1.  - Some things to 'put-off'
2.  - Some things to 'put-on'
3.  - Some things to 'let-in'
4.  - Some things to 'let-out'

   A comment that I have heard more & more of lately, is that church is no longer a place where the almighty Lord Christ Jesus resides. But, more saddening is that Church has become a social club for those who are good living for a living. As a metal is tested for it's strength, so my heart is being tested to see if after knowing this, will I be found wanting?

1 Some things to 'Put-off' 

   V9 tells not to lie to one another. This is not just reserved for our fellow Christians, but, to our neighbors, your work colleagues, basically, just don't lie to anyone.
NKJ . . .

 Ephesians 4 v 22  ". . that you put off, concerning your former conduct, 

the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. ."

   We are instructed to 'Put-off'' the old. What is meant by this is that 'all' of our bad habits that ruled our world. Any remnants that are left, we must be rid of. So as not to be tempted, instead use these memories as a proof of how far we have come, also as part of our witness.

   Has anyone been told "that was not very Christian like of you". This comes from those are not Christians as well as back sliders. It comes from their idea of what and how a Christian should behave, they hold us in high esteem, higher than themselves. They expect us not to have any of the following in our lives . . 
No Bad language
No Lustful thoughts or behavior
No Stealing
No Gossiping about others

   Hebrews 12  Should be our standard for life, if we are serious. The closer our walk with Jesus Christ the larger our standard will become. The more of 'the -old-man' we can cast off, then the brighter our light will become. Why is it we need to be told what we should or should not do? Here in Hebrews 12 we are painted a very clear picture as how we are to conduct ourselves. Every now and then to be chastened by our Heavenly Father, the same way our earthly father would do. 

   We all need lines to show where we have gone wrong so as we don't make the same mistakes twice. We need these lines to help us from straying. Imagine if you will a football (soccer) pitch. It has lines around it to show the footballer they must not go our side of these lines or they will give the ball to the other team. There is a line across the middle of the pitch with a circle on it to show the center. Then there an 18yrd boxes, at each end, where the goal keeper is allowed to handle the ball with in.

   No matter what your job, the job you go to there will always be rules and regulations you must abide by.

2 Some things to 'Put-on'

   Imagine a box of toy bricks, they all have a space to go into so that they don't rattle around. So when you remove one there is a void left behind. We are left with the same void when we remove all the bad elements from our lives, now we need to fill these voids with Jesus Christ, Prayer time, Worship, Reading the Bible, attending meetings. Instead of hanging about the bars & clubs we once did on a Saturday night. Or else, when a moment arises when your old self would have used evil wishes and foul language, just refuse to engage with those it is second nature.   

   Now you have turned your back on the old life, it's time the new you, in the way of the Lords. Coming forth from here you will find not only the new you, but also discover a new purpose in life. May be even a new direction? May be a ... Teacher of God's word ... a leading to be a Missionary ... perhaps even a Pastor/Vicar? There are many new hats/possibilities, with the new you in your new life.

   The new you will will discover you becoming more tender hearted, kinder towards people, all these will bring you a more divine attitude. . .
NKJ . . .

1 John 4 : 12  ". .  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us,

 because He has given us of His Spirit . ."

Colossians 3 : 14 ". . But above all these things put on love . ."

May the love of Christ constrain us to be more like Him

3 Some things to 'Let-in"

A) The Peace of God - Before coming to Christ our minds would have been filled with cursing - foul language - anger- fear - chaos etc. So just by letting Christ carry the load, you will discover a calming, the likes you have never had before.
NKJ . . .

Romans 5 :   ". .  Therefore, since we have been made righteous through 

his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isiah 26 : 3  ". . You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on 

You, Because he trusts in You . ."

   The moment you give your life to Christ Jesus you feel this rush of peace, like nothing you ever felt before. As your Christian life see's the years start to roll on past we can become complacent, thus we will feel some of old life start to creep back in. Causing the peace to be pushed back out. At this moment we must remove these habits and dwell alot more with God, then once again the peace will return. We once again trust Him, to submit wholey to Him, who is able to say ...'Peace be still' ... What would you rather, anger - restlessness, OR, calming peace from the one who calms even the wind and waves? I know which i'd rather have.

   Instead of bottling things up we must 'let-out', other wise like cancer it will consume you and undo all that good God has done in it.

B) The Word of God - V16 ". . let the word of God dwell in you richly . ."
   
   God's word for us is in many things, they are a road map for our lives, it bring words of comfort, they can offer words of conduct! They can show how to protect ourselves in this ultra modern world that we live in. For it is Himself our souls need if our Character is to be enriched, and our testimony made even more fruitful than they are now. The time in which we live moves so fast that at times it's hard to catch a breath let alone a quick prayer, or so it seems. How many of us would use a car, train, bus or walk to work? Well you would be surprised how time over a week or month there is. Even just traveling in a car  you can lifting up thanks and praises with every Green light you pass through. Just one example of the different ways you can pray. (Now please whilst driving keep your hands on the wheel and eyes open at all times please). 

   Over this next week/month try and see how many/much time there is time to pray God's word into your daily lives. 

4 Some things 'Let-out'

    When coming to Christ, did He happen to say that it was going to cost us X Y & Z? Surely what we have has be so freely given to us, so it should be given to others. God never said ... 'pst, come here, there is a secret, tell NO one else'. Instead He told us ... "go tell the World".

A)Serve Loyally . . V7  ". . What so ever you do in Word or Deed, do in the name of the Lord Jesus  . ."
   Just thinking of how different our lives would be ... if only what was done if ... in the Christ sake .. or .. done in His name. Every thing would be so much easier, even soften the blow done those who want you to fail.
B) Serve heartily . . V23  ". . And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord . ."
   Not with eye service, Heartless service must be a mockery in His eyes? Would you go to work and do no work whilst there? I'm sure your manager would have some thing to say about it, once they are not so angry. Apart from the fact that would have a stern talk with you. God finds this kind of 'lip-service' pointless & hypercritically of you.
C) Serve Thankfully . . V17 . .". .do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him . ."
NKJ

Ephesians 5 : 20  ".. Giving thanks always for all things to God the 

Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .."

Psalm 34 : 1  "..I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually

 be in my mouth .."

   These Verses are not just meant for lip service. They should always be in our hearts when in giving - and - in - the taking away. We should be happy and joyous, and not having a face as long as a fiddle. We should be stopped  continually being asked 'why do we always have a smile on our faces?'   In simple reply we say 'it's because Jesus Christ lives in me.' Because we heartily recognize Jesus for our happiness, nothing else will come close. The Lord has great things for us, and is still doing them on our behalf.

4) Some things for which we 'look-up' . . V24  ".. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance .."
NKJ

Ephesians 6 ; 8  ".. knowing that whatever good anyone does, 

he will receive the same from the Lord .."

The inheritance as a harvest will be according to you works

Romans 2 : 6  ".. will render to each one according to his deeds .."

   There is a Christian singer by the name of 'Eli'. On his 'Things I prayed for' album is a song called 'The-Lumber-Song'. Eli sing or a guy who goes up to Heaven, upon arrival he is greeted by Jesus who turns to him and says lets go find your heavenly home. The mans excitement can not be measured as they go by mansion upon mansion, one after another. But then the mansions start to get a bit smaller and smaller. Now the mans excitement is starting to wain. Smaller and smaller they get, till they come upon a small shack. The man turns to Jesus and says there must be a mistake, someone has got it wrong? 
   
   Jesus turns to the man and says that's all the lumber you sent, meaning all the goodness you sent up. At which point the guy asked if Jesus could send him back as now that he knows what is expected of him. How wonderful it would be if we got a second chance? How different we would do things.  BAMMMM, Sorry to burst your bubble there, but we only ever get 1 - one - uno - L'un - Ein - Tek bir - shot/chance, so make each day count.

Let me say this in finishing,
 "But to see Him, 
to be made like Him, 

and to dwell with Him, 
surely this is the reward of Grace alone".

Divinely Touched ....

Divinely Touched

   As, from my own belief, I am a good driver. Also felt that God was alive in my heart and life. Each night I pray over my wife, her mother whom we look after, whilst she lives in an 'fold'. (sheltered living) Not a nursing home a step down from this. Any how I also pray for my parents and my brother. Not forgetting our dog.

   Last Monday 9th February I was involved in a car crash, to look at as my wife did on her way past the crushed mangled cars, to meet me in the Hospital. The was guy was also taken to the same Hospital. My wife worried what state I was in let alone the other driver. She thought I was going to badly hurt, which could in turn lead to my death.

   Such was the state of the cars. Both of us drivers were strapped down to the trolleys so as that we could not move as well as have neck collars on. This all took place at around the 10.45/11am. As time went on the collars around our necks came off. Then all the other restraints were taken away.  To the point, after X-rays & CT scans, we could sit up eat and drink. 

   Here's the shocker, by 2.30pm we were both able walk home. Yes you read right, WALK home with out aids given by the Hospital. Now I have a busted spin anyway. So this could have put me in a wheel chair for the rest of my life, needing a lot care for my basic needs.

   God is so good, it defies belief. How we were able get up and walk away from this was a true miracle. God was looking out for me (us), also the fact no one else was in the car which happens very rare as I would have at least my wife in the car.

So a big fat thankyou Lord Jesus, you truly are an awesome God. 

Pause for Thought

Pause for Thought

   His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a near by bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself, as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

   "I want to repay you" said the nobble man. "You saved my sons life". 
   "No, I can't accept payment for what I did" the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment the farmer's own son came to door the of the family hovel.
   "Is that your son?" The Nobble man asked.
   "Yes" The farmer replied proudly.
   "I'll make a deal with you. Let me provide him with the same level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will proud of". and to his word he did that. 

   Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools in the time, graduated from St May's Hospital School  in London, went on to become known though out the World as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming. The discoverer of 'Penicillin'. Years afterward the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with Pneumonia.

What saved his life this time - Penicillin
The name of the noble?  - Lord Randolph Churchill
The nobleman's son's name - Sir Winston Churchill

   Act of kindness done with a humble heart, with out the thought of financial reward. This gives mind to the 'Parable of the good Samaritan' . . .
NKJ Luke 
10 V30/65 ". . .A certain man went from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who     stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down the road. And when he saw him  passed by on the other side of the road. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed be on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine, and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an Inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out 2 Denarii, then to the Innkeeper, and said to him, 'take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. . . "

   Because we don't know a stranger seeking help, it may only you who is going to help them. Who are they? What dose God have in store for them? We may never have the answers, we just need to have faith in God that He put us there for a reason. Kindness for kindness sake has all but been eroded from society today, next time there is someone in need, don't do as the priest or Levite, be a Samaritan. Because who knows??