Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 39

Posted on Posted in Weekly Newsletter, Weekly 2015 Tagged with , ,

Witnesses for Christ (Part 1)

The Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Colossians during his first Roman imprisonment. Epaphras was a faithful minister of Christ to the Colossian church (Col. 1:7). He visited the Apostle Paul and brought him good reports concerning the faith, love and hope of the church at Colosse. The Apostle Paul wrote the epistle to encourage the Colossians to greater service.

Two thoughts – (1) Glowing for Jesus (Col. 1:9-14) (2) Grounded in Jesus (Col. 1:15-23).

(1) Glowing For Jesus (Col. 1:9-14)

  • In Knowledge (Col. 1:9 cf. 15-23)

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (Col. 1:9)

Paul interceded at the throne of grace for God’s people. Likewise, we are to be praying always and not to faint. We pray for our immediate family, for the church family, and for the world that is lost.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer is our prayer too. It is important to abide in the realm of truth as revealed in the Scriptures. To glow for Jesus, we must grow in knowledge of the truth in all wisdom and understanding. We are to discern the times with spiritual insights, apply our spiritual knowledge in our daily living and be guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we do.

How can we increase in and be filled with the knowledge of God’s will unless we spend time in the study of God’s Word!

  • In Fruitfulness (Col. 1:10-11)

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Col. 1:10)

What does it mean to walk worthy of the Lord? It is to bear spiritual fruits in our lives as manifested by our words and actions in obedience to God’s way!

‘Worthy’ Christians are those who keep the Word of God, live lives that are pleasing to the Lord, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Do we walk worthy of the Lord?

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. (Col. 1:11)

As we serve the Lord, resistance abounds. We battle against principalities and powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. How are we to battle unless we are strengthened with all might, according to the riches of God’s power to overcome these evil forces? We must be equipped to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, to dispel the darts of the wicked.

We endure difficult circumstances that test or develop our patience – that is steadfastness. Longsuffering is the ability to endure difficult people, to love even our enemies, to do good to them that hate us and pray for them who despitefully use and persecute us. Enduring afflictions without capitulating but with joyfulness is a Christian’s testimony. This joy is not the “fleshy happiness” of the world but it comes with doing the will of God.

Biblical joy is a product of victorious Christian living. By God’s power and grace, the believer overcomes self, sin and the world. We are filled with the “joy” of the Holy Spirit, as we walk in the Spirit, endeavouring by God’s help to make progress spiritually by regulating our conversation and conduct according to God’s Word.

  • In Gratitude (Col. 1:12-14)

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Col. 1:12-14)

To glow for Jesus, we are to grow in gratitude. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe observed, “Ingratitude is always a form of weakness, I have never known a man of real ability to be ungrateful.”

There is so much to be thankful for. In times past, we were children of darkness. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love towards us, made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in and through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus has forgiven us our sins. He has redeemed us by His blood, shed on the cross, once and for all, the Just for the unjust that we might be called the sons of God.

Gratitude is a seasoning for all seasons. It is only with gratitude that life grows rich. When we murmur and complain, we lose the peace and joy that God wants us to experience.

May God help us to glow for Him!

(to be continued) 

 

Yours lovingly,

Pr. Lek Aik Wee