Put off; put on

The letter to the Colossians is extremely applicable to us today.

Scripture is clear, that once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore:

Colossians 3:1 NKJV — If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

The Lord knows we need His Word to instruct, guide, and direct, thus He places two lists here in Colossians, one to replace the other.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8 NKJV

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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.
Colossians 3:12‭-‬14 NKJV

Rather than walking in anger, wrath, or malice, we are to be merciful and kind.

Instead of having blasphemy or filthy words in our speech, we are to be humble, meek, and patient.

Our lives are to be filled with forgiveness towards others, recalling God’s forgiveness for us.

Most of all, we are to respond to those around us with love, following the example of God.

John 3:16-17 NKJV — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Applying God’s Word to our everyday lives is a practice in diligence and integrity.

Times will come when we may fall into old ways of the flesh, but let us, each one, strive to be focused upon the things of Heaven and walking in the instructions of the Lord.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your clear instruction, that as followers we might better understand how to walk in Your ways. Lord Jesus, it is easy to sin, to fall into the ways of the flesh. Please forgive me for doing so this morning and thank You for pointing out my sin quickly. Lord, I am so blessed to have Your instruction, that I might guard myself from future moments. Lord, please continue to hone my heart and guide my steps. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Walking uprightly…

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure. Isaiah 33:15‭-‬16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.33.15-16.NKJV

As I was reading, these two verses caused me to pause.

I highlighted them, so I could easily return to the passage.

These words are lining out the choices of a man who is living for God. (Can also be applied to women.)

It begins with: “He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,”.

Psalm 15:1-2 NKJV — A Psalm of David. LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;

Scripture is clear, walking in righteousness is following God.

Both Psalm 15 and Isaiah 33 tells that walking in righteousness includes words, those spoken and those thought.

“He who despises the gain of oppressions,” Isaiah 33:15b

“In whose eyes a vile person is despised,” Psalm 15:4

These sentences show us that the righteous doesn’t just ignore the wickedness around them, but despises the abuse of others.

“Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,” Isaiah 33:15b

“Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. ” Psalm 15:5b

Money doesn’t sway the righteous from doing what is correct, nor does the righteous use others to their own gain.

“He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure. ” Isaiah 34:16

The righteous are secure in God.

“He who does these things shall never be moved.” Psalm 15:5c

God gives instruction for walking in righteousness.

He promises those who walk in God’s ways to be their safe place, their strong tower.

God wants us to understand what is best for us and His Word is applicable for a lifetime.

Lord , who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who  does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord ; He who  swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things  shall never be moved.
Psalms 15:1‭-‬5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.15.1-5.NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your instruction. Thank You for giving us so much truth and the direction of how to follow You. Lord, You promise that if we shall trust You and obey, that nothing which comes in this life will compare with the joy of eternity with You in heaven. While we walk this Earth, please help us to apply Your Word to our daily living. Please help us to model ourselves after Your example. Thank You for Your patience. Thank You for Your love. May the whole Earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of You. Amen.

Life lessons

God’s Word is rich.

Lessons and instruction can be gleaned from all types of writing from the history of Genesis to the poetry of Psalms and Proverbs to the letters of the New Testament.

It requires a teachable attitude, a heart surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and obedience.

With these truths in mind let us look to scripture for our daily measure of instruction on what a heart which holds fast, a life which clings to God looks like.

2 Kings 18:6 NKJV — For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.

This is written about King Hezekiah and when one reads of the effort he took to purge the country of idolatry, this verse is understandable.

He was very active in seeking the Lord, but not just himself, he encouraged the whole nation to do so as well.

Psalm 119:31 NKJV — I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!

Our daily choice of following the Lord can be pitted and nicked by moments of sin, and thus we, like the Psalmist should return to God and His Word when we realize we’ve erred.

Romans 12:9 NKJV — Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Only through diligent instruction from the Holy Spirit and scripture can we discern the difference between good and evil, but if we are teachable we can learn to abhor evil and cling to good.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV — Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Jesus told His disciples to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, because we need wisdom to avoid evil, the tricks and snares of the enemy.

Therefore we must prove all things by scripture and hold tightly to that which is of the Lord.

John 14;15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

This is a deeply personal verse that requires each individual to reflect upon their own state: “Do I love Jesus? If so, am I keeping His commandments?”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for giving us so much in Your Word. Lord thank You for the direction and guidance that we find in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit. Please, help me to hear and obey You every day, to cling to Your Word and to walk in Your truths. Lord, open my mind to learning from Your Word and impart Your truths to my heart. Let me follow You in spirit and in truth, not in a forced manner, but with love and devotion. Lord, please help me to find joy, peace, patience, and endurance in Your Word, for great is Your faithfulness. I know all I need You will supply. Thank You for the riches of wisdom You pour out of the Scriptures. Please help me to love Your laws and to understand the gift of following You. Jesus, I do love You, please help me to keep Your commandments. Thank You. Amen.

Proverbs, truth for life

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, Proverbs 1:5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.1.5.NKJV

God has given us such depth of instruction throughout scripture.

Proverbs packages that in a unique way.

Since the book of Proverbs is Hebrew poetry it has three main ways of emphasis: parallel, opposite, and building.

The author will state something and then restate the same truth with a different example and this is parallel.

Such is verse 1:5.

The author also will state a truth and then state the opposite.

The fear of the Lord  is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

The third is a building, where the author states a truth and then gives details.

My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will  be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
Proverbs 1:8‭-‬9 NKJV

Understanding the types of poetry can help us as we study, for when we see the pattern we are able to understand the emphasis.

In just these few verses of Proverbs 1 we see the point clearly.

Wisdom is from fearing the Lord and the wise choose to treasure it for it is valuable.

“Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord , They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Proverbs 1:29‭-‬33 NKJV

No one wants to dwell in fear of evil.

Even children desire to live in safety.

But it is only found when we revere the Lord and walk in His wisdom.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for so clearly instructing us through it. Lord Jesus, thank You that we need not be afraid, but can put our trust in You. We can find security and safety in You. Lord, if our soul is safe with You then we can find peace no matter the circumstance. Lord, please, I want to walk in Your wisdom today. Please help me to understand Your direction and to obey Your voice. Lord, let Your Word be my guide in all things and help me to humble my heart before You continually. Thank You for another day. Thank You for the comfort of Your Word. Amen.