Thursday – June 16, 2016
Please be reminded to pray for the seven pillars of society. These pillars were established by Wisdom, by God. These seven pillars are: religion, business and finance, arts, entertainment, and sports, information technology, education and science, family, and government. Everyone is in at least two pillars like religion (your Church) and family. Let’s say you work in a radio station (information or entertainment), you are part of a family (that is how you got here), and you go to Church (religion), which would be three pillars. Pray especially for the ones to which God has called you to be perfect light. Now back to our text in Colossians.
Colossians 3:4-7 (KJV)
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Because of the wonderful gift of God, salvation, through Christ Jesus, how ought we to live our lives? Let’s see what the Apostle Peter has to say about this question.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (KJV)
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (Bold added by Dr. Wood)
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
If we are God focused determined to love Him above all else we will start to think like Him, we will start to talk like Him, and we will act like Him. When the world can see what a good God we have and that He is alive and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6) they will flock to us. The Apostle Paul is saying in Colossians 3:7 that these used to be our sinful way of life. We have come a long ways but we need to finish the job, plus here are a few more things for us to work on.
Colossians 3:7-10 (KJV)
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Let’s take a look at the preceding passage in the Message Bible, I think it will add clarity. I would hope that all of us reading this know we are not to do these things, if you didn’t, you do now, so repent, and quit it today.
Colossians 3:7-10 (MSG)
7 It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.
8 But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
9 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire.
10 Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.
How many times have you heard people talk about a Christian saying “they are just a hypocrite”? People say things like “I don’t see any difference except they go to Church and act all high and mighty”. That ought not to be so. When we are the real deal they will recognize and want what we have. Or perhaps they will come to find fault like the Pharisees with Jesus. Before we finish today; what is this about a new wardrobe and new way of life?
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
By Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
