Wednesday – April 27, 2016
It is Wednesday, hump day, hence the Bactrian camel (two humps, Arabian camels have only one hump) picture. It is time for us to decide right now that we will receive this Word and make it our word. After all our number one assignment is to think like, talk like, and act like Jesus and our Heavenly Father. And ‘no’ that is not pie in the sky that is our assignment from a loving and kind God.
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Does that verse look like a suggestion or an option among many? Looks to me like a command, so our response is yes sir and how do I get there?
John 14:21 (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
So if we become aware of a command and we don’t do it that is prima fascia evidence that we do not love Jesus and therefore we should expect zippo zero from Him and the Father. On the other hand if we take it serious and are striving and making progress to do His commands then He will love us, the Father will love us and there will be manifestation in our lives for all to see. At its base Bible love (agape) is obedience to the Word of God so when this Scripture says Jesus will love us and the Father will love us, it means there will be a performance of the Word in our lives, they will see to it. Whoa, I want some of that! Now to our primary text from Colossians.
Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV)
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
In verse eight of the preceding passage the Apostle Paul issues a stern warning to the saints and faithful brethren at Colossae and Laodicea. He is saying do not allow yourself to be corrupted by those that come preaching baloney, the traditions of men and things acceptable to the world but not according to Christ. Let’s look at this verse in a couple of other translations, I think it will jump out at you.
Colossians 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Just because it is taught at your Church, it’s what your favorite TV preacher says, or that is what Grammy said, does not make it right. Each one of us have a responsibility before God to prove any teaching that we hear or read. We are to be Bereans.
Acts 17:10-11 (KJV)
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of proving the Word that we hear. Your prosperity, your health, your very life and that of your family depends upon it.
Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV)
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
2 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
By Pastor David R. Wood
