Take Heed to Thy Ministry

Saturday, June 16, 2012

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it” (Colossians 4:17 KJV).

Each of us members of the Church the Body of Christ has a role in what God is doing today. Are we willing to “fulfil” (complete) that ministry? Do we even realize we have it?

Archippus is only mentioned twice in God’s Word—in today’s Scripture, and in Philemon 2, where he is called Paul and Timothy’s “fellow-soldier.” While we do not know much else about Archippus, we gather that he resided in Colosse (perhaps someone who fellowshipped in the church who met in Philemon’s house?).

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul instructed the Colossian believers to admonish Archippus to “take heed to the ministry which [he had] received in the Lord, that [he] fulfil it.” Exactly what opportunity this “ministry” was, we can only speculate (teaching Scripture? giving? leading the Colossian assembly as bishop?). Whatever this ministry was, it was of great importance (hence Paul’s warning to Archippus to “take heed [pay attention!]” to it and complete it. (Do not overlook your God-given responsibility, Archippus!!)

Paul could have written today’s Scripture to you and me as individuals. All of us Christians have been given “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). We are God’s ambassadors, His representatives in the earth, temporarily left here to declare His wonderful grace in Christ Jesus to this lost and dying world (verses 19-21)! We need to “take heed” to our ministry, to “fulfil” it.

As a Christian brother once stated, “God did not save us so we could sit on the stool of do-nothing, saying, ‘I shall not be moved!’” Brethren, let us exploit our resources to further the message of salvation found only in Jesus Christ. We do not have to all teach and preach, but we can pray for, give to, and help in local grace churches in whatever role we wish, as God’s Word instructs us. Time is precious, so let us not waste it on trivial (temporal) matters. “Take heed to [thy] ministry,” which will reap eternal benefits….

Ignoring the Creator #2

Friday, June 15, 2012

“Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 2:29 KJV).

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 26-32), the nation Israel is guilty of ignoring her Maker, JEHOVAH (the LORD). Instead, she worships pagan idols as though they deserve her allegiance. This blasphemous activity still occurs today…. albeit worldwide.

Our world abounds with idols: money, education, sex, drugs and alcohol, statues, religious leaders, and unquestionably self! In the scientific world, the preeminent “god” is certainly not Jesus Christ: the emphasis concerning origins is not on our intelligent Creator, but on some mystical, impersonal, inanimate, random process known as organic evolution. (Scientists still cannot explain how non-life spontaneously developed into life.)

“[They] worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator [Jesus Christ], who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25b). Israel had reduced herself to such ignorance—praising wooden and stone idols as though they had given her life. God responded in judgment (the Babylonian captivity of 606 B.C.).

We live in the Dispensation of Grace, so God is extending grace, mercy, and peace. However, God’s wrath against pagan idolatry will not be postponed forever. As God cautioned rebellious Israel, “…but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble…” (verses 26-28).

In the day of God’s righteous wrath against idolatry (Tribulation), no idol will be able to deliver wicked mankind, just as Israel’s pagan gods could not save her from God’s chastisement (Babylonian and Assyrian captivities). All the silly idols man has reverenced and faithfully served these past 6,000 years will prove themselves to be totally worthless.

Why not worship the true and living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, “who loved and gave himself for you” (Galatians 2:20d), by trusting in His finished crosswork on Calvary as sufficient payment for your sins? Unlike pagan idols, Jesus Christ is your Creator, so He alone is worthy of your praise, love, and dedication. Do not ignore your Creator! 🙂

Ignoring the Creator

Thursday, June 14, 2012

“Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 2:29 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah is rebuking the nation Israel. Why is God angry with them?

God formed the nation Israel during her Egyptian bondage, ultimately delivering her using Moses. From that time (circa 1500 B.C.), to the time of today’s Scripture (circa 630 B.C.), Israel has continually disobeyed God’s Old Covenant (Law). About a century before Jeremiah spoke today’s Scripture, God had punished and deported Israel’s ten northern tribes using the Assyrian armies. Now, Jeremiah is warning that God will soon overthrow Israel’s southern kingdom using the Babylonians (it eventually happened!).

Today’s Scripture and its context describe why God is upset with the Jews, especially those in the south (Judah). “As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets. Saying to a stock [wooden idol], Thou art my father; and to a stone [idol], Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah” (verses 26-28).

“Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people [Israel] have forgotten me days without number” (verse 32).

Israel is worshipping stupid idols of wood and stone, and claiming they gave her life, joy, and blessings! We snicker at such foolishness, but how many today worship the “intellectual golden calf” of evolutionary theory, claiming the creation randomly gave rise to our lives?! Praising a mindless, random, inanimate force (evolutionary theory) as though it gave us life is as foolish as Israel worshipping mindless, inanimate “gods” who she claimed gave her life!

“[They] worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator [Jesus Christ], who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25b).

Be Not Content to Be Spiritually Impotent

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

“But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:30 KJV).

The “goody-goody” scribes and Pharisees are at it again! How will our Lord respond to “put them in their place?”

In the context (verses 27-32; cf. Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17), the Lord Jesus is eating in the house of Levi (later the Apostle Matthew; Matthew 9:9), a “publican” (as a tax collector, Levi was one of the most unpopular people at that time!). Many publicans and others are present with Jesus in Levi’s house.

The Pharisees and scribes notice the assembly, and like religious people today, piously exalt themselves. “We obey Moses—we fast, we pray, we circumcise, we keep the Sabbath…. But, look at those sinners ignoring Moses… the harlots, drunkards, and dishonest tax collectors… Oh, and Jesus and His disciples eat with them! Thank goodness we are not sinful!” These religionists proceed to ask Jesus’ disciples why they are eating and drinking with “publicans and sinners” (today’s Scripture).

“And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (verses 31,32).

Certainly, everyone in Levi’s house, except Jesus Christ, was a no-good sinner—even the (self-righteous) Pharisees and scribes (whom Jesus repeatedly called “hypocrites”). But, as Jesus explained, “Yes, they are sinners, but these are the very people I came to save! I am the doctor and I came to save the spiritually impotent!” (Ironically, these “godly” religious leaders of Israel—not the “sinful” people in Levi’s house—would later demand Christ’s crucifixion.)

There are millions upon millions who recognize their lost (hell-bound) state, but religious pride forces them to ignore it. Sadly, many will never trust Christ’s righteousness: like the Pharisees, they condemn “sinners,” but will never admit that their deeds are equally offensive to God. They will go out into a lost eternity, damned forever in hellfire, never to change their mind about salvation in Christ. Trust Christ today—be not content to be spiritually impotent….

Are We of All Men Most Miserable?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV).

Is our Christian service done in vain? Today’s Scripture explicates.

Today’s Scripture is excerpted from the Bible’s greatest passage regarding resurrection (1 Corinthians chapter 15). According to verse 12, some of the Corinthians deny bodily resurrection (thus denying Christ’s resurrection). So, the Holy Spirit through Paul provides 58 verses on the topic. Notice the argument Scripture gives for bodily resurrection (verses 13-18):

  • “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:”
  • “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
  • “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.”
  • “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:”
  • “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
  • “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”

If there is no such thing as resurrection, everything we believe and do would be “vain” (worthless, empty): it would mean Christ never resurrected, that our preaching eternal life in Christ is “vain,” that our faith in Christ is also “vain,” that Paul lied when he preached Christ’s resurrection, that we are still dead in our trespasses and sins, and that we will never again see those who have died in Christ. We would be “of all men most miserable” if that were true: if we Christians had this brief, earthly life, and nothing else, we would be the most depressed of all people (today’s Scripture)!

But, verse 58 gives us hope: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” We are not “of all men most miserable!” Our Christian service is not in vain—there will be a resurrection! 🙂

Divers Weights and Divers Measures

Monday, June 11, 2012

“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 20:10 KJV).

Why is God offended by “divers weights, and divers measures?” Exactly what are these anyway?

The “weights” and “measures” of today’s Scripture are actually elements of commerce in the ancient world. From time immemorial, pan balances (scales) have been used to determine the value of goods. Goods were placed in one of the scales’ pans, and weights (such as stones) were placed in the other pan, and thus, the goods were valued (setting the standard for the price of goods of like nature). But, God knows sinful man will alter the standards (by using different size measurements), to ultimately swindle others (cf. Hosea 12:7; Micah 6:10-12)!

So, God strictly commanded Israel through Moses: “Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers [different] weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just [fair, right, honest] weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have…” (Deuteronomy 25:13-15).

Proverbs 20:23 expounds: “Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.” And Proverbs 11:1: “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just [fair, right, honest] weight is his delight.”

Leviticus 19:35,36 summarize today’s Scripture and its associated verses: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just [fair, right, honest] balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have:….” (An “ephah” and a “hin” are units of measurement.)

Just as God strictly warned Israel to be honest in all financial matters, He expects us to do the same. Let us not cheat others out of what rightfully belongs to them: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute [tax] to whom tribute is due; custom [levy, fee, fine] to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law…. For this,… thou shalt not steal…” (Romans 13:7-9).

The Children of God #4

Sunday, June 10, 2012

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).

Today’s Scripture describes the unity of Christians, “the children of God.”

After briefly summarizing the identity of the members of the Body of Christ, Paul concludes with, “For ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Just as Jesus Christ desired unity amongst His Jewish kingdom believers—“That they all may be one” (John 17:16)—God wants unity in the Church the Body of Christ. (Understand, we should not and do not sacrifice doctrine for the sake of unity!)

If you have trusted in Christ Jesus alone as your personal Saviour, then these seven doctrines/issues unite you with every other member of the Body of Christ. The “[seven-fold] unity of the Spirit” is “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

All members of the Body of Christ are positioned in that one body forever, they are all indwelt by the same Holy Spirit of God, they are all destined to reign in heaven with Christ forever, they have all trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, they all rely on Christ’s faith (Calvary’s finished crosswork), they have all been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, and they all have God as their heavenly Father. This is our God-given position in Christ! “Ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Our Lord looks beyond denominations, ethnicities, social-economic statuses, education, gender, weaknesses, and strengths. He looks at the hearts of all people, to only see two groups: those who are children of the devil (John 8:44), and those who are “the children of God” (today’s Scripture).

*The past four devotionals have been combined and expanded to form a larger Bible study with the same name, which can be read here or watched here.

The Children of God #3

Saturday, June 9, 2012

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).

Today’s Scripture describes the equality of Christians, “the children of God.”

  • “There is neither Jew nor Greek” — Prior to our dispensation, God distinguished between Jew (“Circumcision”) and Gentile (“Uncircumcision”) (Ephesians 2:11,12): this distinction has been temporarily suspended (verses 13-18). In our dispensation, God looks beyond nationality; He only sees Christians (members of the Body of Christ) and lost people. “…For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;… Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them [Jew and Gentile] that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:9,22,23).
  • “There is neither bond nor free” — This refers to social-economic statuses: today’s employer-employee relationship. In Bible times, masters (“free”) employed slaves (“bond”). God gives no special status to Christian masters (employers), nor does He grant Christian slaves (employees) any special standing (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:20-24). Again, when God looks at mankind, He only sees those that are “in Christ” and those that are not. “Neither is there respect of persons with [God]” (Ephesians 6:9c; Colossians 3:25b).
  • “There is neither male nor female” — All members of the Body of Christ are equally “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). In God’s eyes, Christian women are of no lesser value than Christian men, and vice versa.

While the Body of Christ consists of men and women, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, all Christians are equally saved in God’s sight (just as all lost people are equally dead in their trespasses and sins). All Christians “are complete in [Christ]” (Colossians 2:10), but few ever study the Bible dispensationally (as we do here) to discover their identity in Christ.

The Children of God #2

Friday, June 8, 2012

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).

Today’s Scripture briefly describes “the children of God.”

According to the Bible, everyone is not God’s child. Only those who have “faith in Christ Jesus” are God’s children. Unless a person has “believed on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31)—relying on His sacrifice at Calvary’s cross as the fully satisfying payment for his or her sins—he or she is not a child of God.

Those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we “have been baptized into Christ.” This is not water baptism, for the Bible reads that we “have been baptized into Christ,” not “baptized into water.” When we trusted Christ alone as Saviour, the Holy Spirit baptized us into the Church the Body of Christ. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Holy Ghost, not a preacher or priest, administers the only valid baptism for this Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 4:5).

When the Holy Spirit baptized us into the Body of Christ, He identified us with Christ’s death: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ [not water!] were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…” (Romans 6:3,4a). Just as Christ died, we died to sin. Now, sin does not have dominion over us. When Christ was raised, we were raised to “walk in newness of life” (verse 4b).

Literally, we have “put on Christ” (today’s Scripture). We have been made “the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). God the Father sees us in Christ: He sees Christ’s righteousness, not our unrighteousness. Saints, God will always accept us in Christ (Ephesians 1:6). We will always be “the Body of Christ,” “the children of God.”

The Children of God #1

Thursday, June 7, 2012

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).

Is everyone “God’s child,” as often claimed? Who are “the children of God?” Today’s Scripture explains that… and more.

Who are “the children of God?” “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (today’s Scripture). Obviously, everyone is not God’s child. The only “children of God” are those who have trusted Christ Jesus alone as their personal Saviour.

Once, we were lost hell-bound sinners, children of the devil (John 8:44). We “were dead in our trespasses and sins,” following the evil world system (under Satan’s influence), doing our own thing and offending God’s righteousness (Ephesians 2:1-3).

There came a point in our lives when we (finally) threw up our hands in exhaustion. We (finally) realized that we were no-good wretches: all our “good” works displeased God. There, we (finally) acknowledged that we could never “measure up” to His righteous standards. There, we (finally) quit working for salvation, and trusted in the bloodshed, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We received God’s salvation as a free gift, something we did not deserve (Ephesians 2:4-9)!

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Saints, we have total access to and peace with God through Christ Jesus our Lord. We are no longer separated from God because of sin. God’s righteous wrath against our sin and sins was poured out on His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, at Calvary’s cross. “In [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of [God’s] grace” (Ephesians 1:7; cf. Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13).

Now, God, not Satan, is our Father (Romans 1:7 et al.). Now and forever, we are “the children of God!”