Thursday, August 18, 2011

Taken Captive or Truly Fulfilled?




“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power and authority.”Colossians 2:8-10

Hollow and deceptive messages are all around us. Everywhere you look there are billboards, magazines, advertisements, commercials, Internet sites, radio broadcasts, and TV shows trying to sell us the next thing we “need” to be happy. How do we get so caught up in this stuff? It’s easy really. The messages about what will fulfill us are often transmitted to our minds almost subconsciously. So Paul warns us to beware, watch out, and stay on our guard against all the messages we are being sent on a daily basis about fulfillment. There is nothing easier than to be taken captive by the world’s messages that we need nice clothes, good friends, a dating relationship, a fancy home, and an expensive car to be fulfilled and accepted. Here is the problem; no one is ever going to feel complete after obtaining all these things. For only in Christ can one find the true fulfillment that each of us desires. In Christ, we will find ALL the fulfillment we need, because the secret to living a full and meaningful life lies in him. If taken captive by the messages of the world, we will only be unhappy and discontent. But when we take hold of the truth, we will find all the fullness of life in Christ.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Gentleness and Respect



“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ, may be ashamed of their slander.”
-1 Peter 3:15-16 (Emphasis Added)

Always be prepared, the scripture says. Unfortunately, I cannot say that I always am prepared. There is something to be said about being knowledgeable about scripture and talking to others on an intelligible level. But there is also something to be said about relying on the Holy Spirit for the right words to say at the proper time. The thing that catches my attention the most however, (if you haven’t already guessed) is the gentleness and respect part. A lot of Christian people have the “giving an answer” part down, but not everyone has mastered the “with gentleness and respect” part. Too often, even the most well-meaning Christians take it upon themselves to CONVINCE others that “Christianity” is the right way. Nowhere in scripture does it say we should have to convince anyone of anything. After all, WE CAN’T! “No one comes to the Father unless the one who sent me draws him.” – John 6:24- The scripture does say that we should give an answer for our hope (with gentleness and respect). Getting into heated debates, discussions, and arguments with others over this stuff is NOT respectful, in fact, God tells us not to have anything to do with these kinds of things. (2 Timothy 2:23)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Set Free



“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
-1 Peter 2:24
So often I feel guilty, I feel sad, and I feel defeated. I fail and I fall short time and time again. The gloom and despair that many of us feel on a seemingly regular basis does not have to persist because Jesus took care of it once and for all when he was on the cross. Sin, guilt, despair, and sadness have no place or hold in our lives because by HIS wounds WE have been HEALED and SET FREE! He took away the sin, he took away the sorrow, he freed us from the guilt, he healed the brokenness, he drove out all the fear, he mended all the pain, he overcame all sadness, and he conquered the grave once and for all. That is MY God!

“For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you OUT of darkness INTO his wonderful LIGHT.”
-1 Peter 2:9 (emphasis added)