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Created Through Him

More clues

5/11/2013

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Yesterday we talked about some information provided about Christ’s return. These verses for today add additional detail. The reason we are given this detail is that there will be people that are alive when Christ returns. If you have never thought about this idea, give it some thought. It appears that there will be people in the future that will never physically die. And this was the intent from the beginning. Remember that death is a result of sin. The fact is, we were originally designed by our Creator for eternal life, and the was to be a physical life. Maranatha

Clues

5/10/2013

12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

There are some interesting facts related to the second coming of Christ that are evident from these verses. When Christ returns, He will return with the saints. This means Christ will return with His people. Perhaps one reason that details like this are included in scripture is so that any counterfeit second comings can be recognized. The previous may seem like an odd thing for me to say but elsewhere in scripture we are warned that in the end-times there will be widespread deception. So, God wants us to understand certain things so we won’t be fooled. But apart from the possible clues concerning the details of the return of Christ, these verses instruct us to have love for others. Love is what we are asked to display to a world that desperately needs to know the love of God.

The reward

5/9/2013

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

The reward for spreading the Gospel is the knowledge that those that are saved as result will be present with Christ in the end. So our earthly perspective should not be temporary but rather it should be eternal. Our satisfaction is then not dependent on present circumstances but on the final victory over death by Christ as well as the restoration of the right relationship between God and Man. That right relationship, as it was in the beginning, will result in being in the presence of Christ.

The urgency

5/8/2013

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

This passage can be summarized very simply. The power of the Gospel changes people inwardly and outwardly. These changes lead believers to share their faith. The spreading of the Faith saves additional people from pending judgment. So, there is a sense of urgency here. That urgency is made manifest by the knowledge that there is the wrath of God to come.

Always with grace

5/7/2013

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:5).

We are to make good use of our time. This is especially so as it pertains to communicating with people. We are to be ready to address people in their current condition. That is, we ought to recognize their situation and communicate in way that is edifying to them. It requires wisdom to assess individual circumstances and to match our response to their needs. We must care enough about people to tell them the truth of the Gospel.

Serve the Lord heartily

5/6/2013

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).

It is a good reminder, that no matter what we do, we are to do it well. We serve Christ and our actions should reflect this purpose. We cannot half-heartedly do things and expect that God will be pleased. We have to be ‘all-in’ for Christ, and anything short of this really amounts to being ‘all-out’. We either serve Christ through our actions or we do not. There is no middle ground.

The fullness of the Godhead

5/5/2013

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established 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. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:6-9).

Following Christ is not about following a bunch of rules, but rather about following a person. That person is the fullness of God in bodily form. Our faith therefore is centered on Christ. The Old Testament points toward Christ as the savior of people, and the New Testament points toward the consummation of all things and redemption of Creation through Christ. The entire continuum of human history is intertwined with person and work of Jesus Christ.

He is before all things

5/4/2013

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (Colossians 1:13-17).

This passage written by the Apostle Paul describes the centrality of Christ to the Creation. Christ is eternal and is both Creator and Redeemer. All things were created through Him and ultimately all things are made anew through Him. Christ sustains the Universe by His power and without Him there would be no life. The response we should have to the realization of Christ's significance is to: Worship the author and giver of life.

Peace that passeth understanding

5/3/2013

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians4:6-7).

There is a way to have a sense of calm and to avoid worry. That way is to come to God in prayer. When we come to God in prayer, we place our trust in Him. By placing our trust in Him, we are placing any situation or worry into the hands of the Creator of the Universe. And therefore the Power that created all is acknowledge by us as being in control. This acknowledgment alone should give us a sense of peace that is beyond comprehension.

The calling

5/2/2013

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).

Our focus should not be on the past or be ephemeral. Our focus should be on our eternal destiny and relationship to God, and should therefore be directed toward Christ. This direction toward Christ is a calling. A calling from God is always accomplished. And so these verses are a promise from God that we will progress toward the right relationship to Christ: The ultimate high calling.

Created Through Him