Act Your Standing!

 If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—and

God took care of each and every one! 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (AMP) 

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Colossians 3:1 (MSG)

"Act your age!" A phrase said by one who is usually embarrassed by the actions of another. Paul is telling the believers to "Act your standing!" Meaning your standing in Christ. Christ died and rose again for pay for your sins. By accepting Him as Lord and Savior, you now have a responsibility to act like a child of God. So, "Act your standing!" 

It is our privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit by the resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with him are justified and sanctified, and shall be glorified. Hence he infers that we must seek those things which are above.

And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)

Act your standing! In order to act as a child of God my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Outward Appearance—Hollow

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—and

God took care of each and every one! 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude andelemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?—such as]

Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them],

Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines.

Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]  Colossians 2:20-23 (AMP)

"Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom"

If only there was a check list so that I'd know how to live a godly, God-fearing life. That would make it so much easier. But just because I can check off that I do or don't do certain things, that doesn't mean that I'm honoring God. 

Outward appearance of wisdom. But what's on the inward? That is what really matters. What is the motive? And those "check lists" can even turn into idols, as I put more importance on "The List" rather than WHY I am doing, or not doing those things. 

Outward appearance of wisdom, but hollow on the inside. Hollow. No substance. Reminds me of the hollow chocolate bunnies at Easter. Oh, I hated getting the hollow ones. I liked the SOLID bunnies. 

What is the motive behind what I do? Why do I choose or choose not to do certain things? God does list some specifics things which I am to NOT do. 

These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

But as I live my life, I am to honor God, not live with just the outward appearance of wisdom. I need to fear God as I live my life. 

If I want to live a life that is not just an outward appearance of wisdom, and hollow on the inside—I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

God's Amazing Blessing!

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

I recommend that you read each part,

there are amazing details—and

God took care of each and every one! 

Detached from the Very Head that Nourishes

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

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http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

Let no one defraud you by acting as an umpire and declaring you unworthy and disqualifying you for the prize, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions [he claims] he has seen, vainly puffed up by his sensuous notions and inflated by his unspiritual thoughts and fleshly conceit,

And not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. Colossians 2:18, 19 (AMP)

I really like how these verses are translated in the VOICE. 

Don’t be cheated out of the prize by others who are peddling the worship of heavenly beings and false humility. People like this run about telling whoever will listen what they claim to have seen; but in reality they testify only to an inflated mind, saturated in conceit—not in the Spirit.

They are detached from the very head that nourishes and connects the whole body with all of its nerves and ligaments, a body that grows by the kind of growth that can only come from God. Colossians 2:18, 19 (VOICE)

"They are detached from the very head that nourishes and connects the whole body.."

We like to hear "feel good" stories. But sadly, often those stories are based on lies, rather than the Truth from God. Satan often uses feel good, or sounds good, or even partial truths to hinder us from living the full Truth. 

Anyone who focuses on something other than God and His Truth, is "detached from the very head that nourishes". And so often the junk food they are sharing is just that... junk. True nourishment comes only from God and His Word. 

"Detached from the very head that nourishes". What a picture that creates. One can't live long when the body is detached from the head. And the same is true for Christians. Without Christ, and His Word.... well it goes back the Col 2:12-14—Living Like Road-Kill. 

To remain ATTACHED to the Head (Christ) I must continue to study God's Word so that my heart and soul can be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Major on the Minors

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath.

Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:15-17 (AMP)

Major on the Minors. 

So often believers start quarrels by majoring on the minors. Paul is talking here to Jewish believers and Gentile believers. There was a difference in their up bring. The Jews followed the strict rules given in the Old Testament. The Gentiles were believers after Christ died and are under grace. The Jews who accepted Christ as Messiah, now are under grace too. But the traditions of keeping the laws were hard to break. 

Paul is reminding the believers that there was a time for all the laws of the Old Testament. It set the Jews apart as God's chosen people. Now, because of God's sacrifice of His Son, grace and mercy are available to all. 

Major on the Minors. I too find myself majoring on the minors. Does it matter is they _________ (fill in the blank)? So often is does not really matter. 

What does matter is the relationship with Almighty God! And living a life in accordance with His Word. The MAJOR that we should focus on is avoid the things that God calls SIN, and living a life honor God. When the focus is on God and that I belong to Him, the minors take care of themselves. 

Major on the Minors? Or Major on the Important? If I want to focus and major on the important, that can only happen when I'm permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Living Like Road-kill

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

_______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

[Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared [completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. Colossians 2:12-14 (AMP)

Old vs New. Death vs Life. Contrasts.  

Placing my faith in Jesus Christ has given me life. After Salvation comes a choice: live for Christ or remain stuck in my sinful ways. 

As I read these verses, all I could think about was the smelly, bloated road-kill on the side of the road. Swarming with flies, and the buzzards circling overhead. Death. 

Why, since I have the choice, would I want to continue living like road-kill? Living a life of sin and death instead of living a victories life through Jesus Christ? 

How can one "live" like road-kill? That doesn't make any sense. EXACTLY! That's the point. God forgave me of my sins. I know have the power to make the choice to live for Him, obeying His Word. Yet, too often sin seems easier or more exciting for that moment. But there are consequences for each and every action. 

Think for a moment of what Christ did for us on the Cross. He had all our sins place upon Him. God the Father had to turn away because of the sin on Jesus Christ. The price was paid so that my sins could be forgiven. The very least I can do is live a life in accordance with God's Word. Living a life—or living a life of death, like road-kill. Contrast. Choice. 

To enjoy the freedom God provides through His grace and mercy, and not live like road-kill, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Why would I want to?

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

 _______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts). Colossians 2:11 (AMP)

with the circumcision made without hands:

which is that of the heart, in the spirit; every man, though he may be circumcised in the flesh, is uncircumcised in heart, until he is circumcised by Christ and his Spirit; which is done, when he is pricked to the heart, and thoroughly convinced of sin, and the exceeding sinfulness of it; when the callousness and hardness of his heart is taken off and removed, and the iniquity of it is, laid open, the plague and corruption in it discerned, and all made naked and bare to the sinner's view; and when he is in pain on account of it, is broken and groans under a sense of it, and is filled with shame for it, and loathing and abhorrence of it. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible 

in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.

....this is done several ways; partly by Christ's wrapping himself in the sins of his people, bearing them in his body, and becoming a sacrifice for them, whereby the old man was crucified, and the body of sin destroyed; and by an application of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, to the consciences of his people, whereby their iniquities are caused to pass from them, and they are clothed with change of raiment; and by the power of his Spirit, laying sin under the restraints of grace, not suffering it to have dominion, but causing grace to reign through righteousness; and by the saints themselves, under the influence of grace, who put off the old man with his deeds. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

"pricked to the heart, and thoroughly convinced of sin, and the exceeding sinfulness of it"

As I read this verse and the explanation, I had to stop and pause. Am I pricked to the heart because of sin and the shame of it? Or have I become calloused and allowed the World to give me reason to justify sin? 

When sin becomes the norm in society, is it still sin? The answer is found only in the fact and truth that God is the standard, not society or man. And if God says something is sin—that fact remains throughout eternity. It doesn't matter how we "Feel" about the sin, or that "times have changed" or any other excuse. If God Almighty has said something is sin—that is the truth and absolute standard. 

So thankful that I do not have to live in the shame of my sin, for Christ died for my sin and has forgiven me of all my sin. I am clothed in the righteousness of God! Does that mean I can simply "enjoy life" and sin all I want? The real answer to that is "Why would I want to?" 

Sin is going against God Almighty. Why would I want to do something that He has declared sin? Sin disgusts Him. He is HOLY! If I have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), than I will want to live my life in accordance with God's standard. 

Satisfaction

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

 _______________________________________________

 This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power]. Colossians 2:10 (AMP)

"In Christ they find the satisfaction of every spiritual want" (Peake). There is no other place for Christ. He is first in time and in rank. All rule and authority comes after Christ whether angels, aeons, kings, what not. Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

Satisfaction. Christ is all I need. But is He all I want? Am I satisfied with what Christ has to offer me? Think about that. Christ not only offered Himself as a sacrifice for my sins, He in His grace and mercy offers me His unconditional love, grace, and mercy. Is He enough? 

He should be. I should be content and overwhelmed with Christ Himself. Nothing more and nothing less. 

But that's just in the spiritual aspect, what about the physical? Christ is enough in that too. Or He should be. In light of eternity, what is important? I can't take things with me to Heaven. Anything I have here are earth, is from God. Those are blessings. 

And if SOMETHING, is more important than Christ, that THING has become an idol. Remember the 10 Commandments?

You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.

You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me. Exodus 20:3-5 (AMP)

No other gods before or besides Me. "Other gods"—anything or anyone on whom I place more importance than God and His Word. If THINGS, take precedent and are more important that the satisfaction I can find in Christ–then those THINGS are idols. And that's a dangerous precedent to set. 

Satisfaction. Christ alone. In order to be completely satisfied with Christ, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG)