Practice Must Square With Profession

  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.

Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, Colossians 3:9 (AMP)

Stop lying. Do not have the habit of lying.

Integrity. I continue to be amazed at how our society views lying now. "It's no big deal." Uh, YES it is! Lying is sin. Lying breaks down all trust. Lying, includes those "little white lies" as well as the bold lies. For lying doesn't have a regulation meter. Lying is lying. Not telling the truth is sin—period. 

As Christians (who are now dead to sin), we are to stop lying and we should not be in the habit of lying. We now have even more reason, than just a moral one to stop lying—we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. We also have the responsibility to live godly lives as an example and testimony of what Christ did for us. 

In other words: 

"Practice must square with profession." 
Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

Our words, actions, thoughts, motives, are to all be godly to honor Christ and be a testimony to those around us. 

If I want my "practice to square with my profession", then my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Emanating From My Lips

  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.  

But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! Colossians 3:8 (AMP) 

But now also put these things out of your life: anger, ·bad temper [rage], ·hatred [malice; evil], ·saying things to hurt others [slander; blasphemy], and ·using evil words [abusive/filthy/obscene language] ·when you talk [ from your mouth]. Colossians 3:8 (EXB)

Such anger disturbs our insight into everything; eyes suffused with it cannot see; and it weakens all good in the soul, and degrades it before its own conscience. Here the anger which is to be put off is the inverted reflection of the earthly and passionate lust after the flesh; it is, then, of an earthly, passionate, and selfish kind. "Wrath" differs from "anger" in so far as it may be called anger boiling over. 

"Malice" designates another step in the process. The anger boils over in wrath, and then cools down into malignity-the disposition which means mischief, and plans or rejoices in evil. falling on the hated head. 

An advance is now made in the direction of outward manifestation. It is significant that while the expressions of wicked love were deeds, those of wicked hate are words. "Blasphemy" means "speech, that injures." The hate blossoms into hurtful speech. The heated metal of anger is forged into poisoned arrows of the tongue. Then follows "shameful speaking out of your mouth," which is probably to be understood not so much of obscenities, as of foul-mouthed abuse of the hated persons. Expositor's Bible Commentary

Speech reveals many things about a person. From listening to some speak, you learn their place of origin. Some speech reveals a person's level of education. Some speech reveals a person's profession. 

But one thing all speech does is reveal the heart. 

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)

What does my speech reveal about me? 

And I would say that "speech" includes posts on Facebook, twitter, instagram, and blogs. It's easy to forward, like, or re-tweet ..... but what am I sharing? 

Speech. Shameful utterances or God-honoring conversation—which is emanating from my lips?

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), then God honoring conversation will emanate from me. 

Taking Pleasure And Going On Securely In It

  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.  

It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices]. Colossians 3:6-7 (AMP)

Sin is a road or path, in which sinners walk a way of their own, or of their own choosing and approving, though a dark and crooked one, and which leads to destruction: walking herein denotes a continued series of sinning, a persisting in it, a progress therein, a proceeding from evil to evil, taking pleasure, and going on securely in it. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

"which sinners . . . of their own choosing . . . proceeding from evil to evil, taking pleasure, and going on securely in it" — All in defiance of Holy Almighty God. 

God is a God of love, that's why He provided a way of salvation, but He is also a holy just God—that too is why He provided a way of salvation (sin had to be paid for). 

As I search my own heart and life, are there sins which I am choosing? Am I proceeding from evil to evil taking pleasure and going on securely in my sin? Remember to God—SIN is SIN, period. There are no "little sins" and "big sins"—just sin, against a Holy and Just God. 

It's often easy to justify that I am "good" since, well, I haven't murdered anyone. But I'm not the standard by which sin is measured. The Standard is God Almighty. So, I am not "good", rather I am a sinner, saved by God's almighty grace. 

Taking pleasure and going on securely in it. Instead of that being said about sin, I'd rather it be said about me living a godly life. Taking pleasure in obeying God and going on securely in living a life pleasing and honoring Him. 

Taking pleasure and going on securely living a godly life, is only possible when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Never the Right Choice

  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.  

So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). Colossians 3:5 (AMP)

Let not your dead nature be effectual in you any more, but let your living nature be effectual. Now the strength of nature is known by the desires. Therefore let the affections of the world die in you, and let the contrary desires which are spiritual, live. Geneva Study Bible

I'm thankful that God included verses such as this in the Bible. It explains that believers (those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ) are still sinners. However, they are sinners with the indwelling Holy Spirit—Who can empower them to KILL the sinful desires. 

Sin is sin. God is holy. Those are two opposites. No matter how glamorous or what excuses I want to use—sin remains sin, period. Sin is never the right choice. And saying that "that's just how I am" or "God made me this way", or whatever other excuse I want to use, does NOT change the fact that it is still sin. 

If I choose sin over obeying God, that sin has become an idol. For anything I give more power, attention to, or support to other than God — is an idol. I have gone from worshiping and honoring God to saying that sin is more important and deserves my attention. 

Stop and think about that for a moment. Each time I sin, I am telling God — "Sorry, but you are not important in my life anymore. You've been replaced." If I truly have even a slight understanding of the holiness and Almighty God—the idea of choosing sin over God should scare me! 

Kill: to put to death, to treat as dead. If something is dead, it no longer has power, control, or a presence in my life. Then why am I even considering the idea of sin? Because I am a sinner. But thankfully, God is gracious and forgiving, and paid the sacrifice for my sin. 

Sin is never the right choice and if I want to kill the desire to sin, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

My Whole Life

  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. 

When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. Colossians 3:4 (AMP)

As I read this verse, I first had to ask the question, "Is Christ REALLY my life?" Looking back over the previous verses, He should be. But is He—really?

Christ is returning. And when He does, I will be overwhelmed with His glory and honor. But am I, RIGHT NOW, overwhelmed with His glory and honor?

Think about it this way: In the presence of certain people we act a certain way. For example, when we see a police car driving behind us, we immediately take our foot off the gas and check the speedometer. The presence of that police car, makes us more aware of what we are doing, and if we are breaking the law by speeding.
The fact that Christ is ever-present, should have a constant impact on my thoughts, actions, words, motives—all aspects of my life.

Christ, who is our life. Because of Who Christ is. Because of all He's done. Because of His love for me. I should want Him to be my whole life.

Only when I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), will Christ be my whole life. 

Live a Life Alive

  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.

 

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (AMP) 

You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. Colossians 3:3 (TLB)

died: definite event 

hidden: locked together with; cannot be separated

And if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. We should be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it. Our true life lies in the other world: You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)

New perspective on things. I should not be seeking happiness or joy from things that .... well, are sin. Satan tries his best to make sin enjoyable and fun. But the problem is that—it's all short lived. There is no satisfaction. There is no joy. There is no contentment. 

Where as the joy and happiness that is pure from God, is everlasting. It's a hope that endures. 

I have a choice, live a life as a dead person—trying to find fulfillment in short-term sin, or live my life alive in Christ and enjoy all that God has to offer. 

How do I make the choice to live a life alive in Christ? 

Develop this spiritual life in practice.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Choose each day, each hour, to make choices that are God-honoring. The Bible isn't just a book to read. It's a book which teaches how to live a God-honoring life—so that I can develop a spiritual life and live it—in practice (do it)! 

In order to make the choice to live a life alive—I must permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Instant Empty Gratification

 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. 

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 (AMP) 

Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. Colossians 3:2 TLB)

For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them.  

Not mind earth and earthly things, temporal enjoyments, riches, and honours; and though food and raiment, and the necessaries of life, are to be sought after, and cared and provided for, yet not with anxiety and perplexity of mind, in an over thoughtful and distressing manner; nor should the heart be set on those outward things, or happiness placed in the possession of them.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Set your mind. Keep on thinking about. As I live my life daily, I am to evaluate my thoughts, actions, attitude, words, desires and make sure that they are in agreement with God's. And although I'm to be responsible and take care of the daily needs of living on earth, I am not to seek my happiness in the things around me. 

Desire godly attributes and do not be anxious or look for happiness in things. 

It's easy to get caught up in the hype of all the things this world has to offer. The commercials continually tell us that we need the newest and best—NOW. However, all those gadgets and whatchamacallits won't provide the long-lasting happiness that God provides. For all that stuff is just instant empty gratification. 

If my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), then I'll keep on thinking about God—Who He is and what He is doing—and I won't caught up in the instant empty gratification offered by this world.