COLOSSIANS, I THESSALONIANS

Today is Sunday!  I love Sundays!  What a special day it is.  We celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.  We get to meet with fellow Christians.  We have God speak to us in the services, the songs, the fellowship.  I love it!  Today I am in Colossians and I Thessalonians;  here are some highlights to share:

1) CREATOR AND SUSTAINER- Colossians 1:16,17 read:  "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."  then verse 17 says:  "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."  We see that Jesus Christ has created all things, for Himself, and that He also keeps all things sustained by Himself.  So Jesus creates and sustains all things.  Wow!  What a wonderful Savior.  We do not even come close to imagining how wonderful Jesus is.  We will one day see Him in all of His glory!  What a day that will be!!

2) THE KEY- How do we all get along as God's people?  Well, Colossians 3:13 tells us what we ought to be doing.  "Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."  Verse 12 tells us to be Christ-like:  put on... mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, & longsuffering.  If we are Christ-like, then we can be what we ought to be for each other.  But then when we come across a brother or sister who is not Christ-like, then we learn "forbearance and forgiveness".  To forbear means to "put up with", or "to make allowances for".  We endure them!  But when they continue, and they go too far... we are then to forgive them.  Yes, forgive them.  Now we take it one step further... in verse 14, we are told to put on charity.  We are to love them.  Yes, love the unlovable.  I might say that at times we do this from a distance to keep our Christ-like character Christ-like.  We are human, and yet we have the superhuman Holy Spirit living within us.  Let us defer to Him!

3) MY LIFE IN YOUR STAND- Notice, that I didn't say "my life in your hand", but in "your stand".  What do I mean by that?  Well, the same thing that Paul meant in I Thessalonians 3:8 when God's Word says:  "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord."  Paul was saying that he lives as long as they stand.  Our lives and ministries are tied together and one affects the other.  Now ultimately we are looking to Christ for strength and endurance, but still.... we depend upon each other too!  We are strong if each other is strong.  If others stand, it becomes easier for us to stand.  Paul is stating the fact that having invested his life into these Christians, their ability to stand strong for Christ keeps him going.  Were it not for them.... he would resign himself to death and his longing for Heaven.  In other words.... those we invest in are the only reason to stay on this earth.  Once that is gone.... Heaven... here we come!!!  I only want to stay alive as long as I have influence on others for Christ.  Once that is gone I'm looking forward to Heaven.  So, friend, my life is wrapped up in your stand!

Well, I hope that you have a blessed day!  Enjoy your Sunday.  I know I'm thrilled with the prospects of mine.  It is going to be wonderful!  Blessings on you friend.  Pastor Mike Mutchler