Thoughts on Colossians 3 (part 2)

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:18-24 ESV)

We dissect these few verses often, as we should because there is a wealth of wisdom in them. I cannot do that – not yet at least.

What I did notice is the flow of the chapter: it started with general concepts (v12-v16), then an overarching theme (v17), then specific examples (v18-v22), then an reiteration of the overarching theme (v23-v24). I’ve read somewhere that this is a very good flow for presentations. Cool.

Second is that Christianity is not limited to Sundays, even not limited to alone time with God during the week. It should permeate every moment, every relationship, every action. I cannot separate “Christian time” from “Family time”, from “Professional time”.

Which is difficult! But! It’s actually good for me. It sounds like extra work, but it’s actually the opposite. The burden seems heavier, but now you have the superhuman strength of God. It is a great blessing to be able to include God in every aspect of my life. Don’t waste this wonderful opportunity.

Lastly, whatever it is, do it heartily.

Puso. At para sa Panginoon.

“Stop, Look, and Listen.” Just like the song my grandfather used to sing to us when we were young.

Stop, take a step back, take some time for this. You are going through something – fear and dismay, sorrow and sighing, oppression and humiliation, anxiety and worry. Be still, even for a moment.

Look. Look around you. God created, and is sovereign over, everything you see. Even those that are in the heavens that we don’t see. He who, with a word created things out of nothing. With a word He can make rivers dry up, deserts bloom, bring about and calm storms. He can bring the dead to life, both physically and spirituality. Nothing is impossible for Him, in fact He does impossible things to prove this point. Look at your past, look at the lives of people whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Look at His great faithfulness. The things of this world, the people of this world, even the world itself will fade. But He will not. His strength, His faithfulness, His goodness never fails.

So Listen. He is calling out to you. Listen to the great things He will do. Listen to how He will bring about His justice. Listen, you who seek the Lord, you who have put your trust in Him. Listen and you will be comforted, strengthed, lifted up, encouraged.

It’s been a while…

We reap, what we sow. Yet God, is still more powerful.
He extends His saving grace. Reach out, He calls for you and He is near.
No sin too great, no sinner too small, for the power of His relentless love.

He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. (Isaiah 50:8, 9 ESV)

When the Accuser comes, tell him this – he no longer has power over you. The charges against you have been cleared – paid in full. By the One who – with a word – can bring rest to the weary. By Him who was obedient even in the face of a grave injustice. By Him whose resolve is as great as His love.

You can put your trust in Him. You should. In the darkness, His light shines. He will guide you.

What in the world?

On the outset it seems like it’s just siblings quarreling.. jealousy perhaps? But Miriam and Aaron seemed to have developed a form of “spiritual pride” over the course of the journey. As opposed to Moses who, even with all that has happened so far, remained meek and humble. In people’s eyes, Miriam and Aaron’s statement seemed correct – even they have access to God now. But that’s not something they can boast about, especially with the intent of putting down Moses’ authority. God showed them what He thinks about all this.

And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8 ESV)

Miriam was then subjected to disciplinary action. Why only Miriam though and not Aaron? That’s interesting.

Moses, oh Moses, in spite of just being talked down to by his own siblings, pleaded for God to heal Miriam (“please heal her – please”). Not the first time Moses interceded. Intercession seems to be a common quality of God’s chosen ones. Yes, all throughout the Bible, intercession seems to be a key theme. Leading to the ultimate act of when Jesus interceded for us. But it shouldn’t end there, I think God still calls his children today to do the same. Hmm, I need to think about this some more.

David swore to God – and he was serious, passionate, dedicated in seeing it through. I wonder, have I made similar promises (most probably), and have I kept those promises with the same fervor (most probably not).

God swore to David as well – and for sure He kept it. Regardless of David’s action, God will keep (has kept) His promise. Not because of our sake, but because of His grace. Because He wants to bless – it is His desire. No one can tell Him otherwise.