Heralds Digest

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Colossians 3:23 NKJV) The relevance of healthy husband-wife, parents-children, and master-servant relationships in building a strong Christian character is exemplified by Apostle Paul. To the Colossians, and as unto all in today's world, charity begins at home. If we lose the charity in sustaining confidence in others, irrespective of their present deficiencies, commitment to building confidence in ourselves will be negatively impacted. There is a great recompense of reward in healthy relationships, if christian confidence is built on God's promises, rather than on the critical assessment of the present human potentials.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15 NKJV) The house of God will be unattractive to the hurtful world, if it is reserved as a cathedral for saints. And in every assembly of the redeemed, the invasion of the heart of man with provocative interactions is both expected and a necessary evil. In the early church, the experience of the Colossians was not an exception. And Apostle Paul's model remains the indisputable credentials for any called out saint in today's troubled world. If we are not thankful for the trouble we hate, we cannot be thankful for the peace we love. Frankly, the serenity of peace is only appreciated within the severity of troubles.

"...and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God." (Colossians 2:19 NKJV) The contrast between religion and relationship represents the subject of Apostle Paul's exhortation to the Colossians. They have had trouble managing the doctrine of the Judaism, which was rooted in the regulation of life based on " dos " and " donts ". Strong attachment to religious practices without healthy relationship with Christ offers little value to the well-being of the body and soul. More than the expected service to the Master, Christianity is more about the cultivation of the process of obtaining a daily serving from the throne of grace. Only a value-added attachment guarantees divine grace for daily growth.

"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27 NKJV) When Apostle Paul talked about the supply of what was lacking in the sacrifice of Christ, it was obvious that the reference has nothing to do with doubting the completion of the atonement towards the reconciliation of man to God. What is lacking in the sacrifice of Christ for sinners is the appreciation of the finished work of grace, through willful determination of each of His redeemed saints to deny self to carry the cross and follow the Lord. The glory of God is concealed in every opportunity to suffer for the course of the gospel of Christ. It implies that the perfection of the present sufferings in Christ attracts the presentation of the future glory in heaven with Him.

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9 NKJV) Hunger and thirst for the preeminence of Christ is more desirable than sustainable in every Christian life and conducts. Being reported of experiencing the spiritual appetite for righteousness, Apostle Paul and his associates took the sustainability challenge of the believers in Colosse to the throne of grace. A sustained spiritual appetite is blessed with grace to maintain balance about the understanding of God's will in all affairs of life. However, hell's greatest weapon against the saints of God is the constant resurgence of carnal appetite for position and pleasure.

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NKJV) The law of economics constraints every budget to be drawn according to the limit of human resources, and not necessarily on the basis of needs assessment. But unlike human consideration, God's ultimate plan is to ensure that supply meets essentially all needs. Until God's supply channel overruns man's supply channel, the supply line cannot be consistent and sufficient. Unfortunately, many unwittingly ignore the preceding actions that are coded in the Philippians 419; but they intend to unlocks God's supply channel by empty faith. Man's supply cannot be restricted to self, and yet he expects an unrestricted supply from God.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8 NKJV) Joy thrives in environment where truth, honesty, purity, love, goodness, and praise reign. Unfortunately, a perpetual voyage into the Island of angels will be required in order to enjoy this perfect environment. Except a personal effort is deployed to create this desired environment, life is generally lived with consistent baggage of frustration. Although it is cheaper and admirable to shift responsibility of environmental sanitation to someone else, no one else can clean up our hearts from every filthiness that kill joy within. Creative joy is the sole responsibility of every created jones.