Heralds Digest

  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Waywardness is often the evidence of the absence of grace in the hearts. But when grace appears, the hearts are expected to be consistently fed by the word of Christ. Eventually, the words or conversations of everyone who is completely reconciled with Christ are no longer his but Christ the Way. Unfortunately, advances in human wisdom or intelligence often come with some elements of waywardness, the exercise of human liberty, and the expression of rights or privileges. Particularly, in the ensuing competition in our fast-paced world, it is always difficult to contest positions, privileges, and opportunities with wayward elements without the adoption of their wayward approaches. Therefore, believers must be consciously deliberate with the engagement of all activities that ...

  “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The primary purpose of every believer’s redemption from the wicked world and all its worldly tendencies is for daily aspirations for heavenly aspirations and attention. But then, the flesh and the embodiment of our necessary interactions on earth will not always cooperate with every believer’s new desires. Therefore, believers are enjoined to develop strategies that block carnal channels to unholy destinations. For example, fornication does not start with the evil deed but with evil desire through the engagement of our senses and attention to watch or listen to evil communication by phones, entertainment, or socialization. If we always block the channels that initiate ungodly engagements, we will not need to travel down the lanes that lead into ungodly destinations.

  “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Philosophers are no idle jobbers, but great thinkers and people who have dedicated their intellectual abilities into providing solutions to irrational behaviours. But while the world is blessed with some philosophers who leaned on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, many philosophers are knowingly or unknowingly inspired by the great deceiver, the Devil. And like it was from the beginning at the garden of Eden, the deceiver has no business with people with no birthright to give away. Adam and Even or the human race gave up their dominion at the garden of Eden to get the philosophy of good and bad. Unfortunately, it is always a cheap cheat or empty deceit on someone who gave away what he cannot lose to get what he cannot keep. Even today, many who have claimed redemption are s...

  “and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The prospect of making it to heaven shouldn’t be a subject of concern for those who are truly reconciled to Christ. Unfortunately, believers are often faced with the subject matter because of the reality of redemption with partial or no reconciliation. Reconciliation suggests a complete yielding of life and its essence to Christ, who fully paid the price of redemption by His blood. Whereas, exposure to the things of this world comes with its attractive influences against the Will of God. Therefore, Apostle Paul and his team would engage in spiritual warfare and travail over the souls of believers in Colosse for radical reconciliation. When believers are fully reconciled to Christ, they no longer have personal agenda, be it at home, career of professional pursuit, or social preferences that constitute con...

  “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Accepting the Lord’s command ‘Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me’ is one of the greatest privileges of discipleship. If the Master is gentle and lowly in heart, His obedient disciple must learn how to find perfect rest in lowly living. The concept of learning a lowly lifestyle is a deliberate surrendering of the heart to the prevailing condition at the centre of God’s will, even when the opt-out option is not far-fetched. Unfortunately, many disciples in today’s quest for lively living have perfected a subtle revolt system to the Lord’s command. The yoke rendered in a relationship with the Lord is not just any unpleasant yoke; it is the Lord’s special yoke for effective service delivery. Therefore, lowly living is all about le...

  “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 Truth remains the solid foundation upon which good relationships and services in life can be built. But the search for the true report often requires rigorous investigations, mostly leading to unpleasant findings, unstable discoveries, and unsustainable revelation. It is always true that a true report alone can lead to broken relationships, distressing hearts, and emotional breakdowns, if not handled with the grace of God. Therefore, an acceptable or right report must first be true, and then noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Unfortunately, no news channels, intelligence gathering, or expert diagnosis in our world can guarantee this type of report; and bel...

  “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Since the light in life is seasonal, it is always better to focus on the Source of the light rather than the illumination from the light. Otherwise, there will be no escape from gloom in seasons with darkness. And in the wordings of the present admonition or real rejoicing, “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ”. Why? The rejoice is in the Lord; and not just from the Lord. Only in the Lord comes the true rejoice, i.e. - righteousness, enterprise, justification, opportunities, inspiration, confidence, and excellence , with its attendant peace of mind. These offers in and from God are neither seasonal nor temporal; they abide permanently with all believers, whose hope is in the Lord. As long as Jesus remains the Lord of our lives, His righteousness, enterprise, justification, opportunities, inspiration, confidence, and excellence keep us rejoicing throughout the seasons of life....