December 9
Colossians 1:24-4:18
A key concept in experiencing the joy of Christianity, of experiencing the peace and rest that God desires for us is: You cannot change your heart, but you can change your mind, which is called repentance. On the other hand, God can change your heart, but He won't change your mind, which is called free will. Understanding this, if I make the choice to change the way that I think about a given situation, God will change my heart to follow suit. But if I stubbornly choose not to change my thoughts, if I choose not to trust God's ability or counsel, then God will not change my heart. In our dark and ever changing world there seems to be a profound lack of peace, even among the people of God. Jesus said in John 14:27 (NKJV), "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I don't see any exceptions to this clear statement by Jesus Christ. So, if life seems difficult and impossible, stop blaming God or your circumstances. Trust God! Believe Him! Then change your mind or repent, and allow your heart to experience the peace that He so freely offers.
Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." The persecution, along with the struggles that the churches that Paul wrote to were certainly not less than what it is that we are going through now. Paul then details many of the earthly struggles they and we go through in 3:5-10, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,". This is who we all were before changing our mind. Paul then contrasts this to what we can be when we do change our minds, and when God changes our hearts in 3:12-15, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
What is it that you just can't let go of? What sin continues to plague your life that you allow to cling to much as a toddler hangs onto their binky. Please don't say that you can't get rid of it, because you can. I'm not saying that it is easy, but it requires a choice on your part. There are certain sins which you deem abhorrent, or unthinkable. This is where you need to place your sins and those more "respectable" sins. We will always struggle while we live in this flesh, and the process of sanctification will not be complete this side of eternity. But, God has given us His Word along with His power to experience peace as we place our trust in Him, despite our circumstances. Knowing the peace that He alone offers, not only should we be able to experience it, but we should be bolder than ever around those who don't know Him, as true peace comes through Him, and no other.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: