Articles
Have You Obeyed His Plan?
When we become Christians there are changes that must take place. The "old "must be put away, and the "new" must come in. The apostle Paul clearly emphasizes this in both his letter to the Colossians and to the Ephesians. Note with me some of that instruction which was given so they would realize more fully what it means to be Christians and live righteously. (Romans 6:12-13)
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the THINGS ABOVE, NOT THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH." (Colossians 3:1-2)
"Therefore, consider the members of your earthy body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, PUT THEM ALL ASIDE; anger wrath malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the OLD SELF WITH ITS EVIL PRACTICES. and have put on the NEW SELF who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him, ". (Colossians 3:5-10)
"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON A HEART OF COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, AND PATIENCE; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against any one; just as the Lord forgave you, so also SHOULD YOU. And beyond all these things PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE PERFECT BOND OF UNITY. " (Colossians 3:12-14)
Just as the early Christians were responsible for, we today as Christians, must make changes that conform to the Apostles' teaching. These changes don't happen overnight -- to learn and obey these commands takes time. The life we live as Christians is a process of changing. The world around us, and in which we live, follows much different standards of life. We must learn, and overcome the adversity put in our way daily. Sometimes making the right decisions is not easy. However, if we want to please our Lord and be ready when our life ends here, we must make the right decisions and live by them. (Matthew 28:20)
One of the greatest examples in the New Testament of one making serious changes in life is the Apostle Paul, or Saul of Tarsus. When the Lord came to him on the road to Damascus and informed him of His plans (Acts 9:1-20), he was faced with life changing decisions. He made those -- from being a persecutor of Jesus to one of His greatest allies and Apostles in a matter of a few days. He first became a Christian (Romans 9,22,26), and continued a much different life from that point on.
Growing in our lives as Christians is a live long process. But it is a process that demands growth -- learning and applying our knowledge each day. God has provided, by way of the Bible, our path for this life and our promise of heaven. He has done that by way of His Son, and His Gospel. What a wonderful God who loves us so much He would do all that for us. Have you made the decision to obey His plan? If not, why not do so. His rewards far outweigh the sacrifices of this life.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED TO US. " (Romans 8:18)
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