Week 10, Day 3: Shaking the Dust Off
Today’s Reading: Mark 7:1-8:38
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Mark 6, Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the message that He had been teaching them. In the process of giving His instructions, Jesus told the disciples that they were to leave any place that did not listen to them, and as they went out, they were to shake the dust off of their feet. This was to serve as a testimony against those who were rejecting the message (Mark 6:11).
Today, we also have to make a decision about when a person, or a group, have rejected the message of Christ. The time comes that we must decide to shake the dust from our feet, and move on to another, more receptive audience. But, the question that is more difficult to answer is: When do we do this? At what point do we decide that a person or a group is unworthy of further time or effort in teaching the gospel message? I am sure that I do not have all of the answers to that question, but certainly, I can offer some thoughts.
First, a person declares themselves to be unworthy of the gospel when they mock the message of Christ. There are some who simply refuse to listen long enough to decide whether there is any merit to the message that is being delivered. I can call to mind at least two instances in which a person declared themselves unworthy of the message by their mocking reception. In one case, I remember a man taking a flyer, tearing it up and throwing it down on his yard, and then instructing the person who delivered it to pick it up. Of course, that person did just as she was asked, and then left. This man decided for himself that he was unworthy of the gospel message. The second case I remember was a man who actually tracked us down, and fussed at us for leaving a meeting invitation on his front door. He did not want our “propaganda” and he was going to make sure we knew it. He didn’t read the pamphlet, he only looked and saw that it had something to do with religion. He decided that he didn’t want anything to do with God! He too decided for himself that he was unworthy of the gospel message!
Secondly, a person who has heard the message and rejected it declares themselves to be unworthy of the gospel. There is only one gospel message, and if a person is unwilling to accept it when they have heard it, there is nothing more we can do for them. I have studied with many people who would be very happy to continue studying “religious” topics with me, but they want nothing to do with the saving power of the gospel message. They want to reject the basic commands of God, but think they are OK because they are “religious.” This reminds me of the people that Paul warned Titus about in Titus 1:6. They had profess to know God, and then are disobedient to what He has revealed in His word! We could continue studying with a person like this, but what good is it to come to agreement on “religious” or “moral” principles, if a person will not put on Christ? When a person rejects the message of Christ, he has declared himself to be unworthy of the gospel.
It is a hard thing to give up on a person, especially if you have invested a lot of time and effort into teaching them. However, we have to look forward, and realize that there are hundreds and thousands of contacts out there waiting for us to come and talk to them! When we realize that our teaching is being rejected, we must move on to someone who is “worthy of the gospel”, which will be shown by their acceptance of the pure gospel message. Also, keep in mind that we have the job of spreading the seed (Mark 4:3-9) and it is God who gives the increase! (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) When the time comes, we must make that difficult decision to “shake the dust off” and find another person to share the gospel with!
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Week 10, Day 2: Who is My Brother?
Today’s Reading: Mark 5:1-6:56
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Which is more important to you: Physical relationships or spiritual relationships? Many people put much more emphasis on their physical families and relationships than they do their spiritual family. For those who are truly Christians, this should never be the case. In fact, in Mark 3:32-35, Jesus gives us the perfect example of what our attitudes should be. There, disciples came to Him telling Him that His brothers and mother were coming to see Him. He asked the question, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”
How many mothers and brothers would have been insulted by Jesus’ answer? How many would have been offended that He would put these near strangers above His own physical family? Probably a lot! But this is one of those instances that the interpretation is all in your perspective. If a person were focused on the physical, the temporal, then they would certainly be offended by what Jesus had to say here. This is the type of person who will support their own family, regardless of what is right. How many of us have seen people who will support their family members, even if they are obviously wrong, or participating in sin? However, if one has an heavenly perspective, Jesus’ answer was not an insult. In fact, it was a revelation of how great a family we can have! Those who serve God can have far greater relationships (in both depth and number) than those who put their focus on the physical. Later in his gospel, Mark tells us that we have a huge family in Christ:
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
–Mark 10:29-31
By putting more emphasis on our spiritual family, we ensure that we will hold our physical family to the higher standard revealed in God’s word. We may be tempted to give our own physical family a “pass” when it comes to sin. But, when we think of them as not just physical family, but also spiritual family, we cannot allow such. If we care for the soul of our family member, how can we overlook their sin? We cannot choose to support our physical relations to the detriment of the Lord’s instructions!
We often use passages like this to say that we sometimes have to give up our family if we are going to be faithful Christians. That is true, but there are other lessons that we can also learn. We should learn that our physical family (if they are Christians as well) share a deeper, more important relationship than ever before. With that comes a greater responsibility. If we are going to look out for them, we must be willing to hold them to the standard revealed to us by God! We need to follow the example left by Jesus. Who is my brother, my mother? Whoever does the will of God! But that is only true if I too am doing the will of God!
So, which is more important to you: Physical family, or spiritual family? I hope that your answer is the latter. If you want to be helpful to your physical family, push them to be obedient to God, and give up sin in their lives!
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Week 10, Day 1: Physical and Spiritual Healing
Today’s Reading: Mark 3:1-4:41
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
Often, it seems, many people are consumed by the miracles of Jesus. While the miracles performed by Jesus certainly had an important role (John 20:30-31), they were not the most important thing that He brought. Instead of focusing on only the physical healings that Jesus performed, we should also realize that He possessed the power to heal spiritually. In Mark chapter 2, we see Jesus addressing both of these types of healing.
A paralytic was brought to Jesus, and let down through the roof because the room was too full for his friends to bring him in through the door. Jesus, upon seeing the faith of this man, said (Mark 2:5): “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” This angered the Jews that witnessed it because they knew that Jesus was claiming to be deity, for only deity could forgive sins! Because of this, they began to accuse Jesus of blasphemy. Jesus, to show that He indeed had the power to forgive, went on to physically heal this paralytic.
Which of these “healings” was more important to Jesus? I would suggest that it was the spiritual healing. Upon seeing this man’s faith, the first thing that Jesus did was to heal his spiritual sickness (his sin). This was what kept the man from having the proper relationship with God. Not being able to walk would not affect whether he was saved or not! Jesus only went on to heal this man physically so that He could show the Jews that He really did have the power to forgive sins. Why would the physical miracle prove Jesus’ power to forgive sins? One of the main purposes of miracles was to confirm a message that was presented (Hebrews 2:4). God gave the apostles the power to work miracles so that their message would be received as true. Jesus, by performing the physical healing was confirming that He had indeed forgiven the sins of this man. If the message was false, God would not work miracles of confirmation!
Many look back on these miracles and wish for them to be present today. They bemoan the fact that the miraculous age has passed, and wish (perhaps like Simon the sorcerer) for the power to perform such miracles today. But, we should consider that God has left us with the more important healing. He left us with the ability to have our sins forgiven. Jesus does not simply speak them forgiven as He did with this paralytic, but He has provided us with His plan of salvation, so that every single person has the ability to receive the same blessing as did this man.
I wonder how many people who witnessed these two acts by Jesus missed the importance of the first? The Jews were angered because they understood the claim that Jesus was making. However, did they ever come to realize that the time of forgiveness of sins had come to them? This was the very time that the prophets of old had spoken about, and the time that both men and angels had desired to see (1 Peter 1:10-12). At the same time, I wonder how many people today miss the significance of what Jesus has made available to us. How many people desire the power to work miracles, but miss the importance of the fact that Jesus has given us the way to have our sins forgiven? We need to make sure that we keep focus on the truly important things! We have been given the greatest of spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Let us not waste them!
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Week 9, Day 5: Do All In the Name of the Lord
Today’s Reading: Mark 1:1-2:28
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In churches of Christ, there are two drastically different attitudes toward Bible Authority. One school of thought believes that God has given us His word for a reason, and the reason is that He expects us to be obedient to it. Based on this, one would understand the Bible to be laying forth a pattern of works that are necessary to follow so that one could be pleasing to God. To accomplish this, God has revealed His mind through the revelation of examples, and commands, so that we can know what He wants us to do. The second school of thought is that God has given us the Bible as a general guide for what He wants us to do. He has given us some examples of things that are acceptable to Him, but they are certainly not limiting. We can use God’s examples as ideas for what we would like to do.
Practices between these two schools of thought are drastically different. The first school will only do those things that are found in the New Testament, either found in a command or an approved example. The second will have many newer, and “progressive” practices that they believe are loosely based on the general examples of the New Testament. Let me provide an example of this idea. In 1 Corinthians 16:1, Paul gave instructions for how the church in Corinth were to provide funds for themselves to meet a need. The first school of thought would say that we have an example of how the church is to take up a collection to provide for financial needs. We can take up a collection on the first day of the week (Sunday) to provide for these needs. The second school of thought says that this is only one example of how we can gain such funds. They often argue that the first day of the week was just a convenient time for the first century church, but only incidental to the example. Therefore, the collection can be taken up at any time that is convenient for the church.
What does all of this have to do with our reading from yesterday? We have a key in the midst of our reading, that tells us which of these two schools of thought is correct. If we look at Colossians 3:17, we see that God, through inspiration, has told us that we are supposed to do all things (whether in word or deed) “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This phrase means that we are to do all that we do by the authority of Christ. The only way that we can know what is authorized is by being told by God! How else can we know what He authorizes (or what He is happy with)? If we enact practices that we cannot find in God’s revelation, then we are not doing that practice “in the name of Jesus Christ.” We may claim that we are acting by His authority, but if He has not spoken, we are not!
Some try to limit this passage, claiming that it only really applies to the verse immediately preceding it. Many don’t even want to apply it there, as doing so means that the practices of having bands, choirs, and such are prohibited. But, this verse is not limited in scope. It applies to all that is in this context. We have aspects of personal responsibility, family responsibilities, and work responsibilities all addressed in this passage. Colossians 3:17 is very far reaching, just based on the wording of the verse itself. Paul said, “Whatever you do in word or deed…” What aspect of life is not covered by that?
We need to commit ourselves to following the will of God in every thing. Our actions should be constantly fashioned by what we find revealed in His word. If we find that our practices are not authorized in His revelation, then we need to abandon them.
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Week 9, Day 4: Bearing Fruit
Today’s Reading: Colossians 3:1-4:18
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Paul’s opening remarks to the brethren at Colossae, he states that he gives thanks to God for them because he had heard of the faith that they possessed and because of the love that they had for the saints. We may wonder how Paul could possibly have heard about their situation, let alone their characteristics. But, it seems that word of the great faith found in Colossae traveled to him, most likely by other Christians who had been in their area. In Colossians 1:5, Paul connects the faith and love of these Christians to the hope that they had, which they had heard in the word of truth, the gospel message. In verse 6, he said that the gospel had come to them as it had to the rest of the world, and that it was bearing fruit in them. I want you to consider part of what Paul has to say in this verse:
which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
–Colossians 1:6
The gospel had gone forth to this region, and as a result several had become Christians. They continued to use the word of God to “bring forth fruit” in their area. There are many ways that one can bring forth fruit. One way is to teach others the gospel. The fruit that is produced is more souls added to the Lord’s kingdom. Another way to produce fruit is to strengthen those who are already Christians. We can help others to grow in the faith, perhaps bringing them to the point that they have the ability and confidence to go forth teaching the gospel message to others. Perhaps we can bear fruit by developing the characteristics in ourselves or others that reflect the nature that God wants us to have. All of these (and many others) represent growth and the production of “fruit” for the Kingdom of Heaven.
For the Colossian brethren to “bear fruit” they had to be active. They were not going to be able to bear fruit if they were not doing anything at all. Notice that Paul said that the gospel had been bearing fruit and increasing in all the world, as it had been in Colossae. It is interesting to note that Jesus, as He was giving His disciples their final instructions before going back to His throne in Heaven, told them that they were to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).” Paul could write to this church that the gospel “was preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:23).” The only way that could be accomplished by the hard work of all the first century Christians! The message went out from the apostles, but those who were converted took the message and shared it with others, thus bearing fruit and increasing!
We have the same responsibility today that the church in Colossae had. We must continue to grow and develop ourselves, and share the gospel with others so that they can have the same hope that we have (which is found in the message of the gospel, Colossians 1:5). If Paul were to write a letter to us, could he write with the same enthusiasm? Could he be thankful for our efforts of spreading the gospel? Would he even have heard of our efforts? Let’s be active in our work so that we can be “bearing fruit and increasing” in both spirit and number!
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Week 9, Day 3: Be Anxious for Nothing!
Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:1-2:23
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Philippians 4:6, Paul gives what may be one of the most difficult commands found in the New Testament: Be anxious for nothing. The idea here is that one should not worry about, or give undue attention to things that often cause concern. There should be a distinct difference between the Christian’s attitude and the attitude found in those of the world.
It can certainly be difficult to follow Paul’s teaching here. In a world where there is so much uncertainty, it seems natural to worry. Many worry about the financial markets, and whether they will be able to retire. Others worry about the instability found in the world politically, and wonder if there will be further wars brought upon us. Still others are worried about circumstances that are found in this nation, which provide for further temptations or trials for us. How do we leave these worries behind? What does it take for us to realize that it will do us no good to fret over these issues, and that we should put our faith in God? That is the first step to following Paul’s instructions here!
Consider first what Paul had to say in the context immediately preceding this verse:
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
–Philippians 4:4-5
The Lord should always be a source of rejoicing. No matter how difficult things may get for us, whether it be financial difficulties, or tribulations that we must face, we can rejoice in the Lord. When we consider what He did for us, that He went through the tribulations of living on earth, and suffering the shame of the cross, just to give us a hope of eternal salvation, how can we not rejoice? Paul also said that “the Lord is at hand.” That is, He is near to us. It should be a comfort for us to know that the Lord is close to us, He is there for us. We know that He is our mediator, which means that He is ever present, speaking on our behalf to God the Father. What a comfort to know that He has such an intimate relationship with us!
Secondly, we should consider our attitude. If we have the proper attitude, it will be much easier to put worries and anxieties behind us. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-12 that he had learned to live in whatever state he found himself in. If he had plenty, he was content. If he didn’t really have enough, he still learned to be content. This is a great challenge! We seem to always want more, and have a hard time being content with anything. This is, perhaps, why there are so many who have such high anxiety when the financial markets struggle, like they are right now in our country. Far too often, we live above our means, instead of within our means. So, at the first sign of financial problems, we panic because we are afraid we cannot pay our bills, or perhaps because we are afraid that we won’t be able to continue the lifestyle that we have grown to enjoy. If our focus is on the physical, then we cannot help but be anxious in times of distress! However, if we have taught ourselves to follow the example that Paul has left us (Philippians 3:17, 4:9) we will learn to be content with whatever state we are in!
This really has to do with where our focus is. Jesus tells us that we are to seek first the kingdom of Heaven, and then we will receive all that we need to sustain ourselves physically (Matthew 6:33-34). If we are putting God first, then we will not be worried about the physical things that may seem so problematic to others. How is it that Christians were able to face persecution and even public execution with grace and courage in the first century? Because they were putting the kingdom of Heaven first! They knew that there was something far greater that was waiting for them on the other side of whatever mere men could throw at them (Matthew 10:28). How could Paul be content when he was hungry? He kept his goal in focus, reaching for the eternal prize that was set before him!
This really is a very difficult concept to put into practice sometimes. We become consumed by the things of the world, and lose our focus on the eternal reward that awaits us. So, how can we ensure that we make it? Perhaps by recalling the words of Paul in this context:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
–Philippians 4:13
We often hear this verse quoted, but rarely have I heard it quoted in context. We can learn to have the same attitude that Paul had, being content whether we are “abased” or whether we “abound,” by relying on Christ, Who strengthens us! If we put our faith, our confidence in Him, then we can learn to react in the same way that Paul reacted to his circumstances. How do we show our faith in Him? By casting our cares upon Him. In the latter part of Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us that we are to let our requests be made known to God through prayer and supplications with thanksgiving.
When there are things that cause us anxiety, or worry, do we take it to God in prayer, or do we try to solve it for ourselves. We should worry if we rely upon ourselves. If we rely on God, there is no cause for anxiety!
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Week 9, Day 2: The Proper Perspective…
Today’s Reading: Philippians 3:1-4:23
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
We have all probably heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The difference is based on perspective. Think about it. What you may throw away because you don’t need it any more, another may take because it is just what they were looking for. Perhaps you just couldn’t see a use for whatever you were throwing away. Our perspective can change everything. For example, you may have seen a picture like this:
Depending on your perspective, you can see either an old woman with her chin tucked down, or a young lady with her head turned away from you.
Religiously, we often have either an optimistic perspective, or a pessimistic perspective. Our perspective may affect how we act, and how we take advantage of our opportunities. This leads me to the thought I want to take a look at in Philippians chapter 1. Paul had the proper perspective, and it was beneficial to the spreading of the gospel message.
In Philippians 1:12-17, Paul relates the fact that there were many people who were preaching the gospel, but for different purposes. Some were preaching the gospel were only doing so from selfish ambitions, thinking they would be causing Paul more distress in his imprisonment. Others preached for the right reasons. Paul, if he approached the situation from one perspective could have become very discouraged. He could have thought that these people were causing him so much trouble that he couldn’t possibly be successful in his work, especially while confined to prison. He could have used this for an excuse to give up on his own work. But, that is not the perspective that Paul had on the situation. In Philippians 1:18, we can see what his perspective was! It didn’t bother him that the preaching of some was causing him more distress. He was happy with the idea that others were still hearing the gospel preached, and so souls were being saved!
How many of us would be able to keep our focus on the proper perspective? How many of us would be able to make it, confined to prison, knowing that there were some outside who disliked us, and were doing things that were intended to cause us harm? Paul was able to see the big picture, instead of selfishly looking only at himself. He knew that he was only a small part of what God was accomplishing. To him, the idea that the gospel was preached was of the utmost importance. He continued to work where he could, and was thankful for the souls that were responding to the gospel message in other places.
Can we say that we have the proper perspective on life? Do we lose perspective when things get difficult? Or do we keep focused on our responsibilities and goals, no matter what life (and Satan) throw at us?
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Week 9, Day 1: Walk in Love
Today’s Reading: Philippians 1:1-2:30
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
In Ephesians 5:2, the apostle Paul tells us that we are to “walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us…” When we consider how we might “walk in love” we should consider the example of Christ. He was willing to sacrifice all for the purpose of serving the Father and providing a way of salvation for us. Are we willing to do the same?
The context continues to show us the need to give up sin in our lives. If we are “walking in love”, we should be willing to give up anything and everything that will keep us from the kingdom of Heaven. Paul lists for us several sins that are tempting for many people. The list, found in verses 3-4, includes fornication, all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and coarse jesting. Paul says that these things should not even be named among you! Paul’s strong warning should tell us how serious the threat of these temptations are. But, we must stand on guard against them, not allowing them in our lives at all.
Paul shows us through the following verses that it is our goal to “walk as children of light.” Walking in the light is a description of what our general manner of life is. Certain characteristics will develop if we are truly walking the way that we should walk. Some that Paul discusses in this context are goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9). Paul drives home the point by telling us that we are not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. How often do we stumble into sin because we have chosen to associate with the wrong people, and allow them to have unnecessary influence on our lives? When we have fellowship with the “unfruitful works of darkness” we start down a path of walking in darkness, rather in the light. That is where we were once, but the path that we were supposed to have left (Ephesians 5:8).
In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul tells us to “walk circumspectly”, which means carefully. We can never be warned enough to be careful as we go into the world around us. The temptations are everywhere around us, and we must make the choice to walk in the light, to walk in love. May we keep the warnings of Paul in the front of our minds, so that we can make the right choices every day. Only by doing this every day will we develop a manner of life, the way that we “walk.”
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Week 8, Day 5: Understanding the Mystery of God
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5:1-6:24
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Many people today seem to think that the word of God is not really understandable. They seem to think that it is impossible to interpret His word in the way that He expects. This attitude is revealed by acting as if any personal interpretation is fine, and acceptable to God. But, there are not multiple interpretations to what God has said. When He spoke His mind, He did so for the purpose of conveying what He expected of His creation (that’s us!). In our reading, Paul outlines for us the method by which God revealed His mind for us. We can see the progression of that revelation from the mind of God to our receiving it today!
First, Paul said that that the revelations were made known to him (Ephesians 3:3, 5). God revealed His mind to the apostles so that it could be conveyed to others. If God did not speak, how could we possibly know what His desires for us are? Paul also speaks of this process in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12. These passages show us that the revelation process began with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God revealed His mind, through the Holy Spirit, to the apostles and prophets.
Secondly, Paul wrote the message down (Ephesians 3:3). Paul spent his life preaching the gospel message. But, if the revealed word was not written down, it would never have been able to last through the ages! The message would have been forgotten, or corrupted if handed down solely by word of mouth. So, the inspired men of the first century wrote down the message just as the Holy Spirit directed.
Because it was written down, those who read it can understand Paul’s insight into the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4). We can know what Paul wrote, which means we can know what God expected the Christians of the first century to know. The message has not changed, so we can learn by reading the inspired words of the apostle Paul (as well as the other inspired writers) what is required of us today.
People ask if we can understand the word of God alike today. The answer is a clear and decisive “YES!” But, that will only be the case if believe in the authority of the message that was revealed. God revealed His mind. That should make us think that the message is pretty important. In fact, it is vitally important. God was not making suggestions. He was not trying to give us some good ideas. He was revealing what He requires of us. We cannot discount that, and make it as if it is unimportant. God has not taken the revelation of His will lightly, and we should not take the receiving of His will lightly! If we believe that the message of the Bible is the revelation of the mind of God, then we should be dedicated to obedience. That should keep us from trying to figure out why we don’t have to follow the instructions that we find in the New Testament, like so many of the religious world (and increasingly in the Lord’s church) seem to be doing!
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Week 8, Day 4: In Christ We Are…
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3:1-4:32
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Ephesians 1:3, Paul tells us that God has blessed us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” As we look through the rest of this chapter, and really much of the rest of the book, we see Paul lay out many of those blessings that we have “in Christ.” Just looking at the first chapter, we can find several of these blessings. We could, of course, write a whole article about each of these blessings, but that is not the purpose of our studies here. I simply want for you to consider the list of blessings that Paul enumerates throughout this chapter.
In Christ we:
- Are chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
- Are predestined to adoption (Ephesians 1:5)
- Receive grace (Ephesians 1:6-8)
- Are redeemed through his blood (Ephesians 1:7)
- Are forgiven of sins (Ephesians 1:7)
- Receive the revelation of the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 1:9)
- Have obtained an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
- Have hope (Ephesians 1:12)
- Are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)
- Can have the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:17)
- May be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18)
- Are a part of the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23)
As I mentioned before, we are not going to try and go into detail on each of these blessings. Perhaps you can find some further blessings that I overlooked in this chapter. Most certainly, we could add to the list by going on through chapter 2 and into the rest of the book. Many of these blessings are the subject of discussions, disagreements and debates. However, if we simply consider that God has given us so many wonderful spiritual blessings “in Christ”, we should be overwhelmed with gratitude. Perhaps we don’t even fully understand the greatness of the blessings that God has given to us! Some may even want to discount the blessings that we have been given. But, we should embrace the blessings that come to us because we are the children of God, and the joint heirs with Christ.
Sometimes we sing a song entitled “Count Your Blessings.” The idea of the song is that we can count the blessings that God has given to us, even when things seem to be dreary. It is beneficial to think of our physical blessings when times like that arise. However, it is much more beneficial to think of our spiritual blessings. We have been given so much, how could we turn our back on God?
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