Will Worship vs Willing Worship - Joe Terrell

Which things [man-made rules] have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.  Colossians 2.23

There is a great difference between will worship and willing worship.  Will worship is self-imposed worship.  It is worship that arises, not from the heart renewed by grace, but from the fleshly wisdom and will of man.  It is worship that glories in itself, for the worshiper feels that by his self-imposed efforts he is more virtuous and worthy than others who are not so stringent in their worship.  Will worship believes that the more distasteful and burdensome the worship is, the more pleasing it is to God and the more likely it is to gain the worshiper God’s blessings.  Such worshipers delight in rules and prohibitions by which they deny themselves normal and acceptable comforts and pleasures.  They hate what they do, but they love the honor and attention it brings to them.

But willing worship is something else altogether.  It is the natural expression of the renewed heart.  It finds the “duties” of worship to be delightful.  Whatever sacrifices are made seem as nothing compared with the joy experienced in the worship of God.  To such a one, attending the meetings of God’s people is not a burden, but a relief.  Prayers are not chores, but pleasure.  Giving is not a loss but a gain.  The flesh of God’s child may resist such things, but his spirit overcomes and finds delight in all of them.  If he is grieved over any aspect of worship, it is grief in his heart that he would ever consider worship a distasteful thing to be avoided whenever possible.  God’s people worship, not by self-imposition, but by willing hearts.         

Fulfill Your Ministry (Col 4:14-18)

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it” (vs17).

Fulfill the ministry that God gave you, using your gifts to serve the Son of God, and you’re wise.  We’re unwise to live slothfully or selfishly, not doing what we can with what God’s given us.

He hasn’t called you and me to be who we are not. I’m not to be someone else - to preach like, write like, or do anything else like a man, except obeying the Son in the freeness of grace.  But, with the gifts that I have, with the power and help of God, and by the joy of “no condemnation”, I’m to use my gifts for God’s glory and people’s good, “for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21).

Let the deacons serve with all their might, so the pastor may preach and pray with his gifts and time - “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word“ (Acts 6:4).  Let the husbands and fathers be who God’s called them to be, in the place where He’s called you.

You wives and mothers, minister to your family with the gifts that you have: be mothers and wives that honor God and not yourself.

You children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases God.  Use whatever you’ve got to serve Christ.

I don’t have to shout, scream, or preach with another man’s gifts, but with what I’ve got, let me not be wasteful.  I don’t want to use my time and talent for the flesh, when God’s blessed me to preach, labor, and give.  Paul said, “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die“ (Phil 1:20).

Give yourself to Christ WHOLEHEARTEDLY.  It takes rebuke, very often, for someone to do what they can do.  A coach sees talent, but he doesn’t see the ambition, the drive, the “give it all you’ve got” attitude that’s needful to win.

Let no Christian be uninvolved and uncommitted, when God’s Son is alive from the dead, having giving you gifts to magnify His honor and help people know God.

Do what you can with what you have, and you’ll be happy and fruitful, using grace wisely.

If I want to hear the power of Christ and keep Him to myself, then I won’t hear the power of Christ - “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them” (Luke 8:18). But, if I hear to practice, if I thank God for grace by obedience, then I’ll hear so I can do what I really want, which is love God.

“Receive Him“ (Col 4:10)

“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him." (vs10)

Marcus (John Mark) was rejected by Paul, but over time, he saw how useful he was, and so it is with me and you.  In youth or folly, we make a million mistakes, and older saints are apt to judge us too harshly (Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37-39).  We are BOTH sinners, so one offends the brethren, and the brother, rather than being easily persuaded of our usefulness, must wait for time to pass, even years, before they receive us again.  No matter.  Repent of your youthful lusts and wickedness, and love the erring saints.

If we’re honest, we’ve done enough to be rejected by God SINCE we’ve known the gospel, and we still struggle with sin and failures aplenty.  Therefore, be READY to forgive, quick to encourage, and remember yourself while rebuking others - “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted“ (Gal 6:1).

The grace of God changes Marcus from a wayward minister, giving up on his calling, to a faithful and useful man.

Paul thought some were GREAT, only to see them fall (Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:10). Here is one he thought unworthy and even fought against Barnabas, separating company, because they saw Marcus differently.  Yet, God made Marcus to stand, and God made Paul to see it.

I want to live better, so that my brethren aren’t hurt by my unfaithfulness, and I want you to forgive and teach your erring brethren, rather than being quick to write one another off.  Let men’s FAILURES promote our love and prayer, but not a self-righteous, “I would never do that” spirit.

Grace changes people, it conquers sins, and it should be our attitude with each other. If they reject the gospel and refuse to repent, then LET them be accursed, but give space for repentance and RECEIVE all who do (Rev 2-3).

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“Striving For You In His Prayers” (Col 4:12)

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” (vs12)

God hears the prayer of His people.  We have been born of God by Christ’s death for us at the cross.  He lives evermore, and we live in His power now.  We are of God, His elect, His choice, and thus He hears our prayer.  We have the privilege, power, pleasure, and appeal of prayer in this verse.

1. The privilege of prayer is the access unto God.  We are sinful, and He has died for us in Christ, so that the sins are gone, and we are able to call Him Beloved, Father, King of kings.  We are sons of God, and He hasn’t made all men this way.  We are loved and blessed, and He delights in our prayers, exhorting us continually.

2.  The power of prayer is that God works by our words and does good to others.

Let those who use election to deny prayer still your tongue.  Let God rule in His word, and let us obey the bible.  He says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17).  He says here that Epaphras is commended by, “striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God“ (vs12).  He says “pray” because He answers prayers and uses them.  He saves people by the Spirit who works in you, and He keeps people by the same means.  He exhorts us to pray, so we can involve ourselves in His passion, His Spirit, and His will for us, for He meets us here with power.

3.  The pleasure of prayer is the enjoyment of God’s will.  There is no higher pleasure than obedience… when the Spirit subdues the sin, the flesh is made subject to the inner man, and we labor for God’s glory in His business.  We humble and present ourselves as slaves and willful servants of Christ (Rom 12:1).  This joy of doing something for God’s glory and my neighbor’s good is the safe joy of Jesus Christ, the thrill that’s from God. It is the wealth of obedience, not the bickering, fault finding, and self-glorification of the flesh.  The glory is God‘s, and the praise is man‘s.  

4.  The appeal of prayer is before us.  Epaphras, a human, actually obtained power to pray for people fervently, and it actually encouraged a church and changed others by his example.  This is our job; exemplify Christ.  Be a fall-ower, that falling makes you resilient to surrender more, but never to pull back from obedience because of sin.

“With Thanksgiving” (Col 3:17-4:4)

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2).

A key to gospel obedience is thankfulness.  I cannot be the husband or wife that I’m commanded, unless I’m thankful to God for grace (Col 3:17). But, when thankfulness hits me, then I’m powered by God.

I’m no longer judging the spouse or taking out my frustration on the children, but I’m liberated to serve in love that comes from believing God’s love to me. He has saved me, saves me, and He shall save me eventually from sin completely.  I have power, not by will power, but by election, predestination, and grace.

I’m forgiven, not because I’m sinless, but because Christ PAID for my sins, even as the sins of Israel were placed upon the head of the living goat, and he was sent away into the wilderness: the Lord Jesus bore my sins away with blood, paying the whole that I owe, so that God RECKONED Him the transgressor, instead of me - “And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited” (Lev 16:22).

I can be a servant to my boss because I serve the Lord Christ - “And whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ“ (Col 3:23-24). 

Some say, “Forgiveness means that I don’t have to obey”, but they are wrong.  Pardon is the great motive of obedience.  The Indian Chief told the missionary man, “Jesus do so much for me, in thankfulness, I give Jesus me”, and that’s how we thank God. We live the commanded life, confessing it is right to honor God who is good - “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him“ (Col 3:17).

We are not serving to ease the conscience, for Christ cleanses us from all sin; we serve because we’re clean, ever so freely.  Now, rather than be hard and proud, taking my authority as an occasion to the flesh, I’m fair and just, I’m kind and gentle; I’m motivated by GRACE to be gracious, rather than exalting myself as lord (Col 3:21; 4:1) .  I see Jesus is worthy of glory, and He must have it, so I praise Him by how I live.

If you’ll be prayerful and powerful, then be thankful in prayer, not just complaining and lusting, but THANKING Him for what you have and the power of obedience (Col 4:2).  You’ll bless God for His salvation, and in His service, you’ll have joy.

As you’re thankful for what you have, you experience more reason to praise Him.  If you pray in thankfulness, then you know that He’s good, and you pray for His will to be done, acknowledging that He gives you Christ and obedience, whether He gives you other things or not.  You have the sure promises, and you know that you’ll get these, even if children, a spouse, a new job, etc, are not His will for you.

The thankful person is humble and happy; their eye is on Christ.  The unthankful person can’t love: you do everything to make up for what you don’t have.  You are like the Israelites who wanted “flesh” to eat, because they hated Christ, the Bread of Heaven.  And, when I’m unsatisfied with Christ, as if the wife or the job will make me happy, then I’m trying to find pleasure where it cannot be.  But, when I rejoice in my unsearchable riches, I can make my request known, knowing that I have so much in Christ whom I really need, and He won’t be denied me. I might not get earthly wealth and happiness in treasures, but I have and shall obtain the Spirit of Christ to obey Him, be saved, and do others good.

This fills the heart.  Our reward isn’t from parents and loved ones; it is from Christ Himself, so we’re thankful for what’s coming as we obey, even joy and peace.

“Be You Thankful” (Col 3:1-17)

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body, and be you thankful” (vs15).

The Lord died so that His elect would be saved, and now, the Father sends the Spirit of conviction to teach us Christ.  Left to ourselves and human power, we’d go to hell because sin is so strong and beloved by us, that we’d choose the wrath of God over salvation, by choosing sin and our lusts, instead of Christ.  Yet, in love, God pre-planned His elect to be saved, so He convinces us of truth inwardly, so that the promises, power, warnings, and rewards are BELIEVED, and thereby Christ is honored, flesh’s defeated, and salvation is sure.  God isn’t commanding and warning merely, but He WRITES the gospel upon the heart, so that we KNOW it is true and live thereby - (Heb 11:1) “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.”

We are helpless, but we’re taught by God our help is in Christ, that looking to what we have in Him - forgiveness, redemption, precious promises - produces thankfulness in us, as we receive so freely - “Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:1-5).

We know by CONVICTION that we must live godly, that Christ can’t save and leave us in sin, so rather than die over transgressions so dearly loved, we rejoice with thankfulness that God has intervened to break the spell of sin.  It wouldn’t be “thankfulness”, if it was something that we did or contributed to. But, being nothing, and yet saved, the Lord WORKS in us a thankful heart, as we think on Christ, our new life, and live for Him.

We are to be thankful, holy, kind, meek, and forgiving - “forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye“ (vs13). We live to honor the Son who does all for us, so we bear His image in our daily life, repenting from sin - “lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds“ (vs9).  We know the DANGER we’ve been saved from, so we know it is right to thank God with our lives, and He gives us power to do what human will-power cannot, to actually believe that weak as water, He is my strength. I have a new mission, and I’ll obtain joy and peace, as I receive mercy again continually.

“Doctrines of Men” (Col 2:11-23)

 

 “Why if you be dead with Christ from the [religion] of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?” (vs20-22)

Men’s commands cannot help us.  It doesn’t matter if it sounds pious or gets people to do “good” in our eyes; it must be gospel obedience, or it isn’t accepted by God.  You and I don’t need to “impress” God; He unified us with Christ, so that when He died, so did we - “In whom also you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ“ (Col 2:11). When He was buried, so were we - “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith [the gospel] of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead“ (Col 2:12). And, when He rose victorious, we did too, forgiven of all our sins - “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (vs13-14).

In time, God taught us “the operation of God“ in uniting us to Christ in salvation, but He asked and asks NOTHING of us for the blessings. We get them, because in grace, He made us ONE with Christ, so that we BENEFIT from His obedience, rather than our merit or efforts.

We are BLESSED, loved, and rich in Christ.  We are inheritors of grace, every good thing, and everything is already earned. There is no extra, and all things are revealed to us by Christ only, so that as we BELIEVE on Him… just as at the start… we RECEIVE, so freely, the goodness’ that we need (Col 2:6-7).

Don’t look away from Christ. Every book, every sermon, must point to Christ, if it will be helpful.

The law condemns, but the gospel of a dying and then living again Christ is what saves - not what I deserve or have contributed to, but what He deserves and gives to sinners chosen before of God.  Don’t get caught up in earning favor by your works; do good because you have God’s favor so freely and powerfully, because He loves you in the Son, because Christ DIED to save you from sin, and because God gave you everything in and because of Christ.  Live to honor Him in love and thankfulness for what you have, rather than living to earn something by your efforts to climb up higher… or thinking you can’t have obedience and grace because of your sins!

The Christian BEGINS in Christ with EVERYTHING.  Faith is how you receive it, as Christ says, “According to your faith, be it unto you”, so that while believing that He loves me, I receive the peace of it (Matt 9:29).  Believing I’m forgiven, I rejoice with joy unspeakable, and believing that I’m blessed with power, the Spirit works in my life.

Those who turn you from Jesus are not to be heard (Col 2:8, 16-19).  Don’t dupe yourself with human piety.  Believe Christ is your reason of blessedness and take the water of life freely, never moving from faith in Christ and living for Him.

“With Thanksgiving” (Col 2:6-7)

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (vs6-7).

The evidence that we have Christ rightly is thanksgiving: we are SO thankful for what He does for us, so thankful to be saved by Him, that we live for His glory, giving ourselves to preach His gospel and honor His great name.

A thankful and forgiven person is the basis of the good works.  Spirit given love, as we see the gospel, motivates us to honor the message.  This, more than talk or starting in Christ and growing cold, is the evidence of heart faith and relationship to God.

No man is related to God and unthankful at the same time. No man can look at the forgiveness and inheritance of Christ’s gospel and not ADORE His greatness, if you believe. 

Be thankful for what you have in Christ, that all is in Him and freely given, and you’ll live Christian in your life. Take away thankfulness and move into merit, deserving, and earning, and you’ll have pride.  Seek blessings by your meditation, prayer, and good deeds, and you’ll have bondage instead of joy… you’ll have Satan and human wisdom, instead of God-given spiritual knowledge - “Beware lest any man spoil you through [love of wisdom] and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the [ways] of the world, and not after Christ.  For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in him“ (Col 2:8-10).

Thankfulness must rule us in prayer, as we ASK for what we need, considering Whom we have to meet our needs, His wisdom, power, and love - “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus“ (Phil 4:6-7).

Thankfulness is a great command, because you’re told to be thankful for what God has and will do, so that God will do some more. He’ll bring to pass what you thank Him for, even salvation.  If you want more, be thankful for what you have in Christ, and He will hear you.  Salvation is SO powerful and great that no matter what grief I endure, I have more reason for thankfulness always. I’m spared the wrath of God, going to heaven, and I’ve done nothing to change my condition: it was God’s gift to me freely, and He chose me, while many like me will die eternally in sin - “Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:12-14).

Bless God.  I hold onto Christ, I believe, I love, I serve, I give, and I take the water of life freely.  Thankfulness is saying, “God, you do this for me, and without you, I’d be in hell”.  Thankfulness BELIEVES Him and says, “And now, O Lord God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as you have said“ (2 Sam 7:25). Thankfulness honors God immensely, because it declares Him SO good as to save you!

“Striving According to His Working” (Col 1:20-29)

“To this end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily” (vs29)

The work of the apostle Paul is the work of every child of God; it is manifesting the Lord Jesus, using our gifts to serve God’s elect, His church, and His gospel in this world, giving glory to King Jesus.

The Son of God REDEEMED us by taking our place at the cross, and now we live for Him, justified, clean, and without blemish, “yet now has he reconciled [you] in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreproveable in his sight“, “according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame“, right now, “before him in love“ (Col 1:21-22; Eph 1:4). 

The sins have been paid, and we PRESS ON to know the Lord, using salvation for His purpose, serving Christ continually.  We are not selfishly living for self, but we live for our Redeemer, agreeing that God’s Son is worthy of praise, as revealed to us , “Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints“ (Col 1:26).  We so love and adore Him, that we WILLINGLY suffer for His church, living that OTHERS are benefited by our gifts, “Of which [church] I am made a minister, according to the ordering of God, which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God” (Col 1:25).

This is the church’s mission: we are not hearers only but DOERS of the word (James 1:22). We don’t say “Christ is all”, and then live selfishly, using gifts to magnify self, or living in sin because I’m saved.  We walk by faith, obeying the commands of God, continuing in the same gospel that we have heard - “If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister“ (Col 1:23).

God revealed Christ to us as Lord, and we bowed to Him for the forgiveness of sins and for power to overcome, and, as promised, He gives it to us.  Now, we LABOR and strive to do good, living that others know Christ, repenting and subduing sin - “[preaching Christ], warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”, obedient to God (Col 1:28).

Paul’s gospel isn’t Paul’s alone; he got it from Jesus, and he got involved in Christ’s mission, as you and I have that believe.  He said, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is remaining of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (vs24). I don’t, therefore, call you to salvation, except you come to be made whole, to be FORGIVEN and given life to serve His gospel, to serve His church, and to live that His name be glorified, “For it pleased the Father that in the [Son] should all fullness dwell“ (vs19).  It isn’t enough to say, “He is Preeminent”, God’s gospel makes you live it, too.

“The Preeminence” (Col 1:12-18)

 

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (vs18).

The Son must have the preeminence, the first place.  He is God, the obedient Man, the creator, sustainer, and the Savior of His people (vs15-18).  He did everything to honor God so that His elect church could be saved, paying for sins with His blood, and guaranteeing the right to eternal life by His obedience for us - “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (vs14).

He is exalted by the Father, and if we’re wise, then we’ll live for His glory too - “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (vs18).

God’s given Him the highest place, and if we’ve seen His salvation… knowing that He has made us inheritors of every good thing, and knowing the dignity of His greatness in who He is and what He’s done… then we’ll worship Him - “Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love” (vs12-13).

Salvation isn’t merely agreeing that God’s exalting Him, it is willingly exalting Him yourself.

I was thinking of Mohammed Ali, the great boxing champion who called himself “The Greatest”.  Imagine, if from the heart, he ascribed glory to God in Christ Jesus?  The joy, peace, and honor of his ambition to satisfy the longing of God would have redounded to his eternal praise and brought unworldly peace to his heart (John 14:27).  But, if we live to give first place to our ambitions, then we swim against the current of God, and we shall be put down, for none shall be exalted but Him.

If we believe that He is worthy by the forgiveness of sins that He accomplished, putting our trust in Him, then we live that He might be praised.- “For by [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16)  Now, relationships and strangers have meaning: it isn’t to praise ourselves or use people for our glory, but it is to help them see, in obedience to Christ, how great He is, so they might be saved.  Obedience to Christ comes from the forgiven heart that confesses the worthiness of the Lamb, and in this, we honor God, and He blesses us both now and forever - “Who is the image of the invisible God, the [highest ranking] of every creature“ (vs15).

If you want the inheritance, then take Him freely, believing that He is the reason you’re blessed, and He only.  Then, live to make His glory known, and God will be with you, His peace will rule you, and joy that the world cannot know will fill your heart.

Don’t seek your own glory. What have you done anyway? It is Christ who died, Christ who made all things, Christ who sustains all things, and it is Christ who SHALL be honored, no matter what men do or say down here.  We can get mad at Christ and rebel against His glory in our lives, but He will use our foulness to save His elect, and then He’ll destroy us in hell.  You have no option: live for Christ BECAUSE He died to give you God’s salvation, or die, because you deny the greatness of the Son, rebel against the rightful King, and then suffer for eternity.

God’s exalted the Son.  What about you?  Do you believe He’s worthy of praise, honor, and obedience, because He’s good?

“The Forgiveness of Sins” (Col 1:14)

 

 

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (vs14).

Forgiveness is a blessing the gospel believer enjoys. We have privileges as God’s people.  We might not attain to heights of human praise, etc, but, we feeble humans, may enjoy FULL and free pardon with God. We may know that sins that have caused such anguish are PARDONED by the blood of Christ, that He loved you so much as to send His Son to DIE for you, taking the wrath you’d endure, if He were not made, from everlasting, your surety.  The blood has availed for you, and in spite of the consequences of your actions in this world, God is fully appeased for the transgression and “Forgiven” is written over your debt, “Paid in Full, You May Go On“.

Without this pardon we can’t be happy inwardly because of fear, nor do we believe God - “them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage“ (Heb 2:15).  We must enjoy Him by forgiveness as wrapped in His love, lest we walk in unbelief, rather than faith, held back by sins that were long ago pardoned.  This unbelief keeps us from God’s grace, it hinders joy, it keeps us thinking that we can’t have the Beloved, so we choose (slothfully) this world, when there is more in Christ for us.  Don’t live below your inheritance: the Lamb is slain, but you and I must enter the full pardon before we can enjoy the blessings of assurance and peace.

“Every Good Work” (Col 1:10)

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard [of your love in the Spirit], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work; and increasing in the knowledge of God” (vs9-10).

Not “some” good works but every good work, so that God commands us to grow in every aspect of life: we aren’t to say, “I’m ok over here”, and refuse to grow over there. Instead, every area the gospel touches, trust the Son of God to pardon and cleanse. Shut no doors, for in shut doors, you’ll find terrible loss in your life. Change everything about you continually and tolerate none of Adam’s ways within.

I preached the gospel and the word of God brought conviction to me as I lay in bed that night, that I cannot lust and allow myself to indulge the thoughts of my brain; I have a higher calling.  I’m not to preach and say, “OK, I’ve done my job, so I get a break”, but I’m to abound in all works of grace continually, for my own good. God’s will is my pleasure, so let me get to obeying and honoring God, so that Christ be glorified, others helped, and I might be happy. Let us FIGHT with and WAR with sin, putting it off continually - “But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof“ (Rom 13:14).

Don’t say that any of your faults are unnoticeable and ok. I saw myself preaching on TV, and what a painful thing it is. Let me see MORE love the next time, more humility, and let me not get fat and say, “My doctrine is right, and I know more than others, so it is ok if I’m mean or cruel, hard or course”. None of this is GOD’S way; His way is fruitfulness and change, and He is where people obey Him - “And we are his witnesses of [Christ‘s exaltation]; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him“ (Acts 5:32).

People say, “I want God”, but you’d have God, if you took change seriously.  If you wanted to obey God, He’d help you do the deed. But, if you want happiness only, you can get that from pornography or fornication for a season… you can get it from family and friends… hobbies and work… and you can have a FALSE happiness that isn’t peaceful. But, if you want joy in Christ, then grow, yield fruit, and obey. The hymn writer said wisely, “Trust and obey, for there‘s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey“.

Believe He loves you enough to change you, and be changed. This is God’s will for you, and you’ll find PEACE no other place!