Wednesday, November
13, 2013, 8:25 a.m. – During my quiet time with the Lord Jesus this morning,
he put the song “Oh, To Be Like Thee”
in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV).
In the song “Oh, To Be
Like Thee,” it says in the first stanza: “Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s
treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.” Well, I had just read the news, in
particular a story about the situation in the Philippines, when the Lord Jesus
brought this song to mind. How appropriate! I can tell you that I hurt for the
people of the Philippines. I cried through the news story and the news clips as
I saw the devastation there and all the pain and suffering the people there are
going through. So, I feel great compassion in my heart toward them. I pray for
them for healing from above. I tried, too, to put myself mentally in their
place, trying to imagine what they might be going through. I know that great
suffering such as this is working its way around the globe, and it is soon to
come to America, too.
As I prayerfully went
through that story twice, asking the Lord Jesus for understanding of what I
believed he was saying to me, he gave me a picture of what I believe is truly
taking place, not just in the Philippines, but across the globe. Very simply, I
believe that this storm was man-made, and that it was created by world powers
which are fully intent on taking over the globe and in bringing all nations
under the rule of one law and order, and by force. I believe the intention of
the storm was two-fold: 1) To persecute and kill those who are spreading the
true gospel of Jesus Christ, and 2) To eradicate lower levels of government, so
as to bring the whole country under this global order (the New World Order,
alias the Beast), i.e. thus removing all known opposition to the takeover, it
would appear.
This (above) is
accomplished in several ways, via unnatural disasters (man-made), disease, war,
orchestrated demonstrations, uprisings and factions within countries; false
flag operations, etc. The scenario is pretty much the same with each country.
First create a situation, disaster, problem, etc. that needs assistance in
solving or resolving. Then, go into those nations as “saviors” to try to “help”
them get back on their feet. Exercise military force in the process, and then
create new governments, created by the “International Community,” alias the New
World Order (the Beast). Then they try to blame this on “climate change,” and
truly it is, yet not in the way we think. This is a political climate change
that is taking place, and it is causing all these “unnatural” disasters. It is
called “The Beast,” or the New World Order, or a return of a Hitler-like
regime, only globally, and with the endangered species being primarily Christ’s
true servants, messengers and witnesses.
Supposedly the Philippines’ president said something to the
effect that if the world does not commit to “action on climate change” it must
be ready to encounter disasters. Believe me, that is a threat! In other words,
this means, “Either bow to the New World Order, or pay the consequences.”
Language such as this could be found in most news stories related to other
countries, which have faced pre-planned unnatural disasters, uprisings,
internal factions, “terrorist” activities, gun violence and the like over the
past several years, via the N.W.O.
Not On Earthly Things
If
then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are
above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also
will appear with him in glory.
In America, in particular, I believe we live in a culture
which is over-obsessed with worldly things, including within the institutional
church. Yet, Jesus says that we are to seek those things which are above, and,
in fact, we are to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that
are on the earth. So, how do we do that? Well, to seek means to pursue, search
for, go after, etc. This involves a conscious effort on our part to go after
what is from above, like a deer panting for water. The things from above we are
to pursue are God –Father, Son and Holy Spirit, his righteousness and holiness,
godliness, his truth, walking in his truth and righteousness, love, humility,
compassion, et al. We have all of these at our disposal in the person of Christ
and in his Spirit who lives within us, yet we must consciously follow Christ
and his ways, and put into practice the truth of his word.
So, what does it mean to set our minds on things above? This
is most critical that we understand this, because most sin, if not all, begins
in the mind before it is ever carried out in the body. Well, to set something
means we establish it, it is fixed and firm in our minds, and it is determined,
resolute, ready, and prepared for action. It is unwavering, steadfast and
committed. This can only be done in the power and strength of the Spirit within
us, yet this involves delighting in God’s word, meditating on it day and night,
and obeying what we are taught in it. This then “sets” it firm within our
minds. This is not about holding fast to disputable matters or arguing over
minor things that have no relevance to our eternity, but this is about being
firm and resolute and established in our faith, and not allowing ourselves to
be tossed here and there by every wind of teaching which presents itself to us.
Yet, it is more than that. This is about being determined,
resolute, steadfast and committed to the Lord and to following him wherever he
leads us, having our minds set on him and on his will for our lives, and on the
Great Commission, and on loving others with God’s love. We can’t do this if he
is barely a blip on our radar throughout the day, or if our time with him
consists of a few minutes a day in prayer and having “devotions,” and then
going throughout our days walking in the flesh and doing what we want to do.
This cannot be accomplished, too, if we are taking all kinds of junk and evil
into our minds, and are taking pleasure in that in place of taking delight in
the Lord and in his will for our lives. As believers in Christ, we died to our
sin, to the things of this sinful world, and to worldly and sinful pleasures.
Our lives should now be hidden in Christ, and he is to be our life!
Put To Death
Put
to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these
the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living
in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and
obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have
put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is
being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Jesus said that if anyone wants to come after him he must
deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow Christ. Dying to sin and
self is not just something that takes place at our conversion. We must daily
put off what is earthly in us. This is called the process of sanctification. So
many professing Christians live their lives like this is not required or that
it is not necessary. It is! Jesus Christ died to save us from slavery to sin,
so how can we live in it any longer? If we are truly in Christ Jesus, we have put
off the old self with its evil practices, and we have put on the new self in
Christ Jesus, so we need to put to death sexual immorality, impurity, malice,
slander and the like – all in the power and working of the Spirit within us, as
we yield control of our lives over to the Spirit of God.
Put On Christ
Put
on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,
kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if
one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has
forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which
binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule
in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with
thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ is not just about going
to heaven one day. It is about a life-altering change within us, by the Spirit of
God, in transforming our hearts and minds to be in conformity with God’s will
and purposes for our lives. We are saved, we are being saved, and we will be
saved when Christ returns. So, daily, not only must we put off what is still
earthly within us, but we must put on what is of Christ and of the word of God
(truth), and we must follow our Lord Jesus Christ in obedience and surrender to
his will for our lives, again, all in his power and strength within us as we
cooperate with that work. Then we can truly set our minds on things above and
not on things on the earth.
It is Coming
In the previous section of scripture, speaking of what is
earthly, it said, “On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” This is
addressing Christians or at least professing Christians. Jesus Christ spoke to
the seven churches in Asia via John in the book of Revelation, which describes
the events of the last days. To five of the seven churches he spoke words of
rebuke, called for repentance, and warned of judgment against them if they did
not repent (turn from their sin) and turn back to following their God. In
Isaiah 2 we also read of the latter times and of God’s people, the church,
living in adultery and following after the ways of the world. It says that God
has a day in which he will come against all that is proud and it shall be
brought low.
Yet, the judgment of God will serve a purpose. Many people
will reject their idols, and they will come to faith in Jesus Christ, the
church will be revived, and Christ will teach them his ways so that they may
walk in his paths. I believe we are already beginning to see some of those
judgments, and that they are working their way toward America. And, I believe
this Beast is already at work in conquering one nation at a time and in
bringing the entire world underneath one global rule, and we are not far away
from this (See Rev. 13). So, it is time for us to get our lives right with
Jesus Christ, and to put off what is still earthly within us, and to put on,
pursue and set our minds on what is from God and his eternal kingdom. We need
to get our focus off the things of this world, and we need to be firmly planted
in the word of truth. This all can be done in the power and strength of the
Spirit within us to the glory of God. Amen!
Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer
Thomas O. Chisholm /
W. J. Kirkpatrick
Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s
treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Oh, to be like Thee! full of
compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the
fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.
O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy
love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.
Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like
Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy
fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
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