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Tag: Prayer
Jude
Jude is a very short book of the Bible. One can simply read it in a few short minutes, but the content of the letter is full of important truths.
The letter begins with a simple greeting, “‘Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.'” Jude 1:1-2 First of all, it is pleasant that Jude is called a bondservant of God. Each believer should view themselves in such a way. According to history, a bondservant during this time period was a person that chose to remain a slave. He then addresses that he is writing to those that are called and sanctified by God the father and preserved in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are each sanctified and preserved by God. God has forgiven each us of all our sins and sets us apart. He does not leave us alone, but continues to preserve us as we walk though life. Jude ends the greeting by wising the readers mercy, peace, and love, which is a beautiful sentiment.
As one continues to read the letter, they realize that Jude is cautioning and exhorting the reader to “…Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3 In other words, Jude is telling believers that they need to continue to press on in their faith and be diligent to allowing the truths of God’s Word to cause them to grow in wisdom. To fight for the truth and ensure that it is sound. Watchful of others that utter it to see if it lines up with what God has said.
Jude then presents an issue that the church was facing: false teachers that were causing believers to be led astray.
“Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.” Jude 1: 8
“These spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds with out water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude 1:12-13
“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” Jude 1:16-19
As one reads these words, they are confronted with the vile behavior that is present in an individual that is not full of the Spirit. These people are parading around as “so-called Christians”, and spouting off ideas and doctrine that is contrary to the Word of God and their life does not line up with the Word of God either. A Christians that is rooted and grounded in the Word of God and that is observant of the times in which we live should be able to see that there are many people that can fall into the title false teacher. Today’s Christianity has been watered down and plated as a buffet line, where people can pick and choose what is appealing to them in the Bible, while glossing over passages that are deemed too controversial or somehow outdated. This is not right. Individuals that teach or present Biblical truth should teach the full counsel of God. People need to be aware of who God is and who they are by comparison. We need to see our need for Jesus. That each day we need the help of the Spirit to walk along the path of life, which requires discipline and obedience. Moreover, the Word of God should not be catered to people because of the climate of society. The contents of the Bible are often offensive to those that are perishing. We cannot dumb down and take out passages. Rather, each passage needs to be brought to light. People need to hear the Gospel, for it is the only thing that will save them. For those that are Christians, they should desire to read each passage to grow closer to God. Many people today are carnal and starve themselves from reading the Word of God. If someone else read from the Bible or claimed that a certain passages was in the Bible, those that are not digging into it themselves are left ignorant and not privy to false teaching. This is a sad reality, but it does not have to be the case.
The last portion of Jude focuses on the believer and maintaining a Godly life:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal life. And on some have compassion making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:20-25
As a believer of Jesus, one must build up their faith. How does one build faith? By reading the Word of God. As we continue to read the Word of God, we can learn more about God and His love. We can obtain wisdom that will help us through this life. We will also cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus. We must also continually pray to God with the help of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is very important. It is our direct line and communication with God other than the Word of God. As we read the Bible and pray to God, we will develop love for God and understand more about His love. As we learn and are filled up with the Spirit, we can begin to share the love of God with others. Jude notes that this love should drive us to have compassion on others. There will come a time when each of us will encounter people that need that touch of God and as God uses us we can be an extension of His love through our compassion. We can also show the love of God as we reach out and caution other believers that are going down the wrong path by…“pulling them out of the fire…” Jude 1:23 There are many people that need redirecting and need a more mature believer to provide them with wisdom and point them to Gods Word as it relates to different situations that are going on in their lives that are not pleasing to the Lord.
Jude ends by offering glory to God for who He is to each of us. God will never cause us to stumble. He will direct us and if we stumble on our own accord, He is there to pick us up. He sees us as righteous, faultless before Him as He has forgiven us of our sins and placed righteousness into our hearts. Knowing these things God is worthy of worship. “To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” Jude 1:25
Colossians 4
As one reads chapter 4 of the book of Colossians, they can be struck with a few key subjects such as prayer, thankfulness, helping your fellow Christian, sharing the Gospel as well as remaining faithful to the call that God has placed upon your life. Starting in verse 2, the reader can learn about the importance of prayer.
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2
As one reads this verse in Colossians, they may consider what the words earnestly and vigilant mean.According to dictionary.com, earnestly can be defined as: with deep and sincere feeling; seriously. Considering this fact, one may read this verse and take the fact that prayer should be a practice that is taken seriously. An individual should not casually pray and not mean what they say. Pray in faith, believing that God will indeed answer. Moreover, prayer should be done with a sincere heart.
The word vigilant- according to dictionary.com- can be defined as: keenly watchful to detect danger; wary; ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful. A person that prays should pray in such a way that they are aware of the needs of themselves and those around them and direct those unto the Lord. This also means that prayer should be practiced continually, it should not be a tool that is only used on occasion.
The verse also indicates the word thanksgiving. This is not often practiced in prayer. People are not always keen to express their gratitude and thanks to God, who has blessed each person with countless blessings. A person with a thankful heart is more likely to approach God with a perspective of reverence rather than haphazardly making requests that are frivolous or outlandish. It could also be considered that a person that is thankful is less likely to complain, with is easy to do otherwise.
As the chapter continues, it reads in verses 3 and 4:
Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3-4
Reading these verses, one should notice that the writer asks for prayer regarding God opening a door to preach the Gospel. Paul, the writer of this epistle, had a great perspective towards God and His sovereignty. God is the one that will direct people to go out and peach and share Jesus with people. For He is the one that draws these people anyhow. If more Christians had this perspective the landscape of ministry would look quite differently than we see today. An honest assessment of the church of today could be made and it could be said that many Christians are not praying to God for His direction and whether or not He would like them to do this or that. Rather, these individuals go out in their own strength-although well-intentioned- and go about ministry. This type of approach will hinder the work of the Lord. May each person approach God as sovereign and in control. Knowing this, each person should pray to God for Him to open or close the doors in their lives.
As the chapter continues, Paul write in verses 4 and 6:
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5-6
What does it mean to walk in wisdom? Well, one could say that in order to walk a person needs to consider and ask of the Lord what they should or should not do. As it relates to “those who are on the outside,” this is referring to people that are nonbelievers. Knowing that Christians will interact and speak to the non-believing world, each person needs to be careful about how they speak and “let your speech be with grace seasoned with salt.” In order for this to be accomplished each person needs to seek the Lord and ask to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. For mere human reasoning and speech will not be enough. Divine intervention is paramount. A Christian never should go out on their own will and think that they can represent God. This will result in failure.
Verses 7 to 16 focus on Paul discussing several people that He worked alongside or that were sent to the people for support. The way in which he wrote about these people, Paul expressed an appreciation for His fellow Christians. Reading these verses, one can be reminded of the importance of the body of Christ. Each person plays a vital role for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. Moreover, each person should have love and appreciation for each other, as we are all in the family of God. This means that each person should consider one another and build each other up. Everyone is on the same team.
As Paul closes the letter, he notes in verse 17:
And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.’ Colossians 4:17
He speaks directly to Archippus and notes that he needs to focus on the ministry that God has given him. This can apply to each of us as well. Each Christian has been gifted with at least one spiritual gift. This gift should be used to glorify God and to expand the Kingdom of God. God has also placed each person in a sphere of influence and they need to ensure that they are asking the Lord how He would use them in each of these areas. If someone is not fulfilling what God has called them to then they are missing out on what God has for them.