by Darrell | Jul 17, 2025 | Articles
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4)
How many times have we read these few verses without pausing to consider the incredible truth that Paul is inspired to reveal? Pause with me a moment as you read this article and consider his words.
IF…you have been raised. If you are a child of God, your life is being transformed (Romans 12:1-2). And if that is the case, then your mind needs to be focused on greater things than this world offers. Things that are above…spiritual…eternal. Things that are where we want to be – with Christ and the Father in heaven.
SO…set your mind on these things that are worthy of occupying our thoughts. He stated it this way to the Philippians:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
We should control our thoughts and direct them toward things that are wholesome, righteous and worthy. This world has so much filthiness in it. It’s not worthy of our thoughts, but what God has revealed is worthy of consuming our thoughts all the time.
FOR…you have died. We are dead to sin and alive in Christ! Romans 6:11 states, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Perhaps Galatians 5:16-17 will bring this into focus, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other…” Being dead to sin and alive in Christ is more than a catch phrase or declaration. It is a way of life. We must think and walk by the Spirit and not allow ourselves to sink back into the darkness of sin. Choose your thoughts. Choose your actions.
WHEN Christ appears…you will appear with Him in glory. True, abundant life is in Christ. We won’t have life eternal anywhere else. When we have been working at transforming ourselves and our thoughts, following His will, and being cleansed by His blood, then there is glory that awaits us. He will come to collect His own and we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
by Darrell | Jul 3, 2025 | Articles
Christians are to be separate from the world, a called out group who is the body of Christ. We are to be holy for the Lord (1 Peter 1:16). Paul recognized that we still must live in this world as well as be an influence among the world without staining ourselves with sin (1 Corinthians 5). So how do we put this together? How do we remain holy and guard ourselves while we live and work among worldly people, while still guarding ourselves from temptation?
First, be honest with yourself. Recognize what tempts you. Once you see what these are, then move them to the top of the “avoid list.” It may involve sacrifice in order to stay away from those temptations.
Second, embrace your identity. Instead of trying not to be noticed, try to be noticed – not in some arrogant or rude way, but in holiness and righteousness. People should see that we are different. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Being transformed means embracing righteousness but also developing discernment to see what is good and what is evil. In order to shine the light of Christ in the world, they have to see us being transformed to be like Him.
Third, you have to open your eyes and see the need to be a righteous influence in this world. There are souls who need the truth, whether they realize that or not. James said, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13). Peter put it this way: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12) By being holy as we live in this world, perhaps we can influence someone that may come to the Lord!
Let us work to be holy and live righteously that we may be pleasing to the Lord as well as shine the light of Christ into the darkness!
by Darrell | Jan 24, 2020 | Articles
In John 8:31-32, Jesus gave a simple statement (or I would also call it a requirement), “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus was issuing a challenge in this statement: If you want to be my disciple, and if you want to be free, you will have to abide in my word. Now this statement seems simple and straight forward, but there are many who will agree with this verse on the surface and yet reject the challenge contained therein.
Not everyone is going to accept the truth. We can issue the most passionate plea, the most logical argument from the word, and do so with the greatest outpouring of love, and there will still be many that will reject the truth. That is the painful truth about loving our neighbor as ourself. We genuinely seek their salvation — but they have to seek it, too!
In addition to the lost soul that may not be ready and willing to accept and obey the truth, there are also those that claim to desire salvation but will not accept all of the truth. One might confess a belief in Christ, claim a wholehearted commitment to Him, and yet still reject part of the word. You might hear someone make the statement: “I just can’t accept….” In other words, confronted with plain teaching from the word, and even though they claim belief and commitment, they will not yield themselves to some part of it.
Consider again Jesus’ statement, “if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” Whether we accept the truth determines whether we really are a disciple of Christ! Remember that the definition of disciple is one who not only learns from the teacher but puts that knowledge into action. It’s not just an intellectual exercise. We have to live it from then on.
Next time you open your New Testament and start reading, think on these verses. Are you willing to accept and abide in the word? That means all of it — there’s no discipleship in picking and choosing! Our motivation in seeking truth must be to seek it all. We can’t say we seek the truth but avoid the more challenging teachings from it.
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
