Coffee With The Lord

We’ve all heard them… Statements of encouragement, aspiration, resolve and determination… “Be all you can be! Be a better, kinder, loving person! Let others experience the ‘real’ you!”

What’s the secret? What is the “real” you – a “better” you? Will that “person” materialize out of sheer will power and determination?

What does the Bible have to say? (I just read a passage this morning that gives God’s answer through something called the “gospel!” – Colossians 3;1-17 (a worthy read in your Bible!)

First of all, the “old self” (the “sinful self”) has to die! Jesus already died for our sin! We must identify with Him – with His death! Here’s how Apostle Paul put it in verses 5-9:

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness… On account of these things the wrath of God is coming! In these you once walked… 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!

Hey it’s called “repentance of sin” – death to “self” – full, complete, identification with Christ’s death on the cross for our sin!

But what about the change… the transformation… the “new you?” Apostle Paul gives us the secret of that in verses 3, 10-17:

“You (your “old self”) has died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God! … PUT ON THE NEW SELF WHICH IS BEING RENEWED in knowledge after the image of its Creator! … Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bear with one another … forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you… And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts! … Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… and whatever you do it word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him!”

The secret? It’s found in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf! The secret is pictured in “water baptism” – Our “old self” dies and is buried with Christ! But He rose again on our behalf! His resurrection provides the power and dynamic through the power of the Holy Spirit for our transformation!

The secret is NOT personal resolve and will-power for a “better you” – instead it is full, complete (and continual) identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection! That is what provides the dynamic for transformation,,, Not simply a “better you” – a “transformed you” – a “CHRISTLIKE YOU!”

I LOVE THE BIBLE – GOD’S WORD! (You guessed that, huh?)

Since beginning a daily time with the Lord in His word every day as a teenager, I’ve discovered that it gives me Spiritual nourishment, reliable guidance, therapeutic encouragement, direct correction (when I need it), protection against temptation and sin, and a strong anchor in all that life brings my way. (I probably could come up with more benefits – and so could you. But those were the ones that came to mind this morning.)

As a result, when I read these words during “Coffee with the Lord” today I found myself saying a hearty “AMEN!” to the words of the Psalmist in the longest chapter (and Psalm) of the Bible…

“My heart stands in awe of Your words! I rejoice at Your word like one who finds great spoil. I love Your law! … Great peace have those who love Your law – nothing can make them stumble! … My soul keeps Your testimonies; I love them exceedingly! I keep Your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before You.” (From Psalm 119:161-168)

With my Bible on my lap this morning I paused to express my thanksgiving and gratitude to God for His wonderful word! Hope you feel that way about the Bible as well!

Hey, here’s good news!!! “You who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deed, He [Jesus] has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death [what He accomplished by dying on the cross for our sin!] in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel!” (From Colossians 1:21-23 ESV)