The Weblog of Timothy B. Gowens

William Hendriksen writes,

“When a man is led through the waters of salvation, these are ankle-deep at first, but as he progresses, they become knee-deep, then reach to the loins, and are finally impassable except by swimming (cf. Ezek. 47:3–6)” (Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981], p. 150).

There is no growth in the Christian life apart from knowledge: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph. 4:22). From mature knowledge flows holy living.

This is such a great analogy of what it will always be like for a person who accepts Jesus as his Savior. It is ankle deep at first but should progress into a maturity that looks like Christ Himself. For some – this is a lifetime of struggle and for others, it can move rather quickly. This is the work of God – but never apart from our effort and commitment to “letting the word of Christ richly dwell in you” meaning in our thoughts. Walking in the power of the Lord is always in accordance to and submission to the Word of God.

Col. 3:21
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart. (3:21)

This verse also intersects with the apostle’s teaching in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The duty in this relationship is not one-sided. Parents also have obligations to their children. Pateres (fathers) should be translated, “parents,” as it is in Hebrews 11:23. Paul’s word to parents is do not exasperate your children. Exasperate is from erethizō and means to stir-up, provoke, irritate, or exasperate. Another way to phrase Paul’s command is, “stop nagging your kids.” Failure to obey this can cause children to lose heart. The idea of that term is “to be without courage, or spirit.” It has the sense of being listless, sullen, discouraged, or despairing. Parents can take the heart out of their children by failing to discipline them lovingly and instruct them in the ways of the Lord with balance.

There are several ways parents can cause their children to lose heart.

First, parents can exasperate their children by over protection. Over-protective parents never allow their children any liberty. They have strict rules about everything. No matter what their children do, over-protective parents do not trust them. Because nothing they do earns their parents’ trust, children begin to despair and may believe that how they behave is irrelevant. That can lead to rebellion. Parents are to provide rules and guidelines for their children, but those rules should not become a noose that strangles them. Above all, parents must communicate to their children that they trust them.

Second, parents exasperate their children by showing favoritism. That is often done unwittingly by comparing a child unfavorably to siblings or classmates. By making a child feel like the black sheep of the family, parents can create a terrible sense of frustration.

Third, parents exasperate their children by depreciating their worth. Many children have been convinced that what they do and feel are not important. That is communicating to children that they are not significant. Many parents depreciate their children’s worth by refusing to listen to them. Children who are not listened to may give up trying to communicate and become discouraged, shy, and withdrawn.

Fourth, parents exasperate their children by setting unrealistic goals. Parents can do that by never rewarding them, or never letting them feel they have succeeded. Nothing is enough, so the children never get full approval. Such parents are often trying to make their children into something they themselves were not. The results can be tragic. Some children become so frustrated that they commit suicide.

Fifth, parents exasperate their children by failing to show affection. Parents need to communicate love to their children both verbally and physically. Failing to do so will discourage and alienate a child.
Sixth, some parents exasperate their children by not providing for their needs. Children need things like privacy, a place to play, clean clothes, a place to study, their own possessions, and good meals. By providing those necessities, parents show their respect and concern for their children.

Seventh, parents exasperate their children by a lack of standards. This is the flip side of overprotection. When parents fail to discipline or discipline inconsistently, children are left on their own. They cannot handle that kind of freedom and begin to feel insecure and unloved.

Eighth, parents exasperate their children by criticism. Haim Ginott wrote, “A child learns what he lives. If he lives with criticism he does not learn responsibility. He learns to condemn himself and to find fault with others. He learns to doubt his own judgment, to disparage his own ability, and to distrust the intentions of others. And above all, he learns to live with continual expectation of impending doom”. Parents should seek to create in the home a positive, constructive environment.

Ninth, parents exasperate their children by neglect. The classic biblical example is Absalom. David was indifferent to him, and the result was rebellion, civil war, and Absalom’s death. Parents need to be involved in their children’s lives.

Finally, parents exasperate their children by excessive discipline. This is the parent who abuses his children, either verbally, emotionally, or physically. Parents often say things to their children that they would never say to anyone else. They should never discipline their children in anger. Rather, parents should lovingly correct their children, just as their heavenly Father does them.

The influence parents have in the lives of their children has been summed up in a perspective by Dorothy Law Nolte entitled “Children Learn What They Live”:

If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.

(Copyright 1982 by Dorothy Law Nolte. Used by permission.)

Not exasperating their children is essential if parents are to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Col. 3:18
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (3:18)

The parallel exhortation in Ephesians expands this simple command: “Wives be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church. . . But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their own husbands in everything” (Eph. 5:22–24). In spite of its straightforward clarity, Paul’s simple statement has been widely challenged in our day, even by those claiming to be evangelicals. Many argue that Paul’s teaching on this theme is not Spirit-inspired, but reflects his chauvinistic, rabbinic attitude toward women. Such people seek to usurp the role of God and decide for themselves which parts of Scripture are inspired. Still others insist that Paul is mistakenly commenting on Genesis 2 instead of Genesis 1. Genesis 1, they argue, teaches the equality of the sexes, and is divinely inspired. Genesis 2, which implies the headship of the man, is viewed as a later, uninspired rabbinic gloss. That argument, however, rests on the thoroughly discredited documentary hypothesis of the composition of the Pentateuch. Finally, some insist that Paul’s teaching on authority and submission was cultural, and does not apply to our society. None of the critics, however, would argue that Paul’s statement in 3:19 is cultural and that men are no longer required to love their wives. All the attacks on this straightforward principle for behavior deal devastating wounds to the marriage. When a woman submits to the loving leadership of her husband and follows God’s intention for her, she is fulfilled and so is the husband. Efforts to reverse or confuse the duties of wife and husband destroy the blessing each is to be to the other.

The principle of authority and submission in the marriage relationship is found throughout the New Testament. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman.” He also penned this principle in 1 Corinthians 14:34–35: “Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.” To Timothy he wrote, “Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Tim. 2:11–14).

Paul goes on to say that the woman is delivered from any stigma of inferiority to the man by the blessed achievement of raising up godly children (v. 15). Note also that Paul traces the woman’s submission back to the order of creation, not the Fall. Titus 2:5 instructs women to “be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.” Sarah’s obedience to Abraham is a model for other women to follow (1 Pet. 3:6).

Be subject to is from hupotassō, and means “to subject oneself.” It has the concept of putting oneself under (hupo), not by compulsion, but willingly. The term is used in Luke 2:51 to refer to Jesus’ subjection to His parents, and in Luke 10:17, 20 to describe demons being subject to the disciples. In Romans 8:7, Paul employs the word to speak of being submissive to the commands of God’s law. His use of it in Romans 13:1, 5 refers to the necessary submission of every person to governing authority, which is established by God. In both 1 Corinthians 15:27–28 and Ephesians 1:22, the verb looks to the time when all things in the universe are made subject to Christ and God in eternal glory.
Paul’s word to wives is be submissive to your husbands. They do not submit to some detached, impersonal authority. Rather, they submit to the man with whom they have an intimate, personal, vital relationship. Ephesians 5:22 adds the word “own” (“your own husband”) to demonstrate the uniqueness of this exclusive submission.

It is helpful to note several misconceptions about submission. First, submission does not imply inferiority. Galatians 3:28 clearly affirms that spiritually there is no difference between male and female. Jesus submitted to the Father during His life on earth, yet He was in no way inferior to Him. Second, submission is not absolute. Obedience in this passage is reserved for children and servants. There may be times when a wife must refuse to submit to her husband’s desires (If they violate God’s Word). Finally, the husband’s authority is not to be exercised in an authoritative, overbearing manner. The wife’s submission takes place in the context of a loving relationship.

That wives submit to their husbands is fitting in the Lord. The Greek form in this phrase expresses an obligation, a necessary duty. It is how He designed and commands the family to operate.

Col. 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (3:16)

The word of Christ refers to the revelation He brought into the world, which is Scripture. Peace and thankfulness, as well as unity, love, and all the required virtues, flow from a mind controlled by Scripture. Dwell is from enoikeō and means “to live in,” or “to be at home.” Paul calls upon believers to let the Word take up residence and be at home in their lives. Plousiōs (richly) could also be translated “abundantly or extravagantly rich.” The truths of Scripture should permeate every aspect of the believer’s life and govern every thought, word, and deed. The Word dwell-s in us when we hear it (Matt. 13:9), handle it (2 Tim. 2:15), hide it (Ps. 119:11), and hold it fast (Phil. 2:16). To do those things, the Christian must read, study, and live the Word. To let the word of Christ richly dwell is identical to being filled with the Spirit (cf. Eph. 5:18). The Word in the heart and mind is the handle by which the Spirit turns the will. It is clear that these two concepts are identical because the passages that follow each are so similar.

Colossians 3:18–4:1 is a more brief parallel to Ephesians 5:19– 6:9. The result of being filled with the Holy Spirit is the same as the result of letting the Word dwell in one’s life richly. Therefore, the two are the same spiritual reality viewed from two sides. To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by His Word. To have the Word dwelling richly is to be controlled by His Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is the author and the power of the Word, the expressions are interchangeable.

Being full of the Spirit of God is not God’s responsibility – it is ours. What things are in front of YOU? Letting the Spirit of God dwell richly in your life is your primary responsibility? Is it ambition – the pursuit of Money and it’s benefits – entertainment such as T.V. – Busy work etc… which are keeping your attention away from God?

So many different “things” are pushing in on our time trying to take away from us what is most important – which is our time studying God’s word and prayer. How prioritized is your life? Is your mind full of the word of God? If it isn’t then you are not walking in the Spirit of God. Remember – that we all “Leak” and need to be filled up – all the time – every day. So make it a daily priority!

John MacArthur said so aptly…

No one becomes a Christian solely by their own choice. Rather, believers are those who have been chosen of God. The truth of divine election is clearly taught in Scripture. Ephesians 1:4 says that God “chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world.” Paul was confident of God’s choice of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:4) and thanked Him for it: “We should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13).

God did not call us because of our good works, “but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim. 1:9). Believers’ names have been written in the book of life from before the foundation of the world (cf. Rev. 13:8; 17:8). Underlying our response to God’s free, sovereign grace is His plan and initiative.

Because of God’s election, believers are holy and beloved. Hagios (holy) means “set apart,” or “separate.” God chose believers out of the mainstream of mankind and drew them to Himself. They are different from the world. When believers fail to act differently from the world, they violate the very purpose of their calling.

That believers are beloved of God means they are objects of His special love. Election is not a cold, fatalistic doctrine. On the contrary, it is based in God’s incomprehensible love for His elect: “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Eph. 1:4–5).

Chosen (Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 1 Chron. 16:13; Ps. 105:43; 135:4; Isa. 41:8; 44:1; 45:4), holy (Ex. 19:6; Lev. 19:2; Jer. 2:3), and beloved(1 Kings 10:9; 2 Chron. 9:8; Hos. 11:1) are all used of Israel in the Old Testament. A change has taken place in the economy of God. What was once true of the elect nation is now true of all who come to faith in Christ. Israel has been temporarily set aside and Gentiles grafted in (cf. Rom. 9–11). The saved in the church are chosen by God. We are called “the chosen” (cf. John 15:16; Rom. 8:33; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1). Acts 13:46–48 speaks of those ordained by God to eternal life:

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For thus the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, that You should bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Romans 9:13–16, 19–22 expresses God’s sovereignty in choosing whom He will:
Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who will-s or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

Romans 11:4–5 speaks of “God’s gracious choice.” Ephesians 1:4 affirms that believers were “[chosen] in Him before the foundation of the world.” The Thessalonians were “chosen from the beginning for salvation” (2 Thess. 2:13). Perhaps 2 Timothy 1:8–9 sums it up as well as any text: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

The doctrine of election crushes human pride, exalts God, produces joy and gratitude to the Lord, grants eternal privileges and assurance, promotes holiness, and makes one bold and courageous, for one who has been chosen by God for eternal life has no need to fear anything or anyone.

Sometimes we fear what we do not have control over, such as a loved one’s Salvation – or what may happen to us in the future. If we will let our minds dwell on this wonderful fact, then comfort is there for the taking. Whom shall I fear? If I can understand that GOD is in control of all thing then to fear is to sin, for I am believing my fallen heart and the message that is shouting at me. Eph. 1:11 says that God works ALL things out according to the counsel of HIS will – not mine! It is because of HIS will and HIS good and perfect character, that I can rest. SO – Find the rest that comes from knowing that God is Sovereign – and stop fearing tomorrow.
Tim

Sometimes I am tempted to think or do something that I know is wrong. I must remember…

Although believers have been delivered from God’s wrath (cf. Rom. 5:9), they are subject to His chastening. Hebrews 12:5–6 reminds us not to forget “the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’ ” God will react against sin. The unbeliever will experience His eternal wrath, and the believer His loving chastening. Either way, all who pursue sin will suffer the consequences.

and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. (Col.3:7)

Paul gives a second reason for putting sin to death, saying in effect, “You know to some degree how it was to live in sin. You hated it and that is why you came to Christ—to be delivered from your manner of life.” Similarly, Paul said to the Ephesian believers,

You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). (Eph. 2:1–5)

In light of that, Spurgeon asks,

Christian, what hast thou to do with sin? Hath it not cost thee enough already? Burnt child, wilt thou play with the fire? What! when thou hast already been between the jaws of the lion, wilt thou step a second time into his den? Hast thou not had enough of the old serpent? Did he not poison all thy veins once, and wilt thou play upon the hole of the asp, and put thy hand upon the cockatrice’s den a second time? Oh, be not so mad! so foolish! Did sin ever yield thee real pleasure? Didst thou find solid satisfaction in it? If so, go back to thine old drudgery, and wear the chain again, if it delight thee. But inasmuch as sin did never give thee what it promised to bestow, but deluded thee with lies, be not a second time snared by the old fowler—be free, and let the remembrance of thy ancient bondage forbid thee to enter the net again! (Evening by Evening [reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979], p. 151; italics in the original)

Why would anyone who has been made rich return to the slums to live in poverty? How can a new creature act like an old one (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17)? “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1–2).

My Testimony

What my life was like before I met Christ

(Rom. 3:23, Eph. 2:1, Eph. 2:3, Titus3:3) My life before coming to met Jesus Christ as my Savior was very troubled. I was in the midst of very sinful family members who were all involved in some type of sinful activities such as Alcohol, drugs, adultery and violence. There were many times when my Father was hauled off to Jail in the middle of the night. There were attempted suicides from family members etc… I was very young and was left alone most of my childhood. I spent most of my time as a child very insecure and alone. I was afraid of tomorrow.

How I realized that I needed Christ

Although we occasionally attended a church, the Gospel was not understood and the life changing power of it was not clearly seen by its members. (Rom. 1:16) Lives were not being changed – at least from a perspective of a young child who was in such great need.

My brother started dating someone from another church in the area, and it was there that I heard for the 1st time the clear saving Gospel. I was also shown love by the youth minister of that church. His name was David MacAlpine. He was the first person who was not in my family to tell me that he loved me, and showed his love to me by picking me up for church and just hanging out with me on occasions.

How I committed my life to Christ

Though the clear teaching on sin, and repentance of that sin (Acts 2:38-40,2 Tim. 2:25-26) – and the gift of Christ dying on the cross – I came to accept Christ at the age of 11 years old one Sunday Night.(Col. 2:13-15) Dr. Jerry Vines was the pastor of West Rome Baptist church, and he was very dynamic and made what the scripture taught – clear and easy to understand. I gave my life completely to the Jesus Christ that night as my Lord and I have never been the same since. I came to understand that I was a sinner in great need and that by faith in what Christ had done on my behalf, I could begin to be made whole in this life and made ready for the life to come.

The difference Jesus has made in my life

Living a life where Christ is submitted to as Lord – keeps a person from making a mess of things. This doesn’t mean that I have cross some finish line and that I no longer struggle with sin. But I can honestly say that it was the teaching of Scripture that has made the difference for me. I am so grateful that God has made me very different from those who had such a powerful influence on me as a child. If it were not for the work of Jesus Christ – through the ministry of His word – and the faithful people who have carefully and patiently taught me, I would most assuredly be just like or worst than any one in my family. But praise the Lord – He has made me a light that shines for Him. I am so thankful that many of my family members, who were so sinful in their earlier lives, have also now been saved. I am so grateful that He is so faithful to save anyone who will repent and believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does being a Christian mean to me today?

My mind is being transformed from day to day. (Rom. 12:1-2) I no longer think like I used to in terms of this life. I can truly say that I am different because: (2 Cor. 5:17, Heb. 9:14, Col. 1:10)

• of the work of the Lord who is transforming me from day to day. I am being made fit for heaven – through the troubles that I face, and the wonderful faithfulness that God shows me through them. James 1: 12, Phil. 2:13, Is. 48:10
• God is using me to influence others for His sake. I have been a teacher and a mentor to many over the years. I am currently learning to Love the Lord more and more as He reveals Himself to me by the ministry of the Word of God in my life.
• I am learning what Holiness is and what it should look like in my life as a Child of God. I can truly say that I am less sinful now than I used to be, and for this I am so grateful! This is the foundation of my assurance of salvation – the ongoing work of God. I can still choose to sin and am tempted – but I now can also choose to walk in righteousness. – Rom. 6:18, 2 Tim. 2:19-26, Acts 3:26
• I can say that I am becoming more and more of a loving individual. I am not as selfish as I used to be. 1 Cor. 13:1-3

Leading others to Christ

Must have the correct View of Scripture 1 Thess. 2:13

• Without the correct belief in what the Word of God is, a person will not be able to comprehend Salvation. It will be foolishness to him. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Cor. 4:4, 1 Cor. 2:14, 1 Cor. 1:18

Must have a sense of their sinful condition and need before God – that God produces

• It is correct to view our condition outside of Christ as hopeless Ps. 51:5, Rom. 3:20, Eph. 2:8-9, Matt. 15:19, Jer. 17:9, Ex. 20:1-17,
• and headed for hell – Rev. 14:10, Ps. 9:17, Matt. 10:18, Prov. 15:24

Must have a Belief in Christ that starts with repentance of the sinful condition

• Repentance is turning from sin (God grants this) and it’s mastery over you to serve the Living Christ who is Lord
2 Cor. 5:21, 2 Cor. 7:10, Luke 24:47, Matt. 4:17, 3:2, 2 Cor. 5:17, Prov. 28:13, Acts 2:37-38, Luke 15:7, Ez. 14:6
• Ask in faith and Humility – Seeking after God through Jesus Christ –Is. 55:6, Heb. 11:6, 2 Chron. 7:14, Matt. 6:33, 1 Chron. 28:9,
• In Jesus – who is the one who was raised from the dead – the only name whereby we must be saved – 1 Thess. 1:10, Rev. 1:5, John 14:6, John 8:12, 1 Tim.2:5

I need to hear what the Lord says about ministry and remember to follow what is presented in Scripture regarding my ministry and my business dealings. This was once again taken from the rich material and brilliant mind of John MacArthur.

Few people in history have affected the world the way he did. Jesus never left Palestine, yet no one has come remotely close to having the impact on the world that He has. Jesus’ ministry was effective because He limited it to doing what God wanted.

First, Jesus limited His ministry to God’s will. He said in John 5:30, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” Too many men in the ministry are busy building their own empires, rather than seeking to fulfill God’s will.

Second, Jesus limited His ministry to God’s timing. The gospel of John repeatedly speaks of Jesus’ hour as having not yet come (cf. 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:27; 13:1; 17:1). Jesus carried out His ministry conscious of God’s timing. He refused to do things until the right time.

Third, Jesus limited His ministry to God’s objective. He knew that God had not sent Him to reach the entire world by Himself. In Matthew 15:24 He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Fourth, Jesus limited His ministry to God’s kingdom. He refused to be drawn into the political controversies of His day. When His opponents tried to embroil Him in one such controversy, He replied, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). He kept the political realm and the spiritual realm separate. That is a lesson many in the contemporary church seem to have missed.

Fifth, Jesus limited Himself to God’s people. He realized He could pour His life into only a few men. Out of the larger group of His followers, He chose the twelve and spent most of His time with them. And even among the twelve, He spent more time with Peter, James, and John than with the rest.

Those who desire truly effective ministries must learn the importance of limits. If they concentrate on the depth of their ministries, God will take care of the breadth.

A FRUITFUL LIFE
Taken from John MacArthur’s commentary

Col. 1:10b

bearing fruit in every good work (1:10b)

Fruitfulness also results from knowledge. Fruit is the byproduct of righteousness. It is the mark of every redeemed individual. Jesus said in John 15:8, “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (cf. vv. 2, 5–6). Paul told the Romans, “You also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God” (Rom. 7:4).

The Bible defines fruit in various ways. Here Paul speaks of bearing fruit in every good work. Converts are referred to as fruit. Paul spoke of the household of Stephanas as the “first fruits of Achaia” (1 Cor. 16:15). He also desired some fruit among the Romans (Rom. 1:13). Hebrews 13:15 defines praise as fruit: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Giving money can also be fruit (Rom. 15:26–28). Godly living is fruit, as indicated when the writer of Hebrews tells us that God’s discipline produces in us “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). Finally, the holy attitudes mentioned in Galatians 5:22–23 are referred to as “the fruit of the Spirit.”

What produces fruit in believers’ lives? First, union with Christ. Jesus said in John 15:4–5, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Second, wisdom is a necessary prerequisite for bearing fruit. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Lack of fruit is directly related to lack of spiritual wisdom. Finally, diligent effort on the Christian’s part is required, as Peter writes:

Applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:5–8)

GROWTH

increasing in the knowledge of God; (1:10c)

A third result of knowledge is spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is progressing in the knowledge of God. Tē epignōsei (in the knowledge) is an instrumental dative case. It indicates the means by which our increasing, or growth, takes place. The knowledge of God revealed in His Word is crucial to spiritual growth. Peter wrote, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). As always, the Holy Spirit infuses our own efforts with God’s enabling grace (2 Pet. 3:18), without which we could not grow.

The marks of spiritual growth include: first, a deeper love for God’s Word. “Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (Ps. 119:97).

Second, spiritual growth is reflected in a more perfect obedience.
By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. (1 John 2:3–5)
Third, spiritual growth will result in an enlarged faith. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged” (2 Thess. 1:3; cf. 2 Cor. 10:15).
A fourth mark of spiritual growth is a greater love: “This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and discernment” (Phil. 1:9).

The Love of Christ

I read today in John MacArthur’s Commentary on Ephesian…”The world cannot comprehend the great love that Christ gives because it cannot understand Christ. Worldly love is based on attraction and therefore lasts only as long as the attraction. Christ’s love is based on His own nature and therefore lasts forever. Worldly love lasts until it is offended or rebuffed. Christ’s love lasts despite every offense and every rebuff. Worldly love loves for what it can get. Christ’s love loves for what it can give. What is incomprehensible to the world is to be normal living for the child of God.”

This is so true. I pray that God will put within me this kind of love for my wife, family and friends… This is a great representation of godly love.