[God’s] mercy is infinite. Everything about it is infinite. It proceeds from an infinite Being, flows through the medium of an infinite sacrifice, surmounts obstacles that are infinite, and addresses itself to those that are infinitely unworthy and ill-deserving.
~ Gardiner Spring (1785-1872)
He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
~ Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)
The only true, living, and vibrant spiritual life there is has the Lord Jesus Christ as its head. If Jesus is not preeminent in your spiritual life, then something is out of order… Our spirit has to become consumed with and in Christ. Loving, honoring and serving the Lord Jesus is the highest calling and most blessed privilege a person can have… Making Jesus preeminent in our lives isn’t always an easy thing to do. In fact, because of our sinful nature, it can be a real challenge. But if you truly love Christ, you have His Spirit. And with faith, trusting in Him, we can come to experience the preeminence of Christ in our life.
~ apl
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…
~ Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
“It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them. He does not say, “There is no accusation against them,” for this there is but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, “There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,” for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, “There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction,” for this there may be but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus by virtue of their union with him through faith they are thus secured.”
~ Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible
…and after the fire a still small voice.
~ 1 Kings 19:12b (NKJV)
I think more often than not, we want God to speak to us in these incredible elaborate ways. God, if you would just make it thunder right now, I’d believe. Lord, if you would just speak out in this loud audible sound where I can clearly hear, then I would follow what You say. Lord if… if… if… When what He really desires is for us, like Elijah, to simply listen and obey His still small voice. Jesus would put the same idea this way in the New Testament. In John 10:27-28 Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”. In Psalm 46:10, the Lord tells His people; “Be still and know that I am God”. Sometimes the best way to know and hear God is to just be still and listen. Listen for that still small voice that comes from Him. If you belong to Christ, and He is your Shepherd, listen for His voice.
~ apl
O God, Who art the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, Who sendest peace to those that receive it; open to us this day the sea of Thy love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Thy grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace. Enkindle in us the fire of Thy love; sow in us Thy fear; strengthen our weakness by Thy power; bind us closely to Thee and to each other in one firm bond of unity; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
~ Syrian Clementine Liturgy 380 A.D.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
~ Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
The plan of salvation by Christ reveals God as willing to be reconciled. He is ready to pardon, and to be at peace. If the sinner repents and believes, God can now consistently forgive him, and admit him to favor. It is therefore a plan by which the mind of God and of the sinner can become reconciled, or united in feeling and in purpose. The obstacles on the part of God to reconciliation, arising from his justice and Law, have been removed, and he is now willing to be at peace. The obstacles on the part of man, arising from his sin, his rebellion, and his conscious guilt, may be taken away, and he can now regard God as his friend.
~ Albert Barnes, Notes on the Whole Bible
Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold, but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, “If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
~ Prayer of Origen (185-254)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
~ Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
It is sin that breeds the quarrel between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity the holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he continues under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. And such are the benignity and good-will of God to man that, immediately upon the removing of that obstacle, the peace is made…. And surely a man needs no more to make him happy than to have God his friend! But this is through our Lord Jesus Christ–through him as the great peace-maker, the Mediator between God and man, that blessed Day’s-man that has laid his hand upon us.
~ Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Romans 5:1
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel
~ Colossians 1:3-5 (NKJV)
Paul continues his greeting to the Christians at Colossae by acknowledging his thanks for God’s sovereign work of salvation and His precious gift of faith in Christ Jesus that has spread among them. The Apostle, verse 4, especially recognizes these believers for their love for all the saints. Their affection for fellow disciples of the Lord Jesus appears to have been well-known for Paul and Timothy to have heard of it from afar. Oh that more true Christians today would have their reputation for love precede them in their dealings with others!
And yet though these faithful Colossians were known for their exceeding earthly good, verse 5, Paul commends them for keeping their hope and gaze fixed upon the marvelous glory which was laid up and awaited them in heaven itself. For heaven, the place of unfettered communion with our Lord Jesus Christ, is truly the eternal prize and most precious blessing of those who trust in Him! Believers are but pilgrims and strangers here on earth. We know this is not our home, we are but passing through. And like the Colossians, we lay our everlasting hope above.
Finally, at the end of verse 5, we find the cornerstone and foundation for the faith, love and hope of the saints dwelling in Colossae, it is the “the word of truth of the gospel” which they had heard, believed and embraced. Wherever true Christianity will be found, it will be accompanied by the words of truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There will be sound doctrine and godly teaching which humbles man and exalts Christ! Though without the words of truth as they pertain to the Gospel, a form of religion might be found, it will most assuredly lack the essential, saving, and effectual substance that is the fruit of the glorious words of truth.
A vibrant living faith is rooted in sound doctrine and godly Scriptural teaching. The blessings of a deep faith in Christ, an abiding love for God and others and the secure hope of your place in heaven are a consequence of being washed in the words of truth. Paul praises these qualities among the believers at Colossae. The Apostle thanks God, our Father, for these beautiful spiritual favors present among these saints. May we too seek the characteristics of faith, hope and love in our lives and thank God when He is pleased to grant them to us as well.
~ apl
A Prayer Life 