Back to Basics
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
“Talk is Cheap…”
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved
The points I’ve raised during our first two studies this week about the necessity of “arming” ourselves with the only offensive “weapon” we have as followers of Jesus (the Bible), in order to overcome the problem areas – sins – that keep us from DOING God’s will come from my reading of Dr. Gary Smalley’s latest book: Change Your Heart Change Your Life. The book is the most important book I’ve ever read, next to the Bible, when it comes to finding ways to DO what today’s Scripture challenges us to do---to DO whatever we DO in word or DEED, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Throughout my life as a follower of Jesus, my goal has been what I’m sure many of you have had as a goal—to be like Jesus. Certainly, when I’ve relied on the Holy Spirit, successes have come. But there have also been many failures. In Dr. Smalley’s book, he points out that the reason for much of our failure is that we have not availed ourselves of the “weapon” of Scripture. (He doesn’t use those words. I borrow them from the armor of God, Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6.) What Dr. Smalley actually says is that unless we hide God’s word in our hearts—that is repeat specific Scriptures that address our areas where change is needed over and over until they REPLACE the beliefs that are currently in our hearts, we will never change. That’s why we often look like the world in our daily ACTIONS, instead of like Jesus. I’ve been “experimenting” with Dr. Smalley’s premise that if we change the beliefs in our hearts, we’ll change our lives, and I’m already seeing that he’s on the money.
When the Apostle Paul tells us to do whatever we do in word or deed in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him, for example, imagine the change if we DID that. Say you’re driving down the road and someone pulls out in front of you—abruptly. How do you respond? In a Christian manner? If you are thinking—WHATEVER I do—in word or deed—I’m going to do it ALL in the name of Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God the Father through Him—you WILL. I’m not joking. The challenge is to do it! I’ve been finding that as I recite Scripture to myself instead of filling my head with negative thoughts about the driver in front of me, that I am much more charitable to that driver. More tomorrow….
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
Do you typically find yourself responding in a Christian manner when folks interfere with the plans for your day? Are you charitable towards others, when they interfere with your “schedule”?
What do you think in such times? Do you meditate on Scripture—does a Scripture come to mind? OR is it likely to be a negative attitude, word or action?
Remember: change your heart (fill it with God’s word!) and you’ll change your life!