Completeness In Jesus Christ

And ye are complete in him,

which is the head of all

principality and power:

in whom also ye are circumcised

with the circumcision made 

without hands, in putting off

the body of the sins of the flesh

by the circumcision of Christ:

buried with him in baptism, 

wherein also ye are risen

with him through the faith

of the operation of God,

who hath raised him from 

the dead in your sins and the

uncircumcision of your flesh 

hath he quickened together with him, 

having forgiven us all the offences

Colossians 2:10-13

 

     The Jews believed that by the law of Moses and keeping of the festivals and other temple requirements that they were complete, as long as they kept the ceremonial law. Paul here makes it clear that Christians are complete and that completeness has nothing to do with the old dispensation and the keeping of the ceremonial laws previously had need to be kept. Why? If the first covenant was perfect, complete, then there would be no need to replace it but this is not what Paul here states. The writer of Hebrews also makes this fact that the old ceremonial law was imperfect: "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought fo he second (Hebrews 8:7). The Law was the shadow of good things, and could never, by those sacrifices make the comer thereunto perfect: "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect" (Hebrews 10:1). The Gospel makes for those defects of the old sacrificial law of the Jews complete and perfect, and by Jesus Christ then there is completeness in His sacrifice for sin and for the revelation of God. 

     This completeness furnished by the death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven by Jesus Christ is to be complete for salvation. In Jesus Christ we can obtain perfect wisdom, not perfection as some preached and taught in the past, and by some even today, no, this perfect wisdom is available when it is according to the Gospel and that is for our sanctification, a maturing of our Christian faith, to become Authentic Christian Faith, a place where the satisfaction of our faith enables the Holy Spirit to reside, dwell, and to lead. We have all that is required in Jesus Christ. This is not due ourselves for we are in this world still fallen in our nature, our soul and God can only see us in completeness by seeing us through Jesus Christ. The wicked are in their imperfection and their hearts are not circumcised for they do not have the faith that God has come to save them and they live in their sinfulness, they are not in the covenant of God through Jesus Christ. The wicked are separated from God and will remain separated, incomplete as long as they do not exercise the faith that God has given to them through His word (Romans 10:17). 

     Through Jesus Christ can there be remission of sin, to become complete in Him not complete in ourselves, but in Him, our works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Through Jesus Christ all our trespasses, our sins are forgiven, past, present, and future. Do not allow this fact to make cause to continue to sin for if you continue in sin after coming to the knowledge of the truth there is no longer any sacrifice for sins and only a fearful expectation of judgment as an enemy of God (Hebrews 10:26). 

     Do not misuse this completeness that Jesus Christ has made possible and live for Him in all you do and say, this is your responsibility and that responsibility must be taken serious for you are an ambassador for God, His witness on this earth. God gives to you this privilege and with it comes much blessing to know that you have eternal life and the words from Scripture to bring this fact to others so they too can exercise faith in Jesus Christ and live for Him. Only Christianity has this truth that can transform lives for the better, not Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or any other religious teaching brings peace and hope and truth, only Authentic Christianity. 

 

Behold, the days are coming,

     says the Lord, when I will

make a new covenant with 

     the house of Israel and with

the house of Judah.

                  Jeremiah 31:31

.....Jesus the Mediatoer of the 

     new convenant.

             Hebrews 12:24

 

Circumcise your heart to God

 

Richard L. Crumb

Avoiding Theosophy, And False Teaching

Beware lest any man spoil you through

philosophy and vain deceit, after the 

tradition of men, after the rudiments 

of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:8

     To understand better what Paul said in regards to being spoiled is to look at the Greek word: συλαγωγών; and this word is to "spoil" if you understand this English word that does carry the meaning of being damaged or severely ruined, but also is to impair the quality of, or affect detrimentally, or to impair the character of someone, especially be excessive indulgence. This Greek word carries the meaning of being carried off as a prey,or booty, to make a victims of imposture. How is this done? Philosophy: the Greek word: φιλοσοφία: Used once in the New Testament of he theology, or rather theosophy, of certain Jewish Christians, which busied itself with refined and speculative enquiries into the nature and classes of angels, into the ritual of the Mosaic law and the regulations of Jewish tradition respecting practical life. Philosophy, in itself is not altogether bad, but how philosophy is being dictated can be bad and in this case: it is! In this case where Paul writes about philosophy it is accompanied with "vain deceit" the Greek word actually refers to "empty" deceit, and all this comes about by traditions of men. The "rudiments," or, "elements," are of this world and not according to Jesus Christ. 

     Our responsibility as Authentic Christians is to be on watch for that which is being preached and taught to ensure that it is truthful by Scripture and not be some man's speculation or philosophy formed by this world's culture. Theosophy is a word that we must come to understand if we are to understand why certain philosophies are bad. Theosophy is: any variation forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature. For instance here in Redding California there is a "School of the Supernatural" taught by Bethel Church and what is to be found is theosophy as they based their teachings on some sort of mystical insight into the divine nature of God. Their students are saying and doing things that are not Scriptural, but those things make them feel pious or godly when in fact it is nothing more than what Paul was writing to the Colossians about to avoid. 

     What does it mean: "according to Christ?" Jesus said: "Believe also in Me," Jesus did not say: "Believe certain things about Me. This is a major difference in belief towards Jesus Christ. To not understand this difference is to be led as "prey" into heresy, or in the very least; false teaching. 

     As Authentic Christians we remain loyal to Jesus Christ for He is: "For in him dewelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). For those who have fallen prey to false philosophical ideas, or to some form of theosophy and are Arian in the worst, or even to have doubts about whether or not Jesus Christ is God, then they are not understanding this clear and plain fact: Jesus is God in the flesh. How else can this verse be understood? The Greek word for Godhead is: θεότητος; and means divinity, the deity, the state of being God. The Bible writers did not haphazardly use Greek words so as to obscure the meaning for what they wrote was inspired by God so that what what written to these early Christians would be not only for them but for all who would read what was written for sin, the problems facing those early Christians are the same problems that Christians face today. God dwelt in Jesus "bodily." Now here is a most important point: "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10). You do not need what is being taught in many Churches, to have some sort of "second blessing," or some "second baptism of the Holy Spirit." No! These things, speaking in some foreign gibberish language, or running around praying to heal people, or any other such things, as being "slain in the Spirit" are not Scriptural and are only vain deceitful things of false philosophy. All that is needed is Jesus Christ as He is revealed in Scripture. You do not need to look elsewhere: it is Scripture: PERIOD! It is up to you to take the responsibility to learn the truth and to apply that truth in your lives. You can do it for you, if you are truly converted and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit for He comes then, not in some second way, but then when you repent of your sins and convert. This is a blessing from our gracious God and Savior. Are you prepared to let God take you into union with Himself, and pay no more attention to what you call great things? 

The LORD said, "Say this to him:

     "This is what the LORD says: 

"I will overthrow what I have built

     and uproot what I have planted,

throughout the land. Should you then

     seek great things for yourself? 

Seek them not. for I will bring disaster

    on all people," declares the LORD,

but wherever you go I will let you

     escape with your life."

               Jeremiah 45:4-5

Take time today: Read God's word

Richard L. Crumb

Lukewarn No Longer: Living Authentically

For I would that ye knew what great conflict 

I have for you, and for them at Laodicea,

and for as many as have not seen my face in

the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, 

being knit together in love, and unto all

riches of the full assurance of understanding,

to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,

and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom

are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Colossians 2:1-3

    Paul addressing the Colossian Christians did so to encourage them to remain in Authentic Christian Faith even though they were surrounded by paganism. Notice that the Laodiceans were mentioned here and it would be good to understand Paul's concern about this city. It is mentioned in Revelation: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).Laodicea had become an important Phrygian city during Roman times (In fact in music we have the Phrygian scale: for you music lovers). Loadicea became a wealthy city and very prosperous. Loadicea is located about 10 miles from Colossae. Paganism was reflected by the people in and accord with the larger Mediterranean culture. It had Zeus as the city's patron god, and had temples for Apollos, Asclepius, Hades, hera, Athena, Serapis, Dionysus, and other deities. The Christian Church there seem to take on this culture and had become arrogant of self-sufficiency in matters of prosperity (reminds of some current preachers), and so proud of its wealth. Laodicea was known for its textiles, especially black wool, and or its medical school, (Asclepius is known for it symbol the two snakes wrapped around a pole, a kadusa, I wore the kadusa and a medical person in the Navy. With all this the Church lacked spiritually. John in Revelation spoke of "hot and cold" water and this illustration is from the fact that Laodicea had a pipe for water and was known for its water. In time the Laodicea became known for bad water with its sediment. This water that came down as cold, became hot, and then lukewarm, not good and only good to illustrate lukewarmness for Christians who follow after self-aggrandizement. 

     The Colossians were being warned to not to follow after the Laodicean Christians and to remain in their hearts a love for one another, to be comforted, not be riches or fame, rather by the assurance that comes from understanding and acknowledging the mysteries of God. Those mysteries having been preached and taught to them. Treasures are not to be found in this world, rather, to be found as treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There are some preachers who are so full of themselves, so full of the fact that they have a theological degree, and yet are so full of this world's culture and we are to avoid them: "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words" (Colossians 2:4). The truth of God's word is ever present, only when a person avoids taking time to examine this truth and applying it in their lives will they then too become as a Laodicean. We, by Paul, are admonished: "For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ" (Colossians 2:5). 

     Do not become as the Laodicean Church and become lukewarm for then you are no good as an ambassador for Jesus Christ, your witness is tainted, and God cannot use for His eternal purpose. To fall away is easy when a person takes their eyes off Jesus Christ for they lose what they had received: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colosssians 2:6-7). 

How much better to get wisdom than gold,

    to choose understanding rather than silver!

the highway of the upright avoids evil;

    he who guards his way guards his life.

                  Proverbs 16:16-17

Be obedient: leave the consequences to God

Richard L. Crumb

  

 

Becoming A Living Witnes For Jesus Christ

...to whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;

whom we preach, warning every man,

and teaching every man in all wisdom;

that we may present every man perfect

in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labor,

striving according to his working,

which worketh in me mightily.

Colosssians 1:27-28

 (Geneva Bible)

     Authentic Christian do not follow any man, rather they follow the One Man that is worthy to be followed: Jesus Christ. Some will say: "Are you not following Paul? The answer is no: for what Paul wrote was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to address what was needed to bring the Church into the truth and to teach them how to live as Authentic Christians. These new Christians came from many backgrounds, paganism, false idols in their homes, and a worldview that was and is not the worldview that Authentic Christians hold as right and true. What was written then is applicable today: if only a person would quit trying to find fault with what the Holy Spirit inspired to be written and learn to live this life of God, a blessed life in many ways and a final and absolute blessing of salvation, eternal life. 

     Christians are the Go-between, sacramental people who have identified themselves with Jesus Christ and the reality of His redemption and allow Jesus Christ to be continually created into a life in Him. Man, natural man, does not want God, oh, he or she knows something about God, even at times to make little gods, a safety net, all due to the fact that God made man in His image even though by Adam's sin the soul of man is corrupted, he or she may reject this image even in its smallest part, they as natural men and women do not have the strength to come to God: it requires something more. That more is Jesus Christ and to come to know Jesus Christ requires something more than to have a "safety net" god, it requires to believe upon Jesus Christ and to allow Him to superimpose His personality , that real necessity, His presence to come upon a person. God has given that responsibility to bring to the world Him, the truth about Him, and this He does through those who have come to believe upon Him, and to be converted to Him. How is this done? By workers who teach the facts of Scripture, the historical fact of the death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven by Jesus Christ. Not to do or teach as some do that it takes more than what the Bible teaches to be a "real" Christian. Real Christianity is Authentic Christianity not some man-made theology, a theology that is not founded upon Scripture. When a person teaches the truth of the Bible those words are conveyed sacramental words based on the work and redemption act of Jesus Christ. Too many are preaching the effects of salvation, and not the revelation regarding Jesus Christ. When this is done then the preaching is not leading to a new birth, but a refined culture, and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in another domain. 

      I usually will speak against in some manner about being sympathetic over empathy, but there is good at times in sympathy. Here is a good use of sympathy: We live in sympathy with God; therefore, we feel what God feels, as much as a human can, and we live then according not to feeling, not to just sympathy, rather by this sympathy, and if I can say: Holy Sympathy, we will be effective to bring to our world the Gospel, the truth about God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. By this sympathy God can create in us the things which He alone can do, and then by empathy, that is to understand the needs of others will be able to help them and not just become identified with their problems. 

     When people attribute to themselves some sort of glory, to say: "what a wonderful person I am," or, what a fascinating person I am," or "what insight I have," then that person is of no good to God, they are only good to themselves. The Gospel cannot penetrate those personalities that are of self and not of God. If a person is identified or attracts by his or her personality, and this is being done by such men as Joel Osteen, and others, then is appeal is along that line, and that line is not the line of Jesus Christ. If a person will become identified with the teachings of Jesus Christ this his or her teaching will be along that line and on that line the Gospel can be realized by others for it is on the line of what Jesus Christ can do. There is always a danger when men try to have glory unto themselves for when this is done, Jesus Christ is no longer present. 

     Do you want the presence of Jesus Christ? Yes! Then follow Him, and this is done by reading and studying His word. Blessing now, maybe in the way you would like, or not, but the final blessing is the blessing of all blessings: salvation, eternal life. Praise God for His promise for this is sure.

Love the LORD, all his saints!

     the LORD preserves the faithful,

but the proud he pays back in full.

     Be sstrong and take heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.

                  Psalm 31:23-24

Keep your dwelling place safe

Richard L. Crumb

Becoming Poured Out Wine And Broken Bread

I now rejoice in my sufferings

for you, and fill up in my flesh

what is lacking in the afflictions

of Christ, for the sake of His body,

which is the church, or which I

became a minister according to the 

stewardship from God which was given 

to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

the mystery which has been hidden

from ages and from generations, 

but now has been revealed to His saints.

Colossians 1:24-26

     When a person believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her Savior there is a joy that is unspeakable and a desire to follow Him anywhere He chooses. In time for many this joy loses its empowering influence and apathy sets in or by a person's own spiritual consecration the call is more important than being right with God and God then must administer a pain that is a pain that is dreamed to happen. Yet, by this pain being administered, even though hurtful for the moment, then is seen what God is after and we then allow God to send us wherever He so desires. We say: "Here is am, send me." The call is from God, not by our own desires to do something for God as though this is a mark of spiritual consecration and has nothing to do with a person spiritual sanctification. Authentic Christians allow themselves to be poured out wine and broken bread. Wine is not produced by gentleness, rather the juice is squeezed, stomped, crushed, and bread is torn into pieces, and by this method it becomes useful. Christians are crushed, torn, by God, to become a useful instrument to bring to the world the Gospel. Oh, we want God to be gentle, to use us in some special way that avoids this crushing, and tearing of our souls, that is our desire, but not God's for He is forming us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ went about bringing to the world the knowledge of Himself and His purpose for coming, we as Authentic Christians are to do exactly the same thing. 

     God may bring into our lives those whom we may dislike, or some set of circumstances that we may have said that we would never submit to those circumstances, and we object for this is not the way we would have chosen to be broken for God's service. We must understand this: We do not choose the scene of our martyrdom. If we are to be of any use for God then we must allow us to be made wine and broken bread, we must be crushed. Grapes are good to the taste, but they are not drinkable, to be of use if a world that is lacking good water (truth) they must be crushed. 

     Has God been squeezing you? Or have you hardened your heart and attempted to escape this work of God in you to sanctify you, to make you a witness for Him no matter the circumstances? You may be a new Christian and are not yet ripe enough to be squeezed into wine, but if you are fed what is needed for growth, spiritual growth, and this comes by being discipled, to read God's word, to take time to personally study God's word, you will become ripe enough to be the best wine possible and good for God to use. To be of use for God the natural must be made the natural spiritually and there must be a sacramental personality formed, and by this brokenness, this crushing of the old nature, then it is made into the nature that God can use providentially in His service. 

     Keep right with God and allow Him to do what He desires to do with you. Make yourself available to Him and you will find out what kind of bread, and wine you are to be, all for the benefit towards His children. Hide your life in Jesus Christ as did Paul. Do not attempt to live a life without God. There is a peace that passes all understanding when a person hides themselves in Jesus Christ and this peace is from God, imparted to you. The question for each of us is: Will we allow God to do what He desires for us to be of use to bring the Gospel to the world? 

Now when he was in affliction,

     he implored the LORD his God, 

and humbled himself greatly before

     God of his fathers, and prayed to Him;

and He received his entreaty, heard His

     supplication, and brought him back 

to Jerusalem into his kingdom, then 

     Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

                        2Chronicles 33:12-13

Prepare now for worship

Richard L. Crumb 

     

     

Your Salvation By And Through Jesus Christ

And 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.

For it pleased the Father that in Him 

all the fullness should dwell,

and by Him to reconcile all things

on earth or things in heaven,

having made peace through 

the blood of His cross.

Colossians 1:18-20

 

     Paul is making clear that it is not a pastor, Bishop, Elder, deacon, especially the Pope of Rome Catholicism, some Cardinal, or any other person who is the head of the Church. It is Jesus Christ and Him alone, all others may by the will of God lead the Church, and this only by Scripture. Notice where in the opening Scripture there are words that are in italics. To avoid any misunderstanding I will explain why it is important that those words be added. First, Paul has explained that it is God, the Father who has qualified a person to be partakers of the inheritance (vs. 12), and it is the Father that is the One who sent Jesus Christ to the earth. The Greek in verse 19 speaks of pleasing, "was pleasing" in the Greek and this is a letter, not just verses, and this refers back to the Father for it Him who is being pleased. Don't get tripped up by this for it is proper to supply what we need for understanding as English speaking people. 

      Jesus Christ is called the "firstborn from the dead" (vs. 18) and due to this all things, on earth and in heaven can now be reconciled to God and this only occurred due to Jesus Christ dieing on the cross. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and you now can be assured that when the Bible speaks of a resurrection of God's children it will occur. There is no way to doubt this unless you doubt that Jesus Christ actually died and rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to make intercession for God's children. There are those who teach and believe that Jesus only fainted, that the resurrection was some ploy by His disciples to prove that what Jesus had said about His rising from the dead to be true. Others attempt to say that Jesus did not live at all, for this is only some religious story. Well, those doubters must address that He did die, and the Jews present saw His death and would not allow someone to tell them different. Jesus could not have survived the spear in His side gushing out plasma, blood, and to live with nails in His feet and hands driven in to Him to affix Him on the stake, this cross, so that He would find it difficult to breathe and in time would die from asphyxiation and then later when He ascended into heaven some 500 people were present and when Paul wrote this if this was not true the uproar would have sounded around the world: you cannot fool the Jews who were a people that even knew if the Torah was not read properly and would address this immediately. You can have confidence that when Paul wrote that Jesus was the firstborn from the dead: He was! 

     Jesus came to earth to die! Everything else that Jesus did or said was to ensure to the Hebrews, and to us, that He is the promised Messiah, the One who would be the Savior: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister" (Colossians 1:21-23). It is the Gospel that is to be preached, not some gospel that is other than what the Bible pronounces. The present "so-called" gospel of prosperity, or to seek to have some supernatural gift is not what Jesus taught or any of those writers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to address problems in the Church. Those problems exist today, therefore, what was written under inspiration apply today, only from Scripture, not man's idea as how to address theological problems. Authentic Christians strive to have a close relationship with Jesus Christ, with God the Father, and with the Holy Spirit and this is done by not following after other gospels and staying close with what the Bible actually teaches. Stay in the word, examine all that is being said, taught, by those in the leader position. 

     Do what Paul has stated and do not be moved by anything other than the Gospel. Love as God has said to love, aid your brothers and sisters in Christ. Take the Gospel to your world. Be an Authentic Christian. Some will object, Ok! Some will attempt to persecute, Ok! Who cares if you are related to Jesus Christ for your home is with Him in heaven, this life is temporary and we all have the responsibility to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Live life: love God! What else is there until you meet Him in the sky? 

 

Thus says the LORD of hosts:

     Let your hands be strong,

You who have been hearing in these days

     these words by the mouth of the prophets,

who spoke in the day the foundation was laid

     for the house of the LORD of hosts, 

that the temple might be built.

                    Zechariah 8:9

 

You have been reconciled to God

 

Richard L. Crumb

You Are As Authentic Christians The Image Of Jesus Christ

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn over all creation.

For by Him all things were created

that are in heaven and that are on earth,

visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions

or principalities or powers. all things

were created through Him and for Him.

and He is before all things and in Him 

all things consist.

Colossians 1:15-17

 

     No man can see God for God is a Spirit and God is all power, that is, everything moves and is alive by His power and might. God can be seen though by and through Jesus Christ is the very image of God. The hard to understand and digest is that God came to earth to be found in the body of a man. It is not as those who teach Sabellianism, that God was at times Father, and at times Jesus Christ, and at times the Holy Spirit, as God determined the need. God did not die on the cross, Jesus Christ did, therefore God was not Jesus Christ and had left behind His Fatherhood. The notion of a Trinity may be hard to understand if we simply use man's understanding without the aid of what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. The Greek word for image is: είκών, means that to resemble from which it is drawn. This word denotes the idea or representation and manifestation and from the context in which it is used we can determine any distinction between the imperfect and the perfect likeness. The relationship between Jesus Christ and the Father, and man is; of man as He was created as being a visible representation of God, a being corresponding to the original man, Adam. Now, Adam fell from grace and sinned, so Jesus did not come to be in this sinful condition, rather to correspond to the unfallen man, to represent man as God had intended man to remain as, rather Jesus came to earth, that is, in regard to man who sinned and now was and is indebted to God, to bear the responsibility of fallen man, Jesus with His Godlike qualities being unsinful could provide the grace and love of God to accomplish what Adam had lost. Jesus Christ is and was the Wisdom of God, and God clothed His Wisdom in flesh to accomplish His justice, that is, to have this debt owed to Him paid. Man cannot do this, but God can and did through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is essentially the image of God, the absolutely perfect expression and representation, the archetype of God the Father. Jesus Christ is not another god, but God who is essentially God in every possible way for Jesus is just part of the Godhead that is the Father, the Son (Wisdom) and the Holy Spirit, all God, all of the same essence. This is then a unique and perfect relationship of the Godhead and Jesus Christ represented God as God here on earth: "he that hath seen Me hast seen the Father" John 14:9). 

     Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, created all that is created. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead that provides by means of His blood, that is, His death on the cross, forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ was before all things: "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" John 1:1-4). Jehovah Witnesses have denigrated Jesus Christ by adding the letter "a" before God in the last part of verse one, a letter that makes Jesus Christ just to be another god, as those who believe in such religions as Buddhism, or Hinduism. What they, and others, cannot bring themselves to see is that the Word, Jesus Christ had to exist before all things for He created all things and if He was just another god, then who created Him. No where in Scripture is said that God created another god. Paul makes this so very clear: "And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist" (vs. 17). We have two witness to this fact: Jesus Created all things and all things exist due to Him and that this is possible because Jesus Christ is God, the Second Person of the Trinity. 

     Authentic Christians are to become the image of Jesus Christ, therefore, as Authentic Christians you are a representation of God, not just as Jesus was, in this sense, Jesus Christ is God therefore His representation is perfect, you are still in your sins, forgiven, yes, but still imperfect, Jesus Christ was and is perfect. But, you are still to become the image of Jesus Christ, do His work, that is, to bring to the world the Gospel. You have no other important work to do. Yes, some of us will work in secular jobs, but there too is a place to represent Jesus Christ, so much so that others will see Jesus in you. Let us get this one thing straight. You are going to die! All you have done will not benefit you in any way. Oh! Your children and others may benefit for a time until they die but as with you their benefit is temporary. The only eternal benefit is to be a witness for God for not only do you benefit by God, His blessing however He decides to impart to you some blessing, the work you do spreading the Gospel is not a temporary work with temporary results. You business maybe will last for a time, but there is no assurance of this, but the Gospel is assurance of that which will never cease to benefit. 

     Do your part: bring the Gospel everywhere you go, be the representation of Jesus Christ for by doing so you are representing not just a man Jesus Christ, you are representing God, doing God's work, as did Jesus who came to earth to be found as a man to bring to this world propitiation and to satisfy the justice of God. What a privilege that God would use you, and me, in this work to bring knowledge of Him to this world, what He has done for man. Won't it be wonderful to hear God say: "Well done faithful and discreet slave?"

I will declare Your name to My brethren;

     iln the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

You who fear the LORD, praise Him!

     All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,

and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!

                     Psalm 23:22-23

You are Spiritual Israel

Richard L. Crumb

 

God Manifested In You: Niot To You!

For this reason we also,

since the day we heard it, 

do not cease to pray for you,

and to ask that you may be filled 

with the knowledge of His will

in all wisdom and spiritual

understanding; that you may walk

worthy of the Lord, full pleasing Him,

being fruitful in every good work 

and increasing in the knowledge of God;

strengthened with all might, 

according to His glorious power,

for all patience and longsuffering

with joy; giving thanks to the Father

who has qualified us to be 

partakers of the inheritance 

of the saints in the light.

Colossians 1:9-12

     Paul was a man or prayer: are you? Paul made intercession for those who came to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. It is not to have some special revelation, some vision, some spiritual gift that some so eagerly seek. NO! We are to ask and will receive what it is that we need to fulfill our purpose for being alive and that purpose to to be God's arms, legs, mouth and to take the Gospel to the world. God is to be manifested in us, and we are not to look to find this manifesting of God, for God will be seen in us if we acquire the knowledge of His will. What is His will? Once again, it is to be an ambassador for Him, His Son who died upon the cross to pay the debt we owed Him for us and this He did by Himself and no other. We are to walk worthily of Him and to do this we must be proactive in being a witness to Him in all we do and say. If there is anything that is hindering this then we must remove that which is hindering. We are to increase in knowledge of Him and this is possible by the Holy Spirit working in us as we read His word and pray to Him. Are you looking for strength and might? You can have it according to the glorious riches of God. One such way to manifest God or to have God be manifested in us to to be patient with others, even with ourselves, to be longsuffering and all this is to be done with joy. It is a joy to be serving our God: is is not? Think upon this: we are to be partakers of the inheritance promised to all of God's children. Not because we are so good, so worthy, we are not and we cannot by our own strength make us qualified for God's promises. It is God who qualifies, it is God through His Son Jesus Christ: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14). 

     Conversion is not salvation! Salvation belongs solely to God. Conversion is our part for we are to make those necessary changes in our life as we gain knowledge of His will. Converted people are Authentic Christians with Authentic Christian Faith, not those who will accept, as though done in love, anyone and anything: i.e., homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion, and teach a prosperity Gospel that is not the Gospel at all. God does not care about how much  money you have, or how many toys you have, your home, your clothes, all God cares about is to be manifested in you. This is God's will for each and every child chosen by Him to be qualified to receive eternal life. God selects, God saves, it is all God. We have only one thing that is most important and that is to build our relationship with Him. God will make you willing if you will turn your mind, your heart, all that you think and desire to Him and allow Him to direct your way. Will you? God will not pick you up and place you where you do not want to be or go, but He will make it known to you through His Holy Spirit by means of all that He has revealed in His word: You have to choose to obey. God did not spare anything that would promote His glory. God sent His Son and revealed to us His glory. God is glorious in such a great way for by His glory He has granted salvation to all of His children. God is the end of all things as well as the cause. 

     We are not to be apathetic side-line Christians; we are to be active, to be a living witness to the world. We YOU? 

When to start doing this? NOW? Will you? If it to be it is up to you (me)!

I will bear he indignation of the LORD,

     becaue Ihave sinned against Him,

Until He pleads my case and executes 

     justice for me. He will bring me forth

to the light; I will see His righteousness.

                             Micah 7:9

Today: Allow God to be manifested in you

Richard L. Crumb

Colossians Portraying: Christ of the Church

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the will of God, and Timothy

our brother. To the saints and faithful

brethren in Christ who are in Colosse.

Grace to you and peace from God

our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:1-2

     Paul traveled to Colosse on his third missionary journey and he went to the Churches in Phrygia, the cities of Colossae, Laodicea,, and Hierapolis and this letter was to be read in those Churches (Colossian 4:13-16). This letter can be divided into two parts: 1. Doctrinal 2. Practical. These cities were located close to one another in the province of Asia Minor and was under Roman rule. The city Laodicea was and important city in the region although in 61 or 65 A.D. it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt with their own funds and not by the aid of the Romans (Tacitus: Ann. XIV.27; or, Eusebius: Chron., OI. 210,4). Laodicea is mentioned in Revelation (3:14-22) as being a rich and proud but lukewarm people. In the year 344 A.D. or after, they passed an act on the canon that forbid the reading in public anything but the canonical books of the New and Old Testament. Colossae was once famous as well especially at the time Paul visited this Church but in this present age has all but disappeared. What is found are ruins of temples, theaters, baths, aquaducts, gymnasiums, and sepulchers, all testifying to former wealth and prosperity of Laodicea and Hierapolis, Colossae being the least important of the Churches Paul visited and is rarely mentioned in post-apostolic times, but did give rise to heresy that shook this Churhc in the second century, and this epistles furnishes the best remedy against it.

     Phrygia (for musicians there is a scale known as the Phrygian scale, so music had importance there), and Antiochus the Great despotically transplanted two thousand Jewish families from Babylon and Mesopotamia to that regions. This area became known in their connection with the sensuous and mystic tendency of the Phrygian character, a nursery of religious syncretism and various forms of fanaticism. Before I move on in this blog I must define: syncretism: it is an attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties. There are "Christian" denominations that are attempting this very thing which is unScriptural. Furthermore, there are "Christian" Churches involved in mysticism, or a sensuous form of worship and fanaticism, all non-Scriptural. Paul will address these heresies and give the remedy. 

     Paul passed through this region, Phrygia twice, his second and third missionary tours. Luke does not give any account that Paul planted Churches there and Paul does include the Colossians and Laodiceans among those who had seen his face (Acts 16:6). While Paul remained for a time in Ephesus, a city in that same region, that is, not far away, and lateer from his imprisonment exercised general supervision over all the Churches in Asia. By Epaphras, his pupil and Onesimus, a runaway slave, Paul learned about the condition of this Church. After Paul's death and the death of the Apostle John who lived in Ephesus this area, this Church became involved in gnosticism, Paschal, Chiliastic and Montanistic controversies. Paul sent a letter through Tychicus (Colossians 4:7), to be read by the Laodiceans (4:16), and the same time he sent through Onesimus a private letter of commendation to his master, Philemon, a member of the Church at Colossae. The Colossians were directed to procure and read the letter sent to Laodicea. 

     Heresy has entered into the Christian Church from almost its beginning and exists in some Churches today and unfortunately the Gospel has been watered down whereby many Church-going people are apathetic and do not desire to learn the truth or to come to know that they may be involved in heresy. 

     There were faithful saints in Colossae and Paul mentions this in the opening of his letter: "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, or which your heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to u your love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:3-8). 

     Examining our faith from the inside/out to ensure that we too are not becoming involved in heresy and that our lives are manifesting the image of Christ. In the next blog I will outline Colossian heresy and then see how and if they apply in our lives, our Church. Again another fantastic letter to delve in to aid us in our growth in sanctification. 

If I have walked with falsehood, 

    or if my foot has hastened to deceit,

let me be weighed on honest scales,

    that God may know my integrity.

                            Job 31: 5-6 

Pray, Read God's word, Apply it

Richard L. Crumb

The Unlimited Supply Of God

Now you Philippians know also

that in the beginning of the gospel,

when I departed from Macedonia,

no church shared with me concerning

giving and receiving but you only.

for even in Thessalonica you sent

aid once and again for my necessities.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek

the fruit that abounds to your account.

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full,

having received from Epaphroditus the 

things sent from you, a sweet-smelling

aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, 

well pleasing to God.

And my God shall supply all your need

according to His riches in glory

by Christ Jesus. Now to our God

and Father be glory forever and ever.

 Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 

The brethren who are with me greet

you. All the saints greet you,

but especially those who are of

Ceasar's household. The grace 

of our Lord Jesus Christ by with

you all. Amen.

Philippians 4:15-23

     I end this study of the letter by Paul to the Philippian Church with this most wonderful promise by Paul regarding that God will supply our needs. If Paul believed that God would do this for him, it is also true of us: God will supply our need; not wants, not desires, our need! Paul was in prison in Rome and yet we find Paul never wavering in his faith towards God, Jesus Christ, and as stated: "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11b). Can you have that same attitude? Yes! It is all about relationship, a relationship with Jesus Christ. One lesson that is to be learned from this ending of the letter is that we have a responsibility to provide for those who are in need for God supplies our need through the efforts of others. God is not dropping manna miraculously from heaven as He did for the Hebrews in the desert, we must be the manna for others, we are His arms and legs, His mouth, the providers for our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. 

     When Peter while fishing saw Jesus Christ he immediately jumped into the water to get to Him. This act has many implications, but one I want to focus on is that Peter did not think twice about what he should do when he saw Jesus: He jumped into the water! Water can be seen as good, or bad depending on its use or the circumstance. For instance you may be going through rough and wavy water at the moment and your focus is on the water: change your focus to be upon Jesus Christ, He will supply your need. He will aid you to get through those rough waters. God supplied the Hebrews with manna but did not take them out of the desert, so why should we think that God will take us out of our desert? If our relationship with Jesus Christ is poor, then why should we expect Him to supply our needs? God, Jesus Christ, is not a vending machine to provide what we can do for ourselves. God gave us a brain, the ability to think, and others to help us. We have what we need, and it is our relationship to Jesus, our faith in Him, all the promises of God, all are ours, and those promises apply to those who have a firm and solid relationship with Jesus Christ by Whom God sees you and saves you, and supplies you. The apostle John wrote: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1John 5:14-15).

     Are there people in your Church that need your help? Are you even looking to see if there are those in need? Are you willing to supply their need, as much as you can? John writes under inspiration: "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1John 3:15). As Authentic Christians holding fast to Authentic Christian Faith we have a responsibility to care for our families, both at home and in the Church. There is joy in being with like-minded believers, that is, those who are following Jesus Christ, not a man, or man's teaching, rather those who have developed a relationship with Jesus Christ manifested in their love for others. We are the family of God, and we are the family that will live eternally with each other. Our present home is to serve God, our eternal home is to serve God, therefore we are servants of God. Be what you are and God will bless in ways that you cannot account. 

As for God, His way is perfect; 

     the word of the LORD is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

                       Psalm 18:30

Be a supplier of good

Richard L. Crumb

 

Living By The Strength Of Jesus Christ

But I rejoiced in the Lord

greatly that now at last your

care for me has flourished again;

though you surely did care,

but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in regard to need,

for I have learned in whatever

state I am in, to be content:

I know how to be abased, and

I know how to abound. Everywhere

and in all things I have learned

both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ

who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:10-13

         There are times in life when a person feel better than other times and feel that they could just about anything. Life is simply and "up and down" life, one day you are up, the next day you are down and this is due to situations a person may be facing. Paul faced the very same thing, one day good, the next day bad, full and hungry. But: Paul relied on the strength of Jesus Christ to help in those times, both good and bad. As Authentic Christians we too have this "up and down" life, both in our secular life and in our spiritual life. Too often we reach for the good times but lose our footing in the bad times. It is in those bad times that a person must bring themselves up to the standard revealed in Scripture. 

     Feelings, oh, how people live by their feelings and while this is not all bad, it is from where do those feelings arise, Scripture by means that the Holy Spirit reveals to you what to do, or from your own personal desires? Sometimes a person has such "good" feeling, as though there no cares, and then sits back in the glow. Now, in this time is the time to act immediately and do something, even though a person may not want to act while in the sunshine of these "good" feelings. Have you heard the call of God for you to do something? If so, don't say: "I'll do it: DO IT! Get rid of any laziness because laziness is only a person's desire for the "Good" times, times when a person dreams of being on the mount. As Paul who had learned to live in those grey times, Authentic Christians learn to also live in those grey times and DO! Don't cave in to desires that lead a person away form the doing that God has placed before you, don't become confused or baffled at what has been revealed to you, stand by your commitment to be all that God has called His children to be. Burn your bridges behind you, stand committed to God and this commitment is shown by our actions. Do not revise what has been revealed to you, but, ensure that your decisions have as their foundation Scripture. 

     It seems as though everyone one who calls themselves "Christian" know verse 13, but is that verse real in your lives? The only way to know is if you are doing, and not sitting back thinking others will do what God has asked of you. For instance: There are missions that need support. You may not be called to go there in person, but you can support it, by prayer, money, going to meetings to learn their needs, and make those needs known to others. Will you do in the least what the Philippians did for Paul: "Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress (Philippians 4:14)? Are you living for you, or for Jesus Christ? There is is the crux of the matter. To live as Authentic Christians it is not wealth, power, acclamation, that drives us, it is Jesus Christ and all things can be done by the strength He will give to you. ACT NOW!

O LORD, by these things men live;

     and in all these things is the life

of my spirit; so You will restore me

     and make me live. Indeed it was

for my own peace that I had great

    bitterness; but You have lovingly 

delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,

    for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

                         Isaiah 38:16-17

Allow nothing to divert your call

Richard L. Crumb