Weekly Devotional 2-9-15 A Steadfast Walk Will Have An Impact
Recently a Christian brother was accused of being “holier than thou” by a person who had been observing him for some time. This brother had never entered in to a discussion with the other person about spiritual matters since the opportunity had never occurred. She had been observing him for some time, and had been told by others that this brother would not tolerate coarse jokes, language or other forms of lewdness. From what she had observed of him, and from what she had heard from “those others,” and when an opportunity availed itself, she charged that he had an attitude of being holier than thou. Knowing this brother, as I do, the charge isn’t true. He admittedly battles with sin everyday like everyone else and realizes that without the indwelling Holy Spirit he probably would not be much different than those who practice or are involved in the things mentioned above.
Isn’t it interesting that when the occasion arose, she would make such a charge? Why would she say, “You have a holier than thou attitude” given that they had never talked with one another about spiritual matters? Certainly it came from what she had observed and what she had been told.
Having put off the old man and having put on the new man, the above mentioned brother could not but be different than those who practice the things mentioned. He has taken seriously Paul’s instruction to all those who name the name of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to wit, “1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:1-17 NKJV).
The above mentioned Christian brother knows that he has been bought with a price (1st Corinthians 6:20; 7:23), the precious blood of Christ (1st Peter 1:18, 19), and the brother knows that he is to glorify God in both his body and spirit. His demeanor and conduct does not stem from a holier than thou attitude, but from a grateful heart. Should not this gratefulness reside in all of our hearts and should not our conduct of life be such that God will be glorified?
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power, The Work of God on Behalf of Man
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