Take off the Old Put on the New

Please read Ephesians 4:17-32. The Bible was written to be obeyed, not simply studied. This is the reason the words "Therefore" and "Wherefore" are repeated so often in the second half of the book of Ephesians. Paul was saying, "Here is what Christ has done for you, now, in the light of this, here is what we ought to do for Him. We are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.The fact that we have been called in Christ ought to motivate us to walk in unity with one another. And the fact that we have been raised from the dead should motivate us to walk in purity, or, as Paul wrote to the Romans "Walk in newness of life". We are alive in Christ, not dead in sins, therefore "Put off the old man, and put on the new man". We are, as believers, to take off the grave clothes and put on the grace clothes. Please note three aspects concerning this process. First, we are given an admonition. The Christian is not to imitate the life of the unsaved people around him. True Christians think differently from unsaved people. The whole outlook of a person changes when he trusts Christ, including his values, goals, and interpretation of life. The Christian cannot pattern himself after the unsaved person, because the Christian has experienced a miracle of being raised from the dead. His life is no longer futile, but rather purposeful. His mind is filled with the light of God's Word, and his heart with the fullness of God's life. In every way, the believer is different from the unbeliever. Second, the argument. Paul reinforced his admonition with an argument from the spiritual experience of his readers. "But you have not so learned Christ." To learn means to have a personal relationship with Christ so that you get to know Him better each day. I can learn about Charles Haddon Spurgeon because I have several books about his life. However I can never learn him, because he is dead. This fellowship is based on the Word of God. I can be taught the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. The better I understand the Word of God, the better I know the Son of God. The old man has been put away, and we can now walk in newness of life through Christ. Remember the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus said "Unbind him and let him go." We are to take off the grave clothes, we are no longer identified with the old corruption of sin, we are now identified with the new creation in Christ. Because of this we are to take off the grave clothes by being renewed in the spirit of our mind. The Word of God renews the mind as we surrender our all to Him. Physically you are what you eat, spiritually you are what you think. Third, the application. Five different sins are named in this passage and Paul told us to avoid them and he explained why. 1. Lying, a lie is a statement that is contrary to fact, spoken with the intent to deceive. 2. Anger, in itself, anger is not as sin, because even God can be angry. Aristotle wrote "Anyone can become angry, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way, this is not easy." 3. Stealing, even honest labor could become a selfish thing, and this Paul seeks to avoid. 4. Corrupt speech, the mouth and heart are connected. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." We expect a change in speech when a person becomes a Christian. The word "Corrupt" means "That which is worthless, bad, or rotten." 5. Bitterness, refers to a settled hostility that poisons the whole inner man. Somebody does something we do not like, so we harbor ill will against them. Bitterness over trivial things, makes havoc of homes, churches, and friendships. An unforgiving spirit is the devil's playground, and before long it becomes the Christians' battleground. We have been raise from the dead so why wear grave clothes. Jesus says of us as He said of Lazarus: "Unbind him, and let him go." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18). Can we be thankful in the tough times? The Apostle Paul exhorts giving of thanks no matter what the circumstances. Paul did not say, “For everything give thanks.” Rather he said, “In everything give thanks.” While trials are inevitable, we are not asked to be thankful for evil and unforeseen happenings in our lives, as some morbid fascination with adversity. Instead, through inevitable difficulties, we may learn to see God’s greater purpose through suffering in our lives as believers. Then we are able to give thanks for that which God is working out in our lives. Remember the old TV show "Father knows best," in our case, as believers, our Heavenly Father does know best. James expressed this same challenge to believers when he said, “Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.” We cannot prevent every bad thing from happening to us, so we must learn to see it as an opportunity to look beyond the trial. We must learn to take the long look when a trial comes. The phrase "It came to pass" is repeated many times in the Bible. Every difficulty in life "Comes to pass." We are to be thankful in every condition. things are never so bad with us that they could not be worse. We can be thankful in trials, although at times not for trials. The purifying process may be more painful than we can imagine. Years ago a friend of mine was put in a cast after having surgery. For some reason the cast was too tight and he was subjected to excruciating pain that lasted through the night. He said the Lord did not remove the pain but gave him grace to endure it. Paul also reminds us that unforeseen things which happen in believers’ lives are a part of God’s perfect will. He is the Director of our steps. Nothing happens to us that has not been sifted through God's Sovereign hands. Since God could prevent any evil from touching us, then all that He allows must be for our greater good. Our faithful God has chosen to allow difficulties, suffering, and evil, while at the same time making a way to escape (1 Cor 10:13). You can go to the bank with the fact that God works all things for good (Rom 8:28). While we may not always comprehend God’s will for us, He certainly knows and directs in our lives on a daily basis. Because we are saved, we can rejoice in the fact that God is our Protector and Guide. God is sort of like the statement on most vehicles side view mirrors "He is closer than you think He is." Gratitude should be our attitude as believers no matter what happens. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” The gift of the clay (us) having a Personal Potter Who loves us beyond our wildest imagination. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Kingdom Living

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (Psalm 51:6). In this Psalm David came under powerful conviction of sin. As a result he poured out his soul to God in prayer pleading for mercy and grace. David's sin of adultery and murder had been weighing heavily on his soul. True repentance of sin leads one to healing and restored fellowship with the Lord. He realized that only God could restore him. God heard his cry for pardon and granted him forgiveness and reconciliation. David realized his sin was committed against God. This realization brought great sorrow and shame. To sin willfully is to deny the Lord, for one must push Him out of their mind in order to do evil. Every sinner who returns to the Lord desires God's truth in their inner man. God gives wisdom and discernment to the repentant. Only the Lord can give grace to overcome the power of our old corrupt nature. Then we can "Walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." In 1923 the following individuals were the most powerful men in the world. They ruled the world of finance and money. Please take special note of the end of their lives. Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company in America. Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company. Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company. Arthur Cutten, the great wheat speculator. Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange. Albert Fall, Secretary of Interior in President Harding's cabinet. Jesse Livermore, the great "bear" on Wall Street. Ivan Krueger, head of the world's greatest monopoly. Leon Fraser, president of the Bank of International Settlements. These men were "movers and shakers," of their day, the kind many people envy and wish to emulate. Yet something went terribly wrong with these men's lives. Twenty-five years later: Charles Schwab, went bankrupt. Samuel Insull, died in foreign land penniless and a fugitive from justice. Howard Hopson was insane. Arthur Cutten, was insolvent and died abroad. Richard Whitney had just been released from Sing-Sing prison. Albert Fall had just been pardoned from prison and died at home, broke. Jesse Livermore committed suicide. Ivan Krueger committed suicide. Leon Fraser committed suicide. Each of these individuals had a melt down in their inner lives. It began in their minds and hearts. "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." The inner man is where life's battles are won or lost. "Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life." Ask the Lord daily to give you the strength to live a life of integrity and honesty. He is the source of strength for Kingdom living. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Our Permanent Priest

Please read Hebrews 7:18-28. The writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus Christ came onto the scene "According to the order of Melchizedek," meaning that He followed in Melchizedek's unique way, rather than following the path of the Levitical priesthood, therefore, His priesthood is superior to the priesthood established in the era of the Law. This passage builds upon that foundation and points out that Jesus, our high priest, greatly exceeds all other priests in His character, permanence and work. First, note an important contrast. On the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness, and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. What is true religion? Answer, know God and having access to Him. The writer operates from a basic premise that we need access to God. His words reveal that he hopes to help his readers come into the very presence of God without fear. How do we reach God? The gap between man and his Creator is too great, and sin prevents man from reaching God on his own. Therefore, there must be something to span the gap between sinful man and a holy God. Thus the need for a priest. The good news is that there is One and only One who can open the way to God permanently and perfectly. Second, Jesus Priesthood explained. Note a series of contrasts. These contrasts point out that if we choose an earthly pontiff as our bridge-builder to God, we will have one who lacks God's oath of approval, one who cannot be a guarantee, and one who will die. The following verse gives us a brief wrap-up of what has been presented so far. "He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for us." There are three reasons for Christ's superiority. First because He is sinless. Second, because His sacrifice was offered once for all. That sacrifice was Himself. And third He is Superior because He is the perfect Son of God forever. Third, lets make application of Christ's Priesthood for today. Only through Christ are we able to know God (His thoughts, will, precepts, and Word). Through Christ only are we able to reach God. Have you spent time with your heavenly Priest today? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.