GROWING IN GODLINESS

Relationships often prove to be the crucible in which our godliness is tested. Paul challenges us in his letter to the Colossians to bring the life and character of Christ into the way we relate to others. Drawing strength from the power and might of His glory, we must remove and discard our old ways of living and relating. God has made us new creations in Christ; let us continually be renewed to live and love in a manner worthy of the Lord. Col. 1:9-12: "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, fully 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." LET US: Be filled with the knowledge of God's will. Continually live a life worthy of the Lord. Be fruitful in every good work. Grow in our understanding and knowledge of God. Be strengthened with power from the might of His glory. Endure patiently with joy. Give thanks to the Father for being partakers of His Kingdom. Col. 3:12-17: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuf-fering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let 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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." LET US: Throw off our old self and its lifestyle. Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering. Not be harsh, unfriendly or rude in our relationships. Put on love and from the core of our being, be tender, merciful, humble, patient and forgiving in all our relationships. Have the peace of Christ control our thoughts and emotions. Study, think about, memorize, believe and live the Word of God so that it becomes part of who we are. Let the Word inhabit our conversation with others and our worship of God. Devote ourselves to Jesus and to knowing God's Word. [The New Spirit-filled Life Bible]