And Be Ye Thankful

“Lie not one to another,” Col. 3:9

“Forbearing one another,” Col. 3:13

“and forgiving one another,”

“and be ye thankful?” Col. 3:15

I have heard many a preacher say, “Ministry would be wonderful if it weren’t for all the people.”  This said rather tongue-in-cheek of course because they all know that ministry IS the people.  They know that “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

But people, even believers do lie one to another, they (rather WE) do it all the time. 

Truth is we often lie to ourselves. 

But people, even believers do lie one to another. “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

And often the enemy sits in the pew with a sheepish grin waiting for his opportunity to pounce.   “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

People hurt, they bite, they devour, they (rather WE) are often selfish to the core.  Not only so but often our pride keeps us from seeing it and getting it right...  

We think we’re right.

“Ministry would be wonderful if it weren’t for all the people.”

Preachers and believers in general are commanded to forbear (that is to say ’put up with’); forbear with a lot of nonsense.  (And all we believers also are to forbear and forgive.)

You want to know their secret?  You want to know how men of God do it?

1^st – They are determined not to be moved.

            “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

2^nd- They know what they have been called to do and for Whom.

            “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

3^rd – They keep their eyes on the Master.

            “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

4^th – They die to self.

            “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;”

5^th – They wear holy ‘under’ garments.

            “put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,” Col. 3:8

            “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,

meekness, longsuffering;” Col. 3:12

6^th – They are at peace with the sovereignty of God saying…

            “It’s as God would have it.”

            “let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15

And Finally and most importantly…

7^th- They are men of the Word.

“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.” Col. 3:16

So that they are supernaturally enabled to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  (v17) In the face of opposition this is just not natural.

And they are examples to the flocks.

Therefore Christian…

“Lie not one to another,” Col. 3:9

“Forbearing one another,” Col. 3:13

“and forgiving one another,”

“and be ye thankful!” Col. 3:15

Have A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today, Tomorrow, and Every Day!

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”