November 12, 2022 -- Colossians 3:23-25 -- With your eyes fixed on Jesus, accept responsibility for your actions

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:23-25 ESV

The positive and negative character traits for today’s self-examination are accepting responsibility versus projection. The context of today’s passage is the way in which masters treat their slaves and how slaves are commanded to obey their masters. Immediately some readers will say under their breath, “not relevant” because slavery is outlawed. Nice try. All believers are slaves to Jesus Christ. He bought them back from the wrath and punishment of God. He claims them. They are His slaves. Then in an incredible act of love and good will, He no longer calls His followers slaves, but calls them friends (John 15:15). As His slaves, now friends, He sends His people out to serve Him being fruitful no matter where they are placed and with eyes fixed on Him in love and thankfulness, they keep His commands.

As Jesus sends out His followers, they will live in the world, they will work in the world, they will be accountable for their work. As Jesus’ slave-friends the Christian accepts responsibility when all his faults and wrong-doing are presented to him. The negative character trait is projection, which means getting defensive when wrong doing is pointed out. Projection includes trying to explain away bad behavior or sloppy work. It is blaming others or circumstances for one’s own bad behavior. A believer in Jesus will receive affirmation as belonging to the credit and glory of Jesus. A believer will hear criticism and willingly learn from it. Believers who mess up, fess up so that the Name of Jesus is not discredited. If a believer is falsely accused, he counts it all joy to suffer in his body for the sake of Jesus.

No doubt there is a niggling thought in the back of your brain as you read this, “who is this naive author”? People will take advantage of me if I really live this way. Jesus knows the ways of this world. He walked among swindlers and manipulators, con-artists and ordinary people whose hearts are far from the Father. He declared:

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy”. But I say to you, Love your enemy and
pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons
of your Father in heaven…For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collector do the
same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you
doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You must therefore be perfect as your heavenly Father is
perfect.
Matthew 5:43-45, 46-48 ESV)

Father in heaven, increase our faith! Who can do what You require and keep the standards You demand? All the more heartily and thankfully do Your people praise You for the righteousness given them in Jesus Christ! Blessed be Your Name Mighty God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who increases faith, deepens understanding and gives to the believer a heaven-sent desire for holiness and integrity that reaches to every part of life and every activity. As believers who live in a world that reeks of sin and is foul with corruption You have called Your people to live as salt and light. Spirit of God assist believers to proclaim the great salvation found in Jesus Christ and the healing He brings, so that newly received sons and daughters will stand up and be counted among those who are living for Jesus and bringing honour and praise to the Father in heaven. Amen.

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"The Things We Leave Behind" Michael Card

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