Peter Misselbrook's Blog

May 2 2020 - Colossians 3:1-17 – Raised with Christ

The Christian is one who has died with Christ and has been raised with Christ. The risen Christ is not only the source of our life, he is our life. In one sense, our new life is currently "hidden with Christ in God"; it will be seen and experienced in all its fullness only when Christ returns (Colossians 3:3-4). And yet, we are to live this new life now, in all the mundane details of daily living.

We are to do so firstly by fixing our eyes on Jesus. He is our life and we are to thirst after the life which is ours in him: "seek the things above [NIV has set your hearts on things above], where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (3:1). Since we have been raised with Christ, the characteristics of the age to come are to shape our thinking, and thereby to transform the way we live: "set your minds on things above" (3:2).

And yet we continue to live in this present age with all its influences and pressures. More than that, until the day of final resurrection arrives, we remain deeply flawed creatures of this present age. And so we need continually to put away all those things that characterise a world in rebellion against God: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry..." (3:5). As we begin to read this list, we may congratulate ourselves that we are not like this, but are we entirely free from the idolatrous sin of greed – the desire for things rather than the desire for God? And when we begin to congratulate ourselves that we are not like others around us, we have fallen prey to the sin of pride; we have failed humbly to recognise that all that is good within us is the work of God by his Spirit. We have nothing of which we should be proud but we have much in which we can boast.

We need not only to thrust away the continual pollution of sin, we need continually to put on the character that has been so wonderfully displayed in Christ: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (3:12-14).

This resurrection life is to be lived relationally. Heavenly mindedness is not about developing a wonderful spirituality but about living well with others – being mediators of the love, grace, peace and blessings of God in Christ.

Each day is a call to put off the dirty old clothes of fallen humanity and to put on the glorious clothing of Christ – a call to live the resurrection life in our varied relationships with others. Here’s a challenging thought with which to begin each day as we dress in the morning.

Living God, open our eyes to see afresh the many ways in which you have blessed us in Christ. You have not treated us as our sins deserve but have forgiven us freely and have embraced us in your love. Fill our hearts with songs of gratitude. Clothe us ever and afresh with Christ, that his compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience may shape our relations with others today. Help us to live the resurrection life, so that "whatever [we] do, whether in word or deed, [we may] do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (3:17).

May 2 2019 - 1 Samuel 24 – David spares Saul's life

Saul has dealt with the latest skirmish with the Philistines and has returned to his pursuit of David, still intent on killing him. David and his men, having seen Saul and his army approaching, were hiding in what must have been a deep and dark cave. Imagine their surprise when Saul entered the cave to relieve himself. David's soldiers saw this as the providential delivery of Saul into their hands and urged David to kill his "enemy". But David refused. Instead he cut off the corner of the king's robe which Saul must have cast aside while he did what he needed to do.

This may have seemed a fairly harmless action but it leaves David conscience-stricken. Although Saul was intent on killing David, David was determined to do Saul no harm for he knew that he was still "the anointed of the Lord". God had appointed Saul to be king over Israel and God would have to remove him before David could succeed to the kingdom.

As Saul left the cave to re-join his men, David called to him from the cave's entrance addressing him as "My lord the king." David showed Saul the corner of his robe that he had cut off as proof that he could easily have killed Saul but had chosen to do him no harm. David tells Saul that this is proof that those who have stirred up his hatred by saying "David is bent on harming you" have not been telling the truth.

This was a very brave act on David's part. Saul was accompanied by 3,000 armed young men and could easily have destroyed David with his much smaller band of followers. But his action seems to have convicted Saul, at least for the moment, that his pursuit of David was wrong. He exclaims, "You are more righteous than I… You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly" (v. 17). Saul even says, "May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands" (vv. 19-20). His only request is that when David does become king he will not seek revenge on any of Saul's remaining family. This, David is happy to promise on oath.

So Saul returns to his palace. But it would seem that David is still unsure of his own safety for he and his men return to their stronghold in the Desert of En Gedi.

David knows that God has chosen him to be king of Israel, but he will not seize the kingdom by force. He is content to wait on the Lord's timing, confident that the Lord will be faithful to his promises and will protect David from harm in the meantime.

When others treat us unjustly, how do we respond? Do we look for an opportunity to get even or do we trust God and follow the way of the Lord Jesus Christ? How good are we at waiting, waiting on the Lord for him to act for us in his own good time? It is not always easy to follow Christ in the path of trusting obedience.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

  “He committed no sin,
   and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

Think what it means that when Jesus refused to retaliate when he was unjustly treated he left us an example that we should follow in his steps.

Father God, may the mind of Christ my Saviour dwell in me from day to day, by his love and power controlling all I do and say.

Peter Misselbrook