Through the Bible - Colossians

Father, as we look at this letter tonight written by the Apostle Paul, one who is sent with a message, we think of the missions work that You called Paul to. Now, as we've prayed for Pastor Pat and You are sending him out, a man with a message to go out, we pray that You would bless him as he goes. We also pray that You would encourage us and instruct us through this letter as we study the book of Colossians tonight about how we are to live and how we are to move in this world that we live in today. Help us to be a bright, shining light wherever we go and to whoever we encounter, whether it's here locally in Escondido in the San Diego area, or whether You would put us on a plane and send us to Africa, China, India, Indonesia, or wherever we would go. God, I ask that You would use us to be fruitful, for we ask it in Your precious name. Amen.

Now, how many of you who have been studying along with us through the books of the Bible read through the book of Colossians this last week? A number of you. All right, well, I highly encourage you, as we've been going through these books, to read along with us each week. This is kind of what we do here on Saturday nights: a really an overview of what's in each of these books. I hope that you're taking the time to dig deeply into them.

As we go through these epistles, these letters that Paul the Apostle wrote, remember that an epistle and an apostle are different things. The apostle is the one sent with the message, while the epistle is the message itself. Paul wrote this letter to a church that he had never visited up to this point. It's not a church that he planted. Most of Paul's letters were to churches he planted, except for the letter to the church at Rome and the letter to the church at Colossae.

As we open this letter, we see that it is addressed to a church he never visited. He didn't know the people personally who lived there, but he had heard about their faith and their witness. When you consider our church, Calvary Chapel of Escondido, and you travel around, you will find...

The witness of the faith of this church has sounded abroad as well. People have heard about Calvary Chapel of Escondido and the work that's going on here, which is encouraging. It's a lot like what we see from the church in Colossae. Paul writes because this church was beginning to experience a challenge that the church would face for about the next hundred years.

When you look at church history, especially in the later part of the first century and through the second century, you find that the church battled a deceiving doctrine called Gnosticism. This church was one of the first to experience that Gnostic heresy that started to arise within the body of Christ. The idea was that everything physical is evil, and only the things that are spiritual are good. As you read through this letter, you'll see that Paul confronts this very clearly because there were people teaching that you should not touch, taste, or handle anything physical, as it would dirty and defile you.

But remember what Jesus said in the Gospels: it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but rather what comes out of the heart—evil thoughts and evil actions. It is not the things we touch in this world that cause us to be morally impure; it is our wicked heart. As we read in Jeremiah 17:9, the heart of man is desperately wicked. Who can know it?

We live in a society here in the year 2008 that claims outside influences cause a child to be evil, mean, wrong, or to tell lies. However, many of you know that is not the case. It is interesting that I have noticed, for a long time, people have told me that very early on, you begin to see the characteristics and personality traits of a child emerge.

My son, Ethan, is back there laying on the floor. He is seven weeks old tonight, and already we see that this child has a strong will. When he gets frustrated, he clenches his fists, turns bright red, and starts to grunt. You can already see, even though he is so precious, that he has a sin nature. When he does this, both Andrea and I laugh because we think it is cute, but we know that in a couple of years, it won't be cute anymore.

We already see that sin nature because it is out of the heart that proceed evil thoughts and evil actions. If he had the power and strength, he would push himself to get his way, even at seven weeks old. We see it from a very early age.

At an early age, there is a mindset, even in our culture, that was very much the same in this church and in this city, Colossae. It is believed that outside influences cause us to behave in certain ways, to try and get our own way, or that these influences make us evil or selfish. However, it is a denial of the fact that there is such a thing as evil. We really see this sentiment in our nation, America, today. There is a strong belief that there is no such thing as evil, and that people are merely affected by the environment and society they live in. The idea is that if we can engage in good diplomacy and talk with them, we can help them see that the path they are on is not a good idea. But that is not the case. It is not just outside influences; it is the heart that is desperately wicked.

As Paul writes to this church, he addresses three heresies that had begun to emerge. One of these heresies is an intellectual one. Gnosticism focused on the intellect and the various things we can know, particularly the philosophies of man. Paul addresses this in verse 8 of chapter 2, where he writes in Colossians 2:8, which is a great memory verse. In fact, there is even a store in the mall where Pastor Mark's son, Christian, works, called C2-8. Some of you may have been there before. C2-8 is all about Colossians 2:8: "Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit."

Philosophy is not entirely a bad thing. The word "philosophy" in Greek is derived from two words that mean "to love wisdom." When we read the book of Proverbs, we see that it is important to have wisdom. But where is wisdom found? The fear of God, the fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom.

Man has all kinds of philosophies, worldviews, and ideas about various topics. You can study philosophy and examine how different ages viewed the world. There is a pattern that shows the evolution of thought, from the theistic worldview to the deistic worldview, and then to existential movements, all the way down to where we are today in this postmodern era.

There are many different philosophies, but Paul warns us to beware lest anyone spoil our faith through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world, the rudiments of the world. Paul writes to this church, which is being seduced by these ideas.

Paul warns against various heresies in the early church, beginning with intellectual heresy. In verse 11 of chapter 2, he writes about being circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, which involves putting off the body of sins of the flesh through the circumcision of Christ. He addresses another heresy that emerged in Colossae, which involved adhering to specific Jewish practices, such as observing feast days and fasts, in an attempt to achieve righteousness and holiness.

Some believe that holiness or righteousness, or even enlightenment, can be attained through education, intellect, and philosophy. Others think it can be achieved by following a set of rules and laws, of which there are many that people try to adhere to. In addition to intellectual and legalistic heresies, Paul also discusses mystical heresy in verses 18 and onward of chapter 2. This heresy often involves a spiritual, touchy-feely approach that can draw people in.

Looking at our own nation today, it seems we can categorize people into these three groups. There are intellectuals who believe that improving education, particularly in places like Africa, will solve all problems. Then there are those who advocate for a legalistic approach, insisting that following a specific set of rules—whether six, ten, or more—will lead to righteousness. Finally, there are those who seek a mystical experience, believing that meditation and emptying the mind will provide the answers they seek.

Throughout our culture and the world, we see these three perspectives, or mixtures of them. Paul emphasizes the importance of avoiding these heresies because they do not lead to true transformation. The book of Colossians centers on the power of God, which is the true source of transformation. It is not about following an intellectual, mystical, or legalistic pattern; it is about the power of God. The theme verse of Colossians, I believe, is verse 11 of chapter 1, where Paul prays for the church to be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, leading to patience, long-suffering, and joyfulness.

He says, "I am praying for you that you would be strengthened with God's might according to His glorious power, because it is in God's might and His glorious power that you and I are transformed."

As we went through the book of Philippians last week, we saw at the end of Philippians chapter 3 that God is able to change us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power is active and effective in your life and in mine as we yield ourselves to Christ. In fact, Paul talks about this being a mystery that wasn't revealed in the Old Testament but has now been revealed to us, the church, the body of Christ.

We see this down in chapter 1, verse 25. Paul, speaking about the gospel, says, "Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hid from the ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to the saints." Paul states that the mystery of God has been revealed to you and me, the saints, the ones who have been made holy by God.

Now, look at what this mystery is in verse 27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among you, the Gentiles, which is what? Christ in you, the hope of glory."

You see, people are trying to reach some level of enlightenment, some level of understanding, by intellectualism, legalism, or mysticism. They want to attain a glorified state, whether it be godhood, paradise, heaven, or some other level in an astral projection kind of way.

Here, Paul reveals the secret, the mystery that was not disclosed in the Old Testament. Jesus, at His coming, makes it clear, as Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 1. In 2 Timothy 1, verse 9, speaking of Jesus, Paul says, "Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works."

So again, we should discard all that legalism and the notion of trying to do it ourselves, but rather according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but now is made manifest. This great grace is made manifest by the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Paul says very much the same thing to Timothy in his second letter. He states that Jesus, when He came, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. He has brought it out of darkness. He has unwrapped the gift and revealed the mystery to you and me through the gospel. Life and immortality have been revealed. Paul says, "I've been appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher to the Gentiles to bring this message into the world: Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The only hope we have for glory is found in Christ and Christ in us. The only way we can have Christ in us is by receiving Him by faith. It is a gracious gift that God has given. It is not by our works of righteousness that any one of us have done, but only by His working in us. The mystery is revealed: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

In verse 28, Paul writes, "Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom." Why do we warn men? Why do we preach the gospel? It is so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Whereunto also I labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily. It is God's working in us that works mightily, causing us to will and to do His good pleasure, as we saw in Philippians chapter two last week.

It is God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. He works in us to be a witness to this world and to preach the gospel, warning and teaching every man. Ultimately, our purpose is that we may present every man perfect. That word "perfect" there means complete or mature, lacking nothing, as James talks about in James chapter one. We want to see that on the day of Christ Jesus, when we are standing with every single one of you, along with our neighbors and family members. We all want to be standing there together, mature in Christ. That was Paul's aim and ambition.

However, there are always outside influences, which come from the enemy. The enemy seeks to destroy God's church and tear it down. He comes in with vain philosophy, binding man with legalism. He seduces man with all kinds of spiritual, mystical practices, confusing everything. Wherever you go, whether in our own county or on the other side of the world to take the gospel, you will encounter these very things. You will find cultures, whether in India, Belize, or elsewhere, that are seduced by mysticism. You will also find cultures affected by intellectualism, as seen in Europe.

You will find great legalism when you go into the Middle East. But wherever you go, you're going to see these things because the enemy is always seeking to bind up man in these ways. We take the power of God, which is the only thing that can transform. Paul was telling this church to beware of this and to stay away from it. This is what we fight against as the body of Christ as we take the gospel into the world.

We also need to watch out in our own lives because these things can creep in and seduce us as well, binding us up. I have met many Christians, and maybe you have as well, who have been bound up with legalism. I have counseled, talked with, and tried to instruct many Christians who have been seduced by mysticism and some weird mystical practices that are not of God. They are not of the Holy Spirit; they are of some other spirit. We always have to be on guard because these things can easily slide into the church.

In Colossians chapter 3, Paul explains where this power really comes from. He moves away from mystical, intellectual, or legalistic things and focuses on the real thing, the one true thing, which is Jesus Christ. Before we jump into chapter 3, I want you to notice what he says against mystical practices in verse 20 of chapter 2. He states, "Wherefore, if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments, the elementary principles of this world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances, 'Touch not, taste not, handle not,' which are all to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?"

He points out that these practices have an appearance of wisdom. They look really good. In fact, when you meet someone who lives a monastic lifestyle or someone who is into real Buddhism or similar beliefs, they often seem very spiritual. I have seen numerous stories and read many articles about the Dalai Lama and how amazing he is perceived to be.

Spirituality is important, and while some may show wisdom, it often does not affect the heart level. If such a person stands before God tonight, God will say, "Thou fool. It didn't profit you anything. It profited you not one thing at all."

They may have these ordinances: "Touch not, taste not, handle not." While these things may be good, we sometimes need to depart from and stay away from certain things that hinder us in our walk with the Lord. The book of 1 Corinthians is very clear that there are certain things in this world that will hinder us from drawing close to the Lord. However, those things, in and of themselves, are not going to make us holy if we cast them off. It is the Lord who makes us holy, and those things hinder us from getting to Him.

Paul emphasizes that if we do away with all this stuff and focus on the Lord, that is the key. In verse 1 of chapter 3, he writes, "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above." All these other things in this world can be easily dealt with by seeking those things which are above. The things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

That is why Jesus Himself would tell us in the Sermon on the Mount to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. We can get so stuck on the things of this world, trying to eliminate certain behaviors or avoid specific actions. Ultimately, if you want to deal with those issues quickly, set your mind on things above.

It has been said many times before, and I'm sure you've heard it: If I tell you, "Whatever you do, don't think of a pink elephant," your mind becomes consumed with that pink elephant. The only way to get rid of the pink elephant is to set your mind on something else. Sometimes, we can become so focused on the thing in our life that is tripping us up. It may very well be a bad thing, and it may be the very thing that hinders us from getting to the Lord.

However, the best thing to do, as Paul says in chapter 3, is to seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. He is seated in a position of authority, power, and dominion. He has all authority, power, and dominion. The book of Colossians tells us that He has power in heaven, on earth, of things unseen, and of things seen, including principalities, powers, and dominions. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

If you want to experience completeness and fullness, it is only going to be found in Him. Therefore, Paul instructs us to set our minds on things above and to set our affections, as stated in verse 2 of chapter 3, on those things above, not on the things of the earth. The person who is consumed with intellectualism...

Legalism and mysticism are focused completely upon this earth. They try to make themselves holy by the elementary principles and rudiments of this world. However, holiness will never be found in those things. Holiness is only found in Christ—Christ in you, the hope of glory. Set your affection on things above, not on the things of the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then we shall also appear with Him in glory. He is the one who will glorify us by His appearing. He is so glorious that He will also make us glorious when we come into His presence.

This does not mean that there aren't certain things we should flee from and separate ourselves from. We need to recognize that these are the things that hinder us from coming to God. They are not the things that, by merely neglecting them, make us holy. There are many people who are religious, who have a religious pattern or form, and they abstain from the very same things that we will read about in these verses. Yet, they are not holy. They may abstain just like you do, but they are not holy. Why? They do not know Christ. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory. You can abstain from every single one of these things and not have Christ in you, and you will go to hell. Ultimately, He is the one who glorifies.

Many people say, "Well, I'm not an adulterer. I've never murdered. I've never done A, B, C, D, E, and F." Yet, they are still wicked, unrighteous, and evil before God. Although they have abstained and may be considered, quote unquote, good people, they are still lost. I know there are some who would be upset if they heard me say that the Dalai Lama will go to hell if he does not repent, simply because he is a religious person. It does not matter; he is going to hell unless he repents because he does not have Christ in him. He has no hope of glory, which is only found in Christ and Christ in you.

These are the things that hinder us from coming to God and receiving the glory that He gives. Therefore, He says to mortify these things. Get rid of them. Why? Because you are dead to this world. You are no longer a part of this world. Just as Jesus told His disciples in the Gospel of John, "You are not of this world." Mortify, therefore. Kill. Put to death. Lay aside. Reckon dead the members of your flesh upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness.

Idolatry is a serious issue. For these things, the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. God's wrath is going to come upon those who practice such things, just as we saw in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, and Romans, chapter 1. He will pour out His wrath upon those who practice these things. However, He will also pour out His wrath on those who abstain from such things if they do not know Christ.

The wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience, in which you also walked in the past when you lived in them. We need to recognize that such were some of us, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians, chapter 6. Some of us lived in this pattern in times past, but he says that in which you walked in the past, you are to do so no longer.

Now, you also need to put off all of these things. The scripture gives us another list of things that we are to put off very practically. Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds. We have put off our old life with its deeds and actions. Therefore, we are not to live in fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, lying, wrath, maliciousness, or blasphemy.

Instead, we are to put on the new man, as stated in verse 10. Just as we read in Ephesians, chapter 4, a few weeks ago, you have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. God has created us anew; we have become new creations. 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 17 says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. All the old has passed away. Behold, we become new." This new creation is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Notice verse 12: these are the things you are to put on as the elect of God, as those who are called and chosen by God. If tonight you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are one of the elect before the foundation of the world. As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. If any man has a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also you must do. This is the essence of our calling.

The mind of Christ and the life of Christ are essential themes in our understanding of Christian maturity. Remember, we saw that Paul told the church at Philippi in Philippians chapter 2, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ." We discussed the humility that Jesus displayed and the obedience He exhibited, emphasizing that He is our supreme example.

We also looked at the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, and then Paul provided his own example. In Philippians 3, he instructed the church to note those who walk as they have us for a pattern and to follow after us. He told the church at Corinth to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Similarly, he urged the church at Ephesus to be imitators of God as dear children.

Paul emphasizes that these are the actions we are to take. Just as Christ, who is our example, forgave us, we are to forgive others. Above all, in verse 14, he instructs us to put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Remember what we read a few months back when we went through 1 Corinthians. Paul discussed the gifts of the Spirit, which are often seen as mystical. Many in the body of Christ seek and desire mystical Christianity and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives. However, Paul concluded chapter 12 by saying, "I show you a better way."

In chapter 13, he elaborated on love, stating that now abide faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love. As you read through the New Testament, you will find that these three elements are crucial components of maturity in Christ. In fact, the entire book of Hebrews, which we will explore in just a few weeks, focuses on bringing us to maturity. At the end of chapter 5, the author of Hebrews says, "Let us move on to maturity." He then revisits the topic of maturity for several chapters until he reaches chapter 10, where he again encourages us to move on.

The last three chapters of Hebrews highlight these themes: chapter 11 is the hall of faith, chapter 12 discusses hope, and chapter 13 centers on love. Faith, hope, and love are vital components of maturity in Christ. Therefore, Paul reiterates, above all, put on love—agape love. This is the self-sacrificing love that you can read about and study in depth in 1 Corinthians 13. To further support this truth, consider Colossians chapter 1, verse 3, where Paul, in the opening...

Words of this letter, after he gives his salutation, begin with the phrase, "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." As we've seen in each of Paul's letters so far, he continues in verse 3, "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you."

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, we also recognize the hope which is laid up for you in heaven. You heard about this hope before in the word of the truth of the gospel. So, what does he say that identifies them as a church? What was it that he saw and heard about them that allowed him to declare they are believers? They had faith, hope, and love.

Paul knew, by observing these qualities and the testimonies he received from different people about the church in Colossae, that they were the children of God. In them were the characteristics of God: faith, hope, and love. This is what God desires to bring us to as well. However, we need to beware because there are many things in this world that can derail us and sidetrack us.

As we saw when we studied the book to the church at Corinth, they were a church that had been sidetracked. The church at Galatia faced similar issues. Paul asked, "Who hindered you? You ran well. Oh foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?" They too were caught up in legalism. This church struggled with Gnosticism, intellectualism, and mysticism, which can all derail our faith.

In chapter 2, Paul warns twice, "Do not be beguiled." He cautions against letting anyone come in and spoil you with their vanity and show of spirituality. On the outside, it may look really good, but inwardly, just like the Pharisees, they are ravening wolves.

Wherever we go in this world, we will be confronted with legalistic people. We will encounter those who are into spiritual, mystical pursuits, as well as individuals who are focused on intellectualism. However, none of these things glorify God. Only Christ can glorify.

You may meet someone who is the perfect monk, living a monastic life and denying themselves every possible pleasure in this world. Yet, if Christ is not in them, they are still going to hell. None of it profits them. You may also meet the smartest person in the world, and yet many of those individuals lack the true understanding that comes from faith in Christ.

Smart people deny that there is any God, and they, as the Scriptures say, are fools before God. You may run into the most religious, legalistic person, and they have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. You might find someone who can sit in ungodly positions with their legs behind their head, and they can meditate for hours, but it profits them nothing if Christ is not in them.

If tonight Christ is in you, then don't allow yourself to be derailed by the desires of this flesh that are of the world, which will pass away, or by the rudiments of this world. As Paul writes to this church, we are to stand strong. The last portion of the book can be divided quite nicely into two sections. The first two chapters deal with what Christ did for us, and the last two chapters deal with what Christ does through us. These are very practical things, just as we saw in the book of Ephesians, about sitting, walking, and standing.

Colossians and Ephesians are very similar; they were written at roughly the same period of time, AD 60 to 61, while Paul was in prison in Rome. When you get to chapter 3, Paul speaks to wives, husbands, fathers, servants, children, and masters, making it very practical because the Word of God is very practical. God desires to have fellowship with you and me. He desires to make us holy, and He makes it very clear: this is the way, walk in it.

It is not some weird, ethereal thing that He has called us to. He makes it very clear: wives, submit to your husbands; husbands, love your wives; fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath; servants, obey your masters; and masters, deal with your servants in an equal way, knowing that you have a Master who is in heaven.

Then he tells the church in verse 2 of chapter 4 to continue in prayer, watching in the same with thanksgiving. With all praying, he asks for us also that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, that I may make it manifest how I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom, church, toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. I believe God wants you and me to be those who speak the truth. We need to be ready in season and out of season, convincing, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, as Paul told Timothy in his last letter. We need to be those.

Who speak grace, seasoned with salt? Be ready to give the salt. This world needs it. If the salt loses its flavor, wherewith shall it be salted, as Jesus said? It's thenceforth good for nothing but to be tossed out and trampled under the foot of men. May we never lose the flavor—the flavor of Christ that has a way of burning when it touches the sin of individuals in this world. They don't like it, nor do they like the light that we shine. But just as Mark Cato prayed for Pat, let it shine. Don't hide it under a bushel. I'm going to let it shine.

As we do these things and follow after God, there's a great promise given to you and me as we allow love to be preeminent in our lives. We read in chapter 3, verse 15. We saw something very similar last week in Philippians chapter 4. Remember there in verse 6, he said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true and honest and just and pure and lovely and of good report, if there be any virtue or anything praiseworthy, think on these things."

He said to set your mind on what? Things above, not on the things of this world. Then let the peace of God rule in your hearts. The word "rule" there, in the original language in Greek, means to be the umpire over or the director of. God's peace is the umpire of my heart and yours. He tells us if it's safe or if it's out.

What's that got to mean? Well, when you and I are walking in Christ, seeking after Him, and we begin to move in a direction that's going to derail us, distract us, or hinder us from Him, His peace suddenly disappears. What does that tell us? Doubt. That's not for you. That's going to hinder you. You ran well. Who hindered you?

The peace of God is a great measure in my life and in yours about whether we are walking the way that God would have us walk. Do we experience the peace of God in our own lives? Are we experiencing the peace of God in our relationships with others? If we're not, it's a very good indication that we're not where we should be.

We need to stop and repent. To the extent that there's brokenness in my life and yours, it will be revealed by how quickly we repent when the peace of God is removed. If there's no brokenness in my life, I'll just continue plowing right along without even noticing it. However, where there's brokenness, it will be instant.

We see this with King David. He was one who, when confronted with his sin, repented. What set David apart from King Saul? They were both wicked men. Let's be honest; there was nothing righteous about the activities of David's life later on. It was very similar to King Saul. But what was the difference? When confronted with his sin, David repented. Psalm 51 reveals this. In contrast, King Saul, when confronted with his sin, rejected the confrontation. I don't know if we'll see King Saul in heaven. I hope so for his sake. But I'll tell you one thing: he hardened his heart. May we never do that when we experience the absence of the peace of God.

I met a guy several years ago who told me that God had removed his peace from him on purpose. He no longer had the peace of God. I looked at him and said, "I don't see that anywhere in Scripture." I think there might be something not quite right in your life. He insisted that the Lord didn't want him to experience peace because he claimed to be a prophet. I was a little concerned when I heard that because I remember what Jesus said: all the prophets were until John, and that was a couple thousand years ago.

He said, "I don't have the peace of God. God has removed it from me because He wants me to speak." I replied, "Well, I don't know if that's the case, but I don't think that you not having peace is a good thing. I think you need to repent." If you don't know what it is that you need to repent of, do as David did in Psalm 139 and say, "Lord, search me. See if there be any wicked way in me. Lead me in the way of righteousness." May the Lord do the same for me and for you as we draw near to Him.

Let's stand and pray. Father, I thank You for this letter. Only four chapters, but so powerful, Lord.

I pray that we would be those who allow Your peace to direct us and move us, Lord. When we experience a lack of peace, may we fall on our knees before You and cry out for Your peace.

Just as Moses did when the children of Israel sinned and their sin separated them from You, You said that You were going to withdraw Your presence from them. Moses stopped and declared that they would not go anywhere without You. Lord, may that be our heart as we navigate this world; may we never leave You behind.

We should always seek You to be the one who leads us ahead. For we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.