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Morning Thoughts



If the Lord Jesus--in Person--was sitting across from me this morning, I'd be terrified. GOD. In person. Knowledge of everything I am. How would I behave? Would I attempt to "put on" an appearance of righteousness? Would I try hard to let no ugliness or sin be seen, as when a guest visits our home, or as we all too often do at church? Would I feel compelled to attempt to measure up to His perfection so He would be pleased with me? But this is the action of the Pharisee. What does the Lord desire of me?

Open confession of my utter inability. Cease striving and attempting to gain His approval by my efforts--I cannot. He doesn't see as man sees; He sees clearly, fully, brightly, down to my very soul; my thoughts, words unspoken, intentions, motivations. All are laid bare before Him, in all their ugliness, sin, wickedness, deadness. I can't hide it, and to pretend I can or to attempt to is to deny His God-ship and is the height of hypocrisy.

All I can do is fall at His feet and beg for mercy. Place all of my hopes, trust, security, safety, life, treasures, passions, ambitions in Him, who alone can save me from the flood of God's wrath that is so well-earned. As I look to Him--only--as the source of my peace and righteousness, I adore Him--His great love for me, His giving of all on my behalf. I begin to dimly see how to live: outside myself, all my thoughts, hopes, delights and abilities are in Him.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him....For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."
Col. 1:15-16; 2:9-10

My identity is lost IN HIM. I am buried with Him, raised with Him, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 2:12, 20, 3:1,3)
SO...
Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed/idolatry) (Col. 3:5).
What is to be IN me? "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col 3:15). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16). "Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs..." (Col 3:16b):

Psalm 7:1, 10-13, 17
"O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me...My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day. If He does not relent, He will sharpen His sword; He will bend and string His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes ready His flaming arrows....I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High."

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