| Our verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28 |
|---|
| Colossians 1:28 says, “we proclaim Christ Jesus, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” |
| The Apostle Paul’s Mission Statement for his Ministry From the Apostle Paul, we can find “life mission” statements. For instance, “For me to live is Christ.” (Phil. 1:21) or “My ambition is to be well pleasing to Him.” (2 Cor. 5:9) Or “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24). As well we can get ministry mission statements from him such as from Colossians 1:28. Paul says here his mission is “to present everyone mature in Christ.” Let’s notice how he does it so we can also do it. When we become a believer, we begin a journey of BECOMING Christ-like. The journey starts with a new birth and as a newborn, we must GROW. Little by little the newborn becomes a child, and the child is to then grow to maturity. For maturity to be achieved Paul says he issues WARNINGS as well as imparts WISDOM. When warnings and wisdom are applied you will see a believer becoming MATURE. Regarding seeing an example of this I look to Ephesians 4:28. Paul writes to those who were thieves and issues first a WARNING and then WISDOM. He writes, “Let the thief no longer steal,” That is the WARNING. STOP STEALING! He continues with WISDOM. “But rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Warning and Wisdom are imparted and when applied we have a mature believer living a CHANGED LIFE! For a person to be known as MATURE we would say they have become RESPONSIBLE. The mature know there are things that they don’t do, and they DON’T DO THEM and there are things that they do and THEY DO THEM They listen and they learn! They heed the warnings and hear the wisdom. They acquire wisdom and they APPLY wisdom! Part of maturity is understanding the necessity of helping others mature. We who now know Christ are to make Christ known to others (evangelism). We who are MATURING (the process is continual) are to help others become more like Christ (discipleship). 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Some questions to ask: Are you maturing? Can others see your progress in becoming more Christ-like? Are you listening to warnings from Scripture? Are you learning from the wisdom of Scripture? Do you have a mature believer in your life that gives warnings to you as well as imparts wisdom? Are you making Christ known (witnessing)? Are you helping mature (discipling)? Verse to DATE the Word on January 28 (1/28) is Colossians 1:28. It says, “we proclaim Christ Jesus, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Continue Strong maturing as a believer and helping others mature as a believer. And remember to DATE THE WORD |