(Col 3:24)  “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”   So often we think the only ones “serving” the Lord are those who are in full time service – missionaries, pastors, youth leaders, music directors. But that is as wrong as it gets. Each one of us are to live their “bought with a price” life in the service of He Who saved us. We are to serve Him for the purpose of being lights in a world of darkness. In a world where the only way the lost will hear of what Jesus has done and would do for them is through our individual voices and demonstrations of righteous living.

(Col 3:24)  “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”  It is so hard for the true Believer to practice the Word of God because we are held back by this sinful flesh. The Bible says the flesh and the spirit struggle one against the other. Our promise of reward awaits us in our inheritance. The flesh wants it now just as the Prodigal Son. Our promise here is, “In the world thou shalt have tribulation;” and there is, “…but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  This wrong desire leads one’s heart to blame the Lord when the outcome here is not what we look for. The problem is not a failure on the Lord’s part but a wrong Bible understanding on ours.

(Col 3:22)  “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:”  One is not to pretend to do right if the heart is not in it. That would be hypocrisy.  To overcome that, one is to focus their heart upon the Lord, as in doing service to Him. All of life is to be focused upon the Lord Who saved us. Our work here upon this earth is temporary  and short in the eyes of eternity. We can bare anything as long as we remind our heart, “This is but for a moment.”

(Php 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”    The second part of this verse reminds me that nothing is beyond the ability of God except that which He has decreed. One such decree is the free will of man. My Lord does not force a person to be saved and does not force them to obey Him. His desire is that we will love Him and be thankful enough for the cross to surrender our earthly desires to Him.

 (Php 3:21) “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”   This is very much a part of the salvation the Lord Jesus purchased for us on the cross, which He was the first to enjoy through His resurrection from the dead. Lying around on clouds is not the promise for the saved. It is a new body, a new earth, a new home, physical life not marred by sinful thoughts, warped character, the ugliness of pride, or the frailty of our bodies. What awaits the Born Again is an eternity of activity and fellowship!  I say, “Even so Lord Jesus come quickly”!

(Php 3:20)  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”   We look for the Savior! Every believer is to spiritually have his or her face turned towards heaven today, looking for the Lord Jesus to come for us! We need not be concerned about what tomorrow may bring, for the Lord’s hand is upon His children should that day even come. Today is the day we are to anticipate and live for Him to come! Glory!

(Php 3:20)  “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”  Whenever we see the word “conversation”, most times we think “manner of life”. That is correct. It means that because it speaks of being part of a community, a group of people. The truly saved are not of the community of God’s children. We are to live as such, children of light among children of darkness. This is for the purpose of drawing them to the Savior. Can a unsaved person distinguish you as different from themselves?  I hope you will take a look at www.thirstingsouls.com for sermons, Bible teaching, and special music.

(Php 3:18) “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”   Notice it is the unsaved, and in this case, false brethren, who “mind earthly things”. In other words, their heart is upon the “things” of this earth. We have been admonished to, (Col_3:2)  “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”. Jesus told us (Mat 6:19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,…. (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,…. (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Could it be that the reason we are not actively looking forward to our heavenly home and are clinging to this earth is because we “mind earthly things”? 

(Php 3:18) “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”   How can you identify these wolves in sheep’s clothing? Two things are vital: firstly, to be sure you are saved. Be sure you have repented of your sins, asking forgiveness through the blood of Jesus; put your faith in Him alone for your salvation, asking Him for the gift of everlasting life. Many have done the second part (asking) without the first (repenting). It is your sin that needs to be dealt with. I know, I did the second without the first and was still lost. Then,  secondly, protect yourself through a growing knowledge of God’s Word.