Whatsoever Things Are True
by Dan Coburn
Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church
pastordan@mtida.net
What am I supposed to do with this?
 Back when I was a kid, they were offering music lessons; (band class) at my school. As a second grader, secure in my identity, I was pretty sure, this would be pretty cool. I could see myself playing a deluxe red sunburst electric guitar before a myriad of adoring fans. I would wear Hawaiian shirts and sing all four parts of some Beach Boys songs, all by myself. Maybe Chubby Checkers - The Twist.  (the long version).  One day my mom came home with my new instrument. It was second hand, and my parents had to sacrifice to get it, but I was not impressed. It was ------ a Violin. This was in no wise fitting in with my design for my life. Through my tears, I remember inventorying the contents of the case. A bow, a fist-ful of honey looking stuff in rock form called resin, and various unidentified parts. Extra Credit:  Perfect Pitch has been defined as - "tossing a violin into the dumpster, and hitting an accordion".  Just sayin. I cried out in my most honest and shrill voice: “What am I supposed to do with this?!!!!!”   
Sometimes Christians ask this same question. Most often without voicing or even realizing it.  Hebrews 2:3 warns of neglecting “so great salvation”. What does it mean to be saved? What are the signs? Is there a natural progression, or change in our behavior - attitudes and desires? Do you know? Can you know? Do you even think about it from time to time?  What am I supposed to do with this?
Peter answers this question when he says: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:” WHY? “that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”-2nd Peter 1:4.  This is not something that is substituted on our behalf because we “walked the isle”, “made a profession of faith”, “prayed the prayer”, or “got dunked”. Yes, God’s redemptive work is more than sufficient, complete and once and for all, but we still have work to do. Take up your cross daily, deny self, and follow Him.  Verses 5-7 give us hands on, practical things to do daily for our duration on earth so that - “they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” vs 8.   Being fruitful in Christ would pay two immediate dividends. First, you will have power to endure all manner of attacks whether carnal or spiritual. Second, you will be able to boldly proclaim the message of the gospel, or give good council to those in need around you.  The key is that you be IN the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is not an awareness of His existence, but rather a Relationship with the Person of Christ. Do you Know Him?  Is He a bigger part of your life than anyone else you can think of? Does He seem like just a vague reward for a life spent in vain attempts at goodness? Absent a Relationship with Jesus Christ, it is impossible to achieve the other things mentioned here. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” - Phil. 2:13. Over the next weeks, we will answer all of these questions to the degree that you will know, not wonder, where you stand.God Bless.

Cottonwood, Idaho 83522
 

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