Clothed and Ready

February 22, 2015 Background Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 – 20 Lesson Passage: Ephesians 6:10 – 20 It has been said that you are not properly dressed until you put on your smile. Our lesson today will show that a smile might make a nice accessory to one’s physical dress but it does not make the list of spiritual wear. Physical clothing is needed for protection and it is often used to maintain a wholesome sense of modesty and to avoid embarrassment. Physical clothing is often used to make us comfortable. On the other hand, spiritual clothing is used for spiritual warfare. No serious person of war would ever think of entering battle or even a war zone without the proper clothing and gear. Today’s lesson allows us to review the spiritual person’s clothing and gear. The point can be made that it is head-to-toe but not front-to-back. Our spiritual gear is for spiritual warfare and not spiritual comfort. Christians don’t have to look for a war zone. Demonic activities will ensure that the spiritual battle will come to us over and over again. Therefore, it is wise for us to be properly dressed spiritually and properly armed at all times. We cling to the truth of our salvation to help protect our thoughts from the attacks of the enemy. The spiritual battle often engages us in our minds. Our testimony of saving faith is rehearsed over and over if only in our minds. We must constantly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ as we endure spiritual battles in our lives. Our spiritual hearts must be protected through the acknowledgement of Christ’s righteousness in us and the righteous acts we do because we are Christians—not that we do these things to become Christians. Our right standing before God is solely the redemptive work of Christ and not a result of any actions or inactions on our part. This understanding and affirmation aid in protecting our most vital spiritual organ. We must wear truth even as we would a belt. A belt is not a piece of clothing but an accessory to our clothing. Some clothing does not fit properly without a belt to hold it all together. Truth is an all-important accessory to our spiritual clothing. The truth found in God’s word helps us hold it all together as far as our faith is concerned. Christians are just not the same without it. Christians should always stand on the gospel as God’s exclusive means of salvation to anyone who accepts it. As we go, this is a constant part of our understanding. Our faith protects us from demonic attacks. What is faith? It is the assurance we receive through the knowledge of the word of God that gives us both insight and foresight. It was by faith that the spiritual leaders of the past excelled and received God’s approval. They didn’t always receive what they were longing for but their faith satisfied their desire. The word of God is our primary weapon. Jesus used it during his temptation in the wilderness. He also used it in the Temple and synagogues to battle those who through misinformed knowledge attempted to attack him. Perhaps a smile would be an interesting accessory but if we have these spiritual items, then with or without a smile, we are clothed and ready. Robert C. Hudson January 29, 2015

Serving the Least

February 15, 2015 Background Scripture: Matthew 25 Lesson Passage: Matthew 25:31 – 46 One should be careful when interpreting scripture text—especially when it is about Divine judgment. The perspective we should maintain for our text today is that this particular judgment is oftentimes referred to as the Judgment of Nations. This is not to suggest that it is not about the judgment of individuals but it is not about the judgment of Christians. Christians were vicariously judged for their sins at Calvary. What remains for Christians is the judgment of works to determine rewards and in some cases shame. This is not to suggest that there is not worthwhile information and instructions to be gained from properly studying this text but care must be exercised to keep the context in mind. For instance, if a Christian knows that lost persons will be judged based on how they treat the least of these on earth, then the urgency to live as Christians in our dealings with others should be heightened. We see then that God is concerned about the least and we who are called to reflect His glory should care likewise. But we should also be concerned about the judgment of nations because we are talking about our fellowman. Once we know the outcome of the judgment of souls at the judgment seat of Christ, then we should be vigilant in our evangelistic efforts. This lesson can serve to dispel ignorance as an excuse to not evangelize the lost. So who are the least of these? Jesus described them as hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. These are serious human conditions both physically and spiritually. In fact it is difficult in some cases and impossible in others to assist people spiritually before their physical needs have been eased. Jesus noted that sometimes when multitudes followed him it was not for spiritual reasons but they saw him as capable of meeting their physical needs. It is strange how we will sometimes reverse the order and not want to meet people’s physical needs until after they have surrendered spiritually. The gospel accounts record that many surrendered to Jesus only after he met their physical need. In this discourse, Jesus relates the treatment of the least to the treatment of himself. Put another way, Jesus was emphatic that he takes it personal when someone harms the least among us. The spiritual side of this is just as true as Jesus stated it in his Sermon on the Mount. He spoke of the blessings upon those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness. Righteousness is a spiritual condition. In his inaugural statement in a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus announced that he was come to set the captives free. This was not speaking of a jailbreak but a spiritual loosening of souls. He also talked about the spiritual healing of his ministry and that those who were well—or at least thought they were—did not need a physician. Many went after him for the physical healing but the greatest act of healing he has to offer is spiritual healing. As a result of Jesus’ view of these things, his agenda was built around ministering to the least in society. Jesus was often run out of what should have been religious settings in the synagogues or temple. It was out among the least where the multitudes grew into the thousands. I believe today’s lesson can serve as a reminder of how the local church can set its agenda to serve the least among us. Robert C. Hudson January 29, 2015