“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Tim. 2:5

“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”1 Sam. 12:23

“Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”- 1Cor.6:7

After 54 years of observation I’ve come to believe that peacemakers can be the most important members of a church. Since the Bible demands unity in the body of Christ we all should do everything in our power to create and maintain it. To do that we must be willing to do as we are commanded in this verse. Many years ago J. R. Miller made the following comments on our text. They are worthy of your undivided attention.

“Christians ought to live together in love. They should never quarrel among themselves. They are brethren, and brother should not have strife with brother. If they have differences, they should settle them among themselves, and not go to law before unbelievers.

Paul said it was a defect in the Corinthian Christians, that they had lawsuits one with another. He intimates that they should rather take wrong, and even be defrauded, than go to law for redress.

Jesus also taught that His followers should not resist him that was evil. When one smites them on one cheek, they should turn to him the other also. Retaliation is certainly forbidden, and so is resentment.

Then we need not fear that we will go too far “in letting” people wrong us rather than go to law to get our rights. We must be very sure, however, that we do not do wrong to others. Some people are more watchful over the way others treat them than of their own treatment of others.”

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Col. 4:2

Here we see two commands, both of which are crucial. The first tells us to “continue in prayer“. We are to be devoted to that discipline. Every Christian has prayed but they don’t all continue in prayer. Some cease because they are overcome by the pleasures of the world, or overwhelmed by the problems of life, or occupied with the pursuit of possessions. Whatever the case might be, that’s a serious problem. In the first place it is disobedience to God. Secondly it deprives us what we need in life and blessings we could have had. There is never a moment when prayer isn’t needed. But there is more – another command.

The second command tells us to “watch in the same with thanksgiving“. The word “watch” means “be vigilant”, “alert”, “give strict attention”, “attentive”. As we pray we are to look for reasons or opportunities to give thanks . We are to express gratitude for God’s gifts. As Christians, even in the toughest of times we can find things to be thankful for and reasons to rejoice. And that helps us get from one day to another. It causes us to think of God’s grace which puts things in the proper perspective.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” – Luke 18:1

Here is a command connected with counsel concerning a common problem. To understand how crucial this is, look at the last phrase first – “and not to faint”. The word faint means to be wearied, exhausted, spiritless. It speaks of losing heart or despair. Due to the danger of it, avoiding such a condition is of great importance. Thankfully our text tells us how that can be done.

Our Lord says, “men ought always to pray”. He isn’t saying we should pray after we faint, but before. Prayer is preventive. Far too many folks wait until after they faint and fall before they pray. Had they been praying it would have prevented the problem. Prayer, therefore, must be a priority. It is a prerequisite to success in all we do. Don’t wait until you faint and fall – that can have lasting consequences. Pray to avoid that danger.

Notice the word “ought”, and remember that it is Christ Himself who is speaking. That word tells us that this is a command, a necessity. That’s why he adds the word “always” – meaning at all times or without ceasing. Praying morning, noon, and night isn’t enough. We must abide in an atmosphere of prayer. To give up on prayer is to give up altogether and we don’t have the right to do that. 

Truth be told some of you are troubled by your troubles and tottering on the brink – headed for a fall. Your only hope of avoiding that is to do as our Lord commands – “pray“. – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346