"That in all things He may have the Preeminence."
- Colossians 1:18
I don't know all that you faced this past year.
Some of my dear friends battled cancer. Songtime began 1996 with
the greatest opportunity I've seen -- ministering to the troops
in Bosnia. I wasn't surprised when Satan pulled a I Corinthians
16:9 and the particular method Satan used was a serious mail theft
that extended from February to June. This had an impact on every
area of the ministry. "For a great and effective door
has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."
(I Corinthians 16:9)
As I came to the conclusion of 1996 - somewhat battle fatigued - Jim and Carol Cymbala sent me their new choir album. Let me share the words of the song that made the difference.
"Through days of hurt and pain, my heart cried
'all is vain'. I'd lost my will to live.
Too many times I tread - too many times I failed
and it only brought tears and shame.
Then I saw that old cross where I won through His
loss and I knew one more time
There His strength became mine."
That's when Calvary came through once again
When I lost my courage to win
Just when I though I'd been defeated
The cross was all I needed
THAT'S WHEN CALVARY CAME THROUGH ONCE AGAIN."
Like the time (several years ago) on Memorial Day
weekend when I needed direction from God, Steve Green's rendition
of "Find Us Faithful" made the difference and prevented
a serious mistake. It certainly is true that music is the universal
language of man-kind. The obstruction that sent me to the hospital
as an emergency, the cardiac challenge, the mail theft and the
foot fracture could have been used by Satan to bring defeat but
"Calvary came through once again." Now that can be
your song in 1997 when you make Colossians 1:18 your goal. Join
with me in the New Year and let's see how that text works because
when the Lord Jesus Christ is preeminent, then there is total
occupation with Christ and "self" never takes over.
(Hebrews 12:2. Study with me this way.
I. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRIST IS NOT PREEMINENT.
(III John 9,10)
The word "preeminence" is found in one other place in addition to III John vs. 9 and we have noted that other place; namely Colossians 1:18. Here is the issue -- I have a choice in 1997. Either Christ is preeminent or "self" is preeminent. Now like so many.... Diotrephes chose "self"! Open his diary and discover what resulted and you'll discover three alarming trends
.
A. Divisiveness "His deeds which
he does pratting against us".
In my Greek-English lexicon I noted the word "pratting"
means to "boil over". In other words, this became a
life-style for Diotrephes. I find it totally unbiblical to hear
someone say, "Well, I have a temper because my father was
like that." Nonsense - you are like that because "self"
and not Jesus Christ is preeminent!
B. Exclusiveness "He himself does
not receive the brethren."
This by the way, is something that God calls an abomination. Read Proverbs 6:16-19:
"A false witness who pours out lies and
a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (v.9)
C. Authoritativeness "Forbids those
who wish to, putting them out of the church."
Now keep in mind that the word of God is our authority
and we are to teach it according to Nehemiah 8:8 but we are never
to dominate and control people personally. That is a cultic-sign
and the reason the Apostle Paul said what he did in II Corinthians
1:24: "Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are
fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand."
Let me summarize If we find divisiveness, exclusiveness
and authoritativeness the dominant factors in our
life, then we know "self" and not the Lord Jesus Christ
is preeminent.
Having noted what happens when Christ is not
preeminent note:
II. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHRIST IS PREEMINENT.
The context in III John vs. 5-8 certainly give you a picture of that but go with me to Philippians 2:21-27. Meet Epaphroditus. I read something about him that is seldom noted about anyone -- (vs. 20-21)
"For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their
own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus."
Epaphroditus was a man who replaced "self"
with Jesus Christ so the events of life couldn't destroy him because
the Lord Jesus Christ was preeminent. The proof of this is seen
in verse 27 where we read of his almost fatal physical problem.
The proof that Satan didn't win by this problem is seen by the
most unusual attitude of Epaphroditus. He was concerned because
the people of God were concerned about him. Read it... verse
26: "Since he was longing for you all, and was distressed
because you had heard that he was sick".
Believe me, I can speak from experience and state
that such a positive attitude is impossible unless Jesus Christ
is preeminent! When He is preeminent, we will take all the negative
events of life and turn them over to Christ and Satan suffers
defeat. Read it for yourself in I Peter 5:7-8: "Casting
all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour."
APPLICATION:
As we begin 1997, we have a decision to make. We have the choice of allowing "self" to be preeminent or the Lord Jesus Christ. Basically, what is the factor that will result in the latter (Jesus Christ being preeminent)? Let me share a great Biblical text -- I Corinthians 12:3:
"Therefore I make known to you that NO ONE speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus
accursed, and NO ONE can say that Jesus is Lord
except by the Holy Spirit."
May I suggest that you write and ask for the cassette
that explains How to be controlled by the Holy Spirit? Write
Songtime USA, Box 100, Barnstable, MA 02630
I can't promise that 1997 will be filled with "positives". I certainly don't personally anticipate that - especially is 1996 was a Prelude. However, I can promise that if the Lord Jesus Christ is preeminent again and again you'll sing:
"When I lost my courage to win.
Just when I thought I'd been defeated,
The cross was all I needed
That's when Calvary came through again."
Special New Year Greetings to my dear friends -- Jim & Carol Cymbala. Only Eternity will make fully clear the difference their new album made to me personally as they sent it at the exact time I needed it!