DEAD TO SIN, ALIVE TO GOD - Romans 6:1-23

Deliverance from the power of indwelling sin by counting the old life dead, and yielding to the new life.

It is an abuse of the grace of God in Christ for the believer to think he can sin because he is justified by faith. We must cease from the acts of sin, denying the fleshly life the scepter over us, and surrender the soul to the conduct and command of the righteous law of God that our members may be instruments of righteousness unto God.

The manner of Christ’s baptism is a figure of the believer’s spiritual burial and resurrection. Immersion symbolizes the entrance by the gateway of Christ’s death into the domain of His righteousness and resurrection life, and is the expression of the baptized one’s faith that God has taken him from among the dead and given him newness of life. Romans 6:2-6; 11-13; 16, 22-23

CONFESSING CHRIST BEFORE MEN

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven." — Mat 10:32.

CHRIST'S ULTIMATE aim is to secure peace for our sin-stricken race, and the proclamation of the tidings of peace is spreading throughout the world. We must not falter in our testimony, or hide in our heart the truth which has been committed to us, because it may bring us to contumely and suffering. Nothing is so like to promote our own earnestness and devotion as our constant testimony for Christ. The advance of the Kingdom of God is determined much less by remarkable missions and sermons, as by each one saying to his neighbour: "Know the Lord!"

We should begin with our next of kin. Andrew's testimony and confession brought Peter to Jesus (Joh 1:40-42). And whatever blessing came to the Church, and to the world through the testimony and confession of Peter must be partly credited to his brother Andrew.

We must confess Christ to our nearest friends. Philip found Nathanael. Our friends expect that we should let them share our inner thoughts and experience. Sometimes we can only give our simple testimony: "We have found Christ," but as we bring those whom we love to Christ, we shall ever find Him sympathetic and willing to meet our endeavours with His mighty help and fellowship. How He welcomed Peter, and read the character of Nathanael.

Our personal testimony is invaluable. The woman of Samaria brought the entire city to the feet of Jesus by her confession. Many of the Samaritans believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, "He told me all that ever I did." That was the beginning of a great revival.

It was Mr. Moody's custom to speak each day, personally, to some one about the Lord Jesus. If any shall say that this habit is apt to become mechanical and formal, I can only answer that the days when I have lived like that have been the most radiant of my life. It is not necessary that one should be always interlarding phraseology with references to religion, but there must be no coveting of the light within us (Mat 5:14-16). How great an honour it will be to be confessed by Christ before all worlds, and to be presented by Him with exceeding joy before the Father (Jud 1:24). "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us."

PRAYER

May we so represent Christ our Lord in this world that men may love Him for what they see of His likeness in us. AMEN.

The Christian's Obligation To His Employers

Text: Ephesians 6:5-9; Titus 2:9-10

The sum total of a Christian's life includes his life at home, in the community, in the Church and in his workplace. Each of these areas will be brought under the searchlight of God at the judgment seat of Christ. Unfortunately, there are many believers who under the cover of religious zeal and piety have failed in their obligations to their employers.

Christian employees owe some duties to their employers whether the employer is a christian or an unbeliever, a secular or religious institution. (Colossians 3:22; 1 Timothy 6:1; Ephesians 6:6-7; Titus 2:9-10).

First among these is faithfulness. Christian employees must be faithful in the discharge of their responsibilities. These include proper accountability of finances put in their care and honesty. Loitering, deliberate wastage of materials, unauthorised usage of the company's property, truancy and late reporting at work are marks of unfaithfulness. Any useful information about the operations of the company which were obtained in the course of our employment or training must be place at the disposal of the employers.

Second is diligence. Adequate labour must be given for each day's pay. We must work not as men pleasers seeking the favour and appreciation of men but as the servant of Christ, as He were our employer, and knowing that someday we shall be rewarded.

Third is obedience. The rules and regulations of our work place and institutions passed while at work, as long as none of these violates the scriptures, must be carried out wholeheartedly. Insubordination is a trails of unbelievers and must not be seen in the Christian's life.

Fourth, every Christian employee must have the progress of his place of work in heart and seek to promote peace within the organisation. A true believer does not join the multitude to do evil and will always channel his grievances through the appropriate channels.

Fifth is respect and honour for those placed over us. We are to demonstrate through our Christian life the virtue of humility and meekness. Our testimonies can be affected and the doctrine blasphemed if our co-workers   observe in us any trail of arrogance or pride.

Lastly, we must pray for our employers. their spiritual needs must be of great concern to us.