Category Archives: Christ

Bible, Christ, Demonstration, Love, Sacrifice, Scripture

A DEMONSTRATION

ROMANS 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I can remember going to county fairs or other festivals and watching artisans demonstrate their craft. Some were making candles. Others were doing woodworking. My favorite is watching people cook. It could be fudge or taffy, kettle corn or funnel cakes. Every one of those people were demonstrating their skills which had been honed over many hours.

God also demonstrated something to us, but it wasn’t at a county fair or festival. Long ago on Mt. Calvary, He demonstrated His love for us by delivering up His only Son to die for us so that we might be justified and live with Him forever. All we have to do is accept the gift. The Greek word translated “demonstrates” is sunistémi or sunistanó. I love what the Topical Lexicon says about this word. “God’s attributes are not abstractions; they are verified in history and in the gospel. Because the verb is perfect tense in both verses (Romans 3:5, 5:8), the proof stands completed and enduring—unchangeable evidence for every generation.” God’s demonstration of His love is enduring!

APPLICATION

This Greek word takes another meaning in Colossians 1:17. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” But even in this usage, we see God’s enduring character. He has always held everything together. God isn’t juggling the universe hoping everything will fall into place. NO! He has placed everything in its proper place and holds it together. No matter what science may try to say to you, we know the true Creator.

There is another way sunistanó is used in Scripture. It is used to prove ourselves in our ministry. In 2 Corinthians 4:2 we read, “but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in trickery nor distorting the word of God, but by the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in the sight of God.” “Commending” is our word there. We have to demonstrate to the world by our actions and behaviors that we are one with Christ.

What are you demonstrating today? Does your lifestyle demonstrate one who is following Jesus? Do your words reflect the Lord? Just as God demonstrated His faithfulness to us, we too need to demonstrate our faithfulness to Him. We should look different, sound different and act different than the world. Put on your own demonstration today.

Lord God, help me demonstrate Your love to a lost and dying world around me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Death, Life, Sacrifice, Scripture

WHO WOULD DIE FOR?

ROMANS 5:7

“For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die.”

I would not hesitate to give my life to protect my family – any of them. I love them that much. I even have some friends who I would die for. I pray I never have to make that choice, but if I do, I pray that I would not blink an eye. After all, death for a believer is just a portal into an eternal life with Christ. I am not in a hurry to die, but I am also ready to go whenever.

Paul isn’t trying to paint a morbid picture of death. He is setting up a thought which we will see in tomorrow’s verse. He does give us something to think about, though, in today’s verse. Would you die for “righteous person” or a “good person”? Albert Barnes says it well. “It is an unusual occurrence, an event which is all that we can hope for from the highest human benevolence and the purest friendship, that one would be willing to die for a good man. There are none who would be willing to die for a man who was seeking to do us injury, to calumniate our character, to destroy our happiness or our property. But Christ was willing to die for bitter foes.”

APPLICATION

It is important to explain what Paul meant by “righteous person.” He was not referring to someone made righteous through Christ, but rather one who is righteous in his own eyes. They may be moral outwardly and do what is “expected.”. Perhaps Paul was thinking about the Pharisees he used to be a part of. They seemed righteous on the outside, but inwardly they were just rule keepers.

“A good man” referred to someone who as Gill describes as “a liberal and beneficent man, who was very bountiful in his charitable distributions to the poor, and very liberal in contributing towards the charge of sacrifices, repairs of the temple, &c. and did more this way than what the law obliged to.” Paul says by chance someone might die for that man.

The whole point of this verse will be revealed in the next verse (which we will see tomorrow). Laying down our life for someone is a big decision. Some people are easier than others to die for. Let me ask you – who would you die for? If giving your life for a perfect stranger meant that person coming to Christ, would you do it? Christ did!

Lord, I lay down my life for You. Take it and use it however You think best.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Scripture, Stealing, Teaching, Testimony

GOT TO WALK THE WALK

ROMANS 2:21

“you, therefore, who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one is not to steal, do you steal?”

When I first started my role as VP for Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes in Chattanooga, we got a call from a trucking company asking us if we wanted half a trailer load of fabric softener that had been turned down by a local retailer. I said we would be glad to receive that. Wouldn’t you know it, when it arrived in the semi, it was pouring rain. I couldn’t ask my staff to unload all that softener if I wasn’t willing to help. So, I quickly changed clothes and climbed up in that trailer to help unload. My staff were impressed that I, the VP, would do that. I had to do what I was asking them to do.

Paul begins a series of five rhetorical questions in today’s verse. The first two are here. He asks if they are teaching themselves what they are teaching. Then he asks if they preach against stealing, are they stealing. Most commentators agree that Paul wasn’t accusing them of these things but merely asking these questions to drive home his point. They had to practice what they preached. People were watching!

APPLICATION

When I read this verse and the two following, I immediately thought of Philippians 2:14-15 which say, “14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” As followers of Christ, we have to be above reproach. We represent a holy God and therefore must be holy ourselves.

In Paul’s role description for elders in Titus 1, he tells us this. “6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money,” It is unfortunate that too many of our church leaders don’t practice what they preach. We have to do better!

Why is this important? Like I said earlier, people are watching. The world is looking for followers of Christ to mess up so they can expose our “hypocrisy.” They don’t understand that we aren’t perfect, just forgiven. However, that does not excuse us from living our lives as an example for others. Today, choose to be obedient to Christ in all things. You never know who is watching.

O Lord, help me exemplify Christ in all things.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Provision, Riches, Scripture, Supply

ACCORDING TO, NOT OUT OF

PHILIPPIANS 4:19

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I am not and probably never will be wealthy in the eyes of the world. Being in full-time ministry, and now serving as a missionary, I do not expect to make an extravagant salary. My wife and I are content to live on what our ministry supporters provide. It’s been amazing these past 3 ½ years to see how the Lord has moved the hearts of people to give. I praise Him for that.

Why am I talking about that? Because in today’s verse, Paul points us to the true source of our provision. He says, “My God will supply.” The Greek word translated as “will supply” really means He will fill up, He will overflow, He will cram you full. That says a lot more than just “supply.” And when Paul says “according to His riches” that’s important. He could have written “out of,” but he didn’t. The Holy Spirit wants us to know that we are given richly because He owns it all.

APPLICATION

I just recently memorized Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” You see, that’s the extent of His giving. He gives above and beyond. He gave His own Son. I read a quote today that said, “The Son of God became a man so that men could become sons of God.” That is giving according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Our riches will not last. Even the wealthiest person’s wealth will eventually give out. But not God’s. His riches go far beyond anything this world has ever seen. Everything that has ever been created belongs to Him. He gives according to His riches because He is a generous God who loves His children. James tells us in James 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

What should we do with such blessings? We should give “according to” also. We give knowing that God will bless that gift. He will take it a multiply it. I heard a story last night about a nine year girl who wanted to help orphans. With some help from friends, she designed a T-shirt that went viral. In a short amount of time, she had over $9,000 which grew to over $200,000. One little girl’s burden was exponentially multiplied by the Father. As the Father blesses you, turn around and bless another.

Lord, I praise You for being my source of provision and never letting me down.

You can make an investment in our ministry at www.twr.org/carl-willis

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Bible, Christ, Comfort, Near, Return, Scripture

THE LORD IS NEAR

PHILIPPIANS 4:5

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.”

We all use comforting and encouraging words from time to time. We say things like “You’ve got this” or “I believe in you.” These kinds of sayings can lift a person in despair and help someone who is struggling with a particular trial. We may even tell a loved one “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I’ve said that and have been told that.

Paul uses a phrase at the end of this verse that seemingly was a common, comforting saying among the early believers. He says, “The Lord is near.” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers describes this phrase like this, “A translation of the Syriac ‘Maran-atha’ of 1Corinthians 16:22—obviously a Christian watchword, probably referring to the Second Advent as near at hand; although, of course, not excluding the larger idea of that presence of Christ in His Church of which that Second Advent is the consummation.” Whether Paul was referring to the Second Coming of Christ being near or that Christ through the Holy Spirit was near to them at all times, Paul’s greeting in this phrase was meant to encourage.

APPLICATION

In Romans 10:8, Paul quotes from the book of Deuteronomy when he writes, “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,…” Paul knew that these Roman believers needed to be reminded that Christ, through the Word, was near. That’s the idea also in today’s verse. Christ is near.

But how about the other possibility of that phrase’s usage, that the Second Coming was near. Many in the early church thought Christ’s return was imminent. Many believe that today. It seems everything is ready for His return, but the exact day and hour only the Father knows. I believe Paul stook to his script. He wanted these Philippian believers to live each day as if it could be the day of Christ’s return.

The same holds true for us today, beloved. One – Christ is near and dear to us daily through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the edification and instruction of His written Word. But we should also live today as if it could be the day of His return. Behold, the Lord is near. Maranantha!

Thank You, Lord, for being near to me each and every day. I look expectantly for Your return.

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Bible, Christ, Imitation, Reflection, Scripture

IMITATE ME

PHILIPPIANS 3:17

“Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”

Didn’t you hate it when your were little and your brother or sister would walk around imitating everything you did or said? There were four of us Willis children in the household, so this was easy to do. It might be cute at first, but the novelty wears off after the first hour or so. I would get so mad if that happened to me. But I gave back as quick as I received, lol.

Paul is inviting the Philippians (and us) to “join in following my example.” The Greek literally reads, “imitators together of me be.” The Greek word for “imitators together” is summimétés. This word only occurs in this verse. It means to be a fellow-imitator. It comes “from a presumed compound of sun and mimeomai; a co-imitator, i.e. Fellow votary – follower together.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

APPLICATION

The question you have to ask yourself is, “Is my life worth imitating?” Paul could ask this question because his life was dedicated to following Christ. He had made that decision after his Damascus Road experience. He had answered the call of Christ to go and reach the Gentiles with the Gospel. He was confident that his life was worth imitating.

That did not mean Paul was perfect. Far from it. In Romans 7:18 Paul writes, “For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.” (For a look at Paul’s full discourse on this, read Romans 7:14-25.) Despite his battle with his flesh, Paul was confident in his invitation to imitate because it would be Christ they were imitating, not him.

Can you say the same? Could you invite someone to imitate you? When our children are little, they will play dress up and pretend to be mommy or daddy. Will they still want to imitate you when they see you interact with a rude clerk or in rush hour traffic? Our lives have to be a reflection of Jesus. That will draw people to imitate Christ in us.

O Lord, let me decrease so that You can increase. Let others only see Jesus in me.

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Bible, Christ, Death, Life, Scripture

LIFE AND DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

This verse has a special place in my heart. My wife and I had the verse reference inscribed on our daughter Cathleen’s headstone. Cathleen only lived six hours and died back on 9/11/87. We did not lose a child. We know exactly where she is. And one day when her mom and I get to heaven, she will introduce us to Jesus (rather than the other way around). She is not dead. She is fully alive!

Paul was ready to die for Christ. He was trusting in His all sufficient mercy and grace to release him from prison. But if not, he was ready to die. God did indeed have mercy, and Paul was released after two years of his house arrest imprisonment. Of course, we know Paul was arrested a second time and was martyred sometime in A.D. 66. Paul was ready to live or die for Christ.

APPLICATION

Most, if not all, of you reading this blog today will not have to make the decision to live or die for Christ. What exactly does it mean for us then? What did Paul mean when he said, “to live” and “to die” for Christ? First, Paul says “to live is Christ.” His reason for living was to glorify Christ. Albert Barnes gives four purposes for Paul’s living for Jesus. “1) a purpose to know as much of Christ as it was possible to know, 2) a purpose to imitate Christ, 3) a purpose to make his religion known, as far as possible, among mankind, and 4) it was a purpose to enjoy Christ.”

Then Paul says, “to die is gain.” Now, humanly speaking that makes no sense, does it. We tend to see death as final. We even say someone has “checked out” when they die. But Paul saw it differently. The word “gain” is kerdos and it means a profit or advantage. Paul knew all he had invested in this life would produce a profit – eternal life with Christ. Who could ask for more?

While we are here, we should live every day with a purpose (as Barnes mentioned above). We should seek to glorify the only One worthy of glory. And then when the day comes to “cash in our chips” we should lay it all down without pause. We are about to enter our reward. To live or die – it’s all for Christ!

Father God, give me the courage and peace to live or die for Christ each and every day.

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Admonished, Bible, Christ, Scripture, Teaching, Thankfulness

TEACH AND ADMONISH

COLOSSIANS 3:16

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Don’t you just hate it when someone tries to “school” you or admonish you? It takes some thick skin sometimes to accept that. Depending on who is doing the schooling or admonishing it can be even harder. If that person does it out of spite or in a condescending way, we may respond back negatively. Let’s see what Paul says about this in today’s verse.

The key for Paul (and us) is the first part of the verse – “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” If you don’t have this, you will teach and admonish in the wrong way and receive it wrongly as well. It won’t be centered on His Word or Will. But look what happens if you do. You will sing and praise the Lord. That’s the last part of this verse.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “teaching” is didaskó. HELPS Word Studies says this about didaskó. “In the NT didáskō (‘teach’) nearly always refers to teaching the Scriptures (the written Word of God). The key role of teaching Scripture is shown by its great frequency in the NT, and the variety of word-forms (cognates).”

“Admonishing” is the Greek word noutheteó. It is “used in the New Testament to describe the act of admonishing or warning someone with the intent of correcting behavior or beliefs. It involves a gentle but firm guidance, often with a moral or spiritual focus, aiming to bring about positive change. This term is used in the context of Christian teaching and pastoral care, where the goal is to nurture spiritual growth and maturity.” (Strong’s Lexicon).

Is that how you teach and admonish? Is that how you are taught or admonished? Let us all focus on the Word of Christ to richly dwell within us so we can teach and admonish in that manner. No matter what you think, you have not learned it all yet. No one has arrived. Receive and give to please the Lord.

Lord God, help me give and receive teaching and admonishment in the manner Jesus would have.

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Bible, Christ, Forgiveness, Scripture, Wronged

FORGIVENESS

COLOSSIANS 3:13

“bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.”

Forgiveness! This is probably the top personal relationship issue that brings Christian growth to a halt or pushes one’s growth to higher levels. Forgiving someone is not an option. It’s a command. We are expected to forgive others when they do us wrong – even if they don’t realize they have harmed us. I’ve had to deal with this. I am sure you have as well.

Paul is continuing his thought from verse 12 (take a sec and review that verse). In verse 13, he addresses the issue of forgiveness. It is important to note that the two verbs in this verse – “bearing with” and “forgiving” are actually participles tied back to the main verb in verse 12 which is “put on.” In other words, to be able to bear with someone or forgive someone you must first have put on this new heart Paul talks about.

APPLICATION

As I read Albert Barnes’ words on forgiveness on this verse, I felt I needed to share his words in entirety. So, here they are:

“If any man have a quarrel against any – Margin, ‘or complaint.’ The word used here – μομφή momphē – occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, ‘fault found, blame, censure;’ and here denotes occasion of complaint. The idea is, that if another one has given us just occasion of complaint, we are to forgive him; that is, we are:

(1) to harbor no malice against him;

(2) we are to be ready to do him good as if he had not given us occasion of complaint;

(3) we are to be willing to declare that we forgive him when be asks it; and,

(4) we are always afterward to treat him as kindly as if he had not injured us – as God treats us when he forgives us; see the notes at Matthew 18:21.

Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye – Learn here that Christ has power to forgive sin; compare the Matthew 9:6 note; Acts 5:31 note. Christ forgave us:

(1) freely – he did not hesitate or delay when we asked him;

(2) entirely – he pardoned all our offences;

(3) forever – he did it so as to remember our sins no more, and to treat us ever onward as if we had not sinned.

So we should forgive an offending brother.”

Wow! No way to say that better. Forgive each other! Bear with each other! Just as Christ forgave you, forgive them. And that means we must die – die to our rights, die to our emotions, die to our self! Can you do that today?

Forgiveness can be hard, Lord. Give me the ability today to forgive those who have wronged me and those who even refuse to offer me forgiveness.

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All, Bible, Christ, Different, Scripture

THE ALL

COLOSSIANS 3:11

“a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.”

If you were dropped on this earth without any prior knowledge of the people, you might think we were all intentionally separated by our skin color or our language. I have the privilege to travel all over this globe and let me tell you something – there isn’t a smidgen of difference between us. Some people like to talk about the differences, but we are all created by the same great Creator.

Paul is insistent that the Colossians know there is no separation between believers. Whomever accepts Jesus and follows Him are brothers and sisters in Christ. That is clear as Paul lists these groups – very different groups. But the one little word that caught my attention is not evident in the English. In the Greek, the last phrase literally reads, “but the all and in all Christ.” What word did you see? It’s the little definite article “the” which is in the original. Christ is not just all. He is THE all.

APPLICATION

I know you don’t want a grammar lesson. But you have to look at this little Greek definite article, ta. This separates Christ from the rest of the so-called gods. Christ is THE all. There is no other. It’s interesting that no commentator I read even mentioned this. I wonder why.

My wife is THE one for me. God is THE God. THE Bible is THE Word of God. That little word is so important. I believe Paul is saying that you may have all these other groups which are all brought together because of THE Christ. No other person could have done that.

We have heard stories of bitter enemies who became friends due to a life-changing experience one or both had with THE Christ. I have seen people set free from bondage by THE Christ. Don’t trust a substitute. There are many out there. Come to THE Christ and discover a whole new way of living.

Thank You, Father, for THE Christ You sent for me.

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