5 C's for the New Year- Hebrews 13:5-6

As a New Year approaches this passage gives us some positive encouragement.

1.   CONDUCT - “Let your conversation be without covetousness” Conversation = manner of life

      a.   Eph. 4:22-24 “Put off the former CONVERSATION of the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts and be renewed according to the spirit of your mind and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

      b.   Colossians 3:5-7 covetousness is IDOLATRY [The surprisingly humble Boston blue blood- “My mother taught us that everything we have is a tool or an idol.” (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:10)]

      c.   Philippians 1:27 “Let your conduct be as is becoming the GOSPEL of CHRIST.”

      d.   James 3:13 “Who is a WISE man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good CONVERSATION his works with meekness and wisdom.”

      e.   1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as He who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: because it is written, ‘Be ye holy, for I am holy.’”

2.   CONTENTMENT - “and be content with such things as ye have”

      a.   Luke 3:14 Jesus to the soldiers- “be content with your WAGES.”

      b.   Philippians 4:11-13 “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and hungry, both to abound and suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

3.   COMPANION - “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

      a.   Psalm 46 ‘God is our REFUGE and STRENGTH, a very present HELP in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the EARTH be removed, though the mountains be carried to the SEA, though the waters ROAR and the mountains SHAKE.’

      b.   Matthew 28:20 “I am with you ALWAYS.”

4.   CONFIDENCE - “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

      a.   Matthew 10:28 “Fear not them which can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul, but rather fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”

      b.   Romans 8:28 “And we know all things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose.”

      c.   2 Timothy 1:12 “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that Day.

5.   When we understand these things and put them into practice, we will have a relationship with God that is one of COMMITMENT and not CONVENIENCE. Which of these two words most accurately describes your relationship with God? Commitment or convenience?