Seeking the Life in Christ: June 2023

Friday, June 30, 2023

But in Fact, Christ Has Been Raised From the Dead

Meditations for Ragamuffins

June 30, 2023

But in Fact, Christ Has Been Raised From the Dead

“And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless”

1 Corinthians 15:14

I believe the greatest threat to Twenty-First Century culture is the vacuum that was left when society ushered religious faith to the exit door. In the latter days of the last century, state legislatures would publish directories of their elected officials. Included with the brief biography of the official was a listing of their religion. This practice was dropped when most of the officials stopped listing any religious affiliation. This is representative of the larger society where the Judeo-Christian moral and ethical heritage in the USA has been replaced with nothing; hence the vacuum. If society is to govern themselves with ideas of right and wrong, good and bad, what is the basis of their beliefs? If society removes a belief in the sanctity of human life created by God, what then is the basis for respect of human life? How do you teach these beliefs, and to what do you point as authority for societal beliefs?

My Takeaway: For the followers of Jesus, we can point to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6-7) as the standard by which we govern our human interactions with God and one another. Someone may ask us, “Why should those words from antiquity still be valid today?” “Because Jesus lives,” we respond. The one who spoke those words was resurrected from the dead, and he lives today! His words are valid today because he is alive today!

“And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”

1 Corinthians 15:14, 20

Sē’lah

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This series of meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Knowing Jesus

Meditations for Ragamuffins

June 29, 2023

Knowing Jesus

“I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Philippians 3:8a (NRSV)

As we seek the life in Christ as our way of life, we are seeking to grasp the power of Jesus as “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25a). On our journey, we join with the Apostle Paul to “regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NRSV). How are we, like Paul, to regard everything as loss?

In the centuries since the Industrial Revolution, people have grown in their confidence to master their environment. There has developed a growing belief that through the power of human intellect, better government and education, the ills of human society can be cured. Over and against this idea, the Biblical witness declares the hope for humanity is divine grace.

In the more recent evolution of society, a third alternative has been established. Instead of the “either / or” of humanism or divine grace, there is a “both / and” movement that tries to hold to both a belief in God and confidence in human ability. On the surface, this movement seems to be an appropriate position; however, there is a huge problem with the “both / and” approach.

The “both / and” approach creates a temptation to dismiss or ignore the parts of Scripture we do not like, or do not understand, and instead, trust our own judgment and intellect. When we do so, we leave the “both / and” camp and move into the Humanist camp. The Apostle Paul wants us to remember that in Christ lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3) When we count all things as a loss compared to Jesus, we are availing ourselves of all the wisdom and knowledge within Christ.

My Takeaway: In my Wesleyan tradition, we work out the meaning of life through Scripture, Reason, Tradition and Experience. This way of living in our environment does not ignore human intellect and potential; it affirms that human intellect and potential are fully realized within God’s divine grace and will.

Sē’lah

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This series of meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Father, Into Your Hands

Meditations for Ragamuffins

June 28, 2023

Father, Into Your Hands

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

John 11:25a

The resurrection is not some future event that will happen some day; the resurrection is a person. When Jesus spoke these words to his friend Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus was affirming that as God’s Messiah, he was bringing the future hope of God’s restored Kingdom to a present reality. How are we to understand Jesus’ words in our lives today?

The Apostle Paul made these words of Jesus the very ground of his hope in God. In the magnificent third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection . . . becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:8, 10-11 NRSV). Paul believed that the doorway to eternal life, to attaining resurrection from the dead, was through knowing Jesus and becoming like Jesus in his own death. Is that even possible for mere mortals?

Yes, it is!

My Takeaway: Because the person of Jesus is the resurrection, we, like Paul, want to regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. (More on this thought tomorrow!)

Sē’lah

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This series of meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Blessed Be Your Name

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 27, 2023

Blessed Be Your Name

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:4

The psalmist wrote in verses 5-6: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” This is a very profound, yet simple, way to pattern our life. First, we commit our life to God. Second, we exercise faith in God by trusting Him with our life. Third, God will act. The psalmist is not very specific about how God will act, but the description is rather breathtaking. The psalmist is trying to describe the wonder, beauty and awe associated with being in the presence of God. The reward for faithfulness to God is being in perfect peace as we rest in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Seven times the psalmist refers to the blessing of God as, “The godly will possess the land and will live there forever” (Psalm 37:29). This means our reward is eternal.

My Takeaway: Our culture bombards us with messages that rewards and blessings must be tangible and received in the here and now. But God’s blessings are His presence with us, now and forever. Because of God’s faithfulness we can sing:

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Every blessing you pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed Be Your Name

Matt Redman

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, June 26, 2023

Be Sure of This

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 26, 2023

Be Sure of This

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

Good-byes are difficult. I don’t mean casual good-byes at the end of an evening together. I mean good-byes when we know we will be separated by time and distance, and especially when our being together again is not at all certain. Jesus had thrilled his disciples with his post-resurrection appearance to them. He had commissioned them to carry on his work of making disciples and building for the Kingdom of God. Then he left them. Matthew does not record much of the details surrounding Jesus’ departure, other than remembering these beautiful words Jesus spoke, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I suspect some of the disciples, if not all of them gathered with Jesus that day, took Jesus’ words to mean that he would be with them through their memory of all the places they had gone with Jesus and all the teachings they received from Jesus. Ten days later they realized that Jesus meant exactly what he said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” On the Day of Pentecost, the promise of Jesus was fulfilled as he indwelled within them through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It is so very important for the followers of Christ to hold onto the promise that God is still working to bring about the complete reality of His New Creation. The way of the world today is not the way it will always be. Most certainly, Jesus is coming again in final victory at the end of this age, but we are not left alone just trying to stay busy until Christ returns. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

My Takeaway: Before this day is over, there is a very reasonable chance that your faith will be tested by some circumstance. At the moment of your testing remember, you are not alone! “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, June 23, 2023

“The Father and I are one.”

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 23, 2023

To What End?

“The Father and I are one.”

John 10:30

Seeking the life in Christ as our way of life is to open our hearts to Jesus and allow the fullness of God’s love to flow through us. As we learn to love ourselves for God’s sake, we become willing participants in God’s plan to transform our lives. To fully cooperate with God working in us, it is helpful to fully grasp God’s purpose for our lives. To what end is God working in us? Henri Nouwen, in his book, The Return of The Prodigal Son, answers this question by helping us correctly understand Jesus’ parable of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15).

"If the only meaning of the story were that people sin but God forgives, I could easily begin to think of my sins as a fine occasion for God to show me forgiveness. There would be no challenge in such an interpretation. I would resign myself to my weaknesses and keep hoping that eventually God would close his eyes to them and let me come home, whatever I did. Such romanticism is not the message of the Gospels. What I am called to make true is that whether I am the younger or elder son, I am the son of my compassionate Father. I am an heir. . . . as son and heir I am to become successor. I am destined to step into my Father's place and offer to others the same compassion that he has offered me. The return to the Father is ultimately the challenge to become the Father. . . . Being in the Father's house requires that I make the Father's life my own and become transformed in his image." (Emphasis mine)

My Takeaway: It is God’s work to form Christ within me. It is my work to accept my acceptance and to become a successor, to step into my Father's place and offer to others the same compassion that he has offered me. This is seeking the life in Christ as my way of life.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Jesus Reaches Down To Help Us

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 22, 2023

Jesus Reaches Down To Help Us

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

The most distinguishing mark of the Christian faith is that our God died in our place so that through faith we may live eternally. In no other religion does their deity stand in the place of humanity to receive punishment for the sin of humanity. But our God doesn’t stop there. There is yet another distinguishing characteristic of the Christian faith, one that also separates Christians from every other religion in the world. Because of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Christian lives in Christ and Christ lives in the Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this truth that enabled the Apostle Paul to proclaim:

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13),

and

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

It is because of this truth proclaimed by Paul that the Christian can easily embrace the imperative of Romans 12:2. God doesn’t give us an arduous and seemingly impossible task and then stand back to observe and judge how well we do. No, we are not called to do the heavy lifting alone; Jesus bends his back and reaches down to help us.

Jesus told his disciples that “What is impossible for people is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Now, because the Christian lives in Christ and Christ lives in the Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have a new way of looking at the impossible. God is inviting us to make a leap of faith and believe that through our transformation to become the children of God, the impossible has become possible.

My Takeaway: I sense God is calling all the followers of Jesus to revisit the seemingly impossible chore of dying to the customs and behaviors of this world that are contrary to life in Christ. In the words of Psalm 46:10, God is calling us to “Be still, and know that I am God!” Because with God the impossible has become possible, “let God transform (us) into a new person by changing the way (we) think.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 21, 2023

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

“And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”

Mark 10:52

Blind Bartimaeus is an example of someone coming boldly to the God’s throne of grace. (Mark 10:46-52) The blind beggar was sitting beside the road when he heard that Jesus was nearby. He began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”

Blind Bartimaeus believed Jesus was the Messiah, that’s why he called out to Jesus as “Son of David.” Bartimaeus answered Jesus using the title “My rabbi” and made his relationship to Jesus personal as he rushed to the throne of grace. He knew Jesus could heal his condition, and Jesus affirmed his faith.

In Bartimaeus’ culture, a blind beggar was almost totally ignored by society. His coat was his total possession and was all the protection he had from the elements. Bartimaeus “threw aside his coat” when he ran to Jesus. He left his only security behind as he ran to the throne of grace. The closest I have ever come to walking where Bartimaeus walked is when I was rolled into the operating room for cardiac bypass surgery following my heart attack. I was helpless. All I had was faith that God would use this procedure to save my life. My only prayer was to take a line from Psalm 23: “Thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4 KJV)

Other than that experience, I have always had several options in life. When I travel, I have a cell phone and AAA. If the electricity is out, I have a back-up generator. I have family, friends, and neighbors I can call. I have plenty of security blankets. I am blessed. I don’t believe God is calling me to throw aside all my security in this world. He is, however, calling me to cast aside anything I am tempted to use to validate my worth and my value as a human being. He is calling me to trust in the sufficiency of His grace, and only His grace to validate my life. (“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8a))

If I cling to things such as wealth, fame, possessions, the opinions of other people, power and influence to validate my humanity, I am in reality a blind beggar. When, like Bartimaeus, I call out to my Jesus and throw my security blankets aside, I can instantly see my way to follow Jesus.

My Takeaway: Bartimaeus’ story begs two questions: what security blanket do you need to drop to hear Jesus say, “What do you want me to do for you?” And, if you hear his question, how do you respond to Jesus?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

But Who Do You Say I Am?

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 20, 2023

But Who Do You Say I Am?

We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3

The Apostle John was not boasting of his personal relationship with Jesus. His invitation to share in fellowship was based on one of the greatest mysteries, and one of the greatest blessings, of the Christian faith. While John did have the opportunity to walk and talk with Jesus face to face, by faith, the followers of Jesus may enjoy a communion with Jesus just as intimate as did the original disciples. The sacrament of Holy Communion is a place where we experience anew the presence of Jesus in our lives as we look forward to his coming again in final victory.

My knowledge of Jesus comes first from what I heard from others who knew him. Then I turned to scripture and my knowledge about Jesus increased. Then one day I heard Jesus’ question in scripture as though he was standing right next to me: “But who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). The first time I had this experience, I think I responded with the words of Peter in scripture, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). On other occasions, I responded to Jesus with words I had heard from a pulpit, or from another person. But then came the day when the words of Peter and of others seem somehow hollow; they’re the words of others, not my words. Praise God! On that special day Jesus called me unto himself. From now on when I speak of Jesus, I use my own personal words because like John, I have spoken to Jesus, and I have heard Jesus speak to me.

My Takeaway: If you haven’t had an experience of hearing Jesus ask you, “But who do you say I am?” – hold on, your day is coming. In the meantime, you can begin preparing your answer. Imagine a young child asks you, “Who is Jesus to you?” How do you answer?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, June 19, 2023

Is He Personal To You?

Meditations for Ragamuffins

These meditations are inspired by the writings of Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, and many other books.

June 19, 2023

Is He Personal To You?

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NRSV).

For a long time, Paul’s introductory statement to First Corinthians troubled me. It seems like such a crass way to announce the bedrock of his teaching and preaching in Corinth. The unnamed woman in Luke 7 helped me grasp the depth and intimacy of Paul’s statement.

In Luke 7, Jesus concludes his meal at Simon the Pharisee’s house with his announcement, “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love” (Luke 7:47a). This woman’s love and adoration for Jesus was her expression of gratitude for his forgiving touch. Can you imagine how this personal relationship with Jesus gripped her heart as she watched him hanging from the cross? For her, the one hanging on the cross is the one who loved her and forgave her.

Paul’s personal experience of Jesus was similar. Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. There Saul was held accountable for persecuting Jesus, but Jesus wasn’t judging Saul and kicking him to the curb. Jesus gave Saul a new name, and Paul was consecrated and commissioned as the Apostle to the Gentiles. For Paul, the one who was crucified is the one who loved him, forgave him, and commissioned him.

My Takeaway: I have learned to claim Paul’s words to the Corinthians as an expression of my own devotion to Jesus: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NRSV). For me, the one who was crucified is the one who made me what I am by his grace. His grace is personal to me. As he was to the woman at Jesus’ feet in Simon’s house, and to Paul, the one who was crucified is very personal to me.

Is he personal to you?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, June 16, 2023

May God’s grace be with you.

Meditations on Colossians

June 16, 2023

Now Go and Do The Same

May God’s grace be with you.

Colossians 4:18c

Read: Colossians 4: 7-18

Paul is sending his letter to the Colossians with his personal messenger Onesimus, who he described as, “a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people” (Colossians 4:9a). Onesimus was the subject of Paul’s letter to Philemon who was a wealthy businessman who probably came to faith in Jesus when he heard Paul preach in Ephesus. Philemon opened his home in Colossae for a new community of faith to be established.

Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon. He had deserted Philemon and had at some point met Paul, and like Philemon, had come to faith in Christ. Onesimus had grown in faith and had become an important contributor to Paul’s ministry. Even so, Paul knew that true growth in Christ comes through accountability. Paul was seeking to be a peacemaker so that Philemon and Onesimus could be reconciled. Paul knew that for Philemon and Onesimus to live out the life in Christ in this manner would be a huge testimony to the community of Colossae about the authenticity of the church and the power of Christ to change lives. What a powerful affirmation of the power of Christ that Onesimus returned to Colossae and that Paul entrusted his friend Onesimus to Philemon. While we do not know for certain what became of this reunion, we do know that in the years following this reunion, the church in Colossae elected a Bishop named Onesimus. Onesimus was quite an unusual name, and though we cannot be certain, it is quite possible that the slave Onesimus became the Christian Onesimus, who then became Bishop Onesimus.

Paul also asked the church in Colossae to give his greetings to “Nympha and the church that meets in her house” (Colossians 4:15b). To be so identified makes Nympha both the householder and the head of the church that met in her house.

My Takeaway: In the passage, Colossians 3:18 - 4:1 we read Paul’s instructions about wives and husbands, and slaves and masters. When you take those comments in context with his letter to Philemon, his love for Onesimus and that one of his colleagues was Nympha who was both a householder and the head of a church, there can be no doubt that Paul lived out his teaching,

“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

To this, Jesus our Master says to us, “Yes, now go and do the same” (Luke 10:37).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Pray

Meditations on Colossians

June 15, 2023

Pray

Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Colossians 4:4

Read: Colossians 4:2-6

Paul begins this letter by assuring the Colossians that he is praying for their new church. He ends the letter asking the church to pray for him. Paul is helping the young church learn to take their share of responsibility for all that God is doing to advance his Kingdom, not just what God is doing in Colossae.

Paul is also demonstrating how important it is for Christian leaders to have the prayer support of the church. The pulpit in every church is a shared responsibility. The preacher is responsible for accurately proclaiming God’s Word. The people of the congregation are responsible for undergirding the preacher with prayer. If either wane in their responsibility, the church suffers for lack of spiritual nourishment.

In the Book of James, we learn that we have not because we ask not, and we have not because we ask amiss. Paul was also teaching the young church how to pray. Here is how Paul prayed for the church:

“We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy” (Colossians1: 9, 11).

Here is how Paul asked the church to pray for him:

“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should” (Colossians 4: 3-4).

My Takeaway: Paul’s prayers are not about asking God for things or asking God to change circumstances. Paul’s prayers are about knowing Jesus and advancing his kingdom. Here are six citations for other New Testament prayers. As you read these, consider how God may want you to pray.

Romans 15: 4b-6, 13 Ephesians 1: 16-18 Ephesians 3: 16-19

Philippians 1: 9-11 Colossians 1: 9-12 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Unto the Lord

Meditations on Colossians

June 14, 2023

Unto the Lord

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23

Read: Colossians 3:18 - 4:1

When you read all the Apostle Paul’s writings, it is very clear that he has the utmost respect for all people. Paul firmly believed that where Christ is present there is mutual respect, equality, and unity. He was thoroughly liberated from the cultural norms of his male-dominated society. He was also a realist in knowing that society would not be advanced through one huge break with the past. However, when people began to learn how to let the message about Christ fill their lives, the ways of Christ would permeate their lives and began to shape all their relationships.

In today’s passage, Paul is showing the church in Colossae how to take their first steps toward integrating the truth of Christ into their lives: Wives submit to your husbands; husbands love your wives and never treat them harshly; children always obey your parents; fathers do not aggravate your children; slaves obey your earthly masters in everything you do, serve them sincerely and work willingly at whatever you do; and masters be just and fair to your slaves and remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. (Colossians 3:18 - 4:1)

My Takeaway: In many places, there is a temptation to dismiss Paul’s words as not relevant for our times. Before yielding to that temptation, remember Paul’s teaching was revolutionary and completely counter-cultural in Colossae. These words had the power to transform the Colossian culture and make for a strong foundation for the Kingdom of God. What these words could do then, they can still do today in our culture. Let’s take time to consider how we can integrate the principles of this teaching into our life.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Representatives of Jesus

Meditations on Colossians

June 13, 2023

Representatives of Jesus

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Colossians 3:16a

Read: Colossians 3:12-17

The gem mine is still open! Every verse in today’s passage is rich in wisdom and help for ordering our lives as fully devoted followers of Jesus. This first verse shows us how grace leads to victory. Instead of trying very hard to discipline ourselves to not do something we know is sinful, our focus is on the virtues of the holy people God chose us to be: “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). The more we keep our eyes on Jesus and focus our attention on these virtues, including above all, clothing ourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14), the more the sinful temptations will drop by the wayside.

A byproduct of this lifestyle is peace. Jesus promised us his peace: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). In verse 15, Paul reminds us that God intends for us to live with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.

The embracing of Paul’s encouragement in verse 16 is sorely needed in our churches today. When I survey the Christian landscape, the biggest distinction between churches that are flourishing for the cause of Christ and those that are not, is the degree to which Paul’s teaching in verse 16 is lived out:

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

When we allow Jesus to fill our lives, our cup overflows into the lives of others and Christ is glorified and the Kingdom of God flourishes.

My Takeaway: One more gem. You are an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), therefore, “whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, June 30, 2023

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Thursday, June 29, 2023

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Father, Into Your Hands

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Blessed Be Your Name

Monday, June 26, 2023

Be Sure of This

Friday, June 23, 2023

“The Father and I are one.”

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Jesus Reaches Down To Help Us

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

But Who Do You Say I Am?

Monday, June 19, 2023

Is He Personal To You?

Friday, June 16, 2023

May God’s grace be with you.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Pray

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Unto the Lord

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

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