Christ Over Us
Colossians 3:1–17 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Truth 1.
Here's what scripture says:
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
What you look for is what you'll find!
Why would it surprise us that where we look is what we see!?
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
This is why spiritual disciplines are important!
To have a genuine move of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must spend time looking at the real thing!
Truth 2:
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Life is hard, but did you die?
We've talked at length already about this straight-forward, but difficult dichotomy:
To gain my life I have to lose it!
This is why so many people never experience extraordinary christianity
If we aren’t willing to try something that doesn’t make sense, I’m only left with ordinary activities in my life.
What is faith that makes sense? - Logic
It is illogical that Christ would give himself for me
It doesn't make sense that God would use me to pastor a church
It isn't logical that I can give away a significant percentage of my income and live a life that is MORE blessed!
Truth 3.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave norfree, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
The character of Christ isn't accidental.
Osmosis Jesus doesn't exist
Sniper Jesus doesn't exist
I'm never going to one day wake up as a well-discipled, mature christian!
If I am going to become spiritually mature
It must be intentional
Look for truth
Look for mentorship
Look for moments to PRACTICE faith
(Remember - we find what we look for! Truth 1 above)
Here's what Paul told the church at Colossae
Put off sin
Put on the nature of Christ
Put on love - The bond of perfection
Love is literally the glue that holds the good stuff together
The Context
When I read through this passage initially, it seems that this passage addresses us personally and has nothing to do with anyone else.
In reality, this passage has just as much to do with the people around you as it does you
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
THE ACTIVITY OF CHRIST IN MY LIFE IS ABOUT MORE THAN ME!
The kingdom is not nearly as much about "ME AND HIM" as it is about "WE AND THEM"
The context of the activity of God in my life is not my life alone, but it is my life as it relates to the people around me!
