By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton
Focal Passage: Colossians 3:1-3,12-17
Colossians 3:1-3: These first three verses delight my soul with great comfort and encouragement. I have turned to them again and again over the years.
Paul is shifting into applying the solid doctrine that he has outlined in the first two chapters. I am incredibly thankful for the Holy Spirit inspiring these words from Paul’s pen. Though the messenger was imprisoned at the writing of this letter, the message of God can never be imprisoned. As the psalmist declares, “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.”
We know Paul is making the transition to application because he begins chapter three with the word so. In light of what has been declared about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the firstborn over all creation, and that all things have been created by Him who is the head of the church, then here is what we must keep on doing since we have been raised with Christ. We must seek the heavenly things above. We must seek Christ Himself.
And yet, isn’t that the crux of the matter? We live in this world, and the lusts and pleasures of this world are passing away. They seek to entice us away from our new nature, from the Lord Himself. Christ is presently seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. Let that sink in. Michael Julian has died. You have died. But, you are alive. You remain. How?
You are presently hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. The life you now live, you live by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave Himself for you. So, where do you desire to align your thoughts?
With the Eternal One, or with all that is passing away from memory and existence? Psalm 112:10 says, “… He will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish.” We need our hearts and minds firmly and consistently planted in the heavenly places above where Christ is. But why?
Colossians 3:12-15: Right away we are struck by the truth that we are God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved. We know that we have the greatest message in the world to share. Jesus saves! And the reason we must keep our minds above is so that our lifestyles do not interfere with or cloud the glorious message of salvation.
How am I going to preach that Jesus saves while living a life of wanton pleasure and reckless passion? That’s beyond counterproductive. That’s sinful! May I never be a stumbling block to the message of the cross.
Colossians 3:16-17: The focus has been and continues to be upon the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be pointing others to Him at all times. John the Baptist announced that his role was to prepare the way for the Messiah.
He said that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. And right after that, John proclaimed that the one who comes from above is above all, for He comes from heaven. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.
Let’s keep encouraging one another, and doing everything in the name of Jesus. Let us live the message that Jesus saves. B&R