"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not the things on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
As we ponder the verses above we are instructed on how to live out our exalted calling knowing we have been raised up with Christ. We are to keep seeking the things above, staying constantly aware of the fact that Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father in His exalted place. We are not to allow ourselves to be seduced and distracted by the things of the earth and all the cares of this life. For we have died to our selfish ambition and empty conceit, and our former lives are now hidden in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
We put on Christ Jesus who has become our lives, so we will not carry out the deeds of our flesh, but now live lives led by the Holy Spirit. We live knowing when Christ returns in all His glory we will be revealed with Him in glory! Everyone will know who we belong to as He reveals Himself in all His glory to the entire world because we will be with Him! There is nothing anyone or anything can offer that can compare with the reward, gratification, dignity, and satisfaction eternally that following Christ guarantees.
" He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through the Son." (John 14:6)
I encourage you to take time this week to read the third chapter in Colossians, and allow the Lord to speak to you and instruct you on how to prepare for His return. We are to be preparing as a bride does for her wedding day. However, adornment is not outward for show, but within the hidden part of our being, reflecting the beauty of the character of God Himself from within.
Let’s look at Colossians 3:12-17:
"So, as those who have been chosen by God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other. Whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
These powerful verses speak for themselves. Please do not quickly scan over them, but slow down, and read them repeatedly, applying the truths to your life. Allow them to richly dwell deep within you, that we might not just be hearers of the Word, but doers, living out the instructions from God Himself.
God reveals how to achieve the perfect bond for unity. If we allow His Words to richly dwell within us we can achieve unity in our families and churches that make up our society. This includes schools and the workplaces. We, of all people, should have hearts of gratitude continuously if we are hiding God’s Word in our hearts. We would certainly be a better witness to others if we stop complaining and express gratitude in its place for all we have to be thankful for.
Our last verse sums it up well, but you must not just read verse 17, but meditate on it to gain full understanding:
"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. "
My prayer is that we would begin to set our minds on the things above and allow God’s Word to richly dwell in our hearts, so that when we come together we would begin to encourage one another and hold one another accountable to God’s Word. Let’s read verse 16 again:
"Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
May we begin to obey this verse during our times of fellowship whether on a run together, having lunch, or during Bible studies, let it become our goal to obey this verse and apply it to our lives.
This admonishment and teaching will help us prepare as His bride for His return. When I recall past encounters I realize how far off the mark we are during our times of interaction with one another.
Don’t we all want to hear, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant", at His return which truly describes a beautiful bride? Even though this is a totally foreign concept this world cannot receive or comprehend. If we want to be great in His kingdom, we must learn to be a servant to all. (Matthew 20:26) For those of us who have been brides and have eventually become mothers, we know it is a high calling of laying down your life daily for our husbands and children. But we also know it is when we are most like our Savior. It is true in laying down our lives we truly gain life. Let us follow our Lord’s example in our everyday lives, that we may win the few.
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
The schiff of snow early Wednesday morning briefly added beauty to an otherwise mundane winter morning. It was gone by noon.
