Monday August 9, 2010

Read Colossians 1:1-2

By the time Paul wrote to the Christians at Colossae, the city had shrunk in importance from a great city to what has sometimes been called a ‘market city’. However, the “city” influences were still present. It appears that false teachings were affecting the church. Legalism (dietary laws and so on), ritual and observance of special days seem to be the issues attacking the Christian church. Combine that with a world that cares little for Christ and has a multitude of ‘gods’ to worship and you begin to see the daily struggles for Christians in Colossae. It’s not much different to our world is it?

Think about our world.  The truth is clouded by the so called knowledge of the world. People in the world want nothing to do with the one true living God. They have a plethora of ‘gods’ to worship and many churches have latched onto ritual, legalism and observance of special days.

But in the midst of the darkness, the light of Christ shines supreme. Even in what seems to be the depth of the pit, Jesus is still supreme.  And in this apparent darkness, look at how Paul describes the believers at Colossae (and us). Paul uses the words ‘holy’ and ‘faithful’.  To understand what holy means think of the Old Testament use of the word. People were obviously called to be holy but things and places were said to be holy as well. Obviously, the word means ‘sinless’ but it also means ‘set apart’ or ‘dedicated’ to the Lord. You, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, have been set apart for the Lord in a dark, depraved world to shine the light of Jesus. God has earmarked you for Himself. Indeed as Ephesians 2:10 tells us, He has prepared good works in advance for you to do. What a joy to know that you are separated, dedicated to the Lord in this world. What a blessing to know that you are called to shine the light of Jesus.

The other word ‘faithful’ means believing. You believe in Christ. But the word also nuances the meaning of ‘dedicated’. As a believer in Christ you are faithful or dedicated to Him. You serve the risen Lord not things, not other people, not money and not even your own desires. As you continue to serve and be dedicated to our Lord, your dedication will speak volumes to a dark world. People will see Christ in you. Praise the Lord, that through you the supremacy of Christ will reign.

What a wonderful way to start the week, knowing that you are holy and faithful to the Lord our God. What a joy to know that through you the supremacy of Christ will shine.

Prayer:-

1 Pray that every single believer in your church would be a shining the light of Christ in this world. Pray that you yourself (together with all the others) would be taking opportunities to talk of Jesus and to share His love. Pray that the community around us would see the supremacy of Christ in us.

2 Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Myanmar would likewise shine the light of Christ. As the Bible College (FRCM) ministers, it has opportunity to set up 2 more churches across the city of Yangon. Please pray that God would provide all that is needed (money, preachers and teachers, workers etc) for this work to move forward.

MEAT 4  THE MATURE

Living intentionally is a great way to walk forward in Christ Jesus.

What does this mean? It means that you plan to  make an impact for Christ in your world. It means you think about the day ahead and how you can bring Christ to bear in each situation.

Take the challenge. Think about the day ahead and how you can make an impact for Christ.