In Christ, With Christ, Christ in You

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Would you believe that one of the most Christ-focused books of the Bible is a tiny, 4-chapter epistle penned by Paul? Considering the length of the book, the content, and the frequent references to Christ, Colossians is one of the most Christ-focused books of the Bible.

 

If you sat down and read through Colossians, you might notice a phrase occurring on repeat: “in Christ.” Paul uses this phrase in his other books, but the sheer volume of this repetitive phrase in Colossians should make us take special notice. 

Paul also uses variations of this phrase. In addition to “in Christ,” he uses the phrases “in him,” “in whom,” “Christ in [us]” and “with Christ. While these phrases all point to the same reality, they all have slightly different meanings.

 

In Christ (in Him/whom). This phrase is Paul’s code for “living a new life,” the kind that can only come through Jesus’s work of redemption. It also has to do with how we receive this new life.

 

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

 

Christ in You. This variation speaks to the wonder that not only are we hidden in Christ, but He abides in us!  

 

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 ESV

 

With Christ. We identify personally with Christ. We crucify our sinful flesh, because Jesus’ sinless flesh was crucified. And we are raised with him by faith, because he was raised in power! He has brought us from spiritual death back to life!

 

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Colossians 2:12-13 ESV

 

These phrases in Colossians essentially mean that those of us who are “in Christ” enjoy a mutual indwelling, an intimate connection, and a personal identification with Jesus. This is a beautiful mystery. And it’s one that touches every aspect of our lived experience. At least it should…In Colossians, Paul also warned against not holding to Christ (2:19) and ceasing to walk in Christ (2:6). 

 

Jesus has offered us this union, this profound connection. Don’t ignore it. Don’t forfeit it. Let us not lose sight of the privilege of being “in Christ.” Let us not fail to live the life that Jesus has secured for us. 

 

May our lives be as Christ-focused as this little letter to the Colossians. 

 

Refection:

Read through Colossians and note every variation of “in Christ.” 

Compare this “in Christ” theme with John 15:4-7. What does it mean to abide in Christ? 

How can you walk “in Christ” today?

Partial VS Complete

By: Jenifer Metzger

As the Israelites wandered through the desert, they began to get thirsty and there was no water to satisfy them. Of course we know the Israelites tended to be complainers, so they went to Moses with their grievances. Moses and Aaron then went to God on behalf of the people.

The Lord spoke to Moses, “Take the

staff and assemble the community. You

and your brother Aaron are to speak to

the rock while they watch, and it will

yield its water. You will bring out water

for them from the rock and provide drink

for the community and their livestock.”

Numbers 20:7-8 CSB

God gave Moses very plain instructions. He didn't leave any room for guess work. Go to the rock. Speak to the rock. Water will flow from the rock. So easy.

So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s

presence just as He had commanded him.

Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly

in front of the rock, and Moses said to

them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring

water out of this rock for you?” Then Moses

raised his hand and struck the rock twice

with his staff, so that abundant water gushed

out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Numbers 20:9-11 CSB

Moses went to the rock, as instructed. But instead of speaking to the rock, it says he struck the rock with his staff. Now God still honored His word and brought forth water for the people. But Moses didn't speak to the rock as God told him to, he struck it. He partially obeyed.

Partial obedience is disobedience. We can't obey God part way and say we obeyed. We must obey God fully. His full directions. His complete Word.

We tell the truth...but we leave out some key points.
We are faithful to our spouse...but we linger on the inappropriate Facebook video a little too long.
We tithe...but we only give eight percent of our income.
We don't gossip...but we tell our very best friend because they won't say anything.
We don't have idols...but we can't function without our cellphone in our hands.
We gave money to the person in need...but we only gave a fraction of what God told us to give.

Partial obedience...disobedience...has consequences. In fact, Moses' disobedience to God cost him getting to see the Promised Land this side of heaven.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

“Because you did not trust me to

demonstrate My holiness in the sight of

the Israelites, you will not bring this

assembly into the land I have given them.”

Numbers 20:12 CSB

We must fully obey God at all times. There is a danger in partial obedience. We need to be women who strive for complete obedience at all times and repent when we miss the mark.

Discussion:
1. Can you think of a time you only partially obeyed God's Word or instructions? Did you try to justify it saying you obeyed?
2. What can you do to be more intentional with full and complete obedience at all times?

Names of God Series: The Word

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Sixteen Miles Out

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." ~John 1:1

In our series on the names of God, we come now to the name, "Logos" or "Word". Blue Letter Bible tells us this about this Greek word:

"In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds."

That's a big mouthful there, but it is an insightful one. There truly is so much meaning and impact behind this seemingly small name, Word. The Word of God in flesh is Who Jesus is. All of the wisdom, power, truth, grace, love, justice, peace, and everything else of God is in Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the living expression of God's truth, God's divine revelation to us in the flesh. It's pretty incredible to think about!

One thing I want to point out about this name of God is the importance it gives to the idea of words. For Jesus to be named "The Word" implies for us the depth of importance of words. Words are no mere small thing. They are powerful, as the book of James makes clear. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. God's Word, the Bible, is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, according to the book of Hebrews. Words are powerful, life-changing, eternity-shaping things, and the last thing we want to do is belittle them. After all, Jesus is the Word!

Reflection Questions:

1) What stands out to you about this name of Jesus? 

2) How does Jesus being named and referred to as the Word change or enhance your view of the importance of words?

Our Joy Made Full

 By: Joanne Viola

 

“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; 
no one comes to the Father but through Me.” 
(John 14:6, NASB) 

The verse has at opened for several days now. These are the words Jesus spoke to Thomas in response to his questions.

Jesus does not offer a plethora of ways by which to gain access to the Father. Jesus knows He is the only way, the only truth, and the only way to eternal life. There are no other options.

There are choices to be made every day, all day long. Some we may not even be aware we are making. Others are intentional and conscious ones.

In the book of Joshua, we find that Joshua gather all the tribes of Israel to have a talk. He reviews, or reminds them, of their history with God. He goes over all God has done for them, and all they have been delivered from.

Then Joshua places the choice before them:

“ If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, 
choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: 
whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, 
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; 
but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
(Joshua 24:14-15, NASB) 

The people had been swaying back and forth between God and  idols. The time had come for them to make the choice; and their choice would impact every day which would follow.

As the words of both Jesus and Joshua collide, a few things come into focus.

When we choose Jesus, we also choose belonging to the family of God, fulfilling our purpose, and joy, yes joy.

Jesus also spoke these words:

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you,
 and that your joy may be made full.” 
(John 15:11, NASB)

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; 
ask and you will receive, 
so that your joy may be made full.” 
(John 16:24, NASB) 

 

Reflection: 
How are these words spoken by both Joshua and Jesus speaking to you today? How does Jesus fill your life with joy?

 

Photo by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash

 

 

 

The Solution to Any Problem

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Have you ever been annoyed with someone for giving you an oversimplified solution to a problem that you had been dealing with? Have you ever been annoyed with yourself when you realized that that oversimplified solution was actually the only solution to the problem? 

In the Bible, we have several letters that the apostle Paul wrote to various churches. Many of these letters were in response to problems within these churches or answers to questions raised by them. Some of these questions we can discern from the text, but others are less clear. An example of the latter is the book of Colossians. We don’t know specifically what Paul was writing to address, but we do know that Paul’s resounding answer was quite simple: Jesus Christ.

 

Through a beautiful hymn in Colossians 1:15-20, Paul wrote to the Colossian church about the preeminence, power, and superiority of Jesus. He argued the truth that Jesus was (and still is) the solution to the issues within their church. 

 

I love that we don’t know exactly what problem Paul was writing to correct, because it’s a good reminder that no matter what problem we face, the answer is simple: Jesus. 

 

I know that sounds like an oversimplification. I know that answer will annoy some people. Simple doesn’t mean irrelevant. Jesus truly is the answer to any problem. 

 

A problem in your marriage… the answer is Jesus.

A problem in your family… the answer is Jesus.

A problem at work…the answer is Jesus.

A problem in culture, government, politics, media… the answer is Jesus.

 

The answer is simple. Jesus is the only solution to the evils we face, the struggles we endure, the hardships we experience. But sometimes the simplest solution is also the most difficult to implement.

 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Colossians 2:6 ESV

 

Paul understood this. In Colossians 3 and 4 he described what it means to walk in Christ. And this lifestyle he recommended was completely countercultural to what his audience knew.

 

The answer is simple. The application can be challenging. But it doesn’t make this any less true: Jesus is the answer to any problem we face. It's who He is. It's what He's done. He is the solution.

 

Reflection:

Read Colossians 1:15-20 (or, even better, the whole book!). List the ways Paul described Jesus. If you are facing a difficulty in your life, what aspects of Jesus’ preeminence touch your specific struggle? How can you invite Jesus to be preeminent over your challenges?