The only strategy and source to discover something truly new
By Dean Collins
If you are struggling to keep your head above water and someone tosses you a life preserver would you stare at it or grab it? If you were lost in some wilderness and discovered a compass, would you pick it up and use it or put it in your pocket to share later with a friend? If you were planning to build a house or even a barn and received an option of a level plot of sand or a level foundation of rock, which would you use?
The questions seem nonsensical. The answers are blatantly obvious. Paul must have thought the same more than once as he wrote his letters to encourage and correct struggling Christians. The apostle spent considerable time explaining the advantages of the New Covenant versus the Old Covenant. In Colossians 2, Paul is both passionate and practical as he reminds believers that once they have received Christ as Lord there are next steps:
1) Walk in him
2) Plant your roots in him
3) Build your life on him
4) Be continually thankful for new life you have been given
Walk
To walk suggests that we quit standing still or, worse, just sitting down. Yes, we must wait on the Lord, but that doesn’t imply stagnation. We grow in faith as we practice the behaviors and actions of Christ. We don’t talk about prayer, we pray. We don’t talk about generosity, we give. We don’t consider love, we demonstrate love by our actions. We don’t just discuss how God loves all races, we engage with people of another race and share a meal, a conversation, a burden. Walking implies actions.
Rooted
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,” said the prophet Jeremiah. He also said confidence in God depends on letting our roots go deep into the streams of living water. Jesus said he was the vine and we are the branches. We can never expect to survive uncertainty, sickness, or the stresses of life without nourishment from an unending source. Everything in this life has a shelf life and a limitation. But our Heavenly Father gives everything we need in Christ.
Built up
Maybe Paul had the Sermon on the Mount in his mind as he used the words “built up.” Things that are built require a foundation. Jesus said the options available are sand or rock. Our great foundation in Christ is more than adequate to secure us in any and every situation.
Thankful for new life
And before we list the dozens, even hundreds, of things and people we’re thankful for, we do well to constantly express thanks to God—not just for the benefits of being in God’s family, but first and foremost that Christ makes all things new.
2020 has been an unusual and challenging year for many reasons, not the least of which was the election. Some may think this President or that President can make things great again. The more important topic is making sure we aren’t taken captive by politics, politicians, or even policy as our source of hope and strength. Paul wrote in a season where the great reach and rule of Rome was visible and strong, yet most lived either carelessly, wantonly, or worldly. There was a tendency to imagine that the great philosophers, the great traditions of the Jewish people, or man-made idols might provide happiness and hope. In the end none could satisfy.
I am concerned that Christians, especially in America, might drift if we spend too much time making things great when we have a bigger opportunity and a spiritual call to join Jesus in making all things new.
Paul summarizes in verse 10: “In him (Christ) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority .“
Lord, forgive us when we look elsewhere for what you have offered us daily. We repent of seeking solutions that are temporary when you offer eternal solutions. We acknowledge you as the head of the church and the King of all kings. We surrender ourselves to your authority. We invite you to dwell in us by your Spirit so we might live boldly and serve others freely through the love of Christ.
Your time with God’s Word
Colossians 2:6-10; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Matthew 7:24-27; Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV
Photo by Dunamis Church on Unsplash
