"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Christ in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)
The literal rending of verse 4 is, "When Christ our life...." There it is today, my friend, "Christ our life." There is no other "life" we can call "life." Apart from Jesus Christ it is just existence. Go to bed; get up; go to work; come home; eat dinner; read a book; watch a movie; go to bed. Peggy Lee was right to ask, "Is that all there is?"
Well, I can say with authority, not mine but that of, "Christ our life," there is more. Sure you know this truth, but are you and I walking today in, "Christ our life," the joy and victory of, "I am come that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." Other words used to translate the word, "abundance," are, "greater, more, excessive, vehemently, preeminence, advantage." When you and I were, "born of the Spirit," we did not add "abundance" to our life. "Life" is not Jesus plus. We received Jesus, Who is, "the Life." If a person looks at religion, conversion, "born again," as an addition, or an improvement to their already-existence, they miss the point of, "true religion," entirely. Father added nothing to our "life" apart from Jesus. He replaced what were, what we were "doing" as we roamed meaninglessly with, "Christ our life."
Contrary to Darwin and his deceived followers, there is no life apart from God. Life is in the Godhead. Earlier in the Epistle, we read, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Jesus Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Jesus Christ."
So there you have it, my friend, another Friday devotional, no cutesy illustrations, no feel-good stories, just an invitation to you to join me in seeking, "those things which are above," eternal things in the Eternal One, Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit. When I read our text the other day, I received more blessing than any other words could bring to me, "CHRIST OUR LIFE." Today is Stephen Paul's 50th birthday. "Christ our life," is keeping and sustaining me until that day, "When Christ our life appears, then you (and I and Stephen) will appear with Jesus in glory." (Pentecostal Moment)
Father, in Jesus' Name, there is nothing and no one who can bless as, "Christ our life." Amen.
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In a "World at War", you can read about what "Wuss" leaders are doing at: jhs58.blogspot.com
In a "World at War", you can read about what "Wuss" leaders are doing at: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
