Colossians 2.6 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the
faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (ESV)
On Thursdays I meet with a beloved group of men from a
number of different churches and spiritual backgrounds and we talk theology and
encourage one another in Christ. I feel a bond with these guys (several of whom
I have now know for nearly eight years). It’s a great time of discussion,
prayer, keeping up with what is going on with each other’s fellowships and the
things and needs of our little community. We also challenge one another. It’s
great!
For the last several weeks we seem to be hovering around
the issue of faith, obedience, and behavior in the life of a believer.
Scripture seems to indicate both, that we can do nothing apart from Christ, but
yet there seems to be a command or an expectation to actively avoid sin and
walk in a holy and committed manner after the Lord; and to help others do that
as well. I think that is perfectly spelled out in the “little” book of
Colossians. I think the verse above states that very well.
Sometimes we forget just how important the “little” books
are. How would we survive without the epistles of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, or the rest? I think, doctrinally speaking, these “little” books are
really “giant mountains” of deep and profound discovery into who we really are “in
Him” (much like the “Minor” prophets fill in the gaps between the exile and the
subsequent four centuries of “quiet”(BC)).
Today, I thought about how much I miss by not spending more time in the majestic
mountains of these “little” epistles and just how much these letters contain
for my own growth. Then I thought about
how these epistles are foundational to help others who (like me) struggle with things
like performance as opposed to position: does Jesus really expect a
certain standard of effort and behavior from me, or will I simply change as I
choose to hang out with Him?
The New Testament Epistles lean toward effort to “walk in
the Way” but we’re to be careful not to do that in our own effort, but proceed only
as we walk in continual fellowship with Jesus. We’re to always walk in Him. Every moment; every situation and circumstance.
Lord, thank You for the Little Epistles. Thank You for
the words of Paul specifically in Colossians and how they apply to me today.
May I not simply check a box as I read through this marvelous letter twice a
year, but may I give more of my precious and carefully guarded time to reading
and re-reading what You have for me from what You had for the Colossians all
those years ago. Help me Lord! Amen.
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