LEARNING DAILY

 

Colossians 1:2, To the saints and the faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I am going to ask you to do a tough thing. I am asking you to remember the last several pages of the blog. Do you remember they were about the Lord is faithful to cleanse us of unrighteousness when we confess our sins? Do you remember that the lord told Paul His grace was enough for him (and us) because His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses? I want you to remember this because of what Pastor Ed Newton said in his message this week as he began a study on the book of Colossians. He said, “You will never know peace until you know grace and you will never know grace until you know Jesus”! I want to tell you that blessed me tremendously because it summarizes some of the thoughts I have been writing.

 

Today, like in the days when Paul wrote “to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse”, the church has been infiltrated by false teachers who teach commitment to Jesus Christ and following His Word on a narrow path are not necessary to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The false teachers mix human philosophy and tradition with the gospel. They teach that our spiritual needs are not being met by following Jesus Christ and the New Testament teachings. Paul writes to the people of Colosse and to us, to tell it is Jesus Christ in our lives, not human wisdom or philosophies that redeems us (saves and changes us into the image of Christ).

 

Pasto Newton defined the “gospel” as the “Good News” and its truth “cannot be stopped (Listener Guide) because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (v. 5). I liked his definition of “hope” – the expectation and anticipation that whatever is going on in our lives is going to change because Jesus went to prepare a place for us in heaven (John 14:1-4). This truth includes two words that are significant to the Believers relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, “in Christ”.

 

Pastor stated that “in Christ” we have everything! Jesus lacks nothing!  Being a Believer means believing in Jesus Christ and His gospel, trusting Him and living in His presence (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). As Believers we need to get that down deep into our spirit and mind to help us walk that narrow way! “In Christ” is a common phrase used by Paul; it tells us of the very important position through faith that exists between Believers and their Savior and Lord. I wish I had everything Pastor said about this relationship. For those who heard what he said, reflect on it. For those who did not hear let me attempt to describe the importance of what being “in Christ” means. One who is “in Christ” is saved and in the process of being changed; therefore he/she is a new creation, the old has passed away. We no longer need to be slaves to sin because of Christ’s work on the cross, because of His mercy and grace. Because we are “in Christ” we stand holy and righteous before God, no longer condemned because of sin.  It means we have access to every spiritual blessing and the promises of God (remember the page of the blog about 2 Peter 1:3). We are members of the body of Christ – one Spirit, one Lord, one faith and one hope. We are continually being made ready to walk into eternal life in God’s kingdom. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

 

Believing this to be true, knowing what is written in the Word of God, we need to do all we can to live our lives in a manner that is worthy and pleasing to the Lord as we walk the narrow way into eternal life in His kingdom. Let this be an encouragement to you to do just that!