identity in Christ

Jesus revealing God fully

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8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  Colossians 2:9-10

I believe it would be a mistake to read this passage as if Paul was against good thinking. Christianity has a reasonable basis for faith and it has an appreciation of the stewardship of the mind for life. Much of philosophy casts a vision of living well. For some, these systems of thought cast a vision of living well does not include God and may well indeed be in opposition to Jesus.

Paul is concerned for these followers of Jesus that they be aware of the views and systems of thought aligned against the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for knowing God. So he reminds them of this magnificent declaration of the Gospel: Jesus is God and He indwells His people. Jesus is fully revealing God.

Jesus, the man — is fully indwelt with God.
Followers of Jesus — are now indwelt with Jesus who is in charge.

We are filled now in Christ Jesus with the One from whom all rule and authority flows through the His Holy Spirit. There is no secret knowledge or special rituals required to get you into the grace of God.

In the tension of troubles in life its important to remember, God is not holding out on you. As Peter writes in 2 Peter 1, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”

photo credit: by Nathaniel O’Brien

The unseen strength of deep roots

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6And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:6-7

When I walk through the North Shore forests or even the Pacific Spirit Park here at UBC I am often in awe of these trees.  They are massive. They have been here longer than I have been on the earth. And they will likely be here after me.

Supporting that massive biomass is a system of roots extending deep into the ground. For the most part I cannot see these roots. But I know they are there.

So it is when we see a person who is persisting in their faith with Jesus. When you see a person who is bearing fruit in their life both in their Christian maturity and their ministry know this: they have deep roots into Christ Jesus. He is their life. He is their source of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus is the source of the ministry fruit: encouraged hearts, changed lives, people coming to know Jesus, people considering the existence of God. He is the source of their wisdom in leadership at home, work, school, business, community or even their nation. He is the source of their courage. He is the source of their gratitude even when life seems to be serving up difficulty.

Get rooted into Jesus. Time. Never underestimate the power of daily driving your roots down into Him through dry times, through storms, and even in the days of plenty. Meet Jesus daily through His Word and in prayer.

The treasure shaping your life

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1I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. Colossians 2:1-5

On three occasions when Jesus wanted to describe the Kingdom of God and how people who know Him live, He used references to treasure. There was a treasure buried in a field (Matthew 13:44), a pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46), and a treasure in the storeroom (Matthew 13:52).

So it is a beautiful thing when the Apostle Paul declares that in Jesus Christ lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  You and I have not exhausted the treasure that remains in Him. This treasure will shape our lives and our loves. It will shape how we think and how we live. It will bring us into the very knowledge of God. It will bring us into the fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Here’s a strange thing about our treasure and the affections of our heart: they really do shape our identity. Treasure the applause of people and your character will be shaped by that pursuit. Treasure external beauty over strength of character and you will be shall like that. Treasure security through the accumulation of wealth or stuff over the wealth of relationships and friendship and your life will be empty like that. Many “treasures” disappoint, but Jesus will not.

Why is Paul agonizing for the church? Well I think he knows how easily the disciples of Jesus get drawn away from Him. Paul knows how quickly we look for bright and shiny, or simple applause over the applause of Heaven and the treasures of the narrow road with Jesus. And so, Paul’s delight in their lives and faith when its full on with Jesus is great too. Even though Paul is far from them, he delights in the news that they are walking with Jesus! That’s what disciple makers do: they agonize and they delight till we are fully valuing and treasuring Jesus.

 

 

Walking treasure chests… full of glory!

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24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

28So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.  Colossians 1:24-29

 

I love the window Paul creates for his readers here. We get to see his internal motivations. Why would he suffer for the beginning of the church in each city he visits? Why would he persist to preach the Gospel even when it seems to cost him so much?  What vision continues to fuel his passion?

Well, for one thing, Paul treats the Gospel as a precious treasure contingent the secret and mystery of God.  And two, he treats the Gospel as a that gateway to most tremendous vision of our lives:  “Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

Some translations read: Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Wow! So this is why Paul labours and struggles so much in prayer, in teaching, in preaching, in disciplining his own life, in working to clearly communicate the truths of the Gospel. Paul has a vision of what people fully displaying the greatness and glory of Jesus. And that’s what motivates every disciple-maker. That’s what is going to motivate you someday as you care and take interest in another person who is following Jesus and trying to figure Him out!

You are walking treasure chest… full of the glory of Christ Jesus!

Jesus is not an absentee landlord.

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15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

 

Jesus holds it all together. Not only were all things created through Him and for Him, but He also remains connected and part of life — Jesus holds it all together. He is not an absentee landlord. This man Jesus who is the image of the invisible God, precedes Creation and now holds it all together! This is a magnificent declaration of Jesus’ supreme importance to life.

When I feel as if everything is falling apart — Jesus is holding it together. When I wonder if death and destruction is winning — I must remember that death has been defeated through Christ. These powers arrayed against the knowledge of God and the glory of God in creation, in people, and in the church have nothing on Him.

The universe is personal. It is personally connected to Jesus, yet it is a distinct reality. You and I can study all that is created as an entity separate from God — but the declaration of Scripture is that in the mind of God all things were created for Christ Jesus.

Jesus is supreme. Our lives, are held together by Jesus. Glory! to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, is to engage personally with the One who made you and knows you.