I’m really discovering the richness of Colossians with this study – the verse for today is no exception (3:16, NIV): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another … ” Did you notice the word ‘admonish’ – it’s hardly a word which is widely used in our ‘modern’ church?

Selwyn says, in today’s study: “How wonderful it is when Christians allow the Word of God to be at home in their hearts, when they draw their spiritual sustenance from the Word of God and not from other things … ”

The issue we face today is that many are allowing our ‘western’ culture to modify God’s Word- to twist the words of God to better fit into their twisted hearts. Do you agree?

Today, Selwyn looks at verse 3:15 of Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … and be thankful.”

He says: “Paul is telling us here that when we are under the rule of Christ the inevitable result is that we experience peace in our relationships. … When Christ rules in the hearts of believers then peace will rule in that community of believers.”

The verse is easy to understand yet its application is very difficult. The issue is that in many churches there are always (it appears to me) a number of people who do not allow Jesus to rule their hearts, 100% of the time. Consequently, many churches are not havens where a person can find God’s peace. This is the reality, which many of us find ourselves in – and, there is not much that can be done except for constant prayer asking for God’s Spirit to work on the hearts, of all members of a community, to bring them all into the one Body of Christ. What do you think?

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV): “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Today, these three verses (above) from Colossians are our focus. As Selwyn clearly illustrates; Paul is telling us that we, who follow Jesus, are to be God’s shop window, through which the world should be able to see the blessings that come to those who serve the Lord. Just as Israel, was to be, the light for all the nations of this world. We are to live our lives in such a way, so as to demonstrate: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness; and, all these virtues wrapped up - in love.

In the Old Testament, we learn that ‘God chose the people of Israel because He wanted them to reflect to the other nations the manner in which He related to them. … Israel, failed miserably in this respect’. Now, we are to reflect Jesus’ love to all those we interact with, in our daily lives – do we succeed where Israel failed? That’s the question we all need to honestly answer!

Colossians 3:11 (NIV): “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

I agree with Selwyn when he says: ” … notice the words ‘Christ is all, and is in all’. What Paul means is this: Christ is all that matters. If Christ becomes all in all to us we cannot remain the people we were. (We are all equal in Christ.) Why is the Church so slow in showing the world what a classless, raceless society is like?

What’s your answer to his question?

We are now up to Colossians 3:7-10 (NIV): “You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such thingsas these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Selwyn, in today’s study, makes it quite clear that we must change our behaviour when we take on, our new life in Jesus.

He says: “We can decide to be angry or not be angry, to lie or not to lie, to use offensive language or not to use it. It is foolish to believe that these things just flow out of us of their own accord. Before angry or inappropriate words come from your mouth you have a moment of choice – to stop or speak them. The moment of choice may be only a second – even a split second – but it is there nevertheless.

If our lives are under the rule of Christ then it follows that our decisions will come under His rule as well. So it is just a question of willpower. You have to decide, ‘I will no longer do this’. You supply the willingness – He will supply the power.”

I’ve quoted a lot from today’s study so as to maintain the context of Selwyn’s main comment: “You have to decide, ‘I will no longer do this.’”

A mature Christian of many years, once said to me: “I know when a person has given their life to Christ because one of the main changes in their life, is that they no longer swear (use offensive language) if that was what they did, in their ‘old’ life.”

I think there is a lot of truth in this statement – our language should reflect the language of Jesus – if it does not – there is a real and present problem. Do you agree?

As I mentioned yesterday – verse 6 is being repeated, I think for good reason, Colossians 3:6-7 (NIV): “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”

I feel the greatest sorrow for those who say, ‘my god is a God of love – what I’m doing (even, if it’s clearly a sin – as defined by Scripture) is an expression of my love (for my partner or myself), therefore what I’m doing is okay.’ God’s love, better expressed in Greek as ‘agape’ is very different to a common form of human love; which has, as its Greek equivalent ’eros’ – ‘erotic’ is the main form of love seen in media, and its celebrity idols.  The glorified form of human love promoted by those who do not follow Jesus – is a form of hate, when compared to God’s pure and just love!

Now, listen carefully to Selwyn’s words – because it applies to most of those now living: “The truth is that God’s judgments are often silent – something dies within us when we continue in sin. We become less of a person. Our creativity shrivels up, our zest for life is eroded by guilt, our ability to stand stress is reduced. The worst thing about sin is to be the one who has sinned.”

Does it surprise you, that suicide is often seen as a way out for those under a lot of stress?

It’s a good idea to keep in mind that an idol is anything we put before God in our list of priorities. For many, it’s family or our job (money) or a hobby – a good question to ask ourselves – what is it, that I spend most of my time on – when I have a choice?

Most of us have to work to earn money for the basic necessities of life – but, do we choose to stay at work for long hours because it gives us satisfaction and fulfilment? We love our families and provide for, and protect them, when necessary – but do we prefer to take them out on an outing rather than a church service on a Sunday? If it’s a great blue-sky day on a Sunday, do you prefer to play golf or go fishing or just relax with a cold drink around a BBQ; and see going to church as a chore? Your preferences – if they do not revolve around God, are idols – they take your attention away from God. Satan is an expert in helping you to justify your preferences – you, and your family deserve it – don’t you – to have a good time and enjoy each other’s company?  The idol factory is in full production – millions of different idols are produced every moment – just look at the advertisments on TV – it’s all about you, and what you deserve! 

Now, let’s look at today’s verses, Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV): “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

Another two verses packed full of useful information. We must actively seek out and identify those aspects of our nature which are in conflict with God’s holy nature. We must not only control our behaviour driven by our personal preferences which divert our attention away from God –  but we must put an end to them. Because if you don’t – God’s wrath will be directed in your direction – and, there is no place for you to hide.  

(I’ve just noticed that verse 6, is in today’s reading and well as tomorrow’s verses – perhaps that’s an indication of how important it is, to realise that while God – so loves the world, He also exercises justice; and His wrath will be felt by those who ignore His Word.)

There are two good points made by Selwyn: “Even after decades of following Christ and being conscious of His Spirit at work in my life, I am aware that my heart has the possibility of becoming an idol factory.” I think a good habit to get into – is to examine those things which take up most of our time, and ask ourselves the question – does this activity bring me closer to God?  Always test: ‘why, we do the things, we do’, in terms of their value to open our hearts to Jesus or open our hearts to some other desire, which blocks the way for Jesus to enter our heart.

The second point is: “ …  ’the phrase ‘put to death’ suggests that something has to be done to rid us of the evils that reside in our hearts, and that that something has to be done by us – utilising the power, of course, that comes from Jesus Christ.”  That is, we should take steps to avoid those situations, people or places - where, we are in the most danger to fall victim to the seductive idols which we may allow to steal our hearts away from God. 

Asking God, in prayer, to help you identify your idols and then permanently dealing with them, is a good way to start – do you agree?