Christ Is All, and In All (Colossians 3)
11:57 PM
When I think of the goodness of God, I think of His perfect goodness permeating through the evil, sin, and harsh corruption of a less than perfect world. He did not abandon us to the fate of hopelessness, but instead, He sent Christ to bring overcoming good to be manifested within and among us. This chapter in Colossians reminds us of that hope and encourages us to be vessels through which His goodness impacts the world around us.
Because we are “ in Christ” we have the hope of a future beyond this life and that should be our focus. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (3:1-4). If the trials of this world burden you, then you can be comforted that this life is temporary but we have a better life to come that is eternal.
Because of God’s goodness, we are given “ a spiritual new self” and we have the privilege of spiritual connection with God and His Holy Spirit to teach us. We are empowered to live differently. “....you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (3:9-10)
The world judges, criticizes and condemns but in God’s view, we are all made equal through Christ. It’s not about your looks, your race, your sex, your education, your talents, your money, etc. It’s about Christ within you. “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (3:11)
God, in His goodness, chose us and has a special regard for each one of us. We are encouraged to extend the goodness shown to us toward each other. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (3:12-15)
God, in His goodness, gives purpose to our lives no matter what the circumstances. It’s not about job title, career accomplishments, trophies or earthly recognition. It’s about fulfilling God’s purposes as we bloom where He plants us. He will reward our faithfulness to Him. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (3:23-24)
God is a God of goodness and He wants us to know the blessings of His goodness in this life and also in the eternity He has promised us. He loves, empowers, and equips each of us. We are His beloved children. The old song ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children’ still reminds us we are each unique and “ precious in His sight”.
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