The Message of Christ

Colossians 3:12-17

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  16 LET THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST DWELL AMONG YOU RICHLY as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is one of my favorite passages in all of the Bible.  As a Christ follower, the message of Christ should be something that is very important to me.  It should be important to me as a husband, as a father, as a pastor, and as a person.  What is the message of Christ?  I believe it is simple.  God is love.  In 1 John 4, John says several times, "God is love."  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  We can live in right relationship with God and with one another through the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The message of Christ is that God is love.  The message of Christ is that when we repent of our sin and believe in Him, we can walk with Him and enjoy His perfect love.  1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 4:17-18 says, "This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

As I continue to walk with Him, I am reminded more and more of my desperate need for Jesus.  We all desperately need Jesus.  We all desperately need the message of Christ.  We all desperately need the message of Christ to dwell in us and among us richly!  What will be the results?  Look at Colossians 3 and see the results: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, thanksgiving, peace, unity, and most importantly, love, which ties it all together.  My prayer is that the word of Christ will dwell in me richly and that I will allow it to flow from me...from my words and my actions.  And that is my prayer for you today!