22 August 2012
Chapter 3
It's no wonder I don't feel God, and I'm getting angry. Just look at the swagger that has characterized me today. I've got a lot of things that will take up my time now. How am I going to put God first? How am I going to feel God at all? How am I going to keep from just checking out? After all, surely my foolish and distracted brain won't simply cooperate with a busy schedule. What fighter verses will I wield when I really REALLY don't want to study, or read, or work, or run, or prepare for a presentation?
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he POWERFULLY works within me."
"For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
This indeed is the motivation for the whole of Colossians 3. Knowing that we have died to the world is powerful for throwing off the trappings of wealth, affection, and beauty, indeed all the glory the world offers. Knowing that our life is hid with Christ, seated on high, having finished the work that guarantees our security in the house of the Lord, powerfully gives us the foundation and security to take crazy risks with our lives. You have no other motivator than seeking to glorify this savior from a sincere heart. People pleasing will gain us nothing since we have died to the world. Look to Christ who is your life. Rest in him. Sincerely seek him, to be served by him by working heartily. Heaven is your reward, you whose life is hid with Christ. So, then why would you work for recognition? What would that recognition gain you? And what about affection that you so badly crave? You have already been given your last rights, friend! This is not your home, and your king has affections and blisses that no relationship could hope to give! That's what you crave and no relationship can deliver without crushing the object of your lust. If you truly love her, seek God's glory, and set your eyes on things above. Open your hands to the things on earth, and close them on the throne of Christ, where Christ holds on to you, and in his love, he will not let you go. Be risky, let the relationship happen without gripping it.
Oh Father, let your word sink deep into my heart, and may roots sprout from the solid foundation of the knowledge of my sweet savior, who holds me firmly in heaven. May my hope never wander from him.
Chapter 3
It's no wonder I don't feel God, and I'm getting angry. Just look at the swagger that has characterized me today. I've got a lot of things that will take up my time now. How am I going to put God first? How am I going to feel God at all? How am I going to keep from just checking out? After all, surely my foolish and distracted brain won't simply cooperate with a busy schedule. What fighter verses will I wield when I really REALLY don't want to study, or read, or work, or run, or prepare for a presentation?
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he POWERFULLY works within me."
"For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
This indeed is the motivation for the whole of Colossians 3. Knowing that we have died to the world is powerful for throwing off the trappings of wealth, affection, and beauty, indeed all the glory the world offers. Knowing that our life is hid with Christ, seated on high, having finished the work that guarantees our security in the house of the Lord, powerfully gives us the foundation and security to take crazy risks with our lives. You have no other motivator than seeking to glorify this savior from a sincere heart. People pleasing will gain us nothing since we have died to the world. Look to Christ who is your life. Rest in him. Sincerely seek him, to be served by him by working heartily. Heaven is your reward, you whose life is hid with Christ. So, then why would you work for recognition? What would that recognition gain you? And what about affection that you so badly crave? You have already been given your last rights, friend! This is not your home, and your king has affections and blisses that no relationship could hope to give! That's what you crave and no relationship can deliver without crushing the object of your lust. If you truly love her, seek God's glory, and set your eyes on things above. Open your hands to the things on earth, and close them on the throne of Christ, where Christ holds on to you, and in his love, he will not let you go. Be risky, let the relationship happen without gripping it.
Oh Father, let your word sink deep into my heart, and may roots sprout from the solid foundation of the knowledge of my sweet savior, who holds me firmly in heaven. May my hope never wander from him.
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