Focus Your Life on Christ

The Carnegie Technological Institute has stated that 90% of all people who fail in their life's vocation fail because they cannot get along with people.    -Lloyd Perry, Getting the Church on Target,  Moody, 1977

Christ came into the world to minister to the deepest problems that disturb human hearts. He came to reveal the way of love for everyone. In Colossians 3:1-11, Paul is speaking to believers concerning their position in and relationship to Jesus Christ. Paul deals with the painful problems that distress and divides people by first of emphasizing our relationship to God from God’s perspective. He points out that we died to sin through Christ (Colossians 2:20) and that we have been raised with Christ to new life (Colossians 3:1).

Further, he asserts that when our Lord appears in his glory, we will appear with him (Colossians 3:4). In view of these great spiritual realities, Paul encourages us to cooperate with our Lord as we seek to live out our union with him. The apostle provides spiritual encouragement in the form of some great imperatives.

Let’s first discuss how we are encouraged to focus the aim of our life on Christ (Colossians 3:1). Paul had defined his purpose for being in terms of relating himself to Jesus Christ and letting Christ live in him (Philippians 1:21). Then, we are encouraged to focus our mind on Christ (Colossians 3:2). Our affections, our disposition, and our will; our entire personality is to be affected by our desire to let Jesus Christ have his way with us.

Finally, we are encouraged to focus our hope on Christ (Colossians 3:4). Our great hope for the future and beyond time is to be united with the Christ and with the people of God throughout all eternity. Thus Paul encourages us to remove barriers to Christian fellowship (Colossians 3:5-17). I will break this down for you as follows:

A. We are to put to death all destructive impulses and drives (Colossians 3:5-6).
B. We are to put away a disposition that is evil, mean, and hurtful (Colossians 3:8).
C. We are to put away falsehood and dishonesty from every area of life (Colossians 3:9-10).
D. We are to recognize that in Jesus Christ there can be no destructive discrimination (Colossians 3:11).

1. In Christ there can be no racial discrimination: “Here there cannot be Greek and Jew.”
2. In Christ there can be no spiritual discrimination: “Here there cannot be…barbarian, Scythian.” In the Greek world barbarian was a word of contempt for the uncultured, while “Scythian” was a synonym for savage.
3. In Christ there can be no social or economical discrimination: “Here there cannot be…slave, free man.” In Christ the rich and the poor are on level ground.
4. In Christ there can be no sexual discrimination. “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In Christ womanhood was exalted, reaching the highest position of status and dignity.

E. We are to put on the tender graces of Jesus Christ that are associated with love and mercy (Colossians 3:12-14).
F. We are to let the peace of Christ rule in all our relationships (Colossians 3:15).
G. We are to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly to guide us and to instruct (Colossians 3:16).
H. We are to do all that we do under the authority and for the glory of our precious Lord, being thankful for every blessing and every opportunity to serve (Colossians 3:17).

In closing, Christ came and died for our sins, conquering death and the grave so that eternal life might be a reality for us. Christ came to dwell within each of us when we trusted him as Savior. He wants to help us with our pressing, painful problems; we must recognize and respond to him continuously. It was faith in Christ that established us in a loving relationship with him, and it is obedience to him that will bring satisfaction and joy to our lives.

Scripture:  Peter 5:6,7; Psalm 19:14; Ephesians 4:2-3; Hebrews 10:24-25; Proverbs 13:20; John 15:13; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Prayer: O Lord, through wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

Make me a wise person who is strong,
Yes, a person of knowledge that increases strength.
For by wise counsel I will wage my own war,
and in a multitude of counselors I will have safety. In Jesus precious name I pray, Amen

God bless you!

Sharon