Christ came into the world to tend to the most troubling problems that disturb human hearts. He came to make known the way of love for everyone. In Colossians 3:11, the apostle Paul is speaking to believers regarding their position in, and relationship to, Jesus Christ.
Paul occupies himself with the painful problems that worry, upset, and divide people, by first and foremost emphasizing our relationship to God from His point of view. He points out that we died to sin through Christ (Colossians 2:20), and that we have been raised with Christ to a new life (Colossians 3:1).
Moreover, he asserts that when our Lord appears in his glory, we too, will appear with him (Colossians 3:4). In light of these great spiritual realities, Paul encourages us to cooperate with our Lord as we seek to live out our unity with him.
Thus, the apostle Paul furnishes spiritual encouragement in the form of some noteworthy commands. First, we are encouraged to focus the aim of our life on Christ (Colossians 3:1). The apostle had defined his purpose of his existence in terms of relating himself to Jesus Christ and letting Christ live in him (Philippians 1:21).
Next. we're encouraged to focus our mind on Christ (Colossians 3:2). Our affections, disposition, and our will, or for that matter, 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). After all, our great hope for the future and beyond time is to be united with the Christ, and with the people of God, throughout eternity. Therefore, Paul encourages us to remove hindrances to Christian fellowship (Colossians 3: 5-17).
In closing, Christ came and died for our sins, conquering death and the grave, so that eternal life might be an actuality for you and I. He came to dwell inside each of us when we trusted him as Savior. And, he wants to help us live the heavenly life, even as we continue with our physical life here on earth.
However, in order for Christ to help us with our present, painful problems, we must acknowledge and respond to him regularly. For it was faith in Christ that established us in a loving relationship with him, and it is listening to and obeying him that will inevitably bring satisfaction and joy to our hearts.
Scripture: Colossians 2:9; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 15:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Prayer: Holy Father, I thank you for our great salvation; past, present, and future. I also thank you for Christ as our redeemer, teacher, guide, and friend, amen.
Have a blessed day!
Layne
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