Who Calls The Shots In Your Life?
Greetings,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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.” Colossians 3: 15-17
The Lord has me camped out in the book of Colossians and I am just loving it. I have always been drawn to this particular passage because it is so rich and affirming. Yes, we should allow the peace of Jesus to rule in our hearts. In fact “rule” in this passage means to act as an umpire; meaning that His peace should always be the deciding factor and only arbitrator in each and every decision we make. That’s right, Jesus is the one that gets to call all the shots, be it fair or foul, ball or strike, safe or out. We always need to surrender our will to His because He is Lord and knows what is best for us in every situation or circumstance.
We also need to allow Jesus to live deeply within us because we need to be teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom. Did you catch the full weight of those words? NOTICE: It is WE that get to teach and admonish ONE ANOTHER. It is NOT a Pastor that is called to do this; it is EACH and EVERYONE of us. Again, it is every member ministry and never a one man show. Plus together we all get to sing all sorts of different songs to our Lord. Many of the home fellowships I am involved in write their very own original songs. We have found this extremely fun and rewarding. There is nothing wrong with singing songs written by men dead centuries ago, but to sing fresh and relevant songs is a very tremendous blessing.
Finally, this passage closes with “WHATEVER” we do in “word or deed”, we should do it “ALL” in The Name of Jesus. God wants your whole life and not just a portion of it. Too many believers just give a percentage of their incomes, an hour on Wednesday night and an hour and a half on Sunday morning to God. Jesus wants our entire being surrendered to Him, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. I also think it is good to remember here that there are some things (sins, behaviors, habits) that can never really be done in The Name of Jesus. We need to always be vigilant and aware of the fact that we are His ambassadors and that WHEREVER we may be; we are stepping onto His mission field. Unbelievers, friends and family are watching every move we make and so is Jesus. So I say bring it on and thanks be to God!
Love and…..
Kirk Out !
notesfromthebridge 
Chris as always, I thank you for your posts. I agree with these posts, and for me that is pretty unusual. I take these truths and just see them as more universal in application. God loves us, and the centrality of what He is telling us, is just as applicable in the larger world (non-Christianized world) as it is in all situations.
Jesus had no insider group. In fact those who believed themselves to be in an insider group, He pronounced to be outsiders (probably to just teach them humility).
God is Bigger! God is bigger than what we deem as Christianity, God is bigger than sin and separation, God is bigger than small minded
religious groups.
God is bigger.
Thank you Christopher, I needed this timely reminder. I’ve also been reminded by the Holy Spirit that we are instruments. If an instrument gets gummed up and dirty it will not play well or have a pleasant sound.
That was great. I agree whole heartedly with all that you said….a first….lol. Seriously though, great words. I won’t do anything unless I have God’s peace within me. I see my new job as God’s mission field. I pray for my coworkers and everyone who comes into the store. In the stores guide book it says, very clearly, any religious talk is in appropriate. That’s fine I have other ways to get around that. I don’t have to speak openly to have the Holy Spirit move freely in the store and through the people. I’m ministering to the people in other ways and they don’t even know it. The Holy Spirit has shown me other ways to do this. Thanks for sharing.
I think the key here to doing things as Jesus would do them, is ( like you said Chris),to have Jesus living so deeply within our beings that we live him, breathe Him, see as He sees, etc. Lately my desire has been to live Him so much that words don’t always have to be spoken. I don’t know how long it will take to completely manage that, but somehow I think I can. “Being” Jesus to every one that our lives come into contact with is a big job. But, I think that it much more effective when words fail or get in the way. Every one is precious to Him and we may be the only light they can see. God bless all!
Yes, Marc Winter,
God is Bigger! God is bigger than what we deem as Christianity, God is bigger than sin and separation, God is bigger than small minded
religious groups.
God is bigger.
AMEN, Amen, Amen!! The Lord continues to unfold His magnitude every day!