Counter Culture: Teach One Another — Thursday
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (NLT)
Colossians 3:16-17 offers a clear pathway—a cause and effect, if you will—as it relates to our life in Christ. Paul begins by encouraging his readers to let Christ’s message fill their lives. The word let might initially come across as a little soft. What Paul is really calling for here is full submission to Jesus' authority and teaching. This will require that we let that message take such prominence in our lives that it actually controls every aspect of our thinking. We don’t just turn to the message about Christ, or scripture, when it might produce a desired outcome for us—we lead with it in every situation. It’s only as we fully submit to the demands of Christ’s message—when we’re under its influence, so to speak—that we can adequately and correctly teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Otherwise, we may just be offering each other advice, which may or may not be in line with God’s will.
One way we can determine whether or not we’ve truly let the message about Christ fill our lives is by how grateful we are. Someone who constantly likes to critique and point out all that is wrong, with no demonstration of gratitude, has not fully submitted to the message. Grateful followers of Jesus will express gratitude, not only in worship but in EVERY word said or action taken. You’ll know someone has finally understood this by the joy in their life. Joy will always accompany an authentic worshiper.
Sometimes a trail map doesn’t truly offer a picture of how challenging the journey will be. And so it is with Colossians 3:16-17. These verses are easier to read than live out. But the destination is far greater than we could ever imagine.
Thursday’s Reflection
Have you let Christ’s message fill your life? How do you know? Don’t see that as a critical question. See it more as an invitation to continue submitting. Your gratitude and joy will help you know how much you’re growing.
