I got six words into my devotions the other day and had to stop...
Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, who is your life..."
Paul states this as if it's not a controversial topic... as if to say "the earth is round" or something like that. It's stated confidently and almost (not flippantly) but like it hasn't phased him to say it. That's a pretty big statement to just throw out there. I don't think the words 'my life' and think automatically 'Christ'
I look at my life and I see school, work, friends, family, future plans/hopes-Christ in all of that. That's the point of it all. If he's not in it why do it? That's a rough thought. But I really really like that little note Paul threw in there and I thought I'd share it.
Last night my aunt and uncle from Texas visited and we had a really sweet time catching up with them and encouraging one another. The topic of 'church' arose as it often does and I started realizing that I have so many false definitions in my head when it comes to 'religion' or whatever so I did a little research this morning as to what the Bible says the 'church' is. I'm tired of hearing 'well the church is this' and 'the church is that'. This is what the Bible says it is:
Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
1. Meeting together as a group of what the Bible calls "believers" is a good thing. You can encourage one another. This is what I did with my parents, aunt, and uncle last night. We ate dinner, chatted, and encouraged one another. We talked about our beliefs, struggles, joys, and weaknesses. We loved on one another and it was awesome.
Romans 12:3-5
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Ephesians 1:22-23 "...far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also int he one to come, and God placed all things under his feet (Jesus') and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
(See also: 1 Corinthians 12:1-just keep reading a lot)
2. By the Bible's definition the body of Christ (the church) is the group of believers that all function differently and have different purposes. However, they work together in unity (or are designed to) because without a part it can't function to it's full potential and in the end are all tied together by Jesus Christ. This is something you do not see very often in the Western church. I'm basing that that very strong statement off of observation and personal experience. The 'church' in the Western world is broken up into congregations who have different doctrine and meeting places. They compete and I say this as fact as I know it's true. I've seen it exposed in the media, I've seen it in churches I've attended/not attended, I've seen it affect people I love.
3. Everyone claims that their way is the best way. I know my own heart has been guilty of this. I go to a 'home church' I guess you could call it and am I big fan of it because that's where God has blessed me and that's where he wants me. But my way is not superior to my friend who goes to a huge non-denomination church. The Bible says, 'think of yourselves with sober judgement'. Humility is what he's trying to get it and is something everyone needs..I know I do.
I'm not always humble about the church in fact someone pointed out to me that I am often harder on Christians than on non-Christians when it comes to placing judgment. That's my bad and it's wrong. It's not my place to judge anyone. God said that was his job eventually but certainly not now and certainly not through me. With that said I disagree with the Western church (how it's run and set up) based off my personal convictions and based off what the Bible says about leadership, morality, and 'the church' and if you stick them next to the Bible you'll simply find it doesn't match up.
4. I had a conversation with a coworker the other day that was very enlightening. The summary of it all was he didn't really get the difference between the different doctrines out there... and to be honest the more I think about it the more I'm with him. Any sec of Christianity (as I know it) that believes Jesus = God, he died for us and rose again, and the Bible is the inspired work of God- why do we need to fight over the other parts? 'Baptist' verses 'Non-denominational' verses "Methodist"... I just googled 'secs of Christianity' and I got like thousands of hits JUST on google images. What the? How'd we screw this up sooo much?
Check this out:
All that says to me is 'division'.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
Ephesians 2:19-22 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
We're being built together as one body. That's what he wants to do.
"When Christ, who is your life..."
All you need is six words.
Your thoughts?
-Shanna
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