November 18, 2022
Living in the Spirit
Scripture Reading:
Colossians 1:11-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. –Colossians 1:15-20
Christ is our ultimate role model. He sets a very high standard, and yet he indicates that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light*. I fear most of us are guilty of thinking that everyone else thinks as we do, or at least should. We all perceive the world through the perspective we have cultivated over time. I grew up on a farm; people raised away from that environment may never have the same sense that I do regarding the source of their food. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
A part of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is accepting him as our ultimate role model, which requires us to examine our thinking and ways of relating to others through the lenses of his example. We do that primarily through the teachings that have been passed down to us from the information captured by those who shared it with us via scriptures. We are all parts of the Body of Christ, we are not Christ, but we can learn from him and live our lives in such a way that others can get some sense of Christ through our attitudes and behavior.
Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day**
Prayer: Lord, open our minds and our wills to see more clearly and live more nearly the way you love. Help us revamp our lives to follow that example. Amen.
*See Matthew 11:30
**Song from the musical Godspell Written By Stephen Schwartz see at https://genius.com/Godspell-day-by-day-lyrics
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.