Root Words | Colossians 1:9-10 “Who we are in Christ determines where we go in life”
Reading through Paul’s letter to the Colossians we can see the reason for this letter. Paul doesn’t write them telling them they need to “Put on their big boy pants” neither does he says, “Time to grow up and get busy!” Instead, the six verses of chapter 1:9-14 are not telling these believers to do anything instead they are explaining to them what Christ has done for them. Based upon this observation I can see two very important truths as it relates to spiritual immaturity:
- The weakness of the church is to be found in far too many remaining baby Christians: Don’t get me wrong I like babies, but they aren’t always pleasant to be around. Someone once said that babies are “A digestive apparatus with a loud noise at one end and no responsibility at the other!” Babies are notoriously selfish and self-centered. I think that description can fit prolonged immature Christians as well.
- Maturity happens when we emphasize what Christ has done for us and not emphasize what we can do for Jesus: What immature believer’s need isn’t a list of things to do and don’ts to work on. What they need is to realize what is already theirs in Christ. Paul spends these 4 chapters telling these Colossian believers what they have won when they won!
In the second half of verse 9 Paul’s prayer for the Colossi believers is that they be: “…filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” The one thing he asks for is that the Colossians might come to understand God’s will. As such we know that the chief aim of a believer’s life ought to be to know God’s will. Many Christians think that the will of God is some sort of spiritual itinerary whereby God instructs us on where to go and what to do. But by the context, Paul is not speaking about “direction” he is speaking about “position”! This is a very powerful truth in the Christian life: “Who we are in Christ determines where we go in life!” That means when you and I get lost, lose our direction, the way back is not trying to find our path, it’s about the rediscovery our identity in Christ! There is a spiritual truth to that old hippie saying: “I’ve got to go and find myself!” But you will only find your true self in Christ! 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us that “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” No wonder we feel a bit lost in our new relationship in Christ. God has made us into something different than what we once were. The more we understand who we now are, and what God has done to make us that way, the more our behavior will automatically change. In verse 10 we see that the outcome of those two discoveries will enable our spiritual itinerary in God’s way will be heading the right direction. D.L. Moody often said, “Every Bible should be bound in shoe-leather.” Saints, before we put on our shoes and get going let’s make sure we are on the right path!
This has been pastor Dale, Blessings!