We were all, at one point, dead in our sin — dead, lost, eternally doomed, spiritually separated from God the Father. But then, when we put our faith in Christ for salvation, we were made alive together with Him. Our sins were forgiven and the requirement for us to fulfill the law was erased (Colossians 2:13-14). We were made new! And as we walk with Christ, we continue to be renewed by His Spirit.
This month we have been studying Colossians 3:1-17 and what it means to be renewed — what it means to put on the new self. Today we will look closely at verses 16 and 17. We will think about what it means to let the word of Christ dwell in us. We will also discuss what it means to do all in the name of the Lord, but before we do that we need to look at what Christianity is not.
Following Christ, Not Rules
In Colossians 2:11-23, Paul writes that following Christ is not about legalism. Following Christ is not the same as following rules and laws.
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ~ Colossians 2:13-14
He goes on to say that when you worry about the food you eat, the drinks you consume, and holidays you celebrate, you are robbed of your true reward, which is Christ (vv 16-18). In other words, when your mind is consumed with how well you do or do not keep religious laws you miss out on true and intimate fellowship with Jesus.
Instead we are to seek Christ and set our mind on Him, hide ourselves in Him, and refuse to walk in sin (Colossians 3:1-9). We are to walk like the renewed creations that we are, displaying mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love (vv 12-14).
But let’s be honest. We can’t do these things, not on our own anyway. For a time we may be able to, but there is a limit to our goodness. And when our goodness runs out? Well, we find our old ways creeping back in — anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language (v 8) just to name a few.
So what do we do? We hold fast to Christ, who is “the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” (Colossians 2:19) and we can do this in two ways: 1) by letting the word of Christ dwell in us and 2) doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ~ Colossians 3:16
Paul writes “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” The word dwell is also used when he reminds the Corinthians that they are the temple of God,
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people’ ~2 Corinthians 6:16
In order to be renewed by God we must be indwelled by God. His words, His will, His power must inhabit our thoughts and influence our actions. And not just a little bit, but “richly in all wisdom.” This rich wisdom comes from spending dedicated time in prayer, reading and studying the Bible, and hiding His word in our hearts (aka memorizing Scripture). All of these things will lead to acts of worship and adoration — “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~Colossians 3:17
One question that we need to continually ask ourselves as Christians is why? Why am I doing this? Why am I choosing this? Why do I believe this? The answer should be I am doing it for the name of the Lord. One of my favorite commentators, David Guzik says that a renewed person “lives his life, all his life, for Jesus. He will only seek to do the things that he may do in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he will persevere in the difficulty of doing such things, knowing that he is doing them in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Doing all in the name of Jesus may seem overwhelming or impossible. On our own it is, but we are not on our own. We have been renewed so that Jesus can dwell inside us. He is with us. He makes it possible for us to live for Him. Jesus is the one whom we receive nourishment and strength from — no one or nothing else.
As we live our renewed lives may we never forget to hold fast to Christ.
Lord, I thank you that you have made us alive with you — that you have renewed us. I ask that your word would continue to dwell richly in us and that by your Spirit we would be able to do all things in your name. I praise you for who you are and all that you have done. In your name. Amen.
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