Yesterday we talked about how we all need Christ because we are fallen. These two verses from the letter of Paul to the Colossians sum up the previous post pretty well: For he [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col.1: 13-14, NIV) Let’s continue to look at what living in this freedom really means to us, how God is regenerating us in Christ and why Christ is all we need.

God has given us the gift of the Word so we could see what he is up to in the world. We need to read the whole Bible to see the entirety of God’s amazing salvation plan and what it means to us. The Bible gives us a frame to understand what is going on in the world and in us.

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. (Col. 1: 15-18, MSG)

Christ holds everything together and Christ will put us together, too, if we abide in him. If we live in Christ, he will continue his redemptive work in us. If we put our faith in Christ, we are slowly but surely spiritually regenerated into his likeness.

He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. (Col.1: 18-20, MSG)

No matter how broken we are Christ can heal us.
Through Christ we are forgiven.
No matter how shattered our lives are Christ can put them together.
Through Christ our lives get meaning.
No matter how hopeless we are Christ can give us purpose.
Through Christ our future is secure.

You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. (Col. 1: 21-23, MSG)

The gift of salvation is so tremendous that it does change us inside out.
The gift of grace is so powerful that it regenerates our inner beings.
The gift of the Word is so enticing it empowers us to live in love.

All this because of Christ. Nothing but Christ! Nothing else, nothing more, nothing less. Just pure grace, 100% grace. Come, Lord Jesus!

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for loving us so much
that you gave your only son
to die for us.
Thank you for resurrecting Jesus
and through him
all of us who believe.
Thank you for your wild but gentle grace.
Keep working in us, through us, with us.
Give us grace, give us Christ.
Nothing else, nothing more, nothing less.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

Q4U: Is it hard for you to choose only Christ?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live your life in Christ!

Be sure to check back tomorrow as I continue – God willing- to reflect on the letter to Colossians as God guides me.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Wright