Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. English Standard Version (ESV)
Colossians 3 was part of yesterday's New Testament read through the Bible plan. Verse 2 speaks of "setting our minds" on the things above, to have this inner disposition while verse 20 speaks of letting the Word dwell in you "richly". Pastor Bob has often said that His word gives us our bearings, our spiritual compass.
I also read the following quote from Arthur Pink where he writes, "The Bible is a book which calls not so much for the exertion of our intellect--as it does for the exercise of our affections, conscience and will. God has given His Word to us not for our entertainment, but for our education--to make known what He requires from us. It is to be . . .
the traveler's guide as he journeys through the maze of this world,
and the mariner's chart as he sails the sea of life.
Therefore, whenever we open the Bible, the all-important consideration for each of us to keep before him is: "What is here for me today? What bearing does the passage now before me have upon my present case and circumstances--what warning, what encouragement, what information? What instruction is there . . .
to direct me in the management of my business,
to guide me in the ordering of my domestic and social affairs,
to promote a closer walking with God?" .........I should see myself addressed in every precept--and included in every promise
the traveler's guide as he journeys through the maze of this world,
and the mariner's chart as he sails the sea of life.
Therefore, whenever we open the Bible, the all-important consideration for each of us to keep before him is: "What is here for me today? What bearing does the passage now before me have upon my present case and circumstances--what warning, what encouragement, what information? What instruction is there . . .
to direct me in the management of my business,
to guide me in the ordering of my domestic and social affairs,
to promote a closer walking with God?" .........I should see myself addressed in every precept--and included in every promise
This "dwelling" of the Word within us will show in our lives in our "affections" - the things we love; our wills - it will motivate us to do His will, and our conscience to know what is right and to follow that course. This is not simply in "spiritual" areas of our lives, but also in our management of business, household and social affairs.
How are we , how am I doing in this "letting" the Word of God dwell richly in us.? Are we giving His word "plenty of room" in our lives (The Message)?
Colossians 3:15-17The Message (MSG)
15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
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