Colossians Archives - The Glory of Christ

Walk in Him

October 30, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

What’s your definition of the Christian life? How do you define practical, Christian living? Is it primarily based on your commitment? Do you believe it’s really up to you? Or, is it solely centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ? Or, is it a combination of both? Here’s what Paul has to say …

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6-7

What does it mean to “walk in him”? That’s a very important question because it relates to real, practical Christianity. Before we’ll unpack this verse, let’s state the answer: genuine, practical Christian living is only realized in and through Jesus Christ.

Paul stated two main realities: receiving and walking. He restated those realities with “rooted” and “built.” The Christian life consists out of receiving Jesus and walking in Him. It’s about being rooted in Christ and growing up—built—“in him.” Our salvation is entirely centered in Jesus Christ. That’s not only a historical truth, but also an everyday reality.

The first clue is given in a two letter word: just “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” How did we receive Him? It was solely by faith, entirely based on grace. We didn’t have anything to offer Him, except our sins, corruptions, and condemnation. We received, as Charles Spurgeon used to say, a full Savior for an empty sinner.

The same is true for all practical Christian living since we still don’t bring anything to the table. We still live by faith in Jesus, receiving His fullness and experience only grace. Salvation, so to speak, is our initial encounter with Jesus as our Savior, while the Christian life is a continual encounter with Him. That’s why Peter stated that the Christian life is growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Salvation is about being rooted in Christ and, consequently, “built up in him.”

Jesus is the root of our Christian life. There’s no true Christian living apart from receiving it from Him. That’s why Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Isaiah stated that as follows: “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength” (Isa. 45:24). It’s only in Christ that we’re justified—declared righteous—and it’s only in Him that we receive all the resources for Christian living. That’s an obvious reason to abound in thanksgiving, not just in relation to ourselves, but also in relation to all Christians.

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. do you know of anyone who can use encouragement? Why not consider emailing them an E-book about “An Unfathomable Gift!” or “A Glorious Sacrifice” or “Joy to the World”? Just click here.

In Christ Alone – Seeing Believers in Christ

September 4, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

As we continue with our book launch of “In Christ Alone: What Every Christian Needs to Know More Deeply and Experience More Profoundly,” we’ve come to the nitty gritty of everyday life with other believers.

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Colossians 1:2

Many times Paul started his letters with a reference to the recipients being “in Christ.” Obviously, he could’ve easily left those two words out and it would’ve read perfectly fine: “To the saints and faithful brothers at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God out Father.” However, he added “in Christ,” not just here but throughout his writings.

The reality of being “in Christ” expresses the essence and totality of the gospel. None of the gospel truths can be received or experienced apart from being in Him. It’s the profound mystery of Christ’s union with His people.

What if we started to think and relate to our brothers and sisters in such a fashion? When we think about them or communicate with them, do we deeply realize that they’re “in Christ”? Would that not greatly reduce our critical and unloving spirit at times? Would it not greatly promote a proper estimation for those who’ve been chosen in Christ? It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t speak the truth, but it does mean that we put the brakes on speaking the truth without love, which is basically an indicator of a self-righteous spirit.

We should realize and relate to people as being either “in Christ” or “separated from Christ.” When someone is “in Christ,” there’re fundamental truths that should be observed. The essence of being a saint means that one has been set apart, which is nothing other than having being set apart “in Christ.”

As Paul continued his greetings, he stated: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” Not only does Paul related to them as being “in Christ,” he also knows that the Father sees and relate to them as such. Consequently, there are the two major benefits: grace and peace. “In Christ” we have God’s infinite grace and peace. These words are not just a greeting formality, they are fully relevant for daily life. When we know that someone is “in Christ,” we can certainly encourage them with God’s grace and peace.

Click here to get your copy of “Battling Sexual Temptations and Sins.”

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

A Glorious Sacrifice – Your Debt Is Canceled

July 29, 2016 by Jan Blonk 1 Comment

Two more to go and we’ve finished our 40 day book launch of “A Glorious Sacrifice.” If you’ve been blessed by these posts, I will greatly appreciate your honest book review on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/janblonk The book is now available for purchase or to give as a gift.

We’ll be picking up our study in John and at the middle or end of August we’ll start with a book launch on “Battling Sexual Temptations and Sins.” You can check that out right here.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15

God is the best accountant. He keeps perfect records without the slightest mistake. Our sins, iniquities, and trespasses are referred to as debts. We owe God a life of perfect obedience to His word. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that no one has ever been able to do so. We fall deeply short, even the most religious or moral person. Consequently, we are in debt—a debt that continuously increases, moment by moment. Paul wrote how we, unless saved, store up wrath for “the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Rom. 2:5).

God has a perfect record of our debt. Every sinful thought and affection, all God-dishonoring conversation and conduct, and all our motives that didn’t perfectly conform to His glory have been recorded. One day we’ll have to give an account: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). This record, “with its legal demands,” stands against us. Furthermore, in the supreme court of heaven there’s no appeal for all the evidence is undeniable. We’ll be confronted with the blatant reality of our sins and have to own our guilt and condemnation.

God, however, “being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). In Christ’s death, we’ve full forgiveness. He paid our debt—past, present, and future. Isaiah stated that as follows: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isa. 43:25). God canceled our debt when Jesus died for our sins. He nailed it to the cross. There’s now not a single debt we have to account for.

Just like in all debt transactions, God will and cannot exact a payment twice. That would be grave injustice and nullify His Son’s atonement. If someone paid your speeding ticket, can the judge also require a payment from you? The psalmist stated that as follows: “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. . . . as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:10-11). That’s certainly debt-free living!

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
Author of “A Glorious Sacrifice“

A Glorious Sacrifice – Hidden with Christ

July 15, 2016 by Jan Blonk 1 Comment

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:3

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Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer

A Glorious Sacrifice – Holy, Blameless, and Above Reproach

July 11, 2016 by Jan Blonk Leave a Comment

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

Colossians 1:21-22