Divisions Vanish In Christ

Steve Ellison

  • Friday, April 24, 2015

The first half of Colossians describes how Christ is preeminent in all things.  The second half gives us a test so that we can objectively measure how well we understand that Christ is first, last, and everything in between in everything. There is no need to guess if Christ is preeminent in our lives. The first question on the test, which we looked at two weeks ago, is found in Colossians 3:5-7and deals with every kind of sexual immorality.  If there is sexual sin in your life, you are not in fellowship with Christ.  The second question is found in Colossians 3:8, and concerns several issues related to anger.

The third test question is found in Colossians 3:9-11, Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. (NASU)  If we have indeed been born again, adopted into God’s family, all distinctions and divisions will cease. 

The passage begins with a command to stop lying to each other about the existence of divisions among them.  Paul illustrates the new birth by likening it to changing clothes.  It is a simple process which every person is capable of doing and understanding. Also, once it is done, it is a completed thing.  Paul then goes on to say that this new birth means that all divisions in the body of Christ are artificial and arbitrary.  The first example is not shocking to 21st Century Americans but it certainly was to 1st Century Christians in Asia Minor.  Saying that there was no distinction to be made between Jews and any non-Jew was as shocking a statement as Paul could have made.  This division encompassed race, nationality, religious practice, and language.  In case we might miss this comprehensive example, the Holy Spirit had Paul follow it up with other examples involving religion, race, economics, status, etc.  The message for us is that the person who has trusted Christ for salvation is now part of the body of Christ.  All who have been adopted into God’s family through faith in Christ are now brothers and sisters.  No other barriers can be allowed to stand. 

Once again, I remind you that if we fail this test, this is not an exhortation to try harder.  Instead, it is an encouragement to run back to Christ and ask Him to show Himself to us and live through us.  If we see Christ clearly and allow Him to be preeminent in our lives, all divisions, biases, and prejudices will vanish.  If we have racial prejudice in our hearts, we should see it as warning sign that we have not made Christ preeminent in our lives.  If we look down on those in a lower (or higher) economic class, we can be sure that we have not seen Christ as we ought to.  While we must acknowledge that there are essential Christian doctrines that are non-negotiable, we also must acknowledge that it is wrong to despise others who have a difference of opinion in matters where the Bible has allowed for differences.  We are called to be a fragrant aroma to the watching world by loving our brothers and sisters.  We cannot do that if we allow divisions. ……...pastorsteve8800@gmail.com

 

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