Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish each other in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in your hearts to God.
Notice that the first sentence of this verse is in the passive voice. We are not told to “devote ourselves to the word of God,” nor are we told to “diligently study the Scriptures.”
Instead, Paul tells us that we need to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Our task is not so much a task at all; it is not something that we can accomplish by effort and dedication. Rather, our role is more one of yielding ourselves more and more to the word of Christ. Our striving is not so much to become stronger and stronger, more and more dedicated to Christ; rather, we are called to become more and more receptive to the word of Christ. If we wish to become stronger Christians, it will not necessarily come through our own effort, though I believe God honors efforts to discipline our spirits. Instead, Christian growth will come through our ability to receive the word of Christ.
Now I know many people who cannot tolerate this view of Christianity. Many people are legalistic, believing that the core of the faith is adherence to a set of rules. And, on the flip side, many people are addicted to personal license, unwilling to let the word of Christ dwell too richly in them, because it might threaten their personal autonomy. They have a shallow, surface knowledge of Christ but are afraid to engage it too deeply, afraid to let his teachings flourish because they are afraid of the changes that might come if the word of Christ truly dwelled richly in them.
Indeed, we will have to be very brave to allow Christ’s word to take root in our hearts. It means that we will have to learn to be in a doing world, that we will have to learn to listen in a world that values talking. It means that we will have to learn to be quiet and listen for a Word in a world that celebrates self-expression.
And then, when the word has taken root, then we will be able to do all of these other things. Then, when we have heard the word and are allowing it to flourish, we can teach and admonish in a way that will be useful for the body of Christ. When we have truly heard the word and are nurtured daily in its life, we can sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with a true spirit of gratefulness.
Notice that the first sentence of this verse is in the passive voice. We are not told to “devote ourselves to the word of God,” nor are we told to “diligently study the Scriptures.”
Instead, Paul tells us that we need to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Our task is not so much a task at all; it is not something that we can accomplish by effort and dedication. Rather, our role is more one of yielding ourselves more and more to the word of Christ. Our striving is not so much to become stronger and stronger, more and more dedicated to Christ; rather, we are called to become more and more receptive to the word of Christ. If we wish to become stronger Christians, it will not necessarily come through our own effort, though I believe God honors efforts to discipline our spirits. Instead, Christian growth will come through our ability to receive the word of Christ.
Now I know many people who cannot tolerate this view of Christianity. Many people are legalistic, believing that the core of the faith is adherence to a set of rules. And, on the flip side, many people are addicted to personal license, unwilling to let the word of Christ dwell too richly in them, because it might threaten their personal autonomy. They have a shallow, surface knowledge of Christ but are afraid to engage it too deeply, afraid to let his teachings flourish because they are afraid of the changes that might come if the word of Christ truly dwelled richly in them.
Indeed, we will have to be very brave to allow Christ’s word to take root in our hearts. It means that we will have to learn to be in a doing world, that we will have to learn to listen in a world that values talking. It means that we will have to learn to be quiet and listen for a Word in a world that celebrates self-expression.
And then, when the word has taken root, then we will be able to do all of these other things. Then, when we have heard the word and are allowing it to flourish, we can teach and admonish in a way that will be useful for the body of Christ. When we have truly heard the word and are nurtured daily in its life, we can sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with a true spirit of gratefulness.
posted by Rev. Michael Jordan at 9:52 AM
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