Little but Powerful!!

“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1).

Hey Gang:  I have said it before and I say it again, I love the little, what most would call insignificant, words of the Bible. They are kind of like the people behind the scenes that are considered, by man, as mundane but in reality, what makes things work; example:  janitors and cooks. 

I often asked the kids in Chapel what is the most important word in the English language.  I would get such responses as, love, joy, peace and others that I will not give space in this epistle.  Of course, your most important word may be totally different from mine; but, the one word that I consider the most important is one that will determine where we spend eternity. The word ‘NOT’;  “I KNOW YOU NOT!”

Colossians three is filled with little insignificant words that carry life-changing power. 

Paul is what I call a “Practical teacher”. Here, he gives a principle and then gives us the power know-how to implement the principle.  In Colossians three we find six words, none of grandiose significance, but when wrapped in his descriptive way of teaching they are life-changing.

Note: step one is the three-letter word “Die” (v.5).  Paul says we have to die to anything that stands between us and God.   To this step in the process he adds such words as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed.  I am sure all who read this epistle could make their own list.  Paul, who said we must die to anything that is offensive to God, also said, “I do the very things I hate”.

The second step in the process is we must “Put off” (v.8).  Notice, Paul did not say it would be a good idea to put off such things such as anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech, lying, but rather made it an “act-of-the-will” issue; just plain “DO IT!”.

His third step, again two simple words, “put on” (v 10&14).  Jesus said when we clean house and evict the evil one we best fill the house with the good news that Jesus Christ is owner of your house, other - wise the evil one will return and bring his cousins with him. (Gramps rendition.) (Luke 11:25).

  

The final insignificant word, which is also the most difficult to implement, is “Let” (v16). “Let the peace of God rule in your heart, let the word of Christ richly dwell with you”  

But, notice in verse one we find two insignificant words that activate the process! “Therefore & if” that activates the change process.   Seven rather insignificant words, die, put off, put on, and let; but one last, but very important kicker that makes Paul’s change process fly, “IF”. “If you have been raised up with Christ!”  

Paul closed this most important principle by saying, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  (vs. 17). 

Blessings,

Gramps