God’s love is the foundation of honest self-awareness and self-assessment. Lent is a time for preparing for Jesus’s death and resurrection through self-assessment. Through Malachi, the Lord called for repentance and reminded His people of His love. Begin a season of self-assessment, repentance, and renewal by rejoicing in God’s love.
In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he reminds us that the Christian life is a mission with Jesus. We need comforting, encouraging, and loving relationships, and are called to live in the world, not separate from it. The church is a mission outpost for sinners, not a country club for the elite. When we fail to live on mission, we miss the fullness of life with Christ.
Insecurity hinders the Gospel mission by causing fear, timidity, pride, and self-righteousness, obstructing the message to the lost. Paul reminds us of our security in Christ and that through prayer and wisdom towards outsiders, we are equipped to share God’s hope, joy, and grace through Christ with those who do not know Him as Lord and Savior.
Paul emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ in his message to the Colossians by focusing on the social order of family. He explains that Godly family relationships reflect the nature of God and are given equality and dignity under Christ. Paul highlights how sinful desires for superiority and control distort God’s intended order, leading to selfish ambition. The hope of the Gospel is that Jesus used His superiority out of love for our salvation, not for selfish ambition.
In Colossians 3, Paul continues the theme of the supremacy of Jesus Christ and His sufficient work in our lives. In fact Paul takes it to another level by proclaiming that when we put our faith in Jesus, our lives are hidden with Christ. In light of this joyful assurance we are called to seek the things that are above and to live as the true citizens of God’s glorious kingdom.
In Colossians Chapter 2, Paul emphasizes the personal nature of Christ’s supremacy. Jesus is not only supreme over eternity, creation, and the church, but also over our lives. Paul urges us to walk in Jesus as needy beggars, receiving grace and the security of having our lives governed by His supremacy.
Paul presents a clear, well-reasoned case for the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Knowing about His supremacy doesn’t make Him supreme in our lives; our insecurities stem from trying to make ourselves supreme, knowing we can’t save ourselves. What truly draws us to Jesus is understanding that He uses His supremacy for us out of love.
Insecurity manifests as self-doubt or overconfidence, making us prone to false truths or proving our knowledge. The Colossians faced similar issues, and Apostle Paul urged them to find security in Christ alone. Jesus, as the fullness of God, offers grace and mercy, making us beloved children of God. This security frees us from false teachings and pride, supporting our souls and Christ’s mission.
“We all long for peace, but life is full of conflicts. True peace, the kind that surpasses all understanding, remains amid the turmoil and is only found in Jesus. Come and discover how you can find peace in Him.
We all seek the strength to face life. In darkness, strength is tied to position, power, wealth, and influence. Believing we need ‘enough’ of these is a never-ending struggle. Jesus came to free us from this lie and give us grace. His undeserved favor is the strength we need to face life’s struggles.
