pramsay posted on April 02, 2009 15:36 1131 views

Is Christ it?

Yes or no? The correct answer is: YES!

But couldn’t a person have Christ and a bit more or a lot more? Why confine yourself to Jesus Christ? It’s such a big world of ideas out there with many beliefs and philosophies – isn’t it a bit narrow to restrict yourself to just Christ? Wouldn’t a person be okay if they never denied Christ but, on the other hand, were open to a broader range of ideas and a more inclusive spirituality? After all, society is advancing and we know so much more now then they did back in Bible times.

Asking questions like that is not an indication of society’s recent progress. Don’t be deceived by academics or intellectuals or spiritualists who subtly suggest or blatantly claim that Christ alone is too small for the big minds of this day. That’s old thinking – there’s nothing modern about it. It’s about as old as Satan. In fact, if you are struggling with such thoughts it might help you to know their true source – Satan!

The Christians back in Paul’s day, once happy in Christ and with Christ were being influenced by agents of Satan – false teachers. Their poison included strains of paganism, Judaism and Greek philosophy. Blending, adapting and meshing ideas, customs and practices from other religions with Christian truth is called ‘syncretism’. It’s dark, dangerous and devilish. It still happens.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae who were being affected by such heresies and lies. The deity, absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ is his theme. If you need a boost for the day, read some of what Paul says about Christ in this particular letter. In the verses below, we will insert CHRIST repeatedly so no one will miss who Paul is writing about.

He (GOD) has delivered us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

CHRIST in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

CHRIST is the image of the invisible God,

CHRIST is the firstborn of all creation.

For by CHRIST all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—

all things were created through CHRIST and for CHRIST.

And CHRIST is before all things, and in CHRIST all things hold together.

And CHRIST is the head of the body, the church.

CHRIST is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

that in everything CHRIST might be preeminent.

For in CHRIST all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

and through CHRIST to reconcile to Himself (GOD) all things,

whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of CHRIST’s cross.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He (God) has now reconciled in CHRIST’s body of flesh by CHRIST’s death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him (God)…

(Colossians 1:13-22)

Did you notice the references to ‘us’, ‘we’ and ‘you’ in the verses above? To think that ‘I’ was included with Christ in those beautiful verses should warm my heart and melt my eyes to tears. ‘I’ was delivered from darkness. ‘I’ was transferred to Christ’s Kingdom. ‘I’ have redemption and the forgiveness of sins through Christ. In Christ alone ‘I’ now stand. In a future day, ‘I’ will be presented to God perfect in every way – holy, blameless and above reproach.

On that day and on this day who alone is worthy of praise? Christ alone! Take four minutes just now to click on this link and join in the singing of the beautiful hymn entitled In Christ Alone by Stuart Townsend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgwfliQoqg

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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