Together – Colossians 3:12-17
In the first two chapters alone, Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” 15 times. The realization of this mystery is essential if he is to eventually present everyman to the Father, complete. He has also said that Jesus Christ is God’s mystery and he must richly dwell within our hearts.
How comfortable is western culture with mystery? Can our might society conceive of building anything on something so mushy as a mystery? Western culture is barreling full steam ahead, powered by selfish ambition and technological. It has little room for transcendence (although it flirts with it vicariously through fantasy. How else do you explain our fascination with zombies and vampires?) Will the citizens of this kingdom be able to transfer the whole weight of what its building onto Jesus Christ – who is the only foundation who will withstand the shaking that is to come? Will members of this earth’s kingdoms be capable of seeing themselves in the narrative of an invisible kingdom that is still unfolding? The answer is “No”, unless hope is embedded in God’s mystery.
The name of this blog, In The Middle With Mystery has confused some. They say, “What’s the big mystery? I believe Jesus is the son of God, he died for my sin and I’m going to heaven. What’s so mysterious about that?” At this point I propose that salvation is a larger idea than getting man to heaven, that it involves the communal-process of getting heaven into man. This is a central feature to the good news as Paul understood it. Achieving this is how Paul envisions the gospel spreading….
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
The conduct Paul is referring to is simply resurrection life being manifested through us. When he spoke of salvation he was never thinking (as we do) of a singular decision that results in life after death. To Paul, salvation was a process where the life of Christ-in us is always being worked out in our every day eating, drinking, playing and working lives. He understood we are each preaching some version of the gospel at all times. This is why he says…
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
What does resurrection life look like anyway? Our passage explains……
As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
To present every man whole to God, Paul must convey this salvation process is not a solo affair. We have each been grafted into a single body and are now members of one another. This is why he said working out our salvation includes fear and trembling. He understood salvation does not happen without the messy, high friction dynamic of being together. This is why “one another” is mentioned 100 times in the NT. This was Jesus idea originally …
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34-35
It is daunting to see that the love-relational bar has been set at such an impossible height. Who can love like Jesus? No one can unless Christ lives in him. Loving one another like Christ, can only be done as we embrace the reality that we have died in Christ and have been raised in Christ to newness of life. We will clear the bar in Christ. All things are possible with God.
I do see hope in Jesus Christ – God’s mystery, in us. I do see us living in a hope-filled narrative that is still unfolding. That we do not know the particulars or the timing of the next chapter is a mystery but we do know that Jesus prevails. A future chapter includes all knees bowing before him, all tongues confessing him as Lord. All things are possible to him. Camels do find their way through the eyes of needles. Jesus (not the religion of Christianity), is going to conquer every kingdom. Will it be upon his return? Will it be after we have left these bodies?
What if, by God’s grace, we are awakened to our cultural bankruptcy outside of Christ and we ask God to intervene, showing us how salvation is worked out in Christ? In the presence of overwhelming odds, I recall Abraham, taking a bold approach with God, his friend.
Father, as your friends and children – those who have been caught up into a great Mystery, help us to transfer the full weight of our existence upon you. Only you know how we have hedged our bets. Expose us, that our hearts can return to childlikeness – where they are enabled and willing to see the unseen and trust without understanding.