“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  Colossians 3:4

 This week was the BIG GAME for many of us in the USA.  The quarterback led his team to an amazing “come from behind” in the fourth quarter to win the game.  Afterward, I read a fascinating article about this young man’s faith in Christ.  It went on to say he had accepted Christ in junior high.  He was a standout quarterback throughout his high school and college days.  Now as a professional, he wasn’t shy about his faith.  “Faith has always been big with me,” he said.  He stated that “when he is out on the field, he’s not just putting on a show for the team, he’s playing for God.”  He said “his walk with Christ has shaped him into the man he is today and the star player so many admire.  God has given him a lot of blessings in his life and he is trying to maximize them and glorify Him.”

I was thrilled and excited to hear his testimony and I thought of so many young boys who would look to him as a role model who wasn’t ashamed of his love for Christ.  But on closer scrutiny, I read this talented football player was living with his girlfriend and had no plans to marry her.  I wondered in my heart if this young couple had ever read Paul’s letters to the early believers instructing them how to live lives worthy of their calling?  Perhaps a pastor, parent or friend had never instructed him on how to live the sanctified life.   As believers, we are called to glorify Christ in our behavior.  The Holy Spirit gives us victory over sin.  God declares sins of the flesh an offense to Him and destructive to everyone involved.  In all of the Apostle Paul’s letters, sexual sins are called out first to be repented of and replaced by faithfulness to God’s Word.

We all struggle at times with the misdeeds of our human nature:  the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are always with us!  But God has given us power over sin through the Holy Spirit.  Our lives are “hidden with Christ in God.”  “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God,” Colossians 3:1-4.  Without these powerful truths, the exhortation to holy living is meaningless.  We might try hard, but then why are there still strongholds in our lives? What would happen if lost people saw resurrected people living in homes across America, resurrected people driving cars, resurrected people working in factories and offices, resurrected young people in our schools, resurrected pastors in our pulpits?

It’s one thing to say we are “glorifying Christ” and trying hard to live for Him, but do we view ourselves as God’s treasured possession and He our treasure?  Nothing should replace Christ in our hearts!  “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances…..let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…..be thankful….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…..and whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:12-17.

Do you know the kind of person God notices?  It’s not the most gifted or powerful.  It’s the one who lives according to His Word and sets Christ apart in their hearts!

Your friend, Jean