“a Committed Christian Adores His Savior” Series

As begin this series on committed Christianity, it is only proper and fitting that we begin with our thought for today, which is, that a

committed Christian adores his Savior. After all, isn’t that the first part of the Great Commandment?

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’” - Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

“God created you for the first and greatest commandment,to be a lover of God.” - Sam Storms

“Every Christian would agree that a man’s spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God.” - C.S. Lewis

In verse 14 of Colossians 3, Paul tells us . . .

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love . . .” - Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

But what does that look like? If I, as a Christian, am living my life, adoring my Savior, how will that be revealed in my daily life? Paul gives us some answers in our passage today.

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A love for Christ will make a difference in . . .

1. My walk – v. 15

A. I will live by the rule of peace - v. 15a

In his relationship with God, the committed Christian seeks to allow peace to rule in his heart, which means he will seek to avoid those things which disturb the peace of his relationship with his Savior. Things like sin, disobedience, selfishness, neglect of prayer and neglect of God’s Word. Therefore, the committed Christian confesses his sins immediately, tries to obey God faithfully, submits to Christ’s Lordship daily, and spends time in prayer and the Word habitually.

B. I will live in the pursuit of peace - v. 15b

It is clear that Paul is telling us that our love for our Savior will not only impact how we walk with God but how we walk with one another.

Eugene Peterson captures the spirit of what Paul is emphasizing here:

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.” - Colossians 3:15 (MSG)

Concerning his pursuit of peace in his relationship with others, pastor John Piper makes this observation:

“A peacemaker longs for peace, and works for peace, and sacrifices for peace. But the attainment of peace may not come. Romans 12:18 is very important at this point. There Paul says, ‘If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.’ That is the goal of a peacemaker.” - John Piper

When Jesus gave us the Great Commandment, He made it clear that a love for God will be revealed by a love for others.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

Because a committed Christian will love others as he loves himself, he will want others to know the blessing and benefit of being at peace with God. Which is why he is passionate about the pursuit of peace in his relationships with others - especially his brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Father, may they all be one as You are in Me and I am in You; may they be in Us, for by this unity the world will believe that You sent Me.” - John 17:21 (The Voice)

“(In John 17:21) Jesus is stating (that) we cannot expect the world to believe the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.” - Francis Schaeffer

A committed Christian’s love for his Savior will be revealed by the fact that he seeks to maintain peace in his relationship with God and with his brothers, so that those who do not know Christ might come to know peace with God, too.

But a love for Christ will also make a difference in . . .

2. My worship – v. 16

If a believer’s focus in life is on expressing adoration for his Savior, how will that be revealed in his worship of God? His worship will be:

A. An informed worship - v. 16a

Because the committed Christian spends time in prayer and the Word habitually, he will worship God in an informed manner.

“We must worship in truth. Worship is not just an emotional exercise but a response of the heart built on truth about God. ‘The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).’ Worship that is not based on God’s Word is but an emotional encounter with oneself.” - Erwin Lutzer