"Five Great Truths About The Christian Life”

In reading Paul’s greeting to the Colossian church, we might pass over it thinking it to be simply a common greeting at the start of a letter. However, as is often the case with Paul, there are some profound truths to be found in these words. Paul gives a five-fold description of the believers he is addressing that touch on five great truths about the Christian life. Let’s look to verse 2 and consider them together.

1. The Christian’s calling - “holy”

Paul refers to them as “holy”, which emphasizes the Christian’s calling from the Lord to live holy lives. We are called to live separated lives. Though we are in the world, we are not to be of the world.

“A Christian is not ruined by living in the world; but by the world living in him.” - Anonymous

“As long as the water remains outside the boat, things are fine; but when the water gets inside the boat, we’ve got problems!” - Anonymous

But how can we be sure to live holy, separated lives for God?

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)

The focus of our separation isn’t to be on the world, but on Christ. This is what Paul was emphasizing in Romans 12:1, where he tells us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” You see, the best way to make sure we aren’t doing the wrong things is to be sure we are doing the right things.

“Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” - Colossians 3:17 (Easy to Read)

“I will go nowhere I can’t take Jesus Christ; I will say nothing I would not want Him to hear; and I will do nothing I would not want Him to know about.” - Pastor Paul Holdcraft

2. The Christian’s walk - “faithful”

God calls us to be faithful. What does that mean?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines faithful as “(1) Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, a cause, or an idea; loyal. (2) Having or full of faith. (3) Worthy of trust or belief; reliable. (4) Consistent with truth or actuality: a faithful reproduction of the portrait.” Synonyms listed with these definitions are faithful, loyal, true, constant, fast, steadfast, and staunch. “These adjectives mean adhering firmly and devotedly to someone or something, such as a person, cause, or duty, that elicits or demands one’s fidelity.”

The part of this definition that is particularly striking is the illustration used for the last definition, “Consistent with truth or actuality: a faithful reproduction of the portrait.” For the Christian, faithfulness occurs when we follow the example of the Lord Jesus. Who remained true to the Father when things were good as well as bad.

And how can we remain faithful? Because God is trustworthy. We can trust Him and remain true to Him because He knows what He is doing.

An old preacher was rebuked by a deacon one Sunday before the service. “Pastor,” he said, “something’s wrong with your preaching and your work. The only person added to the church in this last year, is only a boy.” “I feel it all,” the pastor replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day as he finished the message, he came close to resigning. After everyone else left, that boy came and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could be a preacher or a missionary?” Tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, may God bless you. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.” Years later a retired

missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He’d added many to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning.