Complete in Christ

Just arrived back from a few days in Appleby, Cumbria, where a group of us from two of the college CU groups spent time reading and digesting Paul's letter to the Colossians.

Despite my initial proud and shallow thoughts, studying Colossians was wonderful. It's such a clear book, and just hit me with it's simple but awesome truths. The absolute supremacy of Christ, the encouragement and rebuke that our salvation is complete, the call of the gospel to a new life.

We were very fortunate to have a top guy journey up from London to open the Bible with us and to point us to Christ honestly and passionately. Often Colossians is ear-marked as a quality book to ground new Christians in the faith, but to pridefully suggest that is its only purpose is so wrong.

We have been genuinely transformed by the genuine gospel, and continue to be as we continue in Christ, the One who is supreme in creation and supreme in reconciliation. Heaven is our destination, so to heaven we must set our compasses, relationships, and lifestyle.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory... And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3.1-4,17

'They become identified with that instrument of shame and death which they have found to be life-giving...'

I've just been reading through an edition of 'barnabas aid', the magazine of barnabas fund, an organization focused on 'hope and aid for the persecuted Church'. A friend was handing out backdated editions that had been gathering dust on his bookshelf in the hope of raising awareness as to what some of our brothers and sisters are going through around the world.

As I turn the pages there is story after story from across the globe about followers of the Lord Jesus under immense pressure in situations where life is incredibly difficult, whether that be because of violent persecution, famine, or the the plight of the 'invisible Christians' in Iraq who are ignored and neglected by all authority in their country.

Yesterday evening a friend and I were reading Colossians 1. One of the most striking things, as Paul prays for the Christians in Colossae, is his request that they may be 'strengthened with all power, according to [God's] glorious might...'. Why is this so striking? Because of the manner in which Paul sees this power taking shape: '...for all endurance and patience with joy...' (Col 1.11).

This may sound like a dull and drab characteristic of the Christian life, but for Paul it is of immense importance, and I have no doubt that our brothers and sisters featured in the eye-opening articles I read this morning would affirm the priority 'endurance and patience' must hold. Indeed it is nothing less than a gift from God. In my comparatively 'comfy' Western context, do I see the need, do I have the same desperate necessity, for endurance and patience? If not, am I viewing 'walking in Him' in a distorted manner?