Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Colossians 1:15-23
Colossians 1:15 (NLT) "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation."
"We need to live Christ-centered lives.
I have often heard that phrase used in the church. In fact, I have even said it myself on occasion. But I have to confess to you that this cliché all too often doesnt make it from my lips to my daily life.
While at work this week, I have come to the realization that the major reason for my inability to find this expression applicable in my daily life is my failure to consider the fullness of who Jesus Christ really is in His deity. You see, if I am not careful, my mental picture of is of One who 2,000 years ago went around ancient Israel doing good works and teaching important lessons about life, faith, and salvation. However, that image limits Jesus to a mere historical figure I try to imitate from a distance. However, the apostle Paul shows us that Jesus is so much more than that:
He is the sustainer (Colossians 1:15).
He is the creator and He is ever-present (1:16).
He is everlasting (1:17).
He is the giver of life and first in everything (1:18).
He is the sin sacrifice for the world's sin (1:20-22).
What does living a Christ-centered life mean? Essentially, to be Christ-centered means that we have accepted Jesus sacrifice on the cross so that we can be right with God the Father and have eternal life. What's more, it also means we understand that our physical life here on earth depends on Jesus and that every word we say and every thought we think must be guided by the truth of His Word. Ultimately, we must believe the Jesus is in control of all things and the supreme creator.
We need to understand that the living Christ is our whole life on earthHe is our creator, sustainer, mediator, authority, guide, and lifes most essential truth. We literally would not exist without Him.
Faith Lesson: When we see Jesus as He really is, we begin to develop more trust and faith as we live out His will in the world.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: Colossians 1:15-23
Colossians 1:15 (NLT) "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation."
"We need to live Christ-centered lives.
I have often heard that phrase used in the church. In fact, I have even said it myself on occasion. But I have to confess to you that this cliché all too often doesnt make it from my lips to my daily life.
While at work this week, I have come to the realization that the major reason for my inability to find this expression applicable in my daily life is my failure to consider the fullness of who Jesus Christ really is in His deity. You see, if I am not careful, my mental picture of is of One who 2,000 years ago went around ancient Israel doing good works and teaching important lessons about life, faith, and salvation. However, that image limits Jesus to a mere historical figure I try to imitate from a distance. However, the apostle Paul shows us that Jesus is so much more than that:
He is the sustainer (Colossians 1:15).
He is the creator and He is ever-present (1:16).
He is everlasting (1:17).
He is the giver of life and first in everything (1:18).
He is the sin sacrifice for the world's sin (1:20-22).
What does living a Christ-centered life mean? Essentially, to be Christ-centered means that we have accepted Jesus sacrifice on the cross so that we can be right with God the Father and have eternal life. What's more, it also means we understand that our physical life here on earth depends on Jesus and that every word we say and every thought we think must be guided by the truth of His Word. Ultimately, we must believe the Jesus is in control of all things and the supreme creator.
We need to understand that the living Christ is our whole life on earthHe is our creator, sustainer, mediator, authority, guide, and lifes most essential truth. We literally would not exist without Him.
Faith Lesson: When we see Jesus as He really is, we begin to develop more trust and faith as we live out His will in the world.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
