Living the Christian Life to the Max

In our last meeting of the season, Jonathan Rea brought a challenge to the young people to live the Christian life to the fullest. Examining the practical advice of Paul in Colossians chapter 3, Jonathan noted that in verse 1 we are advised to seek the things which are above. We are to look up. In verse 4, we look forward, to the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The mind and heart of the believer should be occupied with thoughts of Christ and of heaven, not with the things around us. In verse 5, there are sins which we must 'mortify' in our lives. Jonathan stressed that there is no excuse for these sins in the life of the child of God. As new creatures in Christ, our desires will not be towards these things and they should therefore be put to death.  Having listed 5 things which should be put to death, Paul then considers 6 things which must be put off (verse 8). These are sins which the child of God will frequently struggle with, and although we are commanded here to put them off, how often is it that we keep putting them back on us again. Sins like anger, blasphemy and deceit, both against God and other believers, tend to come very easily to us. As well as the putting off of sin, Paul also exhorts us, as the elect of God, to put on 8 things . These 8 are to be considered as garments, clothing, that we should put on and keep on, that we might walk worthy of our calling, and experience the Christian life to the max. 1. Bowels of mercy - Showing the tender love and compassion of Christ to those around us, whether they be friends or enemies. 2. Kindness - Demonstrating moral goodness, integrity and being fully accountable for your actions. A believer should be above reproach, blameless, as well as having a gentle spirit in all things. 3. Humbleness of mind - Many Christians want to be seen, to be at the front and to be congratulated for their efforts. Christ calls us to lowliness rather than arrogance, doing the jobs that others might not see, but doing them for Him. 4. Meekness - Not to be confused with weakness, a Christian can display great power and strength, but under the full control and restraint of the Spirit. To be consistent, approachable and representing the Lord in all of our ways. 5. Longsuffering - Having patience, both when waiting for the Lord to speak and when dealing with other people. A believer should have endurance in the Christian life, not always rushing ahead but waiting for God to reveal His will. Slow to anger. 6. Forbearing one another - It will not always be possible to be friendly with everyone. Some believers we will get on with better than others. However, it is important that we are able to put up with each other, showing grace, understanding and love to those outside of our 'group'. 7. Forgiving one another - This goes hand in hand with forbearing. The grace and kindness that we show to others may not be reciprocated, yet we must continue to 'forbear'. Forgiving the attitudes of others, demonstrating kindness and grace despite how we may be treated. 8. Charity - This is the love of God, which has been given to us. It is unconditional love and it is the 'garment' that binds all of the others together. These are the 8 characteristics of a believer, characteristics in which we should be 'clothed' if we are to fully live out the Christian life. However, as Paul goes on to say in Colossians 3, we also need our lives to be governed by the right authority. To live the Christian life to the max, we must allow our conduct and our thinking to be controlled by: THE PEACE OF GOD (v15)We need the peace of God upon us. By nature our hearts are evil, and only the peace that passeth understanding can keep our hearts and minds right. We must allow the peace of God to rule. It must manage our decisions, our emotions and our desires. THE WORD OF CHRIST (v16)The Bible is to dwell within us. It is to find a home in the believer, and drive our thoughts and deeds. It has been said that it is one thing for a believer to be found in the Word of God, but another thing for the Word of God to be found in a believer. It is only then that the Word of Christ will fully control our words and our nature that they might be a blessing to others and a testimony for Him. THE NAME OF JESUS (v17)Whatever we say, whatever we do, we should do it all in, and for, the name of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31). In the retail world, customers will make purchases based on a name. A name carries a reputation, a standard, and with that standard comes an expectation of quality. For the believer, we do everything in the name of Christ. His standard of perfection is our standard, and it should be a standard of excellence in everything that we do. Whether it be washing floors, writing letters, stacking shelves or raising children, every effort must be made to represent the name of Christ, and to represent it well.