Shortly after the birth of our oldest son we were given an excellent book on how to establish a Christian home (See below). One of the tools I appreciated the most was a listing of A-B-C memory bible verses for little ones. I will always remember the night after we had introduced our new “N” verse, our three year old jumped off of the couch with an emphatic finger in the air and loudly proclaimed, “NOW is the time to come to Jesus!” (2 Corinthians 6:2). His sincere exuberance brought proud tears to this momma’s eyes.
Unfortunately, as the journey continues many of us can easily make the ‘now’ past tense. Instead of our salvation being an on-going experience, it can become a bygone event. We can fall into the trap of believing that warming a pew every week and general “clean” living gets the job done. We forget why Jesus came to earth. He doesn’t just want obedient bodies, he wants hearts in tune with the beat of his own, spirits living in the freedom of his Spirit, and souls enjoying the salvation that is a constant outpouring of his grace.
Colossians 3: 1-4 reads,
“1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
The word that stands out to me in this passage is, “seated”. In college I was privileged to take a Prison Epistles course with Dr. Ian Fair. I recall the day he cross-referenced the passage in Colossians with Ephesians 2: 4-6-
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”
Dr. Fair said that when we pray we are actually entering the throne room of God and “sitting” at his right hand with Jesus who intercedes for us. To help him keep this powerful concept in mind he prayed daily at a particular table with two chairs. One he sat in and the other he pulled out for Jesus to take a seat.
What if we not only prayed in this manner, but lived in this manner as well? I believe that like it says in Colossians 3:4, Jesus would become our “life”. He would be the answer to all our questions, and the beginning to all our ends. I know a few people who live like this. I’m sure you do, too. You know those people who instantly make you feel closer to heaven just by being in their presence? They literally ooze Christ and his loving, healing and merciful power – in their small and everyday encounters. They do not “save” Jesus for “when they really need him.”
We really need Christ’s presence in every moment of our lives. Because we died with Christ we must also live with him. Jesus can become our life if we will take a seat and set our hearts and minds on things above.
Prayer:
“Dear Lord, I desire a full and fulfilling life in Christ. Thank you for sending your son to hide my life in. Help me to take my seat next to you and live out my salvation on a daily basis, glorifying you in all I do and am. I set my mind and heart on you. Amen.”
Anchor Point, AK
The Most Important Place on Earth, by Robert Wolgemuth
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