You know how it is when you work a jigsaw puzzle. You spread all of the pieces out face up so you can spot just the piece you need. Our pastor says he can’t stop until it’s finished once he starts one. I’m not sure that I could stay with any one thing for that long. When I get stumped, I’ll walk away and come back later from a new perspective. No matter which way you look at it, I think perspective matters.
Just as it helps to complete a jigsaw puzzle with a photo to use as a guide, we need to look at the Scriptures to discern what life should look like. We only get assurance when we look in scripture to make sense of it.
Preaching on the supremacy of Christ, Paul reveals this to the Christians at Colosse:
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him.
Col. 1:15-16
There are so many reminders around us that show us the supremacy of Christ! We can look at the beauty of nature and see his creative genius. But the Christians at Colosse were confused. The preachers and leaders of the church were taking the rules of rules of the law to the extreme; Sabbath, how to dress, who to be with, etc. They said these must be followed or you’re not getting the special blessing from God. That’s why it’s so important for us to dig into the Scriptures to see what Christ has to say about these things. We don’t want the Jesus+ version. I’ll take Jesus’ Word as truth.
Above all, Christ is sufficient. So often we’re told the answer lies in Jesus plus (whatever you want to add; social justice, race, gender identity, political issues, etc.).
Focus our eyes on Christ.
When we let the Jesus+ mentality guide our beliefs, it causes us to lose validity. That’s why we should always be focused on what Christ taught. We can see God when we look at Jesus.
Jesus is not created, he is the firstborn from the dead, the creator of all things.
I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
Psalm 89:27
We couldn’t begin to understand God, if we couldn’t see him through Jesus. So we study to learn more about Jesus to know who God is. We learn through the stories we read in the Bible and other historical documents from the era that Jesus lived.
17He is before all things and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Col. 1:17-20
We have been created by and for Christ. He is the beginning and the end and sustains all things.
The goal we are moving toward is to look more like Christ.
Jesus is the head of the church. The supreme authority over the pope, a pastor or any other authority figure you may have leading you. If what they say does not agree with the words of Jesus, don’t believe it!
Christ’s death on the cross, his blood shed for all, is the payment for our souls. Don’t make the mistake of passing up this precious gift. The is no other way to eternal life. Church is the community Jesus has reconciled to God.
What is in you that still makes you feel like you are in control, that you are god? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where there is something in you that is not of the living God. And then pray for the courage to surrender it.
What fills you with praise? Make time for that. Everything is an act of worship.
Back to that jigsaw puzzle. They can be frustrating…staying focused can help us find the reward when we complete it. Keeping your eyes on the picture on the box will guide you to completion.
In the same way, keep your eyes on Jesus. Become a disciple, spreading the Good News. You can’t be just a little bit for Jesus. It’s all or nothing.
RECONCILIATION
God is moving to bring all the pieces together…do you see it?
Thanks for reading. I pray that you found something useful here in your pursuit of learning the character of Christ.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 