Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Renewal of the Church

Colossians 3: 5-17

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom …” – (16)

“Put to death …”. It isn’t one of those phrases that leaves room for ifs ands and buts! Christian living is preceded by something profound, that is, the death of our former ‘earthly nature’. It calls for an utter rejection of our sinful ways - sexual immorality, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, slander and discrimination of others. We are buried with Christ and raised again for a life in Him.

Consider the massive forest fires of the recent past. We have come to understand that years of fire suppression actually contribute to these large blazes. Suppression of small ‘good fires’ leads to the accumulation of undergrowth and detritus. These become the fuel for intense ‘bad fires’ that uncontrollably leap to the crowns of trees and destroy the forest.

It is the same with us. As individuals and communities, we may in our pride and ignorance suppress the urgent need to burn away and put to death the sinful detritus of our lives. Paul warns us in verse 6 that “Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”. Let us not attempt to evade God’s cleansing fire only to risk being devoured by an all consuming inferno.

Furthermore, the forest ecology is not merely resistant to fires but can also be dependent on them. Good fires rejuvenate the soil and clear out the undergrowth to allow for more sunlight and the healthy growth of old and new trees and plants. Our spiritual growth is similarly dependent on our prior burial and rebirth with Christ and death of our earthly natures. Once reborn, we are capable of being clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and most of all love. We are to be like the fertile soil that receives God’s word. The message of Christ will dwell in us as we teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.

How much better it is to be filled with the peace of Christ, songs from the Spirit, and songs of gratitude to God in our hearts? We can only have room for these things if we put them in the place of the earthly desires that fill our lives. While this exchange sounds like a no brainer, Colossians 3 makes it clear that it only occurs as a result of radical events. Radical, uncomfortable change that begins with our burial with Christ and the death of our former selves. Radical, ongoing transformation in a renewed life and community. Like a good forest fire that burns and brings forth life - new, strong and abundant.

Prayer: Lord, help us to recognize the sins in our lives. Teach us to be dependent on your cleansing fire, which burns away our sins. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thought of the Day: Are we transforming?


Vinod Johnson, Carmel MTC, Boston

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more