"Let the word of Christ live in you.." Colossians 3:16 (TPT)

I have mentioned in previous posts I do not seek or desire a biblical world where rules and laws are put in place to follow God’s commands, that would be unbearable. I do desire a more Christlike world where love reigns supreme and Christ lives within each persons’ heart and mind revealing the purposes of God for us corporately and individually.

Letting the word of Christ live in us richly starts by allowing the Lord speak with us in deeply intimate ways, and one of the ways He does this is by telling us of His love for us if we allow Him. The main characteristic of the Lord which becomes evident when the word of Christ becomes alive in us is that He is a lover.  

He reaches out to us with tender mercies at every juncture of our lives, He is there even when we cannot sense Him.  He is there when we are hurt emotionally or physically, He cries with us when we are in pain or in turmoil.  He rejoices with us when we are happy that we might share in His joy. 

The Lord demonstrates a capacity to love which is apart from human understanding and is deeply personal, in other words, He meets us where we are at and puts no expectations upon us to be anything more than we already are and loves us totally, fully, and freely. 

That is one thing the word of God is, He is an uttering living voice, and He embodies a conception or idea, which is why Paul says He “floods you with all wisdom”.  

Wisdom according to the book of Proverbs is a person:

“I’m calling to you, sons of Adam, yes, and to you daughters as well. Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise. For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart that will change their inner being.  The meaning of my words will release within you revelation for you to reign in life. My lyrics will empower you to live by what is right.” 

Proverbs 8:4-6 (TPT)

Paul tells us to “apply the scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises.”  When Paul mentions “the Psalms” what he is referencing here is playing a musical instrument or singing a Hymn or a song which exalts the Lord.  

When we gather together the Lord gives wisdom and understanding and there is a didactic discourse which is given to impart instruction or to impart doctrine so that the purposes of the Lord can be clearly defined, this can be given as a dialogue between those gathered so there is an interaction between each other, or it can be delivered in the form or a song.  

Singing hymns can also bring much instruction as the Psalm or song may entail details of the Lord’s love and His affection for us which we always need to hear.

Paul also mentions that we should also be open to singing “prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit,” the Holy Spirit is speaking to us constantly about the things of God strongly speaking from the heart of the Lord.  It is being open to receiving what the Holy Spirit is giving us that we can speak it out boldly and humbly that Jesus might be honored. 

“And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord Jehovah. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit!” 
Ephesians 5:19 (TPT)

The passage concludes with “so sing to God with all your hearts!” This is a statement by Paul to go for the gusto and sing with all your might to the Lord God, for He is worthy of our praise and deserves our undivided heart to love Him.

Paul also speaks of teaching the scriptures, the Bible is an important testimony of Christ Jesus which always points us to Him, it should not become our default in lieu of a personal relationship with Jesus, it can and should be an inspiration for us to develop intimacy with Him.  There are some who have venerated the book (or knowledge of the book) above Jesus and made it an idol, that was never the purpose of the bible.  Keep in mind that the bible does not love you, or save you, Jesus does!  It is a testimony about Christ Jesus and His love for us that He is alive and lives His life through us.  The bible has always been a roadmap to Christ.

 “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life. Everything you read points to me” John 5:39 (TPT) 

It is much better it is to know Jesus because when the day comes when our bibles are outlawed or taken away from us the only thing that will remain is Jesus Himself, He is our strength and our refuge…our lover and our friend.

I am so thankful for Jesus, He has become everything we could ever need.

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett