For the full audio of this message you can listen here, Lives Hidden with Christ - Yielded
This passage from Colossians 3:15-17 is a powerful call to radical Christian living. It challenges us to measure the gap between the ideal of following Jesus and the reality of our daily lives.
Let’s dive into these verses and the three core challenges they present for every believer.
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
2. Let the Message Dwell: The Challenge of Joyful Worship
The second instruction is a communal one: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…"
The message of Christ—the Gospel—must live deeply among us, becoming the constant story, the shared language we use to encourage one another. When the message of Christ dwells in us richly, we are constantly reminded that we are the reconciled, redeemed people who have received overwhelming forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
The Overflow of the Gospel
What is the outward sign of this message dwelling richly? Joy and Worship.
- “…through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
This suggests an overflow of the heart so profound that it turns into music. We are meant to be a people whose existence is not dour or miserable, but one where joy springs from the core of our being. We are to be **“walking musicals,"**radiating an authentic happiness that reflects our deep awareness of Christ’s grace.
🎯 Challenge #2: Cultivate Joy
While you may not literally be the “singy type,” the question remains:
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Do you experience a deep, welling joy that stems from the grace you have received?
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Do you laugh easily? Are you able to look on the bright side of life and find things to be thankful for?
This inner joy is the evidence that the message of Christ is truly resonating within you. It is the fuel that helps us enter into conflict and maintain peace (Challenge #1).
3. Do It All in His Name: The Challenge of Integrity
Finally, Paul gives the encompassing command for all of life: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
This is the great unifier. The following of Jesus is not just one part of our lives; it is all of life.
All of Life is Sacred
We often try to separate the “sacred” (church, prayer, Bible study) from the “secular” (work, traffic, hobbies). Paul eradicates this distinction. It is all sacred.
- Your job as a teacher, a vet, or working at a fast-food restaurant is sacred work.
- Sitting in traffic is sacred time.
- Eating a meal is an opportunity to thank God and do so to the glory of Christ.
The Integrity Test
This command provides a brilliantly simple test for ethical decision-making:
Can I do this thing for the glory of Christ?
If you are wrestling with a decision or an action (X), ask yourself: “Can I do X with a clear conscience, for the glory of Christ?”
- If the answer is Yes, then proceed.
- If the answer is a simple No, then it is an easy non-starter.
🎯 Challenge #3: Live with Integrity
- Are you doing all things, in word and deed, in the name of Jesus?
- Do you have integrity? Is the “church you” on Sunday the same as the “random Thursday at 9:00 AM you?”
To live all in the name of Jesus means living without compartmentalization—it means living a life of radical, Christ-centered integrity.
Your Next Steps
The challenges in Colossians 3:15-17 are demanding, but they are the path to a powerful, unified, and joyful life in Christ. This week, choose one of these three challenges to wrestle with:
- Peacemaking: Will you enter into a conflict to pursue reconciliation?
- Joy: Will you intentionally cultivate gratitude and let the Gospel overflow?
- Integrity: Will you commit to doing all of your life—word and deed—to the glory of Christ?