The World’s Greatest Mystery
Matthew 5:48 (Msg)
"Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
Pastor’s Blog
While studying in seminary 25 years ago I came across today’s verse. I can honestly say that it gripped me in an overpowering way then and it still grips me today. The intrique is still with me. For me it is still the most thought compelling verse in the Bible. What does it mean that “I have died”? What does it mean that “my life is hidden with Christ in God?”
This does not mean that I should crucify my old sinful life nor does it mean that one day my old sinful self will have been put to death. Rather it means that the sinful me, the false me, the tarnished and misfigured image of God that is me has been crucified. The tense matters. Paul says I have died.
This is such a big deal. God has done something. God has ridded the world of the old Jeff Lampl and He has introduced a restored, real, refurbished, dare I say an even (I type this with great trepidation) holy Jeff Lampl, whose life exists somehow “in Christ”. My task then is not to try ever harder to become more holy, rather my task in life is simply to “live into” who I already am.
I wish I could explain this better, but I can’t. All I know is that this astonishing, beyond belief statement is true. Somehow, some way it is true. And with every passing year I understand it less but believe it more. After all how else could I (or you) become the kind of person who flourishes in the presence of God in the new creation?
This is one of my favorite verses! I love your insight into it. When I read your comment "My task in life is simply to 'live into' who I already am", my first thought was "yes!". However, the Holy Spirit kept tugging me back to that sentence. When I read it again, I felt this addition: ...and WHERE I already am! I need to come to the realization in my life that that is where I reside- HID WITH Christ IN God! I thought about if I were to hide somewhere with a child (be it for a fun game of hide & seek or to avoid a dangerous situation). I would have that child close to me, my arms surrounding the child. I would be in a place where no one from the outside could see us. That is WHERE I really am. Christ is holding me close, surrounding me in his arms (of comfort, protection, whatever I need)and together, we are IN God (completely engulfed in His power). What can harm me? What can touch me? What can overwhelm me? Nothing! Can you imagine anything overcoming God's awesome power or Christ's redeeming love? I can't. How incredibly different my life can be when I take on the task of simply living into WHO & WHERE I ALREADY am!
ReplyDeleteI wonder: we live in restraints of 'time'. Time is a created thing for our benefit on Earth. In thinking beyond this concept, could it be that outside of 'time' we are currently (for that would be all there is without 'time') with Christ at the right hand of God?
ReplyDeleteCould it be that our lives are 'hidden' with Christ simply because we cannot see beyond the restraints of time?
"living into what I already am"--yes, I believe it and it seems so purposeful and right to me. Thank you, Jesus.
Pastor, Dying in the flesh is so real for me recently. Last weekend, I spent time in the cardiology unit in the hospital. I presented with symptoms of a stroke/TIA (mini-stroke). When all of the myriad of tests were run (all spotless), they could not say that I had a mini-stroke, eventhough TIA's are not detectable on tests. Instead, they sent me off to see my primary care physician for follow-up with a diagnosis of a "complicated migraine". I have limitations on the left side of my body now and feel slightly lobsided in my face, but I could care less. God's plan for all of this had nothing to do with me (or my past)because there was a young technician who needed life spoken into him, while I lay in the gourney. My mother and brothers who have not spoken to me in years reconnected with me and mom asked for forgiveness for all the pain she has caused my life. You see, as I noticed the relationships developing, I forgot what ailed me for a moment. It was not about me Pastor, it was about God letting his child in Cardiology [tech] know that he is doing a blessed job and He notices his every loving gesture. For my mom, it was relief that she asked forgiveness, just in case I have a real heart-attack. She wanted to be free from guilt and forgiven. I may have residuals to tend with, but I am blessed today. I could have dwelled on how I felt. Instead, I praised God for what he was doing all around me. If I was utilyzed as a conduit for hope, amen.
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