Word@Work Col32 - Colossians 3:11
Published: Wed, 07/06/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS
Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. (NIV)
Unbelievers are often surprised that everybody who comes to Jesus is equally valued by Him. Unlike many religious philosophies, there is no 'hierarchy of closeness to God'. Ministers, deacons, bishops and even the apostles themselves cannot be more acceptable to God than the weakest humble believer. The reason is that our status does not depend on our education, scholarship, management role, spiritual discipline or spiritual service; indeed those who teach others will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Every person, whatever their role or status, is a sinner who needs mercy and grace; but when they repent and receive God's salvation they are all equally accepted, loved and welcomed by Him.
Jesus Christ does not distinguish between racial backgrounds. That was difficult for the Jewish believers in the Early Church to understand, until they remembered Christ was the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, that through him all people-groups would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Paul needed to remind Jews and Gentiles that they were equal in God's sight; so were the educated, uneducated, male, female, free citizens and slaves. It is wrong for any believer to assume a greater spiritual status than any other Christian. We are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28), because we are all part of the same body of Christ, and the same Lord Jesus Christ lives in every believer equally.
Worldly ideas about religion want to make some people greater than others on the basis of their race, colour, gender or education. Not so with Jesus. In Christ we are all equally loved, forgiven and accepted. Although our roles in His kingdom are different, for which we are given different gifts, we are all nothing apart from Christ. In Him we have everything we need (Romans 8:32). So how are we going to react to this teaching? It should be simple, but we may have to battle with our prejudices! The fact is that we must honour every believer equally without favouritism because Christ does (James 2:1-13)! Now we need to do it, starting with those we have despised!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for Your free gift of salvation to all who believe in Jesus. Thank You that your grace is available to all, and that every believer is equally loved, and wanted. Forgive me when I do not behave in accordance with that truth. Help me to encourage everybody to repent and love Jesus, irrespective of their age, race, education, gender or social status - knowing that He will accept them. May the world see how much Jesus loves everybody, because they see that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Unbelievers are often surprised that everybody who comes to Jesus is equally valued by Him. Unlike many religious philosophies, there is no 'hierarchy of closeness to God'. Ministers, deacons, bishops and even the apostles themselves cannot be more acceptable to God than the weakest humble believer. The reason is that our status does not depend on our education, scholarship, management role, spiritual discipline or spiritual service; indeed those who teach others will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Every person, whatever their role or status, is a sinner who needs mercy and grace; but when they repent and receive God's salvation they are all equally accepted, loved and welcomed by Him.
Jesus Christ does not distinguish between racial backgrounds. That was difficult for the Jewish believers in the Early Church to understand, until they remembered Christ was the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, that through him all people-groups would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Paul needed to remind Jews and Gentiles that they were equal in God's sight; so were the educated, uneducated, male, female, free citizens and slaves. It is wrong for any believer to assume a greater spiritual status than any other Christian. We are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28), because we are all part of the same body of Christ, and the same Lord Jesus Christ lives in every believer equally.
Worldly ideas about religion want to make some people greater than others on the basis of their race, colour, gender or education. Not so with Jesus. In Christ we are all equally loved, forgiven and accepted. Although our roles in His kingdom are different, for which we are given different gifts, we are all nothing apart from Christ. In Him we have everything we need (Romans 8:32). So how are we going to react to this teaching? It should be simple, but we may have to battle with our prejudices! The fact is that we must honour every believer equally without favouritism because Christ does (James 2:1-13)! Now we need to do it, starting with those we have despised!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You for Your free gift of salvation to all who believe in Jesus. Thank You that your grace is available to all, and that every believer is equally loved, and wanted. Forgive me when I do not behave in accordance with that truth. Help me to encourage everybody to repent and love Jesus, irrespective of their age, race, education, gender or social status - knowing that He will accept them. May the world see how much Jesus loves everybody, because they see that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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