Reality CheckSample

In becoming a Christian, the old self dies being replaced by a new creation. There’s a sense of newness; new hopes, passions, desires and convictions. We come to recognise that our life is intricately intertwined with Christ, He becomes our life. In the book of Colossians, Paul is addressing a church, speaking directly to those within the church, those who are familiar with the ways of God. In these two short verses Paul sets the tone for the verses to come where he gets practical regarding how we conduct ourselves. The foundation of our actions, the way we act and behave has to stem from our lives being hidden with Christ - without Christ our attempts to change would be futile. 

When playing hide and seek with a child, often one has to feign attempting to find the child, because there may be a pair of toes sticking out from under a curtain or a bump on what is otherwise a perfectly made bed. The hiding child has attempted to conceal themselves but isn’t fully hidden. In the same manner we as believers need to hide with Christ in God. We need to be fully in His presence, fully surrounded by Him. 

When Paul writes “When Christ, who is your life...” in verse four, what does he mean? Have you heard statements such as “my kids are my life,” or “helping the poor is my life”?  While these and many others are good and honourable, Paul reminds us that Christ needs to be our life. As Christians we need to live, act and believe that “Christ is my life.” Jesus should be at the center of our lives. At the place of most importance should be Christ, above all else. 

Take some time and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Is Christ your life? Are there idols in your life that need to fall away that have been put in place of Christ?