City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

^21-23 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.

–Colossians 1:21-23 MSG

The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.

–Colossians 1:26-29 MSG

¹⁸ But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.

–Proverbs 4:18 AMP

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses highlight the relational and progressive nature of living out holiness on a day-to-day basis. Colossians 1:21-23 shows us that living in holiness is largely a response to God’s sacrificial act of love towards us by giving Himself completely at the cross. 

When we consider the sheer magnitude of what He gave to win us back to Him, all we can do is respond in complete surrender and gratitude. Surrendering our will to God’s will stems from trusting in Him. Trusting in God blooms as we acknowledge and accept His sacrifice. It’s just that simple. Holy living does not come from earning it with good behavior. It’s the truth of the Gospel that transforms us into an entirely other being. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. 

While nothing may seem noticeably different in the external world or our circumstances, an inward change has taken place the moment you accept the gift of salvation God so freely and lavishly given to us in Christ. That inward change blossoms into a renewing of our minds, which results in the external changes we were previously powerless to execute. 

However, people often get it backwards. They think to themselves, first I’ll change my behavior, and then I’ll be transformed into the kind of person a holy God would accept. This is a huge mistake! It is this line of thinking that waters down the Gospel and dishonors the complete work of Christ. If one thinks there is anything he can do to earn God’s approval aside from Christ, he’s made a grievous error. It is only when we commit fully to Christ and His finished work that we find rest and true transformation. 

It is from this transformation and a relationship with the Holy Spirit that our lives get brighter and brighter until the full light of day. 

Application

Are you the type of person who likes to cross things off your list? It’s okay–we all are. Research indicates this is one reason people benefit from to-do lists: The satisfaction of ticking off a small task is linked with a flood of dopamine. 

As gratifying as ticking off a task from a to-do list is, our salvation from sin’s deathly grip is simply not one of them. Maturity in Christ and living in holiness will develop as you respond in faith in your relationship with God, with other people, and within yourself. 

Instead of feeling horrible the next time you miss the mark or something doesn’t go the way you hoped it would, try reminding yourself of how much God loves you. What you’ll find is His love is constant and consistent in every stage of life. Rest in that love and find hope in your relationship with Christ. When Jesus is with you, things will get brighter. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the bright and beautiful hope I have in Christ Jesus. Help me find rest and security in Your love as I learn to trust You more. May I walk in the holiness You have called me to and live in humble adoration and thankfulness as You complete the work You began in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.