“Christ Is My Reality”
It is possible to be “very much married, but still learning to be married.” It requires learning someone else’s schedule, sense of timing, responses, etc. and taking those into consideration. The state of being married does not change, but the process of learning about it continues on and on. This concept is similar to that of being “hidden in Christ” that Paul talks about in Colossians 3:1-4.
My reality is now that I am in Christ. But I always seem to think I have to do something or prove something to God to get to the point of being His. Not so! I am learning to live out the reality that my life is hidden in His.
After this passage, Paul starts into the “Rules for Holy Living” in verse 5, but we have to read these do’s and don’ts in light of being in Christ. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (1:21-23a). Reconciliation with God through Christ is your reality, now live in it! How? Set your mind on things above. What’s above? Jesus! As Pastor Bob mentioned in a recent sermon, let your life be a tapestry of praise. Flee immorality lust, greed, idolatry, etc. and move toward compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, etc. (3:5-17).
My prayer is that we would continue to walk in and live out the reality of being in Christ, and that others would be affected by it.