Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col 3:16)I used to refer to it back in the day (long time ago) when I was leading worship at church. That "teaching and admonishing" by "singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" was something I tried to keep in mind. Nice tunes? Fine. But what was important was that we teach and admonish with our songs. What are we saying when we sing? Are we even paying attention? This passage says we should.
What has come home to roost more recently, however, is that first part: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." That is a thought full of ramifications. "Let." You get a choice. Choose to do this. "The word of Christ." Christ is the Word (John 1:1), but this is referring to something else. It would be the expression of Christ, starting first and foremost with Scripture that is all about Christ. So many who call themselves "Christian" do so while ignoring the Bible, the book breathed out by God (2 Tim 3:16-17) about the "Christ" referred to in the term "Christian". They are happy to hold views in direct opposition to the word of Christ and call themselves followers of Christ. Instead, we are to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Then there's "dwell in you." Take up living. Make itself at home. Start housekeeping. Not just visit; live there. And finally, "richly." To be rich in the word of Christ. Copious amounts. An overabundance. Not just a sampling, a "toe in the water" kind of thing. Engulfed.
I will admit that I'm not there. I don't talk to Him enough. I don't read His Word enough. I don't live there enough. To be fair, I don't even know what "enough" is in this application. The text sounds like there is no such thing. Instead, it is a constant "more" -- more of His Word, more of His presence, more of His character, more. But I want it. I want it badly. I suspect that the more I let the word of Christ dwell in me richly, the more I'll be teaching and admonishing others in all wisdom, including in music, with thankfulness to God in my heart. A lifelong aim worked out on a daily basis. But it starts with "the word of Christ."
No comments:
Post a Comment