You know John 3:16.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
This verse tells us that everlasting life is given to all who believe in Jesus the only begotten (born) Son of God. That’s the simple starting point for a Christian.
Believing in Jesus becomes a life-long journey. If you believe in Him, your life will be change in every way.
There is another “3:16” you should know as a map for your lifetime of Christian living.
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Let me give it to you in bite-sized pieces:
Colossians 3:16 (Part 1)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, . . .
Begin your life-time walk with Jesus with the Word of God. Let it dwell in you, live in you, richly. Spend time each day reading a portion of the Bible. Choose a pattern for your reading, commit to stay with that pattern for a chosen length of time—a month? a year? ‘til you finish the section you are reading?
For example begin with the Gospel of Mark. Read a chapter each day for sixteen days. You will have completed that portion of Scripture.
Or instead of a chapter a day, you might choose 8 verses a day, or 25 verses a day, or if you Bible is laid out in paragraph’s a paragraph a day. You choose. Then do it.
Read slowly, out loud sometimes if you can. You can even get CDs that will read the Bible to you when you drive! Think about what you are reading. Ponder on it, even when you are not reading it.
When you find an instruction, say, “Lord, I believe in Jesus. I’m going to obey this instruction because I believe in Him.” And obey it.
When you find a warning, heed it. Believe whatever you find there because God’s Word is Truth. Jesus said: “ . . . Your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NKJV)
Sometimes you will find a Truth in your Bible reading that is simply fascinating—concerning God’s Creation or some advice you need RIGHT NOW! or something that you did not know, had simply never heard before. Feel free to simply be happy about your new discovery.
That’s what it means to let God’s Word dwell in you richly—to read the Bible and obey what you read there.
“. . .in all wisdom . . .” refers to the wisdom you will gain as you obey the Truth of God’s Word and discover how it changes your attitudes, your words, the way you think, choices you make, everything about you. That’s Godly Wisdom, and it’s yours as you obey Him because you believe in Jesus.
Colossians 3:16 (Part 2)
. . . teaching and admonishing one another . . .
This simple phrase reminds us that we have work to do. Not only did the Lord give us His Word for our own benefit, but we need to be sharing the wonders we find in the Bible with others. Talk to your spouse, your children, people at work or school, complete strangers. Tell them something you learn from God’s Word.
If you teach and warn other people (that’s what admonish means) as the Bible teaches and warns you, some will be interested. They may not immediately believe what you say, but at least they know that the Bible said it. Then be ready to ask questions if they ask.
Finally,
Colossians 3:16 (Part 3)
. . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
You probably already sing. Maybe at church you sing with the congregation. I hope you do. When you are driving you might be singing with Christian radio or a CD you are playing. People used to think you were crazy if they saw your mouth moving as you drove. Now they think you are talking on your Blue Tooth or dictating a letter . . . or maybe that you are singing. They will include you with others who are “cool.”
And you probably sing in the shower or other times when you are alone.
Sing graciously to the Lord. Let Him know how you love Him for who He is, for what He does, and for sending to you the Word of God.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. If you don’t know any, this is a good assignment to give yourself: learn some psalms, and some hymns, and some spiritual songs.
Ask me. I’ll help you.
Maurice Russell russellm@nowthenalliance.org
