Colossians 3: 15-17
Someone has said, "The surest sign that you are carrying a full bucket is wet feet."
A bucket is only really full when it begins to overflow.
So, the proof of a Christ-filled life, the value of a Christ-filled life, and ultimately, the purpose
of a Christ-filled life, lie in the outflow into other lives of the riches that we ourselves enjoy.
Jesus said in John 7: 37, 38:
"If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said,
'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' "
The outflow proves the inflow, and demonstrates the fullness.
That is why Paul passes, in this letter to Colossae, from expounding in the fullness of Christ
to the fullness of the Christ-filled Christian, and then, immediately to the Christ-filled life
and its amazing overflow in all the situations in which Christians live.
Those situations in which Christians live are at church, at home, at work, and in private worship,
on the street, among our friends, in Christian work, the fullness of life and joy, of grace and power,
of wisdom and of love.
Of all that we have received from Christ should pour out in godliness, in graciousness, in gratitude,
and in genuine goodness to all our situations in life.
No gift or blessing of the Christian life is ever meant to be only for my life.
Of what profit is it, to myself or to the world around me, or to God, that my soul should be centered on Christ,
cleansed for Christ, clothed with Christ, filled by Christ, unless in consequence,
my life contributes positively and energetically to all that God would do for others?
The hymnist keeps the emphasis right:
"O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o'erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show."
-- Frances Ridley Havergal
The fullness of Christ is not given to us simply to enjoy for ourselves, but to enjoy the use of.
We should expect to see the Christ-filled life first overflow in our Christian circles, our assemblies,
our fellowships, our churches, in our worship, and in all our religious activities.
That is where Paul begins his description of the overflowing life.
Everything in this passage points to this.
Paul has just been describing the qualities that make for smooth cooperation among Christians,
and for reconciliation of divisions.
These qualities are clearly set in contrast to the vices that divide and alienate -- anger, wrath,
malice, lies, and all the rest.
The entire paragraph is addressed to the people of God -- the elect, the holy, and the beloved.
The focal verse declares this social theme, uncompromisingly:
"In Christ there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3: 11)
As if this were not enough, Paul stressed that the Colossians were "called in the one body."
Paul stressed that they must teach and admonish one another in mutual education.
Also, that they must sing together in God's praise.
All this plainly referred to the corporate worship of the congregation.
Paul would have each individual Colossians Christian so filled with Christ
that the common worship, fellowship, and activity of the congregation overflowed
with the grace and power and joy of the Lord.
A Christ-filled church is a church of Christ-filled Christians!
Yet sometimes, the quality of the church's common life falls sadly below that of its finest members.
So, Paul presents three perceptive exhortations.
Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts.
It is within the heart of each member of the church that the legacy of Christ is to be received.
Paul's plea is that the peace indwelling the heart of each Christian shall be allowed to dominate,
to discipline, and to control the life of the community.
He also adds,
"To which indeed you were called in the one body," to emphasize that he is concerned
for the moment for that common peace.
The peace of Christ should settle all conflicts.
To preserve that peace must be a clear obligation upon each member.
And, when difficult choices have to be made, that peace should be the umpire on divisive questions.
Decisions should be reached, and choices should be made, which best promote
and preserve the peace Christ gives.
Anything that destroys the peace of Christ is a sin.
Everything that divides, and everyone who divides must be excluded for the sake of the peace of Christ.
Paul's direction is clear, but it is not easy.
Christians are both conscientious and contentious, and neither makes for easy compromise.
So Paul adds, "Be agreeable, pleasant, good-natured, easy to get on with."
This is Christ-likeness.
More divisions arise from lack of graciousness than from lack of faithfulness to truth.
But one thing is certain: where that peace is absent, nothing of the fullness of Christ will be manifest
in any other way.
Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly.
Social fellowship and personal friendship are not the only, or even the main, expressions of Christian unity.
A teaching and witnessing ministry is a necessary function of any church.
The exploration, exposition, and expression of the saving Word in preaching, study,
and testimony are necessary so that the church is nourished, guided,
and enriched by the gospel that its members share.
So Paul turns to consider the freedom afforded to the Word of Christ to do its work
within the Colossian congregation.
Because of the atmosphere of controversy, this teaching and admonishing was the more important.
But for the same reason, it must be done "in all wisdom" as well as being done faithfully,
so that the truth well spoken may convince, correct, instruct, and subdue.
Paul would have them to be earnest and responsive to what the Lord will say:
"Let the Word of Christ dwell richly among you." (Verse 16)
But not in speaking only, but also in praise, as with glad and thankful hearts they unite
in "sacred song, festal hymns, and spiritual songs,"
making melody in their hearts to God.
Here, too, let it be the Word of Christ that prompts your singing.
The variety of singing that is named, suggest a rich repertoire of worship-praise shared by the congregation.
The apostolic church was a singing church.
Paul is concerned that Christian worship, whether in speech or in song, shall be enriched
by the Word of Christ.
Paul speaks so often of the "unsearchable riches of Christ,"
the riches of assured understanding, the riches of the glory of the mystery,
of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and now, of the Word dwelling in us richly.
This was evident in the life of Paul either with the material loss he sustained by becoming a Christian,
or with the poverty of his spiritual experience in Judaism.
He probably is thinking of the foolish and conceded claims to an advanced and superior philosophy
put forward by the innovators at Colossae.
It may well be that the spiritual hunger and dissatisfaction, which gave those
with deviate notions and speculative heresies
their opportunity to corrupt those with a poor grasp of the gospel, and to encourage an emotional,
superficial worship, despite all their pastor's efforts.
Paul would have their minds, and their services, enriched with the truth of God
because it does not occur to well-nourished, well-taught Christians to seek spiritual excitements
and intellectual fantasies somewhere else.
When the fullness of Christ is overflowing in the worship services of the church; hearts, minds,
and spirits are abundantly satisfied.
Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Happy fellowship and enriching worship do not exhaust the functions of the Christian Church.
Invariably, it acts both individually and corporately as representative of Christ.
Even the private actions of the Christian are read by the onlookers as examples of the church's policy.
So, we must live worthy lives -- worthy of the Name, which the church represents.
In a multitude of ways, the Christian Church reacts toward the surrounding, watching world:
in witness, protest, and example, in service prompted by compassion, good neighborliness, and love.
Sometimes we act in resistance to the point of persecution; at other times we cooperate
with all good people to serve the social ideal.
Each Christian is salt and light in his pagan environment.
The Christian community is also, at times, a pressure group, an activist society for the kingdom of God,
a refuge for the friendless and the lost, and a city sat on a hill.
Paul is insisting that one overriding principle must absolutely govern all our decisions and reactions,
our work and our relationships -- and that must be the Name that is above every name.
Detailed directions for Christian living in every age are impossible to frame,
but Paul offers a principle of universal range and validity:
"Whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Whatever honors His name is right.
And what is right in His sight will be blessed with the fullness of His truth and grace and glory.
A Christ-filled church is a church of Christ-filled Christians adorned with the character of Christ,
modeled on His example, and willingly subject to His commands.
A Christ-filled church is a society which is ruled by His peace, indwelt and enriched by His Word,
and worthy to bear His name.
In such a church, the fullness of Christ overflows -- and the streams of love and grace will flow beyond its life.