Have you ever felt the pressure to conform to the world's
standards? To present a false image of yourself in order to fit in or impress
others? In a world that values outward appearances and accomplishments, it can
be easy to lose sight of our true identity in Christ. But as believers, we are
called to live authentically for Him. Today, we will explore what it means to
be authentically Christ-centered, based on Colossians 1:3-9.
Grateful for God's Work
In Colossians 1:3-4, Paul expresses his gratitude for the
Colossian believers, acknowledging their faith in Christ and love for fellow
believers. As we seek to live authentically for Christ, we must first recognize
and be grateful for the work that God has already done in our lives. It is by
His grace that we have been saved, and it is through His ongoing work in us
that we can grow in Christlikeness.
Grounded in Truth
In verses 5-6, Paul highlights the importance of being
grounded in the truth of the gospel, which has been proclaimed to the
Colossians and is bearing fruit in their lives. As we seek to live
authentically for Christ, we must be rooted in the truth of His Word. This
means not only knowing what the Bible says, but also living in obedience to it.
We cannot live authentically for Christ if we are not living according to His
truth.
Growing in Fruitfulness
In verse 6, Paul notes that the gospel is bearing fruit and
growing in the lives of the Colossians. As we seek to live authentically for
Christ, we too should be growing in fruitfulness. This means living in a way
that reflects the character of Christ, producing the fruit of the Spirit in our
lives. We should strive to love God and love others, demonstrating the grace
and truth of the gospel in all that we do.
Guided by His Spirit
In verse 9, Paul prays that the Colossians would be filled
with the knowledge of God's will, guided by His Spirit to walk in a manner
worthy of Him. As we seek to live authentically for Christ, we must be guided
by His Spirit. This means being sensitive to His leading, seeking His wisdom
and discernment, and surrendering our own will to His. We cannot live
authentically for Christ if we are not walking in step with His Spirit.
Living authentically for Christ means recognizing and being
grateful for the work that God has already done in our lives, being grounded in
the truth of His Word, growing in fruitfulness, and being guided by His Spirit.
As we seek to live authentically for Christ, let us remember that it is not
about conforming to the world's standards or impressing others, but about
reflecting the image of Christ to a world in need of His love and truth.