June 12, 2022 -- Colossians 3:23-24 -- Giving all for Jesus
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
It is hard to believe that we are back home again. After months and months of planning and preparation our vacation is suddenly done. We have traveled over 3,600 KM; visited friends and family members (missing many of them because the time was short). Suddenly here we are, home again.
The passage in Colossians reminds us that we are to work with all our concentration, joy and hope fixed on Jesus. We deny ourselves, tearing ourselves away from our selfish works and impulses, and focus on Him because He is our reward and our inheritance. The time for His return is counting down so quickly. Our life will seem like a long-planned vacation, so wonderful and so surprisingly short. Anything and everything we have done for the glory of our King will be all that lasts.
What seems like a great sacrifice now will, in the light of eternity, be so light and momentary (that is the point Paul made in I Corinthians 4:17 when he wrote of our light and momentary affliction). Enjoy Him right now, savour the nearness of your Lord. Trust Him. His blessing sustains you now as you serve Him. His blessing will uphold you for all eternity.
Blessed Lord thank You for Your goodness which is evident in every part of our lives right now. Thank You for the weight of glory which is still in store. Direct us by Your Spirit so that we will truly live for Jesus, gladly setting aside the works of darkness and old patterns of sin so that our lives are lived in dedicated thanksgiving for all Jesus has done, is doing and will do to bring us into the presence of our Father in heaven. Amen.
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