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The profoundness and simplicity of the Word of God

One of the beautiful things about the Word of God is its “profoundness” on the one hand, and its “simplicity” on the other. That is, we behold truths of a substantial nature, and yet God teaches us that those truths are beautifully applicable to “real life” issues, be they personal, familial, vocational, or ecclesiological in nature. Truly, the Word of God confronts every aspect of our lives in a way that no other book does.

In our study of Colossians, we have plumbed the very depths of who Christ is. We have seen that He is absolutely Supreme over Creation and the Church (1:15-20). We have seen that Christ was at the “core” of the ministry of the great apostle Paul (1:24-29). We have seen that the antidote to false teaching in all of its forms is a return to Christ, and His All-Sufficiency. In Him are “hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). We are “complete in Christ” (2:10). All of these truths are profound, and we will spend the rest of eternity in the presence of the Living Christ giving glory to God for them!

And yet, we have also seen in recent weeks that those profound truths concerning Christ have very specific, practical application for the way we live our lives in the here and now. As those who are “in Christ,” and focused on the things “above” where Christ is, we are called to pursue holiness. This is the holiness without which no one will see God (Heb 12:14). The Gospel of Christ teaches us that the same grace that saves is the grace that sanctifies, and ultimately leads us to our glorious hope, who is our Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14).

This is true not only in our personal lives, but also as it pertains to the carrying out of our roles and responsibilities in the home. Christ’s Supremacy and Sufficiency has direct implications for the way a husband loves his wife, and a wife submits to her husband (3:18-19), the way parents and children rightly relate to one another in the Gospel, and for our attitude and conduct in the workplace (3:22-4:1). We cannot speak about Christ being Supreme and Sufficient in our lives, and yet not realize that God’s grace empowers us to fulfill His beautiful responsibilities whether we are single, married, children, employees or employers in the workplace.

This is part of the glory and beauty of the Word of God. There are profound truths to unpack on the pages of the Bible concerning who God is and all that He has done in Christ. But also, our understanding of God in His infinite glory has very practical application for the way I love my wife, train my children, work in the church and in the secular world, and for the type of neighbor I am in my community (4:5-6). Indeed, theology is very practical. The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ is not a nebulous, ambiguous doctrine, disconnected or detached from the way I live my life. Rather, because of my understanding of deep theological truth, I am driven, from my heart, to do the Lord’s work for the glory and pleasure of my great King.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).