WHAT WILL BE YOUR RSVP?
by Brenda Franklin-Strout
As we have heard in the Sunday messages, read from Beyond Sunday Blog postings around this text and studied ourselves in Colossians…The theme of this book is all around an understanding that Christ is supreme, Lord over all creation including the unseen heavenlies. Through the work of the cross, Jesus has secured redemption and offers an invitation to us all to participate in the fullness of His resurrection and live daily in that redemption and freedom. What will be your RSVP?
Sit here a moment, ponder the depth of what I just presented to you. You have been invited by the Savior of the world to participate in the freedom that has already been paid for, given freely in love and all you are responsible for is your RSVP. In this letter, Paul invites the believers at Colossae and those of us reading his letter now, into the growth path of Christian maturity, a pursuit of holiness. What will be your RSVP?
We have the text from Sunday’s message, let’s remind ourselves, in part, of what was shared:
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Now from The Message paraphrase:
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
Paul is clear who this letter is addressed to, Friends, it’s to those of us who have already accepted the invitation to follow Christ. We are clear in our decision that He is the way, the truth, and the life. We have accepted the decision but now, Paul’s invitation is for a focused pursuit and keen tunnel vision for the things above. You have died to your former way of living and your life is hidden now with Christ in God. HE IS YOUR LIFE. What will be your RSVP?
Paul goes on in his letter to note the things to cast aside, says to “put to death what is earthly in you…” (vs.5) and to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (vs.10). What’s important to note here is that scholars suggest that Paul wrote a specific listing of what vices to put to death that included items that both
Jewish observers characterized Gentiles by if they converted to Judaism as well as
a listing of vices found amongst Jews themselves.
But, Paul was clear in his writing, this was for all. There were no social distinctions or exemptions amongst the new covenant believers. There are no VIPs in the kingdom, Church. No one is treated with special access or less dignity. Paul writes these important words in Colossians 3, verse 11: Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
And the same verse from The Message paraphrase:
Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
YOU are included in Paul’s invitation to put to death your former self and put on the new self-found in him. There are no exceptions or exemptions. NONE. Remember what I said a moment ago…this letter is to believers; this is not a salvation message he is giving. It’s a challenged invitation to believers for a new mind in Christ, an earnest pursuit and focus on the things above. A singular mature focus on Christ, Himself. What will be your RSVP?
Dear Ones, the invitation has been given and the moment for your RSVP is now.
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV) Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
It’s LOVE, Church. It’s the reason for everything. It’s the root of Paul’s letter, a deep and abiding love for the things of Christ but most importantly, for Jesus himself. Love is what God did in giving his only begotten son to die for our sins and offer a redemptive freedom that could not be obtained otherwise. Love is the reason that Paul invites us all into a mature knowledge and understanding of what living in Christ looks like and love and adoration is the reason this invitation lands so beautifully in our hands.
Will you put to death the former things, focus your mind on the things of Christ and love with a love that binds everything together in perfect harmony?
What will be your RSVP?
Call To Action:
Read and reflect on the following scriptures this week:
Colossians 3:1-14
John 3:16
Deuteronomy 30:6
Reflection Questions:
What is my RSVP to Paul’s invitation through his letter to the church at Colossae to put to death the former things and focus my mind on the things of Christ?
What does a mature knowledge and understanding of living for Christ look like in your daily life?
What does “putting on love which binds everything together” look like for you?
