Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Colossian 1:28-29 ESV
Jesus died for us and washed away our sins to present us holy and blameless in God’s sight (Colossian 1:22). That was victoriously accomplished by Jesus, and only Jesus could do. When we receive this gift from the Lord, we’ve also been given the job and privilege to proclaim Christ and His good news, and to “present everyone mature in Christ”! We proclaim Christ to the non-believers with wisdom warning and teaching so they may be saved. We should also warn and teach each other within the body of Christ. Because accepting salvation is only the beginning of eternal life. Each of us is being held accountable to support one another, warn and teach one another – speak the truth in love. We ought to build each other up in love as the body of Christ. When “the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty” （1 Cor. 2:23) When one is weak, we pray for them; when one falls down, we lift them up. We can laugh together, and cry together. We may not be a perfect individual, but when all of the body parts are joined and held together by every supporting ligament, and each part does its work, that’s a mature body to present to Christ. And that’s the body that proclaims the glory of Christ! How I love my family in the Lord! We lift each other up, and we build each other up. Lord, how I’m grateful for having church on earth!
What a privilege we received that we may proclaim Christ and take part in building His church – one that holds a special place in His heart! He could have finished everything on His own, or He could have also given that assignment to His angels who are more powerful than human. Yet He chose us – the imperfect individuals coming together through Christ, for Christ, and in Christ. He chose the church to proclaim Him and His glory! May God continue to reveal Himself and the beauty of His church to us! And with His power that works within us, we may work together to build up a body that is fully mature to present to the Christ.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us your church, your family, on earth! It is precious to you, and it’s also precious to me. Continue to reveal her beauty in my heart.
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