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. Colossians 3:1-3 ESV

We all have particular verses that encourage us in various ways as believers in Christ. These verses from Colossians 3 are beautiful reminders where the focus is to remain for those who are in Christ Jesus. Many of us are familiar these verses from Colossians, yet many may not be aware of Paul’s reason for writing this letter to the church. I certainly was not aware until I took time to read the introduction to the book of Colossians in my study Bible to find another reminder why doctrine matters no matter what century and false doctrine has no expiration date.

There are various perspectives presented as to the false teaching being perpetuated in Colossae at the time. Some have concluded it was a combination of mysticism, Gnosticism, and Jewish law and tradition. Some have made note of the “elemental spirits” in the ESV study Bible, referring to demonic spirits influencing human tradition where the believers in Colossae may have been influenced by an individual who portrayed himself as a spiritual guide and perpetuated rituals and claimed spiritual insight regarding evil spirits and deliverance from afflictions.

Regardless of what occurred, there was dangerous error and what can be noted in Paul’s writing is the focus and exaltation of Jesus Christ and a course correction for fellow believers back to the true gospel resting in saving faith alone apart from works. When reading chapter 3, we can see the emphasis on Jesus Christ and life in Him as believers while bringing instruction for Biblical Christian living, including matters of past sin and being clothed in the virtues of Christ. The letter to the Colossians is beautifully rich in its centrality of Jesus Christ.

This brings me to our current time and this important question you and I should consider. What is the Christ centered life? I hope it encourages you and challenges you as much as it does me. I need to be reminded daily that my life is not centered upon me, and I need that recalibration as a wife and mother, but most importantly, as a born-again believer.

A Christ centered life is a gospel centered life, exalting Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the truth of His death, burial, and resurrection to others while remembering our need for the gospel daily. Jeff Bridges reminds us of this,

The gospel, though, is only for sinners, for those who recognize their need
of it. Many Christians think of the gospel as only for unbelievers. Once we
trust in Christ, so the thinking goes, we no longer need the gospel. But, as I
seek to bring out in this book, the gospel is a vital gift from God not only
for our salvation but also to enable us to deal with the ongoing activity of
sin in our lives. So, we still need the gospel every day.

Jeff Bridges, Respectable Sins

There is no greater message to share than the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no greater message to encourage those of us who believe because at the center of it all is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The Christ centered life is a transformed life, a crucified and selfless life (Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:3). It is a worship rich life unto the Lord in all that we do (Colossians 3:16b,17). It is a life where His word dwells richly within us (Colossians 3:16) and where we grow in spiritual maturity by the leading and continual filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). It is a life of awe and wonder in God Almighty in every season of life, from the proverbial mountain top to the darkest valley moments we may endure because He is our hope and the focus of our faith. He is our joy and our peace. He is our all in all.

When Jesus Christ is our focus and the standard of truth rests upon the Word of God which testifies of Him and when His Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth, which will not contradict the Word He authored, we have a sure foundation upon which we can stand. When false beliefs and false teaching try to infiltrate and alter the correct course, we can trust His God breathed Word to navigate us back on track.

Take time to read and to study Colossians and Paul’s glorious response to false teaching. It is a rich Christ centered message, and a Biblically sound Christ centered message is the answer to false teaching.

Listen to this latest episode as we take a look at Scripture and understand what it means to live a Christ centered life: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Christ Centered Life on Apple Podcasts