Word of Christ

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col. 2:6, ESV).

The phrase "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" has come to mind several times in the the last couple of days.  The believer is to be so filled with the Word that it guides him, drives him, and transforms him.  Letting the word "dwell" within us means that it is at home in our hearts.  It isn't crowded out by other allegiances that rest in our hearts.  It becomes the very light by which we walk.

The Word of Christ is to dwell within us richly.  In his commentary on Colossians, John MacArthur states, "The Word dwells in us when we hear it (Matt. 13:9), handle it (2Tim. 2:15), hide it (Ps. 119:11), and hold it fast (Phil. 2:16)" (159).  Thus, the Word dwells within us as we study and apply it to our lives.

As the Word dwells within us, we are to teach and admonish each other. Teaching means that we are to show and tell each other the right things to do (as we learn it from the Scriptures).  When you learn something new during your personal study of the Bible, and then share it with another, you are keeping Paul's commandment here.  We are also to admonish each other.  Admonishment is the process of warning someone about the consequences of their sinful behavior.  We are to teach and admonish in all wisdom, that is, to lead others into the path of righteousness.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in our heart.  Music is a powerful shaping force.  The things we sing are often more easily remembered.  Songs rich in biblical language and truths, help us to lock those truths and that language into our hearts.  It is gratitude that moves us to sing.  As we think about he greatness of God, we lift our voices in praise.  Let us let the word dwell in us richly.