​The outcome of making Christ our all in all, in letting His life-giving Word richly dwell within us, is the abundant Christian life.  However, unlike what most people might think, the abundant Christian life doesn’t mean that all will be perfect, that we’ll not have another care in the world or that life will be easy.  On the contrary, the one thing we are guaranteed in this new life is persecution, hardships, and work.  Lots of work.  But at the end of the day it is all worth it.  Why?  Because as Paul encouraged us, if we do our work heartily as for the Lord we will receive an eternal reward for our effort.  

Do you enjoy where you live?  Is your home a sanctuary of comfort, love, and safety?  After a long day at work or school, do you enjoy walking through the door and finally being home?  I hope so!  I know I do.  Home is a haven in the midst of the rough world and a place where I am the most comfortable to be myself.  But what makes home such a special place is not the location or the building but the people living in it.  It is the love and laughter shared, the encouragement given, and the lighthearted teasing and joking that makes our home the place that it is. 

​As we fix our eyes, heart, mind, affections, and attention on the things of heaven and that which lasts through eternity, we’ll quickly come to realize one thing:  we need a new spiritual wardrobe!  II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are a new creation, a new man, a new person—the old has gone and the new has come.  But this new person needs a new wardrobe to go with their new status as child of the living God.  Therefore, Paul tells the Colossians:

​We’ve explored the glory of God’s mystery, the preeminence of Jesus Christ, and the hope of the gospel.  Now it’s time to look at how our lives ought to reflect these wonderful truths.  For our lives and actions must match the faith we profess.  We must walk the talk and live our lives out in such a way that all those looking on may have no doubt that Christ is risen.