Thurs 8.4 - Three Hundred and Sixty Five Days
Posted by knowgrowshow on April 10, 2008
Today’s Readings: Colossians 3.17- 4.6 
In today’s reading, what you’ll see is how Paul closes out the PRACTICAL LIVING section of Colossians.
As I hope you remember from the previous devotions this week, our last thought for the Directions series is that our WORDS and DEEDS be done IN THE NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to read carefully through what God describes next. He (more or less) gives us a glimpse into the everyday relationships most of us have, and gives us an example of living IN THE NAME of Jesus in each one. Notice all the relationships he talks about… Wives, Husbands, Children, Fathers, Employers, & Employees.
Although it’s not completely clear, He covers all the bases, Family & Friends. Now, I Know what you’re thinking…Friends? There’s nothing in here about Friends Aaron. Well, although he doesn’t spell that out completely, where (as an adult) do you think most of your friends are going to be from? Work? If you have many friends at work, they will be watching how you interact with your boss, putting that “Christianity” of yours to the test. Old friends? Maybe they were long-time friends. Well, surely they’ll come over to your house for dinner and see how you interact with your family. How your children behave, and how you treat them as a “Christian” parent. Maybe your friends would come from church (and I hope so!). Well, your church friends are definitely going to see how you and your spouse interact with each other and parent your children.
Again, I know it’s indirect and not exactly what you would think God was saying in these verses, but I just want you to remember how much our lives bleed over from one area into another. As you are at school, as you are at church, as you are at home, as you are out with friends, whatever! And no matter where we are and when we are, God says do ALL in the name of Jesus.
With those thoughts in mind, re-read Colossians 4.5. WOW! What a vital truth! Time really does fly. I can guarantee you, when we stand before Jesus Christ at the Bema Seat (Judgement) we will never say, “I wish I had done less” or “I wish there was less time for me to serve you.” But, even the most faithful believer will find himself saying, “I wish I had more time, I wish I had done more to serve you, I wish I had more to give.”
Remember guys, time really does fly. Every minute you live, you are another minute closer to standing before Christ in Judgement. How are you using your time here (seeking and setting your affection on things above) that will amount to something there??? May we all redeem our time in the way that will most benefit Christ! Amen.
