Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Paul’s letters generally take the pattern of greeting, then theological teaching, then practical application. When you read some of the things he wrote as practical application, you understand that the early Christians were actually a pretty rough bunch! However, honest reflection tells us that they were no worse than we are. We like to pretend we aren’t so bad, but human nature hasn’t really changed, whatever cultural shifts have taken place. That’s why this verse is so important. We need Christ’s word to dwell in us if we are to have any hope of standing against our own flesh, not to mention the world and the devil! That’s why Jesus spoke of “if you remain in Me and My words remain in you.” (John 15:7) The more richly we allow His words to fill our hearts and minds, the more we will live them out. We need the help of the Holy Spirit for that to happen. I like what Don Francisco wrote in his song, Come, Holy Spirit: “Spirit of our Savior, all His words fulfill. Spirit of our Father, come and do His will.” As we allow the Spirit of God to bring the Word of God to life in our hearts and minds, we will do the will of God with joy and effectiveness, bringing joy and blessing to us and to those around us, for His glory.

I love the Japanese song that takes this verse as lyrics. When I translated it into English I included verse 15, because English doesn’t take as many syllables to say the same thing, but in either language it’s a good, practical song. I was incredibly blessed to be raised in a home that loved and practiced the Word, so I’ve had a lot of practice in what it means to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. It’s not simply memorization, though that doesn’t hurt. When we memorize Scripture we are tempted to feel we “have it down,” but we have to keep in mind what James said in James 1:22, that failing to apply the Word in practical terms is simply deceiving ourselves. I’ve done a lot of that, even though I haven’t actually memorized very many passages. Thankfully, I do have a fairly large chunk of the Bible on call, so to speak, even if I can’t always give the exact wording or the exact reference. However, I certainly have room for growth, because there is no limit to the depth of God’s Word, even as there seem to be no limits to human foolishness and depravity. I’m to keep pressing into God and His Word with all gratitude and encouraging those around me to do likewise, with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” as well as in prose speech and by example, so that together we may rejoice in the richness that God intends for us.

Father, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for this conference that is calling us back to a clear focus on what You have told us to do. We get so distracted by even good things that we forget the God thing! Help me not let this pass, but apply it effectively in my life and ministry, to be and do exactly what You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!