Thank
you for the great discussion in our study last night. God desires us to talk
about Him and what He is doing in our lives.
This is our small church community.
Here is a summary of the 4 verses.
·
Believers
have been given the fullness of Christ, who is the fullness of God. (Col 2:9-10)· Believers are “circumcised” when they put off their sinful nature. (Colossians 2:11)
· Baptism symbolizes the change in the life of believers. (Colossians 2:12)
Just as
Arius struggled with the “Is Jesus really God?” question in the 4th
century, that question is still being argued 2000 years after God the Son was
on the earth He created.
The “Illusory
Superiority” effect states that we tend to inflate our positive qualities and abilities,
especially in comparison to other people.
As we read in class, 98% of college professors surveyed claimed they
were above average. 25% ranked
themselves in the top 1%.
When you
mix the question about Jesus and the illusory superiority effect together, it
makes this next tendency absolutely dangerous.
The Scot
McKnight test that we read shows that everyone thinks Jesus is just like
them. McKnight says, “The test results
also suggest that, even though we like to think we are becoming more like
Jesus, the reverse is probably more the case: we try to make Jesus like
ourselves.”
So what
is in your life that keeps Jesus was providing fullness to you? What other gods are taking up space in your
mind, heart, or life?
My
challenge to you this week is take one day this week and spend time in fasting
and prayer. You might fast from food, tv,
or social media. Whatever your choice
you should be denying yourself something that you truly enjoy. Ask
God to help you to know how you should conform your life to the biblical
understanding of who Jesus is.
Be
intentional.
Travis
