Knit Together

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 

-Colossians 2:2

The Lord used me for His Kingdom work as an educator for many years. Those years included both public and private educational environments. One of the biggest obstacles we faced in both settings was the students' ability to have healthy interactions with those who were different from them. Students naturally associate with those who look the same, dress the same, and have similar interests. This obstacle is not just a barrier in the school world. It is a common paradigm with all of us. It doesn’t take much examination to see the divisions that surround us. If we are honest, we spend more time focusing on our differences than we do on the things we have in common. These misapplied distinctions prevent us from true fellowship and authentic community. 

If any gathering of people in the scriptures had less in common, it was the Church at Colossae. In the context of the letter, the Apostle Paul writes to a young group of Christians who came from both Jewish and Greek heritages. The Jewish believers had been raised for generations as the people of God. Their entire life was built on the foundation of the commandments and promises of the Lord. The Greek believers were raised believing all of creation was cursed.  They had created many mythical “gods” to worship because they believed pleasing the true god was unattainable. Their worldview and daily practices were completely contrasting. But, in their differences, the Apostle praises the Lord “for the love that they have for all the saints (Col. 1:4).” 

How can this be? How can two groups of people with very different ancestral backgrounds have a love for one another? The answer is simple yet heartfelt. The love and peace of their community were only possible because of the unifying work of Christ in His life, death, and resurrection. When we are born again (regenerated), we become a new creation in Christ (1 Cor. 5:17). This new work doesn’t just describe a transformation on an individual basis. It describes a renewed community in one body, the Church (Eph. 3:6). In Christ, both Jew and Gentile, become one in Christ. We are knit together in the love of Christ. We are united!

Is this unity something that you pursue? Are you intentionally knit together with the body of Christ, the Church? What is preventing you from leaning into this community?  If you are a follower of Christ, the Church is your tribe. You are one in the body of Christ. We are knit together with one purpose -  to make Him known, one pursuit -  living as His righteousness, one calling - to love and live unified with one another. Church, don’t live as the world lives. Be united in Christ. 

Love you and consider it an honor to serve as your pastor.

Blessings,

Bro. Kris