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. 17. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Christ's Word makes us want to teach and admonish with spiritual wisdom and sing praises together to God. Not only do we have the Bible as the word of God, but Jesus is the logos, the Word. He is the word incarnate and as we understand Scriptures and follow Jesus, His Spirit brings truth to our hearts, to our lives, and is seen by others.
Paul is addressing a worship service that flows from knowing and having an intimate relationship with Him and with each other. We praise, sing, teach, and give. That is what we do in worship. When the Word of God dwells in us, it changes our character. We together want to praise and honor the Lord with fellow believers.
I went to the Guthrie Theater a number of years ago to see a one man show entitled "The Gospel according to St. Mark." Erick Booth was the actor. The only script was the gospel of Mark. I read an article about his changed life. He was raised in a Dutch Reformed church. As he was memorizing this drama, he became aware of the fact that he was integrating the Word of God into his personal belief system and it took on a new power for him. He was feeling personally inadequate and on the wrong track. He felt his personality and ego were inappropriate to the word he was to speak. He wrote, "I began a process of trying to eliminate my own ego." His wife noticed a change in him. She found him kinder and more understanding. "Much as I would like to, I can’t escape what the text says. There are hard facts and truths that are inescapable, direct, and confronting me. Repeating it three times a week was sifting down into my bones."
God wants us to get together to worship Him. He wants us to learn the word together, to encourage one another in good works and truth. He calls us into a fellowship called the church and wants the local congregation to lift its voice and heart in joyful response to the grace of our Almighty God.
Application: Read God’s Word and “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly” …let it sift down into your very bones.
Prayer: I want to know You more. I surrender. Like a mighty storm, stir my soul; Lord, have your way in me.
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