The Ruler of My Heart

This morning, my son and I had a talk about the difference between having Jesus be a big part of your life and Him being the center of it all. As we talked about it, we came to the conclusion that a lot of people make time for Jesus: they add him to the schedule. He is there on Sundays, Wednesdays, and even in daily study of the Bible. This isn’t a bad thing! However, considering that we sometimes make Jesus only a part of our day means that the rest of the day is in competition with Him. From our families to our jobs, to our various obligations and entertainments, putting Jesus as a part of our day, or even first, is not enough. Jesus must be central to our lives, or we find that other things push Him out and we feel far away, no matter how badly we feel we’re trying.

Loved ones, it says in Colossians 3:15-17 says

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   

This isn’t merely a message I was saying to my son, I’m talking to ME here! All of us need to let the Peace of Christ rule over our hearts, and let His word dwell in us, guiding every step so that we’re doing everything through, for, and by Him. I want people to see Jesus in me as a Husband, Father, spectator, worker, driver (Yes, Lord, I need help there), in my entertainment and whatever else I do. In my public life, and when I am by myself, I want the integrity of my heart to say “I am doing this for Jesus! I am doing this BECAUSE of Jesus!” May we all strive toward and for the One who lived, died and rose again for us. May we seek His approval, and may we desire to bring every aspect of our lives in to His Lordship. And may we do so from this moment forward.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.