Read Colossians 3:12-17

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly …” — Colossians 3:16

There are many, many wonderful titles given to the Holy Scriptures. But the fairest among them all is found in our present verse: The Word of Christ. Yet, not just The Word of Christ, but The Indwelling Word of Christ.

And on this unique title, the great apostle issues a command to all followers of Jesus — Let this very Word of Christ dwell in you richly!

Beloved, it must penetrate deeply into our hearts like a beam that runs deep into a foundation. It must be ingested like daily bread in order to nourish our lives even more more than our necessary food (see Job 23:12). It must burn like a fire in each one of our bones in such a way that it cannot be quenched if we tried (see Jeremiah 20:9). It must possess us.

We cannot overlook how personal this verse is. The Bible is not a textbook or a religious storybook. It is the Word of our personal Savior, our Redeemer, our Glorious Lord.

“In the volume of the Book it is written of Me..." (Hebrews 10:7)

Just as new lovers may hang on every word in letters written to each other, so too must we hang on every Word of Christ, knowing it is written with love and revelation of Himself.

In this way it must indwell us. It is not to simply dwell with us like a furnishing that's placed in a room or on a shelf. It is to indwell us like the air we breathe which permeates every fiber of our being. We are to be possessed with Christ’s Word.

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

I fear that many of us do not know how to let the Word of Christ indwell us this way. Perhaps the Word feels dry and barren to you. It could be that you’ve never felt the surgical cut of the Sword’s razor edge on your heart. Maybe you do not yet resonate with King David who considers the Word sweeter than honey and more precious than silver.

But do not be discouraged, Beloved, for you do not need to force the Word of Christ to do its transforming work in you, for it is already doing so!

Just as water will run down and find a way to penetrate the deepest cracks of the earth, so too will the Word of Christ rush down like living water and run into the dry and barren crevices of your heart. It is alive and powerful. All you must do is receive it by faith and it will have its perfect work.

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14)

Do not, therefore, let the Word of Christ indwell you poorly — but richly! Do not let the Word of Christ indwell you sufficiently, but abundantly! In doing so, you shall be —

“…like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:3)

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