If Jesus is King of the universe, then obedience to Him is a given. Why don’t more people obey Him?

1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement. ESV

According to this verse, we choose to isolate ourselves from Jesus and seek our own desire. Breaking out against all sound judgement, we rebel, which is sin, and so, destroy ourselves. It is God’s desire to save us from ourselves through Jesus Christ; our own rebellious path toward destruction is our choice. Maybe a better picture of who Christ is will help us to quit relying on our own intellect and start being more obedient. Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday:

² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

1. Christ is the mystery of God. His mission to earth to take our place on the cross, His God-hood and man-hood in the same body, His extravagant love for us demonstrated through Christ…it is, indeed, a mystery!
2. Hidden in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One. Want to know God? Get to know Jesus Christ!

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10

1. All the fullness of the Deity (God the Father) lives in the bodily form of Christ.
2. In Christ we have been brought to fullness. In other words, we are filled with God just like Jesus!
3. Jesus is the head over every power and authority. Ephesians 1:21, Jude 1:25, Revelation 5:12-13

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

1. Living religiously, whether Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, or even Baptist, is worshiping the shadow rather than the reality.
2. That reality is found in Christ.

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Hebrews 2:10

1. Jesus brings many sons and daughters to glory.
2. God is the One for whom and through whom everything exists. Colossians 1:16 says that Christ is the One for whom and through whom everything was created. What’s the deal? “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30.
3. Jesus is the Pioneer of our salvation.
4. He was made perfect (complete) through suffering. How so? Jesus completed the sacrificial system. It was done. Finished. He said so on the cross, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30.

The closer we look at Christ, the bigger He gets and the smaller we get. That’s the point. John the Baptizer said, “He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:30. The same goes for us, too. Let’s worship Him today for who He is and what He has done for us. Oh, and be sure to thank Him for what He has planned for us, too, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived–the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Abba, may You be praised today. As Your Spirit calls upon us to “seek His face,” (Psalm 27:8) may we worship You by seeking Your face, O Lord. May we receive with joy everything that comes from Your hand. We know it is for our good and for Your kingdom’s sake. “We worship You, Almighty God, there is none like You…” Amen.