Aligned Actions

March 24, 2023

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 NLT

Jesus was all about fruit. He said that we were to be so connected with Him that we would bear His fruit. He said any branches that don’t bear fruit will be cut off.

Jesus was all about action. He didn’t simply invite us to believe. He called us to follow Him.

Jesus was all about love as a verb. He said the proof that we are His disciples would be the way we love.

Paul took the call of Jesus to be central in everything, including the actions of his life, from the first moment he met Jesus on the Damascus Road. He immediately obeyed and went into training/discipleship with Ananias and Barnabas. Following Jesus was the mission of his life, and then teaching others the joy of aligning life to the preeminence of Jesus, Jesus first in everything, was his passion.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul shared many ways Jesus first is shown in the actions, the fruit, and the love that characterize our lives. In just two verses we learn this:

When Jesus is first, we live wisely. We don’t approach life casually or carelessly. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom for our choices. Nothing is more significant and impactful than a good and godly example. When we live wisely, we affect everyone for the better.

When Jesus is first, we are especially careful of our actions and interactions with unbelievers. We are aware that the interactions we have with them are our opportunities to attract them to Christ or drive them away.

When Jesus is first, we take action to make our words and conversation attractive and gracious. Our goal is never to win an argument, to make a point, or to prove our stance. We see ourselves as extensions of Jesus, and we want our actions and words to flow from His love and character.

• Jesus, thank You for the example You have given us. But if example was all we had, we would be hopeless and helpless. You are so loving and perfect. I could never do it on my own. Thank You for making it possible to have Your Holy Spirit live within me, empowering me to act, love, speak, and choose as Your representative.