Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
We live in a highly mobile society. People change jobs frequently and, even while working for the same employer, it is very common to stay in one position for a while, then seek a transfer. Maybe it is a promotion, maybe a parallel shift. After a few years, though, most of us start thinking a transfer would be good. Over the years I have also spoken with many people who have shifted from one church congregation to another, even from one church body to another, seemingly with little thought about the theological orientation of either church body! Apparently, we are eager for a transfer.
There is one transfer we want to be very aware of. That is the subject of our Epistle reading in Colossians 1:13-20. Here, God has transferred us from darkness into Christ’s kingdom. It’s the transfer we never want to change. Once gathered together in Christ, we stay there. Although there may be countless roles for us in Christ’s kingdom, we should never desire to leave. Why is that? To speak in the terms of corporate America, it isn’t the pay or even the working conditions, but it’s the boss and the benefit package He has arranged.
In verse 16 we read that Christ has created everything, including all those people and organizations we deal with. He, according to verse 18, is the rule of all. In verse 20, He is the one who has reconciled all to God by his own work. There’s peace, eternal peace and life, in Christ. Above all, we realize that our place in God’s kingdom is not due to our abilities or gifts, but that we were selected by Jesus himself. He gives us redemption, forgiveness of sins.
Do you want to be transferred to work for such a perfect boss and then have eternal peace and rest? It is yours as you trust that Jesus is who He said He is and that he has rescued and chosen you. That’s the transfer we want.
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