Lordship of Christ – Supernatural Orientation

Good morning. Last week I discussed the basic elements of thinking biblically. These elements are extremely important if you really desire to be epistemologically self-conscious. As we continue to work through this process, it is important to remember Paul’s prayer in Col. 1:9-10. He tells these folks in Colossae that he is praying that they would grow in their wisdom and understanding of God so that they would “walk in a manner that would please God.” Think about it- Paul is praying that as the people grow in their relationship with the Lord that they would be better able to please Him in all the daily affairs of life. To be epistemologically self-conscious means balancing the check book, cleaning the house, interacting with our children, doing our work, etc. It is to be done in a manner to please God. In other words, to bring glory to God! This is pretty important stuff!Now, back to the elements that make up this ability to think biblically. The first element we discussed last week was “supernatural orientation.” A good place to start in understanding this element is Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” God is supreme, and every created thing owes its life and obedience to Him (Romans 1:20). The natural order of things is not to seek God and His interests (more details about this next week). But in the midst of all this, God has drawn a people unto Himself. He has made them His through the finished work of Christ- “for it is by grace we have been saved through faith- and even this is a gift, lest no man should brag about saving himself” (Eph 2:8-9). As we exercise that gift of faith and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are restored to the relationship for which we were created- remember Psalm 24:1.

When this happens the status of the Christ-follower changes. He becomes a child of God and therefore a member of His kingdom. This means that he is no longer a citizen of this world for his citizenship is in heaven (read 1 Peter 1 as he discusses the issue of inheritance). Peter calls those who follow Christ “aliens”, “exiles”, “strangers”. If you are a Christ-follower, have you ever thought of yourself as an “E. T.”? Which reminds me – if E. T. were so smart, why didn’t he fax himself home?

Have you ever heard the phrase: “Christians are in the world but are not of the world”? This describes the concept that though the follower of Christ actually lives in this world, that he is not actually of this world. In other words, his values, standards, morals, etc are different from the people around him who are not Christians. The Christ-follower lives his life according to a different standard. He marches to a different drummer! Read Colossians 3:1-4. Paul states that since you have been born-again, your focus is to be upon Christ who sits in heaven. He is to be heavenly-minded! Now read Colossians 3:5- 4:6. Paul describes how the life of the Christ-follower is to be lived within the world in which he carries out the daily affairs of life. Remember Paul’s prayer. It is in the daily affairs of life (“our walk”) that we seek to please God.

In other words, the Christian is to look at everything in his hand- property, wealth, influence, power, authority, friends, family- and handle it as a steward, constantly asking, “How does God want me to handle this?” or “How does God want me to treat this person?” The unbeliever says, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17). Can you see the difference? Two different approaches to life. Two different mindsets which demonstrate the kingdom within which one lives- the kingdom of God or the kingdom of man/world/ even Satan! Food for thought (sorry couldn’t resist the pun). By the way- in which kingdom do you reside?