Loretta Gjeltema Home

Turn on the television, jump over to Facebook, Twitter, or any one of dozens of sites just like them and you are bombarded with “how-to” messages and things you must do, must have, or should never…

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

Paul is talking to believers about having confidence in God’s plan for salvation, Christ and Christ only. His readers lived in a world surrounded by empty philosophies and well-crafted messages from those who would stand against Christ rather than for him. Sound familiar?

We live in a world where I sometimes feel absolutely bombarded by messages that I know run contrary to the teachings of Christ. The messages are well written and compelling, just as they were when Paul wrote to the Colossians. In Ephesians 3:10 we are told that the church has been chosen to display the wisdom hidden in Christ.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:10

We are compelled as the church to display what Christ has done in the world. To live lives that show off God’s salvation and redemption. Note that the verb here is display, not argue or discuss or even plead.  No, we display the power of Christ and his salvation by living lives that are so different, so compelling that it is clear to all who see that what Christ offers is wisdom. Christ is the only path to salvation from all the emptiness of this world that clamors for our attention.

I may reach a few people with my meager offering of words. My words are intended to encourage the Christ-follower, not change the unbeliever. But how I live my life matters to those who follow Christ and those who do not.

People are hungry for answers. If this were not true, then we would see all those “how-to” articles go away. So, I say we live “how-to” lives, lives that show off the source of all wisdom, our treasure, our Savior. None of us are going to get this all right every day. I’d like to challenge you to stretch out with deliberate acts that show the message of Christ. Don’t focus on what you will say, instead, focus on what you will do.

Let’s Think This Through

What measuring device are you using to sort out the messages you encounter daily?

False news has been a big concern in today’s culture. How can we as Christ-followers stand protected from the impact this news has on our lives and actions?

Consider reaching out in a display of Christ’s love this week. What is one thing you can do to “show off” Christ?

Father, you have invested in us. That’s pretty amazing to me, and I don’t want to squander the investment. I want to join together with the other members of your church to demonstrate for the world that you are a life changer.

It doesn’t take much looking to see that in a world bombarding us with messages of what to do and how to think that we are living surrounded by people seeking change. Help us live lives that show we are changed. We know that with your spirit living in us, we have the power to impact our world.