October 5-October 11

What I Know For Sure
Mike James, PhD
Searcy, Arkansas

I’ve taught at the college level for 30 years and have found several immutable truths. One of the most important is this: The more I learn, the more I discover how much I don’t know!

However, I KNOW one thing for certain: ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ! This platitude is highlighted in the syllabi of classes I teach each semester, attributed to Paul from Colossians 2:3. Dr. Don England, esteemed professor of Chemistry at Harding was my mentor leading me to this important clue – and Dr. England is just about the smartest man I’ve ever known.

The reason for Paul’s statement in Colossians is the same as for today: there are many messages being communicated, and lots of those arguments are deceptive. This shouldn’t be a real revelation to us – human nature calls out for us to be self-serving so there are many voices pulling us to a human doctrine.

So, Paul is calling us back to the roots: Walk with Christ (2:6) and follow the faith as you were taught – don’t listen to “fancy talk” (CEV 2:4).

But let’s back up the the lead-in chapter. After his typical greeting, Paul felt it important to tell this church at Colosse about the superiority of Christ – and in just a few verses he highlights the important message of what we’d call the “Gospel” in way we could bullet-point:
• Jesus is God’s son
• made into a human
• died for us
• forgives our sins because of his blood
• sets us free from laws
• at no cost to us, if we follow

He is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent), and has forever existed everywhere (omnipresent). Anyone, with any sense would agree: If this is a true story, Jesus is the Way!

But the premise fails, because not everyone agrees. Some do not agree, because they can’t understand the “mystery” (1:27) that only believers recognize: Christ LIVES in us, and he is our “ticket” to glory.

Pretty simple, eh?

In concept, yes. In practice – then, as now – not an easy trip. We are torn in all directions. Most of the world does not believe the central core of our faith, and it is just not comfortable to live “outside the world.” We’d rather keep one foot in “pleasures of the world” while following Christ – that’s a tough fence to straddle. That’s were chapter 3 begins.

Paul tells us we’ve got a different rulebook to follow. “NOW – set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. Think about what is up there, NOT about what is here on earth.” (3:1,2)

But toughest of all: We’ve already died! (3:3) Our new life with Christ has already begun. Because of this we must kill our earthly desires -- immoral sex, greed and lying are just a few items Paul tells this church, but he could have said them just easily to you and me and our congregation.

Are we there? Hardly. Look around. Sin is everywhere – in us, and in our churches. Thankfully, even though we are “new people” (3:10), our conversion is a process. We are BECOMING more and more like our creator, and we WILL, someday, understand him better.

Diversity is the buzzword for the decade, but it’s not new to Paul. He discusses all the polar groups he can think of (3:11) for the culture of the day, and makes a final conclusion to the talk: It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what is your walk in life: Christ is ALL that matters, and he lives in us!”

Concluding, he says we’re fortunate, because God chose us from the very beginning (a tough concept for me, admittedly). And because we’re all his children, we need to get along (for some, it might be just “put up with one another!”) – have patience, be kind, humble, forgiving, and love one another – that is more important than anything else. (3:14).

Following some rules of conduct to make our “trip” on earth easier, he devotes the final chapter to greetings to friends in faraway places. But he has one important admonition: Don’t give up your prayer life! (4:1) Be watchful, thankful, and pray that God will open doors.

[Dr. Mike James was named Dean of the College of Communication at Harding University in August 2008. He had served as the department chair since 1993. James, a distinguished professor of communication, has served as a faculty member since 1979. Prior to that appointment, he had worked for the University as a staff member since 1973 as director of photography for the Public Relations Office. He holds the Bachelor of Science degree from Harding, Master of Science degree from Arkansas State University, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. He is an active member of and contributor to the Broadcast Education Association. James was one of 30 faculty members nationally and internationally selected as a 2007 faculty fellow for the National Association of Television Program Executives annual conference. Mike and his wife Beth have four children and five grandchildren.]