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Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, the Firstborn, and the Creator of all things. We are reconciled to God through the blood and death of Jesus Christ.

Colossians shows how union with Christ shapes all of life. Christ is all; you need no supplements! If you are in Christ, you've received God's fullness and have everything you need for living fully for Him. Jesus is explaining the relationship between himself and his followers—seeking to model this relationship on his own relationship with his Father.

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

When we set our eyes on Him, we are better able to serve him—and service is ultimately the duty and pleasure of every believer. Fixing our eyes on Jesus,

[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work. (Hebrews 12:2) Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable. ( 2Corinthians 4:18) For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4) We live out God's will when we change our thoughts to God's thoughts, rather than living like the world dictates.

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:2) We will run into resistance if we choose to follow Jesus.

If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you. (John 15:19)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and encouragement and the good [well-founded] hope [of salvation] by His grace, comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts [keeping them steadfast and on course] in every good work and word. (2Thessalinians 2:16-17) I love Jesus! Rooted and grounded in Jesus!

Called to be a light for Jesus! Powered by Jesus! Walking by faith in Jesus! Clothed in strength and wrapped in favor all by Jesus! God is my portion; I will not settle for anything than God Himself.

“The LORD is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. (Lamentation

3:24)

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells]. ( Hebrews 6:19)