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“Let the WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3: 16).
The apostle Paul appeals to all Christians everywhere to ensure that they have the word of Christ dwelling in them richly.
A key word we must pay attention to in the verse above for us to have proper understanding is “dwell.”
The word, “dwell” used in Colossians 3:16 means to “inhabit.” It reminds us that a Christian is a house in which the Word must inhabit, live or take up residence.
This shows that the Word is a living being. The Word is a person who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Another key word in the passage which we must carefully study is “richly”. It means largely, abundantly or plentifully.
This means that Christ’s Word must dwell in us continuously. It is, therefore, required that the Word is frequently preached or taught, read or heard daily with meditation and obediently applied in our lives.
We are to be doers of the Word and not its hearers only. If we study or hear it, but fail to act or live it we deceive ourselves.
Now, there must be important reasons why Christians ought to have Christ’s Word dwell in them richly.
First, because the words of Christ are spirit and life which strengthens and renews us (John 6: 63).
Second, because Jesus is far superior to any man of God who has existed on earth, so His words are also superior (Hebrews 1:8- 9).
Third, because Jesus is the life of the Church, so His words also make Christians spiritually alive (Colossians 3: 4).
Fourth, because the words of Christ are the power of God (Romans 1: 16; 1 Corinthians 1: 18).
Fifth, because Christ is the Word of God, so to have His word in you is to have Him in you (Revelation 19:13, John 1:1).
Many Christians are as carnal and powerless as unbelievers because they are not fed properly with the word of Christ. In other words, the Word of Christ is not in them.
Many people profess to be Christians, but they do not know Christ Jesus let alone have Him in their hearts. This is the problem in many churches, today.
By James Quansah
