Letting the Word of God Dwell Among Us

Today's scripture text Colossians 3:14-17

Today, we gather to reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:14-17, a passage that calls us to live in the transformative power of God’s love and Word. Let us hear the Scripture anew:

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This passage is a blueprint for Christian living, a call to let the Word of God not just visit us but dwell among us—taking root in our hearts, shaping our lives, and guiding our community. Let us unpack what this means for us as faithful followers of Christ.


1. The Foundation of Love

Paul begins by urging us to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love is not an option for the Christian; it is the very garment we wear. It is the love of Christ—sacrificial, unconditional, and holy—that holds together all other virtues: patience, kindness, forgiveness. Without love, our actions are hollow, as Paul says elsewhere, “If I have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

To let the Word of God dwell among us, we must first embody this love. It means loving our neighbor, even when they differ from us. It means loving our enemies, as Christ commands. In our families, churches, and communities, love must be the glue that unites us, reflecting the perfect harmony of God’s kingdom.

2. The Peace of Christ Ruling Our Hearts

Next, Paul calls us to let “the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” This peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of Christ Himself, who reconciles us to God and to one another. In a world torn by division, anxiety, and strife, we are called to be a people of peace, united in “one body”—the body of Christ, the Church.

This peace guards our hearts against the chaos of sin and worldly distractions. It rules like a king, directing our thoughts and actions. But we must choose to let it reign, surrendering our pride, our grudges, and our fears to Christ. When we do, we become a living testimony to the world that God’s peace is real and attainable through faith.

3. The Word of Christ Dwelling Richly

At the heart of this passage is the command to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” The “word of Christ” is the gospel—the good news of salvation through Jesus, revealed in Scripture and embodied in His life, death, and resurrection. To let it “dwell” means to give it a permanent home in our lives, not as a guest but as the master of the house.

What does this look like? It means immersing ourselves in Scripture daily, not as a ritual but as a hunger for God’s truth. It means meditating on His Word, letting it shape our thoughts, convict our sins, and guide our decisions. As Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

But this dwelling is not solitary. Paul says the Word dwells “among you,” in the community of believers. We let the Word dwell richly when we teach and admonish one another in wisdom, speaking truth in love. It happens in Bible studies, in sermons, in conversations where we point each other to Christ. It happens when we correct one another with humility, not to judge but to restore.

4. Worship and Thanksgiving

Paul then describes the fruit of the Word dwelling among us: “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” When God’s Word takes root, it overflows in worship. Our songs are not mere music but expressions of a heart transformed by Christ. Whether in church or in the quiet of our homes, our worship glorifies God and edifies one another.

Thankfulness is the heartbeat of this passage. Three times, Paul emphasizes gratitude—to be thankful, to sing with thankfulness, to give thanks to God. A heart filled with the Word of Christ cannot help but overflow with gratitude, even in trials. As we recall God’s grace, His provision, and His promises, we are moved to thank Him in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

5. Doing All in the Name of Jesus 

Finally, Paul calls us to do “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Whether in our words—how we speak to our spouse, our children, or our coworkers—or in our deeds—our work, our service, our generosity—everything must bear the mark of Christ. To act in His name is to align our lives with His will, to reflect His character, and to seek His glory.

This is the ultimate test of whether the Word dwells richly among us. Does our life proclaim Jesus? Do our actions draw others to Him? When we live in His name, we become living epistles, read by all (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

 Living the Word Today

So, what does it mean for us to let the Word of God dwell among us today? It begins with a personal commitment to Scripture. Are you making time to read, study, and pray over God’s Word? Is it shaping your worldview, your choices, your relationships?

It continues in community. Are you part of a church where the Word is preached faithfully? Are you teaching and encouraging others, or allowing them to speak truth into your life? The Word dwells richly when we share it, when we sing it, when we live it together.


And it extends to the world. In a culture that rejects absolute truth, we are called to be a people of the Word, standing firm in faith, clothed in love, and ruled by Christ’s peace. Let your life be a beacon of the gospel, drawing others to the Savior.


Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your holy Word, which is living and active, sharper than any sword. Let it dwell richly in us, transforming our hearts and binding us together in love. May Your peace rule us, Your truth guide us, and Your name be glorified in all we do. We offer this prayer in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Go forth, brothers and sisters, and let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly, to the glory of God.


DMMC 6-21-25

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Dialysis Day with Dave

Image
Just wanted to run you through an average dialysis day for me and so many others. ----------------------------------------- The alarm shrieks, cutting through the dawn quiet at 7:30 AM, sharp and insistent. Dave groans, rolling over to silence it. His body feels heavy, like it’s still tethered to the bed, but he knows he can’t linger. Dialysis days start early, and the clinic waits for no one. He swings his legs over the side of the bed, pausing to catch his breath. The familiar ache in his lower back is there, a dull throb---a reminder of the fluid his kidneys can’t clear anymore. He shuffles to the bathroom, splashes cold water on his face, and stares at his reflection. His eyes are a little puffy today, but he forces a half-smile. “You got this,” he mutters, a mantra he’s leaned into since his diagnosis. He knows that it's only the strength from God that is getting him through each day. Breakfast is light—oatmeal with a few blueberries, no salt, no bananas. He’s memorized the re...
Read more

Mr. Obama Continues to Ignore Reality

President Obama Continues to Ignore Reality … and so do his followers. In his State of the Union, the president barely touched on the issue that galvanized the nation against his Administration — illegal immigration. And when he did mention it, he got it all wrong. The President: “Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows.” That was it. That’s all he had to offer. He’s going to “take on… the issue of illegal immigration“. Obama chooses his words carefully. He didn’t say he was going to stop illegal immigration, did he? Then he said he was ”prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders.” That’s a far cry from sealing our borders to terrorists, drug smugglers and illegal aliens, isn’t it? Then he said he would “address the m...
Read more

Trusting God’s Word in the Battle of Chronic Illness

Image
Key Scripture: Mark 5:25-34 (The Woman with the Hemorrhage)  Supporting Scriptures: James 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 6:10-11   Chronic illness is a heavy trial, a battle that tests our body, mind, and soul. But as believers who stand on the infallible Word of God, we know that Scripture is our sure guide, revealing God’s will for how we face such affliction. Today, we turn to the Bible to learn how to treat chronic illness with unwavering faith, fervent prayer, and obedience to God’s commands.   In Mark 5:25-34, we see a woman who suffered bleeding for twelve years. She had tried everything—doctors, remedies, all her resources—yet she only grew worse. But she heard of Jesus, the Son of God, and believed His power could heal her. With bold faith, she pressed through the crowd, touched His garment, and was instantly healed. Jesus declared, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” This teaches us our first truth: chronic illness must be ...
Read more