Summary: Thirty short reflections on different key words found in Colossians 3:1-17 on what it means to be "in" Christ.

A number of years ago, I had the chance to go through James Bryan Smith's The Good and Beautiful God (review) with a group. Perhaps one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of this study was memorizing Colossians 3:1-17 together, a verse or two each week, forcing us to really meditate on each word of the text. The first three verses of this text are as follows:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV)

The title of this work draws on verse 3, and one of the themes Smith explores is what it means for us to live in Christ. Above all, it means to live as God's "holy and dearly loved" people, (verse 12). In this pocket-sized work, James Bryan Smith leads us through a kind of lectio divina on this text in Colossians, focusing successively in 30 chapters on key words found in the text, offering short reflections on each one. For example, the first five are drawn from the verses above: raised, with, seated, set, hidden. As he considers the word "set" in verse 2, he offers these reflections:

When it comes down to it, living the Christian life is simply a matter of where we set our minds. Every waking moment we have a choice about where, and on what, we will set our minds. That is something we are free to do. Having been raised with Christ and forgiven forever, and having Jesus with us in all we do, the primary practice of living as a Christian boils down to what we think about, what we dwell on, what values we keep before our minds, what truths (or lies) we have in our consciousness. (p. 37).

In addition to these brief reflections, there are sections about "Living into the Truth," an "Affirmation" which is a brief statement summarizing the key truth represented by the word, a "Prayer," and finally questions for "Reflection." The short chapters and focus on a single word make this an ideal devotional resource that could be used over a month, or perhaps once a week for thirty weeks. There is also a group discussion guide at the back of the book for a five week discussion using six chapters each week.

In addition, this little book is a good introduction to the ideas in the Apprentice Series by the same author--or perhaps in my case, a good refresher. Recently, a paperback version of the book has been released, making it available at a lower price. What Smith models for us is the slow, reflective opening of ourselves to the message of scripture we often pass by in our instant-everything world. When we omit these practices, we do not gain time but lose the chance to hear God's assurances of our belovedness. ( )

Consider some of these sentences:

"You have been raised with Christ."

"Your life is hidden with Christ in God."

"Clothe yourselves with compassion."

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."

"Be thankful."

"Whatever you do, ... do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

We pick and choose good scripture verses to memorize. Almost everyone knows John 3:16—far fewer know John 3:17 (I've never seen it painted on a sign before). When it comes to Colossians 3, however, virtually every word is worth memorizing. Once you start it's hard to know where to stop!

Colossians 3 is about recognizing that, as Christians, we have been transferred from death to life. It's time to live like it! Since we are raised with Christ, let's put our hearts and minds on the things that Christ loves, not on worldly things.

In Hidden in Christ, James Bryan Smith offers 30 meditations based on Colossians 3:1-17. He dives right into the depth of this passage and brings up many profitable thoughts. Unlike some devotional works, Smith's meditations are close and legitimate applications of the scripture. Nothing is stretched or convoluted. Colossians is powerful enough as it is!

Spend 30 days in Colossians 3, and allow God to change you. ( )