all

Kinsey and Jordan took the kids on a train ride in Colorado a few days before they flew to Atlanta for Christmas. As Kinsey told us this story over FaceTime, she asked two-year-old Owen, “Who did we see on the train?” Owen shouted, “Jesus!” Kinsey replied, “Actually, it was Santa Clause, but Owen has learned in church the best answer to any question is: ‘Jesus!’”

A long time ago, I told a church friend my new revelation: “Jim… I know the answer to all the division in Christianity. In fact, this may be the solution to every argument. The answer is ‘Jesus!’” Jim looked at me sympathetically and replied: “Dana, that sounds good… but it will never work.”

I’ve received such corrections many times over the years, but I read a phrase recently from a believer whose message has encouraged multitudes: “There is only Christ – He is everything.” (Colossians 3:11) I thought: “That’s what I believe…” and I looked up the Scripture. Though I could not find find the exact words above, Paul’s message to believers seems clear:

“Christ is all, and is in all.” (NIV)
“Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.” (NLT)
“Christ is everything. He is in all of us.” (NLV)
“But Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all that is important.” (NCV)
“Christ is everything and in everything.” (GW)
“Christ is all that matters, and He is in all of you.” (ERV)
“From now on, everyone is defined by Christ; everyone is included in Christ.” (MSG)
“Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and He is equally available to all.” (TLB)
“For it is Christ that means everything and He lives in every one of us.” (TPT)
“But the all and in all – Christ.” (YLT)

This understanding does not make life easy, but it gives the solid foundation on which to stand. Let this new year begin and end with the truth God desires for every person to embrace: “My Son is all.”

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the Head of the Body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace though His blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

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