John 16:15

Everything belongs to God does it not? Indeed, all that we have, or are, or do which is eternally profitable, good or benevolent is owing to the merciful, rich and free grace of God. We should press the mute button on all of our prideful boastings - or perhaps even use some duct tape over our loud mouths whenever the urge strikes us - as pride should be forever excluded from our lives. I am reminded of Paul’s words to us in 1 Corinthians:

7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Cor 4:7 (NIV)

“There’s not a thumb’s breadth of this universe about which Jesus Christ does not say, ‘It is mine.’” Abraham Kuyper

Proverbs warns us of our need for wisdom as well - prohibiting us from leaning on our own understanding and exhorting us to attach ourselves to God who will always make our paths straight. He will bestow upon us His perfect wisdom through the indwelling Holy Spirit which is, Scripture adds, beyond comparison:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Prov 3:13-15 (NIV)

“We need to keep reminding ourselves that without the Lord we can do nothing. It needs to become a habit of mind with each of us to tell the Lord as we tackle each task, ‘I can’t do this without your help, please help me’, and then to expect to be helped because we have admitted our helplessness, given up self-reliance and are now looking to Him.” J. I. Packer

“How it pays to take one step at a time with God!” Isobel Kuhn

Jesus, on the other hand, rightly states to His guys in our verse for today that everything belongs to Him – just as it does to the Father. In Colossians Paul gives us the following Truths regarding our sweet Jesus: He is the image of God, the Firstborn over Creation (Firstborn denoting He both preceded Creation and is Sovereign over all Creation), He is the Creator of the universe, He is the Head of the church, He is the Firstborn from the dead, He is the fullness of God and He is the Reconciler of all things. Christ is the Supreme Sovereign of the universe:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him. Col 1:15-19 (NIV)

Christ also came to reveal God to man – “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations. But is now disclosed to the saints” (Colossians 1:26). In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge:

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2-3 (NIV)

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Col 2:9-10 (NIV)

It is no wonder King David expressed such a fervent plea to God in Psalm 25 – desirous that God would show him His ways as well as teach him His paths of wisdom and truth:

4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:4-5 (NIV)

Every true believer in Jesus is indwelled by the Holy Spirit who illuminates God’s Word - teaching and equipping the saint – so that they may grow up n Christ. Our growth occurs as we are obedient to the light we receive.

“Most of us get up in the morning saying, ‘I am going to make something of my life, and I’ll follow Jesus too.’ But I just want you to know that we can’t have it both ways. We have to have the formula right. ‘Follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and as you follow Me, I will make something of your life.’” Joseph Stowell, III