Paradigm for the Heart
This information is the foundation of the CRAM study tool created by Chris Peterson, Associate Pastor of Omaha Bible Church, Omaha, Nebraska. It was presented to those in attendence at the Women’s Weekend of 2/22 - 2/23/08, which was held at the OBC North Campus.
Supremacy (Colossians 1-2 “Head of all things”)
We can identify our supreme value by asking, “What do I need to be fulfilled?” This is an especially pertinent question in the midst of a trial or a material blessing. Do I look to myself for satisfaction in the midst of blessing (Deuteronomy 8)? Do I react in a trial betraying the true “need” of my heart? Colossians 1-2 provides us a paradigm of thinking for winning the heart’s affections with the greatness of Christ thereby destroying the idolatrous altar.
Sufficiency (Colossians 1:28; 2:8-9) “complete in Christ; fullness of deity dwells”)
The supreme value of life is evidently sufficient for life. At this stage, my heart looks to necessary attributes to fulfill my need, to be complete. Sufficiency is the clothes, image, or attributes of supremacy. For instance, omnipotence is clothed in the image of refuge & strength. This is where the rubber meets the road - when biblical claims of sufficiency meet the world’s claims of sufficiency. When our hearts treasure God’s omnipotence we rejoice in His work through trials to bring about the counsel of His will. When our hearts attribute God’s omnipotence to someone or something aside from Him, we find our strength & refuge for our needs in these other sources that express the attributes of our supremacy.
Dependence (Colossians 3:1-5; “Christ who is our life”)
Dependence focuses upon the various resources that provide our sufficiency for completion & fulfillment. Christ offers His power in grace, His image in His Word, His service in the church body, His intercessory work in prayer. By depending upon the means of grace I am admitting my sufficiency or need is met in Christ. If I am not depending, then it betrays my real sufficiency. So, where is my true dependence?
Obedience (Colossians 3:6-17; Put off, put on)
When the resources of dependence interact with my life, my inconsistent thoughts and actions are revealed by their independent nature. As I put off independence and put on dependence in the little thoughts and actions I am demonstrating my true dependence. Obedience is the action I take to depend. This is the active fruit of worship. If I cannot obey in a particular area, it is because I do not depend - and therefore view myself as sufficient, and therefore supreme. This is idolatry.
Praise (Colossians 3:16-18; Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…hymns, spiritual songs)
Praise betrays my heart’s affection. Praise can encompass words of boasting (in the Lord) or songs of exaltation that recognize the reality of one’s supreme value. Therefore, what I boast in reflects the fulfillment of my need. This is why grumbling, discontentment, and unthankfulness betray the supremacy of the heart. This is an accurate measure of the treasure of the heart. If I am unthankful, this means I am seeking to control the individual or circumstance; to use that person or thing for my lustful pleasure. I must go back to supremacy and wage war with my heart by teaching it the supreme character and work of God. Not that the checkbook and time schedule both lend a hand to revealing our praise - that is where we delight to use our time and money.
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Wow. This is a great 30,000 foot view of the book of Colossians. I especially like the Sufficiency point and the statement that “omnipotence is clothed in the image of refuge & strength”.