Journey Through The Bible
   Old Testament Reading: Hosea 1-3
   New Testament Reading: Colossians 3

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Colossians 3:16).

It was the Word of Christ, the Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures, that brought salvation to the Colossians. This same Word gives us life and sustains and strengthens us. The Word will transform our lives if we permit it to dwell richly in us. As we saturate our hearts and minds with Scripture and seek to walk in obedience to it, then the Word of Christ is really at home in our hearts. We will discover how rich the Word is with spiritual treasures that give value to our lives.

Scripture should permeate every aspect of the believer’s life and control every thought, word, and deed. Unfortunately, many Christians cannot honestly say that the Word of God dwells in their hearts richly because they do not take the time to read, study, and meditate on it.

Next is the thought in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another (v16b). Every Christian has a responsibility to his brothers and sisters in Christ concerning this matter. Teaching has to do with learning and studying the truths of scripture, whereas admonishing has to do with encouraging obedience. We owe it to our brothers and sisters in Christ to share our knowledge of the Scripture with them and to hold them accountable to put into practice the things learned.

The third thing Paul tells us is through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (v16c). Psalms describe those inspired songs which are found in the book by that name, which were sung as part of Israel’s worship. Hymns are worshipful songs teaching the great doctrines of the scriptures. Spiritual Songs refer to songs or choruses of praise and worship addressed to God the Father and/or to the Lord Jesus Christ. Using these various types of songs, we should sing with gratitude or thanksgiving in our hearts to the Lord.

There is a definite relationship between our knowledge of the Bible and our expression of worship in song. One method we teach and encourage ourselves and others is through the singing of the Word of God. But if we do not know the Bible and understand it, we cannot honestly sing it from our hearts.