Paul warns against valuing things which squeeze Jesus out as being our

supreme value. Culture puts a high value on success, money, fame,

intelligence and beauty amongst other things. Religion values outward

performance and empty tradition. From time to time we need to reevaluate

our values. Our faith can slide into performance. Our hearts are always

susceptible to going after culture’s values. Paul calls us to worship the

living God as a safeguard and antidote to these. It’s in the presence of

Jesus that we see him for who he is again. And here, we can both die to

that which robs us of life, and be resurrected to the life of fullness that

Jesus promises.

By. Ed Flint