“Live life to the fullest” is a common phrase today. But what does it mean? That depends on whom you ask. The Dali Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, said, “The purpose of our life is to be happy.” He thinks living life to the fullest means being happy. Most of the people in the world would probably agree with him. Maybe you would. After all, who wants an unhappy life?
Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan said, “live life to the fullest, tomorrow may never be.” That’s a true statement, but it doesn’t say what living life to the fullest looks like. Matt Cameron wrote, “Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.” In his mind, part of living a full life is paying attention to the positive things we experience. That’s important too; most people don’t like to be around others who are constantly negative.
Most of these quotes contain some truth, but not the whole truth. So, how do we live life to the fullest? But we really can’t answer that question without first asking another question; “what is the meaning and purpose of our life? If you and I don’t know why we’re here or what we’re supposed to do, how can we live life to the fullest?
Nearly 400 years ago, a group of Puritan preachers and elders came together and produced a document called The Westminster Shorter Catechism. The catechism is laid out in a series of 107 questions and answers (shorter?). This little document has been used all over the English-speaking world ever since, to teach the basic doctrines of Christianity.
The very first question of the Catechism addresses this issue of why we exist. It asks, “What is the chief end of man?” In modern terminology we might ask “Why are we here, and what is the purpose of life?” The catechism then answers, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
I believe, it is only as you and I come to embrace and understand this truth that we will be able to live life to the fullest! That’s the title for our study today, “Live Life to the Fullest.” And our text is Colossians 3:15 to 17. Listen to these words from the Lord through the apostle Paul.
This text provides several IMPERATIVES that, if obeyed, will enable us to “Live Life to the Fullest.”
Before we get into this text, I remind you that the theme of this letter to the Colossians is the preeminence of Christ. That is, He is first in rank, dignity, and importance. He is supreme overall. And that reality impacts all of life. Keep that in mind as we explore these imperatives.
The First IMPERATIVE (that will enable us to live life to the fullest) is,
The actual wording in this first verse is “let rule the peace of Christ…” The word “rule” is interesting because this is the only time this word is used in the Greek New Testament. The word is brabeuo (brab-yoo-o). It means to arbitrate, to prevail, to be the umpire. A brabeus (brab-yoose), in Paul’s day, was an Olympic official who judged winners and losers. We’d call him a referee or an umpire. He’s the one who is officiating the game. He knows the rules and he will enforce them.
And as you know, the umpire or referee has the final word. If he says, “you’re out,” then you’re out. Now today, with instant replay, the umpire’s call can be overturned, but that’s a modern development, it wasn’t that way in the past. You can disagree with the umpire, you might even argue with him, but if you get too vehement, you’re liable to get tossed out of the game!
Now in the context of these verses what is the umpire? It is the peace of Christ, the peace He gives to us as His children. In John 14:27 Jesus told His followers; “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid....
