Musings From A Rolling Eyed Turtle

Impress to affect deeply or strongly.   It also means to apply with pressure so as to leave an imprint. Imprinting goes on in nature.   A baby goose, for example, sees an adult goose and follows and copies the adult goose in all things goose.   In our spiritual lives, imprinting also occurs.   Sometimes it is the imprint of the world upon us.   It molds us and shapes us. Preferably, the imprinting that is going on in the Christian’s life is the imprint of Christ on us.   Colossians is rich with examples of Christ-like character that is or should be imprinted into the life of the believer: Ø   We are to constantly bear fruit (1:6) Ø   We are to be filled with the knowledge of His will (1:9) Ø   We are to have spiritual wisdom and understanding (1:9) Ø   We are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (1:10) Ø   We are to please Him in all respects (1:10) Ø   We are to bear fruit in every good work (1:10) Ø   We are to increase in the knowledge of

Impress is to affect deeply or strongly. Another aspect of it is to press into something or to make an imprint. Coins are an example of something that is pressed into.   The heated soft metals of the coin are stamped, under pressure, with a die and the imprint is left on the coin.   The result is the likeness or image of former presidents being stamped or pressed onto the coin. In the book of Colossians, we find at least two aspects of the image of one being pressed onto another:             The image of God on Christ: Ø   He is the image of the invisible God (1:15) Ø   All the fullness of God dwells in Him (1:19) Ø   The fullness of Deity dwells in (Christ) in bodily form (2:9)             The image of Christ on us: Ø   We are blameless and beyond reproach (1:22) Ø   Christ in you, the hope of glory (1:27) Ø   In Him we are made complete (2:10) Ø   We are buried with Him in baptism and raised up with Him (2:12) Ø   We are made alive to

Impress is “to affect deeply or strongly”.   Another aspect of the word is “to establish firmly”. “Extreme” has become one of those popular words to describe something really awesome or intense or extraordinary or of super importance.   The book of Colossians has some things to say about Christ that should firmly establish some extremes that should affect us deeply:    Ø   He is the first-born of all creation (1:15) Ø   He created all things (1:16) Ø   All things were created by Him and for Him (1:16) Ø   He is before all things (1:17) Ø   He holds all things together (1:17) Ø   He is the first-born from the dead (1:18) Ø   He is to have first place in everything (1:18) Ø   He is the holder of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3) Ø   He is Head over all rule and authority (2:10) Ø   He has disarmed the rules and authorities (2:15) Ø   He is seated at the right hand of God (3:1) Ø   He is all and in all (3:11)