Col 3: living as those made alive in Christ

August 18, 2011

¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ...

-How important the thought life is! How important it is to fill our minds and hearts not with the things of this world - debauchery, gossip, slander, sexual immorality, hollow & deceptive philosophies, negativity masked as 'realistic', etc., but to fill our minds and hearts with the things above - with Christ, with whatever fulfills Philippians 4:8, holy, pure, loving, hopeful things that are of Christ and not of the world.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

-Evidences of a life made alive in Christ would be putting to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature. The ones that stick out to me most are anger, rage, slander, filthy language, and impurity. These are the ones I will be most extreme in dealing with (because they are most common) - in not tolerating any of it in my life, and in resolutely and steadfastly standing in Christ that these will be banished from my life. These are also the ones that pain me most when I see them so easily tolerated in fellow Christians' lives. We do not take seriously enough the call to live a life worthy of Christ's calling, to live as those made alive in Christ.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

-Oh, how I lack love! And how serious and difficult it can be at times to forgive others as God forgave me. May I learn to fully live out these three verses.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-whether in word or deed. That means every single word spoken should be done in the name of Jesus. Can we curse our fellow brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus? I think not. That means every single action done should be done in the name of Jesus. Can we partake in impure and carnal activities in the name of Jesus? I think not. God and sin do not mesh. May we in every single activity we decide to partake in consider whether or not it is glorifying to Jesus.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

-I believe this command pertains to every single one of us. It's easy to obey when we see how it is for our good. But it's difficult to obey when we think we know better, when we think we're right, etc (curfew anyone? haha). Of course, if it goes against the word of God, well, prayer and discernment should follow. But so often I hear of people who complain about the suggestions, directions, or rules their parents have set on them, and those rules, suggestions, and directions really should just be obeyed for the sake of honoring parents and God. Our society has greatly encouraged childrens' lack of respect and honor for their parents and authority, and subsequently, a lack of honor and obedience to God.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)

Wise. May we remember that how we act towards outsiders is a reflection of the God we serve and claim to love. How we act towards outsiders will be either a honoring or a dishonoring of God, either a demonstration of the worthy call we've been given or a demonstration of our lack of valuing that call. Is it wise to skip out on fellowship and hang out with friends? Is it wise to get drunk with nonchristians (or ever..)? Is it wise to gamble and treat the monetary resources God has given us so carelessly with our friends? Is it wise to slander our fellow brothers and sisters among outsiders? Is it wise to watch a movie that glorifies the sinful nature with Christ's body and nonchristian friends? Is it wise to react to a waiter, waitress, etc. in anger and disrespect? The answer to every question lies between you and God. I pray that as I grow, the Holy Spirit will help me to realize more and more what is wise and what is not, what is glorifying and what is not, what will honor my Lord's name and further His kingdom and will, and what will not, and I pray that it won't be a mere realization, but a realization through which actions will follow through on, no matter the worldly consequences.