(Colossians 3:1-11)…..If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
You may have many questions as you walk through this world as a Christian, that is, as one who follows Jesus Christ and His Word. You might be thinking now that I am a Christian, what’s next? Or, I am a Christian but I am having struggles growing in the faith, what should I do? Let me encourage you today with some basic and practical admonitions that pertain to living a life in and for Christ. When carried out, these basics will assure that you (we) will find in Christ everything we need for our life.
Seek what is above (1-4). Notice (v.2), “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Why is this so important? It is essential if we desire to be “transformed” (Romans 12:2). It is necessary if we want live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6). How do we seek those things which are above? By being attentive to such things mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8). More specifically, by setting our attention on the Word of God that is described as…….
- Perfect – (Psalm 19:7)
- Pure – (Psalm 19:8)
- Restraining – (Psalm 119:11)
- Sure- (Psalm 111:7-8) (Psalm 119:142,151,160)
- Effectual – (Isaiah 55:11)
- A lamp – (Psalm 119:105)
Our attitude towards God’s word(s) (found in the bible) should be much more than what the world holds, it should be that we…….
- Stand in awe of it – (Psalm 119:161)
- Tremble at it – (Isaiah 66:1-2)
- Obey it – (1 Peter 3:1)
- Grow in it – (2 Peter 3:18) (1 Peter 2:2)
Why else do we want to seek those things that are above? Because we died (Romans 6:1-13). We died to sin, that we might be free from sin and raised so that we might walk in newness of life. Notice, our life is hidden with Christ in God (Galatians 2:20).