Thursday morning, my friend, and another day that our Good God has given us – let us praise Him in this day!Read Colossians 3:1 – 17.
This portion of the epistle written by Paul to the young church in Colosse can be easily divided into three important groups of edification for each of us as men of God:
1 – What do I think about?
2 – What are the things that I need to lay down; that I need to “put off”?
3 – As a new man in Christ, what do I need to “put on”?
As you read this passage today, pay close attention to the detailed listing of the actions and characteristics to be “put off” and “put on”. Paul makes it extremely clear for us why the “old man and his deeds” is to be put off; and equally evident what qualities we, as new men, should be embracing.
But I want to focus on question 1 today – What do I think about? This word tells us that “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” So, we are to be truly heavenly-minded. And this is an important admonition for us living in the world today! We are to be thinking about the LORD and His Kingdom, and doing what we can to build up His Kingdom here on the earth.
But practically, it is sometimes difficult to stay focused on the “big picture”, that is, God’s Kingdom plan, and our role in His plan. Fortunately, and because God is so good to us, His word gives us useful and effective instruction on how we stay heavenly minded in this fallen world (vv 15 – 17): “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”. Amen!
