2021 Daily Devotion - Day 347
Colossians 3:1-3 NRSV
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When the Apostle Paul writes that we “have been raised with Christ”, he is referring to our baptism. In Romans chapter 6, the Apostle says that when we were baptized, we died and were raised again to new life in Christ.
This means things should change in our lives and continue to change. We cannot continue to be the same people we have been in the past. He goes on to say we should “set our minds on things above”. He doesn’t mean we are to somehow have an attitude of “other-worldliness” where we might withdraw from the world. But rather, he means we should be thinking about the things God values, and live for them – to be pulled away from the world’s philosophy and to think and live in a Christlike manner.
Then he adds, “We have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God.” One of the most difficult things to do as a Christ follower is to die to oneself – to die to our pride and self-will and to be servants. And yet, there are rich blessings for those who do. Life becomes more valuable when we no longer live for ourselves, but instead, live for the mission of Christ in the world. What would happen at home if we died to ourselves? What would happen at the workplace if we died to ourselves? What would happen in our church if we died to ourselves? Everything would improve and become healthier. This Lenten season, why not give it a try?
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, because of our sinful, broken condition, we often turn most things toward ourselves. At home, we want things to go our way. While at work, we want our will to prevail. Even at church, we act more like customers of Christianity by wanting our desires fulfilled, instead of behaving like disciples. Help us to die to ourselves and go down the road of discipleship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
When the Apostle Paul writes that we “have been raised with Christ”, he is referring to our baptism. In Romans chapter 6, the Apostle says that when we were baptized, we died and were raised again to new life in Christ.
This means things should change in our lives and continue to change. We cannot continue to be the same people we have been in the past. He goes on to say we should “set our minds on things above”. He doesn’t mean we are to somehow have an attitude of “other-worldliness” where we might withdraw from the world. But rather, he means we should be thinking about the things God values, and live for them – to be pulled away from the world’s philosophy and to think and live in a Christlike manner.
Then he adds, “We have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God.” One of the most difficult things to do as a Christ follower is to die to oneself – to die to our pride and self-will and to be servants. And yet, there are rich blessings for those who do. Life becomes more valuable when we no longer live for ourselves, but instead, live for the mission of Christ in the world. What would happen at home if we died to ourselves? What would happen at the workplace if we died to ourselves? What would happen in our church if we died to ourselves? Everything would improve and become healthier. This Lenten season, why not give it a try?
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, because of our sinful, broken condition, we often turn most things toward ourselves. At home, we want things to go our way. While at work, we want our will to prevail. Even at church, we act more like customers of Christianity by wanting our desires fulfilled, instead of behaving like disciples. Help us to die to ourselves and go down the road of discipleship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
Comments
Post a Comment