Do you ever read something only because you wanted to? Have you ever skipped over something because it wasn’t appealing, difficult to understand, or more importantly difficult to apply? For the past few days, these devotionals have been repeatedly coming back to the idea of dying to myself. To be very honest, these passages have only been coming randomly; well, it only seems random to me. I’m sure there’s more to it than that.
Colossians 3 is a good example of this. Quickly in verse three, Paul continues to press our current state of being dead to ourselves as a result of having our hearts set “on things above, where Christ is seating at the right hand of God.” For Christ is my life (v. 4). Just like either loving God or loving money, we cannot serve two masters (Luke 16:13). In the same way, we cannot love our life and love God’s life, unless we love the life God is living through us, dead to our earthly desires and loving His.
Since dying to myself is the hardest thing to do, something required of me to do daily, how easy it is to pass by these verses and skip ahead. For instance, the "fun" part begins in verse 12; there is no more dying to yourself, right? It seems that way, but in fact Paul is merely sharing with you what a disciple’s wardrobe should be. Here are your clothes and shoes to wear. Wear them joyfully and cheerfully. I need to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. By not binding myself to these “articles” of clothing, I declare and manifest my selfish human nature.
My new identity is with Christ, an identity that bears each others’ burdens and forgives whatever grievances I have against anyone, for my life in Christ forgives others just as Christ forgave me. This Sunday morning, I choose my death to live for Christ and for others. I choose to find others and help bear their burden. I choose to seek His peace, but, most of all, I choose to put on love. Remember, yesterday, the “cliffhanger” that Love has for the Law? All of these virtues are characteristic of a devoted life to Him, but love binds them all together in perfect unity (v. 14). This is our extreme makeover.
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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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.
Colossians 3:12-17
13 days!
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