What wonderful godly advice from the Apostle Paul about our Lord Jesus who is the head over all! “So then, JUST AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS as Lord, CONTINUE TO LIVE YOUR LIVES IN HIM, rooted [deeply implanted, anchored] and built up in him, strengthened [make stable, establish] in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing [to super abound, be in excess] with thankfulness. See to it that NO ONE TAKES YOU CAPTIVE through hollow and deceptive philosophy [viewpoint], which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For IN CHRIST, ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE DEITY LIVES IN BODILY FORM, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. HE IS THE HEAD OVER EVERY POWER AND AUTHORITY.” (Col. 2:6-10) Paul was battling against Hellenistic syncretism, blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, not on earthly things. FOR YOU DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. When Christ, who is your life, appears, THEN YOU ALSO WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.” (Col. 3:1-4) Wow! We will appear with Christ in glory. A promise worth living for, but we must be mindful of the concerns of HIS world more than the concerns of OUR world! “But now you must also RID YOURSELVES of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, SINCE YOU HAVE TAKEN OFF YOUR OLD SELF WITH ITS PRACTICES AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW SELF, WHICH IS BEING RENEWED in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Col. 3:8-10) The thought that we are forgiven by Christ ALL OF OUR OFFENCES is a good reason why we should forgive others. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, CLOTHE YOURSELVES with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear [tolerate] with each other and FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER if any of you has a grievance [complaint] against someone. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU. And over all these virtues PUT ON LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. AND BE THANKFUL.” (Col. 3:12-15)
- We are to WALK IN HIM: Rooted, built up, seeking and setting our affection on things above
- We are to RID OURSELVES: Anger, wrath, hatred, filthy communication, lying
- We are to PUT ON: kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, above all love
- We are TO LET: The word dwell in us, in wisdom
- So WE MAY: teach, warn and sing, to one another.
SETTING OUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE!
-Bill Stockham