New Life – New Focus
This morning at our men’s breakfast at Timberline Church, James Ruder from L&R Pallet Company in Denver shared about how his business has reached out to the refugee community Denver. His company has been recognized for its accomplishments by the City of Denver and featured on the Denver and religious news networks.
Debbie and I then attended a Christmas reception for G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice an organization that I serve with as a board member. It was good to meet some new friends and share about the impact of the efforts to train and equip leaders that promote biblical justice.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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…” Colossians 3:1,2 NIV
Paul goes into great detail about the importance of the cross as he writes to the Colossians. We see this in his letter to the Ephesians as well. Knowledge and insight into knowing Christ and the power of the cross impacts our life.
Paul does this because he is contending with those who still struggle with their relationship to the law. Some viewed following the law as a requirement of salvation. Paul warns them by saying, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NIV)
Yet Paul makes it clear that a transformed life results in a transformed heart, a transformed mind and a new attitude toward how we live our life.
He calls believers to set their hearts on things above. Our love and passion for Christ and the things of God is central to our spiritual life and our spiritual protection from false teachings and a life style that reflections more the kingdoms of the world, more than the kingdom of Christ.
Then he says that along with our hearts our minds are to focus on “things above and not on earthly things.” What we think about, will shape our actions and attitudes toward life. The reason for setting our minds on things above? “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3 NIV)
A heart focused on Christ and a heart focusing on things above results in taking deliberate action. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” (Colossians 3:5 NIV)
This is more than “peaceful co-existence” with that which wars against our spiritual life. It speaks of an aggressive attitude of viewing the “sinful” nature as an evil that continues to rise up and must be dealt with decisively.
This is why being a follower of Christ doesn’t make someone “better than” those who don’t. It just means a different focus and orientation. It speaks to transformed desires because of a new life.
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for the new life that You bring to us. Enable us to grow in our knowledge and understanding of what has transpired in our life, so we can set our hearts and minds upon you and the new life You have brought to us.