God's
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 Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also
will be revealed with him in glory.
Put to
death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly; fornication, impurity, passion,
evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of
God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once
followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such
things - anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with
its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being
renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised
and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and
in all!
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint
against another, forgive each other; just as the LORD has forgiven you, so you
also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds
everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all
wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual
songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:1-17
Have you
ever laid down in the grass and looked at the grass up
close? You can't see beyond it. Take your focus away from the grass and you can
see so much more, the landscape and the sky. For us, we should take the long
view. Think of heaven, not just heaven on earth. Fix your attention on things
above, where Christ is seated at God's right hand. You and I both will be there
in just a moment. Only the mind set on things above can say no to sin and yes
to holiness. The choice is ours.
Eternity is just a breath away.
The only way to see life clearly is to focus on Christ.
Our Daily Bread -