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Good Morning!!!

Colossians 3 (English Standard Version)
Put On the New Self

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22Slaves,[f] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters,[g] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Footnotes:
a. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
b. Colossians 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
c. Colossians 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience
d. Colossians 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
e. Colossians 3:11 Greek bondservant
f. Colossians 3:22 Or Servants; Greek Bondservants
g. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh

I could highlight every word in the above passage and not over do - but let’s consider some of the things that Paul is telling the church at Colosse (and right here, right now):

(1) You have been raised with Christ – so put your mind on the things Christ thinks about … and it is not whether or not some one else is right or wrong – but whether or not I (you) please God.
(2) Develop a loving spirit ... and watch out, you might become holy, beloved, kind, meek and patient and so on.
(3) Let the peace of Christ rule your heart – that quiet confidence in our Father, God.
(4) Be thankful. God has blessed each one of us abundantly.
(5) Let the Word of Christ DWELL in you. Let the word of God take up residence in your everyday being.
(6) Do everything in the name of Jesus – for it is He that deserves all the credit.

Well, I just skimmed the surface on this passage … but some good things to remember throughout the weekend.


Agape’

Mr. Jim