Colossians 3:1-4 New International Version (NIV)
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Footnotes:
a. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
Aunt Mae was the purveyor of childcare wisdom at Grandma Ward’s. It was from Aunt Mae that I learned that children are to be seen and not heard. It was from Aunt Mae that I learned that an idle mind was the devil’s workshop. I could go on … but I think at that stage in my life, an active mind was as much the devil’s workshop as an idle mind would have been.
I would never claim to be the model child. I don’t think I would have had near as much fun had I been. I was the one who climbed up in the apple tree in July and ate myself sick on green apples. I was the one who climbed the scuppernong arbor and ate as many as I could before dinner. It was me who hit the piano key next to Aunt Mae … who would call out “Bruce” … and I would answer “yes”. There is little wonder why Bruce and I didn’t get along too well as children. I accept most of the blame – I just was being me.
But that was when I was a child. Of course, I do have somewhat of a devilish streak in me even today … though I don’t tend to carry out as much as I think. Still, I think that when I matured, I learned that some of the things I thought to be funny weren’t … and so I changed. Or, more accurately, allowed Christ to change me.
Paul entreats us to set our hearts on things above. For Paul, the heart was where affection was – where love began. I think it important to understand that one has to LOVE Christ before they can set their minds on things above. Our affection for Christ must be from the very depths of our being before we can live the life Christ would have us live. If our affection is still on ourselves – and that is where our affection usually lays – then we will not want to do those things from above. Our mindset will be on getting what we can for ourselves at the expense of everything else – even our devotion to Christ. But if we have developed a sincere love for Christ, our mindset will be on bringing honor and glory to Him – even at the expense of what we desire.
Paul tells us we have died … obviously not a literal statement in the terms of the human body – but a statement of fact in that we have laid aside the nature to sin in order to follow Christ – and now our whole purpose is (or should be) found in our devotion to Jesus Christ and the work He commissioned us to do. And, truthfully, the glory Christ receives through our devotion reflects on us.
You know, Aunt Mae cared for us … even when she was barking at us for doing wrong. I wish I could see her again to tell her that it was me … and that I was sorry. Okay … well, maybe not!
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer Need:
The family of the Clayton County deputy sheriff who lost his life Wednesday.
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