Set your minds!
Scripture reading for September 10: Colossians 3
“Set your minds on things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not things on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ Who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:2-10
“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” (Proverbs 27:19) Solomon understood that a person’s heart and what resides there is reflected by his attitudes and actions. Jesus taught that out of the abundance of the heart come words and actions. (Matthew 15:18-20) These defile a person and bring God’s wrath. So Paul, writing to the Colossians, encouraged them to set their minds and hearts on the things above and Christ Who was seated at God’s right hand. In doing so, they would put on the ‘new self’ that was being renewed after the image of God the Creator.
In order to put on this ‘new self,’ the believers should put to death the earthly passions that once controlled their thinking and actions. To help them clearly understand, Paul listed a few of the most common earthly passions: sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires and covetousness. He emphasized that God’s wrath in judgment would come upon them if they continued in their old mindset. But in Christ, they received forgiveness of sins and cleansing of the heart through faith. Now they must choose to put off that old self marked by anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk. They were freed from earthly passions to set their minds on Christ and His holy life working in them now to prepare them for eternity.
Have you experienced the change in mindset that has resulted in putting off the old self? How is our world view affected when we set our minds on Christ seated at God’s right hand? What aspects of the ‘old self’ are you still dealing with and how does this instruction help you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the clear instructions about making good choices to put off the old nature. I thank You that Christ took Your wrath for my sins on the cross. I invite the Holy Spirit to empower me to live in the ‘new creation’ and live life in the renewed image of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Alive in Christ!
Scripture reading for September 9: Colossians 2
“In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, Who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.” Colossians 2:11-15
Paul wanted to insure that the Colossian believers had a full understanding of the will of God working in their lives through repentance and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. He used the image of circumcision to describe God’s surgery done on each person who repents and believes. The old covering of flesh and sin is cut away without human hands by the Holy Spirit in the removal of the old nature from man’s heart. This is acted out by faith in water baptism when we symbolically are ‘buried’ in the water in identification with Christ’s death and burial. In baptism we are then raised up out of the water in identification with Christ’s resurrection to life. We are buried in sin’s deadness but raised in eternal life’s promise of a future glorified body.
Legally, the satanic rulers and authorities, had accusations of sin written up against us and these accusations stood before God. But God in His justice, took these accusations and nailed the record of our debt to the cross of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died taking the punishment for our sins, thus disarming these rulers and authorities and making a show of them openly. We now have victory over our sins and their penalty of death through faith in Christ’s blood and sacrifice on the cross. In Christ’s resurrection we have the guarantee of eternal life and a glorious body like unto Christ’s body. (Philippians 3:20-21)
Does your world view include an invisible element of demonic forces against us? Does it include the invisible realm of Heaven and God’s throne where Jesus is seated awaiting His return? Have you taken advantage of the forgiveness of your debts nailed to Jesus’ cross?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for defeating the rulers and authorities of Satan’s false kingdom of accusers through the cross of Jesus Christ. I have and now identify with Jesus’ through water baptism and through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. I await Jesus’ soon return in power and glory! Amen!
All patience with joy!
Scripture reading for September 8: Colossians 1
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His Beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14
Paul wrote another letter from prison in Rome to the believers in Colossae. The church there had been founded during Paul’s missionary journey where he preached for three years in Ephesus. They were being attacked by false teachers who were undermining the supremacy of Christ and His sufficiency. But Paul wrote to encourage them through prayer and words of truth. His prayer in these opening verses was for a knowledge of God’s will in spiritual wisdom and understanding. He knew when believers had a full understanding of God’s will that they could then conduct themselves in a godly manner and fulfill the good works that He had prepared for them.
Paul also prayed that they would be strengthened with all power through the Holy Spirit. When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, they can grow spiritual fruit like patience and joy and endurance. They live lives of thankfulness and look forward to sharing in eternal inheritance in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They rest in Christ’s sacrifice of His blood to bring their forgiveness of sins and redemption from death and eternal separation from God in outer darkness. They have joy in their deliverance from the darkness of sin through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of all creation and Creator of all things. (Colossians 1:15)
Is your life today marked by the fruits of endurance, patience and joy? Is your knowledge of Jesus Christ continuing to grow and can you clearly define His will for your own salvation? Do you experience the pleasure of God and His power growing in your daily walk?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Firstborn of all creation and my Redeemer. I understand the mystery of His will that through Jesus Christ, all mankind would be enabled to receive forgiveness of sins and a transfer from the darkness of sin into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in and through me today. Amen.
Missions partnership
Scripture reading for September 5: Philippians 4
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14-19
Paul ended his letter to the church a Philippi by thanking them for their partnership with him in his calling of sharing the Gospel to the Gentiles. No other church had entered into this partnership with him. It was a partnership of giving and receiving. Paul was the recipient of their support to him through their representative Epaphroditus. Their gifts were a fragrant offering and a sacrifice that pleased God. These descriptive terms came from the offerings of the priests before the incense altar in the Tabernacle. As the aroma of the incense along with the blood of the sacrifice rose before the Lord, so these gifts were pleasing to God and acceptable as a sacrifice. Paul stated in faith that God would reward those giving to him with meeting their every need. This was guaranteed by Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior, seated in glory at God’s right hand.
The great commission given by Jesus to His church(Matthew 28:18-20) of going to the ends of the earth and preaching to all was being worked out practically in the church at Philippi. Paul had gone there as a missionary and preached. Souls had been saved as they received the Word. These souls had heard the call to take the Gospel to others and had partnered with a missionary, Paul, to help send him to others who needed to hear. The offerings sent to meet the needs of Paul were a fragrant offering that pleased God and helped him preach. The partnership was rewarded by God meeting needs.
Have you ever viewed your giving to missions and missionaries as a partnership? As you give, do you see your offerings as a fragrant sacrifice that pleases God? Do you believe that as you give to missions God will supply all your own needs through Christ Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach the ends of the earth through sending Your people to preach. As I give, these Scriptures help me to see how I am partnering with other believers to fulfill Your plan of salvation. Thank You that You have and will meet all my needs through Jesus! Amen.
Heavenly citizenship!
Scripture reading for September 4: Philippians 3
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
Paul’s world view was contrary to the world of his day. He sought to help the Philippians to see life through the world view of heavenly citizenship. Citizens of the Roman empire had certain rights and privileges. In the world view that Roman citizens held, there were many ‘gods’ and their worship consisted of sexual immorality and gluttony. They did whatever their appetites drove them to do. Money, power and conquest were part of the currency of their citizenship. These Roman citizens living in the world view of their day were enemies of Christ’s cross.
But Paul reminded the Philippians that they should keep their eyes on him and those like him who walked as bondslaves of Jesus Christ and citizens of heaven. Heaven’s citizenship was marked by loyalty to Jesus Christ, the One Who died on the cross and rose again. He was the source of all wealth, power and victory. As a resurrected Savior, Jesus Alone promised those following Him a glorious resurrection body. His divine power was manifested in His own resurrection and His divine authority as King of Heaven provided power to accomplish all He promised. When we hold the world view of being a heavenly citizen, we can eagerly await our coming King and Savior and the transformation He promises. We live following His example in righteousness and holiness by faith in Jesus.
As you consider your own world view, what country or culture do you consider yourself as belonging? How does your world view affect your attitudes and actions and daily habits? Are you currently eagerly awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ and His promised transformation?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for adopting me into Your forever family and making me a citizen of heaven. I am increasingly more aware that I do not belong to this world system but am just passing through. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today and give me open doors to share about Jesus, King of Heaven! Amen.
Unity and humble service
Scripture reading for September 3: Philippians 2
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross.” Philippians 2:1-8
A great key to living a life that pleases God is to find unity with Christ and His followers. Paul understood the basics of building unity were found in Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Jesus was motivated by a deep love for God and those created in His image. He chose to only do what the Father desired, so that He and the Father were One. He gave up personal privilege and comfort as God’s Son to take on human flesh and suffering temptation like all other men, but without sin. He then willingly gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for all mankind that the penalty of sin would be paid for.
When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will lead us in unity with God the Father and Jesus. He will give us a heart of love for God and mankind. He will help us to focus on what pleases God and best serves those in His image. We begin to value others higher than ourselves and look out for their highest good. We become servants of God on behalf of others, sharing with them the Gospel in loving actions and words of truth. We put God and Christ first and unity is the byproduct of humble hearts that follow Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
How does Paul’s call to humble service and imitating Jesus clash with the world view of our culture? Why is there so little unity in our culture and even the church? Do you ever struggle with viewing others as better than yourself, especially those who are themselves proud and conceited?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for sometimes lacking true humility towards others who may be proud and disobedient. Help me to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace as I serve You by loving them and serving them. Thank You for the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit in me. Amen.
Advancing the Gospel!
Scripture reading for September 2: Philippians 1
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear. Some indeed, preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” Philippians 1:12-18
Paul found himself in prison in Rome and was writing to the church at Philippi that he had founded. The church was concerned for him and supported him with generous offerings. Paul explained to them that his imprisonment was all part of God’s masterplan to advance the Gospel. While in prison, Paul had opportunity to share the Good News with the imperial guard that was keeping him. His imprisonment and good attitude while there had taught by example the brothers to continue to preach boldly and not fear what might happen. Paul viewed his imprisonment as God placing him where there was a need to advance the Good News and cheerfully accepted his assignment.
While imprisoned, word came of others preaching the Gospel with selfish motives. They considered themselves as rivals of Paul and his missions company. Paul’s imprisonment was a chance for them to accuse him of being out of God’s will and a criminal and gain an advantage in followers. But Paul’s attitude was not to speak evil against them, but to rejoice that the Gospel was being proclaimed and producing fruit for eternal life. His attitude was one of rest in Christ Jesus and the victory of the cross!
As a believer, have you ever complained about circumstances that resulted in suffering or inconvenience? How does Paul’s world view expand your understanding of God’s plan and purpose? Is the advancement of the Gospel a priority in your life?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening up my world view to see a bigger picture when things don’t go as I planned. Help me to keep a good attitude that inspires faith and courage in others when I go through trials. Use everything in my life experience to further the advance of the Gospel. Amen.
Bondservants of Christ
Scripture reading for September 1: Ephesians 6
“Bondservants, obey your earthy masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him.” Ephesians 6:5-9
Slavery was a part of the Roman culture in the early days of the Church. There were masters who owned slaves and treated them as property to be used and abused. When a slave came to Christ, repenting of sin, that slave was made ‘free’ from the bondage of sin and its penalty, eternal death. However, they still were under their masters here on earth. They did have a new Master, Jesus Christ, Who they now served as they did their jobs in slavery. Paul sought to help them understand that God called them to submission to their earthly master and serving him from the heart. By serving their earthly masters with a good attitude and faithfulness, they would reflect their true Master, Jesus Christ.
Paul went on to instruct those in the church who were slave masters. They were to treat their slaves with fear and trembling and respect for their unique personhood. They were not to be abusive or threatening towards them. As believers, all have the same Master, Jesus Christ, Who will reward each person without showing partiality. It is interesting to note these instruction on humility, serving, submitting are calling all to be bondservants. A bondservant was one who willingly gave themselves to the master for life. Both slaves and masters in that culture were now to consider themselves ‘bondslaves’ of Jesus Christ!
How does this teaching about slaves and masters fit with your current world view? How did Jesus model the life of a bondslave in obeying His Father? Are you applying this teaching in the workplace today where God has placed you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your instructions on humility, joyful serving, and becoming a bondslave of You. As a son now adopted into Your forever family, through the Holy Spirit I desire to be used each day as one freely given to serve You and others. May I please You each day in word and deed. Amen.
“Awake, O Sleeper!”
Scripture reading for August 29: Ephesians 5
“. . . for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:8-16
Paul was concerned that there were those among the believers who were still walking in darkness. This darkness took the form of sexual immorality, covetousness and impurity. There was filthy talk and crude joking. Paul plainly explained that God’s wrath would come on all living in disobedience and none living habitually in those sins would inherit God’s glorious kingdom. (Ephesians 5:3-6) These people were asleep in their flesh and under God’s wrath.
The proper way to live was one of positive action. Believers should study the Word of God and discern what was pleasing to God and live that way. They should reflect God’s light to those in darkness and expose their lives of disobedience through holy living. They should call those who were asleep spiritually to “wake up” and rise from the dead! Christ’s love was shining a light on their slumber deeds of darkness when instead Christ desired to reflect His light through their repentance and faith. Believers were called to carefully examine their walk and make the most of their time on earth. In days of evil, they were to reflect the light of Jesus Christ and God’s goodness.
As you evaluate your own life, would you say that you were asleep in sin or actively living a holy life pleasing to God? Would our Father God be able to use your life to shine a light on those now asleep? What is one thing that you might do to make the most of your time on earth?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for waking up those sleeping in darkness by shining the light of Your Word through Your committed followers. Give me discernment daily to choose to do that which pleases You and exposes and drives out darkness. I proclaim with You: “Awake, O sleep, rise from the dead!” Amen.
Off with the old! On with the new!
Scripture reading for August 28: Ephesians 4
“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!–assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:17-24
Paul wrote plainly to the Ephesian converts about the process of transformation from pagan Gentile to righteous ‘new creation’ in Christ. It can be summed up by “off with the old and on with the new.” In their former lives as Gentiles, the church members were living in darkness because of ignorance and hard hearts that mark those outside of God’s family. Their lives were ‘futile’, that is without meaning or real purpose. Their hearts were callous and hardened to God and others because of selfishness and greed that marked their thinking and actions. Impurity was a way of life that alienated them from the life of God and set them up for judgment. This way of living must be put off like an old set of dirty clothes.
Believers who repent and put off the old man must now choose to clothe themselves with the ‘new man’. We renew our minds by gathering with God’s people to study His Word and learn from others how to live victoriously by faith. This new creation self is hungry for righteousness and holiness, reflecting the Holy Spirit from God Who is now leading us. As we consistently renew our minds and allow God’s grace to transform us, we reflect the likeness of God in ever-increasing measure.
How have you experienced this process of transformation from living in futility to a life of hope and joy? How do you seek to renew your mind each day? Do you feel that you have successfully taken off your old set of spiritual ‘clothes?’ What might you take off today in response to God’s Word?
Prayer: Father God, lead me daily by the Holy Spirit to remove any clinging ‘old clothes’ and to become fully ‘clothed’ with the Spirit of God. Use me to help others in the renewing of their minds through teaching and preaching Your Word. Amen.