Reading Plan:
Colossians 3

Our Thoughts:
The Bible uses many illustrations to explain what happens when a person chooses to follow Jesus as Lord. As we see here in Paul’s letter to believers in Colossae, death is a common theme used to describe this moment. There is a kind of death that has to occur in order for a person to experience life in Christ. Paul says in verse 3, “you have died” and in verse 1, “you have been raised with Christ.”
Death to sin. Death to self. Death to selfish ambition and desire. Death to what once was, so that what can be will be experienced. The call to death in following Christ is really the promise of new life, because the great things that God intends for you to experience cannot be found when we cling to our life and desires. Jesus said that one has to be “born again” (John 3:3). John the Baptist said, “I must decrease so that he might increase” (John 3:30). John Calvin put it this way, “No one can rise again with Christ if he has not at first died with him.” For every follower of Christ, there has to come a spiritual laying down of oneself in order to pick up the new life that Christ offers.
As the Apostle Paul pulls on this theme of spiritual death and new life, there are three commands that he gives to explain the change that takes place in a person as result.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, SEEK THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. Another translation uses the phrase “set your hearts on the things that are above.” In our present culture and time, the heart of a person tends to carry the imagery of the seat of emotion or desire. However, for the Apostle Paul and his original audience, the idea of a person’s heart meant a reflection of their priorities or the motives from which actions are born. New life in Christ not only changes the things you desire or crave but the things that you actively pursue. A life that is born in Christ pursues the things that will have an eternal impact. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
“SET YOUR MINDS ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2. It’s not just our actions but our very thoughts that go through a transformation in this spiritual resurrection. Paul implores his readers in many different instances to practice dwelling on the things of God. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8. What your mind dwells and thinks on will be what you act on.
Lastly, Paul says, “PUT TO DEATH therefore what is earthly in you...” Colossians 3:5a. Our hearts, our heads, and our hands are all renewed in Christ. However, this renewing isn’t completed overnight. It happens as a part of a process of following Jesus closely through the ups and downs of life.

More Questions:
Are there actions or habits that you need to “put to death” in order to more closely follow Jesus?
What can you do this week to build a habit of thinking on the things of God?

Prayer:
Lord thank you for new life and for transformation. Often times there is pain and discomfort in the laying down of self and selfish desires, but the joy that is found in you is far greater. Open my eyes to the desires, thoughts, and actions that keep me from experiencing you fully.

Author: Kyle Warren