Reassurance

I do not post on Sundays because it is just too much for me to do along with worship at my Church, but I do a bit of study before we leave and I was in Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV).  The title of that section of my translation is “Put on the New Self”.  As I read this section I was filled with reassurance and hope

This is a very humbling passage for me.  It speaks to the actions that I need to take… always…  It speaks to setting aside the desires of the flesh and setting my eyes on Christ Jesus always…  I read this passage and I had to ask myself, “Am I doing this faithfully?”.  But I find reassurance in it because of the way Paul sets me to thinking.  It fills me with peace and hope.

Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV)

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. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But 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 with its practices 10 and 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, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Closer Look (verse 1-4)

Just thinking about verses 1-4 is humbling.  With my commitment to Christ Jesus, He has changed me from the inside out.  I know this…

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. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1-4)

As I consider this I know I fall short daily.  Those moments when I act based on what I want.  Those times when selfishness takes the lead.  I can tell myself that the actions are not as bad as they were years ago, but that is not the metric…  Jesus is the metric.

Closer Look (verses 5-9)

Verse 5-9 are where reality kicks in for me…

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But 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 with its practices

I read through verses 5-7 and I think…  Yes, I am still tempted with distractions regarding this list, and God has shown me an out that I take when tempted…  but then I get to verse 8-9 and realize these still have some ways to go.

8 But 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 with its practices

“But now you must put them all away”.  Paul did not say some or most of the time he said ALL.  And you know as I look at this list I am reminded that I must not do these to others ever…  but I must also not do them to myself.

It is easy to become angry or frustrated with myself as much as it is to do so with someone else.  But the easiest thing to do is lie to myself.  It is easy to convince myself that I am doing the right thing…  Treating people the right way.  But even as I write these words I am filled with a need for repentance.  Sometimes I feel I victimize myself most often.  How thankful I am that the grace of God also has given me the gift of repentance.

Psalm 139: 23-24

This passage sent me to Psalms and I was hit with this phrase “Break my Heart for What Breaks Yours”.  From Hosanna by Hillsong United.  I also did a search in Psalms and found this passage…

Psalms 139:23-24 (ESV)

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)

I stopped and prayed that passage… and found such comfort in it; not that my heart was pure, but that God gave me the path to give these thoughts and temptations to Him through repentance.

What a gift I have been given.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

I then went further in Colossians with verses 12-17

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. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let 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. ¹⁷ 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.

When I read these words, I am lifted.  There is a joy that melts away doubt and fear.  There is this desire to give it all to Christ Jesus and hold fast to him…

Verse 12

Just look at verse 12

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

What a blessed gift this is.  Through Christ Jesus sacrifice I am given a new heart.  I am given the gift to set aside my old self and put on a “compassionate heart”.   Why would I not take that and make it my own?

Closing Thoughts

I kind of got stuck on verse 17

¹⁷ 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.

Again, Paul says “EVERYTHING” not most things or some things… EVERYTHING.

I give thanks for God’s Holy Word.  I am overcome with joy and purpose.

Prayer

Lord God forgive me for those moments when I am tempted and distracted by the adversary.  Forgive me when my focus shifts from You to the things of this world.  Father thank you for your Holy Word.  Thank you for touching my heart with the very thing I need every moment of every day…

Father,

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen