260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 171 - Colossians 3: A Higher Calling

Now Paul turns from truths about God to the application of these truths. Yep – it’s the “So What” part of his letter, or in more current terms, “here’s an app for that!” “Since then…” – Because Jesus is enough, because Jesus is God, because Jesus is before and above ALL things, then we are called to “…set your hearts on things above……..Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” And how do we do this? At least 3 ways: 1) “Put to death whatever belongs to your sinful nature…” – The way we used to live before Jesus came into our lives is to end. Kill it! Take off the old self and put on the new self 2) “…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Taking off the old and putting on the new involves changes in our attitudes! We are also to bear with and forgive each other! 3) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” – Unity & peace, not competition & comparison are to come first now. Then Paul explains how this works itself out in relationships: Wives to husbands, children to parents, fathers to children, slaves to masters – all in appropriate submission & obedience as “It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” SO WHAT?! *During this past week, have our minds been on “things above” or have they been on things below? Earning money to buy something? A vacation? Etc… God wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds! Let’s ask Him to help us to daily refocus our attention towards Him! *What did you clothe yourself with this morning? Hopefully something (he, he)! Seriously, we take time each day to pick out what we physically wear, but what do we clothe ourselves with spiritually each day? How about putting a sign in your closet that says this: “Don’t leave spiritually naked today – clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience!” I’ll bet it will help!