A challenge for you today
A challenge for you today: The apostle Paul challenges us to prove what we claim
This has been a difficult week, full of challenges. Some of them were curved balls, coming when they were the least expected. Some though, were challenges based on things I did, which I should not have. As always, Paul’s writings challenge us to a better life, leaving behind that which does not fit the bill when compared to God’s standards for us. He writes this as a challenge to the church in Colossae:
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4
To understand the text, first read the entire letter. It is short and should take no more than 15 minutes to read.
Paul tells the members of the church that as they have received Jesus as Lord and Saviour (Colossians 2:6), they should walk in Him – doing what He would have wanted them to do. He then explains what he means. First, the new believer is rooted in Jesus Christ, and He is their foundation. He spends chapter two giving examples of just how we are rooted in Christ. The most important is that we have been forgiven:
13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. – Colossians 2:13-15
We have indeed been made alive in Him (quickened) and have been forgiven whatever we have done wrong (trespasses), wiping them out completely (blotting out), taking them on Himself (nailing it to the cross). Jesus also overcame (triumphing) the power of evil. Then Paul tells them not to allow anyone to take away from them that they have gained by getting them to follow sets of rules again. He notes how the Colossians seem to be dragged back to their old ways. Then he sets them a challenge:
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4
He first says that if they are really believers and have been risen to life by Christ, then they are to focus on the things which are in heaven, where Jesus now is seated. He tells them again not to focus on earthly things. Because we have died in ourselves, our lives are hidden with Jesus. This reminds me of the same idea he shares with the Galatian church:
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
How often do we forget this incredible truth! We are no longer alone and exposed but have the power to overcome because we are in Christ! The sinful nature has been done away with.
When Paul says we are to set our affections on things above and not on the Earth, does he mean that we should stop living a meaningful life? Not in the least, but what he does warn us of is to kill off (mortify – Colossians 3:5) those things which do not benefit our spiritual walk at all, and which Jesus definitely does not condone – fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (sexual desire), covetousness, (Colossians 3:5) anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and lying (Colossians 3:8).
We can live our lives purposefully in Christ by doing other things that oppose the above, which are all negative. Instead of these, we should clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing, and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-13). He continues with more examples of positive virtues – peace, thankfulness, submission, love, obedience, doing all of this for God and not for people (Colossians 3:23).
Let us get back to the challenge: if you have been made alive in Christ, then do not do the things that will not stand in the presence of God. The negative things mentioned here are all man-centred and are selfish. The positive things are focused on those around us and instead of being selfish, these actions require us to often relinquish our own desires. Colossians 3:18-19 come to mind as areas that really require you to bite the bullet sometimes!
If you have been made alive in Christ, then kill off those things that are earthly and self-centred, and clothe yourself with the new man (Colossians 3:9-10 – see one of our previous articles, “What Coat are You Wearing?”).
Killing off those things which do not fit with our testimony is often hard. It seems easier to just lash out at someone for something they did to you, than to turn away from the conflict and just let it go. The sad thing is that long after the incident, the other person may have forgotten about it but you are still saddled with the sin you committed. This is something we must work on every day. Try to anticipate possible conflict situations and avoid them if possible. Where it is not possible, think with the mind of Christ, which we have:
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:16
Conclusion
Think back on the many times you failed last week, where situations arose that showed that you were not seeking the things above but were rather indulging in earthly pleasures. Confess them in prayer and ask for forgiveness. Remove the old coat you are wearing and clothe yourself with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Then move on, keep your head up, and continue seeking the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God the Father.
Are you ready for the challenge?