Colossians 3:1-11 (NRSV)
Read Colossians 3:1-11 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 3So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Verse 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, Verse 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Verse 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Verse 5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). Verse 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. Verse 7These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.
Verse 8But now you must get rid of all such things-anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Verse 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices Verse 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. Verse 11In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Devotion
”Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Paul, of course, is talking about “earthly things” in a negative sense. These are things that draw our attention away from our relationship with Christ, not so much the “earthly things” that are required for our day-to-day existence. Food, shelter and companionship are all worthy and important in their own right. The Holy One in Heaven knows that you need these things, as Jesus once pointed out.
This is meant to be a freeing word. There is no more anxious searching for that which will provide life, because life in all its fullness is provided by God…and it is free. So just for a minute, right now, set aside the fact that your front lawn needs mowing, your car’s oil needs a change, your Facebook status needs to be updated, and your desk is overflowing. Just for a minute, set your mind on Christ and on the love and new life that you have there.
Prayer
Creator of All, you have made me a creature of the earth, yet you have called me to a higher realm. Even as I live in the midst of material things, open my eyes and my heart so that I may always see you present. Let my earthly life reflect your heavenly priorities. Amen.