Verse of the Day 2/15

Through the Bible - Isaiah 62-64, Mark 14:27-53

 

Good morning,
Yesterday we considered Christian love, a love "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Cor. 13.

The passage in Colossians speaks of putting on love.  This is something that comes after taking off the old self and our natural desires, the natural selfish ways of our hearts.

 

Reading the passage again in the New Living Translation brought these sobering words to mind  (Col 3:5) "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." NLT

Do you experience times (as I do) when that "old self" rears it's ugly head?  We all have our weaknesses, pick one that you see in the passage or insert your own.  You may seem to be sailing along and all of a sudden something triggers that old nature of anger, rage, or unkind words.  You stop (hopefully) and ask where did that come from?  It was lurking within you.

 

How are we to have the right mindset?  For today's verse we'll go to the beginning of the passage.

 

Col 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.   NIV

The verses point to a transformation, renewing our minds (Rom. 12:1-2) setting them on things above, above the fray.  The image of baptism comes to mind, out with the old and in with the new.  Your life is now hidden in Christ, He is in you and is with you.  We have assurance and a hope that is secure as an anchor (Heb. 6:19) and He can deliver us.   Nonbelievers cannot understand the impact of this. 

 

When that old nature wants to rear its ugly head, don't "put it on", keep it off and put on the new self in the power of Christ, hidden in you.

 

Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.  NLT

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Col 3:1-10
3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3 For you died, and your life is now 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, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  

7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
NIV