Heaven-Bound Perspective
Read Colossians 3:1-17
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
(Colossians 3:5-11)
Reflect
What does it mean to put on the new nature? It means that our conduct should match our faith. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live within us, so that he can shape us into what we should be. He helps us take the right actions. This is a straightforward step that is as simple as putting on clothes.
We must rid ourselves of—take off—all evil practices and immorality and “put on” the new way of living given by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. We will then strive to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice. Jesus gives us power to live for him now, and he gives us hope for the future—he will return.
The Christian’s real home is where Christ lives (John 14:2-3). This truth provides a different perspective on our lives here on earth. We can look at life from God’s perspective and seek what he desires. This provides the antidote to materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take God’s view of them. It also provides the antidote to sensuality. By seeking what Christ desires, we have the power to break our obsession with pleasure and leisure activities. But it also provides the antidote to empty religiosity because following Christ means loving and serving in this world.
Respond
Every Christian is in a continuing education program. The more we know of Christ and his work, the more we are being changed to be like him. Because this process is lifelong, we never stop learning. What is God teaching you now? What are some of the resources he’s provided that aided you in this process?