Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Colossians 3 puts a lot of emphasis on the role we play in the production of the Spirit’s Fruit. While the fruit is always a product of our relationship with Christ Jesus as Lord, and of the power of the Holy Spirit at work to trabsform us, we still participate in that production. As we have seen, one role we play is to deepen our relationship with Jesus (our “abiding”). Today’s passage highlights a few other ways we can cooperare with the Spirit.

First, we are very intentionally to set our hearts and minds on the person of Jesus and His Kingdom priorities (v.1-3).

Secondly, like a set of old, dirty clothes that is taken off and cast away, we are to take off the practices that belong to our old life and destroy them (v.5-9). While the image in Colossias 3:9 suggests a once-off moment of “undressing” from the this old way of living, experience shows us that in reality it is more of a lifetime of ongoing repentance.

Thirdly, like a beautiful set of clean clothing, we are to “put on” the practices that will manifest the beauty and glory of Christ (v.9-15). It seems to me that this is a clear call to “work out” the fruit of the Spirit in our lives through making a concentrated effort to display them outwardly. As the Spirit powers their production from the inside, so we are to make the choices of our own will that will enhance their production outwardly.

To give just one practical example of how this might work: As I intentionally spend time with Jesus and set my heart and mind on His kindness as displayed in Scripture, I will be moved by the deep compassion He showed for others who were suffering. As I set my mind on contemplating ways I could display the same kind of kindness, I may think of someone down the road who has recently had an operation and lives alone. I may feel the Holy Spirit moving me inwardly to cook them a meal, take it around, and offer to pray for them. My old Christ-less life will try to resurrect itself through pointing out the cost to me in time, effort and money (or even the way that neighbour has snubbed me in the past). I will need to call on the power of the Holy Spirit to help me put that thought to death, to help me deliberately to take off my old selfishness, and to empower me to cook a brilliant, Jesus-glorifying meal. And finally, I will need to put into action the decision I have made to put on the new life of Christ and do the actual physical work of cooking and delivering the meal, opening my mouth and offering to pray.

Can you see how this Christian life is a beautiful partnership between us and the Holy Spirit? What a blessing!

Holy Spirit, empower me today to see the glory of Jesus, to take off all my old practices that do not glorify Him, to intentionally and actively put on the “clothing” of the actions that will display the beauty and glory of Jesus in the world. And all the while change my heart so that I desire more than anything to honour and glorify Jesus with my life. Amen.