Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Colossians 3-4 and Psalm 147

Yesterday we reflected on how Colossians 1-2 reveals the glories of Christ our Lord and what He has accomplished for us, His beloved people. We were encouraged to think, throughout the day, about how we could more fully reveal the glory of Jesus Christ in every action and interaction. Today, Colossians 3-4 helps us to understand what that might look like in our lives.

If we are to reveal the glory of Christ, first and foremost we will have to make Him the focus of our hearts and minds. We are instructed to: “(S)et your hearts on things above, where Christ is … Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (3:1-2). And then, inspired by the glory of Christ, we are to take off – like filthy clothes – all the actions and attitudes that do not reflect His glory. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language – none of these are reflections of Christ’s nature and character, and so they should have no place in our lives (3:5-9). Instead, we are to clothe ourselves in the beautiful and Christlike qualities of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, peace and love (3:10-15).

It’s important to remember that the power to be transformed in our behaviour does not come from the human self. Yes, we have to decide and resolve to make the necessary changes. But the power comes from the Holy Spirit. The Christlike life is a Spirit-fuelled life, and the Spirit’s presence within us is strengthened by the disciplines of sitting under the teaching of God’s Word, the mutual admonition of Christian fellowship, worship (3:16) and prayer (4:2-3).

Life application: Pick just one negative behaviour to focus on deliberately “taking off”, and one positive, Christlike quality to focus on adding to your life like a set of new clothes.