Today’s readings.. Deuteronomy 33&34, Isaiah 6, Colossians 3&4
Paul writes in a very challenging way to the Colossians; he spells out very plainly that the pathway in following Christ is the very opposite to the pathways of those whose way of life leaves Christ and God out of account; their way of life becomes increasingly tragic especially if they believe there is no God – and therefore reject there is any need of a Saviour. When Paul tells the Colossian believers, “for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” [Ch. 3 v.3] he means that believers have ‘died’ to the appreciation of the things that the ungodly see as valuable and important in their lives.
Paul tells them to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth” [v.2] The things “above” will become a wonderful reality “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” [v.4] In setting our minds on the things that are above, that are not earthly or fleshly, Paul tells them that the result is that you “put to death … what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness” [v.5]
Our world is increasingly full of this; so many are now spending their lives thirsting to possess the next clever invention; spiritual considerations find no place at all in their thinking. Paul says “on account of these the wrath of God is coming” [v.6] and it came upon Colossae long ago as it did on so many other ancient cities.
What fate awaits the cities of today at God’s hands we can only ponder in apprehension – and we will tremble to think about this all the more as we will read soon the long term prophecies God gave through Isaiah.
Our aim must be that, having “put off the old self” [v.9], we “put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” [v.10] It is an ongoing process of renewal in becoming more and more like Christ. May we all make some progress each day, our daily reading of the Bible is a foundation factor in this renewal of knowledge.
