Steering Your Life

Life slows down when you are sick. I sure wish it was the other way. Anyway, here is the next set of notes from my study on the book of Colossians. Just as a side note, I used the Life Application Commentary for the definitions given throughout today's reading.

Colossians 3:1-17

I love the title given to this section of Scripture by the NIV, "Rules for Holy Living." Notice that at the end of my last set of notes that I said, "Rules and laws are necessary to reveal sin." Rules and laws are also necessary in developing spiritual habits in our lives to help us live by God's standards. I on numerous occasions quoted from this passage over the 14 years I have been in ministry and today I get to share it again. Look, advanced warning - THIS PASSAGE STEPS ON TOES! You may want to put on some steel toed boots...

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

You can tell the difference between a mature Christian, whose life revolves around God, and an immature Christian, whose God comes into view once in a while (usually when they are in trouble). Mature Christians are those who use their life in order to accomplish God's will. Immature Christians use God's will to accomplish the temporary in their life. Those who place God in the center of their lives are the ones who have their hearts set on things above. Those whose life is the center of the universe are the one's trying to build up treasures on earth: treasures that will in time fade away.

Setting our minds on things above doesn't mean we do not take care of ourselves or don't take time to have fun. It means we use our life to prepare us for an eternity with God. We live without regrets and in a manner to care for God's kingdom on earth. Our true rewards come in eternity.

All too often I have heard people say that they do not want to miss out on the fun while they are young enough to have it. Fine, have fun. Just don't miss out on the opportunities God is placing in front of you because of that fun. Earthly things (materials and pursuits) can create a disconnect between us and God if we let them. Centering our focus on the earthly show we are not trusting God fully to care for us.

I am so disconcerted with Christians who live as if they do not have a future awaiting in heaven. They act without in certainty or any faith. They seem so blind and immature in their thinking about God. They lack any inspiration and desire for using their lives to make a difference. This concerned Paul also because he was speaking to Christians when he wrote this.

Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. Colossians 3:6 (NIV)

We died to sin and its power is ineffective because of Christ. Why then do Christians exist in it? Paul says to put to death these sins! That means we are to use the power given from God to rid ourselves of sinful acts and pleasures. Look at this list:

1. sexual immorality - Sex in any form outside the covenant of marriage, between a man and a woman, is immoral. Yes, Mr. Clinton that means that oral sex is immoral outside the confines of marriage. Sexual immorality is rebellion against God's design for our bodies. Immoral acts include any sexual acts (not just intercourse), homosexuality, and adultery (infidelity; cheating; even entertaining it constantly as a thought).
2. impurity - crude behavior or insensitivity in sexual matters. For example, improper jokes, language, and views of sex
3. Lust - this is improper sexual impulses in someone that deny moral judgment. Lust is a major driver of evil passions in molesters, rapists, and others who do such unspeakable evils!
   
4. evil desires - this is a shameful desire to want what others have. There is a want for the sinister and vile in order to please one's own desires. Doing it because they know it is wrong is an evil desire.
5. greed (idolatry is attached) - the need to get more than one deserves and doesn't necessarily have to be sexual in nature. Tiger Woods fell in this area of his life. People in this sin are relentless because it is all about self.

Just these five sinful areas are more than enough to bring the wrath of God. Christians are not to have anything to do with them. We have the power to overcome them and to make the decision to run from them!

Look at this list of areas Christians can do without in order to refocus on God:

• anger - hate only creates more hate. Anger feeds lusts and desires.
• rage - once enacted, it is hard to turn off or control. Don't go there! Peace never emerges from the aftermath of rage. Let peace rule your heart!
  
• malice - is a deliberate attempt to harm others (even when others are being good to you). Malice is a relationship destroyer and there is an evil influence behind it - Beware of the wiles of Satan!
• slander - beyond gossip! This is a purpose filled attempt to ruin someone and is usually a tool of revenge. Malice emerges from this one!
• filthy language - crude talk, abrasive language and expletives. Such language makes a person seem unintelligent. Besides, filthy language demeans the beauty of communication
• don't lie to each other - Jesus came with the truth - a truth to set people free. Should we give any less? Why bind up a relationship by destroying trust? Don't lie!

We are a new creation! Can you imagine controlling these behaviors? Wouldn't others look at us differently if we rid ourselves of these things? I'm just saying. I have lost friends because of my choice to follow Jesus. Imagine that! It hurts but it shows me how much they valued my friendship - they didn't need me to be a friend. They needed me only to confirm their lifestyle.

Christ doesn't see a difference in us. We all have need of Him and neither culture nor society is an excuse to allow damaging habits to remain in our lives. Jesus sees beyond:

• racial or national distinctions
• religious distinctions
  
• cultural distinctions
• and economic or social distinctions

The Alternative

The alternative is God's design for our lives because it is a relationship builder. These are all choices we have to make:

• compassion - genuine sympathy or showing mercy for others and their needs (acting on behalf of them - not your ego)
• kindness - being benevolent or being generous with others
• humility - understanding where you stand with God in a manner that doesn't puff you up nor is it self-deprecating
• gentleness - meekness is not a weakness! It is being considerate of others and submissive to God's Word. There is a willingness to give up one's rights for the sake of another
• patience - we all need it but many suffer through it (if you suffer, then it's not patience). Putting up with an irritating person is very difficult but the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to endure!

We all have faults and should understand the faults in others. Remember salvation is a constant work and takes patience and forgiveness on our part. If the Fruit of the Spirit is present in someone, then bearing with their faults is the least we can do for them. Besides, isn't that what Jesus does for us (daily)?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

The crowning glory of our action comes when we act in love - the same love Jesus gave. Love is the way to peace. Our love for God is something to sing about, shout about, and rejoice about in thankfulness. God's Word is for helping others (and you) examine their progress in maturity in faith and allows them to make the necessary corrections needed for continual spiritual growth.

Our whole life should revolve around God, not the other way around. Rules help us refocus our attention on what is really important: our relationship with Christ.

• Multi-layered question today: Where do you stand on this passage and do you need to make some adjustments?