I didn't
pick a specific verse to highlight this week. This entire chapter deals with
relationships: our relationship with Christ, ourselves, our immediate family,
and others. You can read it through to get Paul's points, but here are some
things that stand out to me.
Paul
commands:
Root out selfishness. He deals directly with sexual sin and our minds, which can
harbor evil thoughts (see last week's post about our hearts, not just our
actions.) These specific sins are born out of a desire for our needs and wants
to be fulfilled first. A selfish heart leads to selfish behavior and sometimes
destruction.
Avoid greed.
Closely related to selfishness, greed is like "worshipping idols."
There are a lot of things we get greedy about...not just money. Things like
more time or attention from a friend or spouse. A better job. Enviable
positions. Stuff. Experiences. Some of these wants become the motivator of our
lives and we step on others in the process of getting them.
Get rid of
anger. Anger poisons us. It manifests when our desires are met with obstacles.
That person who gets in the way when you are in a hurry. That piece of
technology (source of temptation for me) that doesn't quite work right. That
project that takes up so much of your time. But that may mean we have idolized
all those other things instead.
Avoid lying.
Paul reminds the Colossians they have given up their "old life,"
which may have been characterized at least somewhat by deceitfulness. Lying is
such an easy trap to fall into in small ways, and sometimes big ways. Now,
there is a place for discretion, and you don't have to share everything in the
name of honesty. But there is way to life with integrity, where your words and
life match up (most of the time--none of us is perfect) and we don't try to hide
the truth.
Verse 10 is
the motivator...the foundation. "Each of you is now a new person. You are
becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand Him
better." CEV
HE is in us
and provides the strength to live in this new way. It's not through willpower.
It is Christ.
He loves.
He forgives.
He bears
with others.
He responds
in gentleness rather than anger.
He trusts
instead of worries.
We can't do
it, or live it, on our own. Nor should we try.
Print This
|
Posts
