Devotionals #43, 44, and 45

4/15/2024

Opening Prayer
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Song: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

Devotional #43: "Set Your Minds On Things Above"

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Devotional #43: "Set Your Minds On Things Above"

After Paul’s warnings against the elemental spirits (principles) of the world, he continues to urge the church in Corinth to set their hope in the power of Christ. In Chapter 3:1-4, the language of death and resurrection echoes the idea of our baptism in Christ. We are united with our Savior in both our death and resurrection!

What is new in this picture is the reality that Christ now sits at the right hand of God. If our Savior’s death and resurrection focuses upon our redemption from sins, then His ascension and seating at God’s right hand focuses upon His power and eventual final victory when He returns.

We are reminded to “set our minds on things above,” (Colossians 3:2), knowing that our life is hidden with Christ and in His return we will appear with Him in glory.

Questions

What do most people set their minds on to give “life?”
How can we constantly remind ourselves and others to “seek the things that are above” and “set [our] minds on the things that are above?

Devotional #44: "Where Heaven Meets Earth"

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)

Devotional #44: "Where Heaven Meets Earth"

You may think that “seeking the things that are above” or “setting [our] minds on things above,” means that we forget about the things of this world. Perhaps a heavenly mindset means that we look at the world as an illusion or that we think that the world is so terrible that we stop caring for people.

But the opposite is true! Because our lives are hidden in heaven, we do not look to the world to ultimately give us purpose or meaning. Instead, we can live a life on earth loving well.

When Paul says, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you,” (Colossians 3:5) he is saying two things. (1) A reminder that we have died to the things of this world and that our lives are hidden with Christ. So the charge is simple. Live like you are alive in Jesus because you are! (2) Paul wants us to put to death all the things that relate to immoral living, and to put on all things that relate to Kingdom living.

Question

Why is thinking about Jesus in heaven the only way to love others well?

Devotional #45: "Watch Your Tongue"

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)

Devotional #45: " Watch Your Tongue"

Colossians 3:1-17 amazes the reader when they realize that Paul’s primary argument is simple: Set your minds on things in heaven so you can love each other well! Most would expect that the reason we think about heaven is for “self-actualization,” or to find “inner peace.” Instead Paul not only surprises us by speaking of moral living, but he addresses the most volatile expression of earthly living—our speech. “But now you must put them away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Colossians 3:9).

Christians are known by their speech—their choice of words and how they are expressed. Our speech can only change when we let our minds rest on Christ’s power. Let us learn to rest on Christ and let us continue to grow in speaking words of love.

Question

How are our words related to what’s in our hearts?

*Be encouraged to know that we were not made perfect once we were saved. By God’s grace and through the Holy Spirit we grow in our ability to love as Jesus loves. Pray that you may rest in Jesus alone.

Prayer Time
(Closing prayer by head of household)
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Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.