A New Identity
Living a New Life
Colossians 3:1-17
“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
What does it mean to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus? This is the fundamental question we all must answer. For some, it means going to church on Sunday and being a member of a local church. For others, it involves engaging in the social problems confronting our society. For others, being a Christian is about following religious rules and regulations. While there are some elements of truth in each of these statements, Paul paints a different picture. Being a follower of Christ involves a complete and radical shift in our worldview and understanding of life itself. Before Christ, our focus is on this world. We focus on our career goals, financial security, and desire for stability and safety for our family. However, Paul changes the narrative. To be a follower of Christ is to reorient our whole thought process and how we think. Instead of focusing on the present and the priorities of this world, we are to focus on the eternal and the priorities of heaven. It is a complete change in our thinking.
This begins by recognizing that we are no longer to live by the morality and values of this world. Our culture is enamored with money, success, sexuality, and pleasure (vs. 5). Instead of bringing peace and purpose to life, these things ultimately bring destruction and division within the world (vs. 8). These priorities are great distractions. They distract us from the pursuit of the important to the pursuit of the insignificant.
To put on the mind of Christ is to prioritize purity over immorality, the identity of Christ over our earthy identity, and the importance of relationships and compassion over personal pride and greed. We are to recognize that our identity is not found in our status, our sexuality, or anything else. Our identity is to be found only in the image of God, in whose image we were created. This is the foundation of our purpose. Instead of seeing our image in the values of this world, we are to find our image and identity in Christ. We are to strive to reflect His character. This involves loving and forgiving others unconditionally, just as Christ has forgiven us (vs. 13). Instead of holding a grudge against someone, we are to love our enemies. Instead of demanding our rights, we place unity above our self-interest (vs 14-16).
To have the mind of Christ is to bring every action, every thought, every word under the umbrella of our obedience to Christ and our desire to reflect Him. To walk with Christ is to be like Christ and do everything to please Him in every way, for this is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-17
“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
What does it mean to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus? This is the fundamental question we all must answer. For some, it means going to church on Sunday and being a member of a local church. For others, it involves engaging in the social problems confronting our society. For others, being a Christian is about following religious rules and regulations. While there are some elements of truth in each of these statements, Paul paints a different picture. Being a follower of Christ involves a complete and radical shift in our worldview and understanding of life itself. Before Christ, our focus is on this world. We focus on our career goals, financial security, and desire for stability and safety for our family. However, Paul changes the narrative. To be a follower of Christ is to reorient our whole thought process and how we think. Instead of focusing on the present and the priorities of this world, we are to focus on the eternal and the priorities of heaven. It is a complete change in our thinking.
This begins by recognizing that we are no longer to live by the morality and values of this world. Our culture is enamored with money, success, sexuality, and pleasure (vs. 5). Instead of bringing peace and purpose to life, these things ultimately bring destruction and division within the world (vs. 8). These priorities are great distractions. They distract us from the pursuit of the important to the pursuit of the insignificant.
To put on the mind of Christ is to prioritize purity over immorality, the identity of Christ over our earthy identity, and the importance of relationships and compassion over personal pride and greed. We are to recognize that our identity is not found in our status, our sexuality, or anything else. Our identity is to be found only in the image of God, in whose image we were created. This is the foundation of our purpose. Instead of seeing our image in the values of this world, we are to find our image and identity in Christ. We are to strive to reflect His character. This involves loving and forgiving others unconditionally, just as Christ has forgiven us (vs. 13). Instead of holding a grudge against someone, we are to love our enemies. Instead of demanding our rights, we place unity above our self-interest (vs 14-16).
To have the mind of Christ is to bring every action, every thought, every word under the umbrella of our obedience to Christ and our desire to reflect Him. To walk with Christ is to be like Christ and do everything to please Him in every way, for this is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
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The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
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Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
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