Rules for Living

I'll admit it. I've had trouble the last few years fully setting my heart "on things above." Economic collapse. Politics. Global threats. Etc etc etc. I called it being educated but it's really a mind "set on earthly things" instead of on the "things above." So it's no joke that I need the following encouragement from Paul's letters. 

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,* set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.* 2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.* 3  For you died,* and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ, who is your* life,*appears,* then you also will appear with him in glory.* 

    5  Put to death,* therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:* sexual immorality,* impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,* which is idolatry.* 6  Because of these, the wrath of God* is coming.* 7  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.* 8  But now you must rid yourselves* of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,* and filthy language from your lips.* 9  Do not lie to each other,* since you have taken off your old self* with its practices 10  and have put on the new self,* which is being renewed* in knowledge in the image of its Creator.* 11  Here there is no Greek or Jew,* circumcised or uncircumcised,* barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,* but Christ is all,* and is in all. 

    12  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves* with compassion, kindness, humility,* gentleness and patience.* 13  Bear with each other* and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.* 14  And over all these virtues put on love,* which binds them all together in perfect unity.* 

    15  Let the peace of Christ* rule in your hearts, since as members of one body* you were called to peace.*And be thankful. 16  Let the word of Christ* dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,* and as you sing psalms,* hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.* 17  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

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad mini