Read this: Colossians 3 NLV
The New Life Lived by the Power of Christ
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds thinking about things in heaven. Do not think about things on the earth. 3 You are dead to the things of this world. Your new life is now hidden in God through Christ. 4 Christ is our life. When He comes again, you will also be with Him to share His shining-greatness.
The Old Person Put Aside
5 Destroy the desires to sin that are in you. These desires are: sex sins, anything that is not clean, a desire for sex sins, and wanting something someone else has. This is worshiping a god. 6 It is because of these sins that the anger of God comes down on those who do not obey Him. 7 You used to do these sins when you lived that kind of life. 8 Put out of your life these things also: anger, bad temper, bad feelings toward others, talk that hurts people, speaking against God, and dirty talk. 9 Do not lie to each other. You have put out of your life your old ways. 10 You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you. 11 There is no difference in men in this new life. Greeks and Jews are the same. The man who has gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew and the one who has not are the same. There is no difference between nations. Men who are servants and those who are free are the same. Christ is everything. He is in all of us.
12 God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. 13 Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. 14 And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. 15 Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful.
16 Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God. 17 Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.
Think about it: After reading this scripture, think about how these few passages relate to what we talked about last night at POP in Ephesians 4. If you weren't with us last night, go ahead and read Ephesians 4:21-32.
How does Colossians 3 relate to Ephesians 4 and what are some important aspects of both?
How do both of these scriptures say we should be like as Christians and essentially women of God?
If you have a minute, take some time to reflect on these questions and what God said through Paul in both of the chapters of the Bible.
Also, if you have another translation of this scripture, try reading it too to get a good understanding of what is being said.
Now, ask yourself the question, "Am I living out Epehsians 4 and Colossians 3?" Why or why not?
Pray about it: Ask God to show you what you need to change in your life in order to truly follow him and to know him fully. Meditate on the things he has pointed out to you to change and ask him to show you how to change. Thank God in any way you can. Praise him for who he is. Finally, know that God has created each of us to serve him. Ask him to show you how you can use the things you read about in Ephesians and Colossians to serve His Kingdom.
Live it: The challenge continues... Work on that one thing that you know is keeping you from having a right relationship with God. Is it praying more? Reading your Bible more? Is it being more thankful? Is it showing compassion to others? Or is it just falling down on your knees and asking Christ to be your savior?
Live today knowing that you are loved by an Almighty King... The maker and ruler of all creation. He loved you so much that he sent Christ... His only son... To come to us here on earth and live a life just like us... Tempted by deceitful desires... But yet he remained without sin and conquered death after being crucified on the cross for our sins.
He did a lot for you and me. What can you do to serve him?
As a heir of the kingdom of God I pray that this week you will walk in his ways and practice living for him.
Love you girls!
Have a marvelous Monday afternoon!
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