Memory – Colossians 2.6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
There are many texts of Scripture that seem to capture just what you may seem to need at some juncture in your life. It is partially for this reason that memorizing a wide variety of biblical verses covering a host of circumstances that you or someone you know are likely to face can be very helpful. Yet, as helpful as this might be there is a caveat of which you ought to be aware. Namely, every text has a context and while you may not necessarily need to memorize the entire context of a Scriptural passage you ought to be aware of its contextual application. Such is the case for this week’s memory verse. Ergo, before you begin to memorize the text read its context in Colossians 2.6 – 3.17. Therein you will find that the apostle Paul is contrasting your new life in Christ with your old life and the influence of worldly peers. It is not merely a matter of what is obviously sinful behavior that is easily identified but there are patterns of behavior that sound very religious and have an appearance of wisdom, but they do not honor Christ (cf. 1 John 4.1-6).
Notice how he compares two worldviews with the repeated reference to putting off the old self with its patterns of living and putting on the new self in Christ. The pattern of these lifestyles is symbolized in the death and resurrection motif. That is, putting off the old self by being buried in baptism and putting on the new self as you are rise to a new life in Christ. That is why Paul encourages you to Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (v3.2). So, put to death therefore what is earthly in you … because you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (vv. 3.5, 9). He summarizes the life of the Christian believer with this admonition: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. … 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 (vv.3.14, 17).
So, with that in mind, stay focused on Christ; be faithful in your devotions; be alert mentally – let the mind of Christ dwell in you. Paul wrote: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, … (Philippians 2.3-6). Do not concern yourself about how much influence you have in and over others; rather, be concerned how deep your roots are in Christ and how you are being conformed to Christ (Galatians 4.19).
Notice how he compares two worldviews with the repeated reference to putting off the old self with its patterns of living and putting on the new self in Christ. The pattern of these lifestyles is symbolized in the death and resurrection motif. That is, putting off the old self by being buried in baptism and putting on the new self as you are rise to a new life in Christ. That is why Paul encourages you to Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (v3.2). So, put to death therefore what is earthly in you … because you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (vv. 3.5, 9). He summarizes the life of the Christian believer with this admonition: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. … 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 (vv.3.14, 17).
So, with that in mind, stay focused on Christ; be faithful in your devotions; be alert mentally – let the mind of Christ dwell in you. Paul wrote: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, … (Philippians 2.3-6). Do not concern yourself about how much influence you have in and over others; rather, be concerned how deep your roots are in Christ and how you are being conformed to Christ (Galatians 4.19).
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