New Life

"If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.

So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),

Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].

But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!

Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerated) self with its evil practices,

And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

[In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man: but Christ is all and in all [everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."

Colossians 3:1-17 AMP

 With three teenagers, one almost teenager, and a mother in the house, there are a lot of hormonal and chemical changes taking place on a regular basis around here.  Just making it through another day often feels like a major accomplishment lately.  We love God with all our hearts, but we are still very, very, well...real.  So were the Puritans.  Our read aloud times have been about the tendency of the Puritans to follow a self-destructive cycle of sin.  They would become complacent spiritually, suffer grave hardship, repent, experience grace and mercy, be faithful, then gradually become complacent all over again.  Time after time, just like Biblical Israel, the Puritans and other settlers followed a pattern of sin. 

As I sat alone before the Lord, I found myself asking Him about possible sin in my life.  Knowing how "real"  I am, I wanted to know specific sins. After reading of the Puritans and their trials, I didn't want to wait until the consequences of sin showed up before bowing my heart and repenting.  Obeying an inner prompting, I began to read the above verses from Colossians chapter three.  Verse six was the first verse I read "It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience..."  But what are these sins?  Verse five explained in full, "all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin".  Now for the soul searching.  "Search me o God and know my heart..." (Psalm 139:23)

One of the things about God that blesses me is how complete He is.  There's nothing lacking in Him.  Everything He does, and says, is complete.  He corrects, then He goes on to instruct in the correct way.  He never leaves me in my sin; He always rescues me and teaches me a new way, the best way, His way.  Colossians 3:8-13 do just that.  

But God doesn't leave me there either.  He does one better.  In verses 14-17, He clearly tells me how to not only live righteously, free from sin, but also how to stay that way "And above all these [put on] love...And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him."  

Thanks God.  I needed that.  How desperately I needed these words of Yours today.  Even as I sit here typing I find myself pausing to put away and rid myself of these things which anger You: the anger, the bad feelings, the grumpy, testy Mama bear voice.  Yes, Lord, I long to be clothed as Your own picked representative.  Behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, gentle ways, and patience, oh my yes, let's not forget the patience.  I need to be gentle and forbearing, and above all...above all...love must be put on.  And here it comes Lord; here it comes, the hymn, the spiritual song winging its way up and out of my heart. 

 I hear the sound of a life made new.  

It's the sound of redemption for me and for you.

It's calling out loud, so sweet and so strong.

Won't you come and sing, sing the song?

It's a song of deliverance, of healing, of power

Of lives made brand new, withered souls brought to flower

There's beauty and grace and forgiveness for all

Won't you run and come, heed the call?

It's the call of the Savior, He's calling your name.

He loves you; He made you; He's always the same

His love never changes, never fades, never leaves

Won't you let Him embrace You, and answer your need?

No need is so great that it cannot be met

No hurt is so deep healing won't heal, and yet,

The Lord is so gentle, so good and so kind,

He'll wait for you to want Him, before saying "You're Mine"

It's getting louder, the song's being sung

By all generations, both the old and the young

He's coming to get those who've made Him their Lord

Won't you come and accept and ignore Him no more?