Rules for Holy Living // Day 19
Colossians 3:1-4 (New International Version)
Rules for Holy Living
1 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[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Application
“Since then, you have been raised with Christ…” Today is a carryover from yesterday’s reading. It is important to remember that when Paul wrote to the Colossians, he was not writing a book with chapters and verses. He was writing a letter. Remembering this makes it easier to see his stream of thought. Yesterday we read, “since you died,” and today we read, “since then you have been raised.” Again, just take some time to think about what Paul is saying and if these words are true of your life.
Paul gives us some directives for daily living within this passage. “Set your heart on things above…[and] set your mind on things above.” He is thinking head and heart, the whole being. We are in this world and we can get wrapped up in the gloom of everyday life if our minds get trapped into thinking about what “we have to do to make it through today.” Paul says think about the things of God, set your mind on higher things and be full of joy in knowing that you will appear “with Him in glory.”
Single out some times during the day where you get bogged down and where you know you are distracted from thinking about the things above (i.e. The Monday afternoon staff meeting where the work of the week is piled up too high) and write those down. Write out some specific ways that you can focus your mind and your heart on things above and on the life that you have in Christ. Journaling about the steps you are going to take in a positive direction will give you some markers to check your growth. As you return to these places where you’ve written specifics, you can measure how well you are doing in an area and make corrections as needed.
Do You Submit to Its Rules // Day 18
Colossians 2:20-23 (New International Version)
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Application
“Since you died with Christ…” Just let those words sink in a little. Paul assumes something of the Colossian believers (as well as us): Together with Christ, we have died to something. Specifically, we have died to the old self, and the law, and the constant striving of that nature to be good enough.
Paul is offering a reminder of freedom here. You died with Christ and are no longer subject to spinning your wheels in an effort to “do enough good things.” We have a tendency to press upon ourselves rules of righteousness in our pursuit of holiness that do not make us any more worthy of grace than when we were lost in our sin. With those five words, “since you died with Christ,” Paul is saying, “Leave these rules behind and just enjoy the relationship you were created for. None of those regulations are going to cause you to be any closer to Him.”
Write out what dying with Christ looks like for you? Don’t make this a vague idea, but mark down some specifics. What are some areas where you still need to die to yourself and the old ways so that those words are true for you, “since you died with Christ.”
What are some areas where you are imposing rules on yourself that are causing your relationship with Christ to be less enjoyable? (I know, that almost sounds wrong.) Are you more concerned with making sure you read the Bible everyday as opposed to spending time listening to how God wants to speak to you through His word? Are you tithing because you feel an obligation or are you giving as a response to what God is doing in your life? Think through these areas carefully and write your thoughts down.
The Reality is Found in Christ // Day 17
Colossians 2:16-19 (New International Version)
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Application
The church at Colosse was dealing with issues of legalism. Paul was warning against this with the strongest urges. Being wrapped up in legalistic issues draws our attention away from the work that Christ is doing in us and towards a false sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Paul calls these distractions a “shadow” and reminds us that reality is found in Christ.
When we lean heavily on our own accomplishments we detract from the Lordship of Christ in our life. That’s what Paul is telling us in verses 18 and 19. We can puff ourselves to the determent of becoming detached from the head which is Christ and we will slow down and stop growing spiritually.
Sometimes when we journal, it helps to just focus on clearing out some of the junk we have stored up inside. Start today off by confessing the areas where you have allowed your works to supersede the work of Christ in You. When you have journaled for a few moments, take some time to just listen. Be open to allowing God to speak to you about some areas that you may not have thought of right away.
God Made You Alive With Christ // Day 16
Colossians 2:13-15 (New International Version)
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Application
Here it is, the passage we have wrapped this entire idea of Alive around. Hope is not just a word that we toss around, it is what the gospel offers, and hope abounds in these verses.
Paul is explaining that Christ did a good work in you even when you were dead in your own sin. He took the pain, He took the sin, He fulfilled the law completely and made a laughing stock of any pseudo-authority that would stand in the way of His ultimate sovereignty.
What is so beautiful about this passage to me is that Paul says Jesus “triumphed through the cross.” Do you see the play on ideas there? Through one of the most dreaded, awful, and excruciating ways to die, Jesus triumphed. In order to gain life for us, He died in our place.
Today, just write. Write your response to these three verses. Write what God lays on your heart as you allow this truth to pierce you.
You Have Been Given Fullness in Christ // Day 15
Colossians 2:9-12 (New International Version)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Application
Two weeks have now gone by, how’s the journaling coming? Is it becoming more of a part of your day? Are you seeing things a little differently, maybe hearing things that you didn’t have time for before? I hope that you will continue to press forward in this journey and make it a part of how you connect with the Father.
So, Colossians 2.9-12. What joy and encouragement we receive from the first two verses of this section. Paul boldly declares that the fullness of God lives in Christ Jesus. Notice the present tense, “lives.” Paul recognizes the miracle of the resurrection. Our joy and encouragement comes in verse nine where Paul says that we have been given fullness in Christ. Paul is reemphasizing verse 27 in chapter one where he explained that Christ is living in us, the hope of glory.
Furthermore, Christ has done a great work in us by cutting out that sinful nature that was dwelling in us. Paul is instructing the believers to be free in Christ and not get caught up in all the little details that don’t encourage true relationship.
Today, we carry the joy of knowing that we who have received Him, have been buried with Christ and raised with Him into the fullness of life that only Jesus gives.
One of the ways I like to encourage people to journal, as you have already seen, is just to spend time writing what you are thankful for. Respond in worship because of what Christ has done in you. This passage presses us in that way. Spend some time just rejoicing about what Christ has done and for the great work in you and His fullness is living in you. Don’t let this entry fall cold. Think about how you are blessed because of the fullness of Christ and His life in you.
This World Rather Than Christ // Day 14
Colossians 2:8 (New International Version)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Application
We can get pretty caught up in ourselves and our traditions sometimes. When this happens we tend to stray away from the central truths of Jesus that should be guiding our life.
Let today be a continuation of the thought process from two days ago. What are some of the things you are struggling with right now that are distracting your view of a life that is alive in Christ?
Also, take some time today to look back over the past two weeks of what you’ve written. Write down some areas of growth that you might see. Don’t forget to spend time just listening to what He is speaking back to you.
Overflowing with Thankfulness // Day 13
Colossians 2:6-7 (New International Version)
Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Application
Verses six and seven are a continuation of the encouragement that Paul had begun a few verses prior. These are a pretty straightforward exhortation to live steadfastly in Jesus.
Be encouraged today to live in Him, being strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and be overflowing in thankfulness.
Just take some time to be thankful. Write down those things. Maybe you can expound on some. Maybe you just write one word for each thing you are thinking about. Thank Him for the blessings that have been poured out on you.
Questions?
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I am Present With You in Spirit // Day 12
Colossians 2:4-5 (New International Version)
4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Application
In yesterday’s passage Paul expressed his desire that the Colossians be full of the wisdom and knowledge that comes from God. The purpose for this can be found in verse four where Paul explains that he does not want to see any Believers led astray by “fine-sounding arguments.” Paul was battling Gnosticism which taught heretical ideas such as: there was a “deeper or hidden” knowledge that believers could not know or that Christ only appeared to be a human, but really was not.
The Colossians, as Paul states, were firmly planted in their faith and he was encouraging them to remain this way.
We may not battle the same form of Gnosticism that Paul was battling, but there are plenty of arguments in today’s world that would distract our view of gaining the knowledge and understanding that is found in God.
Write down some things that you may deal with that appear to be “fine-sounding arguments,” but only distract you from focusing on the truth found in Jesus. Write out some practical steps for you that will help you in remaining firmly planted in Him.
You’re Not in this Alone // Day 11
Colossians 2:1-3 (New International Version)
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Application
I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn’t make any difference. Know that I’m on your side, right alongside you. You’re not in this alone. I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we’ve been shown the mystery!
That’s the paraphrase of Colossians 2.1-3 from The Message. I love what we see here. Even though Paul had not met face to face with these Believers, he was still on the journey with them and standing for the cause of Christ with them. Listen to how encouraging that is, “You are not alone in this.” Paul declares that he wants the Colossians to be woven into a tapestry of love and to have knowledge of everything possible about God.
Take some time today to write down names of people God has used in your life to stand beside you on your journey or people He has used to shape you. Write about an event with one or two of them that was significant. Write out a prayer for that person and thank God for how He used them in your life.
Everyone Perfect in Christ // Day 10
Colossians 1:28-29 (New International Version)
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Application
Yesterday we looked at verse 27 where Paul tells us about the glorious riches of the mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He immediately follows this verse with the proclamation that his goal will be to tell everyone about Christ.
The knowledge of the “hope of glory, Christ” living in us should spur us onward, as it did Paul, to tell others of the life that we have found in Jesus. His very power, according to verse 29 is giving us the energy to move forward in this task.
Take some time just to write out your story. What was the journey like to get where you are today? Familiarizing yourself with your story and being comfortable in your journey will help you as you tell another of what Christ has done in you.
