"Therefore,
if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth"
(Col. 3:1-2).
Hey Gang: In
the last Gramps Morning Thoughts it was suggested that most folks do not like
change. We like our rocking chair with
iced tea and a nice cool breeze; but we also know from experience, "that
is not God's way". Grunting and
grinding on the potter’s wheel leads us into God's path of righteousness.
When we announced we felt God had called us to sell
everything, uproot our family and follow the example of Abraham and place our
family in God’s hands to lead us where ever He choose, an old gent gently reminded
me that with that call from the Throne Room came a bull’s eye from the
pit. Now, fifty years later, I have a
much greater understanding of the red flag that he was waving in front of my
eyes.
As mentioned in the last morning message, we learned that Paul's method
of teaching was to give us a principle and then expand on the principle giving
us instruction on how we should go about implementing the principle. In
Colossians 3:1-17 Paul expands on how one can "seek the things above".
In step one Paul gives us the bad news, “…we must die to self’ (3:5).
Wait a minute, Lord, did you not put a free will in my head? “Yes, but I also placed a will inside of
your dome of intellect to choose whether you will follow the black dog or the
white dog. Will you take up your cross and follow Me or choose to go your own
way.”
In step two Paul tells us we need to do some deep soul searching and ”…put off’ (3:8) all those things that
grieve the Holy Spirit. He lists some of the more common sins that tend to get
us in trouble with God and with our neighbor like- ‘anger, lying, abusive speech, wrath and malice.’
“Putting off” is of little
value if we do not replace it with something that prevents the evil one from
returning with his cousins. He says step
three is to “…put on” the
new self, who is being renewed to a
true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him” (3:10). Put
on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing
one another's burdens, and forgiving each other. Beyond
all 'PUT ON LOVE'.
Paul's fourth step - the glue that binds -"let”. “Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body",
and "let the word of Christ richly dwell with you" (3:15-16a).
Notice Paul closes this teaching, on how to live an effective life for
Christ, with a final word of advice: “Whatever
you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
through Him to God the Father” (3:17).
This ‘Change Process’ was an integral part of our workshops with
hurting families; however, there was always one or more who would say, ‘I tried
it and it did not work!’ My comment: “Perhaps
you need to go back to the beginning and check out Paul’s prerequisite
to triggering the process!”
So, my friends, if you are having problems walking with the Lord with
all your heart, soul and mind, perhaps you should take Sword in hand and get
alone with Abba Father and check out the ‘Therefores’ and ‘if’s’ of your daily
walk!
Blessings,
Gramps
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