Put to death therefore what is earthly in you. – Colossians 3:5
Have you ever considered the earthly things that are to end in your life when you follow Christ? The list includes, “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5 NIV). Also, get rid of “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Colossians 3:8 NIV). Lying also must go (Colossians 3:9).
How do you rid yourself of these things? The apostle Paul provided the instruction to walk in the Holy Spirit and set your mind on eternal things rather than the temporal pleasures and problems of the earth. You take off the old behaviors by replacing them with new ones, such as:
“compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV). In addition, you practice forbearance and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Love is ultimately the goal (Colossians 3:14).
Love is doing what is best for other people regardless of your feelings. God might put an unlikeable person across your path. His desire for you is to treat the person in ways that are kind and beneficial to him or her regardless of the emotions you feel about them. However, what is best might not be what is pleasant. For example, a parent will give a child time out to correct their behavior.
Also, believers are to walk in peace, living the message of Jesus in wisdom with thanksgiving, “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” (Colossians 3:16 NIV). The life of the Spirit is a changed life, a marked difference from one of the flesh. Pray for all believers to grow in Christ and let that difference shine like a light to the unbelieving citizens and public officials of the United States and throughout the world.
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