Bible Studies

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The Letters
Colossians 3:1-11 – Seeking Holiness

Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 1: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” – Seek first the kingdom of heaven.
  
  
• 2-3: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, ³for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” – In our belief in Christ our old self has died and our new life, our eternal life, is safe and secure in Him.
  
  
• 5: “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry.)” – There is no room for other gods in our lives when they are filled with the holiness of Christ.
  
  
• 6: “On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.” – Remember the lessons of the Israelites and how God’s wrath was unleashed due to their disobedience. God hates sin.
  
  
• 9-10: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices ¹⁰and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” – Holiness is a process that renews the “new self” each and every day as we grow in our knowledge of Him.
  
  
• 11: “In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and fee; but Christ is all and in all!” – A life as a Christian is a life that tears down walls of separation and builds bridges of unity.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• What are you seeking in life? What are your passions and greatest desires? Is your focus totally on earthly pursuits – achievement, recognition, and prestige? Or are you focused on “the things that are above, where Christ is?” How does a focus on Christ help you in this life here on earth? Does it provide you with a clear pathway and reachable goals? Does it help by putting your life’s challenges, frustrations, and worries into perspective? When you are focusing on Christ, do you find that all other aspects of your life fall into place?
  
  
• What sin have you “put to death?” Has your life in Christ produced changes in the way you think or act? Do you see that you are not as prone to give in to desires of the flesh as you once were? What aspects of your life still need to die? What changes need to occur? Have you asked God for help? When these remnants of your old sinful life rear their ugly heads, does focusing on Christ and turning your life over to His loving care help? Do you see that as you allow Christ to fill your life with His Spirit that there becomes less room for the other gods that tempt to draw your attention?
  
  
• Are you being renewed? Each day as you immerse yourself into the Word of God, praying and worshipping Him at all times, do you see and feel His renewal taking hold? Do you see evidence of this process at work in your life? In times when you are struggling, does the knowledge that your pathway to holiness is a life-long process provide hope and encouragement? Can you open your heart more fully each day to Christ’s transforming love?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

Paul recognizes that our lives as Christians are filled with challenges. As we live out our lives, our tendency towards sin and earthly pursuits threatens to overwhelm and divert our attention from God. And yet, our salvation and eternal life “is hidden with Christ in God.” It is safe and secure. Paul suggests that the more we are able to turn our focus towards heaven, seeking only “things that are above, where Christ is,” the better we will stay on our pathway to holiness. Through Christ we are being transformed into His image. We are being renewed and remade into Christ. This is a promise that came into our hearts at the time of our baptism. It can be no other way. With the Spirit of Christ, who is God, living within us, our destination is guaranteed.

FUMC Devotionals

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