What Would Jesus Do is Back!

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3 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.

Colossians 3:1-17 has been dubbed a "curriculum for Christ-likeness". Recently I have memorized those verses, when I was on a spiritual retreat. It is a handful, but even memorizing three or four verses, like those above, is worth your while. 

Verses 5-17 will talk about what our new life in Christ looks like, and specifically how we are to "take off" our old sinful nature, and "put on" on our new nature. So clearly we have a role in our growth as a believer as we seek to become more Christ-like. But everything we are called to do is prefaced by our "position" in Christ. 

Paul starts by saying, "Since we have been raised with Christ". Clearly we are still on earth so what does this mean? It means that even though we live on earth, our spiritual home is in heaven. Therefore, we need to keep our sight and our heart fixed on things above. 

Then he says, "For we have died". What does that mean? After all we are not physically dead. He means we have put to death our old nature, which was ruled by our selfish desires. If you are a Christian you know it is easy to fall back into old behaviors. We will struggle with our old nature our whole lives. Importantly though, due to our position in Christ, we don't have to be in slavery to our old habits. 

As we stay focused on Christ and set our minds on things above, we can be dead to or not ruled by our old, sinful selves.  These 17 verses concludes with a great syuopsis of what it means to be Christ follower!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 

Many Christians, including me, used to wear "WWJD" bracelets, which reminded to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?" The idea was that as we went through our day, we would ask ourselves that question, "What would Jesus do?"This is exactly what verse 17 is saying.  And by the way, WWJD bracelets have made a comeback. My daughter came from from her FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting with one.  

Do you feel like you are having success living out your calling as a Christian? This doesn't mean you are perfect, or without sin, but are striving to be more like Christ every day.

As you do that remember you have been raised with Christ. As you keep your sights on heaven and fixed on Christ, you can live a life worthy of your calling! 

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