September 18, 2018
Colossians 3:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)
When I was a child, I loved playing the game hide and seek. I was petite for my age, so I could find some great places to hide until I wanted to be found. Sometimes spiritual things are hidden or veiled. God is all about order and timing; until his appointed time arrives some things remain hidden no matter how diligent we seek.
According to Scripture, our lives in Christ are somewhat hidden from the world until God decides the time to reveal him in us. Can you imagine what that appointed time will be like? In a twinkling of an eye to be found in the complete likeness of Jesus! It will be revealed that Christ is tabernacling or inhabiting us. Until that day, while we are hidden in Christ, we must allow the work of the Spirit to transform us from the inside out for the new life; to give us new desires as we put to death our old way of living. Everyone who believes in the work of Christ’s redeeming love is on this hidden journey and seeks to be found living the new life. Christ is the Master of this spiritual hide and seek. I am ready to be found…are you?
Colossians 3:1-11 Living the New Life
3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised [nations], barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free [status]. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us [believers are all equal in Christ without distinction].
Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing new desires into my life as I allow my old way of living to die on the cross with you. I am so blessed that you have chosen to inhabit me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.