It seems in the first 2 chapters to the Colossians, Paul defines the " Mystery of our Faith" and not being trapped by false teachings.
Now, Paul seems to turn our attention to the "how to's" on living this New Life provided for us through the love Jesus Christ has given us, going all the way to the Cross...and then be raised from Death by Our Beloved Heavenly Father.
Our own greed of the "old lifestyle" is a real issue to distracting us from following Him...
" Set your "sights"(like a scope on a rifle) on this: You are now committed to a new life, one that has been entirely created by Christ Jesus. Focus on this lifestyle, act out this lifestyle, and just do this lifestyle. Pursue this new life with every ounce of energy you have.
Keep your thoughts on where you are going, and not giving in to all the "enjoyments" you have access to in this present lifestyle. Instead, see what Christ is doing around you and...in you, these are the things to keep your mind on...focused on Him!
As far as this world and the lifestyle it has to offer, that is all about your old way of life...and now you have died to all that. Your New Life...the One Christ has given you and the one that is real, is a life that may appear invisible to those around you, but in Christ's eyes, it is very real and you are very much alive in this new lifestyle!
This New Lifestyle you now embrace will prove worthy for yourself when our King returns and we are right there with Him...in all His glory!
So, as a result, your physical body is no longer in control. In fact, it is now time to practice a different routine of everyday life and let the old desires that were in you be done with...put away and killed off.
This includes things like all the sexual vices that are just about everywhere today, on every corner, at your disposal by one click of a button or pushing the speed dial on your cell phone,
stuff like sexual promiscuity and sexual immorality. This would include things like not going to bed with others just so you might feel good, or climbing in bed with another man's wife. It's time to learn how to put down all the sexual "perv" stuff, the sexual impurities, sexual lusts, and all those type of desires which are rooted in selfishness. We are no longer controlled by these "animal impulses", doing whatever you feel like doing, grabbing whatever may attract our fancy, and using that old excuse "as long as we are not hurting anybody"...please!...what do you really know about hurting others? Take having sex with a woman (outside of marriage)....do you think there might be some emotional implications to doing that, things like self esteem, security, and confidence in her life...tell me, how do you think she feels when you say,"See ya".
Allow me to clue you in on something. This is the very reason God's anger is coming to all those that practice and promote this type of lifestyle...in His eyes it's nothing more than willful disobedience, fueled by greed and covetousness, the very act of idolatry, and ultimately defying God Himself by the practice of worshipping things He created for us rather than worshipping Him who created all things.
We all have been guilty of acting like that, giving ourselves to that vain lifestyle, blind to the fact we were offending our Great God, having more interest in only pleasing ourselves.
But now, it's over. Now we rid ourselves completely of all things connected to the "old life", the narcissistic life, the life of "me and me alone". Things like getting angry for all the wrong reasons, rage, being hateful toward others, slandering, and saying insulting and cruel things to one another. Oh, here is an important one: stop lying to each other. It's time to strip off the old way of life and all the evil that fuels it.
Your life has changed. It's a whole new and different lifestyle you embrace now! It's like getting a brand new set of clothes...let's put them on! Take time to get used to the new clothes, learn how to feel comfortable in them, and wear them more and more...everyday! They never get old and wore out...they always look new and are always in style! For Jesus lives inside you now, His Kingdom has come....right into your very heart!
Now, here is something "cool" to think about. It makes no difference whether you are of the Jewish faith or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric or sophisticated, educated or uneducated, uncivilized or highly "proper", slave or free. There is no room in His Kingdom for any type of distinctions....it's all about Christ Jesus...He is our all...in all!
And because God loves us so much, and has chosen each of us to be the people He loves, the new "clothes" He gives us include: tender hearts full of mercy, kindness, humility, having a gentle manner about you, and tireless suffering, which means having the power to endure anything this life may challenge us with, and having a calmness as you face these challenges. This New Life also includes giving others a "break", making allowance for their faults. And this is real important: always forgive one another...and learn to do this quickly...as soon as it happens. Remember, the Lord Himself has forgiven you, you are indebted to forgive others.
Above all, let His love always guide you and be the basic motive in all you do and how you treat others. It is His love that binds us together....one in Him...in perfect harmony. His Peace will emanate from your very hearts as you allow Christ to have control of your life. We are all members of one body...we are His body...and Christ Jesus is the head of our body. He calls us to a life filled with His Peace and with hearts that are grateful and full of praise...to Him!"
Now, Paul seems to turn our attention to the "how to's" on living this New Life provided for us through the love Jesus Christ has given us, going all the way to the Cross...and then be raised from Death by Our Beloved Heavenly Father.
Our own greed of the "old lifestyle" is a real issue to distracting us from following Him...
" Set your "sights"(like a scope on a rifle) on this: You are now committed to a new life, one that has been entirely created by Christ Jesus. Focus on this lifestyle, act out this lifestyle, and just do this lifestyle. Pursue this new life with every ounce of energy you have.
Keep your thoughts on where you are going, and not giving in to all the "enjoyments" you have access to in this present lifestyle. Instead, see what Christ is doing around you and...in you, these are the things to keep your mind on...focused on Him!
As far as this world and the lifestyle it has to offer, that is all about your old way of life...and now you have died to all that. Your New Life...the One Christ has given you and the one that is real, is a life that may appear invisible to those around you, but in Christ's eyes, it is very real and you are very much alive in this new lifestyle!
This New Lifestyle you now embrace will prove worthy for yourself when our King returns and we are right there with Him...in all His glory!
So, as a result, your physical body is no longer in control. In fact, it is now time to practice a different routine of everyday life and let the old desires that were in you be done with...put away and killed off.
This includes things like all the sexual vices that are just about everywhere today, on every corner, at your disposal by one click of a button or pushing the speed dial on your cell phone,
stuff like sexual promiscuity and sexual immorality. This would include things like not going to bed with others just so you might feel good, or climbing in bed with another man's wife. It's time to learn how to put down all the sexual "perv" stuff, the sexual impurities, sexual lusts, and all those type of desires which are rooted in selfishness. We are no longer controlled by these "animal impulses", doing whatever you feel like doing, grabbing whatever may attract our fancy, and using that old excuse "as long as we are not hurting anybody"...please!...what do you really know about hurting others? Take having sex with a woman (outside of marriage)....do you think there might be some emotional implications to doing that, things like self esteem, security, and confidence in her life...tell me, how do you think she feels when you say,"See ya".
Allow me to clue you in on something. This is the very reason God's anger is coming to all those that practice and promote this type of lifestyle...in His eyes it's nothing more than willful disobedience, fueled by greed and covetousness, the very act of idolatry, and ultimately defying God Himself by the practice of worshipping things He created for us rather than worshipping Him who created all things.
We all have been guilty of acting like that, giving ourselves to that vain lifestyle, blind to the fact we were offending our Great God, having more interest in only pleasing ourselves.
But now, it's over. Now we rid ourselves completely of all things connected to the "old life", the narcissistic life, the life of "me and me alone". Things like getting angry for all the wrong reasons, rage, being hateful toward others, slandering, and saying insulting and cruel things to one another. Oh, here is an important one: stop lying to each other. It's time to strip off the old way of life and all the evil that fuels it.
Your life has changed. It's a whole new and different lifestyle you embrace now! It's like getting a brand new set of clothes...let's put them on! Take time to get used to the new clothes, learn how to feel comfortable in them, and wear them more and more...everyday! They never get old and wore out...they always look new and are always in style! For Jesus lives inside you now, His Kingdom has come....right into your very heart!
Now, here is something "cool" to think about. It makes no difference whether you are of the Jewish faith or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric or sophisticated, educated or uneducated, uncivilized or highly "proper", slave or free. There is no room in His Kingdom for any type of distinctions....it's all about Christ Jesus...He is our all...in all!
And because God loves us so much, and has chosen each of us to be the people He loves, the new "clothes" He gives us include: tender hearts full of mercy, kindness, humility, having a gentle manner about you, and tireless suffering, which means having the power to endure anything this life may challenge us with, and having a calmness as you face these challenges. This New Life also includes giving others a "break", making allowance for their faults. And this is real important: always forgive one another...and learn to do this quickly...as soon as it happens. Remember, the Lord Himself has forgiven you, you are indebted to forgive others.
Above all, let His love always guide you and be the basic motive in all you do and how you treat others. It is His love that binds us together....one in Him...in perfect harmony. His Peace will emanate from your very hearts as you allow Christ to have control of your life. We are all members of one body...we are His body...and Christ Jesus is the head of our body. He calls us to a life filled with His Peace and with hearts that are grateful and full of praise...to Him!"
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