May 29, 2014
AN ORPHAN'S FAITH
Colossians 3:1-11
Pamela Lomax
Central Truth
It is easy for us to rely on the things of this world for our happiness. It is visible and acceptable by society's standards. God asks us to choose Him over the world -- not for His benefit, but for ours.
Key Verse | Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
Colossians 3:1-11
Put On the New Self
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your 1 3:4 Some manuscripts our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: 2 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 3 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self 4 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10 with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, 5 3:11 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for Bondservants in verse 22 free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our[2] 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
[3] 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience
[4] 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
[5] 3:11 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for Bondservants in verse 22
Dive Deeper | Colossians 3:1-11
Three years ago, my empty-nest parents adopted my sweet little sister Angelina from Russia, who was five at the time. Today is her ninth birthday! My sister and I had an instant connection. What I didn't realize was that it was a spiritual connection. Angelina could not speak English at first. We would take her to church with us and pray with her, but had no idea if she understood anything going on around her. One evening when being put to bed, my mom was praying over her. At the end of the prayer, Angelina looked up at our mom and said, "I prayed when I was in Russia. I did not call it praying, but I looked up at the sky and hoped for a family."
Angelina had no material possessions as an orphan, so she turned to the only thing she had: God. How interesting that a little girl has the ability to look up for hope, guidance, and truth, but as adults we battle between the same undeniable truth and the fleeting ways of the world that continue to disappoint. Paul writes in Romans 8:5-6, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Naturally, it can be easier for us in the moment to rely on the flesh and please our sinful desires rather than God. As a result, we can be left feeling dead, hostile toward God, and unable to please God. As we trust God more and know Him more, we begin to aspire for the things of the Spirit that bring life and peace. God wants that for us!
My sister Angelina is not a perfect spiritual being. She just happened to experience complete abandonment from any worldly comfort. The only thing left for her was hope in God. She continues to teach me about God's love for me daily.
Discussion Questions
1. What do you find yourself thinking about most during your day?
2. What do you continue to turn to for hope and guidance that leads to disappointment?
3. What can you change about your daily routines to encourage yourself to think more about God and less about the world?
4. How is your faith presently? Can you trust God with the distractions that are tempting you to look away from Him?