Colossians 3 starts with two commands. First, they need to set their hearts on things above. Second, they need to set their minds on things above. Upon reading these scriptures, I was reminded of the constant struggle between our wills that Paul explains in Romans 7:14-25. Both the heart and the mind are part of our carnal natures. Not of the Spirit! God's Spirit within us wills as God desires. I've seen the definition of heart as our moral core. With that said, is it enough to have the mind set and not the heart? We hear much too often the statement, "God knows my heart." But can that be enough? With a heart aimed at God, can we purpose to obey God with our minds? Or on the contrary, can we have our minds set on living holy, but allow our hearts to remain distant from our Lord?
Paul answers these questions and eases our minds with one command: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:" (Col 3:5 NIV) In order to live out holiness and prevent ourselves from becoming enemies of the cross, it's necessary to realize the truth that by God's power we've died and been raised with Christ! So BOTH must be set on things above! Just as it was uswho put Christ to death, it must be us who puts ourselves to death (Rom 6:5-14). Although Christ's death on the cross was orchestrated by God with a divine purpose, the concept is the same. With Christ as the first of our kind we need to follow suit! There's no way that we can earnestly live in the peace of God without crossing over into our "glory" mentality (Col 3:4)
So what is the Glory Mentality? It is our ever-changing perspective as a result of being transformed by The Word. This metamorphosis of our self-perception is our agreeing more and more that we are who God says we are, let's say, our spiritual self-esteem. With the Glory Mentality we gain knowledge that leads to wisdom; therefore, we begin to see through God's eyes and respond with His purpose and with His love. Colossians 3:12-14 are traits of our new selves that are our improved direct response to life. "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...be patient with each other and forgive...put on love..." It's a process, but one with the best reward! Stay encouraged and go in peace, Family!
Paul answers these questions and eases our minds with one command: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:" (Col 3:5 NIV) In order to live out holiness and prevent ourselves from becoming enemies of the cross, it's necessary to realize the truth that by God's power we've died and been raised with Christ! So BOTH must be set on things above! Just as it was uswho put Christ to death, it must be us who puts ourselves to death (Rom 6:5-14). Although Christ's death on the cross was orchestrated by God with a divine purpose, the concept is the same. With Christ as the first of our kind we need to follow suit! There's no way that we can earnestly live in the peace of God without crossing over into our "glory" mentality (Col 3:4)
So what is the Glory Mentality? It is our ever-changing perspective as a result of being transformed by The Word. This metamorphosis of our self-perception is our agreeing more and more that we are who God says we are, let's say, our spiritual self-esteem. With the Glory Mentality we gain knowledge that leads to wisdom; therefore, we begin to see through God's eyes and respond with His purpose and with His love. Colossians 3:12-14 are traits of our new selves that are our improved direct response to life. "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...be patient with each other and forgive...put on love..." It's a process, but one with the best reward! Stay encouraged and go in peace, Family!
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It's all about the heart.
Clothed in Him,
Sandy