by David Brenneman
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.
You probably don't stop to consider how much you psych yourself up when you think about what's to come in your life. If it's a long awaited vacation or time off you're building up what that will look like in your mind.
When something special is presented or being considered your mind will build up anticipation.
Do you really stop to think about your thoughts? Are they among those written here in Colossians 3 that should be avoided?
"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." Colossians 3:5.
"But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:8-11.
Does it not also say "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27.
We have, at our fingertips, the guide for living a life approved of by Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
This guide is to steer our hearts and minds towards love and good deeds. Towards lighting the way for others to find the same salvation we share in Christ.
Distractions, misconceptions, sly deceitful thinking is what our adversary who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour is plying as his trade. Our sin nature helps his cause in our underlying thinking if we're not careful. Between the two they disguise things to do just enough to take our minds out of the race.
Commercials are intended to sway your thinking.
The words of the unwise are intended to sway your thinking.
A mind not SET is going to have its thoughts swayed to some other way of thinking.
A runner in a race doesn’t just walk out on the track without preparation. Physically and mentally before doing so is where it begins. To set themselves, they get in position on starting blocks. They push out all other thoughts and focus on the race set before them. The person governing the race pulls the trigger and off they go. Their only ambition is to run their race well, perhaps well enough to win. Nothing else is a consideration while the race isn't ended yet.
Are we as astute about our thinking concerning the race set before us? To run in such a way that God is honored in all that we say and do?
To be that light He intended for us to be to those around us?
To not put worldly ideas, possessions, or any such thing before running a race approved of by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?
Where is your mind right now?
What are you thinking about?
Are you going to the Lord in prayer?
Are you seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness above your wants and desires?
Do people see you as different in that they see Christ in you?
It's good, in a limited sense, to pursue self-examination. Not to dwell there long, but long enough to gain your bearings. Where are you in living out your life in Christ?
We need to take it with all seriousness this race set before us. It's our performance, our determination, our steadfastness, in this race that will be the basis of the account we will give before Jesus. Not what sights we saw, what cars we had. Not what accolades others gave us. Not what we pursued in life that wasn't in line with His workmanship He created us to be.
It starts with your mindset.
It begins with what Paul said of laying aside every encumbrance. Get rid of the baggage. Get rid of whatever you're holding on to that's slowing you down.
Consider your thoughts.
Consider what you feed your mind.
Are you really running the race set before you or are you walking? Are you standing still? Have you sat down?
It matters! It matters because you will give an account of your life before Jesus!
Consider your thoughts. Consider carefully your ways. Get full on back in the race.
Give Christ your everything and see what He will do with it.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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