Bourland Family Blog

“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 ->me: This verse really goes hand in hand with verse 12 (Clothe yourselves). In the previous verses to 17 Paul talks about making our hearts the home of the Gospel of Jesus. Here are the 5 things that Paul tells us to do in order accomplish living the virtues and attributes worthy of the Father -> 1) Clothe ourselves as God’s chosen ones. 2) Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts 3) Let the spoken word of Christ the Messiah, have its home in our hearts. 4) We are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 5) Give thanks to the Father through the Person of Jesus. When I focus myself on these things there is almost no possible way to act in a manner that is counter to the Lord’s will in my life.

“And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.” Colossians 3:10  ->me: I really like the deeper interpretations the amplified adds to this verse.  “Ever in the process of being renewed and remolded” -> the process of growing in the Lord and knowledge of Him is never ending…in fact we will need all of eternity to learn about Him.  So, while I am here on earth I must be consistently seeking Him in the tools He has given me, the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the Church Body.  The Spiritual Self is the new part of me that needs to be brought into maturity – when I am doing this right I not only learn more about God but I also learn more about myself and become more effective at listening to the Holy Spirit and responding to God’s instruction in my life.  This is the part of me that as it grows becomes more adept at running to God first rather than a last minute rip cord.

“But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,” Colossians 3:8-9 ->me: When we look a the list from yesterday in verse 5 (sexual vice, impurity, unholy desires, etc) and then this list today, we tend to concentrate on one list or the other. I know of Christian communities that would be appalled at the slightest sexual irregularity but which are nests of malicious intrigue, backbiting, gossip and bad tempers. Then there are others where people are so concerned to live in untroubled harmony with each other that they tolerate flagrant immorality. The gospel, though, leaves no room for behavior of either sort. Lord help me to see these 2 lists as equal and equally dangerous towards my spiritual purity; give me sight and discernment to see these when they are happening and to protect not only my home but also set the example for my family.

“So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).” Colossians 3:5 – To kill something I must cut off its lines of supply: it is futile and lying to myself to complain about my inability to resist the last stage of a temptation when earlier stages have gone by unnoticed, or even happily/expectantly welcomed. This does not mean I set up a new gargantuan wall around something general, such as branding all theatrical performances (or whatever) as inherently ‘sinful’. Instead, I have the responsibility, before God, to investigate the lifelines of whatever sins are defeating me personally, and to cut them off without pity…immediately. Better that than have them eventually destroy me. Temptation itself is not sin…see Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” Jesus was tempted in every way but He never sinned. This action of ‘cutting off the lifelines’ is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, second-by-second activity until Christ returns.

“For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.” Colossians 3:3-4 ->me: This world sees me as dead -> definitely in terms of a cohort to frolic in the worldly sensual pleasures of the flesh and earthly mind. ‘Life is hidden’ my life has become a part of the mystery, the secret plan of God, to be revealed to the world at the end of time. My life is not just hidden with Christ in God, it is actually Christ Himself, my hope of glory. I hope not just for the coming of the Lord but also for the full revelation of what I already am in Him. When the Lord comes I will finally be transformed into who I am IN HIM; fully manifested into how the Father sees me today. Other will see me with Jesus enveloped in HIS glory. HIS glory is what will be reflected. Until then the process of sanctification the Lord is doing in me will help me strive to be representative of that transformation as much as possible here on earth so that Christ can be seen in me. When I think about what I am doing here, in these terms, it makes my focus on learning about Jesus and following Him so much more real and important.

“IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, and set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 ->me: In Col 2.20 Paul says we ‘died with Christ’ and here in 3:1 he says that we are ‘raised with Christ’. ‘Died’ represents the act of leaving everything behind (which is the case if we are truly saved). ‘Raised’ represents looking forward and not back -> putting hope, worth, and pursuit on things in heaven…in eternity. When we loose ourselves from the earthly things and focus on the heavenly things, we find ourselves focusing on what we can do for others while we are here since we can’t take any earthly riches with us -> the worth of earthly treasures is the landline phone when I received my smart phone…I don’t go anywhere without my smart phone.

“Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them], referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]” Colossians 2:21-23 ->me: The regulations mentioned in verse 21 (don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t touch them) are suggestions of the rules of Judaism. Paul is telling the Colossians they no longer need to practice the avoidance of certain things in order to stay ceremonial clean for the Lord to dwell with them. Jesus came and made us pure so that through Him we have audience with the Father (the veil was rent from the top to the bottom). Following these rules might be impressive and communicate commitment or devotion, but because of the heart the focus is on 1) drawing attention to one’s self 2) to feel good about one’s self 3) to gain notoriety through intense acts…God sees no value in them. They are worthless because the effort is focused on the person’s pride or emotional needs rather than to glorify God. Holy Spirit, help me to see things that I do to APPEAR righteous, of FEEL better about myself that I SAY I do for you but in actuality I do them for my own fleshly indulgence; help me to stop and turn the focus on obeying and worshipping my Father in heaven.