Because of the emphasis in this blog upon "how one thinks directly impacts how one lives," I thought it would be beneficial to post a few thoughts about Christ that we should think about, and indeed, praise God for, that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
Our mind, our thoughts, our whole bent of being then should be set on things above. Reasons to dwell on Christ:
We have been rescued from the kingdom of Darkness (Col. 1:13)
We have been transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13)
In Christ we have redemption (Col 1:14)
In Christ we have forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14)
Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15)
Christ is the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15)
By Christ all things were created (Col 1:16)
All things have been created through Christ and for Christ (Col 1:16)
Christ is before all things (Col 1:17)
In Christ all things hold together (Col 1:17)
Christ is the head of the body, the church (Col 1:18)
Christ is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself will come to have first place in everything (Col 1:18)
All the fullness of deity dwells in him (Col 1:19; Col 2:9)
Through Christ all things are reconciled to God, having made peace through the blood of the cross (Col 1:20)
Though you were alienated, hostile in mind, and engaged in evil deeds, Christ has reconciled you in his fleshly body through death to present you before God holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Col 1:21-22)
Christ is in your and he is the hope of glory (Col 1:27)
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
You have been firmly rooted and are now being built up in Him and established in your faith (Col 2:7)
In Christ you have been made complete (Col 2:10)
Christ is the head over all rule and authority (Col 2:10)
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God (Col 2:12)
You were dead in your transgressions and uncircumcision of your flesh, but Christ made you alive together with him (Col. 2:13)
He has forgiven you all your transgressions (Col 2:13)
Christ has nailed to the cross the certificate of debt which was hostile to you (Col 2:14)
Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (Col 2:15)
Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1)
Your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3)
Christ is our life (Col 3:4)
When Christ is revealed then we will also be revealed with him in glory (Col 3:4)
Showing posts with label mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mind. Show all posts
Monday, December 11, 2006
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Colossians 3:2 - Further thoughts on Phroneo
The Apostle Paul writing to believers at Colossae gives an imperative (command) to "set your minds (phroneo) on things above, not on earthly things." It is of course Christ who is above and Christ whom they are to set their minds on.
It at first seems strange that believers should have to be commanded by the Apostle to set their minds on Christ, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the habit of us humans is to take for granted that which is most valuable to us.
Christ is what is most valuable to believers, and truth be told, we believers take Christ for granted all the time. We take our mind off him. We begin to think less of him, at times forget about him, and what's more, we try to add to Christ our works and philosophies. The believers at Colossae had started to do this. They had started to add to Christ vain philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8)!
Paul then, knowing all to well the unfortunate habit of humans to wander with their mind and direction of life, gave this imperative to "set your minds upon" Christ in the present tense! This setting of our minds is to be continuous! It is not merely one event but a continuous action on our behalf to set our minds on Christ. It is to be our lifestyle! Our rhythm of life!
When we keep our head, eyes, and mind lifted upward into the face of our blessed Redeemer the trials, temptations, and hardships of this life will fade away. When we consider the cross and the beating Jesus took for our redemption; that he became a curse; the incredible humble act of veiling the God of glory in a human body; our hardships, temptations and trials fade away.
When our mind is fixed on the risen glory of Christ, we are empowered to live in a godly manner, even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Christ becomes our ever-burning passion, our vision of love, mercy, and power. A mind that is fixed on Christ is not easily snared and lost in the depravity of this world. A mind fixed on Christ is constant, steadfast and sure. It is like the Rock of Gibraltar, unshaken by the storms, winds, and waves of the sea.
It at first seems strange that believers should have to be commanded by the Apostle to set their minds on Christ, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the habit of us humans is to take for granted that which is most valuable to us.
Christ is what is most valuable to believers, and truth be told, we believers take Christ for granted all the time. We take our mind off him. We begin to think less of him, at times forget about him, and what's more, we try to add to Christ our works and philosophies. The believers at Colossae had started to do this. They had started to add to Christ vain philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8)!
Paul then, knowing all to well the unfortunate habit of humans to wander with their mind and direction of life, gave this imperative to "set your minds upon" Christ in the present tense! This setting of our minds is to be continuous! It is not merely one event but a continuous action on our behalf to set our minds on Christ. It is to be our lifestyle! Our rhythm of life!
When we keep our head, eyes, and mind lifted upward into the face of our blessed Redeemer the trials, temptations, and hardships of this life will fade away. When we consider the cross and the beating Jesus took for our redemption; that he became a curse; the incredible humble act of veiling the God of glory in a human body; our hardships, temptations and trials fade away.
When our mind is fixed on the risen glory of Christ, we are empowered to live in a godly manner, even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Christ becomes our ever-burning passion, our vision of love, mercy, and power. A mind that is fixed on Christ is not easily snared and lost in the depravity of this world. A mind fixed on Christ is constant, steadfast and sure. It is like the Rock of Gibraltar, unshaken by the storms, winds, and waves of the sea.
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