from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Living with a Heavenly Perspective
... A heart that is fixed on Christ will increasingly reflect His character in everyday life.
Colossians 3:1-2 ESV (devotion translation)
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Devotion:
Today’s Scripture reminds us that our identity in Christ should shape the way we live each day.
When we trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, God did more than forgive our sins. He gave us new life. The believer is no longer defined by the old sinful nature but by a new identity that is hidden with Christ. Because of this, Paul calls us to seek the things above and to set our minds on heavenly realities. This does not mean withdrawing from everyday responsibilities. Rather, it means allowing the hope of Christ and the promise of eternity to guide our thoughts, priorities, and decisions.
The Christian life involves a daily choice. The old patterns of sin still seek to draw us back, but they no longer have authority over us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to put away attitudes and behaviors that belong to our former way of life and to put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate that He is at work within us.
One of the clearest expressions of this new life is forgiveness. Just as Christ has completely forgiven us, we are called to forgive others. Forgiveness is not a denial of wrong, but a willing release of the offense into God’s hands. It frees our hearts from bitterness and allows us to walk in the grace we ourselves have received.
As you go through today, remember that your true life is found in Christ. Let your heart remain fixed on Him, even while your hands faithfully serve Him in the ordinary responsibilities of life.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving me new life through Jesus Christ. Help me to put away the habits of my old nature and to walk in the character of Christ. Teach me to keep my heart set on things above and to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
- Romans 8:5-6 ↗ - A Spirit-focused mind produces life and peace.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 ↗ - In Christ, believers are made new.
- Romans 6:4-11 ↗ - United with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are called to walk in newness of life.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 ↗ - Put off the old self and put on the new nature in Christ.
- Philippians 3:20-21 ↗ - Live with the perspective that your citizenship is in heaven.
- Matthew 6:19-21 ↗ - Set your heart on eternal treasures rather than earthly ones.
- Colossians 3:12-14 ↗ - Put on Christlike virtues, especially love, which binds them together.
- Ephesians 4:32 ↗ - Forgive others as God has forgiven you in Christ.