In Colossians 3:5, Paul tells his audience (Christ followers), to put away the things of this world and then later tells them to add Christlike traits and attitudes. Interestingly, Paul uses the imagery of death and life as he gives this instruction. He says for them to put to death what is earthly and later tells them to put on the new self, respectively. Why this imagery? He is alluding to our transition from death to life spiritually. When we put Christ on in baptism it is a representation of what happens to us spiritually. We die to the flesh and our earthly desires as we clothe ourselves with Christ and put him on the throne of our lives, we are buried with him in the water and are raised to life. We have spiritual life at this point, we are different now. We are destined for heaven. Therefore, since our citizenship is now in heaven with God, then our new lives ought to reflect that reality. This is why Paul tells them to put to death that which is earthly. We do not belong to the earth any longer. We belong to the kingdom of God. For that reason, we should want to distance ourselves as much as we can from worldliness.
This is not a suggestion; this is not optional for us as Christ followers.
James says in James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
James says that our retreat from worldliness should be seen as a foundational tenet of our faith in Christ. We must take this seriously. Look at this passage and see what Paul names as the worldliness that we should be fleeing from and then take an inventory of your actions and thoughts. Where do you need to work? Once you identify an area you need to work at, get after it. Worship God with your transformation.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2
From Your Fellow Servant,
Steven McFadden
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