The New Life in Christ

Many Faces of Wisdom Faith and Wisdom in James Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Taming the Tongue Colossians 3:1-11 New Revised Standard Version The New Life in Christ 3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.[b] 7 These are the ways you also once followed when you were living that life.[c] 8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive[d] language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal[e] there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all! For Reflection What does it mean to give your life to God, to love God with all your heart and mind? It means that your motive for all things resides in your commitment to worship God and follow Christ. It becomes your reason for living and your purpose for action. God has made you complete with all that is necessary for you to strive for a perfect life. If perfection seems an unreasonable goal which may be impossible to achieve, you are correct. But, remember, it is in the striving that we find freedom. It is in the midst of human frailty when we make mistakes, that we come face-to-face with God and experience God's perfect love and grace. It is then that we know that we can return to the progression toward maturity with impunity. It is then when we find peace, hope, and confidence to seek the common good and make our ordinary walk-around-life extraordinary. Pray Pray and grow into spiritual maturity. Pray and share the goodness of God. Forward to a friend