Get rid of it! In His Word – 4-11-16
Are you a hoarder of things from your
past? Do you have too much stuff and you do not know what to do with it? Some
say that if you have something in your closet for more than three years and
have not worn it you should get rid of it; someone else will love it enough to
use it.
What about spiritual things? You know,
the attitudes we had back before we gave our life direction over to Christ? The
stinking thinking, the gossiping, the prideful thoughts of trying to look, do,
or assume you are better than other people because of what you have? There are
other things I could begin to mention but I think you have the idea; we need to
stop hanging on to things that God took at the cross. I had to laugh at the
picture I got there… all those things we thought we needed with a big hand of
God holding onto them and us dangling because we just didn’t want to let go of
that one thing.
Think about what it is that you are still
hanging on to maybe for you it was cussing, or gossiping that you figured was
just a little thing and that it was not important enough to worry about; after all
it won’t change your salvation… right?
The thing is, when we came to Christ we
gave up everything and asked Him to ‘take the wheel’ or basically to be our
Guide. What good is it though if we ignore the guidance of His Word?
Since you have been raised to new life
with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in
the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to
this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ,
who is your life,
is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death
the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy
person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these
sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your
life was still part of this world. Colossians 3:1-7
Think about that for a moment, we have
been raised to new life with Christ, we are not to stay in the gutter, there is
no reason to keep sinning or nearly sinning. In truth if we know it is wrong it
is sin, so if you are doing something and you think it won’t change your
salvation so it’s okay… think again. Ask yourself these questions;
-
Is it right in God’s eyes?
-
Will it lead me to God or against His
plan for my life?
-
Would I do this if Jesus were visibly sitting in
front of me?
-
Will it take my eyes off of Him, even briefly?
Three out of four of those
should have been yes, if the last one was then your plan failed the test! Do
not do it!
In our lives we need to get rid of some of the things we find ourselves
dusting off occasionally. Maybe its an activity we know really won’t give God
the glory that going on an outreach trip will, but we dust if off each year
anyway and spend the money we would give to the needy on the things we want for
that certain thing to go how we want.
Go down the list in Colossians 3 and see what you can find that you need
to get rid of to get your mind and life back on track.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians
4:8
Dear Heavenly
Father, help us to keep our mouths, our eyes, our minds and our hearts geared
up and focused on You by reading and knowing and following your directions in
Your Word, our Bible. Thank you for loving us enough to forgive our mistakes
and our purposed sins today, help us to continue on the new path as the new
people you have made us to be. In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested reading
Philippians 4:1-23, Colossians 3:1-25, 1 John 4: 1-21 and Romans 8:1-39