Transforming Minds: Seeking the Things Above in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Our Minds with Christ's Authority

In Colossians 3, believers are encouraged to set their minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This is a call to recognize the authority and supremacy of Christ in our lives. By focusing on heavenly things, we allow the mind of Christ to renew our old ways of thinking. This involves a conscious effort to align our thoughts with the Spirit, setting our affections on things above rather than earthly desires. As we do this, we begin to see life from a divine perspective, which transforms our priorities and actions. [03:47]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that 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."

Reflection: What is one earthly desire or distraction that often takes your focus away from Christ? How can you intentionally redirect your thoughts to align with His authority today?

Day 2: The Continuous Renewal of the Mind

The Christian journey is marked by the ongoing renewal of our minds to align with the new mind given by Christ. This process is not instantaneous but requires active engagement with the Spirit's guidance. As we renew our minds, we learn to discern God's will and grow in spiritual maturity. This transformation involves letting go of old patterns of thinking and embracing the new identity we have in Christ. By doing so, we become more attuned to the Spirit's leading and more effective in living out our faith. [06:06]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Identify a specific thought pattern or belief that needs renewal in your life. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in transforming this area of your mind?

Day 3: Putting to Death the Old Nature

Believers are called to put to death the earthly nature within them, which includes sinful desires and actions. This involves a deliberate choice to live in the newness of life, free from the bondage of sin. By doing so, we align our physical minds with the born-again mind within us, experiencing true freedom in Christ. This is not about behavior modification but life transformation, where Christ changes us from the inside out. As we put off the old self and put on the new, we embody the virtues of Christ, such as kindness, humility, and love. [22:20]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to put to death an old habit or desire? How can you take a practical step today to embrace the new life Christ offers?

Day 4: Embracing Life Transformation

True transformation in the Christian life comes from allowing Christ to change us from the inside out. This is not about merely changing our behavior but experiencing a deep, lasting change in our hearts and minds. As we surrender to Christ's work within us, we become more like Him, reflecting His character in our daily lives. This transformation is a testament to the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in us. By embracing this process, we become vessels of God's love and grace to those around us. [36:31]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what ways have you seen Christ transform your life recently? How can you continue to open your heart to His transformative work?

Day 5: Living in Peace and Love

Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts and embodying love as the bond of perfection are essential for living a harmonious and thankful life in Christ. As we allow God's peace to govern our hearts, we experience a sense of security and contentment that transcends circumstances. Love, as the bond of perfection, unites us with others and reflects the character of Christ. By living in peace and love, we become a testimony of God's transformative work in our lives, drawing others to Him. [39:16]

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: How can you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart today, especially in a challenging situation? What is one way you can show love to someone in your life this week?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the book of Colossians, we find ourselves diving into the profound truths of chapter three. Today, we focus on the first half of this chapter, exploring the transformative power of being in Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, emphasizes the importance of setting our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This is not merely a figurative expression but a call to recognize the authority and supremacy of Christ in our lives. As believers, we are called to seek and fix our focus on heavenly things, allowing the mind of Christ within us to renew our old ways of thinking.

When we accept Christ, we are spiritually reborn, and our spirit is united with the Holy Spirit. This new mind, the mind of Christ, is in conflict with our old mind, which is accustomed to earthly desires. The Christian journey involves renewing our old mind to align with the new mind given by Christ. This renewal is not instantaneous but a continuous process of setting our affections on things above, allowing the Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions.

Paul urges us to put to death the earthly nature within us, which includes fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. These are manifestations of the old mind, and as believers, we are called to live in the newness of life, free from the bondage of sin. The key to victory in the Christian life is aligning our physical minds with the born-again mind within us. This is not about behavior modification but life transformation, where Christ changes us from the inside out.

We are reminded that we have died to sin and its penalty, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. This means we are safe and secure in Him, free from the power of sin. As we put off the old self and put on the new, we are to embody tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, all bound together by love, which is the bond of perfection. Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts is essential, allowing us to live in harmony with one another and be thankful for the transformative work of Christ in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Seek Things Above: Our focus should be on heavenly things, recognizing Christ's authority and allowing His mind to renew ours. This involves a conscious effort to align our thoughts with the Spirit, setting our affections on things above rather than earthly desires. [03:47]
2. Renewing the Mind: The Christian life is about renewing our old mind to align with the new mind given by Christ. This is a continuous process, not an instant change, requiring us to actively engage with the Spirit's guidance. [06:06]
3. Putting to Death the Old Nature: We are called to put to death the earthly nature within us, which includes sinful desires and actions. This involves a deliberate choice to live in the newness of life, free from the bondage of sin. [22:20]
4. Life Transformation, Not Behavior Modification: True transformation comes from allowing Christ to change us from the inside out. This is not about merely changing our behavior but experiencing a deep, lasting change in our hearts and minds. [36:31]
5. Peace and Love as the Bond of Perfection: Letting the peace of God rule in our hearts and embodying love as the bond of perfection are essential for living a harmonious and thankful life in Christ. [39:16]
** [39:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Introduction to Colossians
[03:47] - Seek Things Above
[06:06] - Renewing the Mind
[10:10] - Old Mind vs. New Mind
[12:01] - Earthly and Heavenly Balance
[13:48] - Providing for Family
[16:55] - Death to Sin
[20:05] - Separation from Sin
[22:20] - Christ as Our Life
[23:53] - Putting to Death the Old Nature
[25:40] - Love vs. Lust
[27:56] - Forbidden Desires
[29:42] - Sons of Disobedience
[33:27] - Struggle and Freedom
[36:31] - Life Transformation
[37:48] - Putting on the New Self
[39:16] - Peace and Thankfulness

Sermon Clips

"Set your mind on, help me out, things above. Your mindset should be on things above. Now, I'm going to balance that here in a minute, but just hear it. Set your mind on things above, not on things of this what? Earth. Now, I feel like I need to draw a line in this, and you're going to hear me reiterate this at the very end, but I feel like I need to kind of teach you something before we go deeper into this. So, listen to my heart, and listen to what I'm trying to say here. When you get saved, when you get saved, you get born again, and your spirit, you're made up of three parts, spirit, soul, body." [00:06:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Your spirit is united with the Holy Spirit. You become one. Watch this now, and you have a new mind on the inside of you with the Holy Spirit. You have, the mind of Christ. Y'all following me? Now, watch. The problem with that is you have your old mind that you were born with, and now watch. Now, there's a conflict because your old mind says, punch them in the mouth. Your new mind says, forgive them and pray for them. Come on. Am I right?" [00:06:51] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You will never walk out the Christian life until you've thought out the Christian life. Okay. You've got to think it first before you can walk it out because God wants to change your mind. So what's that look like? You have this flesh versus spirit. The old person, the old mind, wants to think about the flesh. The new person wants to think about the spirit. Listen to this. Defeat, the old mind. Victory, the new mind. Sickness, health." [00:10:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"But set on Christ and the things above is what we're talking about. So it is possible to live in the earth, think about things in the earth, and yet still have your heart set on the things of God at all times. Okay? It's possible. Let me give you the extremes of both sides. Extreme. I remember years ago, probably 15, 20 years ago, we were at the shopping center at this point. A young man came to me, and he said, Pastor Charles, I want to talk to you about this." [00:13:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"For you died and your life is hidden. It's metaphorically being used as you are concealed and safe with Christ in God. Aren't you glad? You are completely safe. And concealed in Christ, praise God. All right? Now, with that being said, here's what it always makes me think. For you died. So what died? What is death? Think about it like this. And I was thinking about it. Thought I'd put it down so everybody can get on the same page. Death. What is death truly?" [00:19:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"When the Bible says you died, what were you separated from? Let's think about it. Number one, was you separated physically from your body? Hello, somebody. No, you're still here. Are you separated spiritually? No. Are you separated mentally? Some of you are like, no. Listen to this. You ready? What is it? You were separated from sin and its penalty." [00:20:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Christians must bring their physical minds into agreement with the born-again mind on the inside. That's the key. Listen, religion says change your behavior without changing your heart and your mind. Jesus said, let me in your heart and I'll help you change your mind so that he receives all the glory for the transformed life that he wants to do on the inside of you. It's not behavior modification. It's life transformation." [00:36:31] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Boy, that's the key. Having peace in your heart. That's what it's all about. Once you get that, it doesn't matter what goes on on the outside. You know, some of you have wondered, where's God in this? Hey, listen, God's in it. You got to, you got to put to death that old person so that the new man can allow you to live in peace. Live at peace. I tell you, I believe it's the key. Living at peace." [00:39:03] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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