Runnymede Christian Fellowship, a church in Egham

Week 37 (10/09/2007) Rules For Holy Living Colossians 3

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your eartlhy nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness aand patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratittude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

The thing about holy living is it's not about what others do. It's about us as individuals. It's not a looking over your shoulder thing or looking down your nose. The pursuit of holiness is a personal, quiet and disciplined intention. It's not so much about actions, but about what we are thinking. It's what we set our minds on.

According to this chapter in Colossians, holy living is not so much about actions as it is attitudes. The actions or "behavioral sins" that we put off or rid ourselves of are a result of the "holy introspection" we can partner with God (via the Holy Spirit) in examining our hearts. For some people it's different things. This is another reason why we don't participate in the holiness of others, but only ourselves. We cannot know what the Holy Spirit is saying to one person and the next.  My advice to myself or anyone else would be to "ask God and obey Him." Sometimes it's the smallest things that He wants us to focus on. Any habit or action can be changed when in submission to Him. And, deeper still, any attitude can change in submission to Him.