#9 Colossians 3:9 10 Do Not Lie To Each Other
On March 7, 2021 by Amy Burgin
Joy:
Episode#9 Colossians 3:9-10
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin
Amy:
In this podcast, we make space for Christgazing, the act of gazing on Jesus.
Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he thinks about us. Since episode 5, we have been camping in Colossians Chapter 3 as some of us are joining together to memorize verses 1 – 17. Recall verses 1 – 9 from the previous four episodes. “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 the life you now live is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, everything that belongs to your earthly 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 also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Today we continue as we gaze on verses 9-10.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before Joy reads it to us, take the next 30 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be anger, patience, fear, peace, a long to-do list or nothing to do – Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 30 seconds.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
I’m going to ready today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What does he want? Who is he thinking about? What is he doing?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do people think? What do people do? What do people want?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good shepherd and his sheep can hear his voice. God wants you to know him better. He is a good, gentle and kind shepherd. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the lifter of our heads.
Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face toward you and give you peace and may you also turn your face toward his and be renewed.
One Response
Amy:
How is our new self being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator? 2 Corinthians 3:14-18 tells us (and I’m paraphrasing here) The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Anyone who puts their trust in Christ and turns to the Lord can see him, can gaze upon him, and can reflect him. As we do, the Lord, who is the Spirit, makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Wow, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom to see God and freedom to look like God.
And it’s in seeing him and knowing who we are to him, children bearing his image, that compels our behavior.
Imagine if you are a bride. Your father buys all you need and mother, sister and friends help dress you in front of a full-length mirror. Your hair, your makeup, your dress and shoes are all perfect. You are a true image of beauty and grace. It’s time to walk down the aisle, but as soon as the Bridal Chorus begins, you forget what you look like. You believe a lie, that your hair is a mess, your makeup is streaked, and you are wearing yesterday’s stained sweat pants. You cannot walk down the aisle like that. Tears roll down your cheeks as you simply turn around, leave, and miss the blessing of being a bride. How ridiculous that would be!
Yet, somehow it’s so easy for us to behave exactly like that. James 1:22-25 says, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
You see, the doing is not birthed out of work and effort, the doing is birthed out of knowing who you are and how you have been dressed.
Closing
Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week continuing in Colossians Chapter 3. As usual, we leave you and ourselves with the same reminder of who we are, lest we forget, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.
It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.