Daily Reading: Colossians 3:1–11

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col. 3:2)

My wife is from England but hasn’t lived there in nineteen years. Vanda could choose to call an elevator a “lift,” but that would require explanation. She could call supper “tea,” but she’d have to be okay with people expecting a hot drink instead of dinner. She could drive on the left side of the road, but that would be harmful to her health. (She hasn’t done that in a really long time!) As far along as she’s come in thinking and acting like an American, there are times when her origins shine through, especially when she comes into contact with fellow expatriates. I can tell when she’s speaking with her sister on the phone because her accent is decidedly more British. It’s only natural.

Christians are people who have claimed citizenship in heaven. We are no longer from here, but it’s natural to act like we used to because we’re surrounded by those things. The Colossian Christians had been doing the same thing. Paul called them to take on the identity of their new citizenship. They were confusing themselves and others by acting as if they were still citizens of earth, where sin is the norm.

It’s only natural to our human nature to fall back into the old ways, so we must make the choice to live like we’re from heaven. Where are you going to be from today?

Fight hard against you sinful nature.

Dave Knickerbocker and his family live in Ohio. He has been pastor of three churches, two as church plants.