To bring us all to common understanding, what is syncretism, and why the alarm being raised today?The religious hype and the associated commerce of the Easter of the world is over, relegated as the throes of daily hustling take over, but what should this seasonal remembrance trigger in any acknowledged and living beneficiary of what Christ wrought for us on the cross? Out text, Colossians 3:1-13 (TPT) speaks
Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory!
New Creation Life
Live as one who has died to every form of sexual sin and impurity. Live as one who has died to the desires for forbidden things, including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship. When you live in these vices you ignite the anger of God against these acts of disobedience. That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise. For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us!
Love One Another
You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.
Three attributes are listed against which our individual lives must manifest:
- Are you daily living with a heavenly perspective or sucked into earthly distractions or cares?
- Is your body a temple, pure, holy and truly set apart for the living God?
- Is your lateral relationship with others, particularly those of the household of God, driven by love rather than offence?
These are the three-dimensional outlook projected by a living representative of Jesus Christ. Are you one? Please think on these things. Shalom.
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