October 6th, 2026
Colossians 3:1-3 — “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. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
It's far too easy to turn our Christian life into secular life+. Instead of stepping into our new life in Christ, many leave church and put back on their worldly attire. But it's plus Jesus! Monday to Saturday lacks any real distinguishing feature from an unbeliever besides maybe having a fish sticker on the car or a "Jesus loves you" t-shirt to wear out grocery shopping. Neither of these things are wrong so long as they don't replace actually putting on Christ!
Paul encourages us, however, to remember what Christ has done for us and in us. We have baptized into Christ, died with Christ, and have been raised with Christ, so we should focus on the things of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
Now, it's far too easy to take that fact and go the opposite direction and turn setting our minds on Christ into a work that we do to sanctify ourselves. That's not the case either. We cannot make ourselves holy in our own strength anymore than we could reconcile ourselves to God. But we can receive the grace of God's word and meditate upon it. We can meditate on the persons of God revealed in Scripture and seek God's revealed will for our lives. Not as an action but as a reception of grace in Jesus Christ.
Before I lose you, let me remind you that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation and have been filled with the Holy Spirit. You are not alone in this life. The takeaway I want to reflect on here in Colossians is this: don't let the world distract you from God. When you leave church on Sunday and switch your dress shirt for a jersey to sit down with family and watch some football, take a moment to recenter your heart on God by thanking Him as a family for entertainment and ask His protection on the players. When you mow the grass or cook dinner, thank God for his provision in land to steward and food to eat.
It's not about adding more work; it's about surrendering all to God and giving everything over to Him. Paradoxically, prayer and devotion is less work that directs us to rest in God's grace.
United with Christ,
Pastor Josh
It's far too easy to turn our Christian life into secular life+. Instead of stepping into our new life in Christ, many leave church and put back on their worldly attire. But it's plus Jesus! Monday to Saturday lacks any real distinguishing feature from an unbeliever besides maybe having a fish sticker on the car or a "Jesus loves you" t-shirt to wear out grocery shopping. Neither of these things are wrong so long as they don't replace actually putting on Christ!
Paul encourages us, however, to remember what Christ has done for us and in us. We have baptized into Christ, died with Christ, and have been raised with Christ, so we should focus on the things of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
Now, it's far too easy to take that fact and go the opposite direction and turn setting our minds on Christ into a work that we do to sanctify ourselves. That's not the case either. We cannot make ourselves holy in our own strength anymore than we could reconcile ourselves to God. But we can receive the grace of God's word and meditate upon it. We can meditate on the persons of God revealed in Scripture and seek God's revealed will for our lives. Not as an action but as a reception of grace in Jesus Christ.
Before I lose you, let me remind you that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation and have been filled with the Holy Spirit. You are not alone in this life. The takeaway I want to reflect on here in Colossians is this: don't let the world distract you from God. When you leave church on Sunday and switch your dress shirt for a jersey to sit down with family and watch some football, take a moment to recenter your heart on God by thanking Him as a family for entertainment and ask His protection on the players. When you mow the grass or cook dinner, thank God for his provision in land to steward and food to eat.
It's not about adding more work; it's about surrendering all to God and giving everything over to Him. Paradoxically, prayer and devotion is less work that directs us to rest in God's grace.
United with Christ,
Pastor Josh
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