150th BDS – 12/19/2024

Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:1-10

If we’re all transparent enough to admit it, there are things that still have our attention in and of this World. Death, bills, salary aspirations, etc. just to name a few. As we all continue to grow in the knowledge of GOD, the more these things tend to be distractions because our flesh naturally wants to plan everything out the way that we think that they should go. GOD’s Word teaches us just the opposite. As we dive into the Holy Scriptures in these passages we are reminded by the Apostle Paul’s letter to the congregation at Collosae (an ancient city in Asia Minor) to try as best to keep our minds on Heavenly things, in other words not on the things of this present World that we currently live in. So let’s go deeper!

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

First and foremost, after having chosen to pursue a new life in and through CHRIST JESUS (for some you already have) Paul instructs us to look forward to our eternal destiny around the throne of glory where nothing now will even matter then. Not only that, he goes on to say that things that affect our very hearts such as I mentioned previously that for some are temporary distractions and for others more on a consistent basis we should endeavor to let go of the more with each passing day.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul says because of the new life that we have in submitting to GOD’s will through CHRIST JESUS, we have become dead to the things of this life so that we may gain eternal which is a mystery to those who do not understand so we are kept by the grace of GOD through JESUS CHRIST and protected from what would surely overtake us outside of His loving arms. Because living in and through CHRIST JESUS has become our new way of believing, thinking, walking, talking and acting.. when JESUS returns for His one true church we to will go back with Him to live forevermore!!!

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul then says so while we are yet still breathing, to allow the Holy Spirit to kill all of the things inside of us that cause us to to be disobedient to what GOD has warned us about which will keep us from certain destruction.

“in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul reminds us of the old lives that we used to live and how sin did rule in our bodies but because we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) in CHRIST JESUS, choosing to turn from how we used to be and going forward even after making mistakes along the way (which almost surely will happen while we are still in these bodies made of flesh and blood), let nothing stop us from adopting a mindset of change.

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul further gives a specific example as to living a changed life by pointing out that we should practice to tell the truth no matter what the cost now that we are new in CHRIST JESUS, showing that we are ever learning to be more like CHRIST while growing in the knowledge of a GODLY lifestyle because we were all made to be like our Most High Creator.

Final Thought: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST JESUS, we are encouraged to maintain and share the same mind to love each other (even those who hate us in secret), to be humble in a World that glorifies fame, popularity and control while caring for those who are deemed as useless and above all, and never think that we know it all only fooling our own selves. It’s time to make the choice to.. MENTALLY CHECK OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!

-Minister Marchand, Founder and Overseer of JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRIES-JIGM and JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY-JIGMIA