MUSTARD SEED THOUGHTS #13

Living as a spiritual person is one of the greatest paradigm changes for a Christian. How does one consider oneself as a spiritual being housed in a physical body? We act naturally when we encounter issues in life. We tend to respond with our intellect, emotions etc. However, in many New Testament teachings we find the authors using terms like ’walking in the spirit’ , ‘the fruit of the spirit’, ‘do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?’ In other words, we need to pay a little more attention to our spiritual self. Paul even mentions that the spiritual self is in conflict with the physical self. Spirit versus flesh. We are called to be spiritual people not religious people. Being religious is not being spiritual. What must we do to take hold of this?

In the Book of Colossians, Paul spoke against the carnality of the believers. They thought that being involved in some festivities and religious indulgences meant that they were spiritual. He said: “ Let no one judge you in food and in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbath “ (Col 2:16) ….which all concern things which perish with the using-according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things have an appearance of wisdom in self imposed religion, false humility and neglect of the body but are of no value…” (Col 2:22,23)

Paul gave some insights to overcome carnality: Perspective and Practice.

PERSPECTIVE
He advised them to (1) SEEK . He told them to consider seeking ‘those things which are above’. (3:1) In our everyday decisions and actions, we should be mindful of eternal things. When we get involved in everyday matters, we should ask ourselves if these things help build and strengthen our spiritual lives instead of gratifying the ego. Sometimes we forget and tend to satisfy the here and now instead of looking at the eternal consequences. (2) SET. (3:2) In the Message Bible it reads, ‘ Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ-that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective’. In other words, we should lock our focus and sight on Christ alone. In all that we do, we should see through these lenses . (3) SEE. (3:4) Look at things from a future perspective. As humans, we are impatient beings. We tend to judge what is going on with how we feel now. Our thought is heavenly. Our gaze is Jesus. Our objective is eternal. It is all about seeing-our perspective.

PRACTICE
Included with the perspective, there is the practical part. Paul used these words ‘put off’ and ‘put on’ as though he was referring to the changing of the attire. In 3:5, he exhorted the believers to ‘ put to death your members which are on the earth’. In other words, do not continue to think and dwell in carnal and earthly thoughts. If we try to define these earthly issues, they have to do with strong drives: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness. Then the next set of things to put off has to do with internal strife: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, lies and filthy language. All these struggles come about because of the carnality that is still strong in the believer’s life. Paul concludes with these words…’put off the old man with his deeds and put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to Christ’. Wrong perspectives cause us to end up with wrong behavior.

In conclusion, one must put on: tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering and …..love. (v12-14) which are virtues if one is spiritually minded. Right perspectives result in right actions.