For the month February, our Take Up Your Sword reading plan has us meditating on Colossians 3:1-17. Paul describes the day to day pursuit of sanctification in terms of undressing and dressing. We are to “put away” (3:8) sin and to “put on” (3:12, 14) godliness. And this isn’t a “one and done” thing, but a daily pursuit.

As I’ve been reflecting on the things we are to put away and the things we are to put on, I’m very aware that there is no simple off switch for the first list or on switch for the second. Sin runs deep and growing in Christ can feel out of our control. So how do we put away and put on?

It begins with where we set our minds. That is something we have control over.

“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.” (1 Cor. 6:19b-20)

Our weekly worship gathering is a corporate time of setting our minds on things that are above. As we remember Jesus’ death, we remember that we are united with him in that death. And as we remember Jesus’ resurrection, we remember that we are not powerless against sin but raised with him and filled with resurrection power through the Holy Spirit. And we are encouraged to keep our minds set on these things throughout the week to come.

Jackson Randall will be preaching 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 this week and Kenny Clark will be leading our time of sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And pray for our church and all who will be in attendance this Sunday, that the Lord would help us find peace and joy and contentment in the lives He has assigned to each of us, resting in His perfect love for us and good plans for us.

See you Sunday. Let’s come hungry!