"So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. 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.
Your old life is dead.That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness....(the message)
Did I just read this right? Irritability? That hits a nerve-Really.How often do I say "ugh-I just feel irritable today!"THAT is NOT a "feeling shaped by God".It is listed with sins that I would never consider to entertain.Why? Why do we do this? We have sins that just seem "excusable" to act upon.It's only once a month-right?In this same portion of scripture it also has this to say about the "old life" "...doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy." Hmmmm.This could go in so many directions.It's personal to me,to you. Where do I need to be careful?In what areas of my life do I need to be watchful? Is it ,TV,food,shopping? Not that these are all wrong in themselves,I question, is it too much too often? Re-read the verses, take inventory of your priorities.Than make conclusions you need to,set goals and God will be right there to help you-I guarantee that!
I know this strikes me,steps on my toes,and demands my attention.These "litte things" can creep in unknowingly and innocently.
Here is encouragement-find a new focus.Replace Godly choices and actions to replace the things you want to delete from your life. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
