“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)
Welcome to the 41st weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we learnt about the work of God in the life of the believer in redemption, which should result in visible transformation.
We began the week by learning that a life of willful submission sets us apart from the world. Abraham willingly submitted himself to God despite not understanding His plans (Genesis 22:1-9). In the same way, as people who are dead to our old selves and have received Christ’s life through faith (Romans 6:3-4), we should surrender to Him. Although being dead to sin does not stop temptations from appearing in this fallen world, the Spirit you carry enables you to live above sin (Galatians 5:16).
On Tuesday, we saw that with redemption, God birthed a new species of mankind (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old and new men have distinct natures and ambitions, so a renewed man needs to understand that he is no longer who he used to be. A significant transformation has occurred (Galatians 2:20), and he must now focus on discovering and pursuing God’s purpose for his life (Colossians 3:1-3), shifting his desires toward the things of God.
Wednesday’s article showed us that our service to God is supposed to be for His pleasure, so there is an acceptable way to go about it (Romans 12:1). This begins by being dead to self—abandoning the ambitions of the flesh—and living for God (Romans 6:11-13). We must make an intentional decision to be different from the rest of the world and consistently choose the perspective of the Word of God (Romans 12:2).
On Thursday, we learnt that the work of the Spirit of God in the life of a believer should be evident (Galatians 5:22-23). Many people struggle to display the fruits of salvation because they rely on their own strength rather than God’s (Galatians 5:16). Understanding what you have in Christ empowers you to walk in the Spirit and rise above the flesh. Be mindful of your influences, meditate on God’s Word, and remember that you can live righteously as a testimony of Christ’s life within you.
We wrapped up the week on Friday with a reminder about the importance of making God our one priority. Rather than viewing life as a hierarchy where God competes with other priorities like family, career, or ministry, everything should flow from our relationship with Him (Matthew 6:33). Do not seek God merely for His blessings, but because in Him, everything else in life falls into its proper place. God is your only priority and must be central to your stewardship, service, and relationships.
Dear believer, you have received a new life in Christ, so live it for Him with the help of His Spirit.
Have a great Weekend!
Bible Reading Recap