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Kingdom Do's And Don'ts In Colossians
Brian Mashburn
June 17, 2007
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The Hidden Life
The "hidden life". Sounds ominous, doesn't it? But according to Paul in Colossians, Kingdom citizens should have one. He says, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
"So," Paul says, "put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature." And then Paul leaves nothing to chance. He makes a list. These are things that Kingdom citizens, hidden with Christ, DO NOT DO.
We don't do sexual immorality. We reserve sex, including anything physical associated with the act itself, exclusively for the marriage bed. We don't do impurity, either (indecent or compromising acts). We are an idealistic sort of folk. We don't do lust either. That's right, Kingdom citizens don't make room in their minds or hearts even the thoughts of sexual immorality. And we don't do evil desires. Things that are self-indulging, uncharitable, and unholy are out. Like greed...because that's the same as worshipping someone other than God. We don't do anger, rage, malice, slander, or filthy language. And we do not, above all else, do lies. Lies are the native tongue of the Evil One. We don't speak his language.
"However," Paul goes on, "we're still busy as God's chosen people, clothing ourselves with virtues." Again, Paul explains some. We do compassion. We do kindness. We do humility. These are so consuming that they take all our time. Can you blame us for not doing those other things? We do gentleness and patience. We forgive, because those that offend us deserve it no less than we do from God. And above all of these, those of us hidden in Christ, living the new life, as Kingdom citizens, love. You can interpret all that we do through the "love lens".
It's Father's Day. May the fathers of our community be the standard-holders of this Kingdom way of living, and so fulfill their destiny. And may all of us honor our fathers for being so.
And may our Father in heaven be honored above all.