The Monday after the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 7, 2024 by under
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10 (NKJV)
3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
Devotion
St. Paul exhorts the Colossians to “seek those things which are above.” He is encouraging them to turn from their old sinful way of living to a life lived as members of Christ’s Body. It is a reminder not only to the Colossians, but also to us. We can so easily be swayed by sin that we forget who we are. It is in this daily struggle between “the old man” and “the new man” that we, as members of Christ’s Body, endure life in this world. We are tempted to sin and often succumb to the temptations of the devil, the world, and “the old man.” We can easily become discouraged as we find ourselves failing again, and again, and again.
After our Lord Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, a mere ten days later He sent the Holy Spirit, just as He promised. The Holy Spirit is given to us in Holy Baptism. He is the One who “has called [you] by the Gospel, enlightened [you] with His gifts, sanctified and kept [you] in the true faith.” He is the One who takes your discouraged self and sets “your mind on things above.” He shows you that “your life is hidden with Christ in God” and in Him you have forgiveness of all your sins.
Collect: O Almighty and most Merciful God, of Thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready, both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldest have done; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
