GENUINE SALVATION INCLUDES NEW VIRTUES WHICH ARE ACTIVATED BY LOVE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts 
on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
(Colossians 3:1)

MEDITATION:
When we read and meditate on the scriptures, 
we can easily see that the control center for our faith (or lack of faith) 
is a combination of our heart and mind.
Whatever we train our mind to focus on affects our heart.
If our mind is full of selfishness, 
then we are not going to have a heart for others.

Conversely, if our mind is filled with unselfishness, 
then we will have concern for others and actively seek ways 
to encourage them and brighten their days.
In addition, we will have a genuine concern regarding 
their relationship with the Lord, and where they will spend eternity. 

In his letter to the Colossians, 
Paul addresses the importance of controlling our minds.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2)
Of course it is a humbling experience (and God loves it when we are humble),
but if we are going to follow Paul’s advice, then we have to 
allow God’s Spirit within us to gain control of our heart and mind.

Paul tells us that when we are truly saved, 
our lives will reflect our status change.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 
(Colossians 3:3)

He also reminds us of the promise given to those 
who surrender to the Lord and His Will for their lives.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, 
then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

If we are going to allow the Spirit to have control of our mind, 
then we should expect, allow, and embrace changes in our lives.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual 
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. You 
used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must 
also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, 
slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, 
since you have taken off your old self with its practices (Colossians 3:5, 7-9)

If we ignore Paul’s instructions, then we are promised that we 
will suffer a severe punishment that we could never imagine...forever.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. (Colossians 3:6)
The wrath of God will fall on those who have convinced themselves 
they are saved, but have never fully surrendered to the Lord.
God gives us a choice – we can either embrace His love and blessings,
or be subjected to His wrath.

When Paul tells us to ‘put on the new self’, it is a call to action.
In order to be ‘renewed in the image of Christ’, we have some responsibilities. 
The reward for our actions is, Christ living in us, 
which makes it possible for us to ‘clothe ourselves with compassion, 
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’.
We discover that we have a new natural ability, willingness and passion 
to ‘bear with each other’ and ‘forgive one another’.
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the 
image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or 
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and 
is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe 
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance 
against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:10-13)

Paul tells us to ‘forgive as the Lord has forgiven us’.
That is a tall order for anyone, but it is possible (along with developing 
the other virtues he mentioned), when we learn to love others as God loves us.
Paul says that love is what makes everything work together 
to please the Lord and for others to recognize that we truly belong to Him.
Whenever we are motivated by love for God and for others, each virtue 
accentuates and strengthens the other ones and they all complement each other. 
And over all these virtues put on love, 
which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14)

ACTION:
Are you still wearing your ‘old self’ or have you put on your ‘new self’
with all of its virtues bound together with a heart that loves God?
Can others detect the ‘new self’ in you by your words and actions?
More importantly, do you and God know you have changed 
and surrendered to His Will and His expectations of you?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of salvation. Forgive me 
if I am still holding on to my old self and I have failed to embrace 
the new self that confirms my faith is genuine. Help me to cultivate 
the virtues expected of Christians so I will have a care, concern, 
love, and positive impact on others. Teach me to be humble so I can 
easily exchange my selfishness for selflessness.”

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