Obey God's Rules

1. SET HEARTS & MINDS

COLOSSIANS 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Because we have been raised with Christ, our lives are now oriented toward where He reigns—at the right hand of God. This begins with intentionally aligning our hearts with God’s eternal purposes rather than temporary earthly pursuits. We then set our minds on things above, allowing Christ’s truth to govern our thoughts, decisions, and priorities. When heart and mind are aligned with Him, faith moves into action, and our lives increasingly reflect Christ on earth.

2. TAKE OFF…

COLOSSIANS 3:7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

The behaviors of the old self belong to a former way of life that has been put off through union with Christ. Though salvation marks a decisive break with the past, living it out requires daily intention. We consciously lay aside sinful attitudes and practices—anger, deceit, corrupt speech—and refuse to return to what no longer defines us. This daily “taking off” makes room for a new way of walking that reflects our identity in Christ.

3. PUT ON …

COLOSSIANS 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Love is the defining virtue that holds every Christlike quality together. To put on love is to deliberately choose the character of Christ in our responses and relationships. Love governs how virtues are expressed, preserves unity, and reflects God’s heart toward others. Without love, virtues lose their coherence; with love, they are bound together in harmony.

4. LET GOD …

COLOSSIANS 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom… 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Christian life is sustained by God’s work within us. When the peace of Christ rules in our hearts, it becomes the guiding authority in our decisions and relationships. As the Word of Christ dwells richly among us, it shapes how we speak, teach, and encourage one another. Everything we do—word or deed—is then lived under the authority of Jesus’ name, marked by gratitude to God the Father. This life of obedience and transformation is made possible through the Holy Spirit, who enables us to walk in holiness and love beyond our natural strength.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for raising us with Christ and giving us a new life anchored in Him. Teach us to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly desires that pull us away from Your will. Help us to daily put off the old self with its anger, pride, bitterness, and deceit, and to clothe ourselves with the new life You have given us in Christ.

Lord, above all, help us to put on love—the love that binds everything together in perfect unity. Let Your love rule our words, our actions, and our relationships, reflecting the heart of Jesus in all we do. May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, guiding our decisions and calming our spirits, and let the message of Christ dwell richly within us, shaping us through Your Word and wisdom.

Holy Spirit, we yield to You. We acknowledge that we cannot live this life in our own strength. Equip us to walk in holiness, to forgive quickly, to love deeply, and to obey faithfully. In our marriages and relationships, help us to see others not only as they are, but as You are shaping them to become. Use us as instruments of grace, patience, and transformation.

We commit everything we say and do to the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to You in all things. May our lives honor You and make Christ visible to those around us.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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