Here, Paul speaks to the difference Jesus makes in the lives of his followers. We recognize that most of the struggles we are seeing in our world today are man-made: anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive language, and dishonesty. These are the things of the earth that we are called to strip off and leave behind. Instead, we are called to clothe ourselves with the heart and mind of the One we follow. We are called to ground ourselves in values and practices that reflect those of Jesus. In this, we will see that no matter how much we love labeling others and separating ourselves, these distinctions melt away with our new life in Christ.
If you were making a list of “earthly” things you should leave behind, what would it include? What “things that are above” do you wish you had more of? What practices might be helpful in erasing the us vs. them mentality that is so prevalent in our world? How can you partner with God in bringing about this reality?
Offer a prayer for unity and peace.
