Onward and Upward—Let the Main Thing Be the Main Thing

Paul is showing the Colossians how much richer they are than they realize. In Christ, they have found everything that the human heart truly desires—freedom from the burden of sin and, of course, “life in its fullest” (John 10:10). The call then is to focus our lives heavenwards and not on the things of this world that drag us back to our miserable origins. The call is onwards and upwards, and to let the main thing be the main thing.

The challenge, of course, is that the old life still beckons. How are we to fend off the old temptations? Paul does not mince his words. Have nothing to do with those things. As a recovering alcoholic, has to cut himself off from access to the source of his temptation, we are to avoid the things which once dominated our lives. We are to be ruthless in this. We are to kill the thoughts and actions which offend God. Just say no. Of course, we are not alone in this. The Holy Spirit lives within us, reminding, checking, and empowering us to resist the old sinful instincts.

In Christ, we have in fact become a new person. The old person died when we turned our back on sin and invited Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour. As new people, we have a God orientation and a desire to become more like our heavenly Father. They say that a dog and its master eventually start to look like each other. So too, do we begin more and more to resemble our Father in heaven as we seek to emulate him and make him happy with the way we choose to live our lives.

Respond in Prayer

Father God, in and through Jesus, you have given me so much. The old corrosive practices in my life no longer have sway over me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to live victoriously in this new reality. Help me today to be focused heavenwards, living like you and seeking to please you in all that I do and think. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rob Cornish

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).