The book of Colossians chapter 3 says that once we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we die. What does this mean and what does this look like in the daily life of a Christian?

“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. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 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 ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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.”

In the daily life of a Christian, we must ask God for the wisdom to see what parts of our old life lives on. We need to pray to God to see what of these things we have in our hearts: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language or telling lies. 

Let’s pray. Thank You Jesus that You died for us. Thank You that You tell us exactly what parts of us need to die – anger, immorality, greed. Help our hearts and minds to see what parts of ourselves we must leave behind as we follow You. Help us to keep our eyes on You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Psalm 23 is often read at funerals. This is a Psalm that should encourage us when we go through difficult times. There are so many beautiful promises in this Psalm. Let’s focus on just one.

Psalm 23

“¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.”

Did you read the beautiful promise that we will walk, not die or drown or stagnate, but walk with God side by side. ^“Even though I walk through the darkest valley . . “. Keep walking, this is not the end.

Let’s pray. Thank You for walking with us in the darkest times of life. Thank You that You will never leave us, You are always right there at our side. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

In 1 Peter chapter 1, starting in verse 3, we read a beautiful promise. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Did you read all those amazing gifts and promises you have? In verse 3, God has given you a living hope because of your belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is a gift already given; you already have that living hope. From that living hope, in verse 4, you are promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. No matter what happens on earth, your inheritance is safe in heaven, protected by God. While your inheritance is safe, in verse 5, God promises to shield you through your faith in Jesus. This is another gift that you have already received, you are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In verse 6, God tells you to stay anchored to the living hope. Remember all of these promises because as you walk through life on earth, you will suffer grief in all kinds of trials. You will have trouble and hurt and pain. God tells you to rejoice in the living hope of Jesus and stand firm in your faith. The trials that you endure have come to prove the genuineness of your faith. As your faith grows through trials, it is of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire. How can you remain in the living hope and grow your faith in times of trouble? Give praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ.  If you find praising Jesus is hard, remember when you were first saved. When you first met Jesus. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

No matter what lies ahead, you have an inheritance that is protected by God Himself. When you go through trials, let your faith grow by praising Jesus. If you hurt so much that it is hard to praise Him, remember when you met Jesus and how you did not see Him then, yet you believed and you fell in love with Him. Allow the joy and living hope to wash over you because your faith in Jesus has saved your very soul.  

Let’s pray. Thank You Jesus that You have set our inheritance in heaven. Thank You that You protect us, and You tell us exactly what to do when we run into trouble in this life. We are to give You praise and honor and glory. Help our hearts and minds to be anchored in the living hope You have already given us. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.