As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. (Colossians 2:6-20)
Lord, do not allow me to lose connection with the Head, which is you.
And do not let anyone judge me by the basic principles of the world. The basic principles of the world lack value in restraining sensual indulgences (Colossians 2:23). Only your perfect Spirit can transform me and keep me pure.
Should I find myself among sinners, does that mean I promote sin? That you promote sin? Absolutely not!
I have died with you. It is no longer me who lives in this shell of this body, but you living in me (Galatians 2:20). I now consider myself dead to the basic principles of this old world (Colossians 2:20).
Your very life serves as my example, for you ate with sinners and yet you never participated in sin. In fact, you warned those you met to stop sinning.
“You are well again,” you said to a recovering invalid. “Now, stop sinning.” (John 5:14)
“I do not condemn you,” you declared. “Go and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)
Like the Twelve and all others who called themselves your followers, we are called to meet folks where they are and introduce them to you. And should some seek to sin right before our eyes, may we do as did and our Father does and turn away from such wicked acts. For as you say:
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” (Habakkuk 1:13)
Lord, may I always welcome sinners with the love you have for me, but never invite sin into my heart, my home, or my relationships.
Lord, may I seek to behold your glory. Well I know that in doing so I will be transformed into your image one degree at a time, for this change can only come from yer Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
And if I gaze upon sin, be it live in the flesh around me, in words told to me, or in images crafted by wicked desires, well I know I will be changed by another spirit, one that is unclean and unholy.
By my actions I either confirm that you live in me or I prove that I have no part of you (Romans 6:1-2). Your Spirit convicts me of my sins (John 16:8–11). And once I stand convicted, I must either confess with my mouth and repent—agreeing with my Father that my sin is an affront to him—or go my own way into darkness that leads to destruction and death.
In all ways at all times may I remain connected to the head, my Lord, for in you is life to the full.
And I can always use a heaping helping more of that sort of getting ahead.
Amen and amen.