Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
We need to put these things to death because they prevent us from seeking what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. They distract us from thinking of what is above, drawing our minds to what is of earth instead. Our life is hidden with Christ since we have been buried with him in baptism. This life is marked by the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, peace, joy, and the rest.
If we allow it, the devil is all too willing to throw us distractions that prevent us from being centered in and living this truth. He wants to concern us with becoming rich now, with becoming filled now, with being entertained now, and with being well-liked. He wants us to forget that we already have what we need and instead push us toward seeking excess. There can be a sense in which we weep and hunger now. But our life is nevertheless hidden with Jesus. If we fix our eyes on that and seek what is above we can live with all of the certainty and peace that only the indestructible life of Jesus can offer. We can live it even in the event of earthly want and hardship. In fact, earthly want, properly considered, only helps point our minds toward Jesus. It shows what is the only true and lasting certainty.
Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Poor who seek worldly riches constantly do not experience this blessing. But poor who realize that they are able to rely on God and God alone truly receive the Kingdom even amidst their poverty.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
No comments:
Post a Comment