The lectionary reading for Trinity 7 in this Year C is Colossians 3.1–11, the last of our mini-series in this letter. We are at a classic hinge point in Paul’s letter; having told us everything that God has done for us in Christ (the indicative), he now moves on to explore what the response to this is. It is remarkable how Paul’s moves from the biggest theological ideas to immediate, practical application of this to Christian living.
He lists two groups of five behaviours, one group about the body, the other group about our speech, and shows how we must leave these things behind because of our new life in Christ. He talks clearly about morality without ever falling into moralism.
The gospel reading for Trinity 7 is Luke 12.13–21, and the written commentary is here.
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A good introduction to an important passage on life in the kingdom.
Seldom preached or understood is the nature of Resurrection Life and His and our Ascension.
Are they what we possess and where we live our lives?
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Paul informs in Ephesians[which is his commentary on just what it means to be a Christ-follower:] to have all of the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. Chosen, predestined, adopted, lavished with grace, redeemed, sealed, forgiven—the list goes on for nearly the whole first chapter.
As Paul says IF you are thus seated with Christ the rest follows easily.
As Oswald Chambers observes the practice of mortification is simply
To “Destroy by neglect” the wrong attitudes and behaviours and develop
the righteous attitudes; referred in another place as “possessing [commanding] the soul.
Possessing the position of a priest requires priestly obligations and conduct, part of which requires them to sanctify themselves in preparation for meeting with God.
It is their/our obligation. It is not just a priestly position but it requires us to fulfill Priestly obligations, failure to do so brought down ancient judgements on the priests and therefore the loss of the temple and the land.
Hence “He that overcometh, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne” (Revelation 3:21). –
Seek those things which are above 3 V 2.
Feed on Christ continually.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Colossians 3.1–11 [is] the last of our mini-series in this letter. We are at a classic hinge point in Paul’s letter; having told us everything that God has done for us in Christ (the indicative), he now moves on to explore what the response to this is.
Yes, this is a hinge point after which Paul explores the response of faith, but the previous paragraphs are about much more than what God has done for us. They are about WHO JESUS IS; with what He did stemming from that. Listen to this message from Frank Viola about Colossians 1, in which he reads Paul’s description of Jesus transposed to the first person, as if it is Jesus speaking (from 4.40):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKgoKR8WSw