All Scriptures are from The Message Version
One of the many themes of scripture is transformation, that through our faith we become something different; that our lives have different priorities and that we interact with the realities of life differently. Two definitions of transform are:
1. To change markedly the appearance or form of
2. To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert
What is your personal experience with the transformational nature of faith; do any of the definitions apply or would you add your own?
This post is intended to help the reader personalize the words and thoughts in the scriptures. It works well if shared between two or more people as a topic of discussion but there is much to be gained by considering the questions yourself.
The writer of Colossians speaks specifically about the change we should experience as people of faith:
Colossians 3:1-2 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.
3-4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
5 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.
• Reread the first sentence; how does the writer set the tone? How do you react to the words? As you look back on your faith life have there been times when you were more spiritually “serious” than others. How was your life different during the high and low points of your spiritual intensity?
• Can you relate to “shuffle along”, “eyes to ground”, and “absorbed…things right in front”? What were some circumstances in your life in which some of these words might have applied? How easy is it to fall into this style of dealing with life?
• What is the writer’s answer, how are we to avoid this trap? Where should we look; to what do we need to be alert? Have you ever been found yourself facing a difficult situation personally or as part of a faith community? Was it easy to, “Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Does it say anything about what we should consider as the really important priorities and that the methods we use to solve problems should change?
• Verses 3-4 cry out TRANSFORMED – “Your old life is DEAD” – but does our human nature really ever let go of us? Think of a time when you have successfully changed something about yourself (not to get personal but things like weight loss, dropping a bad habit, mastering a new skill). What were the keys to making the change? What has helped sustain it over time? Do those experiences have parallels to spiritual transformation? What do you feel we can count on as support for a transformed, old life is dead, faith life?
• Reread verse 5 – the writer has gone from preaching to meddling it appears. How does he sum up what we should avoid? Who is in control when we are on the wrong path? Do you agree with his assessment in the last sentence? How strong is the influence of things and feelings in the direction our life might take? When have you experienced being shaped by God instead?
We will skip ahead for some more food for transformational thought:
12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
• It begins “chosen by God” – do you feel chosen? How do you interpret these words? Have you ever been chosen/selected/promoted/elected? Did the experience change you? Did you see yourself differently and find yourself acting differently? Can you see any parallels in your faith life – in the state of your spiritual transformation?
• The writer lists some examples of attributes we are to “dress in”. Which seem natural to you, which do you feel that your faith life has helped you grow into, are there some that remain elusive? Are there any that you would add to the list?
• Do you think that it is important for us to be confronted with text like this? How about sermons? How about others gently (or not) reminding us? When do you find this kind of reminding helpful and when not? How do you go about reminding others? What does the writer tell us is the key ingredient, the “all purpose garment” upon which successful transformation depends? What needs to be the focus of our love both where it comes from and where it is directed?
• The writer speaks of the “peace of Christ”. How is it different? When have you experienced it? When have you seen it in the lives and actions of others? Based on your experience how would you describe the way in which that peace impacts real life? What goes away with peace? What fills us up? What drives peace out?
• To me one result of transformation is the company we keep and those things that shape our response to the people and events in our daily lives. What does the writer suggest in verses 15-17 that we should make a part of our lives? What would you add? What positively reinforces living the way he suggests? Which are hard for you? When is the last time you “sang” to God? Does it have to be a happy song?
• Take a few minutes to reflect on your personal spiritual transformation. Write down some thoughts and then reread our scripture for today.
Closing Litany (Psalm 85:10-13)
Love and Truth meet in the street,
Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!
Truth sprouts green from the ground,
Right Living pours down from the skies!
Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty;
our land responds with Bounty and Blessing.
Right Living strides out before him,
and clears a path for his passage.
Amen
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: 2 Samuel 7:1-14aor Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 89:20-37or Psalm 23, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
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