If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
Dick Lucas writes:
The chief business of the Christian is to maintain [and grow in] his relationship with Christ. When this is unsatisfactory, the other relationships of life cannot succeed.
What such a relationship will require of the young Colossians, as of ourselves, is set out in four urgent commands, to each of which is attached a logical basis to show why it is so necessary that these things be done. These ‘four imperatives of Christian spirituality’ may be set out as follows:
1. Seek the things above.
2. Set your mind on things above.
3. Put to death what is earthy in you.
4. Put away the life you once lived.
While it is helpful to see all four of these imperatives together. We will look at the first two this coming Sunday and the second two, Lord willing, on the follow day of Sabbath worship.
MEMORY WORK – Shorter Catechism Q/A 94
Q. 94. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.