I hope you're seeing the pattern that keeps coming up in Paul's writing. It is nowhere more clear than here in Colossians 3. Verse 5, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Instead, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another" (vs 12).
What a difference! Have you ever wanted your life to be marked by the things on that second list? I do. The problem for me is that I usually try to go about changing my behavior—by trying to change my behavior. But targeting our behavior is not what Paul says is the key to changing our behavior.
The key to changing our behavior is found in verse 16. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." This is what Paul means when he says that we are to know Christ and be "found in him." We are found in him when his word is found in us.
God is calling you to be filled with a love for his word. If you love him you will also love his word. Do you love God enough to run to obey him? If you love him, you will cheerfully do what he asks. Not because you have to, not because it's a burden; but because it brings you great joy! May the word of God dwell in you richly!
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