Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17

 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ......
 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds
them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Meditation:
1. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of
putting on the new life.
- A new life is possible (vv3-4)
- Get rid of the old life (v5)
- Put on the new life (v12-14)
- Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)
2. Which segment of this process speaks to me most right now? Reread the
verses that correspond to that segment. What word or phrase in that segment
speaks to me? Why? How does that idea relate to the other segments? How
does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect unit”?
3. Pray back to God the segment that speaks to me, personalizing it. For
example, based on v13, Please help me to bear with XX(someone’s name)
and forgive XX for the grievances I have against XX. Help me to forgive as the
Lord forgave me.

Personal Note:
I have tasted what the new life is like, experienced the blessings of getting rid of the old life, and continue to wrestle with the inner thoughts and behavoirs needed to put on new life.  Everything here sums up in the deep desire to love God.