NOV 26

Colossians 3:7
Memorise Psalm 1:1
“…when ye lived in them…”

Paul continues in Colossians 3:7 “In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” He reminds them that in the past, before they became believers, they used to walk and live like the children of disobedience. They were amongst them in the world, and were no different from them. Their way of thinking, their conduct, their desires and motivations were all selfish and sinful like the world! But that was in the past. Now, it is no longer like that. They walked like them and lived amongst them before, but now they have been saved and cleansed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! They were new creatures, with new affections and desires that are of things above and not on the earth. The life that they now have, must no longer be affected by the environment around them. They must now distance themselves from all those who continue to live in sin, for Christians no longer entertain these earthly affections in their lives. They must now learn how to separate themselves, to no longer be influenced by these sins, and also the people who so freely indulge in them.

Many times, the friendships that we have are very circumstantial. Whether it’s someone we sit next to in class, share a society or sport with, or meet by chance or through mutual friends, we often find people we ‘click’ with, and a friendship is formed. Young people are often heavily influenced by friends: when their friends admire those who cross-dress, they too feel compelled to go along, even when the Holy Spirit pricks their conscience. When a lifelong friend confesses to you privately that he or she is addicted to homosexuality and cannot break away, you compassionately listen and empathise; you do not judge for fear of losing that friendship, and soon you too are tempted into the same inordinate affection. Read Psalm 1:1 and realise that who you keep company with will affect you: their conversation (“counsel”), behaviour (“walk”) and the places they frequent (“seat”). You know the truth of God’s Word; pray for the strength to break off from these worldly friends, and pray for God to teach you how to choose friends wisely, by looking at whether their conversation, behaviour and places they frequent are godly or worldly. Better to befriend someone who is socially awkward but otherwise godly, than to be befriended by the worldly who uses the ways of the world to attract you.

Thought: Did I choose my friends or did my friends choose me?
Prayer: May I have the strength to break away from the world and worldly friends.