Therefore

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set yourhearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Setyour minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your lifeis now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, thenyou also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whateverbelongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desiresand greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:1-5).

“That, however, is not the way of life you learned when youheard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that isin Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put offyour old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be madenew in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to belike God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each ofyou must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we areall members of one body” (Ephesians 4:20-25).

Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 4:25 start with the word“therefore” and follow it with a series of commands. These are not optional,and they are not a process. They are based upon us being dead and raised withChrist. Write them down and check them off as you have obeyed them.

How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships