Colossians 3  As believers and followers of Jesus Christ.. those who have been taken from darkness to light.. from death to life.. Paul teaches.. we are to live "in Him".  This chapter spells it out for us...  

First of all, we need to start thinking like Him.. "Set you minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.. "  Our lives here and now are temporary..  but, we have eternal life in Christ.. and He "is seated at the right hand of God".  Paul says our lives are "hidden with Christ in God".  We have "died" to the temporal and have been raised to the eternal.. "When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."  This is an amazing statement!  For the present time.. we live with eternity in view.. even while we anticipate that day when we will see Him face to face.. for it is then that we will be "like Him".  

As followers of Christ, who have "died" in Him.. we "consider the members of [our] earthly bodies as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed.. "  In other words.. we strive to be like Christ in every way.  We also put aside "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech.. " We don't lie to one another either.  We put on "the new self".. the self that Jesus has raised us up to be.. "according to the image of the One who created him".  

This new self looks more like Jesus.. "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other... and beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." 

 Paul goes on.. "let the peace of Christ rule in you hearts... and be thankful.... Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom.. "  As we set our minds on Jesus.. and as He works in us through His Word and by His Spirit... our hearts will be filled with His peace and will overflow with thankfulness.. we will sing praises to God with all our heart! 

"And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  

Father in heaven, sanctify us through and through.. that we might be more like Jesus.. Keep our minds on the eternal.. on life in Christ forever.  Help us to do all things in His Name.. for Your glory.  We give You thanks for all that You have done.. You have chosen us.. transformed us.. made us new creatures in Christ. You are our Help and our Strength.. You are our God who calls us "Beloved".. Thank You! Be glorified in us today we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.