The Greatest Gift
Christmas Devotional - Day 6
Listen along as you read today's devotional:
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ... Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
— Colossians 3:5-8,12-14 (English Standard Version)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
— Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)
December rolled around, and with it came brisk air, bright lights and eager anticipation. It was almost Christmas in Buffalo, and the only thing missing at my workplace was old St. Nick.
For the holiday party, my coworkers wanted a Santa Claus. And they knew just the man for the role: Me.
I reluctantly agreed.
It’s one thing to be Santa in a mall where kids see you as a hero. But on a college campus? Yikes!
I was so embarrassed and annoyed with my coworkers, but when it came time to put on the costume, none of that mattered anymore. I was no longer Thomas Rodrigues. I was Santa. And Santa isn’t bitter. Santa doesn’t think he’s too cool to be Santa. Santa is jolly. Santa is generous. Santa is always up for the task.
For me to thrive, I had to forget I was Thomas and embrace the sweaty jacket and itchy beard as my own. That day, I became Santa Claus.
The Christian life is similar. In Colossians 3, Paul instructs us to put off the old way of living and put on the new. Why? Because that’s no longer who we are. We’re no longer wearing our old clothes of sin and brokenness. We’re “God’s chosen ones” and “holy and beloved by God.” By receiving in faith God’s greatest gift, Jesus, we receive a new nature.
God’s chosen ones don’t need to be controlled by evil desire. Beloved people don’t need to hold grudges. As Christians, we’re no longer “earthly,” but chosen, holy and loved.
Go ahead — put that on!
Watch: Reflect and Pray
Reflect:
God tells us in His Word that if you are a follower of Jesus, you have been chosen by God Himself. He tells us that you are now holy, and you are His beloved.
Do you ever find yourself resistant to those truths? What part of being chosen, holy and loved is hard for you to put on or embrace?
The Holy Spirit helps us believe the truths in the Bible and empowers us to live them out. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it looks like to “walk hand in hand” with Him. You can learn more about being filled with the Spirit through the GodTools app.
Pray:
Lord, will You help me believe what You say about me? You say I am holy, chosen, and beloved. Holy Spirit, will You walk with me each day and help me live like I am holy, chosen, and beloved? I want to put on my new nature and turn from my sin. I want to know You more, Jesus. Help me to seek You each day. Thank You for Your grace and power to walk in love. Amen.
Thomas Rodrigues serves with the Cru® campus ministry as a Team Leader in Queens, NYC, with his wife, Erin. Some of his favorite things about being on staff include summer missions, teaching the Bible, and training students in evangelism. In his free time, he loves watching sports, staying active, enjoying good coffee, and lazy Saturday mornings!
