THE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION

Devotion 2 of 12

"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." -- Colossians 3:1-3, NASB

Defining Affection #1 FOCUS and AFFECTION

No person can live a spiritually consistent life until their heart and mind is focused on "things above." There is no law, no discipline of thought, no religious regimen that can produce true piety, or godliness. Sin maintains its persistent grip upon our soul until, by faith, we rise into higher realms. As it is written, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:3-4). Our acceptance of Christ's vicarious, or substitutionary, sacrifice frees us to center our hearts upon eternal verities. This is the secret to stability of soul.

DEFINING "AFFECTION" Not a weak word

In Scripture, particularly relating to our association with the Lord, "affection" is not a weak term. The contemporary use of this word is generally very shallow, denoting feeling more than thought, and emotion more than rationale. Someone that is "affectionate" is not always viewed as a thoughtful person. In Christ, this is not at all the case. A spiritually affectionate person is a thinking person, driven by sober contemplation rather than flucuating passion.

As used in Scripture

The word "affection," as used in Scripture, comes from a word meaning, to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):--set the affection on, (be) care (-ful), (be like-, be of one, be of the same, let this) mind (-ed, regard, savor, think. Savor, treasure, or relish. This involves the preference and bent of the heart. The mind dwells upon the things that give it the most satisfaction. Such things are pleasant and enjoyable. Something that is savored, becomes the focus of the mind. When the Lord Jesus upbraided Peter, the rebuke dealt in Peter's affection. "But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savorest not (do not have in mind, NIV) the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt 16:23). Prior to Pentecost, Peter, like the rest of the disciples, had a propensity toward the things of this world. They thought like ordinary men. While this is not generally considered to be a serious condition, it made Peter himself offensive to Jesus; i.e., "thou art an offence unto Me." The way a person thinks has a direct bearing upon Christ's view of them. O, that this were known more widely! Our "affection," as used in this lesson, involves the attraction to and preference for certain matters. It effects the way we reason and speak, and is therefore of great importance. Like Peter, what we say, and the perspectives we entertain, reveal our preferences.

-- TOMORROW: WORK OF YOUR OWN SALVATION, By Edward Fudge --