THE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION

Devotion 12 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

MOTIVATED BY DESIRE

From the experiential point of view, Paul was motivated by desire; a desire that had been shaped by his exposure to Christ Jesus the Lord. The things he had been given to comprehend were perceived as superior to all that the world had to offer. When he was born again, he received a new heart and a new affection. That affection had a moral power that no commandment possessed. By "moral power," I mean power to choose the good and refuse the evil. No mere discipline of thought could have accomplished in Paul what a new affection achieved. Not even the threat of death could have altered Paul's life like his insatiable appetite for Christ Himself. He gladly abandoned every earthly advantage to gain Christ. He eagerly pursued the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, and set his heart on experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection.

The Apostle was a pattern for us all in these things. He was not a superman, but one constrained by grace. His own testimony confirms him to be an example for us all. "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (1 Tim 1:16). The grace of God made Paul what he was (1 Cor 15:10), and it makes us what we are. His understanding of Christ impelled him to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). Our understanding of the Savior constrains us to do the same. If men do not grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, their vision is lacking. Either they have never seen, or they have forgotten what they once saw. Peter stated it succinctly; "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins" (2 Pet 1:9). Spiritual blindness is but another view of a loss of appetite or affection. If our affection for things above wanes, our spiritual vision deteriorates. If that condition continues, spiritual blindness soon sets in, and sin begins to dominate. Remember, "where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov 29:18).

CONCLUSION

A heart that is enthralled with the truth of Christ is an enabling heart. All those possessing such a heart will gladly forsake the ways of the world. With joy they will press in to the center of the heavenly kingdom, seeking to know Christ, the fellowship of His sufferings, and the power of His resurrection. These are results that cannot be attained by Law. There is no routine or disciplinary procedure that can produce such grand effects.

Let every believer engage in a quest for "things above." Start by placing your affection on them! Look intently upon them, and you will soon find yourself wanting them. Once that desire grips your heart, its power will become evident to you. In the light of the heavenly vision, you will be able to forsake what you could not otherwise forsake. A consistency will characterize your life that was not there before. Then you will know the power of a new affection!

-- TOMORROW: DRINKING FROM THE WELL -- -- MONDAY, New Series: INNER CONFLICT --