One of the New Testament offerings for Easter Sunday was Colossians 3:1-4 . It sets my heart on meditation every time. This is a rich passage that cannot stop at v. 4 for me.

The affections of Christ are grounded in resurrection. Christ is risen and sets us free from the bondage of this world’s systems. We are called to refocus on what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. This is the resurrection power that allows us to fully experience the affections of Christ.

My attention turns fully to Christ. I am called to step away from the shadows and vain pursuits. I don’t do that by simply “stepping away” and then doing nothing. I am to give myself to another pursuit. A holy pursuit. A life that should reflect the values of heaven. His resurrection power has allowed me to die to self and be found in new life.

This has meaning. It is the language of “put off” and “put on” that Paul takes up here. If I am found in Christ I am to be in pursuit of the values of the Kingdom. I am to live resurrection.

That has a component of “putting to death” the stuff of this world. It is shoving off the values of this world, realizing this is not enough motivation or fulfillment for me any longer. Things don’t belong. New things are coming. Make room.

I am to “put on” the values of the Kingdom, and they will not match up with this world: Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, putting up with one another… Go ahead… try and find those values in this world’s systems. They are not there.

Are there kind people? Absolutely! But that kindness is not a value of this world’s system.

And more than anything, let the peace of Christ rule in you. Shalom. The wholeness of that word! It is fullness, peace, harmony, and so much more. This is the deepest value of the Kingdom and the last “add on” this world could possibly think of.

If I am walking in the affections of Christ, my deepest value will be peace. When Christ is being formed in me, I am to be seen as a man of peace. I am not there. I still need the resurrected Christ working deep in my heart moving out the rage, the ego, the pride, and oh! so much more! It is his affections that will drive it all out so the world’s values do not contend for my attention any longer. When my full attention is turned to his affections… peace comes.