Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart resulting in a change of action. Repenting does not mean doing acts of penance, but rather acknowledging our sin and our need for a savior. Repentance is a necessary response to God's work of salvation where we turn from our sins and turn to God. But no one can repent without being drawn to repentance by God. Praise God for his grace of repentance!

Our current world is one of polarizing division. It is far easier to create a distinction of "us" vs. "them" than to be united in something. These divisions are nothing new, but go back at least to the time of Paul and even before him. But while these divisions are real, they are overcome in Jesus Christ. Believers in Jesus Christ are no longer defined primarily by ethnic, social, national, or any other type of identity. They are defined and united in Christ.

Our nature leads to our behavior. Believers in Jesus Christ have a new nature, a new identity in Christ that replaces the old nature of sin. And believers in Christ are being transformed into the image of their creator. Living in the sinful pattern of our old nature is not in step with who we are and who we are becoming.

Every Christian must play a role in God's mission. He calls some to go to the nations to proclaim the gospel. He calls others to send faithful laborers into the harvest. And he calls everyone to fulfill the great commission where they are at. What role do you play in God's mission? Are you proclaiming the good news? Are you supporting those who do?

Christians must not coddle sin. Instead, they must make war against sin and put it to death. The flesh offers up temptation, and giving into our evil desires ultimately leads to death. Rather than taking temptation and sin lightly, believers must be repulsed by them and actively fight against them. This fight can only be done in the power of Jesus Christ, who gives life to those who are dead in their sins and gives victory to believers fighting against it.

When someone believes in Christ, they are united with him. This union with Christ changes everything. It gives us a new priority, a new mindset, and a new hope. Reflecting on Christ's work of redemption should lead to a resolve to faithfully follow him.

False teaching prompted Paul to write to the Colossians, and unfortunately it is still alive and well today. False teaching distorts, subtracts from, or adds to the gospel. It takes something good and warps it just enough to make it evil. Sometimes it comes in the form of legalism, requiring not just faith in Christ but obedience to specific standards in order to be right with God. Sometimes it comes through mysticism, that there are other means to communicate and hear from God outside of what he has provided in Scripture. And sometimes it looks like asceticism, teaching that we can get to God through our own efforts. But these forms of false teaching are dangerous, because they take away from the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ. Trust in him alone!

When we reflect on the resurrection, we are confronted with God's faithfulness. All throughout history he has been revealing that his plan of salvation will involve the death and resurrection of his Son. The events we remember at Easter proclaim that God is faithful to keep his promises. This means that he is trustworthy and deserving of our faith. Is your faith in Jesus Christ?