Christ loves His flock. He loves His individual sheep. One thing that love motives Him to do is give human shepherds to His flock. He loves His shepherds.

The shepherds are to love “their” sheep with the Good Shepherd’s love.

They know that. So do we, their sheep.

But what struck me this morning from Colossians 4 is not what I should be receiving from the shepherds. Listen:

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it” (17).

My shepherds need encouragement from me!

“Hang in there, Archippus. Be faithful to your ministry. Fulfill your calling. Do it, Archippus! Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.”

Hmmmm. Maybe I’ll write a little note of encouragement to at least one of my ministers. Maybe even this morning yet. Before church.

Maybe.

Well, I woke up this mornin’ feelin’ bum…. (Maybe someone can finish that song and put it to music.) It seemed I couldn’t (wouldn’t?!) keep my mind from churning over a certain issue (ie, person) or two.

Then I start reading in Colossians 3.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above” (1).

“Set your affection on things above” (2).

When I see issues (ie people) before I see Christ, things can look mighty hopeless and my attitudes become mighty dim.

I am risen with Christ! That means new, abundant life with a new focus and new set of values.

But I didn’t wake up feeling that way.

So I need to make a choice.

Seek after and set my mind on things above.

Actually, make that plural — choices.

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (5).

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (8).

Yup, a bunch of gross, negative, evil, anti-Christian things — and I must choose to part company with them.

The chapter continues with more choices I must make — positive, new-man, image-of-Christ choices.

I would like to put down the full text of verses 12-17. Please, please — read them.

I know — I’ll link to them. Click here!