https://odb.org/2026/07/30/new-life-for-dead-hearts
Colossians 3:1–4 (NIV): 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Heartwood is the central supporting pillar of certain trees. Although dead, it won’t decay or lose strength while the outer, living layers are intact. Composed of fibers bound together by a chemical glue called lignin, heartwood can be as strong as steel. This element of a tree’s structure enables it to survive nature’s travails.
When Paul encouraged the Colossians to live a resurrected life, he could have used the metaphor of heartwood to express how those who have been saved are transformed. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). While Paul’s reference to us as “dead” might seem discouraging, when understood from the perspective of the resurrection we grasp the hope of such a statement. God transforms the dead core of our beings, strengthening us in the power of the resurrected Jesus to endure the trials of this life. (Elisa Morgan, Our Daily Bread 29th July 2026)
When we accept Christ and become born-again Christians, our old self is crucified with Christ. That is why we are considered dead but made alive in Christ. Our spiritual life is awakened. We now may communicate with God in the spirit, in prayer and worship. We are reconciled to the LORD and have a relationship with the Holy Trinity of Father God, His Son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
Day in day out, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds as we accept and apply His Word in our lives. As our hearts are changed, we become a better person. We become more Christ like, from inside out. Rather than be self centred and selfish, we are forgiving and generous. We become more selfless, thinking of others more.
The analogy of heartwood is thus apt. Our inner core is dead yet strong in Christ. Heartwood is dead but doesn’t decay or rot or lose strength. No more nutrients nor water passing through yet it offers a solid foundation and is the core to the tree, like Christ is to us. Our inner self is dead yet Christ transforms it to be the core that reaches out to the heavens and is sensitive to and aware of the spiritual realm. We now can do battle with demons. In fact, we just heard last Sunday how it is essential that we wage spiritual warfare first before preaching the Gospel. Because salvation is not won in the mind but in the spirit.
The message this morning is to let the fire within us to continue burning. Let our old self remain dead but in Christ that the new born-again self thrives and takes control. Let our old flesh and fleshy desires continue to be crucified. As it is always a battle between our old and new self, always let our new self prevail as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Have a good day ahead, everyone!
Ronnie's Thoughts 