“Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” 23:25

I felt like cheering and slow-clapping as I read through chapter 23, reading every detail of Josiah’s thorough clean-out. I wish we all had a response to God’s word like the one Josiah has.

Smash every other thing we worship. Destroy anything that mimics, insults or disrespects the one true God. When Jesus first got a hold of your life, did you turn everything inside out and upside down, wringing out every ounce of sin? This is the impact the gospel should have on your heart. 

Is there something still lingering around from your life before Christ? An old habit you don’t want to give up, a toxic relationship you won’t step out of, a personality trait you need to release?

Take a minute and check in with the Holy Spirit. Do you need to clean house a little? Don’t let anything from your old self linger, but instead:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.” Colossians 3:1-13

-Carly