Colossians 3
-Paul goes from the corporate in chapters 1 & 2 to the individual
Christian life in the last two chapters 3 & 4. He begins with our
resurrected life IN Christ, which allows us to focus on the things above in
glory rather than be consumed with the trials, tribulations, and temptations of
this natural world. His implication is that we are raised with Christ because
we have died to the old man and now our new creation by the Holy Spirit is “hidden
with Christ in God.” Christ is our life, as the true and called believers, and
He will be revealed. But that’s not all. We, as His saints, will be revealed “with
Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).” Paul lists things in our mortal beings that
need to be “put off (Colossians 3:9),” “put away (Colossians 3:7),” or “put to
death (Colossians 3:5).” These things include sexual immorality, impurity,
passion (from pathos, which denotes
extreme desires, usually associated with sexuality), evil desire, and
covetousness, which all amount to idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Also mentioned are
the corruptions of anger, wrath, malice (evil intent), slander, obscene talk,
and lying (Colossians 3:8-9). Paul through the Holy Spirit says it is on
account of these things that the wrath of God is coming and that everyone once walked
in this darkness of life before Christ came and saved. Our lives were all a big
mess before Christ came and cleaned things up (Colossians 3:6-7).
-Sinful living habits were the bad news, but the good (no
make that great!) news is that Christ has come and we can “put on (Colossians
3:10, 12, 14)” His righteousness with true knowledge in His image. In this renewed
and transformed life, there is equality among believers with no distinction as
Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11). The list of things to “put on”
include compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing
with one another, forgiveness, and thanksgiving (Colossians 3:12-13). Above all
of these virtues, or fruits of the Holy Spirit, is the perfect bond of unity,
LOVE (1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 3:14). Peace is also included, which is to
rule in our hearts along with the Word of Christ, which can dwell in us richly
through teaching and admonishing (noutheteĊ- to admonish “God wouldn’t want us to do
that”, warn “God will take action to correct our errors”, exhort “we can do
better than that motivation”) one another in and with all wisdom
(Colossians 3:15-16). The base analysis is that we can be thankful in all forms
of praise as we do everything in word or deed in the Name of the Lord Jesus
(Colossians 3:16-17).
-*Application* This is personal and very introspective when
we consider how thus we should live as new creations IN Christ. If these
characteristics are present and growing, we are in good shape (2 Peter 1:2-8;
3:18). If not, we had better examine ourselves to see if we are actually in the
faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
-Some individual exhortations in regards to family matters
and working relationships characterize Colossians 3:18-25. Submission, love,
abstaining from bitterness, and obedience are big components in this section,
all in the fear of the Lord in view of pleasing Him and fitting into His plan
(Colossians 3:22). The key verse here is “whatever you do, work heartily, as
for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23).” It is the Lord that gives our
inheritance as a reward as new creations, and make sure that the wrongdoer who
is apart from God will be paid back for what they have done since there is no
partiality with God (Colossians 3:24-25).
-*Application* There is no doubt individual responsibility
and accountability, with regards to our relationship and walk with the Lord, is
a critical application to us here. No one can make us right with God other than
ourselves. It is our own personal faith that will make the difference in where
we spend eternity. Please personally accept Christ Jesus as Savior and become a
new creation through His Holy Spirit if this has not happened yet. We will
benefit from this decision in more ways than we can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).
We are blessed in Christ. Lay aside the old and put on the new.
Verses to Memorize-
Colossians 3:3-4, 17, 23
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