Colossians 3
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Colossians 3
Bruce Billington
Colossians Chapter 3
Introduction
This chapter gives us wonderful insight into the true, Christian life and is mostly practical in its content. Paul is urging us here, to put off our old ways and allow the new ways of Christ to dominate, not just our way of life, but also our whole being.
This chapter does not make our earthly life irrelevant. What this verse is saying, is that accessing the heavenly realm brings Christ’s presence down to earth with us. It is a way of life, right here on earth, in our present reality.
Colossians 3:1-2 – “1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
We overcome our sin, weaknesses and failings, not by struggling with them on their own ground – but by rising above them. How do we do this? By embracing the things of above.
Worship and prayer, reading God’s Word and seeking Him in all things, delivers a power that puts our old life to death. It is not just a routine or discipline – it is an act of divine grace and how we access His power. It is essential for our growth and maturity.
An old saying truthfully states, “what we think is what we are.” The things we allow ourselves to think about, influence our character in a major way.
Colossians 3: 3-4 – “3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Our life is hidden because we live out of a resource that is not seen or available except for those who are in Christ. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
When Christ returns, we will either be called up to Him or if we have already died, return with Him.
Taking Off and Putting On
Now we move into the method the apostle Paul gives us about taking off and putting on.
To Be Taken Off
Colossians 3:5-7 – “5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked when you were living in them.”
This section details the things we are meant to be dead to. These are not the things we should be struggling with. They must be totally removed from our life in Christ. They cannot be part of it.
Verse 5 describes such things as immorality, impurity, evil desire, and greed, – this includes pornography, sexual sins, rampant materialism, addictions etc. These are not meant to be things we should be found wrestling with. We are meant to be dead to such things and a dead person has no interest in such things.
Why do the Scriptures single these things out?
Because not only are they deadly in themselves – meaning they will destroy our lives and enslave us – but also, they provoke the anger of God against us (Verse 6). The wrath of God is real and something we need to take great steps to avoid.
If such practices are part of your life, confess them as sin, not only to God but also to those who have input into your life spiritually. The cost of not dealing with it, is far greater than anything you may get out of such sins.
Annoying Daily Troubles
Here we have listed the more common issues of sin that will hinder our Christian life – things we will always have to stand against and keep on a short leash. They have a habit of sneaking back in on a regular basis. They are certainly different than the things we should be dead to.
Colossians 3:8-9 – “8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,”
Paul is describing such things as losing our temper, talking about others in a way that we shouldn’t, being abusive to people and of course, telling lies.
We must war against self-centredness and all selfish endeavours and ambitions. These are daily tasks. These are the things we must constantly guard our heart from.
Putting on the New Self
Colossians 3:10 – “and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him”
When we are born again, we become a new creation. As a result, we can now put on the following.
- A new Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15
- New nature – born from above – John 1:12
- A new heart – Romans 2:29
- A new obedience – Romans 12:1
- A new citizenship – Philippians 3:20
- New desires – Matthew 5:6
- A new knowledge of who we are including what our calling is – John 8:32; Ephesians 2:10.
This is birthed inside of us when we receive the Holy Spirit. Our body becomes a temple that He resides in and we are now –
“A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, So that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;” (1 Peter 2:9).
We now have the power to overcome sin in our life. We are not just overcomers – Paul teaches that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). We can unleash this power against the enemy and our own fallen nature and embrace the victory in Christ, every time.
Colossians 3:11 – “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”
There are now no distinctions. This does not mean there are no longer different cultures – but it means no culture is superior or has any advantage over any other, regarding being in Christ and living the Christian life. All cultures are valued equally by God, as an expression of who He is.
To Be Put On
Colossians 3:12-14 – “12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Many in the world call these things signs of weakness. But as Jesus modelled – it takes considerable strength of character to live this way. It cannot be done unless we embrace the cross.
It takes a lot to forgive someone when they are clearly at fault. It takes a lot to show kindness or compassion when you may think you are more deserving of it. It takes a lot to be patient, especially when in a hurry and the person driving in front of you is going so slow!
These are hard things and they won’t become part of us without a determined and constant effort to embrace them. God has made them available, but we must apply them.
Verse 14 – it is love that brings all these things together. It is the complete expression of God and true love for others that draws all these things out of us. It is ultimately only love that will keep us together.
Colossians 3:15-17 – “15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 – Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Let us remember to remain thankful because it is God who has called us out and put us on this amazing journey.
Jesus has already deposited a peace in our hearts. We don’t need any more – we need to guard what we already have – because the issues of life come and rob us from it. We must reach out to Him for it and lay hold of it.
Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Great verse to finish on. Paul is urging us to make sure that whatever we do or say, should be done or said, in the name of Jesus. Our work is not to please humanity – it is to please Christ. The Way of the Lord is a heart response – not a religion. It should permeate every aspect of our lives. We must put our heart and soul into it.
May God bless you.
Bruce Billington