NEW LIFE IN CHRIST (1)
Colossians chapter 3: 1-17
Introduction. In Chapter 2, we see that the Christian life is not: the cerimonialism, consisting of the observance of sanctified days, abstention from certain foods, and the keeping of ecclesiastical rules and ritual.
In this chapter 3 the Apostle shows the characteristics of life of those who actually have been born again in Christ. There is no excerpt seven exhortations:
1 - Seek and be mindful of. Heavenly things should occupy the thoughts and be the desire and the reason of life of he that professes to be a believer in Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He is the life and the center of the Christian's activity, who has already "died" to the former life of the world, of the flesh and of the devil.
We know that Christ is to be manifested in glory and we, who are His, will be manifested with Him. For now, He lives in heaven, at the right hand of God (see Psalm 110:1; John 20:17), and the centre of our thoughts, desires, and actions should be there too (1-4).
2 - Put to death. We are "dead" to sin and not only just in theory but also in practice. An effort of will is needed to achieve this, because the sinful desires of former life persist in tempting us - immorality and carnal passions that formerly were part of our life. Such things are still tempting believers, but in Christ we have the power to overcome the temptation, by his Spirit that is within us. Such sins brought divine punishment on Sodom and Gomorrah and the ancient nations who lived in Palestine (5-7).
3 - Put off all these: Other sins are also mentioned, all of which we should no longer practice -lies, evil speaking, foul language - because such things do not belong to the "new man" in Christ; in Him we are made a new race, for which he is "all in all" (8-11).
4 - Clothe yourselves. Now the believer has a new garment, worthy of the "elected, saints and beloved" of God. The clothing has eight colours - Christian qualities: kindness, mercy, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness and love. These are the virtues which reflect the character of the Lord himself, of whose Kingdom the believer has become a subject (12-14).
5 - Let the peace of Christ dominate in the heart of the believer! That peace which the Lord left to those who walk in communion with Him (John 14:27; Romans 5:1). Nothing of fights, jealousy or anxiety, but always giving thanks for all (v,15).
6 - Let the word of Christ dwell in the believer: that is, may the teaching of Christ (which we now fully have in the New Testament) always be our rule of conduct; in this we must help each other. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, expressing our joy in God and our gratitude for everything that we have and received from Him, have always been characteristics of Christians, even forming part of preaching the Gospel to those outside (v. 16).
7 - The name of Christ - that is, His authority and Lordship, must be the motive for everything we do or speak; any other motive will be wrong and unworthy of whoever calls himself a "Christian". We, the believers, are His representatives in a usually hostile world and the only "rule" which is sufficient for all circumstances is the "Christ in us" fact. Thanks to God for His unspeakable Gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Richard Dawson Jones (1895-1987)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians chapter 3, verses 1 to 17