Weekly Devotional on Colossians (Week 6 - Colossians 3:1-17)

MONDAY: Colossians 3:1-4

Here we see a logical progression for our lives, although it is not necessarily presented in order. Let’s take a second and order it. Firstly, we have died (v.3). This is the same death we discussed last week (2:18). It is after dying that we are then raised (v.1); and we are raised to a life hidden with Christ in God (v.3). Since these things are true, if they are true of us, then when Christ our life appears, we too will appear with Him in glory (v.4). However, we know that this has not happened yet. Yes, we have died and been raised to a life that is hidden with Christ. But verse 4 has certainly not occurred yet. So in the meantime, Paul gives two commandments for those of us who have been raised from death to a life with Christ. 

The first commandment is to seek the things that are above (v.1). And the second is like it: set your mind on things that are above (v.2). They seem similar, in that we both seek and set our mind on the things of Christ, rather than on the things of this world. What does this mean? The verb “to seek” here, is a continuous, ongoing action. It denotes a posture of “seeking continuously” throughout life, which is why the NIV translates it “set your heart on” rather than seek. The verb “to reason” or “to think” is then used in the same way. Together, Paul is describing an entire life oriented upwards in continuous desire and meditation on that which will be ours for eternity. The things of this life do not compare! Let us be those who long with eager hearts for the hope that awaits us at His coming!

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Matt. 16:22-23; John 11:25; Rom. 8:24-25; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Pet. 2:2-3; 1 John 2:15-17

TUESDAY: Colossians 3:5-8

Since our life is Christ, we must consider ourselves and treat our earthly body as though it has died. Paul gives examples of what is earthly within us, explaining that all of these things are the reason that God’s wrath is coming. These things that are earthly (lit. the on the earth, gk. τα επι της γης), are exactly what we just learned to set our minds off of in verse 2 (the Greek is identical). Notice here: Paul says that we are to put them away in verse 8. We who have died with Christ do everything that we can to avoid that which brings about God’s wrath. We put them away, we throw them off, we don’t even want to set our minds on such things!

But if this is of such vital importance, then how should we put the deeds of the body to death? How do we kill what is earthly in us? In Romans 8:13, Paul says that “if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” So we see that it is by the Spirit that we are to put to death the deeds of the body. But how does the Spirit kill the deeds of the body? Well, in Ephesians 6:13-18, when Paul is describing the armor of God, he tells us of the sword of the Spirit. A sword, different from armor, is not used just to protect, but also to attack and to kill. And Paul says there, in Ephesians 6:17, that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. 

So let’s flesh this out. We are to put to death what is earthly in us in submission to God’s Word. We have died with Christ, and by the power of the Spirit working through God’s Word we put to death the things of the body, which we throw aside and set our minds and hearts on Jesus, who is our life! What an incredible truth. Not only does God’s Word help us set our minds on Jesus, but it is a weapon of the Spirit in our war on sin. Today, consider memorizing these verses, and set your eyes on Jesus, who is our life.

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Rom. 13:11-14; Eph. 6:13-18; 1 Thess. 5:9; Heb. 4:12; 12:1-2; James 1:21; 1 Pet. 22-25

WEDNESDAY: Colossians 3:9-11

Why shouldn’t Christians lie to one another? Paul says that it is because we have stripped off the old self and it practices. The practices are likely the lists that Paul has given in 3:5 and 8. Lying seems to be related to both of these lists. The sexual sins listed in 3:5 and the sins related to anger in 3:8 are both examples of lying. We lie to ourselves and each other when we act as though we haven’t died and been raised with Christ. We lie when we say that we govern ourselves, that our impulses govern ourselves, that Jesus isn’t on the throne of our life but rather our momentary flashes of passion in a moment. All of these are lies! We aren’t to be setting our mind on those things, and we aren’t to lie to one another about them. That was the old self, and seeing as we have put that off, let’s not lie to each other about it.

The word “put off” here is the same word in the Greek as both 2:11 and 2:15—“putting off” in 2:11, and “disarming”in 2:15. This word, απεκδύω, is a compound word of three different words. It implies the intentional stripping off, tearing away, and throwing out, with no chance of return. This is important—sometimes we try to fight sins or old vices for a season such as during Lent, thinking we can return to them when we are stronger. We do this with social media, explicit music, sensual material in movies, alcohol consumption—that is not what Paul is saying! These are to be put off and never returned to as we walk in the reality of the new self. 

The second reason that we should not lie to one another is that we have put on the new self. There is a new self now, but it is still being renewed. This is an important nuance—just because we have put on the new self does not mean that we will never sin again. Rather, the new self is still in the process of being renewed in knowledge. Understand this—as you are renewed in knowledge, you are renewed in truth! Remember, it is in Christ that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (2:3). And here, being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (also Jesus), there is no partiality. What a beautiful reason not to lie to one another. 

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Lev. 19:11-12; John 8:42-47; Acts 5:1-11; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:20-24; 2 Thess. 2:9-12

THURSDAY: Colossians 3:12-14

Here, we see the opposite side of the putting off we have been talking about. This is not merely the throwing away of sinful habits. We need to replace those habits with the habits of Christ. Psychology will tell us that there is no such thing as making new habits; we merely replace old ones. And that is the idea here. Now that we have put all of the old self off, we are to keep putting on the attributes of the new self that we have put on. We have thrown off, and put away anger and malice and wrath, and in their place we now put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and finally, above all—love. All of the virtues that are listed in verses 12-13 find their fulfillment in love. We are to be people who love fully and self-sacrificially. Everything that Paul has mentioned thus far is bound together in perfect harmony by love. Biblically, all the virtues are united in a love that extends first and foremost unto God, and then to those around us. 

But notice something important here. Paul says that we do this as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. This is a glorious statement! Paul wants us to put these virtues on, but before that, he needs us to know who we are. And here are three incredible truths that we need to understand. Number one; if you are in Christ, you are chosen by God. What a glorious comfort this is—if you are born again, we know that it is of God (John 1:13). Number two; if you are in Christ, you are holy. To be holy is to be set apart, or more accurately, consecrated unto God. This doesn’t mean that you are perfect; this means that as one who is chosen, you are consecrated unto God as His and will be made perfect and holy on the day of Christ Jesus. And number three; you are loved. Yes, God loves the world and gave His Son to save it, but there is a unique, intimate, deeper love that Christ has for His church, for His bride. And if you are in Christ, this relational, abiding love is the love with which God loves you. These three truths are essential for us as we seek to put these virtues on and bear with one another in forgiveness.

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Ps. 31:7; Is. 6:1-3; John 3:16-21; Rom. 5:5-8; Eph. 1:3-6; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; 1 John 3:1-3; Rev. 19:6-9

FRIDAY: Colossians 3:15

As we talked about on Sunday, peace is given a level of authority in our hearts. How do we let the peace of Christ rule? The ruling indicated here is not ruling as a king. Rather, this is more similar to the ruling of an umpire, or a referee. This word (βραβευέτω), is more similar to one deciding a prize, or determining who has competed according to the rules. This same word is present in the negative in Colossians 2:18, translated “disqualify” (κατα-βραβευέτω). But how does it rule like that in our hearts, and in the body of Christ? This is not a vague, pleasant, easy-going feeling. Rather, the peace of Christ is a massive, blood-bought reality, which to understand we turn to Ephesians 2:13-17.

In Ephesians 2, Paul says that Jesus Himself is our peace, and that He made us one and broke down the wall of hostility in His flesh by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances (Eph. 2:14-15). So when Paul says don’t let anybody defraud you of your prize in Colossians 2:18, and then says let Christ’s peace rule here in 3:15, I would suggest to you that Paul is saying that the way we interact with each other needs to rule what is in and out of bounds. Paul’s list in Col. 2:8? Out of bounds. Paul’s list in Col. 2:12-14? Within bounds! So there is no disqualification due to ordinances—they have been abolished. Rather, we are to let Christ’s blood-bought reconciliation govern in our hearts and relationships, under Jesus who is the head of the body (Col. 2:8). 

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Ps. 34:14-15; Is. 26:3-4; Mic. 5:2-5; John 14:27; Eph. 2:13-18; 4:1-3; Phil. 4:4-7; Heb. 12:14-15

SATURDAY: Colossians 3:16-17

In saying the word of Christ, Paul is likely referring both to Jesus’ words and to the teaching about Him; the Gospel. The word “let” here, similarly in verse 15, is difficult to translate into English, as we have no proper comparison for it. Sometimes when hearing the word “let” we think of it as us giving permission. But that is not the case here in the Greek. Rather, this is more like Paul giving a command. Yet not a command to the Colossians themselves; grammatically, it is as if Paul is commanding the Word of Christ to dwell in the Colossians and to stay there. As Paul can’t command the Word, some suggest that more properly, this should be read as a strong exhortation: “The word of Christ must dwell in you richly.” And here, he gives the means for which that dwelling occurs.

How does the Word of Christ dwell? The main function is through teaching. The Word of Christ is to be taught, and it is to be sung about. This is incredible! The Word of Christ is worth rejoicing over, and lifting our voices over. Though at times, we don’t consider the lyrics of songs that we are singing. We have a tendency to listen and sing along to the worship music that comes from popular artists. But we need to be careful—the songs that we sing are a form of teaching. The lyrics that run through our mind on a daily basis play a significant role in our faith. We need to be careful that the songs that teach us are teaching us the truth of God in Christ Jesus.

Yet this does not merely apply to spiritual songs. All that we do, whether in our speech or in our actions, is to be representative of Christ. To do something in the name of Jesus is to represent His heart and His desires in the way that we do it. There is no separation for Paul between the spiritual and the secular; everything is to be done in Jesus’ Name. 

Questions:

Additional Scripture:

Ps. 146-150; John 15:3; Acts 16:25-34; 1 Cor. 10:31; Eph. 5:19-20; Heb. 13:7-9, 17; James 5:13