Colossians 3 - How You Pick Your Clothing Matters!

Click Here to Read or Listen to Colossians 3

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Paul is speaking metaphorically when he says we have been "raised with Christ". We sometimes call this "our position in Christ". Though we live on earth, we are to be "heavenly minded". This is why Paul says, "Set your minds on things above." Throughout Paul's letters we see the importance our minds play in our spiritual transformation. 

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

What does it mean that we have died and our life is now hidden with Christ?  

 We don’t have to know what’s going on. Your life is hid with Christ in God. You’re dead. The old life is cut off but you’re alive in Christ. That’s the fundamental teaching about Christianity and conversion - we have a new life within us. - Dallas Willard

This becomes the key to our Christian life. Our old self has been crucified, while our new self is being renewed by Jesus day by day. When Jesus appears we will appear with him in glory. The true nature of who we are in Christ will become evident to all. This is like the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Though we are a new Creation in Christ, we still live in a mortal body, which has a sinful nature with all of its desires. Therefore, we continually need to deny ourselves and pick up our cross to follow Jesus. 

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10

Paul uses the language of "taking of your old self and putting on the new self." Though God is at work transforming us from the inside out, we still play a role. We take off our old self intentionally, and put on our new self intentionally. 

The phrase Paul used was commonly used for changing a set of clothes. We can almost picture a person taking off the old and putting on the new man in Jesus. - Guzik

Just like consciously we put on a new pair of clothes every morning before we go to work, we need put our new clothes which have been given to us by Christ. 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Then, Paul specifically gives us what these clothes look like. This are similar to the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23

Each one of the qualities mentioned in this passage express themselves in relationships. A significant measure of our Christian life is found simply in how we treat people and the quality of our relationships with them. - Guzik

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

This could easily be a life motto for every Christian. As we think about doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus it shows the importance of everything we say and do. We do the things he would do if he were us. This is a life wholly submitted to Christ. We do not act one way around some people and another around others. We don't give Jesus just part of our life and then have secret areas we still control. If we do everything in the name of Jesus, our life will have dynamic power that will enable us to be who God wants us to be. 

What would your life look like if everything you said and did, you consciously did in the name of Jesus? 








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